Flower festival, Japanese Buddhist temple, Washington, D.C.

Palm Sunday mass was not the only important religious ceremony I attended this weekend. At the temple in DC where I’ve been living, today was the annual celebration of Buddha’s birthday, the “flower festival” or hana-matsuri. It’s also the 35th anniversary of this temple, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Seven monks and nuns joined with more than 50 other people for traditional prayers and ceremonies, a prayer from a local Shawnee leader, a rousing chorus of “Down by the Riverside,” and a Japanese feast.

T cannot wait to see his picture.

A visit from the President: No matter what your political persuasion, you should consider getting an Obama cutout. Nobody can resist goofing with this.