Ho’onko: the Annual Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin

 In the Jodo Shinshu School of Buddhism, it is customary to hold an annual Ho’onko 報恩講 (Pronounced HOE-OWN-KOH) Memorial Service in remembrance of Shinran Shonin (1173-1263), the Japanese Buddhist priest who we look to as the founder of our tradition.  The tradition of annual Ho’onko services was initiated by Shinran’s great-grandson Kakunyo during the 33rd Year Memorial Service for Shinran.  At the Nishi Hongwanji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, the Hoonko observance is held each year from January 9th to 16th, culminating in an all-night Dharma marathon of talks by ministers from all over Japan.  This year, we will observe Ho’onko at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple on Sunday, January 22.  In temples of the Jodo Shinshu tradition, Ho’onko is considered to be the most important Buddhist service of the year.

If we conducted a survey of our Sangha members asking everyone which of our annual Buddhist services is most important, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear many responses along the lines of Hanamatsuri (Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday) or Obon (the grateful remembrance of departed loved ones that we hold every summer).  Of all the Buddhist services we observe throughout the year, why is Shinran’s Memorial Service traditionally given the most emphasis? 

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Ho’onko Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin 報恩講法要

January 22, 2023

Guest Speaker

Rev. Takashi Miyaji

御講師

宮地 崇 師

Resident Minister

Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church

H.E. Kosho Ohtani Professor of Shin Buddhist Studies

Institute of Buddhist Studies

We invite you to join us in person or from the safety and comfort of your own home via Zoom Meeting for our for our annual Ho’onko Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.  

This service will also include the Installation of Officers for the temple Board of Trustees led by incoming Temple President David Chin and the Buddhist Women’s Association led by Co-Presidents Grace Kanomata and Doris Murai.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Gyōfu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Mindfulness Meditation
9:30 a.m. Ho’onko Service
  English Language Dharma Talk by Rev. Takashi Miyaji

  Installation of Officers for the SMBT Board of Trustees 
  Installation of Officers for Buddhist Women’s Association
10:45 a.m. 日本語法話 宮地 崇 師 
  Japanese Language Dharma Talk by Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji

To join us for this online Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

自宅からご参拝されたい方はここにクリックして、”Live Broadcast of Services”に登録してください。

Ho’onko Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin 報恩講法要

January 16, 2022

Guest Speaker

Rev. Akinori Imai

御講師

今井亮徳師

Bishop Emeritus

Higashi Honganji North America and Hawaii Districts

Minister Emeritus

Berkeley Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

Under these extraordinary circumstances, we invite you to join us from the safety and comfort of your own home for an online Ho’onko Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin via the Zoom Meeting internet program on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.  Please do not come to the temple in person.

This service will also include the Installation of Officers for the temple Board of Trustees led by incoming Temple President David Chin and the Buddhist Women’s Association led by Co-Presidents Grace Kanomata and Doris Murai.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Gyōfu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Hula
9:30 a.m. Ho’onko Service
  English Language Dharma Talk by Rev. Akinori Imai

  Installation of Officers for the SMBT Board of Trustees 
  Installation of Officers for Buddhist Women’s Association
10:45 a.m. 日本語法話 今井亮徳師 
  Japanese Language Dharma Talk by Rev. Akinori Imai

To join us for this online Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

現在感染が拡大している新型コロナウイルス感染を防ぐため、サンマテオ仏教会本堂内に集まることはできませんが、2022年1月16日の9時30分から報恩講法要をインターネットと電話でライブ中継をする予定です。

自宅からご参拝されたい方はここにクリックして、”Live Broadcast of Services”に登録してください。

Ho’onko Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin 報恩講法要

January 10, 2021

Guest Speaker (English)

Rev. Patricia Kanaya Usuki

Minister Emeritus

San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

日本語の御講師

ワンドラ睦先生

オレンジ群仏教会

Rev. Dr. Mutsumi Wondra

Orange County Buddhist Church

Under these extraordinary circumstances, we invite you to join us from the safety and comfort of your own home for an online Ho’onko Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin via the Zoom Meeting internet program on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.  Please do not come to the temple in person.

This service will also include the Installation of Officers for the temple Board of Trustees led by incoming Temple President David Chin and the Buddhist Women’s Association led by Co-Presidents Grace Kanomata and Doris Murai.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Gyōfu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise with instructor Juliet Bost
9:30 a.m. Ho’onko Service
  English Language Dharma Talk by Rev. Patricia Kanaya Usuki

  Installation of Officers for the SMBT Board of Trustees 
  Installation of Officers for Buddhist Women’s Association
10:45 a.m. 日本語法話 ワンドラ睦先生 
  Japanese Language Dharma Talk by Rev. Dr. Mutsumi Wondra

To join us for this online Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

現在感染が拡大している新型コロナウイルス感染を防ぐため、サンマテオ仏教会本堂内に集まることはできませんが、2021年1月10日の9時30分から報恩講法要をインターネットと電話でライブ中継をする予定です。

自宅からご参拝されたい方はここにクリックして、”Live Broadcast of Services”に登録してください。