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

Do You See Devils?

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

Address Service Requested

Rev. Koen Kikuchi

The following is the dharma message presented by Betsuin minister Rev. Koen Kikuchi
on February 21, 2016, adapted for publication in Wa.

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In this issue of WA...

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

3

March 2016

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
MARCH

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
3/6 Sun 12 pm Omigaki (Altar implement polishing)
Fukuhara Conference Room
3/8 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara Conference Room
3/10 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
3/13 Sun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
3/13 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class3/6

現代語で仏教を聞こう

3/15
3/20
3/20
3/22
3/22
3/27
3/27
3/28

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Spring Ohigan service
Guest speaker: Rev. Thomas Okano
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Like Father, Like Son (2013)
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Rennyo Shonin memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Crafting class
Fukuhara Conference RoomMon 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service

4/3
4/10

4/12
4/14
4/17
4/17
4/19
4/24
4/24
4/26
4/26
4/28

APRIL

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 10 am HBC Buddha Day and
Betsuin Hanamatsuri service
Joint Hawaii Buddhist Council service
held at Betsuin hondo (main hall)
Refreshments at Otani Center
Food collection for Hawaii Foodbank
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara Conference RoomThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Crafting class
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Tokyo Sonata (2008)
Fukuhara Conference RoomThu 10 am Shinran Shonin 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
Asst. Sec’y & Auditor: Ken Saiki
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Koen Kikuchi
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 Saikin February 3 at shrines all over Japan, you’ll find actors and actresses,
sumo wrestlers and other celebrities tossing roasted beans to chase away
evil spirits. This custom has been popular for centuries inJapan at the start of spring.
When throwing the beans, people shout, “Oni wa
soto! Fuku wa uchi!,” or “Evil out, happiness in.” Afterwards,
people pick up and eat the number of beans whichcorrespond to their age. Tradition says that will help themavoid bad things in the coming year.
This event emphasizes throwing away bad things
and keeping only good things. As human beings,
this is what we prefer. But as Rev. Ryojin Soga (1875Rev. Koen Kikuchi1971), an influential thinker in the Higashi Hongwanji
denomination, said, “A person who sees other people as devils, that person is
also a devil.” In Japanese, 相手を鬼と見る人は、自分もまた鬼である (曽我量深). In our denomination, we think we are the beings that possess thedevil inside of us. In this case, the devil means a person who is heartless, notsympathetic, and not kind. This kind of person does harmful things and takes
away our future wishes and hopes.
Do you know what a tsunokakushi is? It’s a traditional wedding headwear still
popular in Japan, worn when a bride wears a kimono in a wedding ceremony.
Tsuno-kakushi literally means “to hide one’s horns,” and so the headwear is supposedto veil the bride’s horns of jealousy, ego and selfishness. It
also symbolizes the bride’s resolve to become a gentle andobedient wife for her dear husband.
Well, it might have been common belief in the oldendays that only women had shortcomings when they got
married. But what about men? Some claim that womenpossess more of the jealousy, ego and selfishness DNA thanmen. But what would happen if we look at this tradition
from Rev. Ryojin Soga’s point of view? He would answer
Do you think this bride’s that men are just as jealous, egotistic and selfish. Or, could
tsunokakushi is hiding it be that men are not honest and, in fact, quite stupid
any “horns of jealousy”?
because they don’t admit to their own shