A-Hūm:
From Beginning to Ending
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata‘wa’harmony

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

11

November 2019

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii
At Higashi Hongwanji, we remaintrue to our origins as an open Sangha,
welcoming anyone who wishes tolearn more about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
Head Minister: Kenjun Kawawata
Resident Minister: Steven Toyoshima
Minister: Hidesato Kita
Minister: Koen Kikuchi
President: Kenneth Saiki
Secretary: Marian Tsuji
Treasurer: Karen Wong
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
Website: betsuin.hhbt-hi.org
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Missionof Hawaii for its members
and friends. Comments,articles and other items for
publication consideration
are welcomed.
Editor: Ken SaikiNo itinerary for a Japan trip would be completewith a visit to a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine
somewhere. Visitors to old temples and shrines willoften notice a pair of statues at the entrances, one withits mouth open and the other with its mouth closed.
It’s said these statues symbolize truth, wisdom andcompassion. The one on the right has its mouth open,
as if it is uttering an “a” sound, while the other one withthe closed mouth is saying, “un.”Sometimes you’ll see them as menacing wrestler- Rinban Ken Kawawata
like Niō guardian gods such as the ones at famous
Hōryūji in Nara. Or they may be fierce-looking komainu lion-dogs, as iscommonly found at entrances to shrines. In Okinawa you’ll see similarpairs of open- and closed-mouth shisa flanking house gates or on therooftops, placed there to protect homes.
Together these statues represent the beginning and the ending,initially described by the sacred Sanskrit word “a-hūm” and incorporated
into images of open- and closed-mouth Indian deities at temple
entrances.
In Japanese, it’s 阿吽 , or“a-un,” meaning the beginningand ending. The Japanese
a-i-u-e-o alphabet also begins
with あ, or “a” and ends with ん,or “n.” From beginning to end,
it’s a symbol of the universal
truth of impermanence, thebirth and death of all things,
as we are living in this worldof impermanence.
Everything in our lives as
This pair of komainu lion-dogs guard a shrine. human beings—our stories,
experiences, books we’ve readand movies we’ve seen—whether they concern home, work, politics,sports, money, age or sickness, there is a beginning and there is an end.
It’s interesting and fun to hear other people’s stories, mainly
because those stories are not our own realities. We listen intently
to conversations about people developing new relationships whileothers may talk about theirs falling apart. We empathize with thosesharing updates on new aches and pains while others face major
illnesses. Some folks will talk about their luck with slot machines whileothers may not be so lucky and can only lament leaving their money
in Vegas. We often find it quite entertaining to listen to other people’s
petty arguments.
Why are these stories so interesting? That’s mostly because they’re
not our own stories. They’re about the lives of others. But we can seeourselves in their stories.
(cont’d on p. 2)

