New Year's Eve 2022 Bell Ringing (Joya-no-Kane)

We gathered on New Year's Eve for Joya-no-Kane at the temple. Joya-no-Kane is the customary ringing of the temple bell 108 times on New Year's Eve.

Why 108 times? It signifies the 108 worldly desires that we have and need to cleanse ourselves of as we enter the new year.

, ,

Remembrance Day Service

, ,

Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa & Rev. Barbara Brennan

Remembrance Day Dharma Service for Sunday, December 18, 2022 with Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa at Windward Buddhist Temple. Rev. Sumikawa discusses the meaning of Christmas, shares a book, "The Peace Book" by Todd Parr, and performs the rap "Shinran, Baby, He Broke the Rules" that he and Dr. George Tanabe originally performed years ago.

Remembrance Day is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of December, regardless of the year.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:22 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    02:57 - Meditation

    04:15 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:28 - San Bu Jo & Aspiration

    10:13 - Remembrance Day

    19:10 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    29:20 - Recitation: Our Pledge

    30:46 - Gatha: Ondokusan II & Gratefulness

    33:49 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

    56:29 - Shinran, Baby, He Broke the Rules Rap

    01:00:49 - Gatha: The Wondrous Gift of Peace (page 176 in Praises of the Buddha)

    01:02:50 - The Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

    01:05:21 - Announcements

    01:09:35 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:10:52 - January Schedule

    01:11:00 - Support WBT with AmazonSmile

    01:11:11 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

2023 - 2024 Board of Directors & Officers

At the General Membership Meeting on December 11, 2022, the Windward Buddhist Temple Board of Directors and Officers for 2023 through 2024 were confirmed.

President: Dennis Tashiro

Vice-President: Cynthia Rodriguez

Secretary: Joy Nishida

Treasurer: Gerald Matsuda

Auditor: Roy Miyamoto

Past President: Prudence Kusano

Directors:

  • Dana Arakaki

  • Keiji Kukino

  • Allen Kusano

  • Ryan Miyamoto

  • Joyce Nishita

  • Neil Yamamoto

Mahalo

Mahalo to Prudence Kusano, who served consecutive terms as President from 2018 through 2022, helping see us through the pandemic. Prudence will continue on the Board as Past President.

Also mahalo to Shirley Yanagisawa, who decided not to continue as a Board member for another term. Finally, thank you to Joyce Nishita, who has served as Board secretary for over 20 years. She is continuing as a Director on the Board for the next term.

, ,

Bodhi Day Service

, ,

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Bodhi Day Dharma Service for Sunday, December 11, 2022 with Rev. Barbara Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple. Bodhi Day, on December 8, is the date of the attainment of perfect awakening by Shakyamuni Buddha.

The service was followed by our annual General Membership Meeting, installation of the 2023-24 Board of Directors and Officers, and a recognition luncheon for Rev. Bert Sumikawa, whose last day as our resident minister will be December 31, 2022. Rev. Sumikawa will continue to be connected to Windward Buddhist Temple, however, as the oversee minister, working with Rev. Barbara Brennan.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:16 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    02:41 - Offering of Flowers & Light

    03:31 - Meditation

    04:28 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:44 - Recitation: Loving Kindness Metta

    08:36 - San Bu Jo & Aspiration

    12:38 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 46 in the red service book)

    20:43 - Gatha: The Bodhi Day (page 20 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:38 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    36:44 - Gatha: At Our Altar (page 16 in Praises of the Buddha)

    38:45 - The Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

    42:00 - Announcements

    42:53 - December Birthdays

    47:43 - December Schedule

    47:54 - Support WBT with AmazonSmile

    48:04 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

General Membership Meeting & Luncheon

A Message from President Prudence Kusano

December 31, 2022 will be my last day as the President of Windward Buddhist Temple. It has been a challenging and rewarding five years.

I began my first term in 2018 as we welcomed many people to join us at the temple’s 50th anniversary service and luncheon. We had a new name: Windward Buddhist Temple. This gave the Sangha a boost of energy as we embarked on new activities at the temple and more people began to attend Sunday services. It was not unusual to have 50 people on Sundays enjoying the Dharma together.

Then came March 15, 2020, with the country and city closing any large gathering in its effort to contain the spread of COVID. As Buddhists, we braved the pandemic knowing that nothing is permanent—even the pandemic. If we keep a positive attitude and challenge ourselves to find ways to continue sharing the Dharma, time will pass and so will COVID.

We adopted the government guidelines to keep ourselves safe. Many of us learned new things such as using Zoom on the computer for WBT Board meetings and to participate in virtual Buddhist education sessions. We began to video tape weekly services and share them through YouTube. This allowed us to reach many members, former members, friends, and relatives who do not live in Hawaii as they accessed services from the safety of their homes. We reached people who are now active members of the temple, all because we continued our work to spread the Dharma, in any way we could.

