April 8 is the day of the “Flower Festival” today. It’s the birthday of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. We Japanese celebrate this day regardless of religion. It is customary to celebrate by applying sweet tea to a small Buddha statue in connection with the fact that when the Buddha was born, he used pure perfume to purify himself. Spring blossoms bloom in the grounds of any temple, providing a peaceful day.

今日４月８日は「花祭り」の日です。仏教の開祖である釈迦の誕生日で、日本では宗派を問わずお祝いします。釈迦が生まれた時香水をかけて身を清めたことにちなみ、小さな釈迦像に甘茶をかけて祝う習慣があります。どの寺の境内にも春の花々が咲き乱れ、心安らかな一日になります。