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

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

On Nirvana Day
3JOCBO,FOKVO,BXBXBUB

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...

‘wa’
harmonyt/JSWBOB%BZp. 1
t -JUUMF%JòFSFODFT64+BQBOp. 2
t /FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTTp. 3
t 'FCSVBSZNPWJFp. 3
t (PKJLBJEVFTp. 3
t (FOFSBM.FNCFSTIJQ.FFUJOHBOE/FX:FBS1BSUZp. 4
t "DLOPXMFEHNFOUTp. 5
t 4IPUTVLJMJTUJOHGPS'FCSVBSZp. 5t5FNQMFBDUJWJUJFTDBMFOEBSp. 6

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin2

February 2015

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
MARCH 2015

FEBRUARY 2015
2/1
2/8
2/8

2/10
2/12
2/14
2/15
2/15
2/17
2/22
2/22
2/24
2/24
2/28

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday schoolThu 7 pm Nirvana Day service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
現代語で仏教を聞こう

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 11 am General membership meeting &Shinnenkai (New Year’s party)
Otani Center
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Thermae Romae
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service

3/1
3/1
3/8
3/8

3/10
3/12
3/14
3/15
3/15
3/17
3/22
3/24
3/24
3/28

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Jimmy’s Auto Basics
led by Jimmy Hirakawa
Thu 7 pm Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
現代語で仏教を聞こう

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Spring Ohigan service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial 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
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 Missionof Hawaii for its members
and friends. Comments,
articles and other items for
publication consideration
are welcomed.
Editor: Ken SaikiFebruary 15 is Nirvana Day, the day Buddha died. Therefore let’s reflect on
Gautama Buddha’s life and his teachings that affect our lives.
When we hear about the Buddha, we think that he was not like us, as if hewere some kind of superhuman or even a divine power. But we should notforget, he was a human being, the same as we are.
Gautama Buddha was born a human being and died ahuman being. He was a son of the king and queen of the
Shakya clan, and as a prince he had a beautiful wife andchild. He had human sufferings and blind passions just as
we have. He had everything in life: power, money andwhatever he wished.
But he was always thinking about sufferings of sentient
beings and how he could get away from the sufferings,
and have peace of mind. He thought he couldn’t have
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata peace of mind by materialistic things or money or his
status as the prince. When he was 29 years old he left his palace home and forsix years sought to transcend all human sufferings. He visited the hermits whotaught ascetic practices to learn methods of attainment, but he could not attainthe state of mind that he was seeking. At that time in India people thought thatascetic practices could make them have pure minds and pure spirits that iscalled Nirvana.
Finally he gave up the ascetic practices. He washed his body and went
under the big Bodhi tree for meditation. He thought he would have toreconsider his way to attain peace of mind. It’s said that in the early morning on
December 8, when he saw a morning star, at last he became the awakened one
at 35 years of age. After his awakening, he continued to spread the dharma foranother 45 years.
When Gautama Buddha was 80 years old, he realized that he didn’t havemuch longer to live. So he left Rajagriha for Kapilavastu, where he was raised.
This was his last journey. On theway to Kapilavastu, he stayed at aplace called Kushinagara, and hereceived offerings of food from
Chunda, a blacksmith. But in thefood there was a poisonous
mushroom. Only the Buddha got
sickened by the tainted food andlay down under the Sal tree. It issaid that the cause of his death
was old age and food poisoning.
Buddha knew that the causeof his illness was the food that
Chunda offered. He also knewthat he would die very soon. So
before he died, he told his
disciples not to accuse Chunda of
any wrongdoing. His offering was(cont’d on p. 2)

NIRVANA DAY (cont’d from p. 1)
from his pure mind and it was right conduct. He said,“Don’t look at only the results of the event.” His
attitude for offering to the Buddha was a beautiful
deed. “Don’t accuse him.”
He gave his last message to Ananda and his followers,
then passed away. So in our daily lives, we should always
think of what are the best and right deeds and try to act
with right conduct without thinking of the result.
In the last Sermon of the Buddha, he said, “MakeDharma as a light for your life and make yourself as a lightfor your life; don’t depend on anything else.” He told
Ananda that our world is constantly changing.
Our life is like walking in a dark night. You need aflashlight. We can just depend on own feet and the light of
the Dharma. Our world, including our lives, is constantly
changing and moving. We cannot imagine what will happen
in the next moment. That’s why we should continuously
make an effort to listen to the Buddha’s teaching and have a
deep understanding of the truth and self.
Thank you in gassho.
Kenjun Kawawata

