Higan Memorial Service

Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage 22nd Temple Byodoji Ohigan

At Byodoji, a sacred site of Shikoku's Daishi, we are conducting an [Ohigan Memorial Service] that anyone can participate in. During this time, a period dedicated to expressing gratitude and offering memorial services to our departed loved ones, let us unite our hearts and pray at the moment when the distance between the Buddha's world (Higan) and our world (Konan) is the closest.

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What is Ohigan? Its Origin and Online Memorial Services

Ohigan is a period in Japanese Buddhism when ancestral memorial services are encouraged. Every year, during the week before and after the vernal equinox and autumnal equinox, it is cherished both as a time to express gratitude to the deceased and as a period of personal cultivation. While Obon is when ancestors return here, Ohigan is considered a period of training for us to approach the Buddha's world.

[This Year's Ohigan]

• Spring Ohigan: March 17, 2025 – March 23, 2025
• Autumn Ohigan: September 20, 2025 – September 26, 2025

During the autumn Ohigan period, you can also enjoy the scenery with blooming higanbana flowers.

Regarding the relationship between Higan and Paramita, both "Higan" and "Paramita" are originally derived from the Indian word "Pāramitā," meaning the perfected state. During this period, along with ancestral memorial services, through training in the [Six Paramitas], which are generosity, moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom, we have the opportunity to purify our hearts and take a step towards the Buddha's world.

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Explanation of the Six Paramitas

[Paramita of Generosity]

Acts of giving without expecting anything in return, such as offerings and thoughtfulness. Offerings in ancestral memorial services symbolize this.

[Paramita of Moral Discipline]

Observing precepts, avoiding evil, and doing good. This includes cleaning graves and Buddhist altars, and purifying oneself.

[Paramita of Patience]

Enduring hardships directed at others or oneself, advancing without disturbing the heart. Offering flowers quietly symbolizes this attitude.

[Paramita of Diligence]

Continuing good deeds and acting with inner enthusiasm. Daily practices like offering spirit food and Buddhist meals are important.

[Paramita of Meditation]

Calming the mind through meditation, gaining insight and concentration. Lighting incense represents this.

[Paramita of Wisdom]

Discernment of the essence of things through wisdom, reaching the state of emptiness. The candle on the Buddhist altar is used as a light to illuminate ignorance.

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Information on Online Memorial Services

Byodoji is conducting online memorial services!

[Flow of Memorial Ceremony]

• Every day from 19:00 to 21:00

The head priest chants sutras and reads participants' names in sequence.

Live streaming is available on YouTube, TikTok Live, Nico Nico Douga, Twitch, 17 Live, etc.

[Online Application]

All applications and donations are completed online. After the memorial service, items such as dedication certificates and amulets will be mailed.

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Details and Application Here

Details of the Ohigan 2025 can be found here:

https://byodoji.online/ritual/ohigan

Apply here:

https://byodoji.online/order/ohigan2025

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We sincerely await your participation. Spend time polishing your hearts through the practice of the Six Paramitas, with gratitude to your beloved ones, and take a step closer to the Buddha's world. Gassho.

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