Saturday Evening Buddhist Service In English

KYOSHO - THE ESSENTIALS OF JODO SHINSHU

 

NAME :

Jodo Shinshu Honpa Hongwanji

FOUNDER :

Shinran Shonin (1173-1262)

BUDDHA :

Amida Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Light & Life)

SUTRA :

Three Principal Sutras of Jodo Shinshu: 1. Larger Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Daikyo) 2. Sutra of Meditation on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Kangyo) 3. Smaller Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Shokyo)

TEACHING :

Having awakened to the compassion of Amida Buddha and rejoicing in the assurance of Buddhahood, we shall endeavor to live the life of gratitude and service.

TRADITION :

The Honpa Hongwanji is a community of people joined together by the gladness of a common faith in Amida Buddha. As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we shall seek to be humble and sincere in words and in deeds, to be responsible citizens of our society and to share with others the teachings of Jodo Shinshu. Understanding fully the principle of causality, we shall not practice petitionary prayer and magic, and do not depend on astrology and superstition.

Amida Buddha (center)

Enshrined within the central altar in the Main Worship Hall is an image of Amida Buddha. Out of pure inf inite wisdom and limitless compassion, Amida Buddha's vow is to liberate all sentient beings, who otherwise would be unable to attain perfect enlightenment. Emitting the unhindered light of compassion to the directions of the ten quarters, the standing image signifies that the Buddha is actively working on all of us. When we rely wholeheartedly upon Amida Buddha, we say the Name,"Namo Amida Butsu"in gratitude. Through this vow (Hongan), those who attain birth in the Pure Land of Amida immediately receive the same merit accumulated by Amida Buddha and therefore are able to attain Buddhahood, whereafter they will also take an active role in seeking the liberation of other sentient beings.

Prince Regent Shotoku (right sub-chamber)

Prince Shotoku (593-622) is regarded by all Japanese Buddhist denominations as the Father of Buddhism in Japan. While traveling, Tsukudaya Mataemon was entrusted a mask by an itinerant monk during the Edo Era. He was asked to make a body for it and to enshrine the completed image. Engravings on the inner side indicate that it was carved by Prince Shotoku himself at the age of 16. Upon returning to Edo, he made a body to go with the mask, and enshrined it at the Edo Gobo.

The seven Pure Land Patriarchs (Left sub-chamber)

Before Buddhism could be transmitted to us in the present day, a time period of 2500 years and a distance of several thousand kilometers had to be crossed. This task was accomplished by the accumulated efforts of the many masters who propagated the Buddha Dharma through the years. Shinran Shonin named seven of these masters as being the Patriarchs who have in their writings transmitted the pure teachings of Amida Buddha and Mahayana Buddhism. The seven are named in the Gatha of True Faith (Shoshinge ), and Hymns of the Pure Land Masters (Koso Wasan). They are Nagarjuna (middle, right scroll) and Vasubandhu (middle, left scroll) of India, T'anluan (right, right scroll), Tao-ch'o (left, left scroll) and Shan-tao (left, right scroll) of China, and Genshin (right, left scroll) and Genku (center) of Japan.

Shinran Shonin (1173 -1262) (right auxiliary altar)

An image of the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran Shonin, is enshrined within the right auxiliary altar. Lost in a maze of personal desires, it is impossible for sentient beings living in the present time known as the“Period of Decadent Dharma"to free themselves from suffering and ignorance by relying upon their own power. Shinran Shonin spent most of his 90 years propagating the Nembutsu, or Amida Buddha's call from the Pure Land, which can be heard as saying,"I will protect all of you."This calling is aimed at all those living the life of a person struggling in quicksand, with no other way of being liberated except by hearing Amida's calling. Only by relying upon Amida's Vow (Tariki ) and living accordingly (Shinjin ) can one endure the sufferings and hardships of a lifetime. The transmission from India, to China and Japan of this ever- powerful, allencompassing Vow of Amida Buddha can be seen in Shinran Shonin's main work, Kyo Gyo Shin Sho , from where it has been propagated worldwide.

Shonyo Shonin (1911-2002) (left auxiliary altar)

The 23rd Monshu of the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, which is the Mother Temple of the Tsukiji Hongwanji, dynamically traveled to spread the Nembutsu Teachings both domestically and abroad, so that both priests and lay will not be followers “in name only." He was the previous Resident Minister of the Tsukiji Hongwanji.

HISTORY

The Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple is a Betsuin (branch temple) of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha denomination, of which the Mother Temple, or Honzan, is located in Kyoto. Due to its geographic location within Kyoto, the denomination is commonly known as Nishi (west) Hongwanji. The history of this temple dates back to the year 1617 when Junnyo Shonin, the 12th hierarchical leader, or monshu, of the Hongwanji, established a temple at Yokoyama-cho near Asakusa in Edo (olden-day Tokyo). Known in those days as the Edo-Asakusa Gobo, the temple went up in flames in the Great Fire of 1657. Unfortunately, permission to rebuild on the original site was denied by the Bakufu (feudal government), as it did not fit in with reconstruction plans for the area. In exchange, the Betsuin was allocated a parcel of land off the shoreline of Hatchobori, which had to be reclaimed from the sea. This land reclamation and reconstruction project was undertaken by countless devout followers, mainly living on nearby Tsukudajima. The word Tsukiji literally means“builtup land"indicating that this district was reclaimed land. When the Main Worship Hall, or Hondo, was built on this land, the temple came to be called Tsukiji Gobo. The district around the temple is called Tsukiji due to the historical background. That temple was lost in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and the present temple that replaced it, with its Indian architectural motif, was designed by Itoh Chuta , Professor of the Faculty of Architecture at Tokyo University. The construction began in the year 1931 and was completed in 1934, displaying the fervent devotion of the Shinshu followers.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Dharma Talks in English are held normally every third Saturday
from 5:30PM
More information on our home page.

