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

What Is Eitaikyo?
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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

10
October 2014

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
OCTOBER 2014
10/5 Sun 10 am Eitaikyō/Perpetual memorial service
Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
10/5 Sun 11 am Harmony of Japan workshop
10/6 Mon 6:30 pm Harmony of Japan workshop (Palolo)
10/9 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
10/11 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
10/12 Sun 10 am Sunday service
10/12 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
10/14 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
10/19 Sun 10 am Sunday service
10/19 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
10/21 Tue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
10/26 Sun 10 am Kaneohe Hō-on-kō service(no service at Betsuin)
10/28 Tue 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
10/28 Tue 11 am Recitation circle
10/28 Tue 1 pm Mako’s Computer Clinic
10/28 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
10/28 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Woman in the Dunes

NOVEMBER 2014
11/1 Sat 10 am Omigaki
11/2 Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
11/2 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
11/8 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
11/9 Sun 10 am Palolo Hō-on-kō (no service at Betsuin)
11/9 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
11/11 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
11/13 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
11/15 Sat 1 pm District Hō-on-kō gathering
11/16 Sun 10 am Betsuin Hō-on-kō service
11/18 Tue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
11/23 Sun 9 am Bazaar at Otani Center (no Sunday service)
11/25 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
11/25 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Ichi
11/28 Fri 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
11/28 Fri 11 am Recitation circle
11/28 Fri 1 pm Mako’s Computer Clinic
11/30 Sun 10 am Sunday service

Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays & 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

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
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
Auditor: Ken Saiki
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Makoto Honda
Associate Minister:Frank Childs
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission of
Hawaii for its members andfriends. Comments, articles andother items for publicationconsideration are welcomed.
Editor: Ken Saikit’s already October. At our Betsuin, Eitaikyō is observed on the first Sundayof October together with our Shōtsuki memorial service.
Eitai (ె৻) means “perpetual” and kyō (৽) means “sutra.” So Eitaikyō is aperpetual memorial service for all departed members of the Betsuin who
maintained and helped bring this temple along with the Buddha ‘s teaching
down to our generation. In particular at Eitaikyō services, we honor those
whose names that have been placed in the Eitaikyō register.
Every temple’s altar has an Eitaikyō register book or scroll, where names ofdonors, as well as the names of deceased persons in whose memory donations
are made, are entered. The Eitaikyō donations are used by the temple only
during emergencies or in extreme circumstances.
In Shin Buddhism, it’s said that the Abbot Jakunyo,
who was the 14th Abbot of the Hongwanji at the Edo
period in 1679, began the Eitaikyō tradition. He and otherdevoted Buddhists wanted to ensure the dharma would
continue on to future generations in perpetuity. They
knew that for a meaningful and happy life, we need theteachings of the Buddha.
In general, people think that memorial services are
Rinban Ken Kawawata
primarily for people who died before us, where we chantsutras and make other offerings for them. In Jōdō Shinshu practice, there’s
more to the observances of memorial services, including Eitaikyō services.
Shinran Shōnin said in Tannishō, “I, Shinran, have never even once uttered
the nembutsu for the sake of my father and mother. The reason is that all
beings have been fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, in the timelessprocess of birth and death. When I attain buddhahood in the next birth, eachand everyone will be saved.”
All departed parents, grandparents, relatives and friends still live within us
and have a wish for us. They always wish for our true peace and happiness. So
each time there’s a memorial service, they are giving us opportunities to listen
to the Buddha dharma for our meaningful lives.
During memorial services, we remember, honor and express our
gratitude to them. However, people who departed before us offer teachingof Shinran Shōnin and Buddha at that time. Therefore Jōdō Shinshu always
emphasizes listening…listening to the teaching of Nembutsu. By listening
to the dharma we walk on the path of the Buddha. So listening is ourpractice in our daily life.
We come to the temple and listen to the teaching, and then we bringback teachings to our daily lives. When we do the dishes or yardwork, we
reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and ourselves. You do not have tomemorize or even remember what the minister said. If you can bring backjust one word to include in your daily life, that’s enough.
I’d like to invite all of you to our &JUBJLZōTFSWJDFPO4VOEBZ 0DUPCFS
to be held in conjunction with our Shōtsuki service. I’m confident that you’ll
find the “listening“ worthwhile in helping to provide new insights leading topeace of mind in our busy daily living and lives.
Thank you in Gasshō,
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

