community

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4th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance

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We had a great time at the 4th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance last Saturday, October 5th. Mahalo to Windward Mall and our co-partner, Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission, for another great Bon Dance in Kaneohe. This batch of photos is from our booth, where we sold takuan, manju, tsukemono, nantu, and more -- all made by our members at WBT. Mahalo to our volunteers and thank you to everyone who patiently waited in line for andagi!

Cooking Andagi

A big mahalo to our hard-working andagi crew. This team worked straight through for hours to mix, cook, and pack hundreds of freshly made andagi for the Bon Dance.

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Ma'i Movement Hawaii Social Concerns Activity

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We assembled 100 period care kits for the Ma’i Movement

After our Remembrance Day Service, Prudence led us in a Social Concerns project to assemble 100 period care kits for Ma'i Movement Hawai'i, a grassroots organization working to end period poverty in Hawaii. We learned about the organization a few years ago when we participated in a period product drive. To learn more, visit their website at https://maimovement.org/

Maui Wildfires

Over the past several days we have watched in disbelief the devastation caused by the wildfires on Maui. Our hearts go out to the Sangha of Lahaina Hongwanji and to everyone who has been affected by this disaster.

In Our Pledge, Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani encourages us as fellow travelers along the Nembutsu Path to “…share a life of joy and sorrow with others. Just like the Buddha, whose caring heart always embraces us.” This is a time for us to embody Amida Buddha’s compassion by caring for our Sangha and all who are in distress. This is the living Nembutsu that is grounded in our everyday lives.

The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Committee on Social Concerns has created the MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER RELIEF FUND to aid the members of Lahaina Hongwanji and relief efforts on Maui.

How to Contribute

  1. Online at www.hongwanjihawaii.com by clicking on the “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief” button under the “Donate” tab.

  2. Through GoFundMe at the following link: https://gofund.me/ff77a520

  3. Check and cash donations can be sent directly to Hawaii Kyodan Headquarters. Please make check payable to HHMH and in the memo line designate “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief” to ensure proper credit. Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813

August 13, 2023 Update

 Statement regarding the Disaster on Maui from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani:

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Bon Dance | Kailua 2023

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A big mahalo out to everyone who joined us in Kailua for Windward Buddhist Temple's first Bon Dance at our temple in 4 years. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, whether it was finding treasure at the Rummage Sale, getting a tub of takuan at the Country Market, enjoying ono andagi and BBQ stick dinner plates at the food booth, cooling down with shave ice by the Junior YBAs, learning about our temple from Rev. Brennan and Rev. Sumikawa, or simply dancing the night away around the yagura.

We were amazed at not only how many came from the Windward side, but from just about all over the island to attend our Bon Dance. The Obon season truly is a time to come together as a community and celebrate those who came before us. Thank you to all!

Around the Yagura

Food Booth

Country Market & Rummage Sale

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Waimanalo Japanese Cemetery Visit 2023

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On June 12, 2023, Windward Buddhist Temple held its annual visit to the Bellows Japanese Cemetery in Waimanalo, where Rev. Bert Sumikawa and Rev. Barbara Brennan performed an obon service. Access to the cemetery by the public is restricted as it is located on an active military base.

There are a little over 40 grave markers at the cemetery, most erected in the early 1900s. Many are believed to have been connected to the Waimanalo Sugar Plantation, the nearby dairy farm, or Waimanalo Hongwanji. 

Mahalo as always to the Marine Corps for escorting our group to the cemetery.

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Earth Day 2023: Kuulei Road Clean Up

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Our annual, albeit belated, Earth Day Kuulei Road Clean Up took place on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Members of the WBT sangha picked up rubbish along both sides of Kuulei Road in Kailua, where our temple is located. 

Mahalo to Stephen Ochikubo (not pictured) who took the bags of rubbish to the dump.

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Family Dharma Service

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Karen Radius & Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dharma Service for Sunday, March 12, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan and a special guest speaker, Karen Radius, at Windward Buddhist Temple. Karen leads the Kailua Service Care program, a collaboration between Daybreak Church, Windward YMCA, and numerous Windward area churches, community and government partners, and individuals.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    02:57 - Meditation

    03:50 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:21 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:40 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge - II (page 6 in the red service book)

    17:37 - Gatha: Hotokesama II (page 74 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:18 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    30:43 - Guest Speaker: Karen Radius, Kailua Service Care

    46:29 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu (page 104 in Praises of the Buddha)

    48:59 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in Praises of the Buddha)

    50:58 - Announcements

    01:03:13 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:04:01 - March Schedule

    01:04:13 - 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 Sunday