family service

Sunday Family Service

We welcomed Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani, who will be assisting Kailua Hongwanji during Rev. Nakamoto's leave of absence. Currently the Executive Assistant to the Bishop at Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, Rev. Umitani is no stranger to Kailua Hongwanji. Kailua was his first resident ministry assignment from 2004 to 2005.

Linda Jaffe made her M.C. debut and did a great job!

Prudence Kusano gave today's Dharma Talk about metta, loving and kindness.

“May I be happy,
May I be safe;
May I be strong,
May I live with ease.

May you be happy,
May you be safe;
May you be strong,
May you live with ease.

May all beings be happy,
May all beings be safe;
May all beings be strong,
May all beings live with ease.”

Prudence also gave us a preview of next week's First Sunday family activity. We will be making Buddha Day cards. Join us on Sunday, April 2nd at 9:00am for our Family Service.

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Spring Ohigan Service

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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. 

Sunday Family Service

Betty Okamoto started today's Dharma Talk with a couple of brain teasers and then shared thoughts about her recent trip to Hong Kong. After the service, we celebrated Brin's birthday and, as we do each week, the sangha enjoyed each other's company and refreshments. 

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First Sunday Family Service

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Joy Nishida gave today's Dharma Talk, "Tobiko, Four Noble Truths, and a Litter Robot." 

Today's First Sunday Family Activity was origami butterflies and spring bouquets. 

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Founders' Day Family Service

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Kailua Hongwanji Mission celebrated its 3rd annual Founders’ Day during the Sunday Family Service on February 26, 2017. It is a day to remember those whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for all that they have done over the years to make Kailua Hongwanji Mission what it is today.

For today's Dharma Talk, Rev. David Nakamoto had everyone break into smaller groups to "talk story." Each person was asked to share what the Dharma teachings mean to him or her.

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First Sunday Family Service

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“I am a link on Amida Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love that stretches around the world. I must keep my link bright and strong.”

Our First Sunday Family Service for February featured a Dharma Talk by Rev. David Nakamoto. Following the service and refreshments, we built a Golden Chain of Love comprised of individual paper links that each person signed as they entered. 

Following the service, we celebrated our February birthdays.

Each paper link was chained together into a single strand. On Valentine's Day, we remember Amida Buddha's Golden Chain of Love that stretches around the world.

We also decorated Golden Chain of Love Valentines Day cards. Folks of all ages joined in this fun and creative activity lead by Prudence Kusano.

“May every link in Amida Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love become bright and strong, and may we all attain Perfect Peace.”

Sunday Family Service

Today's Dharma Talk was given by Keiji Kukino. This year's Honpa Hongwanji slogan is "Embrace Change - Action (Open Communication)" and Kuki shared his recent decision to get hearing aids, which will help him with the physical act of listening.