T

Ho-on-koo be actualized by Amida and the Shinenough to find some meaning in being alive
Buddhist way, one cannot know what ismust risk passage through their own pinch
good or bad for himself: all must be left to Amida.
point where the ego-driven “right and good”
The above words from Shinran touch myself dies. Only here can a “new-born” natural andheart. Why? Shinran gave up his bones living
unafraid self emerge and live.
these words. He named himself “Gutoku”—short
I feel Shin Buddhism exists today because
haired fool—told his followers, “I do not know
Shinran had guts enough to be the fool who
what good or evil even are,” and that “even if I falldismantled the static Pure Land view of going
into hell I will have no regrets…this is the faith
to a lazy-bones lotus land rest spa, and revealedof the fool I am.” Yet, what makes his iconoclastic
instead that Amida places his very life with us in
our forever crazy and hurting world.
stance relevant for modern folks like us?
The German philosopher Hegel, a maker Hourglass
Further, Shinran disclosed his fool self asof our modern worldview, once wrote to abeing beyond our own hellish dichotomies offriend, “Maybe we all have a time of chaos that contracts our good vs. bad, true vs. false and so on, to teach us a timelessvery lives to a point where we must pass through theway: one of not “locking on” to life like a target to hit, but anarrowest of passages—a pinch point. After passing beyond natural way of “letting go” and allowing life to just live.
Each one of us, falling down sand grain by sandthis trial, we find new strength and assurance unlike any
grain in our own hour glass must ask ourselves, “Are weever known before.
I find the old-style European hour glass with two glassas Shin followers willing to pass our pinch point andglobes joined at a pinch point where sand grains pass
experience a new “stupid” self?” This would show realthrough aptly displays what Hegel speaks of, and models
gratitude to Shinran.
Let’s take the risk. Namuamidabutsu.
the trials of our inclusive human reality.
Shinran. Hegel. You. Me. Anyone anywhere who cares—Rev. Frank Childs

MahaloGozaimasu

We gratefully acknowledge the following for their generous
contributions. If we’ve missed any donor’s name, please accept
our apologies and let us know by calling the Betsuin at 531-9088
so we can make corrections to our records.

.&.03*"- '6/&3"- */63/.&/5#63*"-4&37*$&

Joyce Moriyama
James Hirakawa

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Florence Kanno
James Hirakawa
Sachiko Yoshino
Peggy Arita

Mitsuko Yukutake
Lisa Uyesato
Chiyoko Watanabe family

James & Alice Hara
Millicent Yamamoto Peggy Arita
Harumi Fuchikami family

Takuo & Sadie Sakai
Frances Makiyama
Keizaburo Tsuji
Tadao Iwasaki

Patrick MiyamuraCharlotte Tsukamoto
Kazue Uechi
Harriet Kihara,:0%"/%0/"5*0/

Edith Endo
Atsuko Nonaka
Betty Nishida
Marian Tsuji

Yoko Waki
Emiko Watanabe
Atsuko Nonaka
Nakano family
Ellen Miyashiro-Sakagawa

Rev. Daishin Ito
Wilfred Fukumoto
Juliet Fujimoto
Millicent Yamamoto
Steven Sufan Arbuthof(0+*,"*.&.#&34)*1

'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54
Minako Ito-Song
Joyce Masaki

Wallace & Jane Naito Kayoko Ito

Mitsue Ikari
Beatrice Nakano
Ken & Kumiko Saiki Helen Suzuki
Dennis & Debra Saiki Mildred Tashiro
Marion Iwasaki
Kikue Yuen

In Memoriam
We wish to extend our deepest
sympathy to the family of the late
Eiko Shirayama (97)
April 17, 2014

Shotsuki Observance for October

Little Differences: Hawaii & Japan - Public Toilets

W

hile our Honolulu city officials
have finally taken action onwhat to do about people who use
city sidewalks and parks as public
restrooms, the fact remains, sooner orlater, sometimes when we least expect
it, we all have to use the bathroom.
Whether you’re down-and-out
homeless or the richest man on Earth,when you gotta go, you gotta go.
It’s not unusual to see handlettered “No Public Restroom”
signs on front doors of businessestablishments all over our Aloha
State, especially those near bus
stops or other places with heavy
pedestrian traffic. What shopkeepers
seem to be saying is, “Don’t come injust to dirty our bathrooms!” You may
recall the big stink raised about the
Alapai Transit Center being designed
without toilet facilities for bus riders
until the city was shamed into
opening its restrooms to the public
earlier this year.
Visitors to Oahu often complain2

