For the 12th consecutive year, the 24-hour Continuous Nenbutsu event “Calling Buddha’s name in the heart of Tokyo” is taking place at the Zōjōji temple.
What is 24-hour Continuous Nenbutsu?
24-hour Continuous Nenbutsu is an event during which we chant ‘namu amida butsu’ (the name of Amida Buddha) with no breaks for 24 hours.
Over the course of the event, we also do prostrations as well as circumambulation of the Amida Buddha’s statue.
Who can take part?
Whether you are a priest, a believer, a Buddhist or not, whatever your religion, you are welcome to take part.
Participation fee
5000 yen (includes one evening and one morning meal)
If you take part for up to 2 hours, we ask for a one-coin donation
※Please note that if you take part for up to 2 hours, no meal will be provided
※Please pay your participation fee on the day (only if you require breakfast on the 7th May, please register by 5th of May）
I would like to take part, but I am not sure if I can withstand 24 hours… I am unable to plan in advance…
It is fine to take part for as long as you wish, it can be 30 minutes or an hour. You are welcome to join in or leave the venue any time you want, and you are also welcome to take breaks in between.
It doesn’t matter if you stop by on your way back from work or combine it with sightseeing, you are welcome. We also don’t mind if you drop by in the middle of the night.
Whenever you come, there will always be someone at the venue to pray alongside you. Let’s share the prayer.
※We will issue a participation certificate to everyone who takes part for six hours or more.
If you get tired
If you get tired, just take a rest in the break room available on the premises.
There will be tea available at all times in the break room.
There are also separate nap rooms for women and men (blankets available).
What to bring?
If you have a Buddhist rosary / prayer beads or wagesa (loop-shaped stole), do bring them with you (regardless of denominational affiliation).
If you are a Buddhist priest, please bring your robes.
Experience corner
At the venue, there is an experience corner where you can try your hand in copying sutras and in copying or press-printing Buddha images. Why not give it a try? We have prepared sutras and Buddha images of different denominations.
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do it. Just ask at the reception.
Votive paper lanterns
There will be a possibility of writing your own wish on a paper votive lantern.
After you have written your wish on the lantern, it will be set up on the temple grounds for the duration of the event. At the end of the event, your wish will be read out during the merit transference ceremony.
【Mini-lantern 500 yen, on the day "Large lantern from 2000 yen"】
Live streaming over the internet
On the day, we will be live streaming the event over the internet for 24 hours.
If you are unable to join us at Zōjōji, please join us in nenbutsu in front of your computer.
We also plan to have a live transmission from our nenbutsu friends from around the world.
You will also be able to watch this transmission alongside the live feed from Zōjōji.
Schedule of nenbutsu live streaming（subject to change）
- 6th May (Saturday)
- 13:00-14:00
- Lahaina Jōdo Mission（Hawaii）
- 14:00-15:00
- Koloa Jōdo Mission（Hawaii）
- 15:00-16:00
- Shōjōkein（Kyoto）
- 16:00-17:00
- Staffordshire（UK）
- 17:00-18:00
- Rinkaian Temple（Tama City, Japan）
- 18:00-19:00
- Brisbane（Australia）
- 19:00-20:00
- Malvern（UK）
- 20:00-21:00
- Zen’anji Temple （Vietnam）
- 21:00-22:00
- Bodai Gakuen（Taipei）
- 22:00-23:00
- Fuda Shōja(Taiwan)
- 23:00-0:00
- Jodo Shu European Buddhism Center（Paris）
- 7th May (Sunday)
- 0:00-1:00
- San Antonio（USA）
- 1:00-2:00
- TBC
- 2:00-3:00
- TBC
- 03:00-04:00
- TBC
- 4:30-5:00
- Jōdo Mission of Hawaii（Hawaii）
- 5:00-6:00
- Ibiúna Nippakuji Temple (Brazil)
- 6:00-7:00
-
Curitiba Nippakuji Temple（Brazil）
Halle (Saale) （Germany） - 7:00-8:00
- Montreal（Canada）
- 08:00-09:00
- Choshōji Temple (Ōita, Japan)
- 9:00-10:00
- Kanchi’in (Tokyo)
- 10:00-11:00
- Reimyōan (South Korea)
- 11:00-12:00
- TBC
- 12:00-13:00
- TBC
Schedule (subject to change)
6th May 2017 (Saturday)
- 12:15
- Reception opens
- 12:30
- Orientation
- 12:45
- Opening prayer, kaibyaku
- 13:00
- 24-hour Continuous Nenbutsu begins – from this point on it continues non-stop for 24 hours
- 17:00
- Prostrations or circumambulation
- 18:00－19:00
- Evening meal – hand-made soba noodles
- 21:00
- Prostrations or circumambulation
7th May 2017 (Sunday)
- 1:00
- Prostrations or circumambulation
- 5:00
- Prostrations or circumambulation
- 5:30
- Morning service in the main hall (optional)
- 7:00－8:00
- Morning meal (by pre-registration only)
- 9:00
- Prostrations or circumambulation
- 10:00-11:00
- Introduction to Zōjōji and tour of the grounds (optional)
- 13:00
- Closing service (includes the merit transference ceremony)
- 14:00
- End of the event
Venue information
- Venue:
- The Head Temple of Pure Land Sect (Jōdō-shū), the Zōjōji Temple
- Address:
- Tokyo-to Minato-ku Shiba Kōen 4-7-35
Transport links
Trains
JR Line and Tokyo Monorail - Hamamatsuchō Station: 10 min walk
Toei Mita Line - Onarimon Station: 3 min walk, Shiba Kōen Station: 3 min walk
Toei Asakusa Line and Oedo Line – Daimon Station: 5 min walk
Toei Oedo Line – Akabanebashi Station: 7 min walk
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line – Kamiyachō Station: 10 min walk
Registration
For registration form, please see this brochure.
Alternatively, please contact us on the dedicated e-mail address: nenbutsu24@hotmail.co.jp
