, , ,

Hoonko (Shinran's Memorial) Service

, , ,

Rev. Shinkai Murakami & Rev. Sol Kalu

Hoonko (Shinran's Memorial) Service for Sunday, January 19, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Shinkai Murakami of Wailuku Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Dharma service was officiated by WBT Resident Minister, Rev. Sol Kalu.

The Hoonko Service is a special service that commemorates the death of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism founder, Shinran Shonin.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:18 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:12 - Meditation

    04:01 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:14 - Offering of Flowers & Light

    06:49 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    12:39 - Sutra: Shoshinge (page 11 in the red service book)

    15:09 - Gatha: Children In Japan (page 41 in Praises of the Buddha)

    21:09 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Shinkai Murakami

    56:45 - Gatha: Nami Amida Butsu (page 104 in Praises of the Buddha)

    59:04 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    01:01:06 - Announcements

    01:03:26 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:04:07 - January Dharma Service Schedule

    01:04:22 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

,

Family Dharma Service

,

Shirley Yanagisawa

Dharma Service for Sunday, January 12, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Shirley Yanagisawa. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Certified Minister Lay Assistant (CMLA) Prudence Kusano. Shirley shares the book "How to Be a Hero: From A to Z" by Lynn Daue and illustrated by John O'Neill.

The book is dedicated to Micah Nishizuka, nephew of the late U.S. Air Force Captain Reid Nishizuka. Captain Nishizuka graduated from Kailua High School, whose campus is a few miles away from WBT, and gave his life serving his country in 2013.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:16 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:17 - Meditation

    04:03 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:17 - Sutra: Junirai (page 59 in the red service book)

    16:01 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    15:09 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 153 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:16 - Dharma Talk: Shirley Yanagisawa

    32:17 - Gatha: With These Hands (page 216 in Praises of the Buddha)

    33:47 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    35:51 - Announcements

    37:53 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    38:38 - January Dharma Service Schedule

    38:53 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

Bingo

,

New Year Dharma Service

,

Rev. Sol Kalu

New Year Dharma Service for Sunday, January 5, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. During this time of New Year's celebrations and revelry, Rev. Kalu shares a message of "the middle way" and the power of the mind.

This was followed by an intergenerational activity, tissue art.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:24 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:34 - Meditation

    04:21 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:29 - Sutra: Verses Reaffirming the Vows (page 117 in the red service book)

    13:28 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    15:09 - Gatha: Becoming Free (page 30 in Praises of the Buddha)

    18:37 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    39:31 - Gatha: Arigatai (page 14 in Praises of the Buddha)

    42:09 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    44:05 - Announcements

    47:00 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    47:44 - January Dharma Service Schedule

    47:59 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

Tissue Art

New Year Message from President Dennis Tashiro

Aloha Everyone,

Happy New Year!

Although my current term as Windward Buddhist Temple (WBT) president is about to end, in January 2025, I will begin another two-year term as WBT president. With the Buddha and Dharma as guides and along with fellow officers, I'll continue to serve the temple Sangha.

In 2024, Rev. Sol Kalu was assigned as WBT's minister. Rev. Bert Sumikawa, although now a retired minister, continues to support WBT in different ways and assists Rev. Kalu when needed.

Sunday services are recorded and available on YouTube for viewing, often the same day. WBT's website (www.windwardbuddhistemple.org) is updated real time and has been a source of many dharma seekers who have found their way to the temple. (Google has been good to us!)

WBT is a place for members and dharma seekers, collectively the sangha, to gather, listen to the dharma, socialize and participate in activities. After Sunday Services, refreshments are available and there are activities such as intergenerational crafts and bingo games. Other activities currently offered at the temple include tai chi classes, ikebana classes, gardening classes, exercise sessions and bon fitness classes.

WBT has two adult Dharma classes, a Spring Class and a Fall-Winter Class. The classes have been led by Rev. Sumikawa, who also holds meditation sessions every Thursday.

Whereas most temples have one bon dance a year, WBT has two. In July, we held a bon dance on our temple grounds. Each October, WBT co-sponsors a bon dance at Windward Mall. Last October's Windward Mall bon dance signified our fourth annual bon dance collaboration. Both bon dances were well attended and resulted in successful fund-raising events for WBT.

In an effort to become a more integral part of the windward community, members have participated in social concerns and earth-friendly events. WBT participates in a program to provide hot meals and snacks to houseless people in the Kaila area. We also do an annual cleanup along Kuulei Road.

WBT partners with the Kiwanis providing them with a meeting place and in turn the group has helped the temple with manpower and support for many events, including bon dances. There is also an aikido club practicing at the temple twice a week.

I encourage members and friends to attend Sunday Services and/or participate in one of the temple's many activities. WBT temple greeters and leaders are ready to welcome you and share our aloha.

Mahalo to the officers & directors, ministers, CMLAs, lay speakers, greeters, emcees, refreshment teams, yard/cleaning crew, flower arrangement group, pianists, our webmaster & video recorder, service coordinator, facilities coordinator, activities coordinators, volunteers that clean inside the building, Kiwanis and those working behind the scenes to ensure the WBT experience is a pleasant one. You make it happen!

