Rev. Sol Kalu

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

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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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Family Dharma Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, June 8, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Rev. Kalu's Dharma Talk is titled, "You Only Live Twice," and he shares his thoughts on a topic many of us avoid, but know will happen to everyone: death.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:14 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:00 - Meditation

    03:43 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:48 - Sutra: Gassho to Amida (page 123 in the red service book)

    12:10 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    13:35 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 164 in Praises of the Buddha)

    16:37 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    38:48 - Gatha: Ondokusan / Gratefulness

    41:17 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    43:12 - Announcements

    46:07 - Bon Dance Announcements

    48:30 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    49:12 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    49:27 - 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

Bingo Sunday

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, April 27, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu discusses the three mirrors of Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and the understanding of one's own faults compared to the faults of others.

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

    00:22 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:08 - Meditation

    03:52 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:12 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:47 - Remembrance Aspiration

    11:31 - Remembrance

    18:25 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    28:33 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    30:05 - Gatha: Children in Japan (page 41 in Praises of the Buddha)

    32:28 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    54:47 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 164 in Praises of the Buddha)

    57:05 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    59:07 - Announcements

    01:04:34 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:05:17 - May Dharma Service Schedule

    01:05:32 - 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

After refreshments, we packed snack bags for the Kailua Service Care event on April 29. WBT one of several organizations in Kailua that participates in this monthly event at Daybreak Church in Kailua.

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Buddha Day / Hanamatsuri Dharma Service

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Cynthia Rodriguez, Prudence Kusano, and Rev. Sol Kalu with the Baby Buddha in Lumbini Garden.

Buddha Day / Hanamatsuri Dharma Service for Sunday, April 13, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by WBT resident minister, Rev. Sol Kalu. In his Dharma Talk, Rev. Kalu discusses the difference between Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha, and Amida Buddha, the main Buddha of reverence in the Jodo Shinshu tradition.

Buddha Day, also known as Hanamatsuri or "flower festival" commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini Garden.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:28 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:07 - Meditation

    03:55 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:00 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:52 - Buddha Day Aspiration

    11:17 - Sutra: Kanmoku-ge & Pouring of Sweet Tea

    26:58 - Gatha: Happy Buddha Day (page 76 in Praises of the Buddha)

    29:55 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    57:45 - Gatha: Softly Blew the Breezes (page 183 in Praises of the Buddha)

    59:20 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    01:00:51 - Announcements

    01:07:27 - April Birthdays

    01:09:43 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:10:33 - April Dharma Service Schedule

    01:10:48 - 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

Bingo & Birthdays

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, March 23, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Kalu shares 8 common misunderstandings about Buddhism.

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

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

    02:54 - Meditation

    03:38 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:42 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:25 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:35 - Remembrance

    13:17 - Sutra: Gassho To Amida (page 123 in the red service book)

    19:40 - Recitation: The Creed

    21:25 - Gatha: At Our Altar (page 22 in Praises of the Buddha)

    23:09 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    46:41 - Gatha: Golden Chain

    48:19 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    50:07 - Announcements

    55:08 - Announcement by Rev. Kalu

    57:02 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    57:46 - April Dharma Service Schedule

    58:01 - 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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Family Dharma Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, March 2, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. Rev. Buddha discusses a frequently asked question about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, "Is Buddha a God?"

Programming note: We had an issue with the primary audio recording for the service. We had to use a backup audio recording, which is not as clear. We found the problem and it should be corrected for next week's service.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:22 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:59 - Meditation

    03:46 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:56 - Sutra: Verses Reaffirming the Vows (page 117 in the red service book)

    12:24 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    13:43 - Gatha: Hotokesama (II) (page 93 in Praises of the Buddha)

    16:38 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    33:35 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 178 in Praises of the Buddha)

    36:14 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    38:16 - Announcements

    44:54 - March Birthdays

    46:34 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    47:24 - March Dharma Service Schedule

    47:39 - 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

Intergenerational Activity: Bubble Painting

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, February 23, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu.

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

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

    02:46 - Meditation

    03:43 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:55 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:26 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:33 - Remembrance

    15:27 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    21:40 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    22:48 - Gatha: Flying Free

    27:23 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    38:43 - Gatha: Ondokusan/Gratefulness

    41:15 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    43:16 - Announcements

    47:37 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    48:16 - March Dharma Service Schedule

    48:31 - 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