Types of Services and Observances
Regular Sunday Services
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Regular services are conventionally held on Sundays, although Sunday holds no special significance in Buddhism. The service is conducted primarily in English, although certain readings, songs, and Dharma talks are sometimes in Japanese.
The service includes group readings, sutra chanting, Dharma talks, and the singing of gathas (Buddhist songs). Our temple also provides Dharma School for children and discussion sessions for adults held after the service.
Please check the Calendar for availability as the temple observes holidays and has campus wide events on certain weekends.
Sunday Mindfulness Services
MEDITATION, CHANTING, AND ACTIVE LISTENING
Take a moment to sit, chant, listen, and bow. Sunday Mindfulness Service meets at 8:30 AM in our Kodo (our small temple). The minister or minister assistant will guide the group through sitting and standing meditation, chanting (as sound meditation), and a Dharma message. Sunday Mindfulness Services are slightly longer than the Wednesday online format. Capacity is limited.
Please check the Calendar for availability as the temple observes holidays and has campus wide events on certain weekends.
Memorial Services
At specified intervals after a loved one has died, we gather for services to listen to the Dharma. During memorial services, we remember the deceased with gratitude for enabling us to be who we are and to receive the Dharma. It is a time not only to strengthen family ties, but also to reflect upon relationships beyond the immediate family, remembering and appreciating the oneness of all life.
Monthly Memorial Services-Shōtsuki hōyō
Most temples hold a Monthly Memorial Service for all those who died during that particular month of a prior year. The names of the deceased, as recorded in the Eitaikyō book of the temple, are read aloud by the minister or displayed visually. A Dharma message and sutra chanting is usually performed. Family members and friends then can offer incense to pay their respects.
New Year’s Day – Shūshō-e
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Shinran Shōnin’s Memorial Day – Hō-onkō
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Nirvāna Day – Buddha’s Parinirvāna – Nehan-e
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Ohigan – Spring Equinox – Shunki higan-e
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Hanamatsuri – Buddha’s Birth – Kanbutsu-e
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Shinran Shōnin’s Birth – Gōtan-e
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Obon – Gathering of Joy – Kangi-e
New Year’s Day – Shūshō-e 〰️ Shinran Shōnin’s Memorial Day – Hō-onkō 〰️ Nirvāna Day – Buddha’s Parinirvāna – Nehan-e 〰️ Ohigan – Spring Equinox – Shunki higan-e 〰️ Hanamatsuri – Buddha’s Birth – Kanbutsu-e 〰️ Shinran Shōnin’s Birth – Gōtan-e 〰️ Obon – Gathering of Joy – Kangi-e
Ohigan – Autumn Equinox – Shūki higan-e
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Perpetual Sutras Memorial Service – Eitaikyō
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All Life-Forms Service – Ikitoshi ikerumono no hōyō
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Eshinni’s and Kakushinni’s Memorial
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Buddha’s Awakening – Jōdō-e
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New Year’s Eve – Joya-e
Ohigan – Autumn Equinox – Shūki higan-e 〰️ Perpetual Sutras Memorial Service – Eitaikyō 〰️ All Life-Forms Service – Ikitoshi ikerumono no hōyō 〰️ Eshinni’s and Kakushinni’s Memorial 〰️ Buddha’s Awakening – Jōdō-e 〰️ New Year’s Eve – Joya-e
Special Services
The format of special services is similar to the format of regular service, with the addition of a pronouncement (hyōbyakumon) declaring the purpose of the gathering, special attire for the ministers, and added adornments to the altar (onaijin). Some observances are marked by a ritual that is specific to the day. The Dharma talk may be given by a guest speaker. Otoki, a shared meal, follows most special services. Some of these special days, such as the birth of Śākyamuni, are common to all Buddhist traditions, while others are specific to Shin Buddhism.
Services are held on a Sunday close to the historical date, with the exception of New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve services, which are held on the actual date. Please check the Calendar for actual service dates.
Jan 1 New Year’s Day - Shūshō-e
Jan 16 Shinran Shōnin’s Memorial - Hō-onkō
Feb 15 Nirvāna Day – Buddha’s - Parinirvāna - Nehan-e
Mar 21 Ohigan – Spring Equinox - Shunki higan-e
Apr 8 Hanamatsuri – Buddha’s Birth - Kanbutsu-e
May 21 Shinran Shōnin’s Birth - Gōtan-e
July First Obon service after loved one passes - Hatsubon
July 15 Obon – Gathering of Joy - Kangi-e
Sept 23 Ohigan – Autumn Equinox - Shūki higan-e
Nov Perpetual Sutras Memorial - Eitaikyō
Nov All Life-Forms Service
Dec Eshinni’s and Kakushinni’s Memorial
Dec 8 Bodhi Day – Buddha’s Awakening - Jōdō-e
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve - Joya-e
Other Special Services:
Infant Presentation - Hatsumairi / Shosanshiki
Affirmation Rites - Ti-sarana / Kieshiki