CEC diary [Kyoto] Celebration ceremony at Myoshinji Temple

Buddhist altar ceremony held at Myoshinji Temple “Shunkoin”

The main character this time is a couple living in Mozambique. We invited guests from Portugal and the United States and held a Buddhist altar ceremony at Myoshinji Shunkoin, followed by an unveiling ceremony for the couple at Myoshinji Ha Chokeiin.

In Japan, you may think of weddings generally held at hotels, wedding halls, churches, shrines, etc., but there is actually a Buddhist ceremony that is held at a temple.

History and form of Buddhist altar style

A Buddhist ceremony is a Buddhist style wedding ceremony. Established during the Meiji period, this ceremony is used to vow in front of Buddha to vow to be connected to the next life. The format is to tell the ancestors about the person who will be walking with them from now on and to express their gratitude to the Buddha. It is said that Steve Jobs also got married in a Buddhist altar ceremony.

Shunkoin was founded in the 18th year of Tensho (1590 A.D.), and the current chief priest is fluent in English, so he conducts everything in Japanese and English. When we asked guests from overseas about their impressions of the ceremony as a whole, some said that the chief priest's sermon was the most memorable.

Mr. Zenryu Kawakami, Chief Priest of Shunko-in Temple

Guest from overseas

unveiling party

After the Buddhist ceremony, we moved to Chokei-in Temple in Myoshin-ji Temple and held an unveiling party. The chief priest of Chokei-in Temple, which was founded in 1600 A.D., told us about the history of the temple, and the main meal was ``Yao Osamu,'' a vegetarian cuisine that was founded in the first year of the Meiji era and is purveyor to the head temple of each sect, and is specialized in catering. We have prepared the traditional vegetarian cuisine of the restaurant. Although it is called vegetarian cuisine, it is a very gorgeous and beautiful meal. All the guests were impressed by the taste.

Osamu Yao's vegetarian cuisine menu

After the meal, we were served matcha tea brewed by the chief priest. The matcha that the chief priest made right in front of me was also exceptional.

The matcha is Miyabi no Shiro from Yanagisakuen, and the matcha is provided by Yotokuin and Keishunin.

The sweets are the colors of Kaohsiung from Honke Yushuken.

Gagaku

The finale of the unveiling event was a gagaku concert. The performance of ``Ettenraku,'' which is said to be a representative piece of gagaku music, was a chance for all the staff to share this unique moment together, and I was moved by the idea of ​​creating a moment that will remain as a memory like this. It was a moment. Some of the guests shed tears. Gagaku is now recognized as a traditional Japanese culture, but its roots are said to have come to Japan from China and the Korean Peninsula. Gagaku has already declined and disappeared in China and the Korean Peninsula, and as a result, it has become unique to Japan and has a history of becoming a traditional Japanese culture.

This time, I introduced the history, format, and reception of the Buddhist altar ceremony.What did you think of it? I would be happy if you knew that there are ways to celebrate love like this.

May your life be filled with wonderful experiences.

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