Awakening &Shinjin Awareness‘wa’Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

harmony

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

12

December 2018

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii
At Higashi Hongwanji, we remaintrue to our origins
as an open Sangha, welcoming
anyone who wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata
Rev. Koen Kikuchi
Rev. Hidesato Kita
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
Asst. Sec’y & Auditor: Ken Saiki1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
Website: betsuin.hhbt-hi.org
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 Saiki

From this quote from Shoshin-ge, by Shinran Shonin, we can see theuniqueness of Jodo Shinshu:
When the one thought-moment of joy arises,
Nirvana is attained without severing blind passions;
When ignorant and wise, even grave offenders and slanders of the dharma,
all alike turn and enter shinjin,
They are like waters that, on entering the ocean, become one in taste with it.
Shinran Shonin understood that when themoment of rejoicing with shinjin awareness—the deep
understanding of Buddha’s wisdom and compassion—
happens within us, we attain Nirvana, the state ofcalmness, without shedding our blind passion.
The goal of general Buddhism is severing blindpassion, attaining the state of Nirvana and becoming abuddha, or awakened one. “Nirvana” is a Sanskrit term,
which literally means “extinguishing.” The word is derived
from a verb meaning “to become cool,” or “to blow out,”
Rinban Ken Kawawata
as in the extinguishing of a candle. Our goal as Buddhists
therefore is “blowing out” our blind passions and becoming buddhas.
In Buddhism, this blind passion, called “bonno” in Japanese, has two
aspects:
1) The anxieties (anxiousness) of the physical body, which are hunger, thirst,
and sense of hot and cold, fear of killing (murder) and inflicting harm.
2) The anguish (agony) of the mind, which includes greed, anger, wrath,foolishness. These are called the three poisons. Jealousy, envy, conceit,arrogance, doubt, prejudice (wrong view) are also problems of the mind.
This anguish comes from our ego and self-centeredness that is at thecore of our value system and priorities. We are always thinking, “Will thisbe a profit or loss for me or not?” We are always in anguish about humanrelations in our society.
In Buddhism, a person who has this blind passion is called bombu.
Shinran Shonin said in his essay, “Notes on Once-calling and Many-calling,”“we are full of ignorance and blind passion, ‘bombu.’ Our desires are countless,and anger, wrath, jealousy, and envy are overwhelming, arising without pause;(cont’d on p. 2)

慶喜人となる
河和田賢淳
よく仏教は難しくてわからない。キリスト教や他の宗教の方が分かりやすいと言われます。本当にそうなのでしょうか。頭で理解できないことに私どもは不満を感じます。
しかし仏教にはまた異なったアプローチもあるのです。
浄土真宗では法を聴聞し慶ばれる方を慶喜人ともうします。この慶喜人となること、(次のページに続く)

Awakening & Shinjin Awareness (cont’d from p. 1)
to the very last moment of life they do not cease, ordisappear, or exhaust.” Shinran pointed out the essence ofa foolish being, which is ignorance and blind passion. Thisis human nature.
Shnran Shonin found out this answer from TheLarger Sutra.
Buddha said, “If you hear the Dharma and able to keep
it in mind, examine it with reverence and wisdom andgreat joy; then you will be my good friend.
You should resolve, therefore, to follow the way.” (FromThe Larger Sutra)
So Buddha said that if you become a person who
listens to the teachings and keep it in your mind, andrespect it and have the great joy to listening the Dhrama.
you will be a good friend of the Buddha. In other words,
you are a Dharma friend of the Buddha. Your being
becomes the same quality as the Buddha’s life.
And Shinran Shonin expressed his understanding of
his thought in Shoshinge.
“All foolish being, whether good or evil,
When they hear and entrust to Amida’s universal vow,
Are praised by the Buddha as people of vast and excellent
understanding;
Such a person is called a pure white lotus.”
So Shinran Shonin thought that even though foolishbeings like us could attain or (have) the state of Nirvana bylistening to and entrusting in the Buddha Dharma.
He said, “Such a person is called a pure white lotus.”
A white lotus is symbolized as the awakening orenlightenment, Nirvana in Buddhism.
At long last he reached his final answer that people
who recite the Nenbutsu have the same quality as theBuddha.
So as Shinshu Buddhists, it is important to become aperson who listens to the Dharma in our daily lives.
In gassho
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

