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Shinnyo-en holds saisho ceremony at Daigoji on its 1150th anniversary

November 17, 2024

Kyoto, Japan

In honor of the 1150th anniversary of the founding of Daigoji Temple, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Her Holiness Shinso Ito was invited to conduct a Shinnyo saisho ceremony at the temple on November 17, 2024. The rite was performed in Daigoji’s Kondo Hall, a listed national treasure, with the assistance of Most Venerable Takashi Torikai before busts of the founders of Shinnyo‑en. The fire and water used in the rite were kindled from the eternal flame at Shinnyo‑en’s head temple, Oyasono and drawn from a spring there, and then transported to Kyoto for the ceremony.

An elder Japanese woman wearing bright orange ceremonial robes with ornate brocade trim and a white lace shawl stands speaking into a microphone she holds in her right hand; she holds a folded fan in her left hand; golden hued busts can be seen in the darkened interior of the temple behind her.
A large group of people sit in rows of chairs in the cobblestone courtyard outside of an old temple with a high-peaked roof, the eaves of which are decorated with hanging curtains, alternating white, red, yellow, green, and blue, against a backdrop of green trees and pale open sky.
Left: Her Holiness addresses attendees seated outside Kondo Hall following the ceremony. Right: Many congregants from diverse Buddhist denominations sat outside of Kondo Hall during the saisho ceremony.

In a brief address prior to the service, Her Holiness congratulated Daigoji, which was founded in 874, on reaching its 1150th year. Recalling her father Shinjo’s training at Daigoji, she offered her respects to His Eminence Yuga Kabese, abbot of the temple, as well as to its founder Shobo Rigen Daishi, and the lineages to which Shinnyo‑en traces its origins. Her Holiness expressed her wish for the wide promotion of the Daigo teachings and for the prosperity of the entire sect.

This is where our founder Master Shinjo trained as a priest. I’m sure our founders would be so happy to see so many attending this ceremony.

In turn, His Eminence Yuga Kabese offered his gratitude to Shinnyo‑en for the ceremony and recalled witnessing a similar event conducted by Shinnyo‑en fifty years earlier on the 1100th anniversary of Daigoji, when he was just a young monk. He expressed his desire that Daigoji’s strong connection with Shinnyo‑en continue into the future.

Following the event, which included performances by an ensemble of taiko, choir, and dancers made up of members of the Shinnyo‑en community, Her Holiness shared a few words with the over 4,000 people who attended the event and were seated outside due to the limited capacity of the ancient hall.

“This is where our founder Master Shinjo trained as a priest,” Her Holiness enthused. “I’m sure our founders would be so happy to see so many attending this ceremony.”

After offering her gratitude to all who attended and helped out, Her Holiness closed the event with a deep bow, a smile, and a joyful wave.

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