Today is Buddha's Birthday

April 8th is the 'Flower Festival' (Hanamatsuri). It is the day Buddha was born.

At temples, a statue of the baby Buddha is placed inside a hall decorated with flowers, and people pour sweet tea over it to celebrate.

In this season when spring flowers are in full bloom, more than 2,500 years ago, a baby was born in a place called Lumbini in India.
That baby was 'Gautama Siddhartha,' who would later become the Buddha.

What does 'Tenjo Tenge Yuiga Dokuson' mean?

It is said that when the Buddha was born, he spoke these words.

'Tenjo Tenge Yuiga Dokuson'

It is a difficult phrase. However, when you know its meaning, it conveys something very important.

This phrase does not actually mean 'I am the most important person!'

It is often misunderstood, but the 'I' (ga) in 'Yuiga Dokuson' does not refer only to the Buddha himself, but rather

refers to 'every life living in this world'.

The true meaning is 'Your life is irreplaceable.'

If one were to rephrase 'Tenjo Tenge Yuiga Dokuson' in a way that is easy for children to understand, it would be'There is only one of you in this world. Just because of that, you are a very important being.'

That is what it means.

For example, when you go to school, there are children who are fast runners.
There are children who are good at drawing. There are children who are good at studying.
Looking at such children, have you ever thought this?

'I wish I could be like them...' 'I'm no good...'

But wait a moment.

Were you born to become someone else?

Of course not.

You were born into this world to live as yourself.

The pain of comparison

Buddha thought long and hard about why people suffer. And he realized something.

People suffer because they only chase after what they lack, thinking 'if only I were like this' or 'if only I were like that person.'

When you feel down comparing yourself to a child who is faster at running, you lose sight of the 'unique goodness' that exists within you.

Buddha's words gently call out to you there.

'You are already an irreplaceable existence just as you are.'

Every life is 'unique and honorable'

There is one more important thing contained in these words.

It is that 'not only you, but everyone's life is equally precious.'

Just as you are a precious existence, so are your friends, your family, strangers, insects, and flowers.

Every life that exists in this world is one of a kind and irreplaceable.

Therefore,

• you must not hurt yourself.

• you must not hurt others.

The phrase 'Tenjo Tenge Yuiga Dokuson' teaches us the foundation of the heart: cherish yourself, and cherish others as well.

Things to remember while pouring sweet tea

At the Flower Festival, we pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha.

When you pour the sweet tea, please try to remember these things in your heart.

"My life is unique. There is no need to compare it."

"My friend's life is also unique. Let us cherish it."

What the Buddha tried to convey 2,500 years ago still reaches our hearts today, unchanged.

May today be a day for you to once again feel the preciousness of your own life.