Flower Festival (Hana Matsuri) in Japan (08/04)

On April 8, Japanese Buddhists celebrate the holiday of Hana Matsuri (Japanese). 河) or Kambut (c) uh. It is dedicated to the birth of the Buddha, and is often referred to as the Flower Festival.

Festive events dedicated to the birthday of the founder of one of the world religions were known at the beginning of our era, although they gained popularity in the second half of the 19th century.

All ceremonial actions held on this day in Buddhist temples in Japan, as well as on the streets of cities and villages, in houses, in one way or another, are associated with the legend telling about the birth of Buddha. Its summary boils down to the fact that Queen Maya, who saw a white elephant in a dream, received a message from the gods, which stated that she would soon give birth to a son who would become Enlightened.

Shortly before giving birth, the queen went to her parents and along the way found herself in the wonderful garden (or grove) of Lumbini, which was a place similar to paradise, where fragrant flowers bloomed around on the ground and in the trees. Queen Maya, who bent down to pick the flower, suddenly went into labor. Her son was born in the middle of this wonderful garden in flowers.

At that moment, 9 dragons descended from the sky washed the newborn’s head with nectar from flowers, and according to another version, – with tea from hydrangea petals. Minor discrepancies do not change the essence of the legend even when, according to one of these versions, ablution occurred because the dragons touched trees with their tails, and the dew and nectar that fell from them washed the Buddha’s head.

Everything that is said in the legend is reflected in the traditions of celebrating this day. In Buddhist temples, a special altar is decorated, in which a statue of a small Buddha decorated with flowers is displayed. The statue is located in the bowl-pool. Each Buddhist, coming to the temple, brings flowers with him, approaches the altar and, using a special bucket, pours tea from hydrangea petals on the head of the newborn Buddha statue.

The monks brew this drink in large quantities, treating it to parishioners, who in turn can take tea with them home, where they will drink it with their family and friends. Amatya or Amacha tea is believed to be healing on this day. The entire ceremony symbolizes the legendary events in the Lumbini Garden.

On this day, cities are decorated with thousands of flowers, paper lanterns, and festive processions take place along the streets, the participants of which are dressed in elegant national clothes. Children, also dressed in bright colors, receive special attention on this holiday. Among the walking Buddhists there is certainly a cart with a statue of a white elephant installed on it, which appeared to Queen Maya in a dream. On the elephant there is a sitting baby Buddha, on whose head sweet flower tea is poured, smartly dressed children approaching the statue.

It is also very noteworthy in this holiday that by April 8, sakura blooms and the first flowers on earth bloom in many regions of Japan, turning all the parks and squares of the country into marvelous gardens reminiscent of the Lumbini Garden. The earth and all living things wake up from sleep and meet the rays of the spring sun.

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