Temple Starting Bell – Priests enter
At the start of the ceremony, the temple bell is struck in a sequence of three rounds.
During the first round, the temple hall is prepared for the ceremony.
During the second round, the priests in attendance enter.
After confirming that the officiant is ready, the sōgei (escort with the hand-bell) signals to the shōsu (the temple bell ringer) to finish the third round.
At the end of the third round of the temple bell, the sōgei rings the hand-bell and signals the three bows to the officiant.

Seven Bells – Officiating priest enters
Once the three bows are done, the officiant makes his/ her entrance while the temple bell is being struck seven times. The officiant and attendants walk in this order: sōgei, officiant, jisha, jikō

In the case of Daihonzan Eiheiji:
The officiant enters the central platform with the right foot, proceeds to the front of the bowing mat and bows. Then he/she steps onto the bowing mat with the right foot.

In the case of Daihonzan Sōjiji:
When the officiant arrives in front of the central platform, he/she turns around and bows toward the sōgei, jisha, and jikō , who are lined up facing the altar. Then he/ she enters the central platform with the right foot and proceeds to the front of the bowing mat and bows. Then the officiant steps onto the bowing mat with the right foot.

Three bows performed together with the officiant

In the case that the officiant offers incense from the central incense stand:
After entering the central platform and stepping onto the bowing mat, the officiant steps off the bowing mat and then proceeds toward the front table where he/ she receives the incense stick from the jisha and holds it up to offer prayer. Then, he/ she directly sticks the incense stick into the incense burner. (The officiant could also have the jisha stick the incense stick into the incense burner for him/ her.) Then, after offering ground incense, the officiant returns to the bowing mat to do three prostrations using the bowing cloth. After the prostrations are done, the bowing cloth is left spread out on the bowing mat.

In the case that the officiant offers incense from the bowing mat:
After entering the central platform and stepping onto the bowing mat, the officiant receives the incense stick from the jisha and holds it up to offer prayer. The officiant then returns the incense stick to the jisha, and stepping off the bowing mat, he/ she proceeds to the front table to offer the ground incense. Meanwhile, the jisha sticks the incense stick into the incense burner for the officiant. After offering the ground incense, the officiant returns to the bowing mat to do three prostrations using the bowing cloth. After the prostrations are done, the bowing cloth is left spread out on the bowing mat.

Offering of Sweet Hot Water, Sweets, and Green Tea

After doing the three prostrations and leaving the bowing cloth on the bowing mat, the officiant proceeds to the front table. The officiant will either put the wooden Dharma scepter on the table or stick it in his/ her garment. After offering incense, with hands in gasshō the officiant turns to the right. From the jisha, the officiant will then receive the following items in this order: sweet hot water, sweets, and green tea. Each time, the officiant turns back to the center and holds the receptacle over the smoke from the incense. He/she then turns to the left and passes it to the jikō.
*For more details on the kenchatō ritual please refer to the Kenchatōhō page. Upon confirming that the receptacle containing the green tea is placed on the altar, the officiant will bow and return to the bowing mat.

Chanting of the Heart Sutra
For the purpose of simplification, we will not address the differences between the movements of the officiant during the chanting of the Heart Sutra at Eiheiji and Sōjiji Head Temples. After returning to the bowing mat, the officiant then proceeds to do three prostrations and then fold and put away the bowing cloth.
The dōan / fukudō will strike the large bowl-gong and wooden drum in synchronization with the officiant’s movements. The inō will chant the title of the sutra and the sutra chanting will begin.
During the chanting, the officiant goes up to the incense stand to offer incense when the large bowl-gong is struck at kōshin mūkeige. After offering incense, the large bowl-gong is struck once again when the officiant does gasshō and bows and then returns to the bowing mat.
The officiant will then spread the bowing cloth on the bowing mat when the small bowl-gong is struck to signify the ending of the chanting.

