"The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito" started in Milan |
 "The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito", the exhibition introducing Founder Shinjo Ito's artworks, started in Milan on August 29, 2008, after traveling in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles in the United States.
The details are available at http://www.shinjoito.com/it/.
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Saisho-E at the Catholic Church in New York |
 Saisho-E, The Service for World Peace and Harmony was held at the Church of St. Peter, New York's oldest Catholic church at the southwest of Manhattan with Her Holiness Shinso Ito, the spiritual head of Shinnyo-en on February 21, 2008.
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Exhibition in New York |
 The Exhibition "The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito" started at Milk Gallery in New York City on February 21, 2008.
Please refer the official site at http://www.shinjoito.com for the detail.
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Service for Peace in Paris |
 On September 30, 2007, Saisho-E, the service for peace, was held at "The Great Arch" at La Défense in Paris, France, following to the Home service on September 28 at the temple of Shinnyo-En France.
After service, the head of Shinnyo-En emphasized the sincere prayer would enlarge the hope and peace in everybody's mind.
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Hawaii Lantern Floating |
 Some 30,000 people attended the ninth annual Hawaii Lantern Floating ceremony at Ala Moana Beach, central Honolulu, to offer prayers to their ancestors and loved ones on May 28, 2007.
Hawaiian song and dance were followed by taiko drums and Mahaparinirvana sutras set to music, as people of different cultures came together on Memorial Day to honor those who passed away.
The ceremony, sponsored by the Na Lei Aloha Foundation and officiated by Shinnyo-en Hawaii, has it origins in Japan, where lanterns are lit to guide ancestors from the sea of delusion to the shore of enlightenment.
Participants floated over 1,400 paper lanterns on the ocean in the gathering darkness, and watched as the waves carried the lights out to sea along with their prayers for world peace.
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Exhibition on Founder Shinjo Ito |
 The “Centennial Exhibition, The Vision and Craft of Shinjo Ito” opened at the Tokyo Bijutu Club (Shimbashi, Tokyo) from August 20 to 30. Sponsored by a committee of leaders in fields such as art and education, "The Vision and Craft of Shinjo Ito" is sponsored by: The Mainichi Newspapers, the Japan Red Cross Society, UNHCR Japan, and the Japan Association for UNHCR.
The exhibition contains 120 items representing his work such as sculptures of Shakyamuni, Amitabha, and Achalanatha.
This is the first time these works have been publicly exhibited and gives more people the opportunity to know Shinjo Ito not only as a 20th century Buddhist master, but also how he expressed his genius in various forms.
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Lantern Floating in Yamanashi |
 A lantern floating ceremony was held on Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mt. Fuji during the traditional period in Japan for consoling the souls of the deceased (Obon).
Many lanterns glowed serenely on the lake as fireworks lit up the night sky.
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Oga Lotus Starts Blooming |
 In March 1951, botanist Dr. Ichiro Oga unearthed 3 seeds from a geological layer dating back 2000 years. Two months later, they successfully sprouted and came to be called the "Oga lotus.” This was widely reported in the international news media at the time, such as "Life" magazine in November of the same year.
The seeds from the first flowers arrived in Shinnyo-en on July 19, 1952, and have bloomed every year since then at the head temple. This also coincided with the same period in which the founder of Shinnyo-en started emphasizing the Great Nirvana Sutra.
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Master Ei'in Yasuda Speaks at the Ogen Center |
 Head Priest Ei'in Yasuda from the Yakushiji Temple in Nara came to the Ogen Center (Ogen'in) to give a talk. Opened to the general public, and a thousand persons gathered to hear him speak on the wonderful atmosphere that can be established through one's kindness.
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International Festival of Joy |
 A special event commemorating the Founder's Centennial & Consecration of the Ogen Center was held on June 18, with over 7000 followers from 57 countries participating. Centered around a homa fire ritual, various performances expressing followers' joy added a rich dimension to the ceremonies.
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Cloud Phoenixes in Taipei |
 Phoenix-like cloud formations appeared in the sky around the Shinnyo-en Taiwan temple on June 11. Followers eagerly reported this wondrous visit.
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A New Children's Institution in Banda Aceh |
 Shinnyo-en financed the reconstruction of the Al-Washliyah Orphanage in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Reopened on June 4, the orphanage is home to 28 children ranging in age from 10 to 18. Buddhist attendees joined the opening ceremony of Muslim prayers offered in accordance with local culture.
