Nenpou-ji Temple

Continuing our adventure with my in-laws, we stopped by a pretty awesome temple near Kakazu Tadakai Park.  We got a little lost on the way, as we were following typical Okinawan directions we got off Okinawa-Hai.  (Altogether these directions were adequate but a little off... I tried to do a revision at the bottom of this post... but due to the nature of the temple's location I make no guarantees that they're not still confusing or a little hard to follow.)

We also spent a good five minutes debating where to park because we didn't know if you could drive through the temple gates.  We ended up parking outside the gates at the apartment building next to it just to be safe, but once inside realized a ton of parking was available for temple users.

This particular temple is for a religion known as Nenpou Shinkyou. 

It was founded by Reigen Ogura in 1923. The spirit of Nenpou Shinkyou proclaims that all people throughout the world, regardless of religion, nationality or cultural background, should join hands in fellowship to build a world without conflict. 

Nenpou Shinkyou teaches the True Way in which we should live – the Goseikun. Nenpou Shinkyou’s mission is for people to bring these teachings into their lives, to practice them, and thereby create a better world for everyone, a world where each day is filled with joy. 

The temple workers were kind enough to show us around and help us say a prayer while we were there.

To pray,you kneel in front of the pot filled with clay then light three incense sticks and place them in the clay. Each stick has a purpose:

• To know your ancestors
• For yourself, community, country and international relations; that there will be peace
• For yourself and your daily life; that everything will go well.

After the incense is placed, you say a prayer and then stand to the side, face the alter and bow.

Directions: Heading south on the 330 from Foster, you will pass gate 3 of Futenma & the 32. If you see the sign for Kakazu Park & Kyoto Monument, you have gone too far.  You will see on the right side of the road a Yoshinoya and a Docomo at a stop light. Make a right u-turn at this stop light. The "road" is small and between theYoshinoya & the Docomo. The "road" comes to a T intersection. Go left and you will see the Temple.

http://www.nenpoushinkyou.jp/eng/index.html