We held our annual Obon and Hatsubon service to remember those who came before us. The Hatsubon service marks the first Obon Service for those who passed away in the last year. Obon and Hatsubon families were called up to offer incense while Rev. Sumikawa chanted a sutra. After the offering, Rev. Sumikawa gave a special Obon Dharma Talk, which can be viewed below.
Our July birthdays
The guest speaker for our Eshinni / Kakushinni Day service was Mercie Miyasato-Crawford, a fourth-generation Jikoen Hongwanji member and vice-chair of Project Dana. Mernie shared her reflections on what it means to be, in this life, a Buddhist woman.
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.
Our Dana (Sanskrit meaning "selfless giving") Day Service featured a guest speaker, Cyndi Osajima, Executive Director of Project Dana. Project Dana is a program that provides a multitude of services to the elderly and disabled through a corps of volunteers. Our M.C. for today, Jean Fukumoto, is Windward Buddhist Temple's Project Dana site coordinator.
Watch Cyndi’s Dharma Talk below.
The Hoonko Service is the annual commemoration of the passing of Jodo Shinshu founder, Shinran Shonin. Our guest speaker for our Hoonko Service was Rev. Thomas Okano, retired Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.
For today’s Dharma Talk, Prudence Kusano shared a book from the temple library, The Banyan Deer, by Rafe Martin. It is a story of courage and compassion by a brave deer king who stood up for all living beings such that they could all live in peace. The book is available to borrow from our temple library.
We marked the final Sunday service of 2018 by ringing the kansho (temple bell) 108 times (Jyo-ya no Kane) and enjoying soba noodles.
Bodhi Day celebrates the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha under the Bodhi tree. Our guest speaker for today’s service was Sherman Thompson. A member of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission and their Kyodan board, Mr. Thompson also serves on the Hawaii Kyodan board, Pacific Buddhist Academy Board of Trustees, and the Honpa Hongwanji board.
Watch his Dharma Talk below or on our YouTube channel.
We held our Eitaikyo service today, a special service where we remember all the members who have come before us and their many contributions that have allowed us to continue spreading the dharma today.
Our guest speaker was Rev. Alan Urasaki. Rev. Urasaki is the Supervisory Chaplain at the Federal Detention Center. When he joined the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2002, he was the first Buddhist chaplain in the Federal Prison system.
Click below to watch the complete Eitaikyo service on our YouTube channel.
Our guest speaker for our Fall Ohigan service was Rev. Yuika Hasebe. Rev. Hasebe is currently an Associate Minister at Hawaii Betsuin, but was once a liaison minister at Kailua Hongwanji. Rev. Hasebe shared the importance of reciting the Nembutsu, namo amida butsu.
Watch Rev. Hasebe’s Fall Ohigan Dharma Talk below or view it on our YouTube channel.
Cynthia showed us a preview of our First Sunday activity for October.
Our guest speaker for our Eshinni Day service was Juliet Lee, a retired associate professor and an award-winning author. Eshinni Day honors Lady Eshinni, the wife of Shinran Shonin, and her contributions to the Hongwanji. You can watch Juliet's Dharma Talk on our YouTube channel or by clicking on the play button below.
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