慶喜人となる (前ページより続く)法を聞いて慶ぶ人なることが、私どもにとって最も簡単な仏教を実践し、教えにうなずくことができる道でありましょう。
お釈迦様は無量寿経の中で東方偈
人，信慧（まことの智慧）あること難し、もし聞けば精進（努力して、初心を常に忘れないで）して求めよ。
法を聞きてよく忘れず、見て敬い得て大きに慶べば、すなわち我が良き親友（しんぬ）なり、このゆえにまさに心を発（おこ）すべし。
人が真の智慧を持つ事はとても難しい、もし仏法を聞く事ができたら、努力して聴き求めなさい。
法を聞きてよく忘れず、見て敬って心より慶ぶ人は、すなわち私の良き親友である。私と同等の者であるといわれた。仏様といっしょである。
そして、たとえ世界に満てらん火をも、必ず過ぎて求めて法を聞けば、かならず仏道を成ずべし、広く生死の流れを度せん。
煩悩に満ちた世界、苦しい人生を歩むとも、法を聴き求めて行けば、必ず仏と成る道が開け、迷いの岸から悟りの岸へ渡ことができる。と言われています。
私ども人生は決して楽しい事だけでは人生ではありません。多くの困難な事、悲しみや、苦しみがある人生でありましょう。しかし法を聞き続け、仏道を歩み、迷いの世界から目覚め、法の世界にいきる。すなわちお念仏生活をすることがすなわち仏の目を持ち真実に目覚めて生きてゆくことができる。そこに教えにあった喜びと生の喜びを見いだすことができる。そのような人を慶喜人というのです。
また観無量寿経にもし念仏する者は、当に知るべし、この人はこれ人中の分陀利華なり。観世音菩薩・大勢至菩薩、その勝友と為りたまう。当に道場に坐して、諸仏の家に生ずべし。」仏、阿難に告げたまわ
く、「汝好くこの語を持て。この語を持てというは、すなわちこれ無量寿仏の名を持てとなり。」
お念仏する者は白い蓮の花である。菩薩の勝れた友達である。
だから道を求め、仏の家にうまれなさい。そして南無阿弥陀仏を保ちなさいといわれています。
ですから仏教は理解する教えでなく、私どもの仏道とは念仏する者、仏法を聞き慶ぶ者となる事だと教えられます。
南無阿弥陀仏。
合掌河和田賢淳

Hawaii Buddhist Council

Bodhi Day Service • 成道会
Message by Muthukumaru Sooriyakumar
9:30 am, Sunday, December 2
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. (corner N. Kuakini St.)

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News on theBetsuin WirelessJapanese temple traditions alive and well in our Hawaii Nei

Though separated from its roots by more than 4,000 miles of open ocean
and a century of marked change, the Hawaii Betsuin maintains many customs
and traditions originally brought over by the immigrants from Japan. We hope
you will help us preserve these precious traditions with your participation, alongwith family and friends!

Jōdo-e 成道会

Hawaii District 2019 calendar
now available at the temple

The 2019 Higashi Hongwanji
calendars feature quotations,calligraphy and photos to guide us
each month through our “Let Us
Discover the Joy of Living” theme.
You’ll appreciate the roomy blocks
each day to jot appointments andnotes to yourself, as well as the preprinted dates for key temple events.
As with our past Hawaii District
calendars, we appreciate yourdonations to help defray the costs ofprinting and mailing.
We thank you for your continuedsupport. If you would like additional
copies of the calendar, pleasecontact us at betsuin@hhbt-hi.org orcall 531-9088.

Nakura-sensei visits Betsuin

Bodhi Day service)
9:30 am, Sun., Dec. 2
In commemoration of
the enlightenment of
Gautama Buddha, wereflect on how we
may be able to follow his example.

Oosōji 大掃除(Yearend cleaning)
9:00 am, Sat., Dec. 29(polishing of altar
implements)
12:00 pm
Sunday, Dec. 9
While clustered arounda conference room table,
temple volunteers work
to remove the tarnish from the dozens
of altar items, then polish to a sparkling
gleam. At the same time, we catch up
with the latest news and learn more
about our fellow sangha members.

Mochitsuki 餅つき(mochi pounding)
8:30 - 11:30 am
Sun., Dec. 30
Everyone helps in ourtemple cleaning. We give
thanks for the blessings ofthe past year and look to a
fresh start for the new year.

除夜の鐘

Joya-e 除夜会(Yearend service)
5:30 pm
Mon., Dec. 31

Miki Nakura, a former minister at ourBetsuin, stopped in Honolulu during theThanksgiving week. Besides meeting withold friends, he held a seiza quiet sittingclass, in which participants learned how
proper breathing can help you in daily
meditation practice. Nakura-sensei leadsa Jodo Shinshu sangha in New York.

