July 12th – July 16th, 2024 is Summer – SHOSHO (Lesser heat)-32nd KOU “First HASU (lotus) blossoms.”
There is a pond at the entrance to DAIKANJIN, a part of ZENKOJI Temple. This year, Lotuses have bloomed in large flowers again this year. It is a type of ancient lotus called OHGA-HASU, named after Dr. OHGA who discovered the seed and cultivated.
In Buddhism, HASU have been loved as a flower of paradise.
The buds slowly open with the sunrise and close before noon, so the best time to see them in full bloom is between 7:00 and 9:00 in the morning.
Every morning at ZENKOJI Temple, a memorial service called “OASA-JI” is held, in which all the monks of the temple participate. The service begins with sunrise, and after the sutra reading, “OJUZU-CHODAI” is held. Series of the morning service end around 7:00.
After that, why not take a leisurely stroll to the lotus pond. The OHGA-HASU will welcome the worshippers with the flowers in full bloom.
