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Buddha's Birthday Celebration

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 On Sunday, May 24, members of Soshima Zen Center assembled to honor the anniversary of the birth of the Buddha, said to be in the area of modern-day Nepal or India about 2,500 years ago.
The service included the Six Offerings (Yook Gong-Yang), corresponding to the Six Perfections (Yook Baramil). Each offering was led by a woman of the Center wearing traditional Korean dress called Han-Bok. 

The offering of fruit included a mandala of blueberries, strawberries, grapes and oranges that had been created by the children. The Lotus Buds, or youngsters, sang a happy birthday to the Buddha. Afterwards, the congregation walked in a circular procession, pausing to bathe the statue of the Buddha as a baby, and reciting the name of the Buddha.
Following the service, a repast of a variety of food was available, as colorful and diverse as is the Soshimsa Sangha.

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