800th anniversary in English

"Goju Soden" is a traditional retreat for Jodo Shu followers for the transmittal of the essence of the teachings of Honen Shonin. Participants will listen to the Five-fold Sermons and intensively repeat Nembutsu. This significant religious event of Jodo Shu will be observed for the first time in the Continental United States.

The teaching of Nembutsu advocated by Honen Shonin has been transmitted through successive Chief Abbots of Jodo Shu for 800 years. Jodoshu North America will have the honor of welcoming the Right Reverend Shun-ei Tsuboi, the Chief Abbot of Jodo Shu, from Chion-in, Kyoto. Ministers and followers ofJodo Shu temples throughout Japan will be coming to join our congregation to observe this commemorative service.

One feels helpless and insecure, homeward bound in the darkness, when no light can be seen. However, no matter how dark the path ahead of us, we need to walk on by ourselves in order to reach our destination. When it comes to living our lives fully as human beings, it is necessary to find the light that guides us to walk the path alone. It is religious faith and practice that serves as the light that fuels our endeavor to keep walking. Faith and practice serve as wheels of a vehicle to make it go forward.
The essence of the teachings of Honen Shonin, who founded Jodo Shu, is the continual practice ofNembutsu in our daily lives with acceptance of one's weaknesses that may result in poor choices in verbal, physical, or mental behavior. Honen Shonin taught that the exclusive reliance on Nembutsu chanting, "Namu Amida Butsu," enables one to be born in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha. In Jodo Shu, an intensive religious retreat called "Goju Soden," has been traditionally observed by followers so that the teachings of Honen Shonin may be transmitted through a series of five sermons. In winter 2010, from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, December 12, this "Goju Soden" is scheduled to be observed in the Continental United States for the first time. The rituals will be hosted by Jodoshu North America.
Understanding teachings in Buddhism is developed in three phases: 1) to listen to the teaching, 2) to internalize it, and 3) to put it into practice. Therefore, "Goju Soden" involves listening to sermons, practicing Nembutsu and participating in a religious rite to transmit the essence of Nembutsu. "Goju Soden" has been perpetuated from the time of Honen Shonin. In Japan, "Goju Soden" is generally observed over a period of five days. In Los Angeles, due to distance and transportation constraints, we will receive the teachings of Honen Shonin by observing "Goju Soden" in abbreviated form. Participants will listen to sermons and repeat Nembutsu over a period of three days. Please regard "Goju Soden" as a time for instruction and prayer which all Todo Shu followers should experience at least once in their lifetime. As a token of completion, a Todo Shu Buddhist title called "yo-go," which recognizes each participant's efforts, is presented to each individual. We firmly believe that this retreat will contribute greatly toward nurturing faith and practice of Nembutsu in followers. We wish to encourage you not to miss this rare opportunity to find the torch that brightens our Buddhist path.
Attention: For those who wish to transfer the merit of participating in "Goju Soden" to the deceased, "Okuri Goju" (conferral of the Five-fold Transmission) can be arranged. And for those who desire but are unable to participate because of frail health, "Haori Goju" CGoju' before a symbolic attire which serves as a substitute for the absent individual) can also be arranged.