MahaloGozaimasu.&.03*"- '6/&3"- */63/.&/5#63*"-4&37*$&
Craig Miyasato
Ethel Shishido
Harlen Duesing

Ken Mashima
Barbara Okumura,:0%"/%0/"5*0/

Little Differences: U.S. & Japan - Pets
Questions from the Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District2015 calendar for February focus on what our pets
can tell us about ourselves. Who knows...pets may
even be able to give us insight into how a nation as awhole thinks and acts.

H

ere in the U.S., pets have been part of the family
for a long time. More than one in three American
homes have a dog, cat or pet animal of some kind.
Japan, on the other hand, with its crowded
conditions, hasn’t been such a pet-friendly country
until recently. In the past 10 years, however, Japan has
experienced a pet boom, with more than a 20% increasein pet ownership, so that now nearly one-fourth ofJapanese households have a pet.
With Japan’s declining birthrate and aging
population, an increasing number of households arewithout children, only pets. In fact, pets now outnumber
kids under 16. For companionship, many Japanese claim
they prefer pets over having children.
Whereas in the old days pets in Japan all had names
like “Pochi” and “Tama,” nowadays the most popular are
human names, such as “Momo” and “John.” Pets are now

Designer pet clothing can be found at many pet stores, such as thisGodpiva line of dogwear. Godpiva is “A VIP dog” spelled backwards.

2

also taking on an increasingly important role in dayto-day life, helping the disabled, comforting hospitalpatients and as companions for the elderly.
Some pet owners,without children to cater to, will
pamper their pets instead. Many restaurants allow pets tosit at the table with the rest of the family.
Foreigners visiting Japan are often surprised to see
the wide range of accessories, especially clothing, soldin Japanese pet stores. Some lucky dogs are rumored tohave their own clothes closets with designer outfits.
But pet owners arestill in the minority. Leave
it to the Japanese, though,to develop ways to help
create harmony between
pet lovers and nonowners in their crowded
environment. Many new
residential condos now
feature elevators with)a special PET (button. When pressed,
the elevator will bypass
all floors until it reaches
its destination to avoid
PET buttons in elevators help keep the
stopping at floors withsmall children and others peace between pet lovers and others.
who may be afraid of or allergic to animals, or those who
are wary about animal-borne illnesses. When in “PET
mode,” the elevator also will run from 10 to 20 percent
more slowly to minimize pet stress.
To let others know why an elevator passed them by,
a PET ON BOARD (で ) message lights up
on all floors. Cheaters who might be tempted to use the“pet express” without an actual pet in tow would quickly
be outed by neighbors and no doubt be on the receiving
end of the Japanese version of the “stink eye.”— Ken Saiki

We gratefully acknowledge the following for theirgenerous 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 makecorrections to our records.

Marigitha Teramoto
The Aikido Ohana
Thomas Yamada
Moriso Teraoka
Tadao Iwasaki

Kazuko Yonekura
Mabel Higa

Ben Kaito
Herbert Ho
Manabu & Norman Watanabe Family







Rev. Akira Maeda
Duane Morita
Atsuko Nonaka
Rev. Saburo Terasawa Walter Yamada
Fusako Hanai Robinson David Fujihara
Florence Matsuura
Anonymous
Briana Sugai
Ray Shiramizu
Roy & Mary Matsuda Wayne & Nancy Ishii Steven Wong
Anonymous
Bernard Tagami
Amy Hirokawa
Bernis AiramPatricia Miyazawa Jonathan Tani
Dorothy, Kyle, Corinne Fujimoto
Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka)*("4)*)0/(8"/+*)"8"**%*453*$5$"-&/%"3
Geraldine TanoueKenneth Kimoto
Tadao Iwasaki
Kenneth Saiki
Shigeko Tsuchida
Anonymous

