Service information

REGULAR SERVICE

Every Sunday 9:00 a. m. - English Service

3rd Friday 9:00 a.m. - Japanese Service.

SIX JODO SHINSHU SPECIAL SERVICE

  1. Shinran Shonin's Memorial Service (Ho -onko)

    A. Date: January 16

    B. Purpose: To express our gratitude to Shinran Shonin (May 21, 1173 - January 16, 1262), the founder of Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Sect). Shinran was the first to systematically teach of of attaining Buddhahood through the Vow of Amida Buddha.

  2. Spring Dedication Service (Haru Higan-e)

    A. Date: March 21

    B. Purpose: To meditate on the harmony of nature and realize this harmony in our inner lives. Higan means "Other Shore". Transcending the life of birth and death and crossing over the sea of worldly passions means to reach the other shore of during the equinox when the weather is neither too warm nor too cold, the days and nights are of equal length, and harmony pervades the universe.

  3. Shinran Shonin's Birthday Service (Gotan-e)

    A. Date: May 21

    B. Purpose: To celebrate the birth of Shinran Shonin (May 21, 1173) who abandoned the method of finding enlightenment by his own self-power (Jiriki) and placed his faith (Shinjin) in Amida's Power (Tariki) to realize Buddhahood.

  4. Obon Service and Dance (Kangi-e)

    A. Date: August

    B. Purpose: To rejoice in the enlightenment assured by Amida Buddha. Kangi-e means Gathering of joy. It is the happiness and joy of being shown the Truth of what one really is, fundamentally a foolish being ( a bonbu).

  5. Fall Rededication Service (Aki Higan-e)

    A. Date: September 23

    B. Purpose: The same as for the Spring Dedication Service.

  6. Sangha Memorial Service (Eitaikyo)

    A. Date: November

    B. Purpose: To rededicate ourselves towards building the sangha during a mass memorial service for the deceased members who contributed to the growth of the sangha.

GENERAL BUDDHIST SPECIAL SERVICES

  1. Buddha Day (Hanamatsuri)

    A. Date: April 8

    B. Purpose: To observe the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (Sakyamuni Buddha) on April 8, 565 B. C., who brought Amida Buddha's message to the world.

  2. Bodhi Day (Jodo-e)

    A. Date: December 8

    B. Purpose: To observe the day that Prince Siddhartha Gautama became Sakyamuni Buddha on December 8, 530 B. C., the Enlightenment One or Tathagata. He showed us that everyone has Buddha-nature, the potential to become a Buddha.