Our guest speaker for our Eitaikyo Service was Rev. David Fujimoto. Rev. Fujimoto is the resident minister of Mililani Hongwanji. The Eitaikyo Service is a time to remember all the members who came before us and their many contributions that have allowed us to continue spreading the dharma today.
Watch Rev. Fujimoto’s Eitaikyo Dharma Talk on our YouTube channel below.
For our Fall Ohigan Service, we welcomed guest speaker Rev. Mariko Nishiyama, resident minister of Pearl City Hongwanji. Fall Ohigan marks the change of seasons and Rev. Nishiyama delivered a special Dharma Message in observance of the occasion.
We also tried a couple of new gathas today, accompanied by Rev. Sumikawa and Shirley Yanagisawa on ukulele.
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
At today’s Gotan-e and Family Service, our guest minister was Rev. Satoshi Tomioka who currently is serving as minister of Puna, Pahala and Naalehu Hongwanji Missions on Hawaii island. Gotan-e is to celebrate the birth of Shinran Shonin the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. In his message, Rev. Tomioka said that we must remember Amida Buddha’s compassion and that he embraces each of us just as we are.
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.
Our guest speaker for our Buddha Day Service was Rev. Kazunori Takahashi. Rev. Takahashi is the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s Executive Assistant to Bishop Eric Matsumoto, and has has served at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Kapaa Hongwanji Mission and Lihue Hongwanji Mission.
The hanamido was decorated using donated flowers the day prior temple volunteers. During the service, members and guests poured sweet tea on the statue of the baby Buddha, representing the gentle rain that fell on Lumbini Garden.
We were also fortunate to have Shakuhachi musician Katsumi in attendence, who accompanied Joy, our piano player.
The hanamido, or flower shrine, and the baby Buddha. Members poured sweet tea on the baby Buddha.
We celebrated April birthdays. Happy birthday Prudence, George, and Shirley!
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.
We welcomed back Rev. David Nakamoto as our Nirvana Day guest speaker. Rev. Nakamoto retired last year as Kailua Hongwanji minister.
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.
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.
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