Events - List of Nichiren Shu Holidays

Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Temple
Lexington, Kentucky

Events

Special Events of Nichiren-Shu
The following is a list of special events celebrated by Nichiren-Shu Buddhists. We honor all of these holidays at the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Temple at the Sunday meeting closest to the date of the event.
January 1	New Year’s Day
February 3	Setsubun - Marks the change of season from Winter to Spring in Japan. Originally there were 4 Setsubun, one for each season. Now, only the day before the first day of spring (risshun) is celebrated. On this day, it is the tradition to hold a Setsubun Service to pray for good health and protection from calamity and misfortune. Also, known as the bean scattering ceremony, soybeans are thrown to chase out evil spirits from each house and welcome good luck throughout the year. Soybeans were probably chosen to symbolically destroy the demon’s eyes or because the Japanese word for bean, mama, also means honest and hardworking.
February 15	The Buddha’s Nirvana Day -
February 16	Nichiren Shonin’s Birthday
March 21 & September 23	Higan Service -
April 8	The Buddha’s Birthday
April 28	Commemoration Service of the Establishment of Nichiren Shu Buddhism (Rikkyo Kaishu-E)
August 13 to 16	Memorial Service for the Dead (Obon)
October 13	Memorial Service for for Nichiren Shonin (Oeshiki)
December 8	Bodhi Day to Commemorate the Buddha’s Enlightenment (Jodo-E)

For more information contact Rev. Warner