This year, rain was an added blessing to the 2022 New Year’s weekend. It was perfect for washing away and letting go what we no longer need from 2021 and entering a fresh new start in 2022. Here are just a few snapshots from blessings around Honolulu: Nishiren Sect Mission of Hawaii, Daijingu Temple of Hawaii and Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii.
Each member attending Nichiren’s services on New Year’s Eve, presented osenko (incense) at the altar.Nichiren Sect Mission Mission of Hawaii’s Bishop Shokai Kanai, presided over the services and also livestreamed it online.An ema, or small wooden plaque, is typically hung outside the shrine with a wish written on the back to notify the kami (gods) who will receive them.
Izumo Taishakyo offers a variety of blessed omamori amulets to protect or attract good health, happiness and abundance.Go this way for blessings! Visitors to Izumo Taishakyo of Hawaii line up in the rain for their New Year’s blessings.