Goshoki Ho'onko (Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin)

A week-long, annual service culminating on Shinran Shonin's memorial day, January 16. Ho'onko is the most important among the annual Hongwanji observances. Jodo Shinshu followers from throughout Japan and overseas visit Hongwanji during this time to pay respects to our beloved founder.

Seijinshiki (Coming-of-Age Ceremony)

This ceremony offers those who have just come of age an opportunity to express their gratitude to the people who have given them love and kind guidance. It should be also an occasion for them to renew their resolution of following the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist path.

Kisaragi-ki (Memorial Service for Lady Kujo Takeko)

Lady Kujo Takeko, the sister of the 22nd Monshu, Ohtani Kozui, is known for her efforts as the founder of the Buddhist Women's Association and her volunteer work during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

Hanamatsuri (flower festival) / Kambutsu'e (Buddha's Birthday)

Sakyamuni Buddha is believed to have been born approximately 2600 years ago in the Lumbini flower garden located near the border between India and Nepal. It is said that on that auspicious occasion, sweet rain fell from the sky. To reenact that scene, people pour sweet tea on the statue of baby Buddha on that day.

Rikkyo Kaishu Kinen Hoyo (Annual Commemorative Service of the Establishment of the Jodo Shinshu Teaching / Spring Service)

The Jodo Shinshu founder, Shinran Shonin, inscribed in his main literary work, Ken-jodo-shinjitsu-kyo-gyo-shomonrui (abridged as Kyogyoshinsho) or The True Teaching, Practice and Realization, the year of 1224 as "waga Gen'nin gan'nen (lit., the first year of our Gen'nin era)." Due to this inscription, the year has been considered when Shinran wrote the aforementioned work, and accordingly it has been regarded as when he established the Jodo Shinshu teaching. Hongwanji annually conducts a service to commemorate that occasion on April 15. The three-day service including two days prior to it has been called "Spring Service."

Gotan'e (Founder's Birthday)

Celebration of the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu teaching. He was born on May 21, 1173 at Hino, southeast of central Kyoto. A variety of events, including a Noh performance on a culturally important stage and tea ceremony in a national treasure pavilion, Hiunkaku, are conducted annually on this day.

Bon Dance Festival

Since 1986, this festive event is conducted annually in the Hongwanji parking lot. Food booths and a variety of entertainment attract many people, with over 10,000 in attendance in recent years.

Morning Dharma Gathering at Otani Mausoleum

Many Buddhist temples in the city of Kyoto annually hold this sort of morning dharma gathering, which is commonly known as Gyoten Koza, (lit., daybreak lecture) in midsummer. Five temples in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto where the Otani Mausoleum is located, co-sponsor a series of lectures of which consist of five days at each place. Otani Mausoleum is a sponsor of that program and usually the venue of the last session. The program begins at 6:00 AM with sutra chanting followed by a lecture after which visitors are treated with bowls of rice porridge.

Urabon'e (Ullambana / O-Bon observance)

Also referred to as Kangi'e (lt., "gathering of joy"), based on the legend of a disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha, Mogallana. Wanting to save his mother who fell into the realm of hungry ghosts, Mogallana conducted Dharma gatherings following the Buddha's advice. As a result, his mother was saved and he rejoiced.

Higan'e*  (Autumn Equinox)

* Higan the transliteration of the Sanskrit word, pāramitā, which means "the other shore," and here it refers to "reach or attain nirvana." Higan'e is a week-long, biannual Buddhist observance that is unique to Japan. Although the exact origin is not known, the relatively moderate climate of spring and autumn might be considered ideal to conduct Buddhist gatherings.

Ryukoku'e (Memorial for Shinran Shonin) at Otani Mausoleum

In the Jodo Shinshu tradition, the annual memorial observance for Shinran Shonin is known as Ho'onko (lit., gathering expressing appreciation) and is an opportunity to express our gratitude to Shinran. Ryukoku'e is the observance of Ho'onko that is conducted at Otani Mausoleum, which features the traditional procession of costumed priests and lay followers between the temple hall and Shinran's gravesite.

Chrysanthemum Exhibition

Co-sponsored by the Kyoto Chrysanthemum Prosperity Association

A wide variety of potted chrysanthemums are contributed and displayed in the courtyard for visitors to Hongwanji to enjoy.

Memorial Services for All Nembutsu Followers Conducted at Hongwanji (Autumn Service)

This is an occasion to express our respect to all Jodo Shinshu followers who passed away during the past year. It is also referred to as "Autumn Service."

Osusuharai (Year-end Cleaning)

Annual cleaning of the main temple halls has become a public attraction. Using bamboo slats, the dust that collected over the year is beat out of the tatami mats, and enormous paper fans are used to blow it out of the temple halls.