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West Maui Buddhists to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday — Hanamatsuri

By Staff | Mar 29, 2018

The Hanamatsuri celebration will be held on April 1 at 9:30 a.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission.

LAHAINA – Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth – known as Hanamatsuri, or Flower Festival – will be celebrated by the West Maui Buddhist community on Sunday, April 1, at 9:30 a.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission at 12 Ala Moana St.

According to Mahayana Buddhist tradition, the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, was born on April 8 more than 2,500 years ago in Lumbini Flower Garden in present day Nepal.

His teachings are a guide to realizing a universal spirit of wisdom and compassion as a foundation for humanity.

The celebration will consist of a service that includes offering sweet tea to the infant statue of the Buddha (enshrined in a flower shrine called hanamido) and offerings of incense and flowers.

Rev. Shinri Hara, a graduate of UC Berkeley who earned a Master’s Degree from the Institute of Buddhist Studies, will deliver the dharma talk. Fellowship activities will follow the service.

The observance is co-sponsored by Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, Lahaina Shingon Mission and Lahaina Jodo Mission.

All are welcome to join this celebration. For more information, call 661-4304.