www.youtube.com/live/mP9kYZFAElo 

Officiant Minister: Bishop Kosen Ishikawa
with Rev. Myoko Takano and Rev. Takaaki Tanabe

Welcome by Bishop Kosen Ishikawa

1. Temple Bell 

2. Entrance of Ministers 

3. Welcoming the Buddhas from Their Lands in Four Verses  

奉請十方如来入道場散華楽 奉請釈迦如来入道場散華楽 奉請弥陀如来入道場散華楽 奉請観音勢至諸大菩薩入道場散華楽 

Hozei Shiho Jorai Jitochosan-karaku, Hozei Sekya Jorai Jitochosan-karaku, Hozei Bitaa Jorai Jitochosan-karaku, Hozei Kannin Seishi Shotai-hosa jitochosan-karaku 

We reverently call upon the buddhas of the ten directions  to enter this place of practice by scattering flowers joyously, We reverently call upon Shakyamuni Buddha to enter this place of practice by scattering flowers joyously.  We reverently call upon Amida Buddha To enter this sacred place by scattering flowers joyously.  We reverently call upon Kannon Seishi, and all the great bodhisattvas to enter this sacred place by scattering flowers joyously. 

4. Verse of Repentance 

我昔所造諸悪業 皆由無始貪瞋痴 従身語意之所生 一切我今皆懺悔 

Ga shaku sho zō sho akugōKai yū mushi ton jin chiJū shin go i shi sho shō
 Issai ga kon kai sange 

The harmful actions I have done in the past are all derived from my inherent greed, anger, and delusion.  Born of my conduct, words, and thoughts, I now repent them all. 

5. Ten Times Recitation of Nenbutsu: Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Bu, Namu Amida Butsu, Namu Amida Bu

6. Ringing of Buddhist bell, Cymbals and Gong 

7. Invocation by the Officiant Minister

 The origin of Obon Service comes from the story of Mokuren (Skt. Maudgalyayana). After attaining the spiritual power to see into other realms, Mokuren immediately wanted to know the realm in which his deceased mother was reborn. However, Mokuren was deeply saddened to find his mother fell into the world of hungry ghost. She appeared extremely thin with only skin and bones. Flames came out of her mouth and whenever she tried to eat, the food instantly changed into fire so she could not eat anything. This suffering was beyond description.
Mokuren was overwhelmed with sorrow, and crying out loudly, he ran back to Shakyamuni Buddha to report this matter in detail and consulted with him. The Buddha told Mokuren how to save his mother from the suffering of the hungry ghosts.  This is story about Obon comes from the “Urabon kyo” sutra.”
Another story tells us about the origin of the Segaki Service. One day, Ananda was meditating on the truth of the dependent origination of nature or emptiness at a sacred site by himself. At midnight, a hungry ghost who was blowing fire flames from his mouth suddenly appeared before Ananda and said, “Ananda, your life will end in three days. After your death, you will fall into the world of hungry ghosts. If you wish to live longer, you should satisfy the hungers of all the hungry ghosts without fail and revere the Three Treasures on behalf of the hungry ghosts. After saying this, the hungry ghost disappeared. Ananda did not care whether his life would be short but he was more concerned about saving all living beings, suffering in all the realms.
Ananda asked his teacher Shakyamuni Buddha for the profound teachings to save the hungry ghosts. Thus, for the sake of Ananda, the Buddha gave him a dharani, or words of great power called Kubatsu Enkugaki kyo (Dharani Sutra to save hungry ghosts from suffering).
According to the Sutra of Immeasurable Life, should the sentient beings suffer hardship in the three realms of defilement, when they see the radiant light of Amida Buddha, they will all attain relief and not suffer in pain. After their lives have ended, they will be born in the Pure Land.[1]
Today, we observe this Bon Segaki service under the compassionate light of Amida Buddha. With the accumulated virtues from our prayers, we transfer our merit to the founding minister of our temple, the restorer, and all the resident ministers and our Dharma family and friends. We also pray for all the past members, ancestors, and all the departed loved ones who welcome their first obon this year since last summer to be enlightened. 


[1] The Sutra of Immeasurable Life says that “after their lives have ended, they will all obtain release (J. gedatsu).

