Hana Matsuri: Celebrating The Buddha’s Birthday

Hana Matsuri is a celebration held across Japan to rejoice in the birth of the Buddha. The actual name for the birthday celebration is Kanbutsue, and different Buddhist nations celebrate the birthday on different dates. However, in Japan, the celebrations are held on April 8th, the peak of Sakura season, and this is why Kanbutsue is also popularly known as Hana Matsuri, or the Festival of Flowers. On this day, people across the country visit their local Buddhist temples to honor the life and teachings of the Buddha.

Let’s learn some more about this special day!

People Outside Temple in Asakusa – Photo by Nicolas Postiglioni on Pexels

The Birth Of The Buddha

“Siddhartha Gautama,” who later became known as Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born to a royal family in the famous gardens of Lumbini, in present-day Nepal. He gave up his royal lineage and normal life to lead a life as a wandering ascetic, and after years of meditation, he attained nirvana or enlightenment. Buddhism reached Japan around the 6th century CE, through China, and soon became one of the leading religious philosophies in the country. This makes Hana Matsuri or the Buddha’s birthday celebrations quite a special day for the Japanese.

Artistic Depiction of Prince Siddhartha riding his favorite stallion – Photo Credit: godongphoto on Shutterstock

The Miracle

According to legend, immediately after his birth, the Buddha took seven steps forward and pointed his hands to the heavens and the earth, and is believed to have said, “I am alone in the Universe.” At this point, nine dragons came from the heavens and anointed him with pure water.

The Kanbutsue is a way to re-create this miracle. During Hana Matsuri, special flower viewing areas, or hanamido, are set up within the temples, which represent the forests and the gardens of Lumbini. The viewing area is decorated with colourful flowers, and a statue of the baby Buddha, simultaneously pointing to the skies and the earth, is placed in the centre of the floral decorations.

Hanamido – Photo Credit: Kanpai Japan

Special Celebrations

One of the highlights of the festival is the way the statue of the Buddha is worshipped. A special sweet tea, am-cha, is made by boiling dried hydrangea leaves. Visitors pour this tea on the head of the statue, to symbolize the water sprinkled on the baby Buddha by the dragons, and offer their respect. Many temples also distribute the tea to the visitors, which is taken home and enjoyed with family and loved ones.

White Elephant Parade during Hana Matsuri – Photo by Maarten Heerlien via Wikimedia Commons

Best Places To Catch the Hana Matsuri Celebrations

Although the celebrations for Hana Matsuri are on a relatively quieter note than other festivals in Japan, it is still a very special occasion. Many temples sell special amulets and religious mementos on the day, which can make perfect souvenirs for yourself or your friends. There are also special parades in some temples with children wearing old costumes.

One of the best places to view the celebrations is at the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. On this day, the temple altar is all decked out with new tapestry and floral decorations, and there is also a parade of a chariot in the shape of a white elephant. The Tsukiji Hongan ji Temple is also another place where there are slightly more elaborate celebrations and is the perfect place for a day out.

Celebrating any festival is always a joyous occasion, and it is even more special when it’s a festival to celebrate the Buddha’s birth. So, if you are in Japan on April 8th, do remember to visit a local otera (Buddhist temple) and maybe enjoy the Buddha’s birthday celebrations, with some sweet ama-cha! And for pre- and post-birthday celebrations, do look up Arigato Travel’s local experience tours to learn more about Japanese festivals, traditions and foods!

Featured image credit: Anton Cherednichenko on Pexels