To take responsibility for ourselves is not only a religious concept, it is a key part of being a member of any functioning society.  As much as we like to think of ourselves as individuals, we are all components of our communities and the wider society, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and if one piece is wrong, the picture cannot be completed.

Zen Buddhists celebrate Hanamatsuri in April – the festival of the Buddha’s birth – and bathing the baby Buddha is a very old tradition.  Ladling water over a statue of the baby Buddha is not some kind of magic, but it is a symbol of us taking responsibility for any harmful words, thoughts or deeds that we have committed – and of taking steps to  make amends.  Some faiths refer to this as atonement.

Thank you to all students and staff who dropped by my table in Minerva, on 10th or 17th April,  to wash a statue – and more importantly – to make a fresh start and to be better people in the coming months and years.

Nine Bows.

Rev. A M Gandō Seiko Garrod.

Sōtō Zen Novice Priest.

Member of Zen Peacemakers Order.

Zen Chaplain, University of Lincoln.