8. Verse for Breaking the Hell  破地獄偈

若人欲了知 三世一切仏 応観法下界性 一切唯心造 

Nyaku-nin Yoku-ryo chi, Sanze Issai bu, Oukan hokai sho, Issai Yuishinzo 

This is a verse said to possess the merit of removing the suffering of hell: "If one wishes to clearly know all Buddhas of the past, present, and future, then one should deeply contemplate the true nature of the Dharma realm — namely, that all things are nothing but creations of the mind. The title “Verse for Breaking the Hell” (Hajigoku-ge) comes from a passage in the Commentary on the Avataṃsaka Sutra, which states, “If one upholds and recites this verse, one can break open the hells.” 

9. Respectful Reverence to the Six States   敬礼六位 

南無常住十方仏 南無常住十方法 南無常住十方僧 

南無本師釈迦牟尼仏 南無大悲観世音菩薩 南無啓教阿難陀尊者 

Namu Joju Jippo-Bu, Namu Joju Jippo-Ho, Namu Joju Jippo-So, Namu Honshi Shakyamuni-Bu Namu Daihi-Kanzeon-Bosa Namu Keikyo Ananda-Sonja 

I put my faith in the everlasting Buddha of the Ten Directions;  
I put my faith in the everlasting Dharma of the Ten Directions; 
I put my faith in the everlasting Sangha of the Ten directions; 
I put my faith in the Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha: 
I put my faith in the Great Compassionate Kannon bodhisattva; 
I put my faith in the Revered teacher, Ananda the Honored One. 

10. Performing an Incantation for Purifying the Food   浄食加持偈 

神呪加持浄飲食普施恒沙衆鬼神  願皆飽満捨慳心  速脱幽冥生善道 

帰依三宝発菩提  究竟得成無上覚  功徳無辺尽未来  一切衆生同法食 

Jinshuu-Kaji Joon-Jiki, Fuse-Goja Shu-kijin, Gankai Homan Sha-kenjin, Sokudatsu Yumyo Shozendo, Kie-Sanbo Hootsu bodai, Kukyo Tokujo Mujogaku, Kudoku Muhen Jin-Mirai, Issai Shujo Doho-jiki 

This verse expresses the merit of chanting dhāraṇī and ritually consecrating food during the Segaki-e (Feeding the Hungry Ghosts Ceremony): 

A mantra being chanted for the purification of food and drink, all of which is offered to the people and the various spirits.  I wish that all of them are satisfied and abandon a mind deluded with greed, and immediately are freed from the mysterious shadows of hell and are born in a good rebirth, then turn for refuge to the Three Jewels, develop the resolve to attain enlightenment, and finally attain supreme enlightenment.   May this merit be boundless and without end, and all sentient beings produce the same food of the dharma. 

11. Dhāraṇīfor transforming the food  変食陀羅尼 

ノーマク サラバー タタギャター バローキテイ オン サンバラ サンバラ ウン 

Nōmaku sarabā tatagyatā barōkitei on sanbara sanbara un 

Officiant Minister will walk to the Segaki Altar to offer ritual of blessing

A Dhāraṇī that enables one to extend the offering of food and drink to all beings. This is identical to the "Kenkuju" (Mantra for Offering), and is classified as a mantra-dhāraṇī used for kaji Onjiki (ritual blessing of food and drink).

12. Dhāraṇīfor the sweet water 

甘露水陀羅尼 

ノーマク ソロバヤー タタギャタヤー タニヤター オン ソロソロ ハラソロ ハラソロ ソワカー 

Nōmaku sorobayā tatagyatayā tanyatā on sorosoro harasoro harasoro sowaka 

In Amoghavajra’s translation of the “Ritual for Offering Food and Water to Various Hungry Ghosts” , this mantra is referred to as the Sweet Dew Dharma-Flavor Mantra or simply the Sweet Dew Mantra.
By reciting this mantra, it is said that the food and water offered are transformed into immeasurable milk and sweet dew, and furthermore, the throats of all hungry ghosts are opened, allowing them to fully partake of the offerings equally.
 

13. Dhāraṇī for an Ocean of milk   乳海陀羅尼 

ノーマク サンマンダー ボダナン バン 

This is a mantra-dhāraṇī used in the Segaki-e, recited as: 

“Nōmaku sanmanda bodanan ban.” 