◆ Morning and evening worship services

Held daily from 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

 

◆ New Year's Day Worship (Shu-sho-e) ... January 1

The first service of the year. Early morning service to pay tribute and express gratitude to the Buddha, and to reaffirm our received faith in the Nembutsu.

 

◆ Coming-of-Age Service ... January

A service held around January 15 (Coming-of-Age Day) for those attaining the age of maturity (20). At this service, young people reaffirm their belief in Buddhism, so that they will be able to live a full and complete life in this world.

 

◆ Equinox Week (Higan-e) ... March and September

Higan, literally meaning“Other Shore"refers to the world of enlightenment, the Buddha-world; and to the Pure Land. Buddhists place much import on the period centered around the two annual equinoctial days, when the sun sets due west. The Pure Land is said to lie to the west. During this Buddhist observance,one contemplates the Pure Land, and strives to listen to the Teachings.

 

◆ Birthday of the Buddha (Hanamatsuri or Kambutsu-e) ... April 8

This is the celebration of Sakyamuni's birth. Sakyamuni Buddha was born at Lumbini, in northern India, about 2,500 years ago. Based upon the sutras, the date is said to have been April 8.

 

◆ Celebration of Shinran Shonin's Birth (Shuso Gotan-e) ... May 21

Shinran Shonin, the Founder of Jodo Shinshu, was born on May 21, 1173.

 

◆ Urabon-e ... July 13 to 16 and August 13 to 16

Maudgalyayana, following the Buddha's guidance, made offerings to a company of monks on the 15th of the 7th month. This is said to be the origin.

 

◆ Bon Dance (Bon Odori) ... August

A joyful summer event at which the young and old assemble. Among those participating are local people as well as numerous fellow Shin Buddhists.

 

◆ Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin (Ho-onko) ... November 11 to 16

Shinran Shonin's memorial service is an important occasion to reaffirm our gratitude to the Buddha, and to hear and receive the Nembutsu Teachings.

 

◆ New Year's Eve Service (Joya-e) ... December 31

In appreciation for the past year, this service takes place around 11:00 P.M. on New Year's Eve. After the service, the tolling of the large temple bell by worshippers takes place.

 

※Services are being held to mark those special occasions in life,such as a baby's first Buddhist Service, weddings, and funerals.

 

 

JODO SHINSHU UNITES THE WORLD

JODO SHINSHU HONGWANJI-HA (Nishi Hongwanji)

(Affiliated Temples and Churches 10,500)

Headquarters (Mother Temple)

Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8358

JAPAN

HONGWANJI INTERNATIONAL CENTER

Higashi-nakasuji, Rokujo-sagaru, Gakurin-cho

Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8341

JAPAN

Phone: 075-371-5547 Fax: 075-371-4070

NISHI HONGWANJI OVERSEAS MISSIONS

BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA

(Affiliated Temples and Churches 61)

National Headquarters

1710 Octavia Street

San Francisco, CA 94109 U.S.A.

HONPA HONGWANJI MISSION OF HAWAII

(Affiliated Temples and Churches 36)

Headquarters

1727 Pali Highway

Honolulu, HI 96813 U.S.A.

BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF CANADA

(Affiliated Temples and Churches 17)

Office of the Bishop

11786 Fentiman Place, Richmond, B.C.

V7E 6M6, CANADA

TEMPLO HONPA HONGWANJI DO BRASIL

(Affiliated Temples and Churches 61)

Rua Changua, 108 Chac. Inglesa,

Sao Paulo, BRASIL, CEP. 04141-070

JODO SHINSHU HONGWANJI-HA TAIWAN OFFICE

18-25 Sec. 2, Chang Ping Road, Taichung City

Taiwan, 406, REPUBLIC OF CHINA

JODO SHINSHU HONGWANJI-HA MISION DE MEXICO, A.R.

Calle. Sagu No. 139, Col. Granaja Esmeralda Deleg.

Iztapalada, Mexico D.F. C.P. 09810, MEXICO

HONGWANJI BUDDHIST MISSION OF AUSTRALIA

Level 1 401 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest

NSW 2065, AUSTRALIA

 

The 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin

The Hongwanji will be observing the 750th Memorial Service of the Founder, Shinran Shonin, in the year 2012. Commemorative projects are now underway to highlight the occasion. The main slogan for the event is "Yo no naka annon nare", which is from Shinran Shonin's writings, meaning "May a world of Peace prevail".

 

TSUKIJI HONGWANJI TEMPLE
3-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, 104-8435 Tokyo
(By subway: HIBIYA Line, Tsukiji Stn / O-EDO Line, Tsukiji-shijo Stn)
Tel: (03)3541-1131 Fax: (03)3541-7071
http : / / w w w.tsukiji hongwanji.jp