We had a wonderful and joyous Hana Matsuri celebration for Buddha's Birthday on April 21st. The sangha came together for meditation, a potluck meal, and chanting and flower scattering, and cake, so much cake!
Oshin's Hoshi gave the customary talk on Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and life, where he asked us to sit with, "What is born this moment? And this one?" The talk ended with Ōshin challenging us to consider the historical first words of the Buddha, "On heaven and earth I alone am the world honored one" and how that relates to Buddha's words under the Bodhi tree, "I and all beings simultaneously achieve the way." What more can be said?
“天上天下唯我独尊”
While we chanted, visiting priest Rev. Colleen Jirin Shaughnessy scattered flowers over us, each one of us re-born and so fresh and alive!
Happy spring to all!