Esther Shioi
Lillian Hara
Bert Maekawa
June Omura
Harvey Shima
Anonymous
Keizaburo Tsuji
Anonymous
Marilyn Kuroda
Bert Kaizuka
Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka(0+*,"*%6&4

Geraldine Tanoue
Esther Shioi
Ed & Diane Nakano Marigitha Teramoto
Kumiko Sakai
Sasayo Okazaki
Natalie Matsuzaki
Jonathan TaniCharlotte Tsukamoto Dr. Lanette Darby
Gerald Kogami
Tadao Iwasaki

Eileen UchidaThomas Yamada
Joyce Masaki
Iris Kubota
Bert Kaizuka
Faye Shigemura'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54

/&8:&"3

Minako Ito-SongJo Kamae Byrne
Shirley Nishizawa

Joyce Masaki

Joseph Muratsuchi
Jane Watanabe
Keith & Lynn Wong
Jonathan Tani
Ralph & Bette Nishida

Jane Kaneshiro
Cynthia Oda
Arlene Yoneyama Gladys Minami
Shirley Nishizawa Faye Shigemura
Agnes Tsuchiyama Barbara Okumura
Ronald & Patricia Hirata

In Memoriam
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the lateJean Sumiye Tanaka (90)January 7, 2015
Masayuki Miyasato (96)January 9, 2015

Shigeru Gushikuma

Shotsuki Observance for FebruaryOur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance oftemple family members who passed away in themonth of January of a past year will be held on 4VOEBZ 'FCSVBSZThe following list includes members fromthe past 25 years .
While shōtsuki services for a loved one are observed
every year, special nenki hōyō memorial services areheld during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorialservices for the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and50th years, normally held during the year prior to theactual anniversary date.
Call the Betsuin office at 531-9088 for assistance orfor more information.

Edward Abe
Violet Kikuko Doi
Tadao Fuchikami
James M. Fujiwara
Bun Fukunaga
George M. Gono
Doris Yaeko Goto
Katsuki Hanazono
Clara M. Hatori
James K. Hayase

Floyd I. Muraoka
Ryoichi Nakahara
Shigeko Nishizawa
Yoshiko Oda
Ethel Hisako Ogata
Hiroharu Ohara
Toyono Oi
Masao Sakaida
James Sakamoto
Vivian H. Sakamoto
Shigeko Shimabuku

Masae Higa
Kame Higa
Kiyoko Higa
Ted Teiyei Higa
Dick M. Higuchi
Kumaki Hisano
Florence T. Ikari
Fumio Ikuta
Arthur T. Inabata
Shigeko Ishibashi

Kenneth M. Ishida
Robert H. Ishimatsu
Sumio Ito
Yaeno Iwanaga
Hatsue Kaneshiro
Kishun Kaneshiro
David H. Kobata
Thomas K. Kono
Masako Kudo
Harriet H. Matsuo
Clara Y. Minamishin

Mary M. Shinbara
Oshi Shinsato
Kimiko Taketa
Takeo Takeuchi
James M. Tsuchida
Henry K. Tsuchiyama
Isami Tsukamoto
Clyde T. Uchida
Sadako UjimoriJack Ujimori

Shigeko Uyehara
Masayuki Uyemura
Yoshiaki Uyeno
Torao Uyeno
Masatoshi Watanabe
Sadie S. Yamada
Hiromu Yamamoto
Lilian M. Yoneda
Helen H. Yonehara
Matsue Yonekura

5

Akemashite O

deto Gozaimasu!
羊

Happy New Year!
You’re invited to attend our annual General
Membership Meeting and Shinnenkai (NewYear Party) on Sunday, February 22!

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Sunday, February 22, 2015

Sunday Service

Ba-a-aHondo (Main Hall), starting at 10:00 am
Dharma message: Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

Me-e-eBe-e-eMae-e-e

General Membership Meeting
Otani Center, starting at 11:00 am
Agenda includes year-end reports, election of board of directors and a look aheadto the coming year, as well as our Betsuin centennial & Goenki observance in 2016.