Omigaki お磨き

We express gratitude to
our Dharma friends for thekindnesses we’ve received
through the year. We ring thetemple bell 108 times before wegather together for fellowship anda bowl of toshikoshi soba.

Join us for our mochi-pounding
ritual with usu and kine. It not
only results in offerings fortemple and home altars but
offers an opportunity to give alesson in working together, passa time-honored tradition on tofuture generations, make fora memorable Kodak momentand you end up with New Year’s
mochi to take home!

Shūshō-e 修正会(New Year’service)
10:00 amTues., Jan. 1
We resolve to listen more
intently to the Buddhadharma
throughout the year. Then we
have our fill of ozoni!

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Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
2018 Lecture Series“Basic Buddhism”
Presented By

Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki
What is Religion? A Buddhist Perspective
Thu., December 6 The Life of the Historical Buddha
Tue., December 11 The Marks of Buddhism
Thu., December 13 The Four Noble Truths and Daily Life
Tue., December 4Time:

7:00 - 8:30 pm

Where: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Details: $9 fee per lecture
Call 531-9088 or email betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
1955
1973
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1977-92
1980-94
1992-94
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2002
2012

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Graduated Waipahu High School
Graduated University of Hawaii – ManoaInstructor, University of Hawaii – Manoa, Department of ElectricalEngineering
Computer ConsultantInstructor, University of Hawaii – Hilo, Continuing Education andCommunity ServiceTokudo, Nishi Hongwanji
Graduated Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin
Kyoshi, Nishi Hongwanji
Associate Minister, Hawaii Betsuin
Resident Minister, 4-Temple Council, Honomu, Honohina, Papaaloa
and Papaikou Hongwanjis
Resident Minister, Wahiawa Hongwanji
Director, Buddhist Study Center & Office of Buddhist Education
Detach HereI would like to participate in the lecture series, “Basic Buddhism“.
Name:

Phone:
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. Honolulu, HI 96817 (808)531-9088 betsuin@hhbt-hi.org

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

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Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...
tAwakening & Shinjin Awareness p. 1t慶喜人となる p. 1t/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTTp. 3tDBMFOEBSTBWBJMBCMFp. 3t/BLVSBTFOTFJWJTJUT#FUTVJOp. 3t/PNPWJFOJHIUUIJTNPOUIt#FUTVJOMFDUVSFTFSJFTp. 4t Mahalo Gozaimasu p. 5t December shōtsuki service p. 5tTemple activities calendar p. 6

Temple Activities Calendar
JANUARYDECEMBER

12/2 Sun 9 am HBC Bodhi Day service - 成道会 (Betsuin)
12/3 Mon 10 am Betsuin study class
12/4 Tue 7 pm Lecture series 1 - What is Religion?
12/5 Wed 7 pm Lecture series 2 - Life of Historical Buddha
12/9 Sun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday school
12/9 Sun 12 pm Omigaki polishing of altar implements
12/10 Mon 12 pm 99 Lunch Bunch chat session
12/11 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
12/11 Tue 7 pm Lecture series 3 - Marks of Buddhism
12/12 Wed 7 pm Lecture series 4 - Noble Truths & Daily Life
12/15 Sat 10 am MAP class
12/16 Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service
12/16 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
12/16 Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Folding class
12/17 Mon 10 am Betsuin study class
12/18 Tue 3 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
12/20 Thu 7 pm Tea Time - informal dialogue session
12/23 Sun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday school
12/23 Sun 11:30am Ehime Maru Memorial cleaning/lunch
12/28 Fri 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
12/29 Sat 9 am Oosōji - 大掃除 year-end cleaning
12/30 Sun 8:30 am Mochitsuki - 餅つき mochi pounding
12/31 Mon 5:30 pm Year-end service - 除夜会 除夜の鐘

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1/8
1/10
1/13
1/14
1/15
1/17
1/20
1/20
1/21
1/22
1/22
1/27
1/28

Tue 10 am New Year’s Day service - 修正会
Ozoni served after service
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism discussion in Japanese
お と会
Fukuhara conference room
Mon 10 am Betsuin study class
Fukuhara conference room
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara conference roomThu 7 pm The Larger Sutra class in English
Fukuhara conference roomSun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday school
Mon 12 pm 99 Lunch Bunch chat session
Tue 3 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at KaneoheThu 7 pm Tea Time - informal dialogue session
Fukuhara conference roomSun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingMon 10 am Betsuin study class
Fukuhara conference room
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 3 pm Movie night: Hana-bi 花火 (1997)
Sun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday school
Fri 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial 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.

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