It's been a while since the last Juyakai. The Juyakai at Shokoji Temple is always a homely event, and before it starts, participants chat with each other while waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Shokoji Temple to make some progress in digitization. One example is the sutras used in the doshiza. Until now, paper folding books were used, but in recent years, tablet devices (iPads) have been used. Since they had not been used before the COVID-19 pandemic, people who attended events in the main hall for the first time in a while and witnessed them commented, "Temples have changed a lot (as digitalization has progressed)."
Although it is not yet complete, we are also in the process of renovating the temple's website. The person who is working on it lives in Nara. We communicate using the now popular ZOOM (web conferencing). Therefore, it is not a problem if the person working on it is not in the vicinity.
The person said that he often visits Todaiji Temple in Nara, and we had a very lively discussion about how Todaiji Temple is a temple that the Jodo sect has a strong connection to.
Towards the end of the Heian period, Todaiji Temple suffered serious damage during the Genpei War. As the temple was built in the hope of bringing peace to the nation, preparations for its reconstruction were immediately made. In fact, the name of Honen Shonin was the first to be mentioned as the person responsible for the reconstruction. Honen firmly refused, and instead recommended Shunjobo Chogen. Through this connection, Honen Shonin had a connection with Todaiji Temple, including giving lectures at the temple (Todaiji Lectures).
Chogen seems to have admired Honen Shonin, and the questions he posed to him remain in the "Ten Questions at Todaiji Temple." One of the questions was, "Will I be able to go to paradise if I worship the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple?" While worshiping the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple is a wonderful thing, Honen Shonin recommended chanting the Nembutsu, because he believed that the best way to go to paradise was to chant the Nembutsu.
For those of us living in the Kanto region, visiting Todaiji Temple is very exciting, but taking time off work to go there can be quite a hassle. On the other hand, chanting the Nembutsu can be easily done every day from the comfort of your own home.
In daily life, it is important to have extraordinary experiences from time to time, but I think the most important thing is to lead a well-organized daily life. There are different ways for each person to do things, such as waking up at a certain time every morning, doing exercises every day, stretching every night, etc. Even mentally, chanting the Nembutsu in front of the Buddhist altar every day can be an opportunity to organize yourself.
We held the Toyakai ceremony for the first time in a long while since the COVID-19 outbreak, and it reminded us of the importance of everyday life. While thinking about famous temples, it was also a day when we were reminded of the importance of organizing and enjoying our daily lives, and the gratitude we feel for such ordinary everyday things.
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