Shinnenkai (New Year Party) celebrating the Year of the Sheep
Otani Center, starting at 11:30 am
Sumptuous catered buffet, followed by entertainment (including world debutof the Pupule Papayas), fun games, exciting door prizes and special gift for ourmembers age 80+. $10 per person lunch fee, payable at the door.
If you’d like to join in the fun, please call us at the Betsuin at 531-9088
and let us know how many of you are planning to attend, the number ofadults and children, and ages of the children. If more convenient you may
email the information to betsuin@hhbt-hi.org or tell us the next time
you visit the temple.
QUESTIONS? CALL 531-9088. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE PARTY!

4

/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT

+BQBOTNBTIIJU5IFSNBF3PNBF
JT'FCSVBSZNPWJFPGUIFNPOUI The story follows ancient Romanarchitect named Lucius (Hiroshi Abe),
who’s having trouble coming up withideas. One day, he accidentally slips
through time that leads him to amodern-day public bath in Japan.
Inspired by the innovations foundthere, he returns to ancient Romeand creates his own spa, bringing the
The wide entree selection at the buffet table
was a highlight of last year’s New Year party. modern ideas to his time.
The hilarious Thermae Romae was
4IJOOFOLBJQSPNJTFTHBMBFWFOU an instant box-office hit, earning Abe a
QBDLFEXJUIQSJ[FTBOETVSQSJTFT Best Actor award in the Japan Academy
What are you doing on SundayAwards and becoming Japan’s 2nd
morning, February 22? Some of you highest-grossing film in 2012. Also
may say you ‘re going to church, some features popular actress Aya Ueto.
maybe watch Korean dramas, but
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Feb. 24,
how about going to a party?
108 min. Japanese audio with English
Come to our annual shinnenkai, or
subtitles. Free admission.
New Year Party! Something different.
gets you out of the house, and maybe
you can even win something useful.
If Robert Okazaki lived in Hawaii
instead of California, he would befirst in line playing games with us. If
Rev. Ryo Masuda lived in Hawaii and
not in Kyoto, he would be getting
another plate of desserts, somemade by Miki Kishida.
Our New Year gala is jam-packed
with prizes, ono food to get you
ready for the fun games and surpriseentertainment. This year we’ll see thefirst appearance of the Pupule Papayas,
テルマエ•ロマエ
who’ll wow you with eye-popping,代
unbelievable moves on stage.
代
Before the party begins, there’ll beをうa short General Membership Meeting
to take care of some business, such as
を
こで
現代
う
こで
election of board officers. The meetingstarts at 11 am in the Otani Center,right after our 10 am Sunday service,を
which we hope you’ll attend also.
代をLet us know if you’re coming, so
をを
we can plan ahead. Also call us if
で
you can help on our committee, or ifをを
you have prizes to donate. See p. 4
を
for additional information.

:

語

を

2

語

語

.BIBMPGPSZPVSNFNCFSEVFT

Thank you to families who havealready taken care of renewing theirannual gojikai membership dues.
Timely submission of annual
dues supports our temple activities
such as our weekly Sunday services,
study classes, community outreachprograms and other services, andhelps sustain them into the future.
For those who have not sent
their $75 annual membership dues
yet, we would appreciate yourcontinued support at your earliest
convenience. Payment of annual
gojikai dues also allows you tomaintain a niche in our columbarium.
If you’re not a member yet, pleaseconsider joining. Your membershipwill help us continue our mission toserve the local community as we havefor the past 99 years, and counting!

+PJOJOUIFDBMFOEBSEJTDVTTJPOAs you may know, the Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii District calendar
for 2015 contains weekly questions to
help you learn more about yourself.
Our hope is that you will shareanswers with family and friends, andon our District website at IICUIJPSH.
 While “taking up karaoke” and“hiking Mt. Fuji” were among answers
posted on the website for “things toaccomplish this year,” a common one
was to “smile more.”
As Yoko Ono once famously said,“Smile in the mirror. Do that every
morning and you’ll start to see a big
difference in your life.”
Another quote: “A smile is the lightin your window that tells others that
there is a caring, sharing person inside.”
Smile!

