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It will soon be time for the annual Obon season. This is a time to pay homage and offer prayers to our deceased family and friends. Although we cannot see them, our ancestors are duly at our sides. They are watching over us, and it is because of them that our families may be happy.
We cordially invite you and your family to attend the Obon services to be held on the following dates and times: Hatsubon Service* Obon Service with Hatsubon*, Toba-Eko, and Segaki Saturday, July 8, 2023, 4 p.m. Sunday, July 9, 2023, 9:00 a.m. Koboji’s Senior Advisor, Archbishop Esho Yagi, will officiate these services. He will be joined by Koboji’s Advisor, Bishop Sean Shimojima, and Reverend Keia Kawanishi. If you would like to honor your ancestors by requesting prayers, please complete the attached form and return it to the temple by Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Ministers will carefully write your requests on thin wooden tablets called toba. A donation of $3 per toba is requested. Requests will not be taken on the day of the service. If you would like to schedule a private Obon service or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office. Additional information about Obon services, including Koboji’s Bon Dance schedule for July 7 and 8, can be found online at this page. Thank you for taking the time to remember your loved ones. We look forward to your presence once again. Open blessings on May 21 will be held from 6am to noon. The Busshin-ko service will be performed at 1pm.
The temple will not be open for the afternoon session. If the 21st of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the afternoon session will not be held.
The Holy Day and Candlelight Services commemorate the entry of Lord Kobo Daishi into eternal meditation on Mt. Koya. We believe that Lord Kobo Daishi did not die; instead, He remains in this world to pray for us. Each spring, we pay homage to Him and offer prayers to express our gratitude for the many blessings that we have received. We, who have received great help and have been rescued by Him, should make every effort to attend these services.
During the Candlelight service, attendees will offer candles to Lord Kobo Daishi on the temple altar. It is the only time in the year where lay members are invited onto the altar. Candles may be received with a $1 donation. Holy Day Service Shomieku Sunday, March 12, 2023 10:00am Candlelight Service Mantoe Tuesday, March 21, 2023 7:00pm The Equinox and Buddha Day service will be held at the end of March. The equinox is a time to honor our ancestors. In Shingon Buddhism, we pray for our ancestors especially at Spring Equinox, O-Bon, and Autumn Equinox when our departed loved ones are closest to us. At that service, we will also celebrate the birth of the historical Buddha Shakamuni. “Hana Matsuri” is literally translated as “flower festival,” but we know it as a time to celebrate Buddha’s birth. Please join us as we remember our departed loved ones and pour sweet tea over the Baby Buddha. Spring Equinox & Buddha Day Service Haru Higan & Hana Matsuri March 26, 2023 10:00am We look forward to welcoming you to these Spring services. If you have any questions or if you would like to speak with or consult with Rev. Yanagihara, please do not hesitate to contact the temple office.
Koboji maintains a culture of indoor masking. Wearing well-fitted quality masks significantly reduces the risk of transmission. Because COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through the air, it is essential to improve air quality and ventilation to make indoor gatherings safer. The temple hall and downstairs social hall are open-air. Additionally, Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes built by volunteers are used to increase airflow and filtration. We encourage members to stay home if unwell. Temperature checks at the door are requested so that those with symptoms can excuse themselves. Most services are streamed online for those unable or who chose not to attend in-person. None of these strategies are meant to stand alone. Combined, they offer layers of precaution that support the safety and inclusion for the temple community.
HOSHI OMAMORI PICKUP
Your individually prepared and blessed hoshi omamori will be available for pickup following the service. If you do not attend the service but would like to pickup your omamori, please arrive after 11:30am to allow us to serve the congregation. Hoshi omamori will be available for pickup on February 5 from 11:30am until 2:00pm. If you requested your hoshi omamori be mailed to you, please allow two weeks for processing. Each family's omamori request must be weighed, packaged, and prepared for shipping. Hoshi omamori will be mailed beginning the week of February 13. If you did not receive your omamori by March 1, please contact the office for a tracking number. ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL HOSHI OMAMORI Your hoshi omamori was individually made according your birth year and star. It was then individually prayed over during the Goma Fire Rite. Please carry your new hoshi omamori with you or respectfully place it on your home altar. If you received more than one hoshi omamori in a packet, you may separate the omamori. Your old hoshi omamori should be returned to Koboji at November's saito goma service to be deconsecrated before the new year.
Learn more about the new omamori designs that will be available during your New Year's visit to the temple. These omamori are only available in-person beginning during the New Year's period. Other omamori, including those for your personal health, household, and vehicles will continue to be available at the temple. Due to the high volume of visitors, we are not able to offer online orders at this time. Please contact the temple office if you have any questions.  ILLNESS RECOVERY The illness recovery omamori appeals to the universal energies for the recovery of sickness and illness. The prayer called tobyo heiyu was well known during Hawaii's plantation days when families would visit the "Odaisan" temple for healing. A Shingon ritual implement called katsuma is prominently featured on the front of the red or green omamori. Please carry this omamori for Kobo Daishi's compassionate healing.  KID'S SAFETY Koboji's new kid's omamori features colorful and playful scenes from daily life. The prayers for this omamori are for safety, especially while travelling to and from school. Blue or yellow. Study, children's, and sports omamori are still available at the temple.
 HAPPINESS OMAMORI
A colorful scene of falling sakura blossoms adorn the happiness omamori. This design, chosen by the late Archbishop Dean Zenei Okimura, evokes feelings of happiness. The happiness omamori reminds us of Kobo Daishi's promise to walk with us always. Available in red or blue. |
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