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Intergenerational Dharma Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dharma Service for Sunday, October 1, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. For today's intergenerational service, Rev. Brennan shared the book, "Stone Soup," by Jon J. Muth. This adaptation of the European folk story is set in China and tells the story of three Buddhist monks who travel to a village.

Intergenerational Activity

Celebrating Birthdays

Family Dharma Service

Prudence Kusano

Dharma Service for Sunday, September 24, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Lay speaker Prudence Kusano at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was also officiated by Prudence, a Certified Minister's Lay Assistant, at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. 

As part of her Dharma Talk, Prudence shared a video from the 2023 Nembutsu Seminar by the Honpa Hongwanji Honolulu & Oahu Districts Buddhist Education Committee. "A Profound Silence" is a short film produced by Gardena Buddhist Church Ichi-Mi that features Jodo Shinshu Buddhist voices from the LGBTQ+ community, family and allies. 

Please watch "A Profound Silence" here:

You can also watch the recording of the 2023 Nembutsu Seminar here:

Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Dharma Service

Riho Umitani, Yoshiko Umitani, Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani, Rev. Barbara Brennan, & Rev. Bert Sumikawa

Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Dharma Service for Sunday, September 17, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Bert Sumikawa at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

This summer, Reverend Toshiyuki Umitani became the 17th Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. WBT (Kailua Hongwanji) was Bishop & Mrs. Umitani’s first assignment as a resident minister (in charge of our temple). We are excited to have Bishop Umitani as our guest speaker for the Autum (Fall) Ohigan & Peace Day service.

Intergenerational Dharma Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dharma Service for Sunday, September 3, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. For today's intergenerational service, Rev. Brennan shared the book, "Happy Hippo, Angry Duck; A Book of Moods" by Sandra Boynton (https://amzn.to/3R7JcbB).

Like most of the world, we watched in shock and horror as wildfires brought death and devastation to the island of Maui, including much of the historic town of Lahaina.

In the spirit of compassionate action, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii has established the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund. You can support this fund through the following GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/ff77a520

WBT President Dennis Tashiro announced that WBT will be donating the net proceeds from WBT's booth at the upcoming Windward Mall Bon Dance to the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund.

Intergenerational Activity: Peace Doves

Celebrating Birthdays

August & September birthdays

Family Dharma Service

Dr. Michael Jaffe and Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dharma Service for Sunday, July 30, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by lay speaker and WBT member Dr. Michael Jaffe, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. Mike's Dharma Talk is titled "The Dharma of Dopamine and Desire."

We will observe our annual Summer Break in August. There will be no Dharma Services during the month of August. Sunday Dharma Services at WBT will resume on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Remembrance Day Dharma Service for Sunday, July 23, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. Rev. Brennan's Dharma Talk is titled "A Time For Reflection" and she shares the Japanese art of self-reflection called Naikan.

She asks everyone to reflect on three questions:

  1. What have I received from _____?

  2. What have I given to _______?

  3. What troubles and difficulties have I caused __________?

Remembrance Day 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.

After the service, Yi-hsin demonstrated Chinese calligraphy using a brush and ink

After next week's service (July 30, 2023), we will observe our annual Summer Break in August. Sunday Dharma Services at WBT will resume on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

Caligraphy Demonstration

Family Dharma Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Intergenerational Dharma Service for Sunday, July 16, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. 

The first Sunday of the month features an intergenerational Dharma Talk for kids and adults. Rev. Brennan shared the book "Peaceful Piggy Meditation" by Kerry Lee MacLean. 

Dennis also shared a photo slideshow of last week's Bon Dance.

If you'd like to order copy of the book "Peaceful Piggy Meditation," it can be found on Amazon.com here.

Playing Bingo

Obon & Hatsubon Service

Rev. Bert Sumikawa

Our annual Obon & Hastubon Service held on Sunday, July 2, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Bert Sumikawa, at Windward Buddhist Temple. 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. It was also our Hatsubon Service, for families of those who passed away since the last Obon. 

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

July Birthdays

Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Remembrance Day Dharma Service for Sunday, June 25, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan, at Windward Buddhist Temple. As part of her continuing explanation of the elements of a Jodo Shinshu altar, Rev. Brennan shares the 7 Patriarchs of Jodo Shinshu, who are depicted on a scroll in the altar. From India: Nagarjuna, Vasabandhu; China: T’an Luan (Donran), Tao ch’o (Doshaku) and Shan Tao (Zendo); and Japan: Genshin and Honen

Remembrance Day 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.

Father's Day & Juneteenth Dharma Service

Bob Nishita

Father's Day and Juneteenth Dharma Service for Sunday, June 11, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Lay Speaker Bob Nishita, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. Rev. Brennan starts off the service with a brief discussion about the observance of Juneteenth and its importance.

After the service, Rev. Bert Sumikawa shared the history of the Buddhist flag that he received on his trip to India a few years ago. This was followed by the raising of the Buddhist flag on our new flagpole.

FLying the Buddhist Flag

Myles Yamamoto, Neil Yamamoto, Rev. Bert Sumikawa, & Rev. Barbara Brennan