special services

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Spring Ohigan Service

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Our guest speaker for our Spring Ohigan Service was Rev. Koen Kikuchi, resident minister of Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji. Watch his Ohigan Dharma Talk below.

COVID-19 Temple Advisory: As Prudence announced at the end of the service, to ensure the health and safety of temple members and guests and help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Windward Buddhist Temple will be suspending all services and activities at the temple from March 16 through April 30, 2020.

Please continue to visit our website as well as follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates. Our YouTube channel will also continue to feature past special services and Dharma Talks.

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Nirvana Day & Pet Memorial Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Rev. Sol Kalu, Associate Minister at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, was our guest speaker for today’s Nirvana Day Service. Nirvana Day commemorates the death of the Buddha and his achievement of Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana.

Watch Rev. Kalu’s educational and informative Dharma Talk about the Buddha’s final days prior to achieving Nirvana below or on our YouTube channel.

Pet Memorial Service

We also held our first pet memorial service at Windward Buddhist Temple. At the beginning of the service, Rev. Sumikawa and Rev. Kalu chanted the Sanbujo. Families were called up individually to offer incense as the names of their departed pets were called.

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Hoonko Service

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Today we observed Hoonko, the memorial service for Jodo Shinshu founder Shinran Shonin. Our guest speaker for our Hoonko Service was Rev. Ryoso Toshima.

Rev. Toshima served as a resident minister at various temples around the state including Hanapepe Hongwanji (Kauai), Honokaa Hongwanji (Big Island), and Waipahu Hongwanji. Following that, he came to the Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin and served as the Rimban (head minister) for many years.

Watch Rev. Toshima’s Hoonko Dharma Talk below.

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Bodhi Day Service

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We held our Bodhi Day service today, celebrating the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha under the Bodhi tree.. Rev. Bert Sumikawa gave us a special Bodhi Day Dharma Talk. After the service, we enjoyed a sweet rice porridge, just as the Buddha was offered.

Watch Rev. Sumikawa’s Dharma Talk by clicking on the video below.

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Eitaikyo Service & Remembrance Day

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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.

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Fall Ohigan Service

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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.

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Obon & Hatsubon Service

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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

Our July birthdays

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Gotan-e Service

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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.

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Eshinni / Kakushinni Day Service with Guest Speaker Mernie Miyasato-Crawford

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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.

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Buddha Day (Hanamatsuri) Service with Guest Speaker Rev. Kazunori Takahashi

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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!