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8th Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony |
 On May 29, the 8th annual Lantern Floating Ceremony in Hawaii was held on the beach at Ala Moana, central Honolulu. In addition to the traditional Buddhist service, local performers such as Hawaiian singer Nalani Olds and Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro (famous also for his TV commercials promoting Hawaii) joined the ceremony and also offered their prayers through their performances.
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Service with Priests from Thailand |
 Chief Abbot of Wat Paknam, Somdet Phramaharatchamangkhiachan, one of the highest ranking monks in Thailand, visited Shinnyo-en and attended a service held at the Ogen Center on May 15. The warm ties between Shinnyo-en and Thai Buddhism go back 40 years when relics of the Buddha Shakyamuni were given to Shinnyo-en by Wat Paknam.
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Saisho Ogen Festival (Festival of Universal Salvation) |
 May 9th is the birthday of the founder's wife and co-founder: "Shojushinin". Her dharma name was “Shojuin”, but was changed this year to reflect more clearly that she is a model for us to follow.
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Thailand after the Tsunami |
 Shinnyo-en has been contributing to rebuilding the community of Baan Bang Dong, Thailand, an area hit by the tsunami on December 26, 2004, by helping with the reconstruction of a local elementary school. On April 30, there was a ceremony to reopen the school, with Thai monks and representatives from the community gathering and celebrating after consolatory prayers were offered to the tsunami victims.
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Unveiling Ceremony |
 Two sculpted works, one of the lay disciple Chunda and the 15 people he guided to the Buddha Shakyamuni, and the other of Chulapanthaka, the monk who almost gave up, were formally dedicated on April 29 in the presence of leading Shinnyo-en youth. Both sculptures were proposed and planned by the Youth Association and took several years to execute. The artist is Shinya Nakamura.
Chunda is praised in the Great Nirvana (Mahaparinirvana) Sutra as one who demonstrated the altruistic truths of the Buddha’s message. The Shinnyo-en Founder emphasized his sincere offerings and altruistic spirit in bringing 15 fellow seekers to Buddha Shakyamuni when the Buddha was about to leave this world and enter the final phase of nirvana.
Chulapanthaka was a monastic disciple who had trouble remembering the Buddha's teachings. He was ready to give up, thinking he was unworthy of continuing, but the Buddha encouraged him to stay on path by dedicating himself to cleaning the monastery and taking care of his fellow monks. Thanks to his sincere effort, he finally achieved true enlightenment.
Both of these early disciples are models of sincerity and altruism for Shinnyo-en Buddhists.
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The Buddha's Birth |
 The annual Festival of the Buddha's Birth was celebrated on April 8 as part of the series of services related to the dedication of the Ogen Center. Many guests joined in and poured sweet tea over the image of the baby Buddha Shakyamuni in commemoration of his noble birth over 2,500 years ago.
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First Fire Ritual at the Ogen Center |
 A “homa” fire ritual and service was held on April 2 at the Main Altar Room in the Ogen Center. A fire lighted from the sun’s rays that morning was added to flames taken from a fire kindled by the founder 20 years ago.
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Celebration of the Youth |
 On April 1, young members gathered in the Ogen Center to celebrate the founder's 100th birthday and the dedication of the Ogen Center. They called it "Y's Journey" and re-enacted important steps on the founder's path, pledging to become the ones to fulfill his altruistic wish to see all people find happiness.
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Greeting the General Public in the Street |
 After the dedication of the Ogen Center, a short film clip introducing Shinnyo-en’s new sanctuary appeared on a large outdoor screen in the city of Tachikawa.
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The First Consolatory Service in the Ogen Center |
| The 100th birthday celebrations proceeded the next day on March 29. In accordance with the Mahayana ideal of no distinction between friend or foe, Shinnyo-en held a dedicatory service at the Ogen Center to offer the prayers of the living to those already in the next world.
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Founder's 100th Birthday |
 The 100th anniversary of the founder's birth was celebrated on March 28, 2006. Followers worldwide gathered through satellite broadcast to commemorate his life and teachings. Nuns from the Thai Buddhist tradition joined in the ceremony and offered a memorable recitation of the Threefold Refuge and Five Precepts in the Pali language.
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Dedication of the Ogen Center |
 As part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the founder's birth, the Ogen Center was dedicated on March 25 as Shinnyo-en's new training center. It was conceived in the 1960s by Founder Shinjo Ito as a beacon for Buddhism's truths in today's world. Guests from around the world with different cultural and religious backgrounds (Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim) participated in a ceremony to offer flowers for peace in the universe.