3

Akemashite O

deto Gozaimasu!
羊

Happy New Year!
You’re invited to attend our annual General
Membership Meeting and Shinnenkai (NewYear Party) on Sunday, February 22!

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Sunday, February 22, 2015

Sunday Service

Ba-a-aHondo (Main Hall), starting at 10:00 am
Dharma message: Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

Me-e-eBe-e-eMae-e-e

General Membership Meeting
Otani Center, starting at 11:00 am
Agenda includes year-end reports, election of board of directors and a look aheadto the coming year, as well as our Betsuin centennial & Goenki observance in 2016.

Shinnenkai (New Year Party) celebrating the Year of the Sheep
Otani Center, starting at 11:30 am
Sumptuous catered buffet, followed by entertainment (including world debutof the Pupule Papayas), fun games, exciting door prizes and special gift for ourmembers age 80+. $10 per person lunch fee, payable at the door.
If you’d like to join in the fun, please call us at the Betsuin at 531-9088
and let us know how many of you are planning to attend, the number ofadults and children, and ages of the children. If more convenient you may
email the information to betsuin@hhbt-hi.org or tell us the next time
you visit the temple.
QUESTIONS? CALL 531-9088. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE PARTY!

4

/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT

+BQBOTNBTIIJU5IFSNBF3PNBF
JT'FCSVBSZNPWJFPGUIFNPOUI The story follows ancient Romanarchitect named Lucius (Hiroshi Abe),
who’s having trouble coming up withideas. One day, he accidentally slips
through time that leads him to amodern-day public bath in Japan.
Inspired by the innovations foundthere, he returns to ancient Romeand creates his own spa, bringing the
The wide entree selection at the buffet table
was a highlight of last year’s New Year party. modern ideas to his time.
The hilarious Thermae Romae was
4IJOOFOLBJQSPNJTFTHBMBFWFOU an instant box-office hit, earning Abe a
QBDLFEXJUIQSJ[FTBOETVSQSJTFT Best Actor award in the Japan Academy
What are you doing on SundayAwards and becoming Japan’s 2nd
morning, February 22? Some of you highest-grossing film in 2012. Also
may say you ‘re going to church, some features popular actress Aya Ueto.
maybe watch Korean dramas, but
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Feb. 24,
how about going to a party?
108 min. Japanese audio with English
Come to our annual shinnenkai, or
subtitles. Free admission.
New Year Party! Something different.
gets you out of the house, and maybe
you can even win something useful.
If Robert Okazaki lived in Hawaii
instead of California, he would befirst in line playing games with us. If
Rev. Ryo Masuda lived in Hawaii and
not in Kyoto, he would be getting
another plate of desserts, somemade by Miki Kishida.
Our New Year gala is jam-packed
with prizes, ono food to get you
ready for the fun games and surpriseentertainment. This year we’ll see thefirst appearance of the Pupule Papayas,
テルマエ•ロマエ
who’ll wow you with eye-popping,
ロ マル
unbelievable moves on stage.
Before the party begins, there’ll bea short General Membership Meeting
to take care of some business, such as
election of board officers. The meetingstarts at 11 am in the Otani Center,right after our 10 am Sunday service,
ル
which we hope you’ll attend also.
ロマ
Let us know if you’re coming, so
we can plan ahead. Also call us ifルロ マ
you can help on our committee, or if
you have prizes to donate. See p. 4
for additional information.

:

語

を

2

語

語

.BIBMPGPSZPVSNFNCFSEVFT

Thank you to families who havealready taken care of renewing theirannual gojikai membership dues.
Timely submission of annual
dues supports our temple activities
such as our weekly Sunday services,
study classes, community outreachprograms and other services, andhelps sustain them into the future.
For those who have not sent
their $75 annual membership dues
yet, we would appreciate yourcontinued support at your earliest
convenience. Payment of annual
gojikai dues also allows you tomaintain a niche in our columbarium.
If you’re not a member yet, pleaseconsider joining. Your membershipwill help us continue our mission toserve the local community as we havefor the past 99 years, and counting!

