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Sunday Family Service & First Sunday Activity

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Today was our first Sunday service after our summer break in August. Our Dharma Talk was given by our resident minister, Rev. Bert Sumikawa. Rev. Sumikawa spoke about importance of perseverance as well as dukkah, commonly translated as suffering.

As announced in the September newsletter, our monthly First Sunday family activity is back by popular demand. Following this morning’s service, we folded large origami cranes for International Peace Day, which we will observe on September 22, 2019. The cranes will be distributed by our Dharma school students to neighborhood businesses in hopes they will display them as part of International Peace Day.

First Sunday Activity: Peace Day Origami Cranes

Sunday Family Service & Remembrance Day

In our final Sunday Family Service before our summer break, Joy shared a Dharma Talk on the “JOY of Chanting and Music in Shin Buddhism.” Joy shared how chanting and music have an important role in Shin Buddhism, particularly when done as part of a group.

Joy shared a couple of gathas that we may be singing in future Family Services, including “Life in Harmony,” a new gatha composed by BJ Soriano that will be featured at the 16th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in San Francisco in September.

Today was also our Remembrance Day for those who passed in the month of July. There are no Family Services during the month of August. Our next Family Service will be on Sunday, September 1.

Sunday Family Service

As we are in the Obon season, Kuki shared his memories of the late Dorothy Ono and her enormous financial contribution that helped to transform our aging temple into a modern facility that could benefit the larger community. Just prior to her death, she made a decision to leave a large portion of her estate to Kailua Hongwanji, which helped to fund the construction of a new temple structure.

Kuki shared the challenges that were overcome, including having to rezone the property, and the substantial effort that went into building the multipurpose building that we enjoy today. The fruits of that effort were enjoyed by the large crowd that joined us last week for our annual Bon Dance.

To Dorothy and all those who have made Windward Buddhist Temple what it is today, we say okagesamade!

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Bon Dance 2019

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The 2019 Windward Buddhist Temple Bon Dance was held on Saturday, July 13, 2019. We were fortunate to have great weather!

The food concession was a success with andagi selling out by 8:30. Mahalo to the United Jr. YBA of Honolulu for running their shave ice booth and to Mats and Betty Okamoto for donating and manning the plant sale desk.

This year we had a Country Store inside the hall that sold the in demand WBT’s takuan and several varieties of manju, chutney, bittermelon namasu, etc. Minature plants called Kokedama sold well. Gently used books and creative photo cards were also available.

Once again, beautiful, creative ikebana (flower arrangement) were on display by the Ohara School of Ikebana. Members John & Joy Nishida (JT Nish) provided the sound system and set up huge outside speakers. Live music from the Okinawan group, Aiea Taiheiji and Iwakuni groups highlighted the evening’s festivities.

Bon Dance is a large undertaking – Mahalo everyone who helped with this year's Bon Dance and also mahalo to our guests that came to patronize our concession and enjoy the music and danced the night away. See you again next year!

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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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Bon Dance 2019: Building the Yagura

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Mahalo to the friends, family, and members who came out to build the yagura in preparation for our Bon Dance on Saturday, July 13, 2019.

Sunday Family Service

Today’s Dharma Talk was given by Bob Nishita. Bob shared his thoughts on attitude and why it’s important to keep a positive attitude even in the face of adversity. As an example, Bob shared that he had been all set to use the popular Japanese TV show Oshin that’s currently airing on KIKU as the example for his Dharma Talk, but an unexpected shift in the plot derailed its use at the last minute.

Former KHM minister Rev. Sumi visited us today. Rev. Sumi was our resident minister from March 1985 to March 1987.

After today’s service, volunteers stayed behind to help prepare our monthly newsletter, Kalyana Mitra, for mailing.