RYOGON-E KEIKEN 楞厳会啓建

The ceremony is performed to mark the beginning of the Geango (summer intensive retreat). The tradition of this retreat dates back to the time when ascetics in India would take a break from traveling during the rainy season and would gather for practice in one place (hence the retreat is also called Uango (rain retreat). The original reason for the withdrawal was based on the desire to prevent accidental damage to plants, insects or any living being during the period when nature begins to awaken.

Many Buddhist today live either in climate zones that do not have a rainy season or in urbanised areas, why ango is either not always practiced or is held at different times and durations.

This year, during the retreat, Hinotori An closes its doors to visitors earlier than usual and remains closed for 49 days starting on May 15.

This ceremony is only an accompaniment…