Coming Soon: Kyoto's First Monk Festival, "Goensan Expo," at Hongan-ji Temple
Hongan-ji Temple will host "School Naranda Special Edition." "School Naranda" offers wisdom for modern life from leading figures in diverse fields such as science, art, and philosophy, in addition to Buddhism. The special edition will feature a panel discussion with an artist, a scientist, and a monk, as well as a musical concert and Buddhist chanting by Hongan-ji monks.
Hongan-ji Temple's grounds will host its first-ever monk festival, "Goensan Expo," on Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December 10th! Everyone is welcome to join. "Goensan" is said to be a variation of "Go-ingen-san," a term for monks. Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji-ha, along with other Buddhist sects, temples, monks, and organizations actively pursuing new initiatives across the country, will gather at Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto! You can interact with energetic young monks from all over Japan, and be treated to traditional Hongan-ji sweets called "Shofu" and treats from popular Kyoto cafes.
Event Outline
"Goensan Expo"
Dates: Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December 10th, 2017, 10:00 AM - 4:45 PM (ends 4:00 PM on the 10th)
Venue: Hongan-ji Temple Grounds (Horikawa-dori, Hanaya-cho sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto)
Booths: Guchicolle / Asuta Design Terakoya / Death Cafe / Healing Night with Monks ☆ / Casual Chat with Monks in Their 30s / Otera de Porcelarts / Nono-sama Free Paper / Hongan-ji Publishers / Tera Kukan / Tomoshie / Silent Festival x Monk DJ,
Plus 40+ Buddhist booths and 10 food and drink vendors (planned)
No advance registration required
Interact with young monks, enjoy Kyoto cuisine, and experience monk DJs collaborating with the popular "Silent Festival™"!
Unique offerings include "Guchicolle," which collects people's complaints, and "Death Cafe" (paid, includes drinks), where you can discuss the topic of death—something rarely considered or discussed—with monks.
A collaboration with the "Silent Festival™," a music festival without sound, has also been decided. Monk DJs who organize popular music events at temples nationwide, such as "Techno Hosanna" (Fukui), "Kogen" (Tokyo/Kyoto), and "School of Temple" (Shimane), will be featured!
Don't miss the approximately 10 food stalls, including Kyoto cuisine. Original event bentos from representative Kyoto Japanese restaurants like "Kinomoto" (produced by Takashige Takashige, third-generation head chef of the long-established Kyoto restaurant "Kinomoto") and the renowned "Izutsu" for sabazushi will be available in limited quantities. You can also enjoy "Shofu" from "Kameya Mutsu," a traditional sweet associated with Hongan-ji, and soy milk sweets from "Mushiyashinai" while chatting with young monks. Around 40 Buddhist booths will showcase the activities of young monks active beyond temple walls, offering a valuable opportunity to experience contemporary Buddhism through workshops and interactions.
As the year draws to a close, why not visit for a mental and physical detox?
Simultaneous Event
Commemorative Event for the 25th Monshu Sennyo's Enthronement Ceremony
"School Naranda Special Edition"
Date and Time: Saturday, December 9th, 2017, 1:45 PM - 4:50 PM (Doors open 1:00 PM)
Venue: Hongan-ji Amida-do Hall (Horikawa-dori, Hanaya-cho sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto)
Performers: Masakatsu Takagi (Musician/Filmmaker) / Yucheol Cha (Biologist) / Tomoo Fujimaru (Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji-ha Monk)
Live Viewing Confirmed (No advance registration required)
Applications are now closed due to reaching capacity. However, a live viewing of the Amida-do Hall program will be broadcast on monitors on the second floor of "Anonden" within the temple grounds (capacity approx. 150 people).
Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji-ha
https://nalanda-special.jp/