From Beginning to Ending (cont’d from p. 1)
When we see ourselves in the stories of others andincidents in the world, these stories become theDharma, the teaching. As seekers of our true selves.,
Buddhism is the way to know oneself.
“I am Bombu, an ordinary person.” Shinran Shonin
defined himself as an ordinary person, full of blindpassions while he practiced Buddhism.
He quotes from Shan-tao, the fifth patriarch ofPure Land Buddhism. In The Notes on Once Calling andMany Calling, Shan-tao said:“Foolish being, we are full of ignorance andblind passion. Our desires are countless,and anger, wrath, jealousy and envy are
overwhelming, arising without pause; tothe last moment of life they do not cease ordisappear, or exhaust themselves.”
The cause of our difficulties is our own blindpassions. In Buddhism it’s described as the Three
Poisons: Desire, Anger and Ignorance. This is our ego
self that makes difficulties and hardships in one’s
life and creates trouble between us. We are driven
by this big ego self and bump into each other. Fromhis realization of his own self, Shinran Shōnin called
himself, “Stupid Bald-headed Shinran.”This realization was the core of his selfunderstanding that one’s own self was the evil one
who was the aim of Amida’s compassion,
dependent only on the power of the Dharma.
The power of the Dharma liberates us fromhuman difficulties and shines a beacon of light forthe darkness of our lives.
“As I humbly reflect, Amida’s Prayer
for universal deliverance is beyond myunderstanding. It is the great boat thatcross the ocean of impassability. Amida’s
Light knows no hindrance. Its is the sun oftranscendental wisdom which illumines theignorance.”
From the preface of Kyōgyōshinshō,
by Shinran Shōnin
Shinran is reminding us that life has manydifficulties, just like the rough seas in a storm. While
Shinran tells us that it is even beyond his own
comprehension, Amida’s innermost aspiration, theDharma, is the boat that allows us to navigate therough ocean of impassability.
The Dharma is the light of transcendental wisdomthat illuminates our ignorance and shows us thedirection in our daily lives.			
In gassho,			Rinban Kenjun Kawawata2阿吽河和田賢淳
私どもの生きる世界では、何事にも初めと終わりがあります。この阿吽（あうん）遠いう言葉はインドから来た言葉でサンスクリット語ではオームと言います。インドではこの言葉は神聖な言葉のです。この阿吽、オームは始まりと終わりを表す言葉であり、真理や悟りを表す言葉として使われてきたようです。
日本語のアイウエオは“あ”で始まり“ん”で終わります。“あ”口をあけ発音します。“ん”は口を閉じます。私どものいのちは“あ”で始まり“ん”と口を閉じて終わると言われます。この言葉はまた無常、世界は常に変わる、発生と消滅、誕生と死滅の繰り返しを表した言葉でもあります。
時々観光で古い寺院を訪れますと、仁王像が二体山門におり、右側は口を開け、左側は口を閉じています。
神社では狛犬が置かれ、それもまた右側が口を開け、左側の狛犬は口を閉じています。沖縄のシーサーも同じです。また私どものお寺のお飾りにも同様な様子が見られます。これらは彫刻を見る時すでに普遍的な教えに出会っているのです。“あうん”“オーム”は、この世の中は何事も生と死、出現と消滅を繰り返して動いているのだ、無常世界に生きているのだよという事を教えているのでしょう。世間では毎日色々なことが起こります。人ごととして聞いているときは可笑しくも思えることがたくさんあるのです。しかし一つ一つの出来事を我が内に投影する時、それらの事件から自分の本当の姿が見えてくるのです。
曽我量深という先学は「真宗聖典と新聞の間を生きらたかた。」であっと言われます。お念仏の教えを今生きる世界に聞き続けられ、本当の事、本当の自己を見つめるご人生だったのです。
私どもの仏法聴聞の意味が問われる事です。				
合掌				河和田賢淳

WA NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE BY EMAIL
Here’s a reminder that the monthly Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin newsletter Wa is available
by Earth-friendlier email instead of on paper by regularmail. As a bonus, the electronic version is in color!
To get your newsletter delivered to you in youremail mailbox monthly, call us at 531-9088 or sendan email, subject line “Email Wa,” with your name andaddress to betsuin@hhbt-hi.org.

News on theBetsuin Wireless
三度目の殺人 (さんどめのさつじん)

Betsuin members help Kazue Uechi, Laura Doi & Bill Doi (seated) celebrate at a UJSH luncheon at
JCCH honoring those reaching 80 years of age this year.
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Kimura

80th milestone celebrated at UJSH
Nenchosha Ian Engei Taikai lunch

November movie selection wins
6 Japan Academy Awards in 2018

Betsuin affiliates Kazue Uechi andBill & Laura Doi were recognized andreceived 80th-year birthday gifts
at the United Japanese Society ofHawaii Nenchosha Ian Engei Taikai
luncheon gala at the JCCH Manoa
Grand Ballroom Sept. 28.
Several Betsuin members also
attended to offer their congratulations;some were even part of the formal
program. Rinban Kenjun Kawawata
did the itadakimasu invocation, KenSaiki led a rousing banzai cheer towish prosperity and longevity to all
the honorees, while Atsuko Nonakaand Marion Kanemori performed in
the variety entertainment program.
If you’re celebrating your 80thbirthday next year, please let us know.
We’ll nominate you for an invitation tothe luncheon in September 2020.

