Fulfillment of desire
Entrust us with heartfelt wishes concerning work, daily life, family, or a personal turning point.
Byodoji Temple, 22nd Temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage
A rite said to fulfill every prayer
8,000-stick Goma
14th Observance
Principal Image: Fudo Myoo
May the sacred fire of wisdom consume every hardship.
Fulfillment of Wishes · Freedom from Misfortune · Family Safety · Peace of Body and Mind
Opening10.13Tue
Conclusion11.3Tuesday/holiday
63 services over 21 days
A great goma in which 8,000 sticks are offered into the sacred fire of wisdom on the concluding day
From the chief priest
What is the 8,000-stick Goma rite?
The 8,000-Stick Goma Rite is a major Shingon Esoteric Buddhist practice in which goma and mantra recitation continue from the opening through the conclusion. On the concluding day, the practitioner maintains a day-and-night fast while offering 8,000 goma sticks into the sacred fire of wisdom. The rite's principal manual, the Ritsuin-ki, teaches that once the preliminary practice is complete, every heartfelt wish will be fulfilled.
The rite concluding on November 3, 2026, will be cultivated with Fudo Myoo as its principal image. Fudo Myoo is the wheel of command of Dainichi Nyorai. With unwavering bodhicitta, he crushes afflictions and protects both the practitioner and those who join the rite.
The observance opens on October 13. Daily goma and mantra recitation lead to the great concluding goma on November 3. We invite you to entrust your prayers to this auspicious occasion and worship with us.
An auspicious day in May 2026 · Rev. Shinryo Taniguchi, Chief Priest of Byodoji Temple
RECORDS OF EARLIER RITES
Prayer before the wisdom-fire
These photographs document Hassenmai goma rites performed at Byodoji on May 3 and June 7, 2026.
May 3 and June 7, 2026 · Byodoji Main Hall
About the practice
21 Days from Opening to Conclusion
From opening to conclusion, the practitioner cultivates 63 services over 21 days. The great concluding goma is performed with Fudo Myoo as its principal image.
On the concluding day, the practitioner maintains a day-and-night fast while performing the great goma from morning until evening. The fast is part of the practitioner's discipline and is not required of attendees. Times may shift with the progress of the practice or the weather.
Principal image: Fudo Myoo
The Deity of Unwavering Bodhicitta and the Sacred Fire of Wisdom
Fudo Myoo is the wheel of command of Dainichi Nyorai. In wrathful form, he crushes afflictions and obstacles. True to his name, he protects practitioners with unwavering bodhicitta and guides their prayers toward fulfillment.
Scriptural Basis and Meaning
The Text and Lineage Behind the 8,000 Sticks
The rite follows the goma method taught in Amoghavajra's translation of the ritual manual commonly called the Ritsuin-ki. The text prescribes 100,000 recitations, a day-and-night fast, and the performance of goma with a limit of 8,000 sticks. At Byodoji, the observance includes 108,000 recitations.
The Ritsuin-ki does not explain why the rite uses 8,000 sticks. Later lineages passed down several interpretations.
Kyoshun's Hisho Kuketsu relates the number to Shakyamuni Buddha's 8,000 journeys through the saha world to save sentient beings. The same passage suggests that it signifies cutting off the afflictions of the eight consciousnesses and realizing the five wisdoms (Collected Works of the Shingon School, vol. 28, p. 334).
The Himitsu Giki Zuimonki, transmitted orally by Shojaku and recorded by Shokei, treats Shakyamuni's 8,000 journeys as acts of teaching after his awakening. It describes the practitioner's present offering of 8,000 sticks as a discipline through which to realize the Buddha's wisdom (Collected Works of the Shingon School, vol. 1, p. 153).
Byodoji distinguishes the ritual text from these later traditions. We cultivate the rite by entrusting a prayer to each goma stick and facing our own delusions before Fudo Myoo's sacred fire of wisdom.
Goma sticks are offered into the wisdom-fire as prayers continue
Wish
What wishes may be entrusted
In this 8,000-Stick Goma Rite for Fudo Myoo, we receive prayers for freedom from obstacles and the fulfillment of wishes. You may submit more than one prayer.
Eliminate Misfortune
For those who pray to leave misfortune behind and open a better path.
Family Safety
A prayer for your family to remain safe and daily life to stay peaceful.
Peace of mind and body
A prayer to leave anxiety and confusion behind and find peace in body and mind.
Traffic Safety
A prayer for safety in daily travel, long journeys, driving, and travel for work.