about the lack of public restrooms
around the island, or if they are lucky
enough to find one open, the lack ofsupplies and maintenance. It doesn’t
have to be this way.
In many cities in Japan, forexample, you’ll notice signs outside
public buildings and convenience
stores inviting you to use restroom
facilities inside. The signs are large
enough to see even if you’re driving
by. What’s more, the restrooms aresparkling clean and are often situatedclose to the entrance so you can’t missthem as you desperately dash in.
Public buildings that open theirrestrooms reinforce the idea thatgovernment exists to serve thepeople. Similarly, businesses are
there for their customers.
For store owners, what a novelidea…give someone an extra reason
to patronize your establishment! Most
people might feel obligated to makea purchase—a pack of chewing gum,maybe—and they may think of thestore next time they need to make apurchase. Remember it wasn’t thatlong ago that service stations used toadvertise how clean their restrooms
were to attract potential customers.
Let’s hope that our leaders cancome up with workable solutions
that can benefit all members of ourcommunity, including when nature
happens to call.
— Ken SaikiOur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance oftemple family members who passed away in themonth of October of a past year will be held on 4VOEBZ 
0DUPCFSThe following list includes members fromthe past 25 years (1989).
While shōtsuki services for a loved one areobserved every year, special nenki hōyō memorial
Yoshiko Anami
Karen Toshiko Asahara
Tsuruko Asato
Thomas T. Fujihara
Hanae Uyeno
Ryonosuke Fujisue
Gladys Sakiko Fujiwara
Ted Tsuruo Gono
Clarence Haruo Hanai
Harry Yasumasa Higa
Hisako Hirakawa

Tatsuo Hiraki
Myles Kuro Hirata
Kinsuke Hosogai
Patrick Miyao Imamura
Yoshio Inouye
George Toshio Ishii
Thomas M. Ishimoto
Terri Mitsuko Kamihara
Doris Shizue Kaneshiro
Brandon M. Kawasaki
Taichi Kimura

services are held during certain auspicious years.
These years include the 1st anniversary, followed bymemorial services for the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th,
33rd and 50th years, normally held during the year
prior to the actual anniversary date.
Call the Betsuin office at 531-9088 for assistance orfor more information.

Robert Isamu Koyama
Susumu Kunishige
Yoshio Kunitomo
Hideo Matsuo
May Mizue Miura
Hajime Nishizawa
Kikue Nonaka
Irene Teruko Odagiri
Deann Sanae Oi
Richard Asao Okuda
Helen Hisako Okuda

Ushi Oshiro
Yoshito Sagawa
Elton H. Sakamoto
Makaa Shimabukuro
Toshio Shimamura
Toshiki Shimizu
Toshio Shinko
Milton S. Shishido
Torao Shizuru
George K. Sonoda
Taiji Suzuki

Kazuto Taketa
Judith F. Tokunaga
Katsuko Tsukamoto
Steven Kenji Uesato
Stanley Takito Ujimori
Mitsuko Uyehara
Tsugi Watase
Hatsumi Yamada
Take Yamamoto
Susumu Yamashita

I too am within Amida’s grasp,
A lthoughPassions obstruct my eyes and I cannot see him;

Nevertheless, great compassion is untiring and illuminesme always.
– Shinran Shonin

Government office buildings in Oita, Japan,
invite the public to use its restroom facilities.

5

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any people in Hawaii
mistakenly believe that a
Hōmyo (Buddhist or Dharma name) issomething to be received only after
death, usually at a funeral service.
This misunderstanding is probably
a result of the fact that, until recently,
the Kikyōshiki, or confirmation
ceremony in which one received his or
her Buddhist name could only beofficiated by the Abbot (or a memberof his family). Additionally, although
the Kikyōshiki is available almost daily
at our mother temple in Kyōto, theceremony was only rarely held here
in Hawaii.
The good news is that Overseas
District Abbot Chōyū Ōtani will be
officiating our Hō-on-kō service next
month on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the
Betsuin. We have an opportunity to
conduct a Kikyōshiki ceremony
immediately following the service.
Participation in a Kikyōshiki
symbolizes one’s confirmation of
becoming a true follower of the
Buddha by receiving his or her
Hōmyo. Being a layperson’s versionof an ordination ceremony, the