It is also known by various names, including:  The One-Syllable Water Wheel Visualization Mantra of Vairocana, The Mantra for Universally Offering to All Hungry Ghosts with a Mudrā, and The Milk Ocean Mantra (Nyūkai Shingon).  In this mantra, the final syllable “Ban” is regarded as a symbol of water. 
It is said that when one forms the appropriate mudrā (ritual hand gesture) and recites this mantra, the nectar (amṛta) flows forth from within the mudrā, transforming into a milk ocean. Imagining this nectar flowing out equally and universally into the Dharma realm, it is believed that all sentient beings may be fully nourished and satisfied. 

14. In Praise of the Five Tathāgatas

五如来

南無宝勝如来       除慳貪業福智円満  

南無妙色身如来    破醜陋形円満相好 

南無甘露王如来   灌法身心令受快楽      

南無広博身如来   咽喉広大飲食受用 

南無離怖畏如来   恐怖悉除離餓鬼趣 

Namu Hosho Nyorai        

 Joken Tongo Fukuchi Enman 

Namu Myoshikishin Nyorai    

Hashu Rugyo Enman Sogo 

Namu Kanro-o Nyorai            

Kanbo Shinjin Ryoju Keraku 

Namu Kobakushin Nyorai      

Inko Kodai Onjiki juyuu 

Namu Rifui Nyoai                   

Kufu Shitsujo Rigakishu 

 In Jodo Shu rituals, the following chant is offered to take refuge in each of these Tathāgatas and to praise their respective virtues:
 
I put my faith in Ratnaketu Buddha, who removes the karma of resentment and greed, and makes blessings and wisdom to be complete. 
I put my faith in Surdpakaya Buddha (Aksobhya Buddha) who destroys angry appearances and completely fulfills the 32 major signs and 80 minor marks of a Buddha. 
I put my faith in Amrta King Buddha (Amitabha) who pours down the mind of the dharmakaya to cause us immediately to receive bliss. 
I put my faith in Vairocana Buddha whose gateway is broad and large, and his drink and food can be received and used.   
I put my faith in Shakyamuni Buddha who completely removes all fear and frees beings from their rebirth as hungry ghosts. 

15. Sabage  生飯偈

汝等鬼神衆  我今施汝供  此食遍十方  

一切鬼神供 

Nyoto-Kijinshu Gakon Senyoku Shijiki Henjippo Issai-Kijinku 

This is a verse chanted when offering a portion of one’s food to hungry ghosts and guardian spirits : 
All you who are departed spirits, I am now presenting you with an offering.  This food pervades everywhere in the ten directions as an offering for all departed spirits. 

16. Amida Tathagata Fundamental  Dhāraṇī   阿弥陀如来根本陀羅尼

ノーボー アラタンノー タラヤーヤー ノーマクアリヤー ミタバヤー タタギャタヤー アラカテイ サンミャクサンボダヤー タニヤター オンアミリテイ アミリトー ドバベイア ミリターサンバベイ アミリター キャラベイア ミリター シッテイアミリター テイゼイアミリター ビギャランテイアミリター ビギャランター ギャミネイアミリター ギャギャノー キチキャレイアミリター ドンドビ ソバレイ サラバー アラター サダネイ サラバー キャラマー キレイシャキシャヨー キャレイ ソワカー 

This dhāraṇī expresses a vow to eradicate delusions while taking refuge in the Three Treasures and Amida Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Light), and offering praise to Amida in many forms. 

It is used in Segaki-e and funerary rituals, and is chanted as follows: 

“Nōbō aratan nōtarayāyā nōmaku ariyā mitabaya tathāgataya arakatei sanmyaku sanbodaya tanya tā on amirite amirito dobabei amiritā sambabei amiritā kyarabei amiritā shittei amiritā teizei amiritā bigyarantei amiritā bigyarantā gyaminei amiritā gyagya nōkichikarei amiritā don dobisobarei sarabā aratā sadanei sarabā kyaramā kirei shakisha yōkarei sowaka.” 

