Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony

On Sunday, April 17th, the temple will sponsor a special Kieshiki (Affirmation) Ceremony. The
ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Hanamatsuri service.

The Kieshiki is an individual’s affirmation to follow the Buddha’s Path. There is no age
restriction for the ceremony. Socho Kodo Umezu (Bishop of Buddhist Churches of America)
will have the privilege of conducting this meaningful Kieshiki ceremony for our Sangha.

At the time of the Kieshiki, each participant takes refuge and affirms (KIE) the Three Treasures:
the Buddha, the Dharma (Teaching), and the Sangha (Community). The Buddhist name, or more
correctly the Dharma Name (Homyo), is then presented. The Buddhist name is composed of two
kanji (Chinese character), preceded by the kanji for shaku. This character is used as an
abbreviation for Shakyamuni, in reference to the historical Buddha. The Buddhist name is given
to a Jodo Shinshu priest at Tokudo, the first ordination. For individuals, it is given during the
Kieshiki. If one has not received a Buddhist name during one’s life, then one is given at the time
of one’s funeral.

Sometimes the ritual is called the Okamisori (Hair-shaving ceremony). It is a simple ceremony in
which the basic ritual is the symbolic shaving of the head, recalling the act of Siddhartha when
he resolved to enter the spiritual path of life, as well as the time when Shinran entered the
monastery at the age of nine. When this service is conducted by the Gomonshu (Chief Abbot of
the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha), it is called the Kikyoshiki (Confirmation Ceremony). Only the
Gomonshu, or in special cases a selected representative, can conduct these services.

For the Kieshiki, Socho Umezu has extended an invitation to have you consult with me on the
selection of a Buddhist name. Please advise me of one character (Kanji) selected by you.

There is a registration fee of $50 per person for Buddhist Church of Lodi’s members. The fee for
th
non-members is $75.00. Registration deadline is March 13 . (Make check payable to:
Buddhist Church of Lodi). Please fill out the enclosed form and mail it to the church along with
your payment. Included with this mailing are Buddhist titles you may consider. Please contact
me to discuss your Buddhist name. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact the Buddhist Church of Lodi’s office for more information (209)368-5589.

I look forward to your participation with the Kieshiki ceremony.

In Gassho,

Rev.Katsuya Kusunoki
E-mail: reverend@lodibuddhist.net
Cell: 209-712-9769
 Please print

APPLICATION FOR SARANA AFFIRMATION

CEREMONY
Temple affiliation:________________________________________________________

Name___________________________________________________________________
Last Name First Name Middle Name

Address_________________________________________________________________
Street City State

Age:______ Date of Birth____________ Male / Female Telephone:______________

(circle)

Name of parent or guardian_______________________________________ (if under 12)

Favorite word/kanji (or phrase) chosen by member for Homyo:_____________________

(Resident/Supervising Minister: please be sure to fill-in the favorite word/kanji
character)

* * * * * * * * * *

Homyo Selection: To be completed/selected by Resident/Supervising Minister following

discussions with applicant.

Homyo (Kanji):________ Reading:___________________ Meaning:_______________

_________________________________________
Signature of applicant
 行 建 知 唯 恵 往 厳 正
Gyo Ken Chi Yui E Oh Gon Sho
Practice Build To Know Only Bless To go Solemn Right

暁 賢 智 勇 慧 応 光 生
Gyo Ken Chi Yu E Oh Ko Sho
Dawn Wise Wisdom Brave Wisdom Accord Light Live

玉 顕 超 楽 恩 華 考 清
Gyoku Ken Cho Raku On Ke Ko Sho
Gem Reveal Transcend Pleasure or Joy Indebtedness Flower Piety Clean

弘 全 明 力 遠 嘉 好 勝
Gu Zen Myo Riki On Ka Ko Sho
Broad Complete Bright Power Far Elate Like Superior

空 善 命 隆 喜 元 幸 照
ku Zen Myo Ryu Ki Gen Ko Sho
Sky Good Life Flourish Joy Origin Happiness Brighten

薫 尊 無 龍 雅 源 香 聖
kun Son Mu Ryu Ga Gen Ko Sho
Fragrance Esteem Non or Emptiness Dragon Elegance Source Incense Holy

月 諦 門 因 園 悟 広 証
Getsu Tai Mon In En Go Ko Sho
Moon Manifest Gate Cause Garden Wide Clarify
Enlightenment
見 大 聞 雲 王 護 順 定
Ken Dai Mon Oh Jun Jo
Ｕｎ Go
See Large or Great Hear King Adaptiation Settled
Cloud To Protect
 浄 志 淳 念 永 平 真 船
Jo Shi Jun Nen Ei Hei or Byo Shin Sen
Pure Will Clear Contemplate Eternal Peace Truth Ship

誠 慈 澄 美 栄 風 深 海
Jo Ji Cho Bi Ei Fu Jin Kai
Sincerity Compassion Clear Beauty Prosper Wind Deep Ocean

心 実 哲 愛 影 法 誓 開
Shin Jitsu Tetsu Ai Ei Ho Sei Kai
Mind Real To Clarify Love Shade Dharma Vow Open

良 秀 道 安 悦 宝 水 鶴
Ryo Shu Do An Etsu Ho Sui Kaku
Good Excel Way or Path Peace Glad Treasure Water Crane

蓮 宗 得 阿 一 満 静 覚
Ren Shu Toku A Ichi Man Jo Kaku
Lotus Essence Attain A of Amida One Fullfillment Tranquil Enlightenment

和 修 徳 偉 縁 名 説 学
Wa Shu Toku I En Na Setsu Gaku
Peace or Practice Virtue Great Condition Name Expond To Learn
Tranquility
住 日 意 円 妙 宣 完
山 Ju Nichi I En Myo Kan
Sen
San Live Sun Intent Round Admirable Propagate Complete
Mountain
純 忍 英 白 信 泉 感
讃 Jun Nin Ei Byaku Shin Kan
Sen
San Purity Endure Superior White Shinjin Spring (Water) Sense
Praise
 勧 敬
Kan Kyo
Invite Respect

観 経
Kan Kyo
To See Sutra

願 慶
Gan Kei or Kyo
Vow Gladness

紀 響
Ki Go
Orign Resound

寅 渡
Ki To
Venerable To cross, ford, ferry

帰 如
Ki Nyo
Return Thus, Thusness

義 瑞
Gi Zui
Rightneousness Auspicious

教 寂
Kyo Jaku or Seki
Teachings Quiet, Simplicity