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Founder's anniversary |
 The 100th anniversary of the founder's birth was celebrated on March 28, 2006. Followers from throughout the world gathered through satellite broadcast to commemorate his life and teachings.
Prior to the ceremony, the Ogen Center was dedicated on March 25 as Shinnyo-en's new training center. It was conceived in the 1960s by Founder Shinjo Ito as a beacon for Buddhism's truths in today's world.
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Second Saisho Homa in Taiwan |
 On November 18 and 19, 2005, the second Saisho Homa service was held at Shinnyo-en Taiwan. The two Homa ceremonies were opened to the public to help bridge understanding of the essence of the Shinnyo-en teachings. The Taipei Philharmonic Youth Orchestra was invited to the service. Shinnyo-en has been one of the Orchestra's continuous sponsors.
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Spiritual Consolatory Service for North & South America |
| On September 11, 2005, Master Shinso Ito held a consolatory service in San Francisco for the spirits related to both the North and South American continents. During the service, prayers to comfort and alleviate the suffering of the deceased due to natural and man-made causes were offered to all souls.
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Shinnyo-en Shomyo Choir in World Expo. |
 On June 18 and 19, 2005, a concert called "Eurasian Resonance" was held in Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan. Reconstructed ancient musical instruments from the Silk Road and Asia, along with modern Western instruments, played in harmony with the accompaniment of 40 members of the Shinnyo-en Shomyo choir of mixed voices.
New scores by renowned composers Toshi Ichiyanagi, Atsuhiko Gondai, and Masaru Tanaka were performed as world premieres. An audience of 2,800 filled the hall to enjoy the unique sounds.
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Hawaii Lantern Floating |
 The 7th annual Lantern Floating was held on May 30th, 2005 (Memorial Day in the United States) at Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu. Broadcast live throughout Hawaii, it has become a major happening for the city and state, with many associated pre-events and the participation of numerous non-Shinnyo-en organizations and volunteers. Originally a Japanese tradition to console one's ancestors and loved ones, it has now become an occasion to include prayers for all souls who have passed on and for world peace.
Besides broadcast media coverage, it was reported on by local newspapers such as the "Honolulu Advertiser" and "Honolulu Star-Bulletin."
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Festival of the Buddha's Birth |
| April 8 is the commemoration of the historical Buddha's birth approximately 2,500 years ago. It is the second of three major Buddhist services of the year. The head of Shinnyo-en reminded those gathered that the Buddha's appearance in the world is a reminder of our own potential to become buddhas ourselves through daily efforts.
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Founder's Day |
| On March 27 and 28, a celebration was held to mark the birth of the Founder on March 28, 1906, and the legacy he left to his disciples.
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Feast of Nirvana |
 On February 15, one of the three major Buddhist services of the year was held: the Feast of Nirvana. It commemorates the passing of the Buddha Shakyamuni on the full moon night of the second month of the year. At that time, it is said that his many disciples gathered around him to listen to his final guidance.
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Relief Sent after the Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster |
 Right after the Tsunami on December 26, 2004, Shinnyo-en sent staff members from Japan and other temples throughout the world. Local followers started working with them, visiting neighbors to encourage those affected and distributing critical materials.
Approximately 50 million yen (US$500,000) in emergency assistance was announced from Shinnyo-en contributions in Japan, North and South America, Asia, and Europe. Another 50 million yen was budgeted for mid- and long-term assistance such as the reconstruction of schools.
In Sri Lanka, based on the long history and existing network of educational support by Shinnyo-en, aid has been distributed.
In addition to volunteers and monetary aid, chanting and local memorial ceremonies were held for all victims on January 14 in Thailand and on January 16 in Sri Lanka.
On January 24, a special consolatory service was held at the head temple in Tokyo for all victims of the Tsunami and for other disasters and violent conflicts of 2004.
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Feast of Enlightenment |
 A celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment was held on December 8.
It is said to be the day when Shakyamuni abandoned his severe austerities to find the middle way, achieving utlimate enlightenment and becoming a "buddha (awakened one)." Buddhists mark this day as a reminder of the goal of Buddhism: the liberating enlightenment that transformed the Buddha and the teachings he gave afterwards for all people to do the same.
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Ordination Ceremony |
On December 5 and 6, an ordination ceremony was held according to traditional Buddhist rites.
Generally this initiates one into the priesthood, but in Shinnyo-en, the priesthood is considered more as a spiritual state of mind to be embodied even by lay people: a priest on the inside, but an ordinary person of the world on the outside.
