What Is the Special Goma Prayer? Entrusting Your Wish to the Sacred Fire

At Jigenji, the Goma fire ritual is performed on the third Sunday of every month at 1:00 p.m., led by the head priest, Daiajari Ryojun Shionuma. A Special Prayer (Tokubetsu Kito) is offered within this Goma ritual for the individual wish of each person who applies. Even if you live far away or cannot attend on the day, you can apply online, by fax, or by mail.

What is the Goma fire ritual?

In the Goma ritual, wooden prayer sticks (gomagi) inscribed with wishes are offered into the sacred fire. The fire symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha and is said to burn away human worldly desires. When our wavering hearts turn in a good direction, a good life follows: this is the meaning carried by the Goma ritual, handed down since ancient times.

Gomagi and the Special Prayer: the difference

Gomagi (prayer sticks) are accepted at the temple office (fudasho). Each stick costs 300 yen, and you write one person's name and one wish on each stick. Gomagi do not come with a talisman.

With the Special Prayer, after your wish is prayed for in the Goma ritual, the prayer continues in the morning and evening services throughout the period you apply for. A wooden prayer talisman (kifuda) is given to those who wish to receive one.

You may apply for both gomagi and the Special Prayer.

Wishes you can pray for

Fulfillment of a heartfelt wish / Good health / Family safety / Recovery from illness / Protection from misfortune and good fortune / Business prosperity / Finding a good partner / Long life free from calamity / Traffic safety / Safe childbirth / Blessing of children / Health of body and mind / Safe travels / Success in exams

Each application is for one wish. Please note that the Goma ritual is a prayer service; memorial services for the deceased are not accepted.

Prayer periods and offerings

1 day: 5,000 yen

7 days: 10,000 yen

1 month: 30,000 yen

3 months: 50,000 yen

1 year: 100,000 yen

How to apply

Please apply using the online application form, or by fax or mail. The application form can be downloaded from the Annual Events page.

Online applications are accepted until 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Goma ritual. Applications received after that will be prayed for at the following month's Goma ritual.

Fax: +81-22-399-5222 / Mail: 89-2 Takihara, Baba, Akiu-machi, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 982-0244, Japan

Receiving your talisman and paying the offering

If you attend the Goma ritual, your wooden prayer talisman will be handed to you at the temple office after the ritual. It can also be sent by mail on request.

You can pay the offering in person at the temple office (cash only) or by bank transfer to Japan Post Bank (a transfer form is sent together with your talisman).

Attending the Goma ritual

Seats inside the Goma Hall (165 seats) can be reserved on the Goma page from 10:00 a.m. on the 1st of each month. Visitors without a reservation can also attend on the day from the monitor seats in the Main Hall (numbered tickets for same-day seats are handed out from 9:00 a.m.). The Goma ritual is also streamed live on YouTube.

*Applying for the Special Prayer is a separate procedure from reserving a seat for the Goma ritual.