News

Shinnyo-en's Head Priest, Her Holiness Shinso Ito, was among the honored guests, including HRH Princess Srirasmi of Thailand, who were welcomed by Head Abbott Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkhlachan to the unveiling ceremony for the new Great Maharatchamongkon Pagoda (Phra Maha Chedi Ratchamongkol Pagoda) at the Wat Paknam monestary complex in Bangkok.

On November 25^th, Shinnyo-en’s Head Priest, Shinso Ito, performed the Shinnyo fire ceremony for second consecutive year at Taipei’s Nangang Exhibition Hall before an audience of over 30,000 people. Attendees at the ceremony this year included over 1,000 Shinnyo-en members and friends from all over the world.

On October 13, 2012 Shinnyo-en, led by Head Priest, Shinso Ito, celebrated an inspiriting ceremony for a new Buddha image, and thereby officially opened the new Shinnyo Yushin Center in downtown Tokyo. The center, in Ichiban-cho, in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, places Shinnyo-en for the first time directly in the center of Tokyo with a facility that will be the center of Shinnyo-en activities in philanthropy, global outreach, and youth programming.

Shinnyo-en, in partnership with the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), sponsored a conclave of religious and spiritual leaders from all over the world to consider how the emergent popular interest in contemplative practices can be channeled into more effective engagement for relief of suffering in the world and towards building unity and affirming diversity.  In addition to the religious leaders, over 1,500 attendees experienced meditation styles from different traditions. The conference concluded with a Shinnyo fire ceremony conducted by Head Priest Shinso Ito for meeting participants and over 12,000 Shinnyo-en members and guests.

In August, Shinnyo-en’s Head Priest, Shinso Ito, made the first visit of a leader of Shinnyo-en to the Ukraine. She visited several locations and conducted the first Shinnyo merit transfer service ever in the Ukraine.

Shinnyo-en’s Head Priest, Shinso Ito, visited France in August and participated, on August 26^th, in the Shinnyo Dharma Festival in Europe 2012.

On August 16^th, Shinnyo-en Head Priest, Shinso Ito, led the annual water consolatory service and lantern floating as part of the traditional Japanese celebration of obon, honoring departed loved ones and ancestors. Over 1,800 lanterns were launched in the ceremony this year, making it one of the largest lantern floating celebrations in Japan.

Over 13,000 people participated in observances of the 23^rd anniversary of the passing of Shinnyo-en’s founder, Shinjo Ito, at the Ogen Center, Tokyo. Among the many participants was the Most Venerable Junna Nakada, Chief Abbot of the Shingon Daigoji Monastery and Head Priest of Samboin Temple from Kyoto.

Shinnyo-en observed the traditional Japanese holiday of Ullambana – or the Bon Festival. This traditional Japanese festival has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years, and it is a family reunion holiday focused on remembering and honoring one’s ancestors.

His Holiness, the Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero, Head Priest of the Asgriya School of the Sri Lankan Siam Nikaya Buddhist monastic order, visited Japan during the week of June 24^th as part of the centennial celebration of the birth of Shinnyo-en’s Co-founder, Tomoji Ito.

A five-minute version of Moto Na Maji, the film project that documents the creation and performance of the Shinnyo-en fire and water ceremony in Kenya on March 4, 2012, is now part of the Tricyle \ BuddhaFest Short Films Showcase.

The Venerable Mitsuo Nagatsuka, Senior Bishop of Shinnyo-en, participated at the 9^thInternational Buddhist Conference, observed on Vesak Day, as organized by the United Nations and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Bangkok, Thailand on May 31st – June 2^nd.

Aloha! I’d like to personally welcome all of you to the Lantern Floating. Let me first offer my heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Peter Carlisle, the Honorary Chairman of this event, as well as to Governor Neil Abercrombie." I’d also like to thank all our honored guests, the people of Honolulu, and all the staff and volunteers who’ve made it possible to hold this lantern floating again this year on Memorial Day.

Shinnyo-en Head Priest, Shinso Ito, is interviewed by Tricycle magazine about the history and significance of Lantern Floating Hawai'i.

For the second consecutive year, Shinnyo-en produced video documentaries of the Lantern Floating Hawai’i ceremony received awards at major U.S. film festivals and progams.

Head Priest Shinso Ito led traditional Japanese observances of Buddha's birthday and the coming of spring.

On March 11th, the first anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Shinnyo-en observed a moment of silence during that day's Feast of Compassion service at the Ogen Center in Tachikawa, Japan.

On March 4, 2012, Head Priest Shinso Ito, performed a Shinnyo-en fire and water ceremony in Laikipia Kenya.

Address by Her Holiness Shinso Ito at the 10th Anniversary of the Global Peace Initiative of Women

Live streaming of "Awakening the Healing Heart" and "Fire & Water Ceremony" conducted by Her Holiness Shinso Ito.

On February 15 this year, Shinnyo-en Members around the world will observe the Feast of Nirvana, an annual celebration of Buddha Shakyamuni's final teaching before his passing.

Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Head Priest of Shinnyo-en, announced that she will participate in a conference and religious ceremonies in Kenya in March 2012. As part of Shinso Ito's message to Shinnyo-en members during their 2012 Winter Training, she announced her intention to attend the 10^th anniversary conference of the Global Peace Initiative of Women(GPIW).

Shinnyo-en Members worldwide began on January 20, 2012 to participate in Shinnyo-en's annual Winter Training series of speeches, sharing experiences, chanting, and meditation. The Winter Training activities are organized at over 800 locations in 50 countries