Director Hirokazu Koreeda’s
megahit, Shoplifters, earned him
worldwide recognition earlier thisyear, but he had another blockbuster
film last year, The Third Murder, agripping courtroom drama.
The trial was supposed to be anopen-and-shut case. Misumi (KojiYakusho), a convicted murderer,confessed to the killing of his boss formoney and burning his body. His
defense attorney, Shigemori(Masaharu Fukuyama) was tasked
simply to help his client avoid thedeath penalty. While investigating,somehow things don’t seem to addup. Misumi’s statements change eachtime they meet. A weekly magazine
interview of the victim’s wife, Mitsue(Yuki Saito) suggests other motives,
and then there’s the connection withthe victim’s daughter, Sakie (SuzuHirose). As Shigemori explores therelationship, he uncovers a secret...
Winner of six Japan Academy
Awards in 2018, including Best Film,
Best Director/Screenplay/Editor(Koreeda), Best Supporting Actor(Yakusho) and Best Supporting
Actress (Hirose), plus another 21
prestigious Japan film awards andnominations.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Nov. 26,
124 min. Color, Japanese audio,
English subtitles. Admission free.
Light refreshments provided, or bringsomething to share!

Office makeover: Kupuna Aikido andmember volunteers conducted some major
KonMari-style clearing of fixtures and items
no longer needed in the Betsuin office, anda donated sofa adds a welcoming touch.

それは、ありふれた裁判のはずだった。殺人の前科がある三隅(役所広司)
が、解雇された工場の社長を殺し、火をつけた容疑で起訴された。犯行も自供し死刑はほぼ確実。しかし、弁護を担当することになった重盛(福山雅治)
は、なんとか無期懲役に持ちこむため調査を始める。何かが、おかしい。調査を進めるにつれ、重盛の中で違和感が生まれていく。三隅の供述が、会うたびに変わるのだ。金目当ての私欲な殺人のはずが、週刊誌の取材では被害者の妻・美津江(斉藤由貴)に頼まれたと答え、動機さえも二転三転していく。さらには、被害者の娘・咲江(広瀬すず)と三隅の接点が浮かび上がる。重盛がふたりの関係を探っていくうちに、ある秘密に辿り着く...

受賞歴：第41回日本アカデミー賞：最優秀作品賞、最優秀監督賞、最優秀脚本賞、最優秀編集賞（是枝裕和）、最優秀助演男優賞（役所広司）、最優秀助演女優賞（広瀬すず）。第30回日刊スポーツ映画大賞、第42回報知映画賞、第72回毎日映画コンクール：助演男優賞（役所広司)、その他。
公開 : 2017年、カラー、言語 : 日
本語、字幕 : 英語、映時間 : 124
分、10月26日(火)午後6:30時、入場無料。

3

Hawaii Buddhist Council

Bodhi Day Service
Sunday, December 8, 2019 • 9:30 am
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii • 1727 Pali Hwy., Honolulu“Ho'oulu: This Time of Transformation”
Guest speaker: Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer
Associate Professor, UH - West Oahu

Manu Meyer is the fifth daughter of Emma Aluli and Harry Meyer.
She lived beside many cousins on the shores of Mokapu and Kailua
and earned her doctorate from Harvard University in 1998. The AluliMeyer family is dedicated to the advancement of justice, education,health, law, transformative economics, arts education, Aloha ‘Āina,food security, philosophy and Hawaiian music.
Dr. Meyer will be speaking on the Dharma of sustainability, Hawaiian
culture and the radical potential of the Kapu Aloha, called forth fromwithin the Aloha ‘Āina movement on Maunakea.

