As we all know, this blog site is populated (pretty much) by people who practice Nichiren Buddhism. This weekend, October 13th, is a big holiday in traditional Nichiren Buddhism. It marks the annual memoral service commemorating Nichiren's death, and it's a big deal in Japan (and with some traditional Nichiren groups overseas as well).
The festival is called "O-eshiki" (pronounced "wish-key" - just think of a drunk making a slurred drink order at the bar), and there will be a live web cast tomorrow morning from Ikegami in Tokyo. The temple there was built (more or less) at the location where Nichiren died at the age of 60, leaving his legacy of Nam(u)-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and the Gohonzon for all of us knuckleheads to practice the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law.
There will be a live webcast from Ikegami Honmonji (the temple where the biggest celebration is held) starting tomorrow (Friday) morning at about 4:30 am Pacific Time. Here is a cut-and-paste link:
http://tinyurl.com/2pzyul
Or:
http://www.honmonji.jp/05topic/05event/oeshiki/2007/oeshiki2007en.html
Last year on October 13, my SGI-USA Chapter held its kosen-rufu gongyo with no mention whatsoever of the fact that the date was in any way significant to Nichiren believers. Oh, well. I mentioned it to my Chapter Leader. Maybe it was different this year, I don't know - I was late to the gongyo and only caught the Ikeda video. Anyway, nobody mentioned it to me.
Anyway, the O-eshiki festival (as I understand it) typically involves a parade, which you can see on the webcast. Believers beat hand drums while chanting and parading, and there are also these very cool, giant pink wire construction things called "mando", which are all decorated in fake pink flowers. This is a tribute to the sweet myth that when Nichiren died in October, pink cherry blossoms bloomed out of season. The festival in Japan attracts hundreds of thousands of people, some to participate, some to watch and attend the street fair and food fair. I really want to go one of these years and blog about it.
O-eshiki at the traditional Nichiren Shu (not Nichiren Shoshu) temple in LA is a pretty fun holiday. You get to pound a drum and chant and march (great for kids), and then there is a potluck. I always enjoyed holidays, and I'm glad that I am able to visit a Nichiren group which celebrates them.
Have a good weekend, all - Best, Byrd in LA
Hi, Byrd -
I must take exception to your statement: the cherry tree blooming in October is NOT a myth. I have seen it with my own eyes. There are photos available in our pilgrimage blog, about 2/3 of the way down page 9. The photos were taken of a cherry tree on the grounds of Ikegami Honmonji, in Tokyo on Wednesday, October 11th, 2006.
The completed blog may be viewed here:
http://www.nichiren-shu.org/boston/pages/pilgrim/one.htm
or
http://tinyurl.com/3ydosc
courtesy of Rev. Ryuoh Michael Faulconer, the leader of our pilgrimage.
There are also a number of photos and a video or two of last years Oeshiki festival, and the memorial service at Ikegami Honmonji. These would be on days 10 and 11.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at October 11, 2007 02:02 PMHi Mike,
That's cool that the cherry trees blossom in October. I'll be going to the Oeshiki ceremony for the first time on Sunday.
Posted by: Michele at October 11, 2007 09:01 PMI stand corrected, Mike - thanks for the real info. Do you know if this October blossoming thing happens all over Japan, or just in Ikegami? If it's just in Ikegami, we should notify the Vatican, we've got a bona fide miracle on our hands, here! ;) Oops, wrong religion. Well, notify somebody, anyway....
I have looked at that pilgrimage blog, and I really hope to be able to go in 2009. It looks like a wonderful adventure in faith.
Thanks for writing in, Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at October 12, 2007 12:27 PMHey again, Byrd -
We didn't ask whether there were cherry trees blossoming elsewhere - just thought it was kinda neat, rather than a bona fide miracle. It's like the "bloody bamboo" at Seichoji, where Nichiren was sick after praying to Bodhisattva Kokuzo to become wise.
I don't remember seeing any other trees in blossom, though.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at October 12, 2007 12:56 PMCherry trees blossoming in October...
Anyone here heard of Global Warming:)
Hardly a miracle, perhaps harbinger of major climate changes...
Dr. Mimi -
Supposedly this has taken place for the last 725 years, and only in this one location. Obviously I can't prove that, but if at all true it would certainly predate the particular issue you mention (global warming), wouldn't it?
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at October 13, 2007 05:17 AMAha!
725 years of this happening-- either a miracle or a series of very dutiful gardeners-- there are ways of making trees (or other plants) bloom early. This spot could also be in a relatively warm "microclimate." Japan and California have similar weather in spots and mountainous terrain is famous for micro climates (spots that are especially warm during winter months or temperate year round).
Anyone ever "forced bulbs" (White Narcissus) for December or changed the blooming cycle of many other plants....
I'm having a bit of an issue with magical thinking that very well could be explained by a very shrewd and intellegent manuevering even 725 years ago.
Hi. Dr. Mimi -
I'm not thinking it's magical - I'm just noting an interesting occurrence. I am not investing it with any particular intrinsic value. I don't claim that the blooming trees prove something about Nichiren - I just think it's a cool legend.
If someone were to put it to a scientific study, I'm sure there is some very mundane and non-Buddhist-related reason for this. Not a problem, but it does kinda kill any sort of romance or fun to be had from the old tales, now doesn't it?
Personally, I don't want to live in a totally cold and scientific reality with not even a jot of mystery or mythology, but that's just me. I like the myths, but I am certainly willing to acknowledge them as myths. But I am also willing to note when the myth has some basis in fact, without trying to claim that the fact proves the truth of the myth.
Others are certainly welcome to differing viewpoints, of course. YMMV.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at October 14, 2007 12:48 PMSince I didn't get to go after all (long story), Byrd, how was it?
Posted by: Michele at October 15, 2007 10:11 AMHi, Michele - it was a very nice service - I have been to the O-eshiki ceremony for the last three years, and this year had the most people. A couple of hundred parishioners, and lots of kids. Quite a few Spanish-speakers. The service part was like our memorial services, we all lined up, chanted daimoku, and took turns pinching incense for Nichiren.
I think the big turn-out was for the passing of the baton from Bishop Kanai to Reverend Inoue. Kanai gave a nice little farewell sermon on the Parable of the Good Physician. I didn't hear Inoue's talk as I had to get up for a drink of water and couldn't get back in.
There was a huge pot luck (I brought Albertson's hot wings), and way too many people for the parish hall/dining room downstairs.
All in all, a good day, with lots of picture-taking.
Best, Byrd in LA
I thought everything was cause and effect, it only seems magical or supernatural when you don't understand it.
Did anyone watch the commemorative event? Anything remarkable?
Hi, Clown -
I didn't see anything remarkble. Watching the parade was kinda painful, as I had just reached my desk to begin my workday; when I clicked on the parade, the group we marched with last year was just coming into view. They were playing the same rhythm we learned last year, and I almost had to turn it back off, the longing to be there in person was so strong. A good lesson in attachment.
The service is interesting, but probably would be more meaningful with translation help for those who don't understand Japanese. I know that made a big difference for me last year, in person. Also, on the webcast, you can only see what the camera is pointed at, and there is a lot more going on than one camera can capture.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at October 16, 2007 04:59 AM