Buddha's Birthday 2016

This year, Shao Shan Temple 
celebrated Buddha's Birthday on Memorial Day weekend.

The grounds were decorated with brightly colored flags and fragrant lilacs.  

To the sound of bells, drums and conchs, a procession wound its way through the red pines.

Inside the temple, a gently twirling golden parasol 

hung above a flower pagoda enshrining a baby buddha statue.

Amidst pali chanting, each person offered sweet tea to the baby buddha. 

Thanks to all who joined together in creating this 

joyous celebration of Buddha's Birth!

Temple Day Honey Bees!

On Temple Day, May 21st, a new participant joined at Shao Shan Temple - 3000 honey bees!  

Two hives of bees are now located over near the vegetable gardens and we trust they will 

enjoy the fruit tree blossoms and vegetable garden flowers.

Thanks to all who participated in Temple Day and the ongoing work supporting Shao Shan Temple.

Special thanks to Max for the bees and installation and ongoing bee support.

Ryuunji Temple : Shinjo's Shinzanshiki

[Shao Shan Temple is grateful for the connection with Shinjo Nohara (who trained with Taihaku) and Ryuunji Temple in Japan.  This is the final of several blog entries on Ryuunji - Kenzan returned to Shao Shan after the completion of the ceremonies. ]

Shinjo's Mountain Seat Ceremony

In two days of elaborate ceremonies on May 14th and 15th, Shinjo Nohara was formally installed as abbot of Ryuunji Temple in Misumi, Japan.  

Preparations for the ceremonies began months before and it is estimated there were more than 200 people in attendance.  Priests from many area temples were in attendance and helped in the preparations.    

The ceremonies on the 15th began with a procession
headed by children in elaborate costumes.

The temple grounds were decorated with large buddhist flags from Sri Lanka donated by a Sri Lankan monk who practiced at Ryuunji.

Chanting with Ishibashi Shonin

Shao Shan Temple gratefully welcomed 

Ishibashi Shonin, a monk from the Nipponzan Myohoji Order, 

who visited on May 17th and 18th.  

 Ishibashi Shonin led us in a time of vigorous chanting practice.

NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO

Ryuunji Temple - Peace Bell and Azaleas

[Shao Shan Temple is grateful for the connection with Shinjo Nohara (who trained with Taihaku) and Ryuunji Temple, of which Shinjo is the abbot. This is one of several blog entries on Ryuunji while Kenzan is helping there.]

Spring at Ryuunji Temple in Misumi, Japan is heralded by a profusion of azalea blossoms and the frequent resounding of a very large hanging bell. This large bell (“bonsho”) is unusual in several respects – it is rare that visitors to a Temple in Japan are allowed to ring a temple bell, but this is specifically a peace bell that all are invited to ring. Forged shortly after the end of World War II (~1950), this 900 pound bell was located in a nearby town on a high ocean bluff where cannons had been during the war. The location for overgrown and uncared for and the town looked for another place for the bell to be. They specifically approached Shinjo and asked whether the bell could be at his temple and last November the bell was moved to Ryuunji. Next to the Peace Bell is also a peace pole with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 24 different languages because Shinjo wants those who visit to see something in their own language and to feel welcome (*). Although there are several other peace bells in Japan, this is the only one that is associated with a Buddhist temple and Buddhists from other sects also come here for its installation ceremony.

When ringing a bonsho, Soto Zen monks chant “Sanzu hannan sokku josan hokkai shujo monsho godo.” which roughly translates as: “May all living beings of the dharma realms upon hearing this sound relieved of suffering and awaken to the Way.”

The springtime air at Ryuunji reverberates with many visitors prayers for a peace filled world.

Here is Ryuunji's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ryuunji.misumi/