HōmyoBOEKaimyo
XIBUTUIFEJòFSFODF
You may have heard the word
“Kaimyo” also used to describe a
Buddhist name.
In Jōdō Shinshu, we use theterm Hōmyo instead. The
difference is in the meaning of
the word itself. Hōmyo (Hō =Dharma,” myo = name) literallymeans Dharma name, while
Kaimyo means “Precept name.”
Other denominations may
mandate upholding of certain
precepts in order to attainenlightenment. On the other
hand, our Jōdō Shinshu tradition
is about entrusting ourselves
wholeheartedly to Amida’s
Power of Great Compassion, andthus observing precepts does notplay a role in our Buddhist name.
Kikyōshiki ceremony is somethingthat should be encouraged whena member wishes to make aformal commitment to study the(JWFUPHFUorHJWFUPHJWFW

hen we face a disaster, sometimes we can see thetrue nature of our fellow human beings.
A couple of months ago while Hurricane Iselle wasapproaching the Big Island, I was watching TV. The
newscaster was reporting that some stores were raising
the price of bottled water.
I asked myself what I would do if I were the manager ofthe store. There are few options that I can think of: Keep
the price as it is. Raise the price to get more money. Put it
on sale to lower the price. Umm…what should I do? Whatis the best option for me?
Selling at a high price is not a smart idea because
people are going to remember the store in a negative way.
How about if I hide the drinks and post a sign that says
“SOLD OUT”? Then I wait until the hurricane hits. If an
actual emergency, the value of drinks goes really, reallyhigh. Then, instead of selling them at a high price, I giveout the drinks for free. Yeah! That way I gain theappreciation and respect from people by helping them. As
you can see, I prefer getting respect to getting money.
But really, can you call this helping people? It
appears to be helping when you see someone give out

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Buddha-dharma.
In the Jōdō Shinshu tradition,
Buddhist names begin with the term
“Shaku” or “Shakuni” to signify that
we are all disciples of Shakyamuni
Buddha. The term “Shaku” is used formales and “Shakuni” is used forfemales and are made up of usually
two kanji to form the word or
meaning. An example of a Shin
Buddhist Dharma name would be“Shaku Kōryū “or “Shakuni Kōryū. “The fee, as set by our Kyōto
headquarters, is $100 per person.
Participants will receive theirpersonal handwritten Dharma name,a kataginu (layperson’s sash), plus
publications explaining the meaningof the ceremony and the Jōdō Shinshu
way of life in both Japanese and English,
all in a carrying case. Also included are a
CD and an accompanying book, inwhich you’ll find Shōshinge, gathas
and ofumi, such as On White Ashes.
If you’re interested in participatingin the Kikyōshiki during Hō-on-kō
next month or have any questions
about the ceremony, please visit orcall the District office at 531-1231.

drinks for free with an innocent face on during adisaster. I’m not sure if this is really helping or not. Whois this helping the most?
In most of situations when we offer to help, it isconditional, whether we recognize it or not. The Buddha’s
compassion, however, is unconditional. It does not require
anything in return. In my case I want get respect and honor.
Some people want money for the help they offer. Whether it
is for respect or money, in both cases the suffering of theothers is of no concern.
The tricky thing is that often those minds are hiddenvery deep inside us, and we do not realize our condition for
not helping others. Money is easy to see, but when we
require something mentally in return, it’s very hard torecognize. The most common condition that we face in ourdaily lives probably will be that we desire a word ofappreciation. Can I still help someone even if I am notthanked by that person? I find it extremely hard tocontinue helping in this situation.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t help each other. I’m saying
we should be aware of our state of mind and motivation
when we help others.
Do we give to get, or do we give to give?
— Rev. Makoto Honda

