SDDSTL Hongwanji Place

Our classic postcard collection commemorates each year of the Chinese Zodiac.  Each package contains 10 glossy white postcards, with a picture of one of the 12 represented animals.  For 2012, our featured card is the Year of the Dragon.  Please specify the animal card you would like on your order form.

Available cards: Rat, Ox (pictured), Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Cock, Dog, and Boar.

Our specially designed envelopes make your offerings simple.  Each package contains 10 envelopes ready for use, and includes an explanation of the significance of the occasion.

Select from the following 8 occasions:

Gokoden (item no. 30001)- Koden is an offering of condolence to the family of the deceased.  The Koden envelope is taken to the funeral service.

Gofuse (item no. 30002)- This envelope is used when making a donation to a temple for private memorial services, funerals, weddings, or any other general donation.

Omimai (item no. 30003)- Omimai is a gift taken to a friend recovering from an illness or to a friend or group recovering from an accident or disaster.

Gobutsuzen (item no. 30004)- 2 basic uses- 1) when given to a temple, it is placed before the altar and is a general donation to the temple, especially when visiting other temples; 2) given when attending the memorial service of a relative or friend.

Oiwai (item no. 30005)- Oiwai is a gift given on congratulatory occasions: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, recitals, or other happy occasions.

Sunshi (item no. 30006)- It is used in the same way as Orei, with the nuance being that the giver would like to be more generous in his/her expression of gratitude but can only give this trifling amount.

Goreizen (item no. 30007)- Goreizen is used in place of Gokoden for Christian funerals. 

Orei (item no. 30008)- The Orei envelope may be used for any gift of gratitude to someone who has done you a favor, service, or helped you in any way.  In a Buddhist context, it is used when making an offering to a priest for having conducted a service, given a talk, etc.

Goshugi (item no. 30009)- Used the same way as Oiwai.  Goshugi has a slightly more formal nuance than Oiwai. 

Gohana Ryo (item no. 30010)- Used at Christian and other Buddhist churches/temples where the Japanese American custom of an offering to a funeral service is observed.

Gokoshi (item no. 30011)- Another term for Gokoden, an offering of condolence to the family of the deceased.  The word is in reference to the burning of incense at the funeral service, the donation being made for its purchase.