Hongwanji Overseas Representatives Seminar 2

It was my first time at morning services, but fortunately the BCA ministers had taken their Tokudo training at Hongwanji and was familiar.

It is the custom to bow towards the o-naijin when entering the complex at the gate (also when leaving).

The Hongwanji has two halls - Amida-do, the largest one, and the Gyoei-do. Both are used at the services, however the Gyoei-do is under restoration and not currently used.

You take your shoes off before climbing the stairs to the Amida-do. You could use the plastic bags to take them inside with you, but there aren't that many people, so I just left mine outside. TIP: It is a good idea to wear shoes that you can slip on and off easily, because it is something that you will do all the time in Japan, especially in Kyoto.

Bow, before entering the hall and you will notice several things. It is huge and covered with tatami that run across the hall. There are no chairs, however, folding chairs are provided to use on the tatami - since even most Japanese no longer sit on the floor. Also there are no heaters and very low light. As we learned later in our orientation, this is the reason gold is used inside the halls to reflect any available lighting.

Part one of the service starts with entrance of the priests (which including students, are many) and the sutra Sanbutsuge is chanted in front of the statue of Amida Buddha.

Part two of the service is the chanting of Shoshinge in front of Shinran, and usually done in the Gyoei-do, but since it is under renovation, the naijin is set up to the left of the Amida Buddha. The priests all move to a new position. Usually six wasans are included and the numbers are posted on the pillar. Then the Gobunsho is brought down and one of the letters from Rennyo is read. Then the lecturer will give a Dharma talk. (All in Japanese.) There are service books that you can borrow, but you have to remember to pick one up on the way in, or bring your own.

No you don't have to sit "seiza" (Japanese-style), but I even find sitting cross-legged to be a numbing experience.

After this service, we went to get breakfast at the Royal Host, which served American-style pancakes and had a drinks bar. It took us awhile to figure out the coffee machine, and we found out that you could make your own iced coffee.

Next: Hongwanji Orientation.