Dedication of Merit
During the dedication of merit, the small bowl-gong is struck when reading the names of the Buddha and the two founders Dogen and Keizan. During this time, the officiant does a long prostration. When the small bowl-gong is struck again to signify the end of the prostration, the officiant stands up and leaves the bowing cloth as it is.
Daion Kyōshu Honshi Shakamuni Butsu ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ mujō bukka bodai wo shōgonsu

Three bows performed together with the officiant
During the verse Ryaku Sanbō, the officiant goes up to the incense stand to offer incense when the large bowl-gong is struck at shison būsa mōkō sa, and then struck again at mōkō hōja hōrōmi at which time the officiant does gasshō and bows after offering incense. The officiant then returns to the bowing mat to do three prostrations after which he/she folds and puts away the bowing cloth.

Officiating priest exits
When the officiant has put away the bowing cloth and is ready to proceed, he/she will gasshō and bow and then step off the bowing mat and gasshō and bow once more. The officiant will then turn around and leave the central platform. At the point where the officiant leaves the central platform, he/ she will bow toward the sogei, jisha and jikō. They will then make their exit in the order of sogei, officiant, jisha and jikō.

Temple Starting Bell – Priests enter
When doing the three bows to the officiant at the end of the ringing of the temple starting bell, the jisha and jikō may either be standing behind the officiant or in the front of him/ her on one side facing inward.

Seven Bells – Officiating priest enters
When the officiant is entering the temple hall, the jisha will hold an incense stick and the jikō will carry the incense tray. The procession will be in this order: sōgei, officiant, jisha and jikō. When entering the central platform, the jisha and jikō should enter with their left foot from the same place as the other priests. The jisha then goes to his/ her designated position to the right of the officiant and slightly back, and the jikō goes to his/ her designated position to the left of the officiant and slightly back.

Three Bows performed together with the officiant

In the case that the officiant offers incense from the front of the central incense stand:
Following the ringing of the seven bells, when the officiant proceeds toward the front table, the jisha simultaneously goes to the front table by walking behind the priests standing in the front row on the eastside and arrives at a spot that is to the right of the officiant. The jikō will also go to the front table by walking behind the priests standing in the front row on the westside and arrives at a spot that is to the left of the officiant. Upon reaching the front table, the three will bow together. The jisha will then give the incense stick to the officiant while the jikō kneels and places the incense tray onto the central incense stand. (If the officiant gives the incense stick back to the jisha after offering prayer, the jisha should place the incense stick into the incense burner for him/ her.) The jisha and jikō should then stand on both sides of the officiant with hands in gasshō while facing inward. When the officiant bows, the jisha and jikō will bow together and then go back to their designated positions by walking behind the priests standing in the front row.

In the case that the officiant offers incense from the bowing mat:
Following the ringing of the seven bells, when the officiant steps onto the bowing mat, the jisha will give the incense stick to the officiant. The officiant will return the incense stick to the jisha and proceed to the front table. The jisha will also go to the front table by walking behind the priests standing in the front row on the eastside and arrive at a spot that is to the right of the officiant. The jikō will also go to the front table by walking behind the priests standing in the front row on the westside and arrive at a spot that is to the left of the officiant. Upon reaching the front table, the three will bow together. The jisha will then place the incense stick into the incense burner for the officiant while the jikō kneels and places the incense tray onto the central incense stand. The jisha and jikō should then stand on both sides of the officiant with hands in gasshō while facing inward. When the officiant bows, the jisha and jikō will bow together and then go back to their designated positions by walking behind the priests standing in the front row.

*When walking to the front table and back to their designated positions, the jisha and jikō should be careful not to walk ahead of the officiant.

Offering of Sweet Hot Water, Sweets, and Green Tea
After doing three prostrations, when the officiant proceeds to the front table for the offering ritual, the jisha and jikō should again walk to the front of the table together with the officiant in the same manner as before. The jisha and jikō should stand on both sides of the officiant facing inward.

Chanting of the Heart Sutra

Dedication of Merit
After the reading of the Dedication of Merit, the ryaku sanbō verse will begin. At shison būsa mōkōsa, the jisha and jikō will spread their bowing cloths, quickly do three prostrations, and then put away their bowing cloths. The jisha will then leave the central area (daima) to wait for the officiant. The jikō will then retrieve the incense tray and leave the central area (daima) to stand next to the jisha to wait for the officiant.

Three Bows performed together with the officiant
While the priests perform three prostrations, the sōgei, jisha and jikō will stand next to each other lined up facing the central platform as they await the officiant to make his/ her exit.