Daily life and karmic ties
We can help you find a good match, achieve academic success, prosper in business, and memorialize your ancestors.
Order of the Concluding Day
Invoking Fudo Myoo and Offering 8,000 Sticks into the Sacred Fire of Wisdom
The officiating clergy and practitioner follow this order on the concluding day. They gather in Byodoji's Jibutsudo Hall and proceed from entering the hall through the 8,000-stick offering and dedication of merit.
Assembly, Procession, and Entry
The officiating clergy assemble at Byodoji's Jibutsudo Hall at 8:00 a.m. and enter in procession. They make three prostrations with the practitioner and take their seats.
Offerings, Invocation, and Sutra Recitation
The clergy chant the Sanskrit Hymn of the Four Wisdoms while presenting offerings. During the invocation, they summon Great Holy Fudo and the Four Great and Eight Great Wrathful Deities, then recite the Rishu-kyo.
Beginning the Dharani and Goma
When the Rishu-kyo ends, the clergy begin the dharani. Around this time, the practitioner enters the goma practice.
The 8,000-Stick Offering
After the consecrated offerings, the practitioner arranges the altar and prepares 108 branches and the temporary ghee vessel. He offers the goma sticks into the sacred fire of wisdom in sets of 1,000, repeating the prescribed offerings, consecrations, prayers, universal offering, mantra recitation, and purification until all 8,000 have been offered.
Prayer plans
Choose a prayer plan first, then add any items you need
There are six ways to apply. First choose one prayer plan, then add any bestowed items you would like.
The tag sizes are: O paper tag 30 cm, B wooden tag 30 cm, C special wooden tag 30 cm, S 45 cm, and SS 60 cm.
Aご祈祷
The basic prayer plan
Standard Prayer
¥5,000
Your prayer is read aloud throughout all 63 goma services. At the concluding service, a goma stick is offered on your behalf.
Classic ofudaTraditional choice
Bご祈祷
Granted items
Charms, ofuda, and prayer beads to carry the prayer into daily life
Special wooden ofuda for C, S, and SS
Choose from 20 colors of Awa washi
For the special wooden ofuda, we wrap Awa washi around a wooden plaque inscribed in gold with your prayer. You may choose from the 20 colors below. If no color is specified, lapis blue will be used.
Blue-Gold, Crimson, Orange, Wisteria, Silver, Cypress Bark, Canary Yellow, Gold, Vermilion, Navy, Pine Needle, Pale Blue-Green, Fresh green, Peach, Lapis Lazuli, Cherry Blossom, Dandelion, Light Blue, Pale Blue, Soft Pink
June 7, 2026 · The concluding rite
Practice schedule
21 Days from Opening to Conclusion
This schedule shows the practice undertaken by the practitioner and officiating clergy from opening to conclusion. Times for each service may shift with the progress of the practice or the weather.
The observance opens on October 13 and concludes on November 3, 2026. The principal ritual text prescribes 100,000 recitations; at Byodoji, the practice comprises 108,000 recitations.
Times may shift depending on the progress of the practice and the weather.
| Date | Late-night | Daytime | Early-night | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13Tue | 16:0018:00Opening | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals | ||
| Oct 14Wed | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 15Thu | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 16Fri | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 17Sat | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 18Sun | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 19Mon | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 20Tue | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 21Wed | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 22Thu | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 23Fri | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 24Sat | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 25Sun | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 26Mon | 03:0005:00Preparatory | 09:0011:00Preparatory | 14:0016:00Preparatory | Vegetarian Morning 2 meals |
| Oct 27Tue | 02:0006:00Preparatory | 08:0012:00Preparatory | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Oct 28Wed | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:0012:00100,000 Recitations | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Oct 29Thu | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:0012:00100,000 Recitations | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Oct 30Fri | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:0012:00100,000 Recitations | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Oct 31Sat | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:0012:00100,000 Recitations | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Nov 1Sun | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:0012:00100,000 Recitations | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Nov 2Mon | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:0012:00100,000 Recitations | 14:0018:00100,000 Recitations | Vegetarian Morning 1 meal |
| Nov 3Tue | 02:0006:00100,000 Recitations | 08:3017:00The service is fulfilled | Fasting day and night | |
Live stream on the closing day
Online Buddhist Ceremony
The great goma on the concluding day will also be streamed live, mainly on YouTube. Even if you cannot come to the temple, we are preparing so you can join the prayer at the same time.
