Sunday, March 16, 2008

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What does St. Patrick has to do with Jodo Shinshu? Nothing. But cheers to green beer.

Today we held our services for O-Higan. Higan services are done twice a year, once at spring equinox and the other at the vernal equinox.

From http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/Festivals/35.html

"The Higan observance comes from a Buddhist belief that when the night and day are equally divided, Buddha appears on earth for a week to save stray souls and lead them to Nirvana. Having been so long followed by.the people, this Buddhist service has also created many customs that make it a big social event."

"Higan, meaning the other shore comes from the Buddhist idea that there is a river marking the division of this earthly world and the future world of salvation. The river is full of illusions, passion, pain and sorrow. Only when one crosses the river, fighting strong currents of temptation, to the other shore, does one gain enlightenment."

In Jodo Shinshu, of course, we don't believe that Buddha will appear on earth, but Higan is a reminder of the river of illusions, passion, pain and sorrow.

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