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Shinnyo-en celebrates renovation of Temple II at Oyasono

November 08, 2025

A gray-haired Japanese woman wearing a blue dress with a vermillion surplice around her neck stands at a podium, smiling, delivering an address; a golden hued altar backdrop and standing statue can be seen in the background.

Tachikawa, Japan / Her Holiness addresses the audience that attended the consecration.

On November 8, Her Holiness Shinso Ito conducted a ceremony to mark the completion of the reconstruction of Temple II at Shinnyo-en’s head temple of Oyasono, in Tachikawa, Japan. Members from around the world were on hand to participate in the joyous occasion that marked the completion of a multi-year project. Her Holiness performed a rite to consecrate the images of bodhisattvas and guardian deities housed at the temple, and a rite to dedicate the newly rebuilt temple.

The structure of Temple II was first dedicated by Master Shinjo in 1979, who oversaw the installation and inspiriting of figures of Eleven-Faced Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion; figures of the Four Celestial Kings, guardians of the four cardinal directions who protect the community of practitioners; and bodhisattva Samantabhadra, who acts to preserve and extend life-spans.

The renovation project, one of many underway in the run-up to the 90th anniversary of the founding of Shinnyo-en next year, is an example of the practice of “enhancement.” Enhancement refers to a typically communal act of beautifying, renovating, or refurbishing sacred spaces to make them truly sublime. Aside from keeping temples and their grounds in good condition structurally, enhancement is meant to ensure that any who visit will be inspired to engage in acts that express their faith in practice.

Her Holiness’ performance of the rite to inspirit and dedicate the renovated space was accompanied by a live choral performance supported by a string ensemble, playing of rare recordings of Master Shinjo chanting prayers of supplication, and a viewing of the figure of bodhisattva Samantabhadra, which is normally kept concealed within its encasement.

A gray-haired Japanese woman in blue dress with an orange surplice around her neck, seated before an ornate altar on which are arranged busts and a large standing statue of a bodhisattva, holds a string of prayer beads and a censer as she seems intently focused on conducting a rite; the altar backdrop made of gold-colored bricks glows warmly in the space which is otherwise bathed in deep blue light.
Her Holiness consecrates the figure of Kannon in the newly rebuilt Temple II at Oyasono.

A recording of Master Tomoji speaking at the dedication of the Sesshin Training Hall in 1958, which captures well the purpose for building facilities for the community, was played for those in attendance:

We now have a place to serve as a foundation for our practice. I hope that you will be sure to rise to the occasion for the sake of fellow people and the world, and will do all that you can to truly be there for those who are experiencing difficulties or challenges, and for everyone else, too.

Attendees at the ceremony also heard a recording of Master Shinjo speaking at the dedication of the temple in 1979, in which he shared his vision for the community that would practice in the temple:

Today, the world is faced with a mountain of grave problems that go far beyond the control of any individual. Yet I am convinced that by transcending national borders, ethnicities, and different religious paths, and by putting the teachings of the Buddha into practice in substantive ways rooted in the Dharma lineage, we will surely find a light of hope.

I sincerely pray and vow that our shared efforts will go toward the happiness of all humankind and the realization of peace for all.

A gray-haired man dressed in brocade priestly robes sits with his back to the camera, hands folded in prayer before an ornate altar decorated with numerous ritual items. He faces a large statue of a standing bodhisattva in a tall temple nave; a row of monks in robes seated in chairs, watching the proceedings, can be seen in the right-hand corner of the image.
Master Shinjo conducts the consecration rite when the temple was first built in 1979, with monks from Thailand in attendance.

Reflecting on Master Shinjo’s vision of a community that would transcend national borders, ethnicities, and faiths to guide others toward peace and happiness, Her Holiness shared the significance of the temple’s central figure:

The Eleven-Faced Kannon represents the figure of someone appearing wherever help is needed. Their many heads look in all directions to see where they can offer help. This statue was sculpted in line with a vision that Tomoji saw of Kannon reaching out to all people to offer their help.

After sharing with the members gathered from around the world a brief overview of Shinnyo-en’s history of the construction of temples at Oyasono, Her Holiness shared her heartfelt wish for the community to continue with their personal practice and her deepest gratitude for their efforts to restore the temple itself.

Do you see that the big toe of the Kannon’s right foot is slightly raised, as if about to take a step forward? I hope we can all be equally inspired to do the same. When we make an effort to let our buddha nature, our unique nature, shine through, we can open the way to a meaningful life. I hope you will continue your efforts to move forward. Thank you very much for today.

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