+PJOJOUIFDBMFOEBSEJTDVTTJPOAs you may know, the Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii District calendar
for 2015 contains weekly questions to
help you learn more about yourself.
Our hope is that you will shareanswers with family and friends, andon our District website at IICUIJPSH.
 While “taking up karaoke” and“hiking Mt. Fuji” were among answers
posted on the website for “things toaccomplish this year,” a common one
was to “smile more.”
As Yoko Ono once famously said,“Smile in the mirror. Do that every
morning and you’ll start to see a big
difference in your life.”
Another quote: “A smile is the lightin your window that tells others that
there is a caring, sharing person inside.”
Smile!

3

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

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

On Nirvana Day
3JOCBO,FOKVO,BXBXBUB

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...

‘wa’
harmonyt/JSWBOB%BZp. 1
t -JUUMF%JòFSFODFT64+BQBOp. 2
t /FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTTp. 3
t 'FCSVBSZNPWJFp. 3
t (PKJLBJEVFTp. 3
t (FOFSBM.FNCFSTIJQ.FFUJOHBOE/FX:FBS1BSUZp. 4
t "DLOPXMFEHNFOUTp. 5
t 4IPUTVLJMJTUJOHGPS'FCSVBSZp. 5t5FNQMFBDUJWJUJFTDBMFOEBSp. 6

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin2

February 2015

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
MARCH 2015

FEBRUARY 2015
2/1
2/8
2/8

2/10
2/12
2/14
2/15
2/15
2/17
2/22
2/22
2/24
2/24
2/28

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 10 am Nirvana Day service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
現代語で仏教を聞こう

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 11 am General membership meeting &Shinnenkai (New Year’s party)
Otani Center
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Thermae Romae
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service

3/1
3/1
3/8
3/8

3/10
3/12
3/14
3/15
3/15
3/17
3/22
3/24
3/24
3/28

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Jimmy’s Auto Basics
led by Jimmy Hirakawa
Thu 7 pm Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
現代語で仏教を聞こう

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Spring Ohigan service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial 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
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 Missionof Hawaii for its members
and friends. Comments,
articles and other items for
publication consideration
are welcomed.
Editor: Ken SaikiFebruary 15 is Nirvana Day, the day Buddha died. Therefore let’s reflect on
Gautama Buddha’s life and his teachings that affect our lives.
When we hear about the Buddha, we think that he was not like us, as if hewere some kind of superhuman or even a divine power. But we should notforget, he was a human being, the same as we are.
Gautama Buddha was born a human being and died ahuman being. He was a son of the king and queen of the
Shakya clan, and as a prince he had a beautiful wife andchild. He had human sufferings and blind passions just as
we have. He had everything in life: power, money andwhatever he wished.
But he was always thinking about sufferings of sentient
beings and how he could get away from the sufferings,
and have peace of mind. He thought he couldn’t have
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata peace of mind by materialistic things or money or his
status as the prince. When he was 29 years old he left his palace home and forsix years sought to transcend all human sufferings. He visited the hermits whotaught ascetic practices to learn methods of attainment, but he could not attainthe state of mind that he was seeking. At that time in India people thought thatascetic practices could make them have pure minds and pure spirits that iscalled Nirvana.
Finally he gave up the ascetic practices. He washed his body and went
under the big Bodhi tree for meditation. He thought he would have toreconsider his way to attain peace of mind. It’s said that in the early morning on
December 8, when he saw a morning star, at last he became the awakened one
at 35 years of age. After his awakening, he continued to spread the dharma foranother 45 years.
When Gautama Buddha was 80 years old, he realized that he didn’t havemuch longer to live. So he left Rajagriha for Kapilavastu, where he was raised.
This was his last journey. On theway to Kapilavastu, he stayed at aplace called Kushinagara, and hereceived offerings of food from
Chunda, a blacksmith. But in thefood there was a poisonous
mushroom. Only the Buddha got
sickened by the tainted food andlay down under the Sal tree. It issaid that the cause of his death
was old age and food poisoning.
Buddha knew that the causeof his illness was the food that
Chunda offered. He also knewthat he would die very soon. So
before he died, he told his
disciples not to accuse Chunda of
any wrongdoing. His offering was(cont’d on p. 2)