special services

Nirvana Day Dharma Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan, Rev. Satoshi Kaʻimipono Tomioka, & Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

Nirvana Day Dharma Service for Sunday, February 19, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Satoshi Kaʻimipono Tomioka at Windward Buddhist Temple. Rev. Tomioka is the resident minister of Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on the Big Island and also oversees Pahala and Naalehu Hongwanji temples.

Nirvana Day commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) passing into complete Nirvana, leaving behind his earthly form.

Socializing After Service

Dana Day & Pet Memorial Dharma Service

Sharyn Sekine & Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dana Day & Pet Memorial Dharma Service for Sunday, February 12, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Sharyn Sekine at Windward Buddhist Temple. Sharyn is a Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin board member and is active with the Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA) serving in multiple leadership roles. Sharyn gave a wonderful Dharma Talk sharing examples of dana, or "selfless giving."

Today was also our annual Pet Memorial Remembrance Service. Pets provide us with selfless giving with their unconditional love and companionship. A loss of a family pet is often our first encounter with mortality as children.

Visitors from Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin

Junior YBA officers, Rev. Brennan, & advisor Joy Nishida

Bingo Sunday

Hoonko Service

Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

Hoonko Service for Sunday, January 22, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa at Windward Buddhist Temple. The Hoonko Service is the memorial service of Jodo Shinshu founder, Shinran Shonin, who passed away on January 16, 1263.

Eitaikyo Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan, Rev. Kojun Hashimoto, & Rev. Bert Sumikawa

Eitaikyo Dharma Service for Sunday, November 13, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Kojun Hashimoto, "Will Listening to Buddhism Make You Happy?" at Windward Buddhist Temple. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Rev. Kojun Hashimoto is the resident minister at Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission. He hails from Shiga Prefecture in Japan and has held previous assignments at Hawaii Betsuin on Oahu and West Kauai Hongwanji on Kauai.

Etaikyo is a special service where we remember all those who came before us at our temple who have helped to propagate the Dharma, and, in doing so, have ensured that others are able to do so in the future as well.

Autumn Ohigan & Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Daido Baba & Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

Autumn Ohigan & Remembrance Day Dharma Service for Sunday, September 25, 2022 with Rev. Daido Baba at Windward Buddhist Temple. Remembrance Day is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of August and September, regardless of the year.

This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Obon & Hatsubon Service

Rev. Jan Youth & Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

Obon and Hatsubon Service for Sunday, July 3, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Jan Youth at Windward Buddhist Temple. Rev. Youth's Dharma Talk focuses on the nature of Buddhism and the concept of impermanence.

This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Eshinni & Kakushinni Day Service

Rev. Kumika Soga & Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

Eshinni & Kakushinni Day Service for Sunday, April 17, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Kumika Soga at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Each year, a special service is held in honor of Eshinni, the wife of Jodo Shinshu founder, Shinran Shonin, and their youngest daughter, Kakushinni. We honor Eshinni and her dedication to Shinran. We rejoice in the memory of Shinran’s daughter Kakushinni because had it not been for her, his teaching might not be available for us.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

  • 00:21 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

  • 02:33 - Meditation

  • 04:03 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

  • 06:16 - Eshinni & Kakushinni Day Aspiration

  • 07:46 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 47 in the red service book)

  • 15:30 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 119 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 20:58 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Kumika Soga

  • 50:16 - Gatha: With These Hands (page 174 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 52:02 - Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 53:14 - Closing Aspiration

  • 54:01 - Announcements

Buddha Day Service

Rev. Irene Nakamoto & Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

Buddha Day / Hana Matsuri Service for Sunday, April 10, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Irene Nakamoto at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Buddha Day, also known as Hana Matsuri, commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini Garden. This is a recording of the complete Buddha Day service, including the pouring of sweet tea over the Baby Buddha and Rev. Nakamoto's Dharma message.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

  • 00:28 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

  • 02:34 - Meditation

  • 03:39 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

  • 06:01 - Buddha Day Aspiration

  • 07:11 - Sutra: Kanmoku-ge & Pouring of Sweet Tea

  • 18:59 - Gatha: Happy Buddha Day (page 56 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 21:19 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Irene Nakamoto

  • 52:52 - Gatha: Floral Festival (page 46 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 55:32 - Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 56:43 - Closing Aspiration

  • 57:35 - Announcements

Hoonko Service

Rev. Kerry Kiyohara

Hoonko Service for Sunday, January 16, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Kerry Kiyohara at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. Rev. Kiyohara, our guest speaker, is the resident minister of Makawao Buddhist Temple on the island of Maui.

The Hoonko service is the memorial service of our founder, Shinran Shonin.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

  • 00:27 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

  • 03:36 - Meditation

  • 04:57 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

  • 07:26 - Sanbujo

  • 11:05 - Hoonko Aspiration

  • 12:01 - Sutra: Shoshinge (page 11 in the red service book)

  • 26:00 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 147 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 29:03 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Kerry Kiyohara

  • 01:04:23 - Gatha: Ondokusan

  • 01:07:11 - Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

  • 01:08:25 - Closing Aspiration

  • 01:09:08 - Announcements