If you are New Here

Welcome to our temple and to this service. Please feel free to join us in all parts of this service. If something is new to you, you can choose not to take part and wait for the next thing on the program to begin. Feel free to ask those around you for help or direction. We hope your being with us will open your heart and mind to the Pure Land way to Enlightenment.

Before the service starts you enter the sanctuary, which we call “Hondo”(Sounds like hoe-nn-doh) or Buddha Hall. You are welcome to sit in the pews. We ask that you remove any headwear and turn off your cell phone. You may see some members come up to the front of the altar, bow, and place a small amount of incense in the large incense burner there before the service starts. This is their personal way of quieting their mind and getting ready to listen to the teaching of the Buddha during the service.

THE ALTAR: At the front of the room is an altar. Within the altar is a statue or picture that represents Amida Buddha (sounds like ah-mee-dah-boo-dah). This Buddha is the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life. We do not worship the picture; it is used to focus our thoughts on gratitude, peace and harmony. The candles and flowers on the altar serve the same purpose. To the right of the main altar is a smaller altar which is dedicated to Shinran Shonin, the founder of our sect of Buddhism. To the left is the small altar dedicated to Rennyo Shonin the 8th Monshu, Religious leader, of our sect of Buddhism.

SERVICE FORMAT: As the service is about to start you will hear the temple bell outside begin to ring. For a regular service it will ring a number of rings starting with 7 then 5 then 3 rings. (All of these numbers are important in Buddhist thought). The ringing of the bell is to call the members of the Sangha to the service. There should be quiet reverence during and after the ringing of the bell while waiting for the service to start. After the bell has rung the minister(s) will enter the altar area.
A chairperson, if there is one, will explain the order of service. If there is no chairperson, a minister will explain the order of service. There is usually a written program for you on the white board at the front of the Hondo (Sanctuary). There are service books in the pew pockets. These books will have the readings, the chanted sutra, and songs (gatha) in them that will be used in today’s service. We treat these books with great respect because they have the words of the Buddha and many great Buddhist teachers in them.

SUTRA CHANTING: After the Buddha died, his teaching (called Sutras) were passed from person to person by word of mouth because people did not read in the early days. Following this time honored tradition there will be several times during the service when ministers and those attending will recite or read. Some important readings will be in a Japanese language version of ancient Chinese texts. You will see English translations of these texts at the bottom of each page.

THREE TREASURES: In Japanese it’s called San Kie Mon. It is the basic statement of faith in nearly all sects of Buddhism. It might be recited in Japanese or English.

THE SERMON: We call this the Dharma Message. It is a talk given by the Minister based on the teaching of the Buddha or the founder of our school of Buddhism, Shinran Shonin.

GASSHO: It’s pronounced like “gah-sh-show”. When we put our hands together in a sort of devotional position with our beads (called Onenju or Ojuzu) around our hands it is called gassho.    This way of putting the hands together has been a sign of gratitude and respect for thousands of years in Asia. Putting our hands this way and saying “Namo Amida Butsu” then bowing slightly is an important part of our practice in our sect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

NAMO AMIDA BUTSU: Pronounced like “nah-moo-ah-mee-DAH-boo-tsoo. We call this phrase the “Nembutsu”. In our sect, Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, it is the highest expression of gratitude to the Buddha for the gift of wisdom and compassion that have been given to us. The phrase means I gratefully entrust myself to the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life (Amida Buddha). Realizing the deepest meaning of this phrase is the focus of every Jodo Shinshu Buddhist’s life.

SINGING OF SONGS: During the service we may sing one or two songs called gathas. (pronounced like gah-thah). We sing these songs as an offering of thanks for the lessons the Buddha gave us. These songs may also contain the essence of the lessons the Buddha or Shinran gave us.

BURNING INCENSE: You are invited to offer incense (OSHOKO) with us when it is time. This is a very easy and comfortable ritual. Watch those who go before you or ask someone near you to show you how. They will be honored to help.

Please also see Buddhist Service’s Etiquette

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