Annual Events
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Spring Higan Service
"Higan" (the "Other Shore") refers to the ideal world of the Pure Land, as contemplated from this world (the "Near Shore"). The Spring Higan is a seven-day period centred on the spring equinox, observed as a time to deepen one's faith and aspire toward awakening.
At Koukyouji, the Spring Higan Service is held on the Sunday during the Spring Higan period each March. After the service, the temple hosts "Koukyouji Yose," a rakugo (traditional comic storytelling) performance by an invited rakugo artist, which all attendees are welcome to enjoy together.
Segaki-e Service
The Segaki-e (also known as "Osegaki") is a service held at many Jodo Shu temples, particularly in the period leading up to Obon in summer. Its original purpose is to offer food and drink to beings called "gaki" — those suffering from hunger and thirst — and to dedicate the merit of this offering to one's ancestors and the deceased.
At Koukyouji, the Segaki-e Service is held on the Sunday in late July each year. The service includes a memorial offering with grave tablets (toba), which are distributed to all parishioners to place at their family graves in preparation for Obon in August.
Autumn Higan Service
Like the Spring Higan, the Autumn Higan is a seven-day period centred on the autumn equinox — a time to contemplate the Pure Land, deepen one's faith, and reflect on one's practice.
At Koukyouji, the Autumn Higan Service is held on the day of the autumn equinox each September. After the service, the temple offers a variety of programmes such as a Dharma talk or musical performance, which change from year to year.
Juya Service
The Juya — formally the "Ten Days and Ten Nights Service" (Jūnichi-jūya Hōyō) — is an autumn nembutsu observance held at Jodo Shu temples from October to November. It originates from the practice of reciting the nembutsu continuously for ten days and ten nights, as taught in the Sutra of Immeasurable Life, which states that ten days and nights of virtuous practice in this world surpasses a thousand years of virtue in the Buddha's realm.
At Koukyouji, the Juya Service is held on the Sunday in mid-November each year. After the service, a Jodo Shu missionary priest is invited to deliver a Dharma talk.
Ominugui Ceremony
The Ominugui ("Wiping the Sacred Body") ceremony is held at Koukyouji on the Sunday in mid-December each year. During the service, parishioners are invited into the inner sanctuary (naijin) of the main hall to gently wipe away the dust that has accumulated over the year from the statues of Amida Buddha and the two great patriarchs.
This is the only occasion on which parishioners may enter the inner sanctuary of the main hall. After the ceremony, all attendees join together to carry out a year-end cleaning of the main hall.