Spring Ohigan

Spring Ohigan Service

Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki

Spring Ohigan Dharma Service for Sunday, March 15, 2026 with a Dharma Talk by guest speaker Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kuniyuki. Rev. Kuniyuki gave a preview of his upcoming Adult Dharma Class at WBT, "Shakyamuni's Teachings to Kalamas. Thinking for Yourself and be a Critical Thinker"

Watch the Service

Spring Ohigan Dharma Service

Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa and Rev. Sol Kalu

Spring Ohigan Dharma Service for Sunday, March 16, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by WBT resident minister, Rev. Sol Kalu.

Rev. Sumikawa shares the significance of Spring Ohigan, which is a time for reflection and balance, and emphasizes the importance of the Six Paramitas (generosity, discipline, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom) in achieving harmony in life.

Spring Ohigan Service

Rev. Bert Sumikawa, Rev. David Fujimoto, & Rev. Barbara Brennan

Spring Ohigan Dharma Service for Sunday, March 17, 2024 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. David Fujimoto, resident minister at Moiliili Hongwanji at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa.

Spring Ohigan is one of the Hongwanji’s major services. It is the time when there is harmony in the universe, when day and night are equal in length. It is a time for reflection, to recall and try to put into practice the Six Paramitas or Perfections to achieve a balance in our lives.

Welcome to Mililani Hongwanji

Spring Ohigan & Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa, Rev. Alan Urasaki, & Rev. Barbara Brennan

Spring Ohigan & Remembrance Day Service for Sunday, March 19, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by guest speaker Rev. Alan Urasaki, at Windward Buddhist Temple.

Higan is one of the Hongwanji’s major services. It is the time when there is harmony in the universe, when day and night are equal in length. It is a time for reflection, to recall and try to put into practice the Six Paramitas or Perfections to achieve a balance in our lives. These are: Giving/Charity, Behavior/Morality, Endurance/Patience, Endeavor/Right Effort, Right Meditation, and Right Wisdom.

Remembrance Day is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of March, regardless of the year.

Water Color Painting Demonstration

Spring Ohigan Service

Our guest speaker for our Spring Ohigan Service was Rev. Koen Kikuchi, resident minister of Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji. Watch his Ohigan Dharma Talk below.

COVID-19 Temple Advisory: As Prudence announced at the end of the service, to ensure the health and safety of temple members and guests and help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Windward Buddhist Temple will be suspending all services and activities at the temple from March 16 through April 30, 2020.

Please continue to visit our website as well as follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates. Our YouTube channel will also continue to feature past special services and Dharma Talks.

Spring Ohigan Service with Guest Speaker Rev. Tatsuo Muneto

We welcomed Rev. Tatsuo Muneto as the guest speaker for our Spring Ohigan Service. Rev. Muneto has served temples throughout the state, including Hawaii Betsuin, Hilo Betsuin, Kona Hongwanji, Lihue Hongwanji, and Moiliili Hongwanji, as well as the Buddhist Study Center. Watch Rev. Muneto’s Dharma Talk by clicking on the play button below or on our YouTube channel.

Today was also our first Dharma School session, which will be held monthly on the second Sunday of the month. This was followed by a fun and creative craft activity.

Dharma School

Spring Ohigan Service with Rev. Hiramatsu

Spring Ohigan marks the change in seasons, from winter to spring. Our guest speaker was Rev. Sandy Hiramatsu, who served as the resident minister of Kailua Hongwanji Mission from 1990 to 1993.

Rev. Hiramatsu shared her memories of the original temple building, marching in the Kailua 4th of July parade and spreading word of our bon dance to the community, and starting a children's choir, highlighting the importance of music.

On display in the temple were two uchishiki (altar cloths) that were made by member Carrie Kawamoto. 

Rev. Hiramatsu asked the children in attendance to pick a stuffed animal that most closely represented the way they feel when they come to church.

At the end of the service, Rev. Sumikawa lead us in singing words of Thanksgiving.

Spring Ohigan Service

Rev. Bert Sumikawa, resident minister of Moiliili Hongwanji, was the guest speaker for our Spring Ohigan service. We observe Ohigan twice a year - the Spring and Autumn equinox - when the hours of the day and night are equal. 

Rev. Bert Sumikawa

Our guest speaker on March 19, 2017 for Ohigan Service is Rev. Bert Sumikawa. Rev. Bert is a “Kailua boy”. He is the son of a grocer and attended Kailua Elementary & Intermediate School before attending Roosevelt High School and graduating from Iolani School. Rev. Bert received his B.S. degree from Marquette University, majoring in Zoology and minoring in Theology and Philosophy. He then graduated from Marquette with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After a 2 yearresidency at the Wisconsin Children’s Hospital, he returned home to practice pediatric dentistry.

A former Christian, Rev. Bert returned to his Buddhist roots and pursued and received Tokudo (minor ordination) in 2007 whereupon he was assigned briefly to Kailua Hongwanji followed by a stint at the Kapolei Buddhist Sangha. After receiving Kyoshi and Kaikyoshi (full ministerial ordination) in 2010, Rev. Bert served as Interim Minister at Moiliili Hongwanji, followed by assignment as an Associate Minister at the Betsuin. He is currently back at Moiliili Hongwanji as their Resident Minister and has been for the last 3+ years.

Some of you may know that Rev. Bert is the brother of longtime Kailua Hongwanji member Wallace Sumikawa who passed away last year.