The term Goenki referred originally to the special memorial service, held every 50 years, for our founder Shinran. However, such a service for Rennyo (1415-1499), the 8^th successor and the second "founder" of Jōdo Shinshū was later established, with his 500^th anniversary being observed in 1998.
In our tradition, at these services, we have the opportunity to return to the teaching of Shinran in order to reflect on our daily lives, and to re-examine our steps on the Nenbutsu Path of the Primal Vow with renewed vigor and direction.
Next year, in 2011, during Shinran's 750^th Memorial Service, along with the principle notion of "Encountering Shinran Shōnin as our spiritual forebear," we are planning to hold the following program: