J.K. Hirano

Mukashi mo mukashi san zen nen

Long ago, long ago, three thousand years

Hana saki ni ou haru youka

In the fragrance of Springtime on the eighth

Hibiki wa tatta hito koe wa

A single voice reverberated throughout.

Ten ni mo chi ni mo ware hitori

In the heavens and on Earth, I am the one (Buddha)

The word “Holiday” comes from the Old English “Haligdaeg” meaning “Holy day”. My online dictionary describes it as:

Noun

Day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or honor of some person.
Any day of exemption from work (distinguished from working day)
A time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.

Adjective

Of or relating to a festival; festive; joyous:

A holiday mood

Suitable for a holiday:

Holiday attire

Verb (used without object)

Chiefly British. To vacation

I think it is interesting that the Japanese word or equivalent to the English “Holiday” is either

“ホリデ　horide” or “やすみ yasumi” which basically means “day off”. The Japanese word “matsuri” is sometimes used interchangeably. However, the word “Matsuri” is traditionally in reference to Shinto rites and rituals. As a result, most “Matsuri” vary from area to area and are often specific to certain areas, not on a set day. Within our Jodo Shinshu Honganji Ha tradition, the two largest holidays are Hoonko (Shinran’s memorial service) January 16 and Gotan E (Shinran’s birthday) May

Although we call the day the historical Buddha Shakyamuni was born “Hanamatsuri” (flower festival) it is obviously not Shinto, just as Obon, which many in English say, “Obon festival) in referring to the Obon dancing. Many people do not know, but we have specific Jodo Shinshu Buddhist words for these days. Hanamatsuri is called “Kanbutsu E” meaning gathering to bathe the Buddha. And Obon is “Kangi E”. meaning: gathering of joy.

If you were to look in the “official” Jodo Shinshu Service Book, there are only two gathas, “Shinshu Shuka” a song about the basics of Jodo Shinshu teaching and “Ondokusan” a song created from one of Shinran Shonin’s wasans. However, in the older service book created by the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) there are several songs in reference to some of our Buddhist holidays. I like the old ones, such as Hanamatsuri Kyoshikyoku meaning Hanamatsuri March. I began this article with the first verse in Japanese and English of this song.

When I went to Japan many years ago, I was surprised that there wasn’t a huge celebration for Hanamatsuri. It isn’t taken as a day off. To be honest, Japanese really don’t have many holidays like we do in the United States or at least they aren’t celebrated like we do. I can honestly say that many of the temples in the United States have much larger Hanamatsuri celebrations than Japan. The “Hanamido” (flower viewing stand), which is a small altar with flowers adorning it. In the center is an image of the infant Shakyamuni Buddha, standing with his right hand pointing to the sky. This is in reference to the legend of his birth. In this legend, when he was born the Earth shook in six directions, sweet rain fell from the sky, twin dragons brought lifted and brought him to his feet, where he took seven steps and proclaimed, “In the heavens and Earth, I am the honored one.” The seven steps represent the Buddha overcoming birth in the six realms of existence “rokudo” and the seventh representing his enlightenment. The six realms are Jigoku (hell realm), Gaki (realm of hungry ghosts) Chikusho (realm of beasts) Ashura (realm of fighting spirits) Ningen (Human realm) and Tenjin (heavenly realm).

During Kanbutsu E instead of the incense burning, we have Kanbutsu (bathing Buddha). The little Buddha is in a shallow bowl filled with sweet tea to represent the sweet rain, which fell from the sky, and we bow before the altar, pour a ladle of tea over the statue and then gassho and bow, as we would when we burn incense. I have seen many people pour three ladles over the Buddha, but I’m not sure why or know of any significance to doing that. Most BCA temples also have a program of some sort and a luncheon. I learned from one of my teachers that the reason Hongwanji does not have a large celebration for either Hanamatsuri or Nehan E (Buddha’s death day), is because the larger celebration is held for Shinran’s birth and death day, Gotan E and Hoonko. Within Jodo Shinshu, it is believed that the reason for the Buddha’s coming into the world was to share the Larger Sutra, which is the story of Amida Buddha’s journey. Within this religious idea, Shinran Shonin’s teaching is the epitome of Amida’s teaching, namely “Namo Amida Butsu”. Thus rather than celebrate all the various dates, Hongwanji celebrates all through Shinran. In my personal view, Hanamatsuri and Obon are two of my favorite Buddhist Holidays, so I’m glad we celebrate them at our temple.

On April 9th we will be celebrating Hanamatsuri in Ogden and Salt Lake. I hope that you will be able to join us for these Buddhist Holy days. Namo Amida Butsu