APRIL 2026:
HANAMATSURI, HUMIITY, AND JOY
In April we celebrate the birth of Siddartha Gautauma, the prince who went on to reject the world of earthly pleasures, awaken to the Dharma to become Śākyamuni Buddha, and share those timeless truths with the world. Please join us on April 11th as we adorn the temple hondo (Buddha hall) with the sights and scents of flowers in the hanamido (Buddha flower pavilion), a symbol of the the flowers that, according to legend, instantly and auspiciously blossomed upon his birth. We also pour sweet tea atop the Buddha statue in the hanamido referencing the sweet rain that fell from the sky as those flowers bloomed. It will be a truly special occasion, made possible by our many temple helpers who arranged for flower donations and decorated the hanamido with loving creativity!
On the topic of floral beauty, one flower that we see often in Jodo Shinshu is wisteria, in the form of a crest known as the Kujo Sagarifuji No Mon (“Kujo-pendant-wisteria-crest”). We can see it atop the temple entrance, on the minister’s podium, in our service books, or stitched on our montoshikisho (ritual stole). The Kujo family was so deeply moved by the Nembutsu Buddhadharma that they became unstinting patrons of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, our mother organization. We’ve used their family crest as our own ever since.
We adopt the wisteria crest not only as a reverent “shout out” to the Kujo family, but for the ways in which the gently drooping blossoms teach us about one of the most important Shinshu teachings: nishu jinshin (two aspects of deep mind). Through opening our hearts and minds we realize that we are foolish beings, beset with greed, anger, and delusion, which brings us to feel immense humility. We bow our heads, like the wisteria, lamenting, “Wow, am I really like that!?” Despite our bonbu (foolish) ways, or rather because of them, we receive infinite wisdom shining a light on our path towards spiritual liberation and unconditional compassion to support us on that journey. This enables us to live a joyful life of growth and vitality just like the vibrant, blossoming wisteria.
How grateful I am that Śākyamuni Buddha appeared in this world to spread the teachings of this limitless light and life that is with us always!
Namo Śākyamuni Butsu! Namo Amida Butsu!
REV. J.P. DEGUZMAN
WHAT A COMMON SHIN BUDDHIST SYMBOL TEACHES US ABOUT SPIRITUAL PEACE