Rev. Sol Kalu

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New Year Dharma Service

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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


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Year End Dharma Service

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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

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Bodhi Day Service

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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

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Remembrance Day Service

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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

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Remembrance Day Service

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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

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Family Dharma Service

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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

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, September 22, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu shared the story of Pandora's Box and thoughts on war, peace, and Buddhism.

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

    00:23 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

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

    05:58 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:26 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:19 - Remembrance

    17:19 - Sutra: Verses Reaffirming the Vows (page 117 in the red service book)

    24:22 - Recitation: Our Pledge

    25:41 - Gatha: Becoming Free (page 18 in Praises of the Buddha)

    29:05 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    44:02 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 147 in Praises of the Buddha)

    46:36 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    48:30 - Announcements

    53:36 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    54:27 - September Dharma Service Schedule

    54:43 - 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

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Family Dharma Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, September 1, 2024 with a Dharma Talk, by WBT's new resident minister, Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was officiated by Rev. Kalu and recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhism Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

We're back after our summer break in August and our first Dharma Service with Rev. Sol Kalu, who became resident minister of Windward Buddhist Temple as of August 1.

We will not have a service at WBT on Sunday, September 8 due to the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii's Triple Celebration commemoration. The year 2023 marked the 850th anniversary of the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition. The year 2024 is the 800th anniversary of the establishment of the Jodo Shinshu teaching and the 135th anniversary of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:28 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:08 - Meditation

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

    06:09 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:24 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    17:53 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 126 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:12 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    38:54 - Gatha: Hotokesama (II) (page 74 in Praises of the Buddha)

    41:12 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    43:22 - Announcements

    49:08 - August & September Birthdays

    51:37 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    52:27 - September Dharma Service Schedule

    52:43 - 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

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Welcome Rev. Sol Kalu

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Rev. Sol Kalu, Resident Minister

With the departure of Rev. Barbara Brennan effective July 31, 2024, Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani has assigned Rev. Sol Kalu to be Resident Minister of Windward Buddhist Temple effective August 1, 2024. We extend our mahalo to Rev. Barbara for her service and friendship and wish her much happiness.

There are no Sunday services during the month of August. Rev. Kalu will spend that time acclimating with his office and facilities and do some initial work and orientation with WBT officers. Rev. Kalu's will officiate his first service at WBT and share a Dharma talk on September 1, 2024. Please welcome Rev. Kalu to the WBT Ohana (Sangha).

Rev. Sol Kalu is from the Republic of the Philippines. In 1980, after receiving his BS in nursing in the Philippines, he served as a nurse in the U.S. for many years, specializing in dialysis.

On a visit to Kyoto, Rev. Kalu encountered the Jodo Shinshu Teachings and eventually followed the call to become a Buddhist minister. He received Tokudo ordination in 2007 and Kyoshi ordination in 2010.

He served two years at the Hawaii Betsuin, which was followed by an assignment to Makawao Hongwanji in 2012. His last assignment was at the Hawaii Betsuin and as the oversee minister of Mililani Hongwanji.

He has a faciity for languages, speaks Japanese, and enjoys writing kanji (Japanese characters). His other interests include snorkeling, martial arts, science, and travel.

Rev. Kalu was our guest Dharma Talk speaker for our Nirvana Day and Pet Remembrance Service in February 2020.