Goodbye 2021! Hello 2022! PLUS First Sunday Dharma of 2022
Start the New Year Right PLUS First Sunday Dharma of 2022
Joye E and Shusho E
Joye E and Shusho E are the traditional services on the last evening of the old year and the first morning of the New Year, respectively, for Shin Buddhists.
Sangha Members on our Email lists will be sent login information for these two events, to be Zoomed live from the Hondo. This is a virtual service and only a skeleton crew of Minister’s Assistants will be physically at the Temple.
But you can join us live at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 31, and at 10 a.m., on Saturday, January 1.
Questions? The Temple office will close early on Friday; we may or may not be able to monitor email before these events.
Ring the Bell by Proxy New Year’s Eve
Current plans call for attendees to use chat to ask our bell ringer to ring the Kansho for them as part of our tradition ringing of the bell 108 timese to acknowledge our 108 bonno or imperfections, so we can start the New Year fresh.
Ring the Virtual Bell on Our Website
You can ring in the New Year with our bell at midnight without waking up the neighbors.
Year of the Water Tiger
Buddhists don’t believe in astrology, but it’s always fun to match the new year to the Asian Zodiac. Our Japanese tradition uses the western calendar to identify what started as a set of 12 zodiac animals tied to the lunar calendar. Other purists would ascribe such signs to people based on the lunar calendar (which varies by date but often starts in February).
Each year features a different animal — said to be the 12 animals who travelled to Lumbini to witness the newly born, future Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. The animals are today frequently identifed as Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Animals and Elements
Moreover, the Asian zodiac doesn’t just repeat each animal every 12 years — it is actually a 60 year cycle. There are five elements in Chinese tradition: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. That’s why this is the year of the Water Tiger. And not to feed superstition but as information, it is said that people born in the Water Tiger years (2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, etc.) have a strong sense of self-esteem and learning ability.
But don’t we all? Like all vague astological views, this is broad enough to cover most of us! Regardless, all best wishes to you this year, the year of the Water Tiger!
What about Our First Sunday Service in 2022?
For Sunday, January 2, 2022, here is the video for “Thoughts from the New Year’s Eve Bell” with Yukari Williams (Japanese with English Subtitiles).
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