Although my term as President would have ended in December 2020, I agreed to do another term to see WBT through the pandemic with hopes that by the end of 2022 the pandemic would end and WBT could return to “normal”. Although COVID is still evolving and challenging the drug companies to develop new drugs, our Sangha has been back to live services for almost a year which is as close to “normal” for now. (There are 40+ participants at Sunday services!)

I am grateful to my predecessors who kept this temple relevant for its members; to those who educated and supported me in learning about and growing into the role as President; to the dedicated Board and Committee members; and to the many volunteers who work together to make WBT a thriving, warm, welcoming place. To all the people who let me walk along with you on this Nembutsu path, thank you for making the past 5 years memorable ones.

— Prudence Kusano

, ,

Remembrance Day Service

, ,

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Remembrance Day Dharma Service for Sunday, November 27, 2022 with Rev. Barbara Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple. The subject of Rev. Brennan's Dharma Talk was "Being Grateful."

Remembrance Day is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of November, regardless of the year.

The service was followed by a breakfast cooked and served by the Jr. YBA.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:29 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    03:13 - Meditation

    04:25 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:43 - San Bu Jo & Aspiration

    11:37 - Remembrance Day

    15:14 - Sutra: Verses Reaffirming the Vows (page 117 in the red service book)

    21:46 - Recitation: Our Pledge

    22:55 - Gatha: Hotokesama II (page 74 in Praises of the Buddha)

    25:46 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    40:04 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 126 in Praises of the Buddha)

    42:36 - The Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:17 - Announcements

    50:07 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    51:01 - December Schedule

    51:12 - Support WBT with AmazonSmile

    51:21 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

Breakfast by the Jr. YBA

,

Family Dharma Service

,

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dharma Service for Sunday, November 20, 2022 with a Dharma Talk, "The Worst Day Ever," by Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa at Windward Buddhist Temple. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:17 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    03:13 - Meditation

    04:30 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:51 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    12:54 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    14:00 - Gatha: Listen To His Voice (page 92 in Praises of the Buddha)

    16:39 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Dr. Bert Sumikawa

    40:11 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 119 in Praises of the Buddha)

    42:13 - The Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

    43:18 - Closing Aspiration

    44:03 - Announcements

    47:16 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    48:09 - November Schedule

    48:21 - Support WBT with AmazonSmile

    48:30 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

Pop-Up Country Market

, ,

Eitaikyo Service

, ,

Rev. Barbara Brennan, Rev. Kojun Hashimoto, & Rev. Bert Sumikawa

Eitaikyo Dharma Service for Sunday, November 13, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Kojun Hashimoto, "Will Listening to Buddhism Make You Happy?" at Windward Buddhist Temple. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Rev. Kojun Hashimoto is the resident minister at Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission. He hails from Shiga Prefecture in Japan and has held previous assignments at Hawaii Betsuin on Oahu and West Kauai Hongwanji on Kauai.

Etaikyo is a special service where we remember all those who came before us at our temple who have helped to propagate the Dharma, and, in doing so, have ensured that others are able to do so in the future as well.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:16 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    02:38 - Presentation of Flowers & Light

    03:30 - Meditation

    04:14 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:22 - Eitaikyo Aspiration

    10:30 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    19:57 - Recitation: The Creed II (page 4 in the red service book)

    21:17 - Gatha: Arigatai

    24:04 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Kojun Hashimoto

    45:22 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 104 in Praises of the Buddha)

    48:09 - The Nembutsu (page 147 in Praises of the Buddha)

    49:12 - Closing Aspiration

    50:13 - Announcements

    53:35 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    54:23 - November Schedule

    54:33 - Support WBT with AmazonSmile

    54:43 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

,

Intergenerational Dharma Service

,

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Intergenerational & Veterans Day Dharma Service for Sunday, November 6, 2022 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Welcome to Rev. Barbara Brennan, Kaikyoshi-ho minister at Windward Buddhist Temple effective November 1, 2022. Rev. Brennan is originally from Mesa, Arizona, where she grew up in a Jodo Shinshu household. The Ishikawa family has a long history in Mesa, and Ishikawa Elementary in Mesa is named in honor of her uncle Zedo Ishikawa, a promising Mesa High senior who passed away in 1932 due to a tragic gun accident. In today's Dharma message, Rev. Brennan shares the karmic conditions that lead her to Hawaii to carry on the Nembutsu life.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:15 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    02:52 - Meditation

    04:06 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:20 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 46 in the red service book)

    13:53 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    15:23 - Gatha: Buddha Loves You (page 24 in Praises of the Buddha)

    16:57 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    33:14 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu I (page 104 in Praises of the Buddha)

    35:42 - The Nembutsu (page 107 in Praises of the Buddha)

    36:50 - Closing Aspiration

    37:42 - Announcements

    47:55 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    48:44 - November Schedule

    48:54 - Support WBT with AmazonSmile

    49:04 - How to Donate to WBT

  • We are now able to accept secure online donations using PayPal or a credit card. Please visit our Donation page for instructions or scan the QR code in the video.Item description

  • Download the Jodo Shinshu Service Book (the "red service book"): https://tinyurl.com/GetServiceBook

Intergenerational Activity: Thankful Tree