Seattle Koyasan
Shingon Buddhist Temple
Services: every Sunday at noon
Guided meditations: Monday at 6PM. Wednesdays at 1PM and 6PM. Saturdays at 9AM
Click here for in-person or online registration
Special services are performed by request. Please email contact@seattlekoyasan.com for details. Please kindly read and accept our liability waiver and media release before attending any open services and events.
Announcements
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Goma Fire Ritual
12 pm, Noon, Sunday June 28 Pacific Time
In-person and Online
Cut out hesitations. Burn out attachments. Regain your innate energy as a being.
躊躇を断ち切れ。執着を焼き尽くせ。あなたが元気(元の氣)を取り戻してこそ、世界も元気になる。See you in the fire!🙏
During the ritual, Gomagi wish sticks will be burned in the fire embodying Fudo Myoo's gigantic compassion. You can purchase as many Gomagi sticks as you would like. Please provide your wish in English or Japanese in the space provided in the next screen. お願いは、日本語で書いていただいてもOKです。
Admission only:FreeOne Gomagi Stick: $10
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Mantra Transmission Webinar
12 pm, Noon, Saturday July 11 Pacific Time
Online Only
Mantra: TBD
Shingon (真言)literally means “True Words” that means mantra. The core practice of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism is to chant mantras. Kobo Daishi wrote, “Mantra is beyond your thoughts. If you appreciate and chant it, the stubbornly stained ignorance can be removed” in Hannya Shingyo Hiken (the Secret Key to the Heart Sutra).
During the webinar, the Head Priest, Ven. Taijo Imanaka, will explain the meaning of the mantras and personally transmit it to each of our practitioners in a respectful manner to our lineage continuing more than 1200 years.
Fee: $30 for non-members
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July 12 Sunday Service Time Change
1 pm, Sunday, July 12 Pacific Time
In-person and Online
We will have the honor of hosting VIPs from Kongobuji Head Temple in Koyasan, Japan. Heads of Education, Finance and International Departments and their staff are joining us in our Sunday Service. There will be a special Dharma Talk, and a Q&A session following the service. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions to practicing, long-term senior priests from Koyasan online or in-person.
To accommodate the guests’ flight schedule, we will be starting the service one hour later than usual. Please register and mark your calendar now!
Admission: Free
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Obon Service
12 pm, Noon, Sunday July 19 Pacific Time
In-person and Online
Obon is the time when the spirits of the deceased return to this world. Your ancestors and those who used to be close to you are looking forward to spending a few days with you. Although normally you are too busy to contemplate on somebody already invisible, you shouldn't forget that your life is still an ongoing collaboration with them.
Please write names of your ancestors and beloved ones that you would like to honor and submit your application by Friday, July 17th. The temple prepares a toba-tablet with their names on it.
For individual sprit: $10/toba
For entire family lineage: $20/toba
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Shingon Academic Webinar
11 am, Saturday July 25 Pacific Time
Online Only
Kongōkai: Entering the Vajra World, Part 2
金剛界曼荼羅 Part 3
Join us as we journey into the two primary mandalas of Shingon: the Kongōkai (Vajra World) and Taizōkai (Womb World). This month we will begin a three-part study of the former. This mini-series will introduce the history and textual sources of the Kongōkai Mandala, its layout and structure, the figures it depicts, and the process of bodhisattva practice that it represents. Don't worry if you miss one part of the series — they are connected, but can stand alone too!
Instructor: Dr. Ekai Casey Collins
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Ekai Casey Collins moved to Vancouver in 2005 to study Asian languages and cultures at the University of British Columbia and completed his doctorate in May 2023. Ekai is one of Ven. Taijo’s disciples and works at the Vancouver School of Theology as Director of Inter-Religious Studies and Professor of Asian Religions.
Fee: $50 for non-members
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Meditation Changes
6 PM on Mondays
1 PM and 6 PM on Wednesdays
9 AM on Saturdays
Beginning on Feb. 1, 2026, the following changes have taken effect for our meditation practices:
1. All participants are asked to have attended 10 Sunday Services prior to their first meditation session.
2. Participation fee for non-members is $10 per session.
Annual members will continue to have access to meditations for free, or on a donation basis. Our Sunday Services will remain open and accessible to the public at no cost.
For details about the changes and the reason behind them, please read Ven. Taijo’s message by clicking the link above.
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Pilates Mat Class
In-person only. Online classes are coming this summer!
4:40 PM Pacific to 5:40 PM on 1st - 4th Wednesdays
At Seattle Koyasan Dojo
Pilates emphasizes attentive, intentional movement, a focus that parallels the Buddhist concepts of 調身・調息・調心: aligning the body, settling the breath, and steadying the mind.
Rooted in Pilates principles and supported by functional mat work, this all‑levels class builds core strength through body awareness, control, and mindful movement.
All class fees are donated 100% to Seattle Koyasan, offering a meaningful way to begin 2026 — strengthening your body while supporting the temple at the same time!
This is an in-person class held at the temple's dojo. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat; a limited number will be available to borrow.
Instructor: Ritsu Itoi
Ritsu is a Seattle‑based Pilates instructor integrating traditional movement training with contemplative practice. Her teaching highlights body awareness, functional strength, and the steadying presence of mindful attention.