Daily Devotions

Our formal daily devotions to the Buddha (Otsutome), also known as Gongyo (‘steadfast practice’) consist of two services; performed morning and evening.  The services include the chanting of scriptures and hymns and various rituals.

[What I have been taught is that] when chanting with others we should concentrate not on listening to our own voice but listen attentively to those around us. In doing so we lose our self-consciousness and our voice begins to harmonise with everyone elses. It stops us from feeling pride in having a strong voice or in being embarrassed if our voice seems weak or stumbling. The second point is that when we chant to the Buddha our voice should be an offering to him, one in which we put in as much effort and energy as we can.” – Jishin

Of the two largest Jōdo Shinshū denominations Nishi Honganji temples use the Ryokoku Gongyo-shu liturgy and Higashi Honganji Temples use the Otani Gongyo-shu.   The authors of this site are more familiar with the latter.

Daily Service as we have been taught it in the Higashi tradition consists of:

• Morning: Amida-kyō (Kan-on style), Shōshinge, Ekōmon (Ga se pi son …), Nembutsu Wasan (group of six verses with nembutsu chorus), Ekōmon (Gan ni shi ku doku …), Hyappen Nembutsu, Ofumi Reading, Faith Meeting, Gaikemon
  
• Evening:  Shōshinge, Nembutsu Wasan (group of three verses with nembutsu chorus), Ekōmon (Gan ni shi ku doku …), Ofumi Reading, Faith Meeting, Goke

> Download a pdf version of the liturgy that we use <
(Requires Adobe Reader with Japanese Fonts Pack)

Additional Resources:

• Related posts on this site are tagged: Otsutome
• Essay on ‘The Dynamic Work of Rituals’
• Gaikemon: Repentance Document
• Goke: Verses of Contrition
• Meal Verses
• Sankiemon: Three Treasures
• Advice on Performing Otsutome Rituals

Sound files:

• Formal Higashi Style Service (Different to Everyday Version)
• Lay-person’s Higashi Style Service

• Shoshinge – Nishi Honganji Style