Gotan-E: Birth of Shinran Shonin

If you are keeping count, the rhythm of a year in our temple life includes three celebrations related to the life and death of the historical Buddha (we have celebrated two of these so far), and two special services commemorating the founder of Shin Buddhism, Shinran Shonin.  Gotan-E is the second of these two celebrations we encounter this year.

Gotan-e means “coming-down-birthday-gathering”.  Another name for the occasion is Fujimatsuri (wisteria festival).  The double-wisteria crest is the emblem of Nishi Hongwanji, our mother temple in Kyoto, Japan.  The pendant wisteria is a vine that needs the support of a structure in order to bloom, symbolically representing humans who need the support of others.  The downward-hanging wisteria flower suggests humility and sincere reverence to Amida Buddha, our symbol of compassion and wisdom.

Shinran’s life and teachings represent one of the most significant developments in the history of Buddhism.  Before then only the privileged and priests received spiritual instruction.  Shinran Shonin taught that even the poor rice farmer is embraced by the Buddha’s infinite light and compassion, and the truth of the Dharma and shinjin (awakening) are accessible to everyone without discrimination.

Shinran was born in 1173 CE and lived a life of profound spiritual depth.  Although we call him Shonin (great teacher), he called himself Gutoku, meaning “unshaven ignorant one”.  He looked deeply into his heart and mind n his search for truth.  He said, “I know truly how grievous it is that I, Gutoku Shinran, am sinking in an immense ocean of desires and attachments and am lost in vast mountains of fame and advantage.”

Through his understanding of the Dharma, Shinran awakened to a deep appreciation of life’s wisdom and compassion that embraces each of us here and now, just as we are.  In this realization he experienced freedom from life’s sufferings and set out a path that all of us can follow.  He said, “May your spiritual journey allow you to accept whatever is happening in your life.  This gift of life is your practice.  Life itself is your teaching.”

At the mother temple in Kyoto, in addition to Gotan-E service, a tea ceremony is held in the Pavilion of the Flying Cloud—a building given to Nishi Hongwanji that was owned by the Emperor Hidyoshi in the 1600s.  A classic Noh performance is also delivered on the oldest Noh stage in the world.

We will be a little less formal in our celebration after the service (think “potluck”) but we will be no less sincere in our gratitude for our teacher who sacrificed and suffered so much to attain the understanding he spent the rest of his long life sharing with ordinary people like us.