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Everyone is encouraged to attend
the “A-bombs Exhibit for Peace: Facethe Past to Heal the Present,” a Hawaii
Conference of Religions for Peace和project to be held Oct. 18-26 at Palolo
Hongwanji.
Exhibit hours are from 10 am to
4 pm Monday through Saturday and
11 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Bring
10 6
10 5
your family and friends, and spread
6:30pm
11:00amthe word among your associates.
Harmony of Japan
Palolo Higashi
HigashiAn opening ceremony is slated
Hongwanji
Hongwanji
BetsuinFree Admission
for Sat., Oct. 18, at 10 am and aclosing “peace prayer” ceremony
from 4pm Sunday, Oct. 26.
The Betsuin is among dozens of)BSNPOZPG+BQBO USBEJUJPOBMBSU local organizations co-sponsoring
UPMJOL)BXBJJBOE+BQBO
and supporting the non-political
Have you wondered what makes
peace-motivated exhibit.
Japan so Japanese? Are you ready toexperience that fleeting moment
8PNBOJOUIF%VOFTJT
when you suddenly feel and discover GFBUVSFENPWJFGPS0DUPCFS
what Japanese harmony is all about?
The Woman in the Dunes is a 1964
Higashi Hongwanji members andJapanese movie about a school
friends will have a rare opportunity to teacher on an expedition to collectget the “inside story” as they immerse insects that inhabit sand dunes. Whenthemselves in traditional Japanese
he misses the last bus out, villagers
arts at one of two exclusive, freesuggest he stay the night in a house inHarmony of Japan workshops being
the sand quarry, and then...
held this month at our Oahu temples.
Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara
Classical dancer Takamasa Fujima,and starring Eiji Okada and Kyōko
accompanied by Kakushin Tomoyoshi
Kishida, the film received positiveon biwa and Akinori Inaba on
critical reviews upon release, winningoshichiriki, will present their first
the Special Jury Prize at the 1964
Hawaii workshop at the Betsuin’s
Cannes Film Festival. Nominated at
Otani Center at 11 am on Oct. 5,
the Academy Awards in 1964 for Best
immediately following the Sunday
Foreign Language Film and in 1965
service. A second workshop will be
for Teshigahara as Best Director.
held at Palolo Hongwanji on Mon.,
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Oct. 28.
Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm.
Japanese audio with English subtitles.
A Harmony of Japan performance 147 min. B&W. Free admission, open
for the general public, “Gagaku
to all. Ample seating in Fukuhara
Meets Japanese Dance, Biwa andConference Room.
Oshichiriki” is scheduled for Wed.,
Oct. 8 at Orvis Auditorium on the UH ෛभ੓‫قؙ‬घऩभउ॒ऩ‫ك‬ᆦད఼ૐपृढथਟञ੬म‫ؚ‬ෛभาभ- Manoa campus. Admission is free.
রपँॊ౞ಝযभੇपຠीथुैढञ‫؛‬For a sneak preview of theटऋ‫ؚ‬जऒऊै௷ऐলचऩऎऩढथखऽ
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performances, check out Fujimaೖ‫॔؛‬ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖਗবୁ಩઺ೖঀ঑
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MondaySundayThe traditional art to link Hawaii and Japan

Takamasa Fujima
Japanese dance

Kakushin Tomoyoshi
Biwa

Akinori Inaba
Oshichiriki

Directed by Takamasa Fujima Japanese dance instituteContact us : http://www.takamasafujima.com/

4

Dr. Jay Sakashita munches on an ohagi
after our Ohigan service held Sept. 21.

6).BOPBMFDUVSFSEFMJWFSTEIBSNBNFTTBHFBU0IJHBO
 At our ohigan service Sept. 21,

Dr. Jay Sakashita, popular religion
lecturer at UH-Manoa, put to rest
any notion that Asians all look alike.
Asian temples, that is.
He pointed out key differences
between Chinese, Korean andJapanese Buddhist temples,
peppering his talk with interestingtidbits and amusing anecdotes,
often at the expense of his
unsuspecting wife and in-laws.
To check if everyone was paying
attention, attendees were challenged
to a pop quiz at the end of the lecture,
shades of Religion 101. Of course,
everyone had listened intently so as
not to miss a single word.
We look forward to a full lecture
series by Dr. Sakashita coming soonat the Betsuin’s Dharma Study
Center. Watch for an announcement.
The Dharma Hawaiians, theBetsuin guitar and ukulele ensemble,
also made its debut at the service,playing music accompaniment to thegathas, A Special Place andOndokusan. While there was nostanding “o” or raucous demands
for an encore, listeners did respondwith polite applause and even a
spirited “banzai!” Not a bad start.