My best wishes to everyone for a 2025 of good health, peace and happiness.

Thank you once again and In Gassho,

Dennis Tashiro, WBT President

New Year Message from Rev. Sol Kalu

Rev. Sol Kalu

Aloha, and a Happy New Year 2025 to all the members and friends of Windward Buddhist Temple!

We look forward to a New Year with renewed hopes and aspirations, greater efforts whether at work, school, family life in general and, not to neglect, our spiritual cultivation through the temple, to make the best version of ourselves ever.

The previous year, 2024, admittedly, was not a very good year for me. Besides continuing to be on dialysis treatments, it was a busy time of assignment transfer from Mililani to Windward Buddhist Temple and multiple travels to the mainland for medical testing as part of my continuing effort to receive a kidney transplant. And then, the worst crisis of my life came towards the end of the year, in December, when my mother passed away at the age of 94.

It was overwhelming to face several problems all at one time and there have been times that I longed for an earlier, easier time in my life when I have not yet lost much of my freedom to end stage renal disease. But that is all now wishful thinking. The Buddha taught that the present is all that we really have, the past is past, and the future uncertain. What this teaching tells me is that it is futile to dwell in the past and regret what could have been, and it is equally pointless to worry unnecessarily for that which is yet to come. I remember one of our lay speakers remarked that dwelling in the past is akin to having depression and worrying about the future is like having anxiety. It is so very true.

"If you want to know why you are what you are now, reflect on your past deeds, if you want to know what you will be in the future, reflect on what you are doing in the present moment." It is important for us to understand well the Buddha's words of wisdom about mindfulness and living in the present moment. For it is in the present that we can sow the seeds, not only of our happiness and well-being, through the law of cause and effect, but also progress towards our spiritual path to Enlightenment and the Pure Land.

Namu Amida Butsu,

Rev. Sol Kalu


,

Year End Dharma Service

,

Rev. Sol Kalu

Year End Dharma Service for Sunday, December 29, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu reads the Gomonshu's New Year Message and, in his Dharma Talk, reflects on the concept of time.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:22 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:06 - Meditation

    03:51 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:57 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    12:19 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    13:17 - Gatha: Gentle Hands

    15:08 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    29:59 - Gatha: At Our Altar (page 16 in Praises of the Buddha)

    31:56 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    34:07 - Announcements

    41:01 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    42:09 - January Dharma Service Schedule

    42:24 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

, ,

Remembrance Day Service

, ,

United Jr. YBA of Honolulu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, December 22, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Joy Nishida and the United Jr. Young Buddhists Association (YBA) of Honolulu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was lead by members of the United Jr. YBA of Honolulu.

The Jr. YBA was first established in the state of Hawai'i in 1957. The Honolulu chapter includes members from Windward Buddhist Temple, along with Hawaii Betsuin, Moiliili Hongwanji, Jikoen Hongwanji, Pacific Buddhist Academy, and Hongwanji Mission School.

The monthly Remembrance Service is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of December, regardless of the year.

This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:19 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:43 - Meditation

    03:27 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:40 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:36 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:16 - Remembrance

    17:40 - Sutra: Gassho With Amida

    23:40 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    24:51 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 126 in Praises of the Buddha)

    24:49 - Dharma Talk: Joy Nishida & the United Jr. YBA

    42:57 - Gatha: Ondokusan/Gratefulness

    45:34 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    47:51 - Announcements

    52:40 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    53:39 - December Dharma Service Schedule

    53:56 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

2024 General Membership Meeting & Luncheon

Member Luncheon at New Mui Kwai Restaurant

Lucky Candy Winners

Board of Directors & Officers for 2025 - 2026

Windward Buddhist Temple Board of Directors for 2025 - 2026

At the General Membership Meeting on December 15, 2024, the Windward Buddhist Temple Board of Directors and Officers for 2025 through 2026 were installed.

President: Dennis Tashiro

Vice-President: Cynthia Rodriguez

Secretary: Prudence Kusano

Treasurer: Gerald Matsuda

Auditor: Roy Miyamoto

Directors:

  • Dana Arakaki

  • Ed Diehl

  • Keiji Kukino

  • Allen Kusano

  • Natasha Lopes

  • Ryan Miyamoto

  • Joy Nishida

  • Joyce Nishita

  • Neil Yamamoto

Mahalo

Mahalo to Allen Kusano, who will continue to be involved with WBT and lead the facilities committee. Welcome to new board members Ed Diehl and Natasha Lopes!

,

Family Dharma Service

,

Prudence Kusano

Dharma Service for Sunday, December 15, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by WBT Board Member and organizer of many of intergenerational activities, Prudence Kusano. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Bert Sumikawa.

Prudence shares the book, "The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages," a New York Times best seller by Leo Buscaglia. It is a well-known book about life and death. You can purchase the book from Amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/3DrsvTv

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:13 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:49 - Meditation

    03:35 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:50 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:02 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    17:05 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 147 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:33 - Dharma Talk: Prudence Kusano

    34:39 - Gatha: Golden Chain

    36:36 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    38:41 - Announcements

    41:51 - December Dharma Service Schedule

    42:07 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook