Shomieku Service

Late April

     "When space is exhausted,
             When all creatures disappear, 
       When Nirvana vanishes
              Then and only then shall my vow be fulfilled."

     "Shomieku" means the ritual (Ku) of recollecting the holy (Sho) image (Mie) of Kobo Daishi, founder of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism and master of Japanese culture.  Service is held to commemorate the day that Kobo Daishi entered eternal meditation on March 21, 835 A.D.