Frequently Asked Questions
Explore here a set of answers to some of the questions that are most frequently asked of Shinnyo‑en.
What makes Shinnyo‑en different from other forms of Buddhism?
Shinnyo‑en is a Buddhist denomination that has adapted practices that were traditionally done in a monastic setting specifically for laypeople to use in their everyday lives. Our tradition focuses on cultivating an awareness of the great value and potential for good in all people, including oneself. Based on understanding this potential, Shinnyo Buddhists strive to see every moment as an opportunity for engaging in wise and compassionate actions that embody enlightenment in their lives. Shinnyo‑en also uses a unique interpersonal form of meditation that helps members with this practice.
What does the name “Shinnyo‑en” mean?
Shinnyo is a Japanese word that refers to our innate potential for awakening. The name “Shinnyo‑en” brings together the Japanese characters for shinnyo (真如) and en or “borderless garden” (苑). The name Shinnyo‑en calls to mind the image of a “boundless garden where everyone can cultivate their innate goodness,” and is used to refer to the community in which we practice to awaken to that truth.
What are the principal beliefs in Shinnyo‑en?
Shinnyo‑en teaches that every person has a natural goodness in the form of wisdom and loving compassion. This inspires people to unleash their potential for enlightenment in our everyday lives. Shinnyo‑en also promotes a spiritual practice that is not limited to silent meditation on a cushion. We take our practice out into the world in our day-to-day relationships and activities.
How was Shinnyo‑en founded?
Shinnyo‑en was founded by Shinjo Ito and his wife Tomoji in 1936. Shinjo, an aeronautical engineer at the time, and Tomoji had gained a reputation as skilled spiritual practitioners by counseling people who would visit their home seeking help with their personal problems. Wanting to more effectively serve the spiritual needs of their community in pre-war Tokyo, Shinjo and Tomoji decided to fully dedicate themselves to the Buddhist path. Shinjo trained as a Buddhist priest, attained the rank of master, and founded the Shinnyo tradition as a practical path to enlightenment that ordinary people of all spiritual backgrounds could work at in their daily lives, without the need for ordination.
Experience the timeline in Our Story to learn more about the history of Shinnyo‑en.
Who is Her Holiness Shinso Ito?
Her Holiness Shinso Ito is the current spiritual head of the Shinnyo tradition. Her Holiness is carrying on the work of the founders by establishing a spiritual path in innovative ways that are accessible to people of all spiritual backgrounds. Her Holiness Shinso teaches an engaged practice that inspires people to see their daily lives as opportunities to take steps towards enlightenment and express the inner goodness that they discover through their interactions with others.
Read more about Her Holiness in our About Shinnyo‑en section.
What are all the images I see at Shinnyo‑en temples and centers?
The principal gift of the Buddha was to teach others how to live meaningful lives that chart a path to their own awakening to buddhahood. Buddhists throughout the world have a deep respect for teachers of this path, from the Buddha himself to today’s teachers. That’s why it is common to see a central image of the Buddha, accompanied by images of important teachers, on temple shrines and altars.
11 Shinjo Ito
22 Tomoji Ito
33 Chibun Ito
44 Yuichi Ito
55 Nirvana Buddha Image
66 Book of Petitions
77 Stupa
88 Ten-sided Altar
Shinjo Ito
Master Shinjo Ito, founder of Shinnyo‑en, always made other people the center of his life. He had a profound ability to reach people and awaken them, not by preaching, but by sitting with them and listening to their problems. He exemplified the compassion and wisdom of buddhahood by founding a tradition of teaching and practice suited to our times.
Tomoji Ito
Master Tomoji Ito was the co-founder of Shinnyo‑en and Shinjo’s wife and first student. She led the Shinnyo‑en community with humility and grace, imbuing all of her actions with the essence of the teachings. She exemplified the support and guidance of the buddhas through her unyielding dedication to practice throughout her life.
Chibun Ito
Masters Shinjo and Tomoji tragically lost their son Chibun at the tender age of a year and ten months. He was instrumental in helping the fledgling teachers and the early Shinnyo‑en community to find within themselves the determination to support others on the path to awakening.
Yuichi Ito
For the 15 short years of his life, Masters Shinjo’s and Tomoji’s son Yuichi Ito showed a rigorous devotion to Buddhist practice that was unusual in someone so young. Despite his long struggle with a debilitating bone disease, he maintained profound inner strength and courage, upholding truth and doing what was right even during difficult times.
