Sunday Family Service

Rev. Sumikawa’s Dharma Talk asked the question, “Are Shakyamuni & Shinran’s Teachings the Same?”

We often focus only on Shinran’s (the founder of Jodo Shinshu) teachings. We need to remember that the true founder of Buddhism is Shakyamuni. Although Shinran used terms such as Amida, Pure Land and Nembutsu, Shakyamuni never did. Terminology may be different, but the essence of the teachings are the same. They obtained the same awakening – Shakyamuni: Bodhi and Shinran – Shinjin. They both said that “life is suffering and we need to understand this.” Their universal message was the liberation from suffering.

Scholars agree: Shakyamuni & Shinran had the same teaching – one authentic awakening by experience. They attained it and taught it.

Sunday Family Service & Remembrance Day

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Today’s Dharma Talk was given by Jennifer Kane. For this month’s Remembrance Day, Shirley read the names of family and friends who passed away during the month of September.

Jennifer shared about her life growing up. She remembers that at a young age she argued with her Mother, saying “I’m Japanese” and her Mom said, “no you’re not, you are Jewish and Hawaiian.” Jennifer then replied, “Nope. I know that I am Japanese.” She had Japanese neighbors with a young daughter who was the same age as Jennifer. They played together often and were good friends through their early years.

Jennifer also shared about how she became interested in Buddhism and what led her to become a Windward Buddhist Temple “Sangha family” member. She said that during Oshoko, a “deep sense of love and belonging seems to swirl around with the incense - and this always brings me home.”

Jennifer concluded her message by saying “I can confidently say Namo Amida Butsu and feel great comfort in knowing that it’s not just me saying something but something comes back to me and to everyone.” “It’s not just me calling to Amida Buddha – it’s Amida Buddha calling to me.”

Kailua Peace Day Walk

In celebration of Peace Day, which will be observed this year on Saturday, September 21, members of Windward Buddhist Temple held a Peace Day walk around Kailua. Peace Day cranes, which were folded by members during this month’s First Sunday activity, were shared with businesses and individuals around Kailua to inform them about Peace Day and share a message of peace.

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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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Sunday Family Service & Dharma School

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September marks the end of summer. It’s an exciting time, as it means the start of a new school year for the kids and the beginning of new seasons for UH football and volleyball. Dennis Tashiro shared his thoughts in today’s Dharma Talk.

“So let’s leave Summer behind and move forward by —
Rededicating ourselves to listen to the Dharma
Accepting things and people as they are
Using the right words and actions
Walking in Peace”

WBT Dharma School

As mentioned in this month’s newsletter, today marked the start of a new Dharma School year. Dharma School is held on the second Sunday of the month from September to July. Dharma School teachers Kathi & Annette taught today’s lesson on interdependence.

Dharma School participation is not limited to temple members and their families. We welcome any and all keiki interested in learning the Buddha’s teachings!

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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.