Chishakuin Temple Annual Events
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Sutra Copying Get-Together
Sutra copying as a Buddhist practice is a very effect way to gain merit. It is done by carefully copying a sutra’s characters one by one from Buddha’s teachings of truth. When you are reproducing each character, the world of Buddha can expand within you, allowing you to feel purified. That is why sutra copying is so effective.
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Ajikan Meditation Gathering
Once every month Chishakuin Temple holds an Ajikan Meditation Gathering. Ajikan meditation is a type of Shingon meditation which Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) preached that anyone could undertake. We can use it to cultivate our spirits and raise our inner selves to a higher level.
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Aoba Leaf Festival
Every June 15th, Chishakuin Temple holds an Aoba Leaf Festival as a celebration of the birth of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kōbō Daishi(Kūkai), and its restorer, Kōgyō Daishi(Kakuban).
Dawn Gyōten Lecture
The goal of our Dawn Gyōten Lecture is to help the listener reevaluate themselves and aid them in living a more fulfilled life. In the cool of the early morning, lecturers speak about a variety of subjects including Buddhism, life, culture, and health.
Moon-Viewing Gathering
A moon-viewing gathering is held every year at the Chishakuin Temple at the time of the harvest moon in mid-autumn. Come and enjoy an extraordinary experience of Chishakuin Temple as we provide religious experiences such as the esoteric meditation methods of the Gachirinkan (Full Moon) Meditation and performances of Shōmyō Buddhist chanting.
Setsubun Ritual
Originally, setsubun is what we called the turning point of the seasons, the day before the first day of spring/summer/fall/winter. Among these days, the setsubun of spring (the day before the first day of spring) was especially important as in the old calendar it marked the new year.