Performed on the night of the 18th
The 18th is Kannon's holy day. Every month on the 18th, from 8 p.m., Byodoji performs a goma for averting calamity (sokusai) before the Eleven-Faced Kannon.
Services
Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma
On the 18th of every month, Kannon's holy day, we perform this goma before the Eleven-Faced Kannon, principal image of the Jibutsudo.
We kindle the sacred fire of wisdom and, looking to the great compassion of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, pray for good health, recovery from illness, and protection from misfortune. You can apply online.
Next service
November 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Prayer offering 500 yen per prayer
Table of Contents
At a glance
From 8 p.m.
18th each month Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma
The principal image is the Eleven-Faced Kannon of the Jibutsudo
The Jibutsudo of Byodoji enshrines the Eleven-Faced Kannon. Byodoji has two temple titles, Io-in and Nikko-in, and this is the Kannon from whom Nikko-in takes its name.
A goma for averting calamity
Sokusai means stilling illness, misfortune, and hindrances, and praying for peaceful days. Looking to the great compassion of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, we pray for good health and recovery from illness.
You can apply online
You can send your name and wish from home. We read them aloud during the service and offer prayers for you. You can also take part remotely through the live stream.
Schedule and information
What is the Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma?
The Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma is a prayer rite performed before the Eleven-Faced Kannon to still illness and misfortune and to pray for safety.
The goma is a Shingon rite of prayer. We kindle the sacred fire of wisdom in the goma hearth and, while reciting mantras, offer goma sticks into the flame one by one. The flame represents the working of the Buddha's wisdom, and into that fire we entrust our wishes. At Byodoji, we read aloud the name and wish of each person who has asked for prayers as we offer the sticks into the flame.
At Byodoji, the Eleven-Faced Kannon is the principal image of this goma, which we perform on the night of the 18th every month. The Eleven-Faced Kannon is said to turn faces in every direction, watching over people in their suffering and saving them. Looking to that great compassion, we pray for sokusai.
The principal image: the Eleven-Faced Kannon
The Eleven-Faced Kannon of the Jibutsudo is a standing figure carved from a single block of wood (ichiboku-zukuri). Eleven faces rise on its head, and it holds a lotus and a water vase.
The monthly goma on the 18th is performed before this Eleven-Faced Kannon.
About the Statue
The 18th is Kannon's holy day
A holy day (ennichi) is a day on which it is said to be especially easy to form a bond with a particular Buddha. Kannon's holy day is the 18th, and among all holy days it has some of the oldest written records.
Keeping this holy day of Kannon, Byodoji performs the Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma on the 18th of every month. We also perform goma on the holy days of other Buddhas: Yakushi Nyorai on the 8th, Bishamonten on the 1st, and Fudo Myoo on the 28th.
What "sokusai" means, and the blessings of the Eleven-Faced Kannon
Sokusai means stilling illness, misfortune, and hindrances, and returning to a peaceful everyday life.
Shingon goma come in several kinds, including sokusai (averting calamity), zoyaku (increasing blessings), gobuku (subduing), and keiai (drawing affection). The Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma is a sokusai goma. We pray that ailments of the body, troubles in the household, and unexpected misfortunes be stilled, and that life return to its former peace.
The fundamental scripture of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, the Eleven-Faced Avalokitesvara Heart Dharani Sutra, teaches that whoever recites the mantra of the Eleven-Faced Kannon gains the "ten victories" in this very life. Freedom from illness, freedom from misfortune, and the rest are all blessings that answer the wish for sokusai. Byodoji performs its sokusai goma looking to the working of Kannon taught in this scripture.
Words of the scripture
- Translation
- Each morning, purify yourself in accordance with the Dharma and chant this mantra of the eleven faces one hundred and eight times. If you can do so, you will gain the ten victories in this very body.
- Original text
每晨朝時如法清淨。念誦此呪一百八遍。若能如是。現身獲得十種勝利。
- Source
- Eleven-Faced Avalokitesvara Heart Dharani Sutra, trans. Xuanzang (Taisho No. 1071)
The ten victories taught in the scripture (excerpt)
The body is always free of illness
Being sound in body and mind. A prayer for good health.
Protected by the Buddhas of the ten directions
Always abiding within the Buddhas' protection.
Unharmed by poison or evil spirits
Being kept safe from unexpected harm.
