April 2009

Shakyamuni's Birth Celebrated at Great Sacred Hall and All Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Centers

On April 8, Rissho Kosei-kai celebrated Shakyamuni Buddha's birthday at the Great Sacred Hall in the headquarters complex in Tokyo and at all Dharma Centers across Japan. The event was an opportunity for all members to appreciate the significance of the Buddha's birth and renew their commitment to disseminate his teachings.

At the ceremony in the Great Sacred Hall, attended by some 4,000 members, sixteen young women members in colorful saris made offerings at the altar before the statue of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni. Then President-designate Kosho Niwano led chanting of the Lotus Sutra and read out a tribute by President Niwano to the Buddha and poured sweet hydrangea tea over an image of the infant Buddha in a small pagoda decorated with flowers on the stage. Two small children, on behalf of all the small children of the organization's members, recited words of praise for the Buddha before his statue, and Kosei Nursery School pupils performed a play.

After that, one member gave testimony to the faith, and President Niwano poured hydrangea tea over an image of the infant Buddha before giving a Dharma talk. Referring to the significance of the Buddha's birth in this world, Rev. Niwano described the ideal life as one of service to others. He emphasized the importance of living each moment to the full, in the realization of the preciousness of every individual's life. He also emphasized the importance of disseminating the Dharma in a spirit of compassion for others, thus encouraging members' commitment to spreading the Dharma.

On the same day, members of Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Centers across Japan celebrated the Buddha's birthday in their communities, placing images of the infant Buddha in small pagodas near railway stations, in shopping centers, and in parks, inviting passers-by to pour sweet hydrangea tea over the images to express veneration.

April 8, 2009

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