Setsubun-e Ceremony Address
February 5, 2005
Reverend Shogu Kimura
I extend my sincere appreciation to you for traveling great distances to attend this Setsubun-e Ceremony, following our performance of the Kōsenrufu Daimoku.
We had not performed the Setsubun-e Ceremony until now, but I have decided to start this tradition here from this year, in keeping with the long-standing tradition at the Head Temple. There may be some of you who may recall seeing our High Priest throwing the beans during this ceremony at the Head Temple.
We just performed the Setsubun-e Ceremony. The term “setsubun” means “seasonal division.” The eve of the day marking the first day of spring (risshun), summer (rikka), autumn (risshū), and winter (rittō), is called “setsubun,” but in modern times, only the setsubun in spring is celebrated, probably since the coming of spring brings the most pleasure to people.
Why do people throw beans during this celebration? Beans contain many nutrients. Although we now live in an age when we can obtain almost anything that we want, there were times in the past when food was extremely scarce and precious. Moreover, since this was the coldest season, the people could not harvest crops. They relied on soy beans and other such highly nutritious foods to help them endure the cold winter.
The Setsubun was not a Buddhist ceremony originally. However, the Daishonin taught that events that mark the seasonal changes are all festivities pertaining to the Gohonzon. The essential significance of the Setsubun-e Ceremony, as performed in Nichiren Shoshu, lies in the fact that we all chant Daimoku and pray for our individual eradication of all karmic sins from the past, for us to redouble our faith and practice, and for the dissolution of all obstacles.
In Setsubun celebrations in general, people shout, “Come in happiness” (Fuku wa uchi) and then they say, “Get out demon” (Oni wa soto). However, in Nichiren Shoshu, we do not say, “Get out demon.” This is because, in Nichiren Shoshu, there are no evil demons that will cause calamities. Even evil demons in the past, such as Kishimojin (Skt. Harītī), were able to attain enlightenment through Myoho-renge-kyo, by promising to embrace the Lotus Sutra.
Today, I have performed the Setsubun-e Ceremony and prayed for your good health throughout this year.
The cold, wintry days will still persist for a while. I would like to conclude my address by sincerely praying for you to come to the temple in good health throughout this year.