S P E C I A L E N T E R TA I N M E N T T O F O L LO W D U R I N G R E F R E S H M E N T S		Tinkerbell - popular Japanese handbell and tone chime ensemble		Tatsuya Oikawa and Shoju Aratani - Tsugaru shamisen duo
Sponsored by Marine Village Creation Fund
Supported by Studio Bell Fantasy

What is Bodhi Day?
We celebrate Bodhi Day, when Shakyamuni Buddha attained perfect awakening. In Mahayana Buddhist
tradition, it is said that he attained awakening under a Bodhi tree on December 8 at the age of 35.
The attainment of his awakening took place about 2,500 years ago, and his teachings continue to lead us
to the life of true peace and happiness.
This Bodhi Day service is sponsored by the Hawaii Buddhist Council (HBC), which represents sevendifferent Japanese Buddhist denominations in Hawaii. We are very pleased to celebrate with you one of
the happiest occasions for all human beings.
For more information, please call:
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (808) 531-9088
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (808) 522-9200

4Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Honolulu, HIPermit No. 693

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...
• From Beginning to Ending p. 1
• 阿吽 p. 2• Wa available via email p. 2
• News on the Betsuin Wireless p. 3
• Member 80th celebration p. 3
• KonMari office makeover p. 3
• November movie: The Third Murder p. 3
• Bodhi Day service p. 4
• Acknowledgments p. 5
• November shōtsuki service p. 5
• Temple activities calendar p. 6

Temple Activities Calendar
NOVEMBER

11/3 Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service			 Dharma message: Rinban Kawawata
11/3 Sun 12pm Basic Buddhism discussion in Japanese			 仏教入門（お話と座談会）					 Fukuhara conference room
11/4 Mon 10 am Meditation Sutra study class
11/6 Wed 6 pm Karaoke night at the Betsuin
11/10 Sun 10 am Sunday service			 Dharma message: Rev. Toyoshima
11/11 Mon 12 pm Lunch Bunch at Moanalua 99 Food Court
11/12 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
11/12 Tue 6 pm The Larger Sutra study class			 led by Rinban Kawawata in English
11/17 Sun 10 am Hōonko service at Palolo Hongwanji			 (No service at Betsuin)11/18 Mon 10 am Meditation Sutra study class
11/21 Thu 6 pm Teatime Okō discussion group
11/24 Sun 10 am Sunday service			 Dharma message: Rev. Toyoshima
11/24 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
11/24 Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Folding class
11/26 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
11/26 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Third Murder 三度目の殺人
11/28 Thu 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service

646DECEMBER

12/1 Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service			 Dharma message: Rinban Kawawata
12/1 Sun 12pm Basic Buddhism discussion in Japanese			 仏教入門（お話と座談会）					 Fukuhara conference room
12/4 Wed 6 pm Karaoke night at the Betsuin
12/8 Sun 9:30 am HBC Bodhi Day service			 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii			
1727 Pali Hwy., enter from Lusitana St.			 (No service at Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin)
12/15 Sun 10 am Betsuin Bodhi Day service
12/15 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
12/15 Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Folding class
12/22 Sun 10 am Oosōji year-end temple cleanup
12/22 Sun 11:30am Ehime Maru Memorial cleaning			 Kakaako Waterfront Park			
followed by short service & potluck lunch
12/28 Sat 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
12/29 Sun 10 am Mochi pounding at Otani Center			 Fukuhara conference room			 (no service at Betsuin)
12/31 Tue 5:30 pm Jōya-e New Year’s Eve service			 Bell-tolling 108 times & toshikoshi soba
1/1 Wed 10 am Shūsō-e New Year Day service			 Ozōni served after service

Everyone is welcome to join the morning chanting held at 7 am daily (except on Sundays & the 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin main hall.