Aloha & Happy Retirement Rev. Sol!

Mahalo and Aloha to Windward Buddhist Temple's Resident Minister, Rev. Sol Kalu, who retires today after 12 years of service to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. The sangha celebrated with Rev. Sol after our Sunday Dharma Service on July 27.

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, July 27, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. This was Rev. Sol's final service before his retirement from active ministry on July 31, 2025. Aloha and Happy Retirement, Rev. Sol! Mahalo for all you've done for Windward Buddhist Temple and Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

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

    00:10 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:59 - Meditation

    03:40 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:51 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:35 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:38 - Remembrance

    15:44 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    21:34 - Recitation: The Creed (page 4 in the red service book)

    24:02 - Gatha: Lord Buddha Speaks To Me (page 137 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:42 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    50:13 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 164 in Praises of the Buddha)

    52:44 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    54:13 - Announcements

    58:14 - Rev. Sol's Retirement

    01:00:41 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:01:04 - Group Photo

    01:01:58 - How to Donate to WBT with Venmo

  • 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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Dharma Service

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Yoshiko Umitani, Rev. Sol Kalu, & Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani

Dharma Service for Sunday, July 20, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Rev. Kalu shares the meaning of freedom with the U.S. Independence Day that celebrates political freedom from oppression, but also in the context of freedom from slavery to desires and attachments in Buddhism.

Rev. Kalu also discusses the impermanence of material wealth: Currency is valuable only because of the meaning people assign to it; it can lose value and become worthless, illustrating the impermanence of material things.

Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani and Mrs. Umitani attended today's service to bid aloha to Rev. Kalu, who will be retiring after next week's service.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:16 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:08 - Meditation

    03:50 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:59 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:04 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    17:20 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu (page 144 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:13 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    40:34 - Gatha: With These Hands (page 216 in Praises of the Buddha)

    42:06 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:01 - Announcements

    44:24 - Message from Bishop Umitani

    49:55 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    50:47 - July Dharma Service Schedule

    34:28 - 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

Bon Dance in Kailua 2025

A big mahalo (thank you) to everyone who helped make our 2025 Bon Dance in Kailua a success! 

From the dancers, to the musicians, to those who came to shop or eat or just to watch, we are grateful for all of you joining us in Kailua on Saturday. Celebrating the Obon season every summer with the Windward community is a tradition we are excited and honored to continue. 

To our WBT members, friends, and families who have volunteered countless hours preparing for Saturday -- as well as working throughout the Bon Dance in the Country Market, food concessions, and the Bon Dance itself -- thank you!

We hope you enjoy the remainder of the 2025 Bon Dance season. And mark your calendars for the annual Windward Mall Bon Dance on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Windward Buddhist Temple will again be partnering with Windward Mall and Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji to close out the Bon Dance season.

Country Market & Rummage Sale

Country Market & Rummage Sale Volunteers

Food Concession

Choba & Shave Ice

Bon Dance

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Obon & Hatsubon Service

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Rev. Charlene Kihara and Rev. Sol Kalu

Our annual Obon & Hastubon Service held on Sunday, July 6, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by guest speaker Rev. Charlene Kihara of Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. Obon is a time when Buddhists remember those who have left this world before us, with gratitude for enabling us to exist and to encounter the dharma. This was also our Hatsubon Service, for families of those who passed away since the last Obon.

The service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Join us at our Bon Dance in Kailua on Saturday, July 12, 2025. One night only! Visit https://tinyurl.com/bondance2025 or https://windwardbuddhisttemple.org for details.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:12 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:48 - Offering of Flowers & Light

    03:16 - Meditation

    04:11 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:15 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    10:01 - Obon Aspiration

    10:43 - Offering of Incense

    14:20 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 46 in the red service book)

    22:04 - Gatha: Obon, Obon, It's Festival Day (page 148 in Praises of the Buddha)

    24:31 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Charlene Kihara

    40:44 - Gatha: Ondokusan & Gratefulness

    42:59 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:51 - Announcements

    46:39 - July Birthdays

    48:02 - Bon Dance Announcements

    56:29 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    57:34 - July Dharma Service Schedule

    57:42 - 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

July Birthdays & Intergenerational Activity

Building the Yagura for Bon Dance

Mahalo to the members, friends, and family who helped to assemble the yagura (musician's stand) and string the lights in preparation for our Bon Dance in Kailua at Windward Buddhist Temple coming up this Saturday, July 12!

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, June 29, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu.

Rev. Kalu shares the importance of acceptance and going with the flow of life, drawing parallels between Bon Dancing and Buddhist teachings. He highlights how acceptance can lead to serenity and peace, especially in the face of life's challenges. As the local saying in Hawaii goes, "If can, can; if no can, no can."

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

    00:24 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:23 - Meditation

    04:04 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:11 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:44 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:49 - Remembrance

    15:57 - Sutra: Verses Reaffirming the Vows (page 117 in the red service book)

    22:49 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    24:02 - Gatha: At Our Altar (page 22 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:27 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    42:11 - Gatha: Arigatai (page 14 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:28 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    46:20 - Announcements

    52:22 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    53:04 - July Dharma Service Schedule

    53:19 - 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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Dharma Service

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Shirley Yanagisawa & Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, June 22, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Shirley Yangisawa. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Shirley's Dharma Talk reflects on the importance of gratitude for nature, specifically highlighting the roles of honeybees and monarch butterflies in pollination.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:21 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:42 - Meditation

    03:23 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:24 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    11:23 - Recitation: The Creed (page 4 in the red service book)

    12:40 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 178 in Praises of the Buddha)

    15:38 - Dharma Talk: Shirley Yanagisawa

    24:40 - Gatha: Buddha Loves You (page 37 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:00 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    27:53 - Announcements

    31:52 - Bon Dance Announcements

    33:29 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    34:12 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    34:28 - 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

Shirley’s Caterpillars

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Father's Day Dharma Service

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Leslie Yamamoto & Neil Yamamoto

Dharma Service for Sunday, June 15, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Neil Yamamoto. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Neil's Dharma Talk is titled "Flags and our Fathers: Flag Day, Father's Day, and Their Special Meaning."

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:11 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:51 - Meditation

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

    05:37 - Father's Day Aspiration

    06:04 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:27 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    17:30 - Gatha: Hotokesama II (page 93 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:07 - Dharma Talk: Neil Yamamoto

    31:57 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 153 in Praises of the Buddha)

    33:57 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    35:56 - Announcements

    39:44 - Bon Dance Announcements

    45:18 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    46:06 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    46:21 - 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

Temple Clean Up Day