My son thinks I’m odd, but I really enjoy saying goodbye to the closing year and hello to the new year with back-to-back services at the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church.

The evening begins at 11pm with a standard Nichiren Shu service of chanting Hoben Pon and Ji Ga Ge followed by chanting Daimoku. The priest says special prayers.

Following the service is a snack break. Traditionally brown noodles are served, but this year the priest’s wife provided tea and Japanese pastries.

At midnight everyone gathers outside to ring the church bell 108 times. Where does 108 come from? These are the 108 worldly desires. Starting with sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and consciousness you have positive, negative and indifferent. That’s 18. Those are all either attached to pleasure, detached from pleasure. That’s 36. These span all time – past, present, future – which totals 108.

Following the bell ringing a New Year service is held. During this service Rev. Igarashi performs a special purification ceremony for the members’ home altars.

The evening ends with a saki toast to the New Year.