Free of untimely death, passing one's days in peace
Escaping sudden death by disaster and living one's days in safety.
Amulets and talismans for this service
Along with your prayer request, you can receive items matched to the honzon of this service.
Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva Ofuda small 24 cm
Apply for one prayer and one item together.
Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva Ofuda large 30 cm
Apply for one prayer and one item together.
Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva Ofuda special 30 cm
Apply for one prayer and one item together.
Items are delivered after the prayer service. You can change the wish and quantity on the application screen.
How the goma proceeds
In the main hall, the Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma is performed as follows.
STEP 1
Making offerings to the Eleven-Faced Kannon
Following the rite handed down from Kobo Daishi to Byodoji, we quietly make offerings to the Eleven-Faced Kannon, principal image of the Jibutsudo.
STEP 2
Entering the sokusai goma
About 30 to 40 minutes into the rite, we kindle the sacred fire of wisdom (the fire of the Buddha's wisdom) in the goma hearth. From here the sokusai goma begins.
STEP 3
Offering goma sticks into the flame
When the sacred fire of wisdom is at its height, we read aloud each name and wish and offer goma sticks into the flame one by one.
STEP 4
Dedicating the merit
We dedicate the merit of the goma to the good health and the fulfillment of the wishes of those who asked for prayers. Amulets and talismans are also blessed at this time.
Byodoji's monthly goma is a prayer offered on the night of Kannon's holy day before this Eleven-Faced Kannon, looking to its great compassion.
Wishes you can entrust
You may entrust to the Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma all kinds of prayers for the safety of body and daily life.
Good health and long life
That you and your family may pass the year in good health.
Recovery from illness
For those who pray for recovery from illness, the success of surgery, and peaceful convalescence.
Protection from misfortune, good fortune
For those who wish to be protected from the misfortunes of an unlucky year, from accidents and injuries, and from lingering ailments.
Household safety, peace of mind
For those who pray for the safety of family living apart and for peaceful days at home.
Please pray to the Buddha for your own and your family's safety while continuing the treatment and health care you need.
How to apply
You can apply at the temple office or online. For online applications too, we read aloud your name and wish at Byodoji and offer prayers, and you can join the service by live stream.
Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma
18th each month, 8 p.m. / Now accepting applications
On the night of Kannon's holy day, we perform the goma before the Eleven-Faced Kannon, principal image of the Jibutsudo.
On the application form, choose "Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma." You can also apply for several goma at once, or for prayers over a set period (six months or one year).
A year of prayer (annual prayer)
We also offer an annual prayer, in which your name and wish are read aloud at the Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma on the 18th of every month for a full year. On the application form, choose "12" months as the period.
Choose a Goma by your wish
Compare Byodoji's five monthly Goma rites by wish, including prayers for healing, protection from misfortune, work, and memorial services.
Choose from five Goma rites by your wishThree pages on the Eleven-Faced Kannon
Frequently asked questions
Answers to questions we often receive about applying for the Eleven-Faced Kannon Goma.
Can I apply regardless of my religion or denomination?
Yes. Anyone may apply. The Eleven-Faced Kannon turns faces toward suffering in every direction.
Will a wish I submit online also be prayed for?
Yes. Each name and wish you submit is read aloud, one by one, and prayed for at Byodoji's goma. The prayer is the same whether or not you visit the temple.
What kind of wish should I write?
Please write a wish for the safety of body and daily life, such as good health, recovery from illness, protection from misfortune, or household safety. A specific wish is fine.
Can I request this every month?
Yes. We offer an annual prayer in which your wish is read aloud at the goma on the 18th of every month for a full year. Please choose the period on the application form.
Can I join the goma by live stream?
Yes. We stream the goma live from 8 p.m. on the 18th of every month. You can join from home, putting your hands together before the sacred fire of wisdom.
What kind of Buddha is the Eleven-Faced Kannon?
A Kannon who bears eleven faces on the head and is said to turn faces in every direction, watching over people in their suffering and saving them. For details, see the article "What is the Eleven-Faced Kannon?"
On the 18th of every month, Kannon's holy day.
The Eleven-Faced Kannon is a Buddha who turns a face toward suffering in every direction. At the goma on the 18th of every month, we kindle the sacred fire of wisdom and look to that great compassion.
If you pray for good health, recovery from illness, or protection from misfortune, please join us at the goma on the 18th of every month. Besides visiting the temple, you can apply online and take part by live stream.