On Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5, an Abbot’s
Funeral (Honso) was held at Shao Shan Temple and on Zoom for Rev. Taihaku
Nishiren Priest, Founding Abbot. Her children,
visiting priests from around the United States, members of the temple sangha, neighbors and friends attended the outdoor ceremony. To keep
everyone safe, strict Covid protocols were followed.
Through the funeral services, the assembly honored the
legacy of Great Teacher Taihaku Nishiren Daiosho and venerated her dedication as
the Abbot of Shao Shan Temple.
The Chief Officiant was Rev. Gengo Akiba, Bishop of
North American Soto Zen, and Abbot of Kojin-an, Oakland Zen Center, Oakland,
California. Also officiating at
the ceremonies were Rev. Konjin Godwin, Director of the International Division
of Soto Zen, North America and Abbot of the Houston Zen Center, Houston, Texas,
and Rev. Ejo McMullen, Abbot of Buddha Eye Temple, Eugene, Oregon. Rev. Kenzan also participated in the service
along with six
other priests.
The Saturday afternoon Funeral Eve service invoked Buddhas
and Bodhisattvas in all realms to come and help create a sacred space at Shao
Shan for the funeral. On Sunday, the
service began with Rev. Kenzan and Taihaku’s formal students processing around
the ritual space each carrying one of Taihaku’s Dharma implements. The ceremony included offerings of sweet
water and tea followed by Dharma words offered by the officiants. Rev. Akiba symbolically set the fire for
Reverend Taihaku’s cremation followed by intoning a Dharma message expressing how
the Buddha’s true teaching were transmitted through Taihaku’s life. While chanting, the guests were invited to
make an incense offering to Rev. Taihaku.
Rev. Kenzan closed the ceremony with some moving words of remembrance
and encouraged the assembly to emulate Taihaku’s teachings in their lives as we together as community continue her 700-year plan for Shao Shan Temple.
Following the ceremony refreshments were provided and all
joined in fellowship to remember Taihaku’s life among us.
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| Formal students carry Rev. Taihaku's Dharma Implements |
Thank you to all the priests, sangha members, and friends of
Shao Shan Temple who contributed both financially and with their time to
support the ceremonies.
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| Tent in front of the Temple for the ceremony |
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| Symbolically lighting the cremation pyre |
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| Offering incense |
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| Rev. Kenzan gives closing words |
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| Refreshments |
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The outside altar draped in white
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