Shuni-e

Shuni-e (修二会)

Shuni-e is a Japanese Buddhist repentance service held annually, most famously at Todai-ji Temple in Nara. The name translates literally to "Second Month Assembly" or "Assembly of the Second Month," although the ritual is typically held in late winter or early spring according to the lunar calendar.

The central purpose of Shuni-e is to confess sins and impurities committed by the monks of the temple, and by extension, to purify the land and pray for peace and prosperity for the nation. The ceremonies are elaborate and involve specific rituals, including chanting of sutras, offerings, and the drawing of water.

At Todai-ji, the Shuni-e is also known as Omizutori (お水取り), which refers to the drawing of holy water from a well deep within the temple grounds. This water is believed to have special healing properties and is offered to the deity Kannon. The event is also known for its spectacular fire ritual called Otaimatsu (お松明), where large torches are carried and swung over the balcony of the Nigatsu-do Hall, showering sparks onto the crowds below. This is said to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.

Shuni-e ceremonies are also practiced at other Buddhist temples throughout Japan, though the specific rituals and scale of the event may vary. The practice is rooted in ancient Buddhist traditions of repentance and purification and continues to be an important part of Japanese religious and cultural life.