Nirvana Buddha Image
This image of Buddha during the final moments of his life, sculpted by Master Shinjo Ito, represents the natural goodness that all living beings possess. The Buddha Shakyamuni appears in the splendor of nirvana. He is relaxed, at peace with himself, and accepting of whatever lies ahead, yet continuing to teach out of love and compassion for others.
Book of Petitions
A book of petitions specific to the purpose of the rites conducted on that day are placed at the altar. These can include anything from individual names to a brief statement or description of the object for which prayers are offered that can range from the quelling of global conflicts to spiritual liberation for all.
Stupa
This pagoda-shaped structure houses items such as relics or sacred texts that are connected to the Buddha or buddhahood to inspire people to reflect on their own inner “treasures” such as their buddhahood or buddha nature.
Ten-sided Altar
The altar platform is a sacred space where a master priest performs esoteric rites, such as the homa fire ritual. Shinnyo‑en’s unique ten-sided altar platform symbolizes how the blessings of such rites reach all ten directions of the universe. Buddhas and bodhisattvas from everywhere respond when priests evoke protection for all beings.
Do people outside of Japan practice Shinnyo‑en?
Shinnyo‑en is a global practice with an international community of roughly one million members. View events that Shinnyo‑en has held around the world.
What is a Shinnyo Lantern Floating?
Floating lanterns on water is a long-held tradition in East Asia to honor and remember lost loved ones. In Shinnyo‑en, we use this tradition as an opportunity to come together in community to reflect on the inherent goodness of those who’ve made us who we are, to practice remembrance and gratitude for all they’ve done for us, and to establish a heartfelt intention to pass the same goodness on to others.
Shinnyo‑en has organized lantern floatings in Japan, Hawaii, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, New York, Germany, and Singapore. These events are open to the public and have been attended and enjoyed by thousands of people.
To learn more, visit our Shinnyo Lantern Floating page. View videos of our most recent lantern floatings from around the world below:
What is Meditation and what is it for?
Meditation can be practiced in both structured and unstructured ways. Structured sesshin meditation—the meditation practice unique to Shinnyo‑en—is typically undertaken in a group setting. Trainees take part in a guided form of meditation where words of instruction are personalized by a spiritual guide.
Meditation is a core practice in Buddhism and is integral to spiritual growth and awareness. In calming the mind through meditation, we attempt to remove the tensions that prevent us from gaining new insight into ourselves and our experiences. Meditation is essential to counteracting the ingrained tendencies and perceptions that prevent us from seeing reality objectively and living joyful lives.
Masters Shinjo and Tomoji understood that by reflecting positively on what we encounter, we can gradually transform our lives. The meditative practice they developed at Shinnyo‑en creates a connection between our individual experiences and the act of sitting in meditation.
To learn more, visit our About Shinnyo‑en section. If you are in New York City, visit the Shinnyo Center. To experience our guided meditations, view one of the following videos or visit our Meditation Tools page:
Does one need to have a teacher/guide to practice Shinnyo‑en?
It is not necessary to have a teacher or spiritual guide to benefit from Shinnyo‑en. Her Holiness Shinso, who leads the Shinnyo‑en community, regularly gives teachings to broad public audiences who benefit from hearing and reflecting on her ideas. However, if you are considering a more dedicated practice, it is essential to have a knowledgeable and capable teacher. Buddhism is an inherently social spiritual tradition: we encourage learning its system of practices under the guidance of a qualified teacher and practice it with others in a community. We invite you to first explore our website.
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What are common tools of Shinnyo‑en practice?
Shinnyo‑en practitioners and Buddhists in general make regular use of special tools that are an important part of the culture of practice in the tradition. It is common to see people wearing special surplices, carrying chanting books, and using prayer beads at Shinnyo‑en services. Each tool has a special meaning and function.
Kesa
The kesa is a thin cloth surplice, a simplified form of traditional monastic robes. The kesa symbolizes the wearer’s aspiration for enlightenment, and is worn whenever in a temple or training center, and when taking part in chanting, meditation sessions, or rituals.
Prayer Beads
Prayer beads are used to count recitations when praying or chanting. They anchor the mind, providing a valuable aid against distraction. At Shinnyo‑en, the beads are rubbed together in an outward direction away from the practitioner to express their resolve to act for the well-being and happiness of all.
Chanting Book
A book called Morning and Evening Chanting is the primary collection of prayers, mantras, excerpts from Buddhist scriptures, and teachings from those that helped to establish the Shinnyo Path that its members recite at home and at formal services. Chanting and reflective prayer is an essential part of practice in Shinnyo‑en.