17. Verse for transference of Merit to the Hungry Ghosts   餓鬼回向文 

願籍斯善 一切餓鬼 罪障消滅 離苦得楽 

発心修行 臨終見仏 超生浄土 究竟成仏 Ganshaku Shizen Issai-gaki, Zaisho-shometsu Riku-tokuraku Hosshin-shugyo Rinju-kenbutsu Chosho-Jodo Kukyo Jobutsu 

 This is a dedicatory verse used in the Segaki-e and Obon memorial home visits (Tana-gyō). It is recited after chanting dhāraṇī, to transfer the merit for the liberation and enlightenment of all hungry ghosts.
 
"May the merit from this wholesome act       
Be dedicated to all hungry ghosts.
May their karmic obstructions be extinguished,           
May they be freed from suffering and attain joy.
May they arouse the aspiration for enlightenment and engage in practice.
 At life’s end, may they see the Buddha,                         
Transcend this world, be born in the Pure Land,
 And ultimately attain Buddhahood."
 

18. Ten Times Recitation of Nenbutsu 

19. Opening Verse for Sutra Chanting  

無上甚深微妙法 百千万劫難遭遇 我今見聞得受持 願解如来真実義 

Mujō jinjin mimyō hō, hyakusenmangō nan sōgū, ga kon kenmon toku juji, gan ge Nyorai shinjitsu gi 

The unsurpassed, profound, and subtle Dharma is difficult to encounter even over hundreds of thousands of millions of kalpas. Now I have been able to see, hear, receive, and uphold it. I sincerely vow to understand the true meaning of the Tathāgata. 

20. The Verse of the Four Vows  四誓偈 

我建超世願 必至無上道 斯願不滿足 

誓不成等覺 我於無量劫 不爲大施主 

普濟諸貧苦 誓不成等覺 我至成佛道 

名聲超十方 究竟靡不聞 誓不成等覺        離欲深正念 淨慧修梵行  志求無上道 

爲諸天人師 神力演大光 普照無際土 

消除三垢冥 明濟衆厄難 開彼智慧眼 

滅此昏盲闇 閉塞諸惡道 通達善趣門        功祚成滿足 威曜朗十方 日月戢重暉        天光隱不現  爲衆開法藏 廣施功徳寶      

常於大衆中 説法師子吼 供養一切佛      

具足衆徳本 願慧悉成滿 得爲三界雄 

如佛無量智 通達靡不遍 願我功徳力 

等此最勝尊 斯願若剋果 大千應感動 

虚空諸天人 當雨珍妙華 

GA        GON       CHO      SE           GAN      HI         SSH        MU         JO           DO 
SHI       GAN       FU         MAN        ZOKU    SEI        FU           JO        SHO        GAKU 
GA         O            MU        RYO          KO   FU          I             DAI       SE             SHU 
FU          SAI        SHO      BIN           GU        SEI         FU          JO         SHO          GAKU 
GA          SHI        JO         BUTSU     DO    MYO      SHO      CHO      JI               PPO 
KU          KYO      MI          SHO         MON    SEI         FU             JO       SHO         GAKU 
RI           YOKU      JIN       SHO         NEN

JO           E              SHU      BON         GYO  

SHI        GU           MU         JO             DO       I             SHO         TEN      NIN          SHI 
JIN         RIKI         EN         DAI          KO

FU          SHO         MU        SAI           DO 
SHO       JO             SAN      KU           MYO

KO         SAI            SHU      YAKU      NAN 
KAI        HI              CHI      E              GEN

ME         SSHI         KON     MO          AN 
HEI        SOKU       SHO     AKU         DO

TSU       DATSU     ZEN      JU            MON 
KU          SO             JO        MAN        ZOKU

I               YO            RO       JI               PPO 
NICHI   GA             SSHU  JU              KI

TEN        KO            ON        PU           GEN 
I              SHU           KAI       HO          ZO

KO         SE               KU        DOKU     HO 
JO           O                DAI       SHU         JU

SE          PPO           SHI       SHI           KU 
KU         YO               I            SSAI     BUTSU GU         SOKU         SHU   TOKU     HON GAN      NE               SHITSU JO       MAN    TOKU    I                  SAN     GAI         O 
NYO       BUTSU     MU       GE           CHI

