Date January 19, 2025
Place Koshoden Hall, Zojoji Temple (Shiba Park, Tokyo)

Prayers for Peace and Well-being with 70 Participants

The 2nd Grand Shabutsu Gathering, hosted by Eisui, was held at Zojoji Temple’s Koshoden Hall in Shiba Park, Tokyo. Together with 70 participants, we had the honor of tracing the image of Amitabha Buddha, the principal deity of Zojoji Temple.

This year, in addition to participants from across Japan, we were delighted to welcome guests from Taiwan. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the tradition of shabutsu—the meditative practice of tracing Buddhist images—with a wider international audience.

At the start of the event, I expressed my heartfelt gratitude and New Year’s greetings to all who joined.

Following the shabutsu practice, we held a special Dedication Ceremony in the temple’s main hall. Each participant had the rare opportunity to step into the sacred inner hall, where we respectfully offered the traced images before the main altar of Amitabha Buddha. Surrounded by the resonant sound of sutra chanting, each person offered incense in quiet prayer.

It was a truly moving and peaceful moment for me—being able to pray for a year of calm and safety alongside everyone present.

To all who participated, I extend my deepest thanks.

I sincerely hope to see you again next year, healthy and smiling, as we come together once more.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.