[Blessings] New Year's Prayer

When welcoming a new year, what do you think about and wish for? Many people express gratitude for the past year and pray for their family's health and happiness in the coming year. Others may pray for success in their studies, work, or love life.

Did you know there is a traditional prayer ceremony called goma ritual to wish for a good year ahead?

This time, we introduce a video available in the [Blessings] section of the meditation app GASSHO. The video features the New Year's goma prayer held at Kongosanmai-in, a World Heritage site in Mount Koya.

Additionally, we take a closer look at the meaning of the word "gorieki" (blessings) and what it signifies.

What is "Goriyaku"?

The word "goriyaku" is read as "gori-yaku." You may have heard or used phrases like "I want to visit a shrine known for its blessings" or "This charm is said to bring good fortune in relationships."

But what exactly does "goriyaku" mean?

According to the dictionary, "goriyaku" refers to "the blessings and good fortune bestowed upon people by deities or Buddhas." It represents the benefits and merits received through prayer at shrines and temples.

Some may wonder if such blessings truly exist. However, with just a slight shift in perspective, you might start to notice the many small yet meaningful blessings already surrounding you.

The Power to Find Happiness

What makes you feel happy?

The word "happiness" is defined as follows:

1. Good luck or fortune, a state of well-being
2. A desirable condition, free from dissatisfaction
3. A fortunate turn of events
4. Things working out smoothly
5. The natural course of events

While the moments of happiness vary from person to person, there are universal experiences we can all relate to—such as enjoying a delicious meal or relaxing in a cozy bed.

Even the smallest things in daily life can bring a sense of happiness. For example, discovering a half-price sticker on prepared food when shopping late after work, or finding an open parking spot right near the entrance of a shopping mall. These little wins can make us want to quietly cheer with a small fist pump.

I believe that even these small joys are a form of goriyaku. When we start recognizing and appreciating these little moments, we begin to see even more favorable encounters and blessings all around us.

A Heart of Gratitude

At the start of a new year, many people express gratitude for the past year and pray for their family's health and happiness in the year ahead. But what if we applied this same mindset to each individual day rather than just an entire year?

By appreciating that today has passed safely and praying for the well-being of our loved ones tomorrow, we cultivate gratitude. We can also focus on "this very moment"—being aware of our breath, the sound of birds chirping, or the warmth of the sun, and feeling thankful for them.

Research has shown that practicing gratitude increases the production of serotonin and oxytocin, the brain chemicals known as "happiness hormones."

Goma Prayer in the Shingon Tradition

Goma is a prayer ritual of esoteric Shingon Buddhism, passed down for over 1,200 years by Kobo Daishi Kukai. The word originates from the Sanskrit term homa, meaning "offering into fire as a form of prayer."

In this ritual, a platform is set up before Fudo Myo-o, the principal deity. Wooden prayer sticks, called gomaki, inscribed with wishes, along with offerings, are burned in the sacred fire. The fire symbolizes the wisdom of Fudo Myo-o and is believed to purify human desires and eliminate worldly attachments.

Types of Goma Rituals

Different types of Goma rituals are performed for various prayers and blessings.

・Sokusai-ho (disaster prevention)
Prayers to eliminate sins and ward off disasters, including protection from floods, earthquakes, and fires, as well as wishes for good health, family safety, and physical well-being.

・Zoyaku-ho (increase of virtues)
Prayers for general prosperity and the accumulation of virtues through spiritual practice, including wishes for longevity, success, and fulfillment in relationships.

・Keiai-ho (respect and harmony)
Prayers to honor all Buddhas and cultivate love and respect for others, seeking peace and harmony in life. Includes prayers for good relationships, good health, and safe childbirth.

・Kofuku-ho (subjugation of negative forces)
Prayers to break through obstacles, dispel disasters, and overcome internal and external troubles. Used for exorcising evil spirits and alleviating spiritual disturbances.

・Kochou-ho (summoning of benevolent beings)
Prayers to summon divine beings, virtuous people, and those who bring love and support.

These rituals encompass both large-scale prayers for protection against natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, as well as personal prayers for longevity, prosperity, and harmonious relationships.

Kajii, or spiritual empowerment, is a practice where a monk forms symbolic hand gestures, called mudras, and chants sacred mantras to invoke divine protection, remove illness, and avert misfortune.

A glimpse of the "New Year's Prayer" video

We introduce a part of the New Year's prayer held at the Goma Hall of Kongosanmai-in Temple in Mount Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In an intense and captivating scene, the chief priest throws wooden prayer sticks and deep green leaves into the fire. However, that is not all—he also appears to be tossing or pouring other substances into the blazing flames.

Five grains

The items being offered include five grains, five fragrant substances, and aromatic oil. Let’s take a closer look at each.

The five grains (gokoku) offered in the ritual are rice, wheat, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, and beans. These grains are believed to symbolize the following five human desires or afflictions (bonnō):

・Attachment
・Anger
・Ignorance
・Arrogance
・Doubt

This prayer ritual is not merely an offering to Fudō Myōō, the principal deity. It is also believed that by burning these five afflictions, people’s wishes are purified and ultimately fulfilled. Watching the prayer ritual video while imagining these afflictions being incinerated evokes a deep sense of gratitude.

Five fragrant substances

The term "gokō" (five fragrances) originates from Buddhist teachings. It symbolizes the five virtues attained by those who achieve supreme enlightenment, likened to various scents:

・Sandalwood (Sendan-kō) – A noble fragrance similar to white sandalwood.
・Agarwood (Jinkō) – A complex blend of sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, and salty aromas.
・Clove (Chōji-kō) – Also known as "clove," widely used as a spice.
・Turmeric (Ukon-kō) – Has little to no scent.
・Borneol (Ryūnō-kō) – Similar to camphor but with a milder aroma.

With these fragrances, along with aromatic oil being poured into the flames, one can’t help but wonder—what kind of scent must be filling the hall during the ritual? The curiosity is overwhelming...!!

Watching the video from a different perspective

Some people may find the crackling sound of burning flames pleasant to listen to. Have you heard of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)? ASMR refers to the tingling or relaxing sensations people experience in response to auditory or visual stimuli.

There are many types of ASMR, including chewing sounds, the sounds of cutting or mixing during cooking, and natural sounds like rain and wind. ASMR is said to help relieve stress and promote sleep. Why not close your eyes and listen closely to the various sounds of the prayer ritual?

Conclusion

This time, we introduced a video of the New Year's prayer from "Goriyaku," one of the contents featured in the meditation app GASSHO.

Perhaps welcoming the new year by watching the New Year's prayer at Kongosanmai-in Temple, expressing gratitude for the past year, and praying for a wonderful year ahead could be a meaningful way to celebrate the New Year.

Understanding the significance of each element in the Goma prayer ritual makes the video even more engaging. The five grains thrown into the fire along with the wooden prayer sticks, on which wishes are written, represent the following five afflictions:

・Attachment
・Anger
・Ignorance
・Arrogance
・Doubt

As you watch the flames burn beyond the screen, imagine them consuming your unpleasant experiences and lingering worries.

If, even just a little, you feel a sense of relief after watching, wouldn't that too be a wonderful blessing?

Thank you for watching until the end.