IN THE SPIRIT

-- Michele Marr

Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

Address: 254 Victoria St., Costa Mesa

Telephone: (949) 722-1202

Denomination: Shinshu Otaniha (commonly known as Higashi Honganji)

Jodo Shin Buddhism

Year temple established: 1990

Service: 10 a.m. Sunday. The first Sunday of the month is bilingual in

Japanese and English. On the second Sunday, after a short service, an

English language study class on general Buddhism (basic teachings) meets.

On the fourth Sunday after the service, an English language study class

on Jodo Shinshu meets.

Senior priest: The Rev. Tsuyoshi Hirosumi

Makeup of congregation: Originally the congregation was Japanese and

Japanese American, but it now consists of those from any background who

have an interest in Buddhism.

Type of service: The service includes sutra chanting and an uharma

talk (teaching message). There is a short meditation after the service.

Those attending may make incense offerings or monetary offerings.

Type of message: The teaching message is based on the teaching of Jodo

Shin Buddhism (pure land teaching) and concerns the three treasures of

Buddha Dharma: how we are human beings; how to receive the Buddha’s

teaching; explanations about sutra. Often the teachings of Buddha are

related to a contemporary issue.

Teachings: The object of reverence is to listen to the dharma

(teaching) in which Amida Buddha’s vow of universal liberation is

embodied. Listening to the Buddha’s teaching and the compassion that it

manifests will make a Buddhist the happiest of humans. In return,

Buddhists wish to express their heartfelt appreciation.

Practice: Each Buddhist denomination is characterized by the type of

religious practice its followers perform to attain the same

enlightenment-experience as the Buddha. What sets Jodo Shinshu apart from

all other Buddhist denominations is that there is no practice that

followers must perform. The way this is expressed doctrinally is that all

practice is contained within the name and title of the Buddha (Namu Amida

Butsu). This does not mean, however, that followers do not have to do

anything. It simply means that nothing special needs be done to spur

spiritual growth. The other side of this doctrinal formulation is that

there is nothing that is not practice. In other words, everything in life

is religious practice.

Outreach program: A bilingual newsletter, Daishinkai, is published

monthly. The study classes on the second and fourth Sundays are

discussions that are open to the public, Buddhists and non-Buddhists.

Anyone who is interested in exploring Jodo Shinshu on a personal level is

invited. A Japanese language lecture and discussion meets every Thursday

night at 7:30 p.m. Major observances: Jan. 1 is Shushoe. There is a New

Year’s Day service. In March, there is the spring Ohigan. Higan means

“other shore.” This service is held during the spring equinox, when the

days and nights are of equal length. Buddhists rededicate themselves to

striving toward the “other shore” of enlightenment.

In April, there is Hanamatsuri, a service to commemorate the birth of

Buddha. In May or June, there is an observance of Tanjoe, a service to

commemorate the birth of Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu.

In July, Obon is observed. It is a service to recall indebtedness to

ancestors. In September, there is the fall Ohigan. In November, there is

Ho-on-ko, a memorial service for Shinran. This is the time for Jodo

Shinshu followers to express their gratitude to the founder of the Jodo

Shinshu teaching.

In December, there is Jyoyae, a final service of the year. This is

when Buddhists count blessings and express gratitude toward Amida Buddha,

parents, ancestors, and to all sentient beings.

Event: A cultural festival and plant sale is held during October. The

festival is held to contribute to the better understanding and closer

relationship of the East and West.