Some of our altars decorated for today.
Today at the temple we commemorated the death of our founder Nichiren Shonin. At the time of Nichiren’s death is it said that the cherry trees bloomed out of season. Nichiren died at Ikegami Japan on October 13, 1282. He had been ill for a while previous at Mount Minobu where his retirement hermitage was located. On the advice of Shijo Kingo, Nichiren’s faithful samurai follower who also advised Nichiren as his physician, Nichiren traveled to Ikegami by horse back to partake of the beneficial effects of the hot springs located there.
As part of the Oeshiki celebrations temples are decorated with paper cherry blossoms to mark this solemn occasion. I invited our sangha members to likewise decorate their altars. At the beginning of our service people shared their altars decorated and undecorated. Some admitted to being clumsy or unskilled at creating flower petals. Yet everyone in their own unique way decorated their lives with the joy of commemorating the special moment in Nichiren Buddhism.
Joining us today we had one person from Portugal, two people from Grenoble France, one person from London UK, one person from Apex NC, one person from Charlotte NC, one person from Delaware, one person from Portland OR, and myself from Syracuse NY. Also we had a couple of guest appearances from children who popped in to say hello. It was for me a very special day, a real treasure.
A lighthearted pen drawing for day 13 of #inktober – Oeshiki
Here is my Lego Gohonzon altar decorated for Oeshiki
Tissue paper flower blossoms made for the main altar in the temple.
