Bon Dance in Kailua 2025

A big mahalo (thank you) to everyone who helped make our 2025 Bon Dance in Kailua a success! 

From the dancers, to the musicians, to those who came to shop or eat or just to watch, we are grateful for all of you joining us in Kailua on Saturday. Celebrating the Obon season every summer with the Windward community is a tradition we are excited and honored to continue. 

To our WBT members, friends, and families who have volunteered countless hours preparing for Saturday -- as well as working throughout the Bon Dance in the Country Market, food concessions, and the Bon Dance itself -- thank you!

We hope you enjoy the remainder of the 2025 Bon Dance season. And mark your calendars for the annual Windward Mall Bon Dance on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Windward Buddhist Temple will again be partnering with Windward Mall and Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji to close out the Bon Dance season.

Country Market & Rummage Sale

Country Market & Rummage Sale Volunteers

Food Concession

Choba & Shave Ice

Bon Dance

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Obon & Hatsubon Service

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Rev. Charlene Kihara and Rev. Sol Kalu

Our annual Obon & Hastubon Service held on Sunday, July 6, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by guest speaker Rev. Charlene Kihara of Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. Obon is a time when Buddhists remember those who have left this world before us, with gratitude for enabling us to exist and to encounter the dharma. This was also our Hatsubon Service, for families of those who passed away since the last Obon.

The service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu at Windward Buddhist Temple in Kailua, Hawaii.

Join us at our Bon Dance in Kailua on Saturday, July 12, 2025. One night only! Visit https://tinyurl.com/bondance2025 or https://windwardbuddhisttemple.org for details.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    02:48 - Offering of Flowers & Light

    03:16 - Meditation

    04:11 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:15 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    10:01 - Obon Aspiration

    10:43 - Offering of Incense

    14:20 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 46 in the red service book)

    22:04 - Gatha: Obon, Obon, It's Festival Day (page 148 in Praises of the Buddha)

    24:31 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Charlene Kihara

    40:44 - Gatha: Ondokusan & Gratefulness

    42:59 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:51 - Announcements

    46:39 - July Birthdays

    48:02 - Bon Dance Announcements

    56:29 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    57:34 - July Dharma Service Schedule

    57:42 - 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

July Birthdays & Intergenerational Activity

Building the Yagura for Bon Dance

Mahalo to the members, friends, and family who helped to assemble the yagura (musician's stand) and string the lights in preparation for our Bon Dance in Kailua at Windward Buddhist Temple coming up this Saturday, July 12!

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, June 29, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu.

Rev. Kalu shares the importance of acceptance and going with the flow of life, drawing parallels between Bon Dancing and Buddhist teachings. He highlights how acceptance can lead to serenity and peace, especially in the face of life's challenges. As the local saying in Hawaii goes, "If can, can; if no can, no can."

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

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:24 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:23 - Meditation

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

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

    09:44 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:49 - Remembrance

    15:57 - Sutra: Verses Reaffirming the Vows (page 117 in the red service book)

    22:49 - Recitation: Golden Chain of Love (page 126 in the red service book)

    24:02 - Gatha: At Our Altar (page 22 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:27 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    42:11 - Gatha: Arigatai (page 14 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:28 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    46:20 - Announcements

    52:22 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    53:04 - July Dharma Service Schedule

    53:19 - 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

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Dharma Service

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Shirley Yanagisawa & Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, June 22, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Shirley Yangisawa. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Shirley's Dharma Talk reflects on the importance of gratitude for nature, specifically highlighting the roles of honeybees and monarch butterflies in pollination.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    02:42 - Meditation

    03:23 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:24 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    11:23 - Recitation: The Creed (page 4 in the red service book)

    12:40 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 178 in Praises of the Buddha)

    15:38 - Dharma Talk: Shirley Yanagisawa

    24:40 - Gatha: Buddha Loves You (page 37 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:00 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    27:53 - Announcements

    31:52 - Bon Dance Announcements

    33:29 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    34:12 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    34:28 - 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

Shirley’s Caterpillars

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Father's Day Dharma Service

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Leslie Yamamoto & Neil Yamamoto

Dharma Service for Sunday, June 15, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Neil Yamamoto. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Neil's Dharma Talk is titled "Flags and our Fathers: Flag Day, Father's Day, and Their Special Meaning."

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:11 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:51 - Meditation

    03:35 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:37 - Father's Day Aspiration

    06:04 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:27 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    17:30 - Gatha: Hotokesama II (page 93 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:07 - Dharma Talk: Neil Yamamoto

    31:57 - Gatha: On This Morn (page 153 in Praises of the Buddha)

    33:57 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    35:56 - Announcements

    39:44 - Bon Dance Announcements

    45:18 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    46:06 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    46:21 - 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

Temple Clean Up Day

Visit to Waimanalo Japanese Cemetery

Windward Buddhist Temple held its annual visit to the Bellows Japanese Cemetery in Waimanalo, where Rev. Sol Kalu performed an Obon service. Access to the cemetery by the public is restricted as it is located on an active military base.

There are a little over 40 grave markers at the cemetery, most erected in the early 1900s. Many are believed to have been connected to the Waimanalo Sugar Plantation, the nearby dairy farm, or Waimanalo Hongwanji.

Mahalo to the Marine Corps for escorting our group to the cemetery.

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Family Dharma Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Dharma Service for Sunday, June 8, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Rev. Kalu's Dharma Talk is titled, "You Only Live Twice," and he shares his thoughts on a topic many of us avoid, but know will happen to everyone: death.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:14 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:00 - Meditation

    03:43 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:48 - Sutra: Gassho to Amida (page 123 in the red service book)

    12:10 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    13:35 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 164 in Praises of the Buddha)

    16:37 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    38:48 - Gatha: Ondokusan / Gratefulness

    41:17 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    43:12 - Announcements

    46:07 - Bon Dance Announcements

    48:30 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    49:12 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    49:27 - 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

Bingo Sunday

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Family Dharma Service

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Dennis Tashiro

Intergenerational Dharma Service for Sunday, June 1, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by WBT President Dennis Tashiro. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Cynthia Rodriguez, a Certified Minister's Lay Assistant (CMLA).

Dennis shares the story "I Am Human. A Book of Empathy" by Susan Verde.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:33 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:06 - Meditation

    03:49 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:58 - Sutra: Twelve Homages (page 120 in the red service book)

    12:56 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge I (page 6 in the red service book)

    13:50 - Gatha: Flying Free

    18:23 - Dharma Talk: Dennis Tashiro

    33:36 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu (page 144 in Praises of the Buddha)

    36:23 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    38:26 - Announcements

    42:05 - Bon Dance Announcements

    45:44 - June Birthdays

    47:37 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    48:27 - June Dharma Service Schedule

    48:42 - 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

Today’s intergenerational activity was decorating summer visors.