Annual Ritual
In addition, on the 17th of every month, a shingyoukai is held at 2:00 p.m. Special events are sometimes held, so please refer to our announcements page for details.
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January - Shushoe (New Year's Service)
A Buddhist memorial service held at the start of the new year to pray for peace, a good harvest, and the happiness of the nation's people.
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January - New Year's Prayer Festival
As the new year begins, we pray for your safety, health, good fortune, prosperity, and the fulfillment of your heartfelt wishes.
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February - Daikokuten Grand Festival
This annual festival is held on February 6th (new calendar), corresponding to January 6th (old calendar), commemorating Jikaku Daishi's inspiration by Daikokuten in the morning sun.
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March - Spring Higan Memorial Service
During the seven days before and after the spring equinox in March, Higan memorial services are held. We offer gratitude to our ancestors and perform good deeds and memorial services.
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April - Flower Festival (Shakyamuni Buddha's Birthday)
This important Buddhist event celebrates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha on the 8th day of the 4th month. Sweet tea is poured over the Birth Buddha statue in the flower-decorated Flower Hall, earning it the name "Kambutsukai." The Buddha's birth is symbolized by his gesture: right hand pointing to the heavens, left hand to the earth, chanting, "Heavenly, heavenly, heavenly, earthly, heavenly, heavenly."
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July - Bon Festival Buddhist Memorial Service
Officially called Urabon, from the Sanskrit "ullambana" meaning "to hang upside down." This symbolizes the suffering of insatiable hunger and the paradoxical increase in suffering when trying to avoid it, akin to the "Hungry Spirits" (Gaki) realm in Buddhism's "Six Worlds." "Segaki" involves offering food to these spirits.
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September - Autumn Higan Memorial Service
During the seven days before and after the autumnal equinox in September, we give thanks to our ancestors and perform good deeds and memorial services.
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September - Matsubagaya Buddhist Memorial Service and Gokai Ceremony
This service commemorates the Matsubagaya Incident, a pivotal event in Nichiren Shonin's life, and includes the Gokai ceremony.
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December - New Year's Eve Bell (Joya-e)
This is the year's final memorial service, a time for reflection and gratitude. Ringing the night bell is a ritual of this "Joya-e" ceremony, marking an important transition from the old year to the new.