Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Dharma Service

Riho Umitani, Yoshiko Umitani, Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani, Rev. Barbara Brennan, & Rev. Bert Sumikawa

Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Dharma Service for Sunday, September 17, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Bert Sumikawa at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

This summer, Reverend Toshiyuki Umitani became the 17th Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. WBT (Kailua Hongwanji) was Bishop & Mrs. Umitani’s first assignment as a resident minister (in charge of our temple). We are excited to have Bishop Umitani as our guest speaker for the Autum (Fall) Ohigan & Peace Day service.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    03:57 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:17 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    10:19 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 47 in the red service book)

    18:25 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge - II (page 6 in the red service book)

    19:17 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu (page 104 in Praises of the Buddha)

    21:55 - Dharma Talk: Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani

    41:07 - Gatha: May Peace Prevail

    44:15 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    46:08 - Announcements

    54:50 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    55:48 - September Schedule

    56:02 - 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

Dharma Service for Sunday, September 3, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. For today's intergenerational service, Rev. Brennan shared the book, "Happy Hippo, Angry Duck; A Book of Moods" by Sandra Boynton (https://amzn.to/3R7JcbB).

Like most of the world, we watched in shock and horror as wildfires brought death and devastation to the island of Maui, including much of the historic town of Lahaina.

In the spirit of compassionate action, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii has established the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund. You can support this fund through the following GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/ff77a520

WBT President Dennis Tashiro announced that WBT will be donating the net proceeds from WBT's booth at the upcoming Windward Mall Bon Dance to the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:21 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    02:16 - Meditation

    03:22 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:33 - Sutra: Gassho With Amida

    12:30 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    13:57 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 126 in Praises of the Buddha)

    18:13 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    32:39 - Gatha: Buddha Loves You (page 24 in Praises of the Buddha)

    33:49 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    35:44 - Announcements

    48:51 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    49:42 - September Schedule

    49:56 - 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: Peace Doves

Celebrating Birthdays

August & September birthdays

Maui Wildfires

Over the past several days we have watched in disbelief the devastation caused by the wildfires on Maui. Our hearts go out to the Sangha of Lahaina Hongwanji and to everyone who has been affected by this disaster.

In Our Pledge, Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani encourages us as fellow travelers along the Nembutsu Path to “…share a life of joy and sorrow with others. Just like the Buddha, whose caring heart always embraces us.” This is a time for us to embody Amida Buddha’s compassion by caring for our Sangha and all who are in distress. This is the living Nembutsu that is grounded in our everyday lives.

The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Committee on Social Concerns has created the MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER RELIEF FUND to aid the members of Lahaina Hongwanji and relief efforts on Maui.

How to Contribute

  1. Online at www.hongwanjihawaii.com by clicking on the “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief” button under the “Donate” tab.

  2. Through GoFundMe at the following link: https://gofund.me/ff77a520

  3. Check and cash donations can be sent directly to Hawaii Kyodan Headquarters. Please make check payable to HHMH and in the memo line designate “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief” to ensure proper credit. Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813


August 13, 2023 Update

 Statement regarding the Disaster on Maui from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani:

Visit to Mo'ili'ili Hongwanji

On our first weekend of “summer vacation” we attended Sunday Dharma Service at Mo'ili'ili Hongwanji Mission. Mahalo for having us! A familiar face, Rev. Sumikawa, gave a great Dharma Talk. Rev. Sumikawa is doing double duty as the interim minister at Moiliili and as the oversee minister at WBT.

Family Dharma Service

Dr. Michael Jaffe and Rev. Barbara Brennan

Dharma Service for Sunday, July 30, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by lay speaker and WBT member Dr. Michael Jaffe, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. Mike's Dharma Talk is titled "The Dharma of Dopamine and Desire."

We will observe our annual Summer Break in August. There will be no Dharma Services during the month of August. Sunday Dharma Services at WBT will resume on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:12 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    02:52 - Meditation

    03:42 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:52 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 47 in the red service book)

    14:29 - Recitation: The Creed (Ryogemon)

    16:02 - Gatha: Golden Chain

    18:13 - Dharma Talk: Dr. Michael Jaffe

    40:29 - Gatha: Becoming Free (page 18 in Praises of the Buddha)

    43:09 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    45:19 - Announcements

    54:01 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    55:06 - 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

Remembrance Day Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Remembrance Day Dharma Service for Sunday, July 23, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. Rev. Brennan's Dharma Talk is titled "A Time For Reflection" and she shares the Japanese art of self-reflection called Naikan.

She asks everyone to reflect on three questions:

  1. What have I received from _____?

  2. What have I given to _______?

  3. What troubles and difficulties have I caused __________?

Remembrance Day is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of July, regardless of the year. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist church service was recorded at Windward Buddhist Temple, a Shin Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

After the service, Yi-hsin demonstrated Chinese calligraphy using a brush and ink

After next week's service (July 30, 2023), we will observe our annual Summer Break in August. Sunday Dharma Services at WBT will resume on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    03:01 - Meditation

    03:51 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:11 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    10:42 - Remembrance Day - July

    14:36 - Sutra: Gassho With Amida

    21:59 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    23:14 - Gatha: Arigatai

    26:02 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    39:00 - Gatha: Hotokesama II (page 74 in Praises of the Buddha)

    41:09 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    43:27 - Announcements

    47:39 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    49:06 - July Schedule

    49:19 - 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

Caligraphy Demonstration

Family Dharma Service

Rev. Barbara Brennan

Intergenerational Dharma Service for Sunday, July 16, 2023 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Barbara Brennan, at Windward Buddhist Temple. The service was officiated by Rev. Brennan at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii. 

The first Sunday of the month features an intergenerational Dharma Talk for kids and adults. Rev. Brennan shared the book "Peaceful Piggy Meditation" by Kerry Lee MacLean. 

Dennis also shared a photo slideshow of last week's Bon Dance.

If you'd like to order copy of the book "Peaceful Piggy Meditation," it can be found on Amazon.com here.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:36 - Ringing of the kansho (temple bell)

    03:43 - Meditation

    04:37 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:48 - Sutra: Twelve Homages (page 120 in the red service book)

    14:42 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    16:23 - Gatha: With These Hands (page 174 in Praises of the Buddha)

    18:41 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Barbara Brennan

    31:34 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 119 in Praises of the Buddha)

    33:38 - The Nembutsu (page 135 in the red service book)

    35:58 - Announcements

    37:18 - Bon Dance Slideshow

    42:55 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    43:48 - July Schedule

    44:01 - 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

Playing Bingo