Service

Our standard service is held on Sunday afternoon is conducted through the directions provided by the service chair.   As you participate, you will notice some differences from a general Christian service including the burning of the incense, sutra chanting, gassho and the recitation of the nembutsu.

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There is no dress code and visitor's are welcome to attend service however they feel most comfortable. The congregation typically wears casual to dress-casual during standard services and reserves "Sunday Best" for special holidays listed below.

 

Glossary of Terms

Prior to the starting of the service, the congregation will burn incense in front of the altar (Onaijin—Oh-Nigh-Gene).  Oshoko or burning of the incense is symbolic of cleansing or opening the mind and preparing oneself to listen to the teachings or “dharma”).  Along with this ritual, individuals will offer a monetary donation called osaisen (Oh-sigh-sen).

 

During the sutra chanting, the congregation will chant the sutras using the service book.  The sutras are chanted to praise the virtues of the Buddha and can be chanted by anyone who reads English or Japanese.  Although it is written in classical Chinese as well as English characters, the Chinese pronunciation is not the same as in the Japanese language.

 

Gassho is what you will see the congregation do as they come before the altar (onaijin) as well as when they recite the nembutsu.  It is done by placing the palms together comfortably in front of oneself with an onenju (Oh-Nen-Jew) encircling the hands.

 

The onenju is a string of beads that holds a number of symbolic meanings within itself.  However, when encircling the hands in gassho it represents the joining of the Amida Buddha with oneself.  When this occurs, the individual usually will simultaneously recite the nembutsu.

 

The nembutsu is “Namo Amida Butsu”.  The congregation will recite this phrase throughout the service as an expression of appreciation.  Literally translated it means to take refuge in the Amida Buddha.

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Special Services

In Buddhism, we celebrate holidays that are not found in western culture. These holidays are celebrated through special services and events. Typically, the sangha (congregation) will dress up for these services. They include: Ho-onko, Nirvana Day/Nehane, Ohigan-spring & fall, Hanamatsuri, Gotane, Obon and Bodhi Day.

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Donations

Donations to the temple are always welcome and are often offered as an expression of selfless giving, Dana (dana--dah-nah).  It is traditional to donate for any occasion that instills a feeling of gratitude for the family or individual.

 

Members usually offer a donation during special services, It is also the custom to give for funerals, memorials including Shotsuki Hoyo (Sho-su-key-ho-yo), weddings, birth of a child and whenever the temple provides a service or good to the member.

 

Generally, members will offer donations with either a check or cash enclosed in a small, plain, white envelope with the occasion written on the front and their name and address in the lower right corner.  For convenience, an address label can be used.  Donations are often left in the offering bowl or near the incense burner, or they can be mailed to the church.

 

These contributions are automatically recognized in the church newsletter.  If donors do not wish to have their donations publicized, a message accompanying the donation is recommended.

 

Enjoy our Service

Hopefully, this brief guide will provide answers to your questions regarding basic protocol at the temple. Further questions/concerns can be directed to any of our members or our minister, Rev. Jerry Hirano at anytime.

 

We appreciate your interest in our temple and invite your continued attendance at our services and events.

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