2018 / Little Tokyo temple to receive visitors for New Year’s ritual
The First Day of the Year: Every year, the traditional Shingon fire ritual service draws hundreds visitors at Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. (Courtesy of the temple)
Koyasan Buddhist Temple will offer its Fire Rite on Jan. 1st, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the mail hall of the temple building. Bishop Junkun Imamura will officiate the ceremony.
The Traditional Shingon Fire Ritual Service begins with chanting mantras and beating of the drum with the goal of bringing joy, enlightenment, good health and peace of mind.
The year 2018 is the Year of the Dog for those who were born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.
Ema (wish tablet), Omamori (amulet), Omikuji (fortunes), Hamaya (Lucky arrows) and consecrated Ofuda (talisman) will be available for purchase inside and outside of the temple. The temple is opened from 9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. from Jan. 1st through 3rd.
The ritual services are open to the public for three days.
Koyasan Buddhist Temple aka Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin of Los Angeles is located at 342 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 624-1267. www.koyasanbetsuin.org
