On a sunny spring day amidst perfectly flowering crabapple trees,
a festive group gathered at Shao Shan Temple on May 21st 2017
to celebrate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha .
A time of silent meditation
was followed by a noble procession -a symbolic pilgrimage to visit the baby Buddha. The festive procession included parasols, bubbles and bells (and black flies!)
The procession was followed by a story of the Buddha's Birth
The afternoon ended with refreshments and birthday cake!