Buddha’s day celebrates
awakening

Siddhartha was born into a regal, lavish world of incredible wealth and affluence in northern India, on the border of Nepal. At the time of his miraculous birth, he was said to walk seven steps in the four directions as lotus flowers sprouted from beneath his feet. Yet, in time, this extravagant life amid the pleasures of a palace ceased to satiate Siddhartha's intense craving to realize tranquil serenity.

He departed the security and comfort of royal life to embark on the often lonely and harsh spiritual path. He was quick to study with some of the most learned masters of the time, but discovered that true peace, true awakening was not to be garnered from their methods. Many years later, after enduring the solitude of forest meditation as well as the rigors of ascetic trials, Siddhartha sat beneath a Bo tree to once and for all shed the chains of unenlightened thinking and pierce "awakening." Known from that point onward as the Buddha or Awakened One, his life was one of transmitting his insights and experiences to a wealth of devout and pious people.

COURTESY OF TENDAI MISSION The Rev. Jion Prosser and his children Forrest, left, and Megan wash an elephant statue to be displayed at the Hanamatsuri festival tomorrow. Buddhists will celebrate Buddha's birthday starting at 9 a.m. in the McKinley High School auditorium. The white elephant was considered an auspicious messenger at the time of Buddha's birth 2,500 years ago.

The Buddha proclaimed that a "Middle Way" existed, neither reclusive abandonment nor carnal ecstasy, predicated by enlightened thinking, benevolent actions and empowered speech. The Buddha preached a code of true human interaction, one in which all people, regardless of caste, gender or age, could embrace their utmost potential and practice harmonious living.

During the Hanamatsuri festival, Buddhist temples and parishioners display unique statues of Siddhartha Buddha shown in childlike form. Clad in the simple robes of a monk, he raises one hand to the sky with an index finger extended, proclaiming that the true Awakened One brings emancipation to the world. Riding within a repository adorned with colorful red, white and pink flowers and placed upon an imposing white elephant, the statue is displayed during this one very special day. Dressed in traditional kimonos and fanciful costumes, parishioners come forth to pour sweet green tea (amacha) upon the statue, "bathing" it in adoration.

The Hanamatsuri festival provides us with the opportunity to recognize our own very important births as wonderful beings, all equal in our search for an end to suffering and insight into awakening. During this precious life, how can we waste time? Each moment, each day is a valuable experience, a vital chance to actualize ourselves as perfected beings. This celebration brings attention upon our lives as capable, compassionate human beings and provides us with the opportunity to share the light of positive living and the merit of empowered living.