Happy birth day to Mr. Buddhism

Well, at first, I sing this song. "Happy birth day to you. Happy birth day to you. Happy birth day dear Buddha. Happy birthday to you." I think if Marilyn Monroe sang it, Buddha would be glad far more than I sang. He is now about 2550 years old.



He has many names. Buddah, Gotama Siddhattha in Pali, Gautama siddhaartha in Sanskrit, 釈迦牟尼世尊(Shakamuniseson)、釈迦牟尼仏陀(Shakamuni Buddha)、釈迦牟尼仏(Shakumuni butsu)、釈迦牟尼如来(Shakamuni Nyorai)、釈尊(Shakuson)、釈迦仏(Shakabutsu)、釈迦如来(Shaka nyorai)、世尊(Seson)、仏陀(Buddha)、如来(Nyorai) etc in Chinese and Japanese. I used to call him as 釈尊(Shakuson). It is a kind of rule to write research papers.



He was born at lumbini in Nepal, and was a son of Zddhodana(浄飯王) who was the head of zaakya(釈迦) clan. I think everyone can study about the detail on other website so, I stop to explain about him but don't read cult religion's. haha. And he is surrounded by mystery. Original Buddhism Study was boring to me but I was astonished by a teacher saying Buddhist monks used to eat pork meat. Every Japanese believe they didn't eat any meat. My friend who is a Buddhist monk was glad, saying "Oh! I can eat meat　without any hesitation!". :-)　However, there is no evidence that Buddhist monks killed animals. It is said that lay people killed animals.



It seems many temples celebrate his birthday. We call the birthday ceremony as Hanamatsuri(花祭り) which means Flower Festival. The birthday festival is based on a legend colorful flowers and honeydew fell from the sky when Buddha was born. It is said the festival was introduced in Japan from China, after originating in India. By the way, I memorize many Indian great men's birthday. It is easy to memorize because most of all great men were born in April 8th. In fact, I don't much about them but my teacher said so. But they would not be born in the day, it is just a culture that great men born in the day. Is there someone who was born in April 8th? Happy birth day!



I went to kindergarten run by Shingon-sect. As I recall, I celebrated his birthday, sousing Amacya(Ama-tea) over a buddha statue. Also at a temple of my sect, we celebrate his birth day. But I think it was not April 8th. Flower petals in every color of the rainbow made by papers dancing in the air. Monks sing songs and pray instruments. There must be heaven.



Any religions has device to make people believe the existence of God or Buddha. Originally, buddhism forbade to worship statues but it is said they come to worship in consequence of Greek sculpture etc. But, in the basic sense, statues are just a material in Zen buddhism.



One day a monk tried to burn a Buddha statue to warm himself. His teacher said "What are you doing!!!!!!!!!!!!?". The monk said "Hey, you've obsessed. ". LOL. So, statues count for much.



As dogma, Zen buddhist say Zen buddhism was from India. But, as study, it is said that Zen buddhism was born in China. Zen monks regards Daruma(達磨) conduct Zen buddhism but it is said Nounin and Kounin established Zen buddhism in China and utilize the authority of Daruma.



Why there are many sects? There is Buddha's "metaphor of floater" that when we reached opposite shore, we don't need the floater. As far as I know, there are 2 interpretations about it. One is that when we got enlightenment, we don't need precept which cause obsessions. The other is that when we got enlightenment, we have to develop the dogma. In Zen buddhism, it is said "to become a greater monk than teachers is repayment for the teachers." I think diverseness of Buddhism is good state of affairs.



I took the photo at Iidabashi in Tokyo.