五会念仏作法 - Go-e Nembutsu sahō

The 五会念仏作法 (Go-e Nembutsu Sahō) comes from a long tradition in China. It was said to have been written in the 6th century by Master 法照禅師 (Fazhao) however there is no historical proof of this. It was practiced largely and in many variations in China and was also brought over to Japan. First chanted in the 天台 (Tendai) tradition and later adopted into the 本願寺(Hongwanji) tradition. Today the 五会念仏作法 is practiced at 西本願寺 (Nishi Hongwanji) during special services including the week of 報恩講 (Hōonkō) and to commemorate various past 門主 (Monshū) or head priests. This particular style has become unique to the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha. This version has 5 main parts to it: 三奉請: Sanbujō 念仏: Nembutsu 誦讃偈: Jusan-ge 甲と乙 (Kō and Otsu) 荘厳讃: Shōgon-san 回向: Ekō