Comments on: Example Shingon Buddhist Service

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:07:38 +0000

Hi Stephen,

Thanks much for your input. I noticed in Jodo Shinshu services, of which I am most familiar, that the wooden clappers are used for more difficult chants like the Amitabha Sutra at key points to keep people on the same page, as it were. But the large metal bowl plus padded “striker” are also used at key points in simpler chants like the Shiseige (Juseige in Shinshu). I got some basic training on that once, and it was surprisingly hard to use. Takes a lot of work to lead a congregation, that’s for sure!

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:18:47 +0000

My first Shingon-shu service, thank you!
I once wrote a page about all the different gongs, bells, clappers and bangers, the page which no longer exists. The order of an service (as in what to recite in what order) is pretty fixed, but the number of recitations is generally not.
From what I pick up as he nears the end of the last recitaion of one mantra he strikes the bell to let everyone know this is the last recitation of this Mantra and slow down and prepare for the next. Even within one school, even depending on the area the way of hitting the bells changes, but this seems the basic rule in this video: a sign to the followers that we are moving to the next part, turn the page.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:11:18 +0000

Hi Jeremias, glad to see you’re keeping busy, but not too busy.

By: Jeremias

Jeremias — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:53:07 +0000

Good post! Still following your blog occasionally but work a lot so not as regular as I used to

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:44:53 +0000

Johnl: For some silly reason, I never knew these was one in Tokyo, but I’d be surprised if there weren’t! I like the idea of massing around the tray, even though it is a bit risky. I am sure someone dropped it at least once in teh temple’s history, but getting even 20 people in a small temple is hard enough to line up, let alone 40-50. Also, Shingon seems to use some of the best incense I’ve ever smelt. I am not an incense afficionado, but I remember the one in Seattle using special incense that was quite good. From petrified ginko trees or something. That’s worthy of another blog topic now that I think about it…

Adam: Hm, I admit I don’t know much either. The large bowl which the priest strikes with a padded handle is the main instrument used to lead a service, any Japanese Buddhist service. I think I’ve seen them in other Buddhist services too. They kind of help mark a point in a recitation, in case people wander off. Also, I’ve seen hwo Shignon services use a lot of small bells by the congregation, but I don’t know their significance. More research needed. :-/

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:12:39 +0000

Can you talk a little about the musical sounds used in this kind of service? I know nothing about Buddhism but I love the sound of the bells and bowls and things, and I’m curious what their function is in the service. Thanks!

By: johnl

johnl — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:09:46 +0000

Last March, I went to a Higan memorial service at the Koyasan Tokyo Betsuin–there were 40 or 50 people there, so I thought it would take a while waiting in line to make the incense offering. To my surprise, they passed around (from hand to hand!) a tray with the smoldering charcoal and a box of the incense chips. It seemed a bit risky, but there were no accidents. Also, you can get pretty well smoked having something like that on your lap! Fortunately, I like the smell…