0QQPSUVOJUZUPSFDFJWFZPVS#VEEIJTUOBNFEVSJOH)ōPOLōM

any people in Hawaii
mistakenly believe that a
Hōmyo (Buddhist or Dharma name) issomething to be received only after
death, usually at a funeral service.
This misunderstanding is probably
a result of the fact that, until recently,
the Kikyōshiki, or confirmation
ceremony in which one received his or
her Buddhist name could only beofficiated by the Abbot (or a memberof his family). Additionally, although
the Kikyōshiki is available almost daily
at our mother temple in Kyōto, theceremony was only rarely held here
in Hawaii.
The good news is that Overseas
District Abbot Chōyū Ōtani will be
officiating our Hō-on-kō service next
month on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the
Betsuin. We have an opportunity to
conduct a Kikyōshiki ceremony
immediately following the service.
Participation in a Kikyōshiki
symbolizes one’s confirmation of
becoming a true follower of the
Buddha by receiving his or her
Hōmyo. Being a layperson’s versionof an ordination ceremony, the

HōmyoBOEKaimyo
XIBUTUIFEJòFSFODF
You may have heard the word
“Kaimyo” also used to describe a
Buddhist name.
In Jōdō Shinshu, we use theterm Hōmyo instead. The
difference is in the meaning of
the word itself. Hōmyo (Hō =Dharma,” myo = name) literallymeans Dharma name, while
Kaimyo means “Precept name.”
Other denominations may
mandate upholding of certain
precepts in order to attainenlightenment. On the other
hand, our Jōdō Shinshu tradition
is about entrusting ourselves
wholeheartedly to Amida’s
Power of Great Compassion, andthus observing precepts does notplay a role in our Buddhist name.
Kikyōshiki ceremony is somethingthat should be encouraged whena member wishes to make aformal commitment to study the(JWFUPHFUorHJWFUPHJWFW

hen we face a disaster, sometimes we can see thetrue nature of our fellow human beings.
A couple of months ago while Hurricane Iselle wasapproaching the Big Island, I was watching TV. The
newscaster was reporting that some stores were raising
the price of bottled water.
I asked myself what I would do if I were the manager ofthe store. There are few options that I can think of: Keep
the price as it is. Raise the price to get more money. Put it
on sale to lower the price. Umm…what should I do? Whatis the best option for me?
Selling at a high price is not a smart idea because
people are going to remember the store in a negative way.
How about if I hide the drinks and post a sign that says
“SOLD OUT”? Then I wait until the hurricane hits. If an
actual emergency, the value of drinks goes really, reallyhigh. Then, instead of selling them at a high price, I giveout the drinks for free. Yeah! That way I gain theappreciation and respect from people by helping them. As
you can see, I prefer getting respect to getting money.
But really, can you call this helping people? It
appears to be helping when you see someone give out

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Buddha-dharma.
In the Jōdō Shinshu tradition,
Buddhist names begin with the term
“Shaku” or “Shakuni” to signify that
we are all disciples of Shakyamuni
Buddha. The term “Shaku” is used formales and “Shakuni” is used forfemales and are made up of usually
two kanji to form the word or
meaning. An example of a Shin
Buddhist Dharma name would be“Shaku Kōryū “or “Shakuni Kōryū. “The fee, as set by our Kyōto
headquarters, is $100 per person.
Participants will receive theirpersonal handwritten Dharma name,a kataginu (layperson’s sash), plus
publications explaining the meaningof the ceremony and the Jōdō Shinshu
way of life in both Japanese and English,
all in a carrying case. Also included are a
CD and an accompanying book, inwhich you’ll find Shōshinge, gathas
and ofumi, such as On White Ashes.
If you’re interested in participatingin the Kikyōshiki during Hō-on-kō
next month or have any questions
about the ceremony, please visit orcall the District office at 531-1231.

drinks for free with an innocent face on during adisaster. I’m not sure if this is really helping or not. Whois this helping the most?
In most of situations when we offer to help, it isconditional, whether we recognize it or not. The Buddha’s
compassion, however, is unconditional. It does not require
anything in return. In my case I want get respect and honor.
Some people want money for the help they offer. Whether it
is for respect or money, in both cases the suffering of theothers is of no concern.
The tricky thing is that often those minds are hiddenvery deep inside us, and we do not realize our condition for
not helping others. Money is easy to see, but when we
require something mentally in return, it’s very hard torecognize. The most common condition that we face in ourdaily lives probably will be that we desire a word ofappreciation. Can I still help someone even if I am notthanked by that person? I find it extremely hard tocontinue helping in this situation.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t help each other. I’m saying
we should be aware of our state of mind and motivation
when we help others.
Do we give to get, or do we give to give?
— Rev. Makoto Honda

