Japanese dancers perform at the Vista Buddhist Temple’s Flower Festival in Vista. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
VISTA–Members of the Vista Buddhist Temple celebrated the birth of Buddha Sunday with a flower festival at the Japanese-American Cultural Center.
The Hanamatsuri (flower festival) featured traditional Japanese folk dancing and music, Judo and Sumie demonstrations, drumming, a tea ceremony, introduction to Buddhism, and food.
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 2011, therefore, is the 2,574th commemoration of his birthday.
According to legend, Buddha’s given name was Siddhartha. He was born a prince and heir to the throne of King Suddhodana of the Kingdom of Kapilavastu.
