8:00 a.m. – Japanese Language Service with Rev. Nobuo Miyaji
9:30 a.m. – Combined Autumn Higan Family Service with Rev. Nobuo Miyaji
1:00 p.m. – Japanese Language Service with Rev. Shingo Furusawa

About Rev. Miyaji

Rev. Nobuo Miyaji was born in Kyoto and graduated from Ritsumei University and Chuo Bukkyo Gaku-in. He earned his Masters Degree from Ryukoku University. In 1977 he became a BCA minister. He served at the Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara, Buddhist Church of Ogden, Los Angeles Betsuin, Venice Hongwanji, Fresno Betsuin, and Gardena Buddhist Church. He retired in 2016. His wife, Yoshiko, and Rev. Miyaji have three children and six grandchildren. He enjoys sports, reading, and mah-jong.

About Higan

O-higan is one of the six major services of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist tradition, and literally means “the Other Shore,” a symbolic reference to the Pure Land of Amida Buddha.

O-higan is observed twice a year, once in the spring and the other in autumn, at the time when, due to the change of the seasons, both night and day become of equal length. Traditionally, it is a time of reflection on the path towards reaching the Other Shore of Enlightenment through the Six Paramitas (giving, right behavior, endurance/patience, endeavor/effort, meditation, & wisdom).

However, in the Jodo Shinshu tradition because the Vow of Amida Buddha has already enabled all sentient beings to reach the world of Enlightenment, the observance of O-higan has come to mean a refocusing on following the Six Paramitas, not as a way to reach the Pure Land. Instead, we express our gratitude to Amida Buddha, for the way to safely cross the turbulent sea of samsara to the Pure Land has already been laid down through Amida Buddha’s Infinite Compassion as expressed in the Primal Vow.

(From the September 2018 Goji newsletter)

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