John Lennon at a Temple

- Komatsu-shi, Nishi-cho, Shoumyou-ji -
Mourning Prayers and a Live Performance at Shoumyouji

Essentially, temples were places for people to share suffering and joy, a place where the common people could gather.

A temple in Komatsu would like to keep that essential purpose even in the modern day. Around this time every year, this temple holds a flea market for groups of Komatsu citizens. The name of the temple is Shoumyou-ji. It is on a corner near Komatsu station. This average year the temple is holding not only its usual flea market but also a live concert and "John Lennon memorial prayer service." This year marks the fourteenth anniversary of John Lennon's passing.

The chief priest of Shoumyou-ji has taken the name "John Lennon" as his post-humous name. In a small town in the Japan where Lennon's wife was born and raised, how interesting John must think it is from his place in heaven knowing that the plans for receiving his name in the Buddhist world are advancing! This live concert features twelve years of Beatles music, and always rich in changes, "40 Bucks" is scheduled to go on stage. John, we hope you enjoy it from heaven.

The Buddhist Memorial Prayer Service and Live Concert Sunday, June 11

Stage No.1
FORTY BUCKS LIVE 4:00 p.m. 1,000 yen
Stage No. 2
The beginning of the memorial prayer service 7:30 p.m.
1,500 yen if tickets are bought before June 11
2,000 yen if tickets are bought on June 11
(Drinks included in price)
An introduction of the head of the temple:
The person holding this mysterious annual event is the heard of Shoumyou-ji, Mr. Goroku Sasaki. Born in Aichi Prefecture and after receiving his master's degree from Otani University, he became the head priest of Shoumyou-ji in Komatsu.

Although Mr. Saasaki is quite modest and calls himself an ordinary Buddhist priest, he claims to have the disposition of a person from Mikawa (Shizuoka); i.e., he immediately says what he thinks. Mr. Sasaki regrets this side of his personalty. He wants to set up a place that looks beyond age gaps and where many different people can meet. He is a little different from your ordinary Buddhist priest.


< CONTENTS >
Copyright (C) 1995 COSMOS