Dōshi Taidō Officiating priest exits
When the officiant steps out from the central area (daima) and bows, the sogei, jisha and jikō will bow to him/ her. They will then make their exit in the order of sogei, officiant, jisha and jikō.

Temple Starting Bell – Priests enter
At the conclusion of the three rounds of the starting temple bell, the shōsu finishes by striking the bell in this manner – Medium, Soft, Loud. The sōgei will alternately ring the hand-bell twice -- the first time after the medium ring and the second time after the soft ring. After hearing the loud ring, the sōgei proceeds with the ringing of the sequence during which the three bows to the officiant are done.

Seven Bells – Officiating priest enters
The sōgei will then lead the officiant and his attendants into the temple hall while ringing the hand-bell alternately with the temple bell seven times.

Three Bows performed together with the officiant
The officiant will go to the front table to offer incense and then do a bow called kii monjin before returning to the bowing mat for the three prostrations. The dōan will ring the hand-bell when seeing the officiant do the kii monjin and continue to ring the hand-bell in accordance with the officiant’s movements as he/she does the three prostrations.

Offering of Sweet Hot Water, Sweets, and Green Tea
After the kenchatō ritual of offering sweet hot water, sweets, and green tea is completed, the officiant will do the kii monjin. Seeing this, the dōan will ring the large bowl-gong three times. This is called dakei sansei.

Chanting of the Heart Sutra
The dōan will ring the large bowl-gong three times (dakei sansei) according to the officiant’s movements. The first ring is done when the officiant does the kii monjin after completing the kenchatō ritual.
The second is when the officiant returns to the bowing mat and bows. The officiant will do a prostration, stand up, and bow again. At this point the dōan rings the large bowl-gong for the third time. The officiant then does a second prostration, stands up, and bows again to do the third and last prostration. The dōan will then strike the large bowl-gong and press down on its rim to stop it from vibrating.
The inō will then chant the title of the sutra, after which the dōan will ring the large bowl-gong before everyone joins in the chanting of the sutra.

Dedication of Merit
The dōan will ring the small bowl-gong during the reading of the Dedication of Merit by the inō.

*Refer to the “Honzon Jōgu Ekō” page for more information.

Three Bows
After the Dedication of Merit is finished, everyone will chant the Ryaku Sanbō (Verse of the Three Treasures). (The dōan rings the large bowl-gong during this verse.)
The officiant will then go to the front table to offer incense and bow when finished. Seeing this, the dōan starts ringing the hand-bell to signal the three prostrations according to the officiant’s movements.

Officiating priest exits

In the case of Daihonzan Eiheiji:
After the officiant completes three prostrations on the bowing mat, the dōan rings the small bowl-gong as the officiant bows. All of the priests participating in the ceremony bow with their hands in shashu and remain with heads bowed. The officiant then steps off the bowing mat and bows once more, at which time the dōan rings the small bowl-gong once again. Upon hearing this, the priests raise their heads.
The sōgei , who is waiting in front of the central platform alongside the jisha and jikō, rings the hand-bell twice as the officiant walks out of the daima.
They will then make their exit in the order of sōgei, officiant, jisha and jikō.
Upon seeing the officiant’s exit from the temple hall, the dōan will ring the hand-bell or small bowl-gong once, signaling the priests to exit the temple hall.

In the case of Daihonzan Sōjiji:
After completing the three prostrations, when the officiant bows on the bowing mat, the dōan rings the small bowl-gong. The officiant will then step off the bowing mat and bow once more and the dōan will ring the small bowl-gong once again. When hearing this, the priests bow with their hands in shashu.
The sōgei , who is waiting in front of the central platform alongside the jisha and jikō , will ring the hand-bell twice as the officiant leaves the central platform.
They will then make their exit in the order of sōgei, officiant, jisha and jikō.
As they begin walking, the sōgei rings the hand-bell. The dōan will then ring the small bowl-gong or the hand-bell (tōban shukei). The priests standing on the central platform will turn to the altar (northward) and bow in gasshō. The sōgei will then ring the hand-bell a second time, after which the dōan will ring the small bowl-gong or handheld bell again. The priests will then turn inward facing each other and bow in shashu. They will then exit the temple hall.

