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5th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance Festival

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Mahalo to everyone who came out to the 5th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance Festival in Kaneohe on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The annual festival is a collaboration and partnership between Windward Buddhist Temple, Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, and Windward Mall. The event has also marked the end of the Bon Dance season in Hawaii.

WBT Liaison Minister, Rev. Shingo Furusawa, opened the Bon Dance with the chanting of the San Bu Jo. In addition to dancing around the WBT yagura in Center Court, attendees enjoyed freshly made andagi, takuan, bitter melon namasu, assorted pickled vegetables, manju, nantu (Okinawan mochi), peanut butter balls, and more.

Making Andagi

Behind the scenes with our hard-working andagi crew. Mahalo to the mixers, the packers, the runners, and those who worked tirelessly around the hot woks to prepare the golden brown andagi that's always a bon dance favorite.

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, September 28, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Shingo Furusawa. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Furusawa. His Dharma message is titled, "Our Deceased Loved Ones Are Guiding Us to the Buddha Dharma."

The monthly Remembrance Service is a time to honor family, friends, and even pets who passed away during the month of August or September, 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

    00:25 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    03:10 - Meditation

    03:56 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:02 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    08:51 - Remembrance

    17:12 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    26:19 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    27:15 - Gatha: Becoming Free (page 30 in Praises of the Buddha)

    30:12 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Shingo Furusawa

    45:56 - Gatha: Golden Chain

    47:27 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    49:07 - Announcements

    54:22 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    55:06 - October Schedule

    55:21- How to Donate to WBT with Venmo

  • 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

Watch the Service

6th Annual Ring Your Bell for Peace Day

The 6th Annual "Ring Your Bell for Peace Day" was held on Monday, September 22, 2025. Windward Buddhist Temple was one of the hundreds of individuals and organizations internationally who participated in this annual event over Zoom to celebrate Peace Day. At 9:01 am HST everyone rang their bells continuously for five minutes.

Mahalo to Rene Mansho and the Ring Your Bell for Peace Day committee and Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii for another inspiring event!

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Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Service

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Rev. Alan Urasaki

Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Dharma Service for Sunday, September 14, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by guest minister Rev. Alan Urasaki of Shinshu Kyokai Mission of Hawaii. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Urasaki.

Rev. Urasaki emphasizes the importance of peace, kindness, and interconnectedness, drawing on the teachings of Amida Buddha and the spirit of aloha. He encourages the audience to observe their own hearts with gentleness, let go of attachments, and cultivate inner peace.

Following the service, members went on a walk around Kailua to distribute Peace Day cranes.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:26 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:55 - Offering of Flowers & Light

    03:53 - Meditation

    04:39 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    06:47 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    10:27 - Ohigan Aspiration

    11:17 - Sutra: Sanbutsuge (page 46 in the red service book)

    17:10 - Recitation: Homages (page 2 in the red service book)

    13:36 - Gatha: Shinshu Anthem (page 178 in Praises of the Buddha)

    21:36 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Alan Urasaki

    01:00:09 - Gatha: Arigatai (page 14 in Praises of the Buddha)

    01:02:47 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    01:04:08 - Announcements

    01:13:50 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:14:41 - September Dharma Service Schedule

    01:14:56:28 - 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

Watch the Service

Peace Day Walk Around Kailua

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Dharma Service

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Rev. Shingo Furusawa

Dharma Service for Sunday, September 7, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Shingo Furusawa. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Furusawa. Rev. Furusawa is the Liaison Minister of Windward Buddhist Temple, effective August 1. His Dharma Talk is titled, "Listening."

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    02:44 - Meditation

    03:40 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:54 - Sutra: Gassho to Amida (page 123 in the red service book)

    12:27 - Recitation: Our Pledge

    13:36 - Gatha: Flying Free

    18:26 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Shingo Furusawa

    33:59 - Gatha: Buddha Loves You (page 37 in Praises of the Buddha)

    35:39 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    37:36 - Announcements

    45:50 - August & September Birthdays

    52:12 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    53:13 - September Dharma Service Schedule

    53:28 - 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

Intergenerational Activity

Visit to Aiea Hongwanji Mission

Members of the WBT sangha attended Sunday Dharma Service at Aiea Hongwanji Mission. Mahalo to Rev. Eric Matsumoto for the engaging Dharma Talk about the Three Treasures and the Aiea Hongwanji sangha for your hospitality!

Socializing after the Service

Aloha & Happy Retirement Rev. Sol!

Mahalo and Aloha to Windward Buddhist Temple's Resident Minister, Rev. Sol Kalu, who retires today after 12 years of service to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. The sangha celebrated with Rev. Sol after our Sunday Dharma Service on July 27.

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Remembrance Day Service

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Rev. Sol Kalu

Remembrance Dharma Service for Sunday, July 27, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Kalu. This was Rev. Sol's final service before his retirement from active ministry on July 31, 2025. Aloha and Happy Retirement, Rev. Sol! Mahalo for all you've done for Windward Buddhist Temple and Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

The monthly Remembrance Service 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.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

    00:10 - Ringing of the Kansho (temple bell)

    02:59 - Meditation

    03:40 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:51 - San Bu Jo (page 9 in the red service book)

    09:35 - Remembrance Aspiration

    10:38 - Remembrance

    15:44 - Sutra: Juseige (page 54 in the red service book)

    21:34 - Recitation: The Creed (page 4 in the red service book)

    24:02 - Gatha: Lord Buddha Speaks To Me (page 137 in Praises of the Buddha)

    26:42 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    50:13 - Gatha: Quest of Life (page 164 in Praises of the Buddha)

    52:44 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    54:13 - Announcements

    58:14 - Rev. Sol's Retirement

    01:00:41 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    01:01:04 - Group Photo

    01:01:58 - How to Donate to WBT with Venmo

  • 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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Yoshiko Umitani, Rev. Sol Kalu, & Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani

Dharma Service for Sunday, July 20, 2025 with a Dharma Talk by Rev. Sol Kalu. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service was officiated by Rev. Sol Kalu, WBT's Resident Minister. Rev. Kalu shares the meaning of freedom with the U.S. Independence Day that celebrates political freedom from oppression, but also in the context of freedom from slavery to desires and attachments in Buddhism.

Rev. Kalu also discusses the impermanence of material wealth: Currency is valuable only because of the meaning people assign to it; it can lose value and become worthless, illustrating the impermanence of material things.

Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani and Mrs. Umitani attended today's service to bid aloha to Rev. Kalu, who will be retiring after next week's service.

  • 00:00 - Opening Remarks & Program

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

    03:08 - Meditation

    03:50 - Vandana & Ti-Sarana (page 7 in the red service book)

    05:59 - Sutra: Praises of the Buddha (page 112 in the red service book)

    16:04 - Recitation: Shinshu Pledge II (page 6 in the red service book)

    17:20 - Gatha: Namu Amida Butsu (page 144 in Praises of the Buddha)

    20:13 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Sol Kalu

    40:34 - Gatha: With These Hands (page 216 in Praises of the Buddha)

    42:06 - The Nembutsu (page 145 in Praises of the Buddha)

    44:01 - Announcements

    44:24 - Message from Bishop Umitani

    49:55 - Words of Thanksgiving (page 126 in the red service book)

    50:47 - July 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