Sunday Family Service

Today’s Dharma Talk was given by Rev. Bert Sumikawa. Rev. Sumikawa described two types of Buddhism. The first one is based on learning the concepts and theories of Buddhism. It’s around studying the teachings objectively. With the second one, Buddhism is about experiencing the teachings subjectively. One’s self is challenged and negated. This is what Shin Buddhists refer to as shinjin.

To put it another way, the first type is like becoming an expert on food by collecting a library of recipes, while the second is about actually preparing those dishes and tasting them.

We celebrated our June birthdays today. Happy birthday Cynthia and Ron!

Sunday Family Service & Remembrance Day

Dr. Michael Jaffe gave today’s Dharma Talk on suffering, both from a Buddhist perspective as well as from a medical standpoint. Dr. Jaffe specializes in pain management and he shared how both Buddhism and medical science can interact in managing suffering.

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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.

Sunday Family Service

For today’s family service, Rev. Sumikawa started by sharing a story, Can I Play Too? by Mo Williams. As today was Mother’s Day, Rev. Sumikawa’s Dharma Talk was about mothers and their unconditional love.

The Dharma School students made flower arrangements using mini vases donated by Irene Nakamoto. After the service, every mother and grandmother were given an arrangement. We also celebrated May birthdays with cupcakes.

Earth Day & Remembrance Day Service

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Today was our Earth Day service, with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Bert Sumikawa. Earlier in the morning, before service, the Dharma School held a beach cleanup activity at Kailua Beach.  

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Dharma School: Earth Day Kailua Beach Clean Up

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Our Dharma School students held an Earth Day beach cleanup activity at Kailua Beach before the Earth Day & Remembrance Day service. The kids, families and friends met at the Kailua beach at 7:30 am. After a brief service led by Rev. Bert Sumikawa, about 16 participants went about picking up buckets of trash. It was a great way to appreciate and protect our environment and potentially save ocean creatures and animals.

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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.