KANBUTSU-E 灌仏会

Kanbutsu-e ( 灌仏)is the celebration of the Buddha’s birthday, which is mostly associated to the Hana Matsuri 花祭り(Flower Festival).

According to the story, Siddhartha Gautama (commonly known as Shakyamuni Buddha), was born 2500 years ago in the gardens of Lumbini located in Kapilavastu, a small kingdom in the Himalayan foothills.  Legend has it that Buddha, immediately after his birth, took seven steps and said, "In the Heavens above and this Earth below, I am the only one honored”.

The ceremony captures this moment by symbolically bathing a statue depicting the Buddha as a child pointing one index finger to the sky and the other to the earth. The garden where the Buddha was born is represented by the flowers that decorate the statue, and the rain of nectar that the two dragon kings poured over the newborn Siddhartha is symbolized by pouring sweet tea over the statue.

In Hinotori An Buddha's birthday is celebrated with a symbolic "Buddha Bathing Ritual" and the ritual hand washing to symbolize the bathing of the Buddha that lies beneath all layers of the Ego.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Registration - no entry without prior registration
• Punctuality - arrive 10 - 15' before the start of the practice to prepare in peace; the door is locked 5' before the start of the event and late practitioners cannot enter
• Skillful communication – silence at all times, no idle talk, posing questions only during Mondo, tea breaks, or after event
• Clean socks - prepare clean socks for the Zendo; it is not allowed to walk on the tatami with bare feet, in shoes or with dirty socks (unlike the usual Zendo where one practices barefoot, the Zendo in Hinotori An follows the rules of the Chado room to protect the tatami floor)
• Attire - to ensure painless sitting and preserve the atmosphere of a temple, attire should be loose-fitting (no jeans, or leather pants), in calm colors (preferable dark); not visually distracting (no short skirts, shorts, bermuda and tank tops - regardless of gender); watches and jingling jewelry must be removed; strong smells must be avoided.
• Mobile phones - need to be turned off completely or set on Airplane Mode (Silent Mode is also not allowed)

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Languages - verbal communication in Swiss, German or English. If necessary, instructions can be given also in Serbian or Slovenian.
• Approach - Hinotori An is a small urban Zen hermitage that cultivates simplicity, silence, discipline and serious practice.
• Preparation - Although guidance is always given when needed, students are advised to read Zendo Guidelines.

SCHEDULE:

Mon, 19:00 - 22:00

Participants: 4

Duration: 180 min (3 hours)

Price: fuse (donation)

Only for Hinotori An students