HanaMatsuri Bazaar

Celebrating the Birth of the Buddha
Saturday & Sunday
April 25 & 26, 2009
12 Noon - 6:00 PM
Everyone Welcome * Free Admission * Free Parking


Entertainment & Demonstrations

(schedule subject to change)

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

12:30 BUNRAKU PUPPET DEMO (Robertson & Tyrrell) cancelled

1:00 KYUDO - JAPANESE ARCHERY (So. Cal. Kyudo Association)

1:30 TEA CEREMONY (Soko Fosket, Tea Master)

2:15 TAIWANESE DANCE (Hsi Fang Temple Dance Group)

2:25 SUMIE - BRUSH PAINTING FASHION SHOW (Vista Sumie Class)

2:50 TAIWANESE DANCE (Hsi Fang Temple Dance Group)

3:00 KYUDO - JAPANESE ARCHERY (So. Cal. Kyudo Association)

3:30 INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM (Rev. Mutsumi Wondra)

4:30 HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF JAPANESE SWORDS (Richard Suran, President of So. Cal. Japanese Sword Club)

5:15 TAIKO DRUMMING (Shokenji Taiko & Junior Taiko of Vista Buddhist Temple)

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

12 - 6 pm LIVE PAINTING BY NEKO PRESS ARTIST BILLY MARTINEZ

12:30 TAIKO DRUMMING (Asayake Taiko from UCSD)

1:00 HOW TO DRAW MANGA (Neko Press artist Billy Martinez)

2:00 INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM (Rev. Marvin Harada)

3:00 JAPANESE TRADITIONAL DANCE (Bando Mitsuhiro Kai)

3:45 CYMBIDIUM ORCHID POTTING DEMO (George Furuya)

4:15 JAPANESE CHORUS (Choral Kaguyahime)

4:45 KOTO, SHAKUHACHI, & SHAMISEN (Masazumi Kai)

5:15 TAIKO DRUMMING (Shokenji Taiko & Junior Taiko of Vista Buddhist Temple)

 
Food
Beef Teriyaki -- Chicken Teriyaki -- Hot Dogs -- Manju -- Snow Cones -- Sushi -- Taikoyaki -- Tuna Teriyaki -- Udon Noodle Soup -- Won Ton -- Yakisoba Noodles
Games
Goldfish Game and other games for children
Raffle ($2 ticket)
First Prize $1,000 -- Second Prize $500 -- Third Prize $100 in Gift Certificates -- and many additional raffle prizes for merchandise, dining, and entertainment
Other
Craft Boutique -- Sumie Painting Displays/Craft Items -- Buddhist Bookstore --Fresh Produce -- Cut Flowers and Plants -- "Hanamido" Flower Altar
Parking

Festival parking is free. You can park in the following places:

1. in the temple/cultural center parking lot

2. on the street

3. on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Scripps Coastal Medical Center Parking Structure (1st floor and part of 2nd floor are for patient parking only)

 

The Meaning of Hanamatsuri

“Hanamatsuri,” the flower festival, is the celebration of the Buddha’s birth.  It is said that the Buddha was born on April 8, 563 B.C.E. near the southern border of present-day Nepal.  The year 2009, therefore, is the 2,572nd commemoration of his birthday.

The Buddha’s given name was Siddhartha.  According to legend, he was born a prince and heir to the throne of King Suddhodana of the Kingdom of Kapilavastu.  Siddhartha’s mother, Queen Maya, is said to have been travelling to her parents’ home to give birth on the last days of her pregnancy as was the custom in those days.  She and her attendants stopped to rest at the beautiful Lumbini Garden.  It was here, as she was enjoying the flowers in the springtime bloom, that the Buddha was born.

The floral altar (“hanamido”) of the Buddha represents Lumbini Garden.  The custom of pouring sweet tea over the statue of Buddha represents the sweet rain that is said to have fallen when he was born.  The special altar, the beautiful decorations and the pouring of sweet tea give “Hanamatsuri” a festive atmosphere and express our respect and reverence toward the Buddha and his teachings.

The celebration of “Hanamatsuri” is not solely the celebration of the birthday of one historic person.  “Hanamatsuri” truly is an expression of our joy in being able to encounter the Dharma today, for it is that encounter that gives us the opportunity to receive the eternal life of the Buddha’s Wisdom and Compassion.