Okumotsu for Buddhist Special Services

Title: Okumotsu for Buddhist Special Services.

Objective: 

Make Okumotsu for Onaijin for Jodo Shinshu Buddhist special services. Okumotsu is giving to the Buddha in gratitude and Osagari, treats given to

students, is receiving from the Buddha.

Materials: 

• For each Okumotsu desired: 

  • One 42-ounce oatmeal cylindrical container, 

  • One pliable cardboard, (at least 18 inches wide and at least 19 inches high – does not need to be

exact)

• Ruler, 

• Pencil for marking, 

• Long-arm stapler, 

• Enough small, light, individually wrapped candy or treats to cover the Okumotsu as desired,. The amount of candy depends on the design used.

• Permanent or temporary glue dots or double-sided tape or single stick tape. 

  • Permanent glue dots work best for heavier pieces of candy. Preparation:

Preparation:

Teacher needs to prepare cardboard to wrap around oatmeal container, (total circumference is 17 inches), overlap can be stapled inside using a long arm stapler. Height is flexible, 19 inches works well. For safety measures, staple ends are better inside the cylinder.

Measure up from bottom a 3-inch line to mark starting area for treats to be attached. This 3-inch line is where the gold and red “collar” sits on the offering dish and no candy is needed here.

Steps of the Lesson:

1. Place cylinder over the oatmeal container for support. Students should decide on the candy to use and lay out a design before starting to attach the candy onto the cardboard. 

2. Put the adhesive on the back of the candy and then place the combination on the cardboard. Temporary glue dots can be used if the candy is very light in weight, permanent glue dots if a small package. Double stick or rolled single sided tape can also be used.

3. Students may make the presentation to the Onaijin at the beginning of the service.

4. After the service, the candy is removed and given to the students, referred to as Osagari, a gift from the Buddha.

Notes:

This can be an expensive lesson with the amount of candy that may need to be bought depending on the design.

If everything is prepared in advance, including sorting the candy if a design by color is done, a cylinder can be completed in an hour. The most time spent is in the preparation.

Authors:

Reverend Etsuko Mikame, Patti Kaneda, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, sjbc.at.sjbetsuin.org