Eitaikyo

Eitaikyo literally means "Perpetual Sutra Chanting." Eitaikyo is a Japanese Buddhist observance. The Chinese character, "Ei" contains the ideograph for a river with many tributaries that flow out of it. This represents the continuous flowing of a river, leading to the ocean. It refers to perpetual or continuation. The character "Dai" or in this case pronounced "Tai" refers to a period of time or generation. It is an ideograph with the radicals for person and stake or post. It means a place or period of history. "Kyo" is the character for chanting of sutras. Therefore, I feel that Eitaikyo represents for each of us, the continuing flow of the generations upon generations which have allowed us to hear the teachings via the sutras.

The Eitaikyo list is a compilation of members and their families that have contributed to the Temple's Eitaikyo fund. The Eitaikyo fund is a separate fund from the temple's other funds, set aside for use by the temple in special circumstances or emergencies. It is a fund that is not to be used for the general upkeep and day to day expenses of the temple. The purpose of the fund is to have assets available to the temple in case of extreme circumstances. Many temples also use parts of this fund to help bring in special speakers for their Eitaikyo service.

We have an annual Eitaikyo service held in November. This is a special service, usually with a special speaker, held in memory of those individuals who have made a special donation to the Eitaikyo fund. However, each morning service held at the temple is also in memory of those listed individuals. If you would like someone added to this Eitaikyo list, please contact Sensei.

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