Classes and Events

Local members also visit their Dharma centers on the morning of New Year’s Day. Start off the year with a Lotus Sutra recitation for humanity’s happiness and world peace.

The president gives his Dharma talk of the year at the Headquarter’s in Tokyo. He gives his guidance on key Buddhist concepts for the year. The Japanese calligraphy, written by him, of the the key words hangs at the alter of the Great Sacred Hall.

Members gather to chant the entire Threefold Lotus Sutra over fifteen days. It is a practice to purify their hearts and minds.

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese bean throwing event. It is a ritual done at the beginning of the lunar New Year. The throwing of beans symbolizes warding off evil and inviting good luck for the year. It also signifies eliminating bad karma of the previous year and making a fresh start.

Shakyamuni died on February 15 and entered parinirvana. Parinirvana is complete freedom and the extinguishment of the physical form. He became one with the eternal life-force of the universe. This life-force continues to liberate of all living beings. On this day, we recognize this truth. It is a day of thanksgiving to the Buddha rather than a day of sadness over his death.

In Japan, we celebrate Shakyamuni’s birth on April 8. This is a day to reflect on the importance of his birth. There is a ritual of pouring sweet tea over an image of the infant Shakyamuni, inside a small pagoda. The celebration in this style takes place in East Asian Buddhist countries. Vesak is the term used in South and Southeast Asian countries. Vesak is the celebration of Buddha’s birth, his enlightenment, and entrance into parinirvana. According to the Theravada tradition, Vesak is on the day of the full moon in either April or May.

The Ullambana Sutra tells a story of Shakyamuni’s disciples, Maudgalyayana (Mogallana in Pali). Merits acquired from reciting the sutras with his fellow monks saved his mother in hell. On this day, members recite the sutra for their ancestor’s attainment of buddhahood.

A day of prayers for world peace. Members send prayers to all victims of the war, both combatants and civilians. Praying so they may attain a peaceful state in the other world.

Cofounder Myoko Naganuma died on September 10, 1957. She dedicated her entire life to the dissemination of the for the happiness of many people. Members remember her for being an example of great compassion and diligence.