Memorial Service of Tendai Daishi and Chisho Daishi

The 24th of November is the passing day of Tendaichisha Daishi Zhiyi, one of the founders [the forth patriarch] of the Tiantai tradition [of Buddhism in China]. A memorial service is held to praise the high virtues of Zhiyi and Chisho Daishi Enchin who studied at the Guoging Temple which was founded by Zhiyi on Mt. Tiantai, Zhejiang Province, China. At the memorial service, a Japanese unique style, koshiki, reading Kanji in Japanese style, is employed, and a funeral oration is read, followed by the singing of inscriptions over the pictures of Zhiyi and Enchin with a unique voice. In particular, Zhiyi’s eulogy is famous as it was written by Yan Zhenging who is known as the best scholar and calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty.