New Year’s Eve (Joya-e)

Event details

  • December 31, 2019
  • All Day

the kansho, or temple bell, at Hawaii Betsuin with blue on the left and right

This service is held on New Year’s Eve to express gratitude for the past year and to reflect on the interdependency of all life, and on all things that have made it possible for one to life through the year.

At the conclusion of the service, attendees ring the kansho (temple bell) 108 times. By striking the kansho, we symbolically “ring out” our 108 passions and delusions. As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we recognize that it is not possible to be free of these passions, though the bell ringing does help us be mindful of them. (See Why do we ring the temple bell 108 times on New Year’s Eve? on the Hawaii Betsuin website.)