The Fire Ritual, Koyasan Buddhist Temple, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Jan. 1, 2012 (WQ)
It was the first day of the new year. It was the last year of the age. For next year will be the first year of the New Age, the Age of Aquarius -- according to the modern world's limited understanding of ancient Mayan calendars.
The long count calendar does not, of course, correspond to the Gregorian (Christian) calendar. But the mainstream media feeds us a steady Doomsday Diet of Dec. 21st, 2012. Why stress? Live instead! The world is ending everyday. The world is being reborn everyday.
The unveiling, the revelation, the apocalypse may come this year. It can come sooner for seekers on a spiritual quest.
An Ancient Ritual
Our minds full, our hearts heavy with good wishes for all, we entered the mystic temple. Wisdom Quarterly joined PasaDharma Zen group to bring in the new year in spiritual Los Angeles. We were in downtown's Little Tokyo.
It was a sunny summer day in the middle of winter. California can be like that. The chemtrails over the Los Angeles basin dissipate in a day and contaminate the fields in the Central Valley, America's bread, fruit, and cattle basket.
Koyasan Buddhist Temple is not "Zen," as such. It is actually Shingon, a more esoteric Vajrayana-influenced tradition. (Vajrayana Buddhism is the Bon-influenced magic of Tibet). We arrived for the fire ceremony to welcome the Year of the Dragon, by Western reckoning.
Those making use of an Eastern calendar can welcome the "real" New Year's day on Jan. 21st, 2012 at 5:00 pm in the Main Hall. RSVP by Jan. 19, 2012 at rskoyasan@yahoo.com.
The fires rose, delightful incense wafted, and rice cakes (mochi) were handed out to dragons in the audience -- two in our group alone. The Heart Sutra was being chanted joining the chorus of singing bowls, resounding drums, and happy voices.
Need more devotional magic?
The temple invites all to its Hoshimatsuri Prayer Service on Feb. 5, 2012. Based on the movements of the Sun and stars (planets), a year of 365 days has been established, a week of seven days, a day of 24 hours -- all composed of moments that have no time at all.
We count time and our ages using these cycles, from aging to timelessness. The rise and fall of the tides and the phasing of the Moon are important signs used by people engaged in agriculture and maritime adventures. In ancient times calendars relied on lunar phases.
The movements of the "heavenly" bodies have been inseparably tied to our daily lives. Why? We year for god health and fortune. But what is influencing our lives? They are influenced by our lifestyle choices, customs, environment, relationships, and countless other conditions.
Having been born human, we are able to discern that we cannot escape the pain of (re)birth, illness, aging [oxidation and disintegration], and death. Health and happiness are what we wish for. How will we get them?
The historical Buddha said it was not by prayers and vows but instead by karma -- conducting ourselves in a manner that naturally results in these fortunate conditions.
For example, giving eventually yields receiving, when our deed ripens. If we receive right away, that is not that deed of giving coming to fruit. (The same may be said of unprofitable deeds). Nevertheless, Koyasan Buddhist Temple is selling prayers. A suggested donation of $5 (or $30 if one would like a special wooden Ofuda talisman). An application is required and must be received by Jan. 28, 2012.
The 2012 Hosihimatsuri Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm. A young and vibrant new abbot has taken over. The temple has activities every weekend of every month.
It was the first day of the new year. It was the last year of the age. For next year will be the first year of the New Age, the Age of Aquarius -- according to the modern world's limited understanding of ancient Mayan calendars.The long count calendar does not, of course, correspond to the Gregorian (Christian) calendar. But the mainstream media feeds us a steady Doomsday Diet of Dec. 21st, 2012. Why stress? Live instead! The world is ending everyday. The world is being reborn everyday.
The unveiling, the revelation, the apocalypse may come this year. It can come sooner for seekers on a spiritual quest.
An Ancient Ritual
Our minds full, our hearts heavy with good wishes for all, we entered the mystic temple. Wisdom Quarterly joined PasaDharma Zen group to bring in the new year in spiritual Los Angeles. We were in downtown's Little Tokyo.It was a sunny summer day in the middle of winter. California can be like that. The chemtrails over the Los Angeles basin dissipate in a day and contaminate the fields in the Central Valley, America's bread, fruit, and cattle basket.
Koyasan Buddhist Temple is not "Zen," as such. It is actually Shingon, a more esoteric Vajrayana-influenced tradition. (Vajrayana Buddhism is the Bon-influenced magic of Tibet). We arrived for the fire ceremony to welcome the Year of the Dragon, by Western reckoning.
Those making use of an Eastern calendar can welcome the "real" New Year's day on Jan. 21st, 2012 at 5:00 pm in the Main Hall. RSVP by Jan. 19, 2012 at rskoyasan@yahoo.com.
The fires rose, delightful incense wafted, and rice cakes (mochi) were handed out to dragons in the audience -- two in our group alone. The Heart Sutra was being chanted joining the chorus of singing bowls, resounding drums, and happy voices.
Need more devotional magic?
The temple invites all to its Hoshimatsuri Prayer Service on Feb. 5, 2012. Based on the movements of the Sun and stars (planets), a year of 365 days has been established, a week of seven days, a day of 24 hours -- all composed of moments that have no time at all.We count time and our ages using these cycles, from aging to timelessness. The rise and fall of the tides and the phasing of the Moon are important signs used by people engaged in agriculture and maritime adventures. In ancient times calendars relied on lunar phases.
The movements of the "heavenly" bodies have been inseparably tied to our daily lives. Why? We year for god health and fortune. But what is influencing our lives? They are influenced by our lifestyle choices, customs, environment, relationships, and countless other conditions.
Having been born human, we are able to discern that we cannot escape the pain of (re)birth, illness, aging [oxidation and disintegration], and death. Health and happiness are what we wish for. How will we get them?
The historical Buddha said it was not by prayers and vows but instead by karma -- conducting ourselves in a manner that naturally results in these fortunate conditions.
For example, giving eventually yields receiving, when our deed ripens. If we receive right away, that is not that deed of giving coming to fruit. (The same may be said of unprofitable deeds). Nevertheless, Koyasan Buddhist Temple is selling prayers. A suggested donation of $5 (or $30 if one would like a special wooden Ofuda talisman). An application is required and must be received by Jan. 28, 2012.
The 2012 Hosihimatsuri Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm. A young and vibrant new abbot has taken over. The temple has activities every weekend of every month.
- Koyasan Betsuin
- 342 East 1st Street
- Los Angeles, CA 90012
- (213) 624-1267
