An estimated crowd of 200 people gathered Oct. 8 at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento for a special Northern California District 850th and 800th Joint Celebration service, celebrating Shinran Shonin’s 850th birthday and the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Jodo Shinshu tradition.
This special service was sponsored by the Northern California Minister’s Association and Sangha members from each of the Northern California District temples (Florin, Lodi, Marysville, Placer, Sacramento, Stockton, and Walnut Grove) were in attendance.
Participating in the service were Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada, and guest speaker, Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, president of the Institute of Buddhist Studies.
The service was coordinated by Northern California ministers, Rimban Rev. Yuki Sugahara, Rev. Candice Shibata, Rev. Matt Hamasaki, and Rev. Noritaka Imada. The chairperson for this special service was Sharon Ito Warren.
The service included a Toraiban and Goraiban ceremony by Bishop Rev. Harada, Shuso Sango Sahou chanting, and the reading of excerpts from Shinran Shonin’s book, “Kyo Gyo Shinsho,” by Rev. Imada from the Florin and Lodi temples and Rev. Shibata from the Stockton and Walnut Grove temples.
Rimban Rev. Sugahara accompanied the singing of the gatha, “Shinran Sama,” with his bass guitar. The Sacramento Betsuin choir closed the service by singing “Tabiyuki Shinran” and “Shinshu Shuka.”
Preceding the service, attendees were treated to a continental breakfast, and after the service, lunch was provided, giving the service attendees an opportunity to visit with each other.
This special service can be viewed on the Buddhist Church of Sacramento’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.