In addition to regular weekly and monthly religious gatherings, the White River Buddhist Temple recognizes numerous "religious happenings" on the Buddhist calendar. These special occasions - called HOYO - are a means through which our Sangha gathers to reaffirm their faith in Buddhism.
January 1 Shuso e:
Oshogatsu or the New Year's Service is traditionally the first Buddhist Service of the year. It is an opportunity to reflect upon the past and to express our gratitude and deep appreciation to our ancestors, and to contemplate on ourselves and resolve to live a good life during the coming new year. As Buddhists, we are taught to recite the Nembutsu as an expression of gratitude in thankfulness for the infinite Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha. The Buddha also teaches us that there are "shi-on" or the four agents to whom we should direct our gratefulness: the Buddha, our Parents, our Teachers and Masters, and all living things. We realize that it is by all these things that make it possible to live, to have, to enjoy and to advance. Everyone and everything lives and exists only in relationship to other things. Nothing exists alone. Oshogatsu allows us a special time to be with friends and family, to share our joy in being able to start another new year together with expressions of new hope, good health and greater peace.
January - Hoonko:
Each sect of Buddhism observes the death of its founder through a memorial service called Hoonko. Our Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin gives us the opportunity to express this gratitude to the founder of the Shin Buddhist tradition. It is a time when we can reflect once again upon the teachings of Shinran with deep appreciation in our hearts and resolve to dedicate ourselves in the service of others to truly make our world more friendly and happier for all mankind.
February - Nirvana Day:
This Sanskrit term literally means 'a blowing out of a flame' and suggests the extinction of worldly passions and illusions. Nirvana Day or Nehan-e is the day on which Sakyamuni Buddha passed away and entered Parinirvana, thus culminating 80 years of life - 45 of them dedicated to the teaching of the Buddha Dharma. He showed us with his own life as an example of what a blessing it can be to believe in the Dharma, how to live in this illusionary world filled with suffering and sorrow, and how to associate with our fellow man. We celebrate this day to reflect into ourselves from the standpoint of our limited abilities and to strive to make a step towards the Buddhist goal of attaining the Perfect Peace of Nirvana.
March - Ohigan:
Ohigan is one of the few religious holidays which has no direct origin in Sakyamuni Buddha or a founder. The word Higan comes from the Sanskrit word "Paramita" which is translated as the "other shore." It is an abbreviation of "to-higan" which means to arrive at the Other Shore which is Enlightenment or Nirvana. We are able to reach the Other Shore when we transcend the life of birth and death by crossing over the sea of worldly passions arising from illusions. By applying the Six Paramitas - Charity, Morality, Patience, Right effort, Meditation and Wisdom - to our daily lives, it becomes the Shinshu way of expressing our gratitude and thanksgiving to Amida Buddha for awakening us to his boundless Compassion and Wisdom. The Shinshu emphasis is upon the harmony of all elements of the universe.
April - Hanamatsuri:
"The Flower Festival" is a birthday celebration commemorating the birth of Siddhartha Gautama. Legend tells us that Queen Maya gave birth in Lumbini Garden. The King Suddhodana named the child Siddhartha which means "every wish fulfilled." Immediately upon his birth, the child rose to his feet and walked seven steps. The significance of these seven steps is to show us that the Buddha took a step beyond the six realms of suffering of human bondage and took the extra step to Enlightenment. The various rites observed during the Hanamatsuri services are based upon the facts and myths surrounding the birth of Prince Siddhartha. The Hanamido or miniature floral altar of bright flowers provides the setting of the beautiful Lumbini Garden. Thestatue of the baby Buddha, which has his arms extended illustrates the merits of Amida Buddha, reaching out to all beings. The pouring of the sweet tea on the statue - Kanbutsu - represents the gentle rain which fell that day in Lumbini. We further celebrate with refreshments and entertainment by Dharma School members.
May - Gotan-e:
Gotan-e commemorates the birth of Shinran Shonin and is one of the most important observances for Shin Buddhists since it was Shinran who realized the importance of a spontaneous and natural life based on the teaching of the Nembutsu. Without distinguishing between the priesthood and the Laity, he pointed out that everyone without distinction of rank or class would be saved by reciting the Nembutsu with Faith in Amida Buddha. In his teaching, there was no good or evil. Everyone was equal before the Buddha, and all could be equally saved by Amida's compassion. This was Shinran Shonin's faith in the Original Vow of Amida Buddha.
July - Obon or Kangi-e:
"This Gathering of Joy" is based on the legend of one of the disciples of the Buddha, Moggallana. It was his genuine concern for his mother's well being which allowed his experience of the true meaning of gratitude. It was this realization of gratitude which prompted him to dance with joy. Today, Obon has become a mixture of solemn respect and reflection, and is one of the most colorful events observed during the year. The true significance of the Obon Service and the Festival lies in the rededication of ourselves to the Buddhist way of life by reflecting upon the love, affection, compassion, and virtues of our ancestors who have passed on before us. It is a time to reflect upon the hardships and sacrifices which they made for our sake so that we can clearly understand the interdependence of all life and all things.
September - Ohigan:
As in the spring, we observe Ohigan in the autumn. Its origin is in Japan where seasonal changes called for religious affirmation and celebration.
November Eitaikyo Muen Hoyo:
Eitaikyo Muen Hoyo means to chant the sutra in perpetual memorial tribute to our deceased loved ones. The sutra is chanted as an expression of gratitude from the family who has made a request that their loved ones be placed in the Eitaikyo Book. However, with the passage of time and changing family patterns, attending these memorial services are difficult. Thus, a continued tribute to our loved ones and knowing the deceased will be remembered is completed through the chanting of the sutra.
December - Bodhi Day:
According to legend, after six years of difficult practices, Prince Siddhartha meditated under the Bodhi Tree for seven days, was awakened from a life blinded by ignorance, and finally was "reborn" into an enlightened life as the Buddha, perfect in Wisdom and Compassion. By his example, he showed the potential we are in possession of: our own Buddha-nature. When awakened and cultivated, this Buddha-nature will enable us to be true and real.
December 31 Joya e:
The final service of the year is a time of reflection and anticipation, marking the end as well as a fresh beginning. At the end of the service, the temple bell is tolled 108 times to call in the new year and to rid ourselves symbolically of the "108 imperfections." December, being the last month of the year, we should all take it upon ourselves to reflect upon what has happened during the past year and be very grateful for the many wonderful things that make life enjoyable.