Regional/Cultural Day
Hana Matsuri
The birthday of the Buddha is celebrated at temples with a small statue of the baby Buddha placed in a bowl of sweet tea (amacha), and the faithful pour the tea over the statue in a ritual called kanbutsu. The temple grounds are decorated with flowers, and the atmosphere is festive. The Buddha was born in a garden, under a tree, and the temple recreates that garden with flowers and incense.
