Rev. Sol Kalu

Nirvana Day Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Nirvana Day Dharma Service for Sunday, February 16, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. Nirvana Day marks the anniversary of the passing away of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhism service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, resident minister of Windward Buddhist Temple. 

Rev. Kalu discusses the difference between Bodhi Day, when the Buddha attained enlightenment, and Nirvana Day, when we commemorate his death and his entrance into complete Nirvana.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    03:22 - Meditation

    04:06 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:14 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:00 - Recitation: The Creed (page 4 in the red service book)

    17:40 - Gatha: Arigatai (page 14 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:32 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    39:48 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 164 in Praises of the Buddha)

    41:47 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    43:45 - Announcements

    47:46 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    48:25 - February Dharma Service Schedule

    48:40- 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

Temple Clean Up

Family Dharma Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, February 2, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu gave a Dharma Talk about the power of words. Right speech is important in Buddhism, so much so that it is one of the steps in the Eightfold Path.

The ability to use language enabled humans to meet and interact and has contributed to the development and continued survival of the human race. At the same time, because not everyone uses the same set of words to communicate, human language has also played a big role in wars and conflicts due to misunderstandings or deliberate distortion of words.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    02:52 - Meditation

    03:39 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:45 - Sutra: Gassho to Amida (page 123 in the red service book)

    12:09 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    13:50 - Gatha: At Our Altar (page 22 in Praises of the Buddha)

    16:13 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    33:34 - Gatha: Splendor of an Evening Sky (page 194 in Praises of the Buddha)

    35:42 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    37:46 - Announcements

    46:07 - February Birthdays

    47:54 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    48:41 - February Dharma Service Schedule

    48:56 - 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

Intergenerational Activity: Year of the Snake

Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, January 26, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu's Dharma Talk is about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who we honor and remember in January.

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

    00:17 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:42 - Meditation

    03:41 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:42 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:27 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:15 - Remembrance

    17:22 - Sutra: Twelve Homages (page 120 in the red service book)

    24:36 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge

    25:34 - Gatha: Hotokesama II (page 93 in Praises of the Buddha)

    27:57 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    44:03 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 178 in Praises of the Buddha)

    46:34 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    48:09 - Announcements

    58:23 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    59:09 - February Dharma Service Schedule

    59:24 - 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

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 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

Bodhi Day Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Bodhi Day Dharma Service for Sunday, December 8, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu.

Celebrated annually on December 8, Bodhi Day commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha's attainment of awakening or enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:17 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:00 - Offering of Flowers & Light

    03:49 - Meditation

    04:32 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:47 - Loving Kindness Metta

    08:31 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    12:27 - Bodhi Day Aspiration

    13:54 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 46 in the red service book)

    22:14 - Gatha: The Bodhi Day (page 20 in Praises of the Buddha)

    27:58 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    53:34 - Gatha: Hotokesama (II) (page 74 in Praises of the Buddha)

    55:33 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    57:39 - Announcements

    01:01:54 - December Birthdays

    01:04:32 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:05:29 - December Dharma Service Schedule

    01:05:44 - 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

Intergenerational Snow Globes Activity

Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, November 24, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. We honor our veterans on Veterans Day in November and Rev. Kalu shares a remembrance of his father, who was a veteran of the Korean War.

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

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

    02:26 - Meditation

    03:22 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:29 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:21 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:15 - Remembrance

    13:38 - Sutra: Twelve Homages (page 120 in the red service book)

    20:55 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    22:24 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu (page 104 in Praises of the Buddha)

    24:49 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    45:59 - Gatha: On This Morn  (page 119 in Praises of the Buddha)

    48:05 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    50:07 - Announcements

    56:00 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    56:47 - December Dharma Service Schedule

    57:03 - 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

WBT Gratitude Tree

Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, October 27, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu's Dharma Talk is about fears, both real or imagined, and how Jodo Shinshu Buddhism addresses those fears.

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

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

    02:48 - Meditation

    03:49 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:03 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:53 - Remembrance Aspiration

    11:01 - Remembrance

    15:37 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    26:40 - Recitation: Our Pledge

    27:51 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 126 in Praises of the Buddha)

    30:04 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    48:29 - Gatha: Ondokusan / Gratefulness

    50:46 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    52:57 - Announcements

    56:11 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    57:14 - November Dharma Service Schedule

    57:29 - 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

Halloween Treats

Family Dharma Service

Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, October 6, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu shared a widely watched video on YouTube about selfless giving (https://youtu.be/bL9KEaike8U) and discussed the law of cause & effect and karma in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:15 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:39 - Meditation

    03:43 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:56- Sutra: Twelve Homages (page 120 in the red service book)

    13:10 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    14:22 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 119 in Praises of the Buddha)

    17:08 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    29:05 - Gatha: Buddha Loves You (page 24 in Praises of the Buddha)

    31:45 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    33:43 - Announcements

    40:15 - October Birthdays

    42:33 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    43:20 - October Dharma Service Schedule

    43:35 - 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

October Activities