Temple Starting Bell – Priests enter
The inō will enter with the other priests during the second round of the temple starting bell. He or she should stand in the designated position for the inō in the east ryōban row.

Seven Bells – Officiating priest enters

Three Bows with the Officiant

Offering of Sweet Hot Water, Sweets, and Green Tea

The Heart Sutra
The inō puts his or her hands in gassho when the dōan rings the large bowl-gong three times to begin the chanting of the Heart Sutra. After ringing the gong three times, the dōan will strike the large bowl-gong and press down on its rim to stop it from vibrating. Then the fukudō will strike the mokugyō once.The inō will then chant the title of the sutra, after which the dōan will ring the large bowl-gong before everyone joins in the chanting of the sutra.

{ kokyō “Maka Hannya Haramitta Shingyo” }

During the sutra chanting, the dennan will deliver the ekō book to the inō. The inō will pick the ekō book up using both hands when the dennan brings the ekō book to him or her. As the sutra winds up, the inō will open the ekō book to read the ekō as the sutra comes to an end.

Dedication of Merit
When the sutra ends, the dōan will strike the large bowl-gong and press down on its rim to stop it from vibrating and then the inō will begin reading the Honzon Jōgu Ekō in a resonant tone.
During the reading of the ekō, when the inō comes to the part to recite the Buddha and two founder’s names (“Daion Kyōshu Honshi Shakyamuni Butsu ~ ~ ~ Mujō Bukka Bodai wo Shōgon su”), the dōan will strike the small bell once at the beginning and once more at the end of the phrase. Everyone will turn northward toward the altar to gassho and bow when this phrase is being read, and then go back to face inward when the phrase is finished.
Honzon Jōgu Ekō

After the reading of the ekō, everyone will then join the inō in chanting the ryaku sanbō verse.

Three Bows

Officiating priest exits

Temple Starting Bell – Priests enter
When the time comes, the shōsu (person in charge of ringing the temple bell) starts ringing the bell. Note – a dennan often serves as the shōsu.

The sequence of the temple starting bell begins with the striking of the bell four times in this order: medium, medium, soft, loud.

The first round: continue to ring the bell slowly, striking the bell once every few seconds, striking it each time as the sound starts to fade.

When the temple hall set up is completed, a dennan will signal the shōsu to start escalating the ringing of the bell, gradually speeding up until it reaches a climax and ends with one loud strike. To signal the start of the escalation, the dennan will ring an instrument such as a kansho two times. This signal is called kensho. The shōsu should alternately strike the temple bell and then begin the escalation. Note - in the case that the temple does not have a kansho, a different instrument may be used.

The second round: go back to ringing the bell slowly in the same manner done during the first round.

The priests of the general assembly will enter the ceremonial area during the second round. When the person from the dōan department who is handling the hand-bell gives the cue, the shōsu will begin escalating the ringing of the bell. The hand-bell will ring twice so the shōsu will alternately ring the temple bell, and then start to pick up speed ending with two strikes, one soft and then one loud. The second round should end when the last person of the general assembly is positioned in the ceremonial area.

The third round: once again, go back to ringing the bell slowly in the same manner as the first and second round.

Once it is confirmed that the officiant is ready, the sōgei will signal to the shōsu to begin escalating the ringing of the bell. The sōgei will ring the hand-bell twice so the shōsu will alternately ring the temple bell, and then start to pick up speed until ending with three strikes, one medium, one soft and then one loud.

The sōgei alternately rings the hand-bell with the last three strikes, and then signals the three bows to the officiant.

Seven Bells – Officiating priest enters
The sōgei and shōsu should alternately ring the hand-bell and temple bell as the officiating priest enters the temple hall.

This sequence will end with the ringing of the temple bell when the officiating priest reaches the center of the ceremonial area and bows.

Three Bows with the Officiant

Offering of Sweet Hot Water, Sweets, and Green Tea
The dennan in charge of initiating the offering ritual should pour hot water into the cups (sugar and tea) in advance and place the cover on the cups. The dennan should be situated on the east side of the altar.

