Before today’s Oeshiki Service at the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church my son, Richard, and his girlfriend, Alexis, had Rev. Kenjo Igarashi bless Richard’s new truck. This is the second vehicle Rev. Igarashi has protected for Richard. The protective boundary prayer is marked by water, saki, salt and rice. Alexis wants to have her brother get his car protected next.

Inside, the church was decorated with blossoming cherry trees for the Oeshiki Service, the memorial service marking the passing of Nichiren on Oct. 13, 1282.  Rev. Igarashi explained that Nichiren’s life can be summarized by the four characters of Ren Shou Ou Shi. Ren – Lotus – recalls the Lotus Flowers that bloomed on Feb. 16, 1222, when Nichiren was born. Ou – Cherry – recalls the unseasonable cherry blossoms that bloomed at the temple when Nichiren died.  Rev. Igarashi also explained that Oeshiki is a celebration, a happy recognition of the benefits bestowed on us by Nichiren’s efforts to spread the teaching of the Lotus Sutra.