At Koboji, a temple with 1,200 years of history connected to Kobo Daishi Kukai

On June 9, at Koboji, a temple with 1,200 years of history in Minato, Tokyo:

“Prayer and Connections — ENISHI at Koboji: Talk, LIFE® INOCHI Film Screening & Concert”

We recently visited Koboji, the venue for the event.

Koboji is a historic temple passed down through 1,200 years. Here we found “Kukai’s Eternal Flame,” a fire that has been preserved for 1,200 years.

We were told that “Kukai’s Eternal Flame” originated in a fire lit for a goma ritual when Kobo Daishi Kukai, having mastered the teachings of esoteric Buddhism, returned to Japan and founded the sacred site on Mount Misen. It has been preserved for 1,200 years.

https://koboji.jp/info/kukai

We were offered water heated over this flame.

Held at Koboji as part of the ART For Peace Project, “Prayer and Connections (Enishi)” also explores the coming together of Shinto and Buddhism.

Koboji monk Kaiko Oda (小田海光) will speak on the theme of “Prayer and the Buddha.”

Joining him will be Mari Miyake, a great-great-granddaughter of Gonnohyoe Yamamoto, Japan’s 16th and 22nd prime minister. Born into a family with generations of Shinto tradition and deeply versed in Shinto, she will speak about “Connections and Shinto.”

Also joining us is Italian pianist, conductor, and composer Sergio Baietta, whose collaboration with us begins in Izumo.

After we sent out the announcement of the opening event in Izumo, we received inquiries asking, “Will there be one in Tokyo?” Yes, there will!

Recognized as a prodigy since childhood and described as a magician of the keyboard, he was selected as a soloist for a special Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra concert marking the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, achieving great success as a peace ambassador.

https://spice.eplus.jp

Watch his performance here!
https://youtu.be/OcBbkEVytEg

This wonderful pianist, Sergio Baietta, will perform songs featured in LIFE INOCHI.

An Art for Peace gathering of prayer, connecting the world beyond borders, beliefs, and religions.

Participation is limited to 70 people.

We expect the event to fill up, so please reserve your place soon.

“Prayer and Connections — ENISHI at Koboji: Talk, LIFE® INOCHI Film Screening & Concert”

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Time: Doors open at 17:30; event from 18:00 to 20:00.
Venue: Koboji Temple, 2-12-5 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Details and registration here!
https://x.gd/xATnz

LIFE® INOCHI

Screening every Saturday at the Guinness-recognized Yokkaichi Municipal Museum. Journey into your inner universe in 8K.

https://www.city.yokkaichi.mie.jp/museum/miru/yougihtml.html

💫 A collaboration with pianist Sergio Baietta from Verona, Italy! This global project finally comes to Izumo, the land of the deities of connection.

https://www.ticketpay.jp/booking/?event_id=38465