GOTAN-E AND KEIROKAI
May is a deeply meaningful month for us as members of the Jodo Shinshu community.
First, May 21st marks the birth of our founder, Shinran Shonin, which we commemorate with the Gotan-e (Birthday Celebration) service. Starting last year, our temple also began holding the Keirokai (Respect-for-Seniors Gathering) in May, when the weather is more pleasant, to celebrate those turning 77, 88, 99, and over 100 years old. The modern idea of celebrating an individual’s birthday with family and friends only became widespread in 18th–19th century Europe. In Germany in particular, a tradition known as Kinder Fest (Children’s Birthday Party) became popular featuring a cake with candles and a wish.
Today, celebrating birthdays feels completely natural. But in Japan, this custom is actually quite recent. For a long time, Japan followed the kazoedoshi system, where everyone aged up together at New Year’s, making individual birthday celebrations uncommon. It wasn’t until the Meiji era, when Western values began to be adopted, that the concept of birthdays gained attention, eventually becoming more widespread after World War II.
My birthday is December 30th. Last year, we held our temple’s traditional mochi-pounding event (Mochitsuki) on December 29, but we ran behind schedule. As a result, I welcomed my 29th birthday—at midnight—at Toronto Buddhist Church, which was quite a memorable experience! When I was a student, my birthday always fell during winter break, so I often envied classmates who could celebrate their birthday at school with friends.
Birthdays are often thought of as “my special day.” But from the perspective of Buddhism, a birthday is not a day to boast about, but rather a day to reflect deeply and say “thank you”—the day we were given life through countless unseen causes and conditions.
None of us came into this world by our own will. We were born by receiving life from our parents, and we have been sustained and supported by countless others ever since. That’s why Buddhism teaches us that a birthday is not simply a day to celebrate ourselves, but a day to place our hands together in gratitude for the life we’ve received.
Let us return to the Gotan-e and Keirokai. Throughout his life, Shinran Shonin shared with us the precious heart of Amida Buddha—a teaching hard to encounter yet offered freely to all. Over 850 years have passed since his birth. And now, here we are in Toronto, Canada, able to encounter the Nembutsu and the teachings of Jodo Shinshu. Just how many Nembutsu followers have walked this path before us to make that possible?
In particular, the seniors we are honouring this year, those turning 77, 88, 99, and 100, are individuals who have walked with and helped build the 80-year history of TBC. In other words, it is through their very lives that the voice of Nembutsu continues to echo here in Toronto.
Amida Buddha is the Buddha who works for us even before we can say, “Please help me.” Even when it seems like our delusions and blind passions prevent us from hearing that call, Amida’s compassion reaches us without fail.
That working is what we hear in “Namo Amida Butsu.” As that wish reaches us, we respond with our voices—”Namo Amida Butsu” in gratitude. Because of that, we can reflect on our birthdays not as the day I began, but as the day I was brought into life, nurtured, and guided by countless connections. And so, we quietly place our hands together with a deep sense of thankfulness.
Shinran Shonin’s birthday, too, is a precious Dharma opportunity—a reminder that Amida’s wish is still at work today, here and now.
Namo Amida Butsu
Rev. Kensho Hashimoto
Announcement:
From May 21 to 31, I will be in Japan to receive my official Kaikyoshi appointment and interview with the Gomonshu-Sama (The head priest of our school, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, and a descendant of our founder Shinran Shonin) at Nishi Hongwanji. I also plan to spend a few days in Hiroshima during this period. As this year marks 80 years since the end of World War II, I hope to visit several Jodo Shinshu temples in the area and learn from their experiences. While I am away, Rev. Sugiura will be leading Sunday services and assisting with various duties at TBC. Thank you for your understanding and support. (The Intro to Buddhism course will continue online from Japan.)
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