The Seattle Betsuin is one of the few temples of the Jodo Shinshu Tradition in the United States that has a full temple compound including the main temple building, statue of Shinran Shonin, Bonsho (large bell), nokotsu-do (columbarium), and auditorium. The temple also has a smaller worship area and classroom facilities found in the annex building dedicated as Memorial Hall. The Seattle Betsuin Memorial Hall was dedicated upon the 700th year memorial service of the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran Shonin. Because the temple has all these facilities available to it, the Sunday Morning Service at the Seattle Betsuin is a very special and sometimes unique experience. Service begins at 10:00 a.m.
Read an essay about the role of music in our service.
Special Version of Shoshin-ge for Ho-Onko:
The special
musical
version of
the Cho Rai
Mon,
Shoshin-ge,
Wasans and
Nembutsu
which was
composed
by
the Nishi Hongwanji to
commemorate
our founder
Shinran
Shonin's
750th
Memorial
Observation is
here.
[What to expect during the Sunday Morning Service]
Temple Etiquette
How to enter and exit the Temple
When entering the main temple or Memorial hall building and again when entering the main (Hondo) hall, the Nokotsu-do (columbarium) or the Memorial Building sanctuary please bow first and try to enter with your left foot. Bowing is a gesture of humility that represents the feeling of trust when greeting people and represents the feeling of "taking refuge in" or "entrusting" when entering the temple. Entering with the left foot is symbolic of revealing one's limitations, faults, and fears. Because of this, entering with the left foot complements the gesture of bowing: entering with our left foot reveals the degree to which we have entrusted ourselves to the Truth the Amida Buddha reveals to us in his/her infinite Wisdom and Compassion.
Likewise, when exiting the temple or any of the areas where a Buddha image is placed, one should bow - symbolic of "taking refuge in" - and exit with the right foot. Exiting with the right foot is symbolic of having received the Truth taught by the Buddhas and the desire to take this Truth with us wherever we may go.
By entering and exiting with the left and right foot respectively, we are helping to remind ourselves of the Buddhist concept of "jiri-rita" or benefit the self,
benefit others. Etiquette, then, is a practice we participate in to refine the self but also to allow for a more harmonious society.