Hoonko is a time to express our gratitude to Shinran Shonin, the founder, on the day of his death, January 16, 1262. Literally, the Japanese characters “Ho-On” means “return of gratitude” and “Ko” means “to clarify the meaning of.” Hoonko is the most important for the Jodo Shin Buddhists because it is a day to pay our respects to the founder of the sect, Shinran Shonin. We commemorate the anniversary of his death. On this occasion, we assemble together to pay our homage to his memory and to Amida Buddha for having awakened us to the existence of life’s supreme debt of gratitude.
We are also observing the BWA Late Members’ Memorial Service in conjunction with Lady Kujo’s Memorial. It is a time to remember and honor all those who have passed away before us and to recognize the continuation of the influence of their deeds upon our lives. Lady Takeko Kujo, was the founder of the Buddhist Women’s Association, who promoted women’s status and redefined women’s roles at the temple. Lady Kujo was born as the second daughter of the 21st Monshu of Hongwanji, Myonyo Shonin. Lady Kujo was instrumental in the construction of the Asoka Hospital, one of Japan’s first modern medical centers, after the Great Tokyo Earthquake in 1923. She was also the founder of the Kyoto Joshi Gakuen (Kyoto Women’s Schools) and is known for her poetry expressing her deep appreciation of the Nembutsu teaching.
Shakyamuni Buddha, founder of Buddhism, passed away into Nirvana on February 15. It is a day for all Buddhists to pay our deep gratitude and appreciation to the historical Buddha Shakyamuni for leaving us the wonderful teachings of Buddhism and also for his appearance in this world enabling us to encounter the teachings of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow. Shinran Shonin, the founder of Pure Land Shin Buddhism, teaches us the reason of Shakyamuni Buddha’s appearance in this world in his major writing. “Shakyamuni appeared in this world and expounded the teachings of the way to enlightenment, seeking to save the multitudes of living beings by blessing them with this benefit that is true and real.” (CWS P.7) Therefore, we commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s memorial once a year to pay our homage to him who is the manifestation of Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life.
The term Higan comes from the Sanskrit word Paramita - “gone to another shore,” and suggests the Six Paramitas of charity, morality, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom. Various sutras teach that six paramitas or perfections of practice are the way of reaching the other shore from this shore. In Jodo Shinshu, the observance of Higan is simply the expression of our gratitude to Amida Buddha for awakening us to Boundless Compassion and Wisdom. Our part in this observance would be to put into action the Compassion which comes to us vertically from Amida Buddha and to apply it horizontally in our relation with man and other living beings on this earth. This appreciation in our daily life is the Jodo Shinshu way of expressing our gratitude and thanksgiving for the wondrous virtues extended to us unconditionally and equally for all just like the sun’s ray which falls on the earth.
This celebration of the Buddha’s birth will bring together a diverse group of Buddhists from many rich traditions who share in the single purpose of celebrating the birth of Siddhartha Gautama who became enlightened as Sakyamuni Buddha. May we all realize the meaning of his appearance in this world, so that we may humbly accept and understand his teaching as a way of our lives. Let us all gather to celebrate the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha, who guided by Wisdom vitalized by Compassion continues to aspire to develop the person, both ourselves and others, so that we may all fulfill the ultimate meaning of life. It is a day of joy and great significance for all Buddhists. We call the observance “Hana-matsuri” which means a “flower festival”. Sakyamuni Buddha was born in India on April 8 about 3,000 years ago. At that time, the earth was said to have shaken in six directions, flowers blossomed everywhere, and Devas or gods filled the air with music. Heavenly being scattered flowers from the sky. The newborn infant Buddha immediately stood up and then took seven steps to the north. Then he pointed his right hand to the heavens above and pointed his left hand to the earth below and, with the voice of a lion, spoke the following words; “In the heavens above and on earth below, I alone will become the Honored One.” With each step that he took, a lotus flower blossomed under his feet. This is why we call this celebration “Hana-matsuri” or a “flower festival”.
Gotan-e celebrates the birth of our founder Shinran Shonin who was born on May 21, 1173. Shinran Shonin spent his simple and modest life of ninety years with no thought of making himself spectacularly prominent and impressive among the people. But millions of Nembutsu followers are rejoicing over his way of life through the guidance of Amida Buddha and his Teachings. Let us see the true aspect of Shinran Shonin’s Shinjin (true entrusting mind) and live the life of Oneness with strength and conviction through the Teachings of the Nembutsu.
In memory of the deceased, we gather for First Bon Service to express our gratitude for Amida’s benevolent compassion. First Bon service becomes a precious opportunity for family, friends, and members to strengthen relationships and deepen their understanding of life through the Nembutsu Teachings.
The term Bon is an abbreviation of a Japanese Buddhist term “Urabon,” which is derived from the Sanskrit term “Ullumbana.” “Ullumbana” means to be liberated from a spiritual state of pain and hunger caused by greediness, one of three blind desires. Even as we reflect on the sorrowful consequence of basic human defilement, we, as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, joyfully reflect on the virtue of Amida Buddha which has been fulfilled, thus enabling us to live in gratitude. Bon Service is called the Gathering of Joy in Shin Buddhist tradition, instead of being merely called “Memorial Service.”
The meaning of this observance is the same as the Spring Higan service.
Lady Eshinni who is the wife of Shinran Shonin gave her complete dedication and support to him. Her dedication is witnessed by her letters which were discovered in the archives of Hongwanji in 1921. Lady Kakushinni who is a daughter of them established the foundation of Hongwanji to transmit Nembutsu teachings for many generations. It is a time to remember and honor Lady Eshinni and Lady Kakushinni who have greatly contributed to establishing the foundation of Hongwanji.
Annual Eitaikyo Service set scheduled for the public giving more chance to acknowledge our ancestor's devotion to the temple bedsides the monthly version of Eitaikyo, which invites certain families. Generally, Eitaikyo service is observed not as a means of accumulating virtues to be directed to others but taken as a solemn occasion to express one’s dedication to the Sangha. Sutra chanting, rituals, and donations done by Sangha in the service are symbolic expressions of their dedication and appreciation. The term Eitaikyo, an abridgment of eitai-dokkyo, means the perpetual chanting of the sutra in memory of the deceased, signifying that all those who have passed away lived in the Teachings of the Buddha. Acknowledging our Dharma connection to those who have passed away empowers us to further pursue the path of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The great virtue that may be accumulated in Pure Land Shin Buddhism is through the practice of the Dharma in our daily lives.
On December 8, we celebrate the attainment of the Enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha. We have four basic sufferings - birth, aging, illness, and dying. However, the cause of suffering is “I” (our ignorance). We humans always carry the mind of greed, anger, and hatred. It is a simple truth to learn, but a difficult practice to fully realize. We have precious opportunities to share with our Sangha the true meaning of life as experienced in the practice of the Nembutsu teachings. If each of us realizes the true meaning of life taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, it certainly could be a chance to change our self-centered society of disharmony to a happy, harmonious, and peaceful world. Let us practice the teachings of the Buddha in our daily lives and realize our ignorance and oneness of all life.