8,000-stick Goma

The 8,000-stick Goma is one of the most demanding ascetic practices in Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. During three weeks of preparatory practice, three goma services are performed each day together with 108,000 recitations. On the final day, after fasting without food or water, more than 19,000 goma sticks in total are offered into the fire, including the 8,000 sticks of the concluding rite. It has long been described as a rite through which all heartfelt prayers may be fulfilled.

Traditionally this rite has been practiced as a ritual of Fudo Myoo. After completing it eleven times, the head priest of this temple studied a wide range of scriptures and ritual manuals and learned that 8,000-stick goma rites have also been performed for other deities, including Bato Kannon and Ucchusma Myoo.

This spring, looking up to Yakushi Nyorai, the principal image of Byodoji Temple said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi, we will dedicate the rite especially to healing illness and protecting bodily health, in keeping with Yakushi's vow to heal the suffering of body and mind without discrimination. We hope you will entrust your prayer to this rare and auspicious occasion.

A fortunate day in March 2026, Rev. Shinryo Taniguchi, Chief Priest of Byodoji Temple