Rev. Sumikawa welcomed the New Year in his Dharma Talk and discussed the importance of making resolutions. Making resolutions means that we recognize the reality of our imperfect selves and are trying to make improvements. We also celebrated January birthdays, including Patsy’s 96th!
After the service, we had an intergenerational craft activity. Chinese New Year is on January 25 and this will be the Year of the Rat, so we made colorful rocking rats.
After our last Sunday service for 2019, we rang the kansho (temple bell) to welcome the New Year 2020. Jyo-ya no Kane (除夜の鐘) is the Japanese tradition of ringing the temple bell 108 times on New Year's Eve.
Our guest speaker for the last Sunday service of the year was Katsumi Takemoto. Katsumi shared her Dharma Talk, “Taking the Time to Tune in One Sound Through Breath in Buddhahood” and she and Rev. Sumikawa performed a meditation accompanied by the shakuhachi.
Rev. Sumikawa returned from his journey abroad to India and gave today’s Dharma Talk. He asked us our response to the question often asked by visitors to Sunday service at our temple, “Your temple is so nice. What do you practice here?” The reality is that the strength of Shin Buddhism is that it’s practiced by ordinary people in every day life.
We also observed our monthly Remembrance Day during today’s service. Mahalo to the many guests who attended today to remember family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of December.
Today we welcomed Rev. David Nakamoto back to Windward Buddhist Temple. Rev. Nakamoto, who retired as our minister in 2017, lead the service and gave today’s Dharma Talk. He shared what he learned from attending Project Dana’s 30th Anniversary event. Mahalo Rev. Nakamoto for visiting us and filling in for Rev. Sumikawa!
We celebrated our December birthdays today. Happy birthday!
Following our Bodhi Day Service, we held our Annual General Membership Meeting. The meeting minutes from last year’s meeting were reviewed and accepted. Treasurer Gerald Matsuda reviewed the Treasurer’s Report and President Prudence Kusano shared the President’s Report.
The Officers and Directors for 2020 were announced and confirmed by the board and membership.
President: Prudence Kusano
Immediate Past President: Dennis Tashiro
Vice-President: Cynthia Rodriguez
Secretary: Joyce Nishita
Treasurer: Gerald Matsuda
Auditor: Joy Nishida
Directors: Dana Arakaki, Jean Fukumoto, Keiji Kukino, Allen Kusano, Ryan Miyamoto, Jennifer Kane
Following the general membership meeting, the annual members’ lunch was held at Yen Yen restaurant in Kailua.
We held our Bodhi Day service today, celebrating the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha under the Bodhi tree.. Rev. Bert Sumikawa gave us a special Bodhi Day Dharma Talk. After the service, we enjoyed a sweet rice porridge, just as the Buddha was offered.
Watch Rev. Sumikawa’s Dharma Talk by clicking on the video below.
Today’s Dharma Talk was given by Shirley Yanagisawa. November is a month of showing gratitude. From Veterans’ Day where we thank our military members for their service to Eitaikyo and, at the end of the month, Thanksgiving. Shirley shared what she’s thankful for, including her family, the sangha, being able to travel, and, most recently, the University of Hawaii Wahine volleyball team.
Jean brought emergency water storage bags, which have been provided by several state and local government agencies and are being distributed through Project Dana.
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