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Everyone is encouraged to attend
the “A-bombs Exhibit for Peace: Facethe Past to Heal the Present,” a Hawaii
Conference of Religions for Peace和project to be held Oct. 18-26 at Palolo
Hongwanji.
Exhibit hours are from 10 am to
4 pm Monday through Saturday and
11 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Bring
10 6
10 5
your family and friends, and spread
6:30pm
11:00amthe word among your associates.
Harmony of Japan
Palolo Higashi
HigashiAn opening ceremony is slated
Hongwanji
Hongwanji
BetsuinFree Admission
for Sat., Oct. 18, at 10 am and aclosing “peace prayer” ceremony
from 4pm Sunday, Oct. 26.
The Betsuin is among dozens of)BSNPOZPG+BQBO USBEJUJPOBMBSU local organizations co-sponsoring
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and supporting the non-political
Have you wondered what makes
peace-motivated exhibit.
Japan so Japanese? Are you ready toexperience that fleeting moment
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when you suddenly feel and discover GFBUVSFENPWJFGPS0DUPCFS
what Japanese harmony is all about?
The Woman in the Dunes is a 1964
Higashi Hongwanji members andJapanese movie about a school
friends will have a rare opportunity to teacher on an expedition to collectget the “inside story” as they immerse insects that inhabit sand dunes. Whenthemselves in traditional Japanese
he misses the last bus out, villagers
arts at one of two exclusive, freesuggest he stay the night in a house inHarmony of Japan workshops being
the sand quarry, and then...
held this month at our Oahu temples.
Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara
Classical dancer Takamasa Fujima,and starring Eiji Okada and Kyōko
accompanied by Kakushin Tomoyoshi
Kishida, the film received positiveon biwa and Akinori Inaba on
critical reviews upon release, winningoshichiriki, will present their first
the Special Jury Prize at the 1964
Hawaii workshop at the Betsuin’s
Cannes Film Festival. Nominated at
Otani Center at 11 am on Oct. 5,
the Academy Awards in 1964 for Best
immediately following the Sunday
Foreign Language Film and in 1965
service. A second workshop will be
for Teshigahara as Best Director.
held at Palolo Hongwanji on Mon.,
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Oct. 28.
Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm.
Japanese audio with English subtitles.
A Harmony of Japan performance 147 min. B&W. Free admission, open
for the general public, “Gagaku
to all. Ample seating in Fukuhara
Meets Japanese Dance, Biwa andConference Room.
Oshichiriki” is scheduled for Wed.,
Oct. 8 at Orvis Auditorium on the UH ෛभ੓‫قؙ‬घऩभउ॒ऩ‫ك‬ᆦད఼ૐपृढथਟञ੬म‫ؚ‬ෛभาभ- Manoa campus. Admission is free.
রपँॊ౞ಝযभੇपຠीथुैढञ‫؛‬For a sneak preview of theटऋ‫ؚ‬जऒऊै௷ऐলचऩऎऩढथखऽ
beautiful, delightful cultural treatsअ‫؛ؼؼ‬that lie in store for you at the Hawaiiढ़থॾব੠಩઺ມଟਪ৩્શ
performances, check out Fujimaೖ‫॔؛‬ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖਗবୁ಩઺ೖঀ঑
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MondaySundayThe traditional art to link Hawaii and Japan

Takamasa Fujima
Japanese dance

Kakushin Tomoyoshi
Biwa

Akinori Inaba
Oshichiriki

Directed by Takamasa Fujima Japanese dance instituteContact us : http://www.takamasafujima.com/

4

Dr. Jay Sakashita munches on an ohagi
after our Ohigan service held Sept. 21.

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 At our ohigan service Sept. 21,

Dr. Jay Sakashita, popular religion
lecturer at UH-Manoa, put to rest
any notion that Asians all look alike.
Asian temples, that is.
He pointed out key differences
between Chinese, Korean andJapanese Buddhist temples,
peppering his talk with interestingtidbits and amusing anecdotes,
often at the expense of his
unsuspecting wife and in-laws.
To check if everyone was paying
attention, attendees were challenged
to a pop quiz at the end of the lecture,
shades of Religion 101. Of course,
everyone had listened intently so as
not to miss a single word.
We look forward to a full lecture
series by Dr. Sakashita coming soonat the Betsuin’s Dharma Study
Center. Watch for an announcement.
The Dharma Hawaiians, theBetsuin guitar and ukulele ensemble,
also made its debut at the service,playing music accompaniment to thegathas, A Special Place andOndokusan. While there was nostanding “o” or raucous demands
for an encore, listeners did respondwith polite applause and even a
spirited “banzai!” Not a bad start.

