Prudence spoke about Bodhi Day, explaining so the children (and adults) could understand why we observe Bodhi Day. She based her talk on the book “Prince Siddharta.” Pictures projected on the wall added to her talk and captured the attention of all.
Dexter Mar was our guest speaker at today's First Sunday Family Service at Kailua Hongwanji. Dr. Mar is a Hawaii Betsuin Certified Ministers’ Lay Assistant who serves the Betsuin temple and Honpa Hongwanji of Hawaii buddhist temples with buddhist education programs through the Buddhist Study Center. Mahalo Dr. Mar for your informational and inspirational talk! Dr. Mar's Dharma Talk, "Experiences Along the White Path," can be replayed below.
Families participated in several First Sunday activities. Upon entering the temple, everyone wrote down something that they were thankful for on an assortment of leaves. The leaves were hung from our Thankful Tree and is currently on display in the temple. The second activity was making paper-bag turkeys, which were stuffed with popcorn.
Finally, the children and several of the most senior attendees planted amaryllis bulbs. The bulbs will be kept at the church and will hopefully bloom over the next several weeks, just in time to be taken home for the holiday season.
For today's Dharma Talk about greed and its role in causing suffering, Prudence shared Should I Share My Ice Cream?, a book in the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems. The dilemma faced by Gerald the elephant as he debated sharing his ice cream with Piggie, and the surprising outcome, was one that both kids and adults could relate to.
Rev. Umitani & family
After today's service, we had, not one, but two fun First Sunday craft activities. First, we made paper spider hats complete with bulging eyes and eight creepy legs, each one uniquely decorated.
The second activity was making slime using glue and a secret ingredient (hint: it was saline solution). Everyone chose their own colors and added their choice of glitter to make it sparkle.
Our first Family Service since our summer break was also our Rededication Service. Rev. David Nakamoto gave today's Rededication Dharma Talk and reflected on his conversations with the late Rev. Dr. Alfred Bloom, who recently passed away.
Being that it was also our First Sunday Family Service, children and adults alike participated in two fun craft activities after the service: making peace bracelets in celebration of Peace Day later this month, as well as coloring paper dolls. The dolls are on display in the church.
The new uchishiki (altar cloth) donated by the Kailua Hongwanji Buddhist Women's Association (KHBWA) was on display on the alter. Rev. Umitani helped to order and pick up the uchishiki on one of his trips to Japan.
International Peace Day is on September 21, 2017
Dennis Tashiro gave today's Dharma Talk, highlighting several key events happening for him in July: Kailua Hongwanji's Bon Dance on July 22, the 4th of July holiday, and the upcoming Tashiro family reunion, which takes place every 5 years. While all three are distinctly unique events, they are all opportunities to express gratitude for those who've come before us.
After the service, we had two First Sunday craft activities for both kids and adults. We decorated fans, perfect for our Bon Dance, and we made 4th of July lanterns to hang at home.
Shirley Yanagisawa shared a message of gratitude and photos from her recent trip to Japan. After the service and refreshments, Cynthia Rodriguez lead our First Sunday family activity, where we personalized our own colorful visors, just in time for summer.
Our guest speaker for our First Sunday Family Service was Rev. Brian Nagata, a director with Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai America. Mahalo for the omiyage -- "Outward wise, inward a fool" pins!
"Pinch hitting" this week for Rev. Umitani was Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki, Buddhist Study Center Director. Mahalo Rev. Kuniyuki!
Continuing with the celebration of Children's Day in May, today's Family Sunday activities included making paper fish and whales, along with coloring fish cards.
In addition, members could design their own colorful mugs using hot water and nail polish.
Our guest speaker for today's service was Rev. Arthur Kaufmann. Born and raised in New York City, Rev. Kaufmann began studying Jodo Shinshu Buddhism at the Denver Tri-State Buddhist Temple after serving in the U.S. Air Force. Rev. Kaufmann shared his experiences growing up and how he became a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist.
After the service, Prudence lead the group in making a special, three-dimensional Buddha Day greeting card, followed by coloring of eggs. While the activities are usually targeted for the younger members, everyone enjoyed participating, as you can see below. We predict that many members will be having egg-salad sandwiches for lunch in the days to come.
The MCs for today were the Fujikawas.
Dennis' special University of Hawaii-edition egg
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.
“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.”
home | news & events | calendar | activities | donate | join us
