April 2009

IBC Holds International Hana Matsuri

On April 12, the International Buddhist Congregation (IBC) of Rissho Kosei-kai organized an International Hana Matsuri (flower festival) celebrating the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha at the organization's former headquarters within the current headquarters complex in Tokyo. Some 300 foreign residents of Japan from 14 countries took part. The sixteen guests of honor included the Myanmar ambassador, Mr. U Hla Myint.

The festival, in the former headquarters' main hall, opened with an offering of lighted candles and flowers to an image of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni by 36 foreign participants from 11 countries in their traditional costumes. They also offered words of praise to the Buddha in their own languages. After that, Ven. Muthukeliyawe Indarathana, representing the Japan Theravada Buddhist Association gave a talk  titled "The Significant Meaning of Vesak and Hana Matsuri." Rev. Katsuji Suzuki, head of the IBC, then led recitation of the Lotus Sutra in English. This was followed by a talk titled "Think Big" by Dr. Gene Reeves, a scholar of religion and IBC's special advisor. After that, the participants enjoyed a Japanese drum performance by members of the Suginami Daiko Group, affiliated with the Suginami Dharma Center in Tokyo. Rev. Kotaro Suzuki, director of Rissho Kosei-kai International, then gave the closing address.

After the festival the participants saw such manifestations of traditional Japanese culture as a koto performance, a tea ceremony, and flower arrangement. They also saw a performance of a Cambodian traditional court dance.

April 12, 2009

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