TSU       DATSU       MI       FU            SHO 
GAN      GA               KU       E               RIKI

TO         SHI             SAI       SHO        SON 
SHI        GAN          NYA      KKO        KKA

DAI        SEN           O           KAN        DO 
KO         KU             SHO      TEN        NIN

TO          U                CHIN    MYO      KE 

I take Great Vow that are unsurpassed    
So that the Highest truth can be realized 
Should these vows not be fulfilled                                  
 I shall not gain Perfect Enlightenment. 
Should I not for infinite eons                                  
Become one so great nor offer delight 
To give and save all those in need,                                                                                       I shall not gain Perfect Enlightenment. 
When I attain the Highest Bodhi,                                                                                      All worlds shall hear my name aright. 
Should there be anyone who hears it not,                                                                         I shall not gain Perfect Enlightenment. 
Refraining from greed, deep rooted in right thought, 
Gaining Wisdom pure, I shall pursue  
The Way up to the Highest Enlightenment 
And become a master-guide of the world.
From strength divine shall radiate forth 
A light great that brightens the whole world.
I shall root out the darkness of illusions Three,  
And save those in suffering and despair.
I shall try to open the spiritual eyes of wisdom 
 And to eradicate the darkness of ignorance;
I shall try to close tight all evil paths 
And to lead all beings to the realm of good.  
When I obtain the highest merits,
My light shall shine boundless in all directions. 
Even the sun and moon will seek the darkness,  
And heavenly lights will be dimmed. 
Now let us reveal the House of Dharma
So that we shall share the Buddha’s merits.Among the people,
I will always Expound the truth in a lion’s roar. 
I will serve and praise all Buddhas
Oh Whom the virtues and merits are bestowed. 
When I perfect my Wisdom and complete my Vows, 
I shall become the King of the Three Worlds. 
The Wisdom of the Buddha is boundless and free, 
Shining brightly with none to loath or shun. 
I pray my power of Wisdom may shineLike as Thine, 
O Buddha, the Exalted One. 
When these Vows are fulfilled,
The whole Universe will tremble and rejoice; 
The Heavens will shower beautiful flowers,Celestial lotus blossoms in full scent. 
 

21. Verse of Amida Buddha’s Original Vows 

弥陀本誓願 極楽之要門 

定散等回向 速証無生身 

Mida honsei gan  Gokuraku Shiyōmon Jōsan tō ekō          Sokusshō mushō shin 

Amida Buddha’s Original Vows are the essential gate to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.  May this merit be transferred equally to enable us to immediately attain birth in the Pure Land.  

24. Devoted Calls of Amida Buddha’s Name 念仏一会 

25. O-Toba Prayer  大塔婆供養 

(Offering of Incense) 

26. Chu-Toba Prayer 中塔婆供養 

(Offering of Incense)

27. Verse of Prayer for the birth of all departed spirits一切精霊偈 

一切精霊生極楽 上品蓮台成正覚 菩提行願不退転 引導三有及法界                

Issai shōrei shō Gokuraku, jōbon rendai jōshōgaku, bodai gyōgan futaiten, indō sannu kyū Hōkai 

May all departed spirits be born in the Pure Land;
 May they realize awakening upon the highest lotus throne;
 May they pursue the practice and vow of enlightenment without ever regressing;
 And may they lead beings throughout the three realms and the entire Dharma realm. 

28. Dedication of Merit for All 

願以此功徳 平等施一切 同発菩提心 往生安楽国 

Gan ni shi kudokuByōdō sei issaiDōhotsu bodaishinŌjō anraku koku 

We aspire for these merits and virtues to be equally bestowed upon all.  And may we together develop the aspiration for enlightenment to achieve birth in the Pure Land of Peace and Bliss. 

29. Ten Times Recitation of Nenbutsu 

30. Nenbutsu Procession to bless all O-Toba at Social Hall 

Bus to the Haleiwa Jodo’s Bon Dance on Saturday, August 2 

Jodo Mission will have a Bus going to Haleiwa Jodo Mission on Saturday, August 2nd.
The bus will leave Jodo Mission at 4:00pm & leave Haleiwa Jodo Mission at 10pm after its Toro Nagashi.  Anyone interested, please let our office know at (808)949-3995.  Priority will be given to dues paying members.

  

Haleiwa Jodo Mission Obon Festival 

6:00 pm Obon Service 

7:00 pm Bon Dance 

9:00 Toro Nagashi –Floating Lantern Ceremony