In 2011 major Buddhist memorial services to commemorate the 750th anniversary of Shinran Shonin’s death and the 800th anniversary of Honen Shonin’s death will be held in Kyoto. These ceremonies, called onki in Japanese, are held every fifty years for founders and prominent religious figures.
Shinran Shonin (b. 1173) was the founder of Shin Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu), a school of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism and Honen Shonin (b. 1133) was the founder of the first independent branch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism (Jodoshu).
Many Buddhist believers from all over Japan will travel to Kyoto in 2011 to attend these special services which will be held at Higashi-Honganji, Nishi-Honganji and Chion-in on the below dates. While the area in and around these three temples is expected to be crowded at the time of the services, other temples in Kyoto will not be affected. It is advisable, however, to book accommodation well in advance or to arrange to stay in a nearby city such as Osaka or Otsu if planning to visit Kyoto in 2011.
1. Higashi-Honganji (Morning session/Afternoon session; 3000 participants at each)
March 19 (Sat) to March 28 (Mon)
April 19 (Tues) to April 28 (Thurs)
May 19 (Thurs) to May 28 (Sat)
November 21 (Mon) to November 28 (Mon)
2. Nishi-Honganji (Morning session/Afternoon session; 3500 participants at each)
April 9 (Sat) to April 16 (Sat)
May 9 (Mon) to May 16 (Mon)June 9 (Thurs) to June 16 (Thurs)
September 9 (Fri) to September 16 (Fri)
October 9 (Sun) to October 16 (Sun)
November 9 (Wed) to November 16 (Wed)
January 9 (Mon) to January 16 (Mon)
3. Chion-in (Morning session/Afternoon session; 1000 participants at each)
March 27 (Sun) to April 3 (Sun)
April 4 (Mon) to April 17 (Sun)
April 18 (Mon) to April 25 (Mon)
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