Hoonko Service (Founder’s Memorial Service) – Sunday, January 12, 2020
Please join us on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. for our Hoonko Service (Founder’s Memorial Service. Guest speaker will be Rev. Kerry Kiyohara of Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
An informa
tive background of Hoonko from Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple…. Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), the founder of our Jodo Shinshu tradition, passed away on January 16, 1262. For Jodo Shin Buddhists, Hoonko is the most important observance of the year. “Hoon” means to “repay or return one’s gratitude” and “ko” refers to “a gathering.”
Hoonko is a time for us to recognize and acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to Shinran Shonin for clarifying the Nembutsu teaching, and for enlightening us to the working of Amida Buddha’s Infinite Wisdom and Compassion which embraces people of all walks of life.
