Theme for Annual Training 2025:
Giving expression to the benevolence and liberation of shinnyo by acting for the well-being of others for the world and the future.
Guidance by Her Holiness Keishu:
Let us carry on the hearts of the Shinnyo Loving & Compassionate phoenixes, the Shinnyo Parents and Spiritual Lights Ryodoji, and do altruistic deeds for the sake of others, the world and the future. The annual training is an important training for us to do this. It will be our 90th annual training. Let us kick off now.
“In prayer do I chant the true words of the Mantra of Benevolence and Liberation. There was nothing else but tears of appreciation to the merits of the Buddha and deep emotion.”This is the way Kyoshu was feeling on the day he went to welcome the Achala.
Since then the Shinnyo Parents started on their first annual training and set foot on the path of faith. It was only 4 months later in exchange for the goreiju, Spiritual Light Kyodoin passed away and this goreiju is also imbued with the life of Shindoin too. And having chanted this goreiju many, many times over, they continued to walk the path for the true liberation of each person.
So let us too return to the origin of the teaching, and with the gratitude and joy for having encountered the shinnyo teachings, let us further extend the powers of the Shinnyo Parents and Spiritual Lights Ryodoji’s shinnyo compassionate salvation to the world and posterity with our deeds of altruism. (Unofficial translation)
What is Annual Training?
At Shinnyo-en, members take this period as an opportunity to take themselves back to the origins of the Shinnyo Path and reflect on the founding spirit of the Shinnyo Parents. Shinnyo-en was born out of the decision of its founders, Shinjo and Tomoji, to undertake spiritual training in early January of 1936. Feeling they wanted to do more for the world around them, they resolved to live a life based on loving compassion and the altruistic, selfless wish to help others do the same.
The Annual Training period at Shinnyo-en is an opportunity for us to do the same—to reflect on how far we’ve come, to recharge by drawing fresh inspiration, and to refocus—setting out on a renewed course toward achieving our spiritual goals. Annual Training is a new start that can help us reflect on how, like Shinjo and Tomoji, we can make use of what we encounter ahead to transform our lives. For them, it meant becoming a guiding light for others.
Founder Kyoshu’s Verse:
Filled with everlasting hope, I shall go forth armed with the joy of participating in the annual training.
2025 Annual Training Schedule:
Opening Period:
January 20 - 24
Middle Period:
January 25 - 30 (individual practice/varies with location)
Closing Period:
January 31 - February 4
2025 Annual Training Service Schedule:
(Please check with your local temple for attending these services)
Annual Training Homa Service:
January 28
Setsubun (Coming of Spring) Service:
February 3
Service to Honor the Shinnyo Spiritual Faculty:
February 4