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Sermon of the Cherry Blossom
It is late March now. We are approaching the peak season for cherry blossom viewing and the celebration of the arrival of Spring. Regrettably, the typically joyous mood of the season has been curtailed by the Coronavirus crisis.
Since 2017, I have been delivering a short Zen talk around Easter time every year. I use the annual cherry blossom as my main theme. Cherry blossom is a good symbol for the transience of life. Today, as we are all under the grip of the shadow of Coronavirus, it is a good occasion to delve into the spiritual meaning of the cherry blossom festival. It can help us develop a deeper appreciation of what Buddha taught about the truth of impermanence. A Japanese food service company provides this brief introduction to the Japanese tradition of “Hanami”:
Hanami is a long-standing Japanese tradition of welcoming spring. Also known as the “cherry blossom festival,” this annual celebration is about appreciating the temporal beauty of nature. People gather under blooming cherry blossoms for food, drink, songs, companionship and the beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms).
The cherry blossom is rich in spiritual meaning. It is not just a sign of renewal (after a long Winter), it is also an important symbol for impermanence. Yes, the blooming cherry flowers is famous for their beauty. But we must also remember that cherry blossoms…