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Global Youth Conference |
 On November 20, around 400 young followers from 25 countries gathered in Taiwan to discuss harmony and world peace.
After watching a film of Shinnyo-en's history, the discussion proceeded with topics on what they can do for the world as a person with religious faith.
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Saisho Homa |
 A ceremony called the "Saisho Homa" was held in addition to the dedication of the new Taiwan head temple on November 19-20, 2004.
This fire ritual,unique to Shinnyo-en, is held to cultivate the greater heart of buddhas for the sake of benefiting others. Shinso Ito, the current head of Shinnyo-en, began holding it in Japan in 1991, and this was the first time it was conducted outside of Japan.
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"Y's ceremony" and "Y's live" |
| Two events, called "Y's ceremony" and "Y's live," were held on November 6 and 7 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Youth Association. Members all sang together via a live satellite link.
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Festival of Oneness |
| The 1938 dedication of the first temple, Shinchoji, was feted on November 3 and 4. It was also an occasion to reflect on the year's practice in preparation for the coming year.
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Central Tokyo Temple |
 On October 10, a dedication service was held for the rebuilt Tokyo Head Temple located in the Hiroo area. The original structure was a private residence built in the 1930's, and Shinnyo-en converted the site into a temple when it was acquired in 1971.
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Saito Homa |
 The annual Saito Homa fire ritual was held at our annex in Yamanashi, Japan, on October 2 & 3. Followers from around the world assisted in the ceremony on the second day.
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International Day |
 A gathering of non-Japanese living in Japan was held at the head temple in Tachikawa, Tokyo on September 19, 2004. The overall theme was world peace and how Buddhism can play a role in one's daily life to achieve that.
Many people from 25 countries visited to listen to explanations of Buddhism, Shinnyo-en, and to have a tour of the temple complex. Several talks were given by members from Japan, Sri Lanka, and the United States of America. Attendees then moved to a relaxed, cafe-style venue for more casual conversation and exchanges in different languages.
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Summer Training for the youth |
 Young Shinnyo-en devotees (under 35) were gathering at sanctuaries throughout the world in the early morning and evening for chanting, testimonies, and dharma talks in July or Auguast, 2004. Designed for lay practitioners, these were short daily trainings either before and after school or work.
In Europe, followers had the opportunity to participate for several days in a special summer retreat that includes seminars and meditations.
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The founder's memorial service |
| Shinjo Ito, the founder of Shinnyo-en, passed away on July 19, 1989. Attendees at the 15th annual memorial service had the opportunity to offer incense and honor his path and altruistic concern for the welfare of all sentient beings. For members of Shinnyo-en, it is also a time to deepen awareness of and the resolution to follow in his footsteps of helping others through embodying and sharing the Buddhist teachings.
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Ullambana Service |
| The annual Ullambana is held to console ancestors and other spirits and share the benefits of our spiritual practice on July 15, 2004. This tradition of remembering the departed has been handed down from the Buddha Shakyamuni's time and held at the end of the summer rainy season in India when monks ended their meditative retreat.
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Amarapura monks visit Shinnyo-en |
 A chief abbot and five monks from the Sri Lankan Amarapura school of Buddhism visited Shinnyo-en's head temple in Tokyo on June 4th, 2004.
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Establishing Na Lei Aloha |
 The "Na Lei Aloha Foundation" inaugural celebration was held at the Hawaii governor's residence in Honolulu on June 1st. With the head of Shinnyo-en present, Governor Linda Lingle, the mayors of Honolulu and Kauai, and an official of the federal government made proclamations recognizing the foundation's work.
On the same day, members of Shinnyo-en and the general public gathered for an International Youth Exchange on volunteering and social activism.
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Lantern Floating Hawaii |
 On Memorial Day (May 31st, 2004) in the United States, a "Lantern Floating" was held at Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is an annual service to pray for all souls and for peace in the world, working with local volunteers. It was reported on by local news media such as the "Honolulu Advertiser" and "Honolulu Star-Bulletin."
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Feast of the Buddha’s Birth |
 The Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth is traditionally celebrated every year on April 8th in Shinnyo-en. According to Buddhist legend, "Dragon kings poured sweet rain on the baby Buddha". On this occasion, therefore, sweet tea is poured over a statue of the Buddha placed in a shrine decorated with flowers. This observance is held in many denominations around the world, but the date sometimes varies according to different traditions.
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