Buddha's Birthday (23-5-2007)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

I'm not sure why they chose this date because Buddha's birthday should be celebrated on the full moon-day in may (or that's what I read) and the 23rd wasn't a full moon-day. This celebration is not only a birthday: it's also celebrating Buddha's enlightenment and his death.

Anyway it's always interesting to watch events from Asian cultures in the Chinese quarter of Antwerp.
In the library there was (and still is I think) an exhibit about Chinese calligraphy. On the main square there was information and food (which was very tasty!). And of course big shrines with Buddha statues and offerings (fruit, flowers, candles; see pic). An announcer explained in Dutch and Chinese what the offerings meant and where you could buy some.
There was also a small parade with a Chinese dragon dance and several Buddhist organisations from different (Asian) countries some of which where dressed in their local folkloristic dress.

So Happy Birthday Buddha!