SERVICES
Weekly
Regular weekly services are held every Sunday. General services for Adults and Children begin at 9:30 a.m.. Following General services at 10:00 a.m. the Dharma School (Sunday School) children go to their classes while adults remain for Adult Japanese language services and Adult English language services.
Monthly
SHOTSUKI HOYO 初月法要 "beginning-month-Dharma-essential": "MONTHLY MEMORIAL SERVICE
On or near the first Sunday of every month, the temple observes a monthly memorial service in memory of those people whose Meinichi or date of death falls in that month.
Shotsuki Hoyo or Monthly Memorial Services are scheduled the first Saturday of the month. Due to the coronavirus, Shotsuki Hoyo services have been recorded for your convenience.
Meinichiko services are monthly services held on the day Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, entered the Pure Land. Services are held on the 16th of each month at 7:00 a.m. Please join us for Meinichiko Morning Service.
Annually
Eitai-kyo or Perpetual Memorial Service is held annually each November at Gardena Buddhist Church for all the deceased. Eitaikyo Service Information
Memorial Services for the deceased are scheduled throughout the year. Traditional yearly observances for the deceased are the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th year - some families observe 45th in place of/in addition to 50th. To schedule a memorial service, please contact the church office.
SPECIAL SERVICES
January
Shusho-e or New Year's Day service is the day of re-dedication. This service is held on January 1.
Hoonko or Shinran Shonin Memorial Day is an observance conducted in memory of the day Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, passed away. Services are held on the Sunday closest to January 16. Watch the 2023 Hoonko Service
February
Nehan-e or Nirvana Day is the special time to solemnly observe the passing of the Buddha. Services are held on the Sunday closest to February 15.
March
O-higan is an observance that is held during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Traditionally, because the days and nights are in perfect equilibrium, and because of how favorable the weather tends to be during this time, it was seen as a time that was ideally suited to performing practices, and in particular the Six Paramita. However, because Jodo Shinshu does not emphasize practice, O-higan becomes an observance that is ideally suited to helping us to hear and listen to the Dharma of Namo Amida Butsu. It is in the spirit of celebrating and praising the causes and conditions that led us to be able to hear and listen to the Dharma that the O-higan service is observed. Service is held on the Sunday closest to March 21.
April
Hanamatsuri or Buddha Day celebrates the birth of the Buddha Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini Garden. Service is held on the Sunday closest to April 8
May
Gotan-e or Shinran Shonin’s birthday is celebrated on the Sunday closest to May 21.
July through August
Obon or "Gathering of Joy” is the time when Buddhists rejoice in the salvation offered by Amida Buddha. Service is held sometime between July 15 through August 15. Obon Hatsubon service 2023
September
O-higan is an observance that is held during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Traditionally, because the days and nights are in perfect equilibrium, and because of how favorable the weather tends to be during this time, it was seen as a time that was ideally suited to performing practices, and in particular the Six Paramita. However, because Jodo Shinshu does not emphasize practice, O-higan becomes an observance that is ideally suited to helping us to hear and listen to the Dharma of Namo Amida Butsu. It is in the spirit of celebrating and praising the causes and conditions that led us to be able to hear and listen to the Dharma that the O-higan service is observed. Service is held on the Sunday closest to September 23.
October
Lady Eshinni and Lady Kakushinni Memorial service are held once a year in October. While Shinran Shonin is the founder of Jodo Shinshu, without these two women and their work, we might never have heard his teachings. This is why the BWA honors these two women with a special memorial service each year.
December
Jodo-e or Bodhi Day observes the day of Enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama who became the Buddha under the Bodhi tree. Observance held on the Sunday closest to December 8.
Joya-e or New Year's Eve Thanksgiving Service is held to express thanks for the countless blessing throughout the year. After the service, the temple bell in the bell tower is tolled. Service is conducted the evening of December 31. Joya-e Service 2021