Each Sunday service is announced by the bronze bell in the temple’s foyer. Appointed individuals are responsible for ringing the bell at the appropriate time.
When you hear the kansho ring, please remove your hat and shoes before entering the Hondo, bow, and enter quietly. Casual, but appropriate, dress is acceptable.
Service books are available in the pockets on the backs of the seats in front of you. Please handle them with care and return them to the pocket before leaving the Hondo.
After the ringing of the bell announcing the beginning of the service (Kansho), Sensei will enter the altar area (Naijin) and the service leader will begin the service. Sensei will then strike a large, brass gong to signal the start of meditation. When you hear the gong, please sit comfortably and quietly, breathe deeply, and meditate briefly. All conversations should end when the gong sounds.
The order of service is typically announced in a step-by-step fashion by the service leader and is also printed in the front of the thin service book in the pocket of the seat in front of you. Special services often have a printed program that gives the order of service.
Chanting of the sutras is done in unison in a harmonious blend of all voices. We chant the Japanese trans-literation of Chinese words. Translations of most chants are in the book on the page immediately following the printed sutra.
We take a “Gassho” pose/posture when we worship. A Gassho pose involves placing your hands together palm-to-palm with your ojuzu (thought beads) encircling both hands. Place your hands just below chest level, pointing away from the body at a 45-degree angle. Your head is bowed. Sensei then recites the Nembutsu, “Namo Amida Butsu.” The Sangha responds in turn with “Namo Amida Butsu.” We repeat the Nembutsu three times, followed by individual repetition of “Namandabu.”
O-shoko is the burning of incense. Offering incense is a means of cleansing the worshiper’s mind and body with the smoke and fragrance. It also purifies the temple air, thus enhancing the religious experience. When you are in front of the incense burner facing the Naijin, take one step forward and bow. Then walk to the incense burner, pinch a small amount of incense and drop it onto the burning charcoal. Gassho with a bow to the Naijin, take one step back and bow again, turn toward and Gassho to Sensei, and then walk back to your seat using the side aisles.
Before leaving the Hondo, stop at the doorway and turn to face the Naijin and bow as you did upon entering. Then turn and leave the Hondo.
© 2008 Ekoji Buddhist Temple