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

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

What Is Eitaikyo?
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Address Service Requested

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

10
October 2014

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
OCTOBER 2014
10/5 Sun 10 am Eitaikyō/Perpetual memorial service
Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
10/5 Sun 11 am Harmony of Japan workshop
10/6 Mon 6:30 pm Harmony of Japan workshop (Palolo)
10/9 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
10/11 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
10/12 Sun 10 am Sunday service
10/12 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
10/14 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
10/19 Sun 10 am Sunday service
10/19 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
10/21 Tue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
10/26 Sun 10 am Kaneohe Hō-on-kō service(no service at Betsuin)
10/28 Tue 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
10/28 Tue 11 am Recitation circle
10/28 Tue 1 pm Mako’s Computer Clinic
10/28 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
10/28 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Woman in the Dunes

NOVEMBER 2014
11/1 Sat 10 am Omigaki
11/2 Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
11/2 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
11/8 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
11/9 Sun 10 am Palolo Hō-on-kō (no service at Betsuin)
11/9 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
11/11 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
11/13 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
11/15 Sat 1 pm District Hō-on-kō gathering
11/16 Sun 10 am Betsuin Hō-on-kō service
11/18 Tue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
11/23 Sun 9 am Bazaar at Otani Center (no Sunday service)
11/25 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
11/25 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Ichi
11/28 Fri 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
11/28 Fri 11 am Recitation circle
11/28 Fri 1 pm Mako’s Computer Clinic
11/30 Sun 10 am Sunday service

Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays & 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

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
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
Auditor: Ken Saiki
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Makoto Honda
Associate Minister:Frank Childs
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission of
Hawaii for its members andfriends. Comments, articles andother items for publicationconsideration are welcomed.
Editor: Ken Saikit’s already October. At our Betsuin, Eitaikyō is observed on the first Sundayof October together with our Shōtsuki memorial service.
Eitai (ె৻) means “perpetual” and kyō (৽) means “sutra.” So Eitaikyō is aperpetual memorial service for all departed members of the Betsuin who
maintained and helped bring this temple along with the Buddha ‘s teaching
down to our generation. In particular at Eitaikyō services, we honor those
whose names that have been placed in the Eitaikyō register.
Every temple’s altar has an Eitaikyō register book or scroll, where names ofdonors, as well as the names of deceased persons in whose memory donations
are made, are entered. The Eitaikyō donations are used by the temple only
during emergencies or in extreme circumstances.
In Shin Buddhism, it’s said that the Abbot Jakunyo,
who was the 14th Abbot of the Hongwanji at the Edo
period in 1679, began the Eitaikyō tradition. He and otherdevoted Buddhists wanted to ensure the dharma would
continue on to future generations in perpetuity. They
knew that for a meaningful and happy life, we need theteachings of the Buddha.
In general, people think that memorial services are
Rinban Ken Kawawata
primarily for people who died before us, where we chantsutras and make other offerings for them. In Jōdō Shinshu practice, there’s
more to the observances of memorial services, including Eitaikyō services.
Shinran Shōnin said in Tannishō, “I, Shinran, have never even once uttered
the nembutsu for the sake of my father and mother. The reason is that all
beings have been fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, in the timelessprocess of birth and death. When I attain buddhahood in the next birth, eachand everyone will be saved.”
All departed parents, grandparents, relatives and friends still live within us
and have a wish for us. They always wish for our true peace and happiness. So
each time there’s a memorial service, they are giving us opportunities to listen
to the Buddha dharma for our meaningful lives.
During memorial services, we remember, honor and express our
gratitude to them. However, people who departed before us offer teachingof Shinran Shōnin and Buddha at that time. Therefore Jōdō Shinshu always
emphasizes listening…listening to the teaching of Nembutsu. By listening
to the dharma we walk on the path of the Buddha. So listening is ourpractice in our daily life.
We come to the temple and listen to the teaching, and then we bringback teachings to our daily lives. When we do the dishes or yardwork, we
reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and ourselves. You do not have tomemorize or even remember what the minister said. If you can bring backjust one word to include in your daily life, that’s enough.
I’d like to invite all of you to our &JUBJLZōTFSWJDFPO4VOEBZ 0DUPCFS
to be held in conjunction with our Shōtsuki service. I’m confident that you’ll
find the “listening“ worthwhile in helping to provide new insights leading topeace of mind in our busy daily living and lives.
Thank you in Gasshō,
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata