family service

Sunday Family Service (Earth Day)

We celebrated Earth Day at our April 30 Sunday Family Service. Rev. Umitani's Dharma Talk was about symbiotic relationships, such as that of the Nile crocodile and the Egyptian Plover, and shared the Hongwanji Legislative Assembly's "Green Hongwanji" proclamation. At the 2017 Legislative Assembly, all temples were asked to complete the first Green Hongwanji Survey. 

As part of the effort to be more green, members are being asked to bring reusable utensils for refreshments after the Sunday service instead of throwing away plastic forks and paper cups. Reusable bamboo chopsticks and utensil sets were on sale, as well as uniquely decorated nail polish art mugs.

In addition, Prudence prepared a spray bottle for each family to take home with an Earth-friendly all-purpose household cleaner made without chemicals.

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Eshinni Day Service with Rev. Brennan

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Our Guest Speaker for today's Eshinni Day Service was Rev. Barbara Brennan. On Eshinni Day, we honor Eshinni-sama, the wife of Jodo Shinshu founder Shinran Shonin. 

Guest Speaker Barbara Brennan

Barbara Brennan is originally from Mesa, Arizona.  She received her Bachelors degree from the University of Arizona in Asian Studies and a Masters in American Studies from the University of Hawaii. Shereceived certification as a dental hygienist from which she retired in 2010.

Barbara grew up in a Jodo Shinshu family and was active in the Arizona Buddhist Temple.  She moved to Hawaii almost 50 years ago and joined the Hawaii Betsuin. Barbara is married to Barry Brennan and has two children and two grandsons.

In July 2016 she attended the Tokudo training session in Kyoto, Japan which has given her the opportunity to serve the Temple in many new ways. She is on the Kyodan's Compassionate Care committee with a focus on serving the elderly through Project Dana. She recently implemented a Buddhist discussion group series at a senior residence in Honolulu. After Tokudo she has enjoyed sharing her history and experiences with others.

Sunday Family Service

Bob Nishita's Dharma Talk was a message of change and thinking outside of the box. Jennifer Kane made her M.C. debut. After refreshments, the kids had a candy-filled egg hunt. And our food drive resulted in two full boxes of can goods and dry foods for the Hawaii Foodbank.

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Buddha Day (Hanamatsuri) Service

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We celebrated Buddha Day, or Hanamatsuri, at our April 9th Sunday Family service at Kailua Hongwanji. Hanamatsuri occurs on April 8 and marks the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha around 2,500 years ago. It is said that sweet rain fell when he was born, so sweet tea was poured over the statue of baby Buddha. The hanamido was decorated by KHBWA the day before.

Rev. Umitani gave today's Hanamatsuri Dharma Talk, showing us how distance challenges our relationships (left side, with "me" in the center) and how the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha connect to ease those challanges (right side).

We also had a birthday in our Sangha to celebrate. Happy birthday Monte!

Rev. Umitani introduced has family. From left to right, his daughters Riho and Naho, and his wife Yoshiko. Eldest daughter Naho was born while Rev. Umitani was serving as Kailua Hongwanji's resident minister.

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First Sunday Family Service with Rev. Kaufmann

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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

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.