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First Sunday Family Service with Rev. Nagata

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Our guest speaker for our First Sunday Family Service was Rev. Brian Nagata, a director with Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai America. Mahalo for the omiyage -- "Outward wise, inward a fool" pins!

"Pinch hitting" this week for Rev. Umitani was Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki, Buddhist Study Center  Director. Mahalo Rev. Kuniyuki!

Continuing with the celebration of Children's Day in May, today's Family Sunday activities included making paper fish and whales, along with coloring fish cards. 

In addition, members could design their own colorful mugs using hot water and nail polish. 

Children's Day Koinobori

After our Earth Day Sunday Family service, members assembled the koinobori, or "carp streamer" used to celebrate Children's Day on May 5. The koi symbolize strength and determination and are flown in honor of children for a healthy and strong future.

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

Interim Minister Rev. Toshiuki Umitani

Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani has been assigned to serve Kailua Hongwanji Mission (KHM) as an interim minister while Rev. David Nakamoto is on leave. Rev. Umitani is not a stranger to KHM as he served as our resident minister from January 2004 to February 2005. He and his wife Yoshiko lived in our parsonage down the lane next to the temple.

Rev. Umitani is from Hiroshima, Japan. He has an extensive education background which includes Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Central Institute of Buddhism, the Hongwanji Institute of Liturgy and Musahino University. While in Japan, he received his Tokudo Ordination in 1998 followed by a Kyoshi Certification in 2000.

Rev. Umitani arrived in Hawaii in 2001 and began his ministerial duties at the Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin before his KHM assignment. Makawao Hongwanji Mission was his next resident minister assignment. The Umitanis relocated back to Oahu in 2011 when Reverend received his current position of Executive Assistant to the Bishop. He also serves as the Chaplain at the Pacific Buddhist Academy.

On the personal side, Rev. Umitani and Yoshiko have two daughters; Naho (12) and Riho (9). He has a PADI (Professional Assn. of Diving Instructors) Master Scuba Diver License and enjoys taking pictures, watching movies and playing with children.

As noted on our temple calendar, Rev. Umitani will be our speaker twice in the month of April. We encourage everyone to come to temple to meet him! Welcome back sensei! 

For ministerial services, please contact Rev. Umitani at 227-1653 and for all other temple matters continue to contact temple president Dennis Tashiro (226-0339).