When the officiating priest comes forward to the altar and burns the incense after doing the three prostrations, the dennan should pick up the sweet hot water implement, walk toward and pass to the jisha. When the jisha takes hold of the implement, the dennan should take the cover off the cup and then gassho and bow to the jisha.

The dennan should then go to retrieve the implement containing the confectionary sweets to pass to the jisha when he or she is ready. After passing it to the jisha, gassho and bow and then go to retrieve the green tea implement to pass to the jisha when he or she is ready. The dennan should take the cover off the cup when the jisha takes hold of the implement and then gassho and bow to the jisha.

On the other side, a dennan who is responsible for placing the implements on to the altar should be waiting and receiving the implements from the jikō. When the jikō receives the implements from the officiating priest, the officiating priest will gassho and bow. Facing toward the center, the dennan on the west side should also gassho and bow together with the officiating priest as the jikō slightly raises the implement. The jikō will then turn around to pass the implement to the dennan. After the dennan takes hold of the implement, the jikō will gassho and bow so the dennan should then slightly raise the implement. Then, the dennan should swiftly go to the altar and place the implement in its designated place. The dennan will then repeat this process for the confectionary sweets and the green tea.

After the kenchatō ritual of offering sweet hot water, sweets, and green tea is completed, the officiant will do the kii monjin. Seeing this, the dōan will ring the large bowl-gong and that is when everyone who participated in the ritual will bow together and then return to their respective positions.

The Heart Sutra
In the case that the dennan is to deliver the ekō book to the inō during the reading of the heart sutra, the ekō book should be placed on a sanbō stand.

The dennan enters the tatami area from the west side when the dōan strikes the large bowl-gong at this point of the sutra: [E-hannya- haramita (ring) ko- shimmu-keige~]

Walking very slowly along the course to deliver the ekō book to the inō, the dennan should reach and have the inō pick up the ekō book when the dōan strikes the large bowl-gong at this point of the sutra: [e-hannyaharamitako (ring) tokua-nokutara~]. Then, the dennan should walk southward toward the jisha, turn around and be standing on to the left side of the jisha.

Dedication of Merit
After the inō is finished reading the ekō and the ryaku sanbō verse begins, the dennan should go to retrieve the ekō book from the inō, and then walking along the course, the dennan should return to the chiden department behind the altar.

Three Bows

Officiating priest exits

The Honzon Jōgu (or name of ceremony) ceremony will now begin.
The officiating priest for today’s ceremony is (priest’s name) – rōshi, resident priest of (temple’s name).
*Please turn off your cell phone or set it to the silent mode.
*If you are not feeling well, please let us know.
*For those of you who are not able to sit in the formal seiza position, please feel free to use a chair or sit in another position.

Temple Bell – Priests enter
At this time, the temple bell is being rung to signify the start of the ceremony.
As the bell rings, the priests in attendance will enter and go to their designated positions.

Seven Bells – Officiating priest enters
The officiating priest will now make his/her entrance.
The officiating priest is (priest’s name) – rōshi, the resident priest of (temple name).
Please put your hands together in gasshō as we welcome him/ her.

(After the officiant enters and is standing in place)
Thank you.

Three Bows
We will now do Fudō Sanpai and bow three times to the Buddha (Honzon-sama).
Please gasshō and join the priests in offering three bows of respect.
(When this is finished) Thank you.

Offering of Sweet Hot Water, Sweets, and Green Tea
To the Buddha (Honzon-sama), we offer sweetened hot water.
To the Buddha(Honzon-sama), we offer specially selected sweets.
To the Buddha(Honzon-sama), we offer a cup of highly fragrant green tea.

Chanting of the Heart Sutra
We will now chant the Heart Sutra.
Please turn to page in the sutra book.

Dedication of Merit

Three Bows
We will do Fudō Sanpai once again.
Please gasshō and join the priests in offering three bows of respect to the Buddha (Honzon-sama).
(When this is finished) Thank you.

Officiating priest exits
The officiating priest will now leave the hall.
Please put your hands together in gasshō in appreciation for his/ her service.
(After the officiant leaves) Thank you.

Other priests exit
We thank all of the participating priests for their service today.
This concludes the ceremony.
Thank you very much for attending this Honzon Jōgu (or name of ceremony) ceremony today.