Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Federation (LABTF) consists of eight Japanese temples — Higashi Honganji, Jodo Shu, Koyasan, Long Beach Buddhist Church, Nichiren Shu, Nishi Hongwanji, Senshin Buddhist Temple and Zenshuji — and annually observes a special Hanamatsuri service to celebrate the Buddha’s birth.
This year’s Hanamatsuri service will be held at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo, on Sunday, April 3, from 1 p.m.
The event will feature a service officiated by all priests from the affiliated temples and a theatrical performance by Miraclecats, a group of children with special needs and their siblings of the Japanese Speaking Parents Association of Children with Challenges.
There will also be a sermon by Rev. Gyokei Yokoyama, the chairperson of the Hanamatsuri Committee and minister of Long Beach Buddhist Church, on “The Thread of Life.”
For more information, Rev. Yokoyama at (562) 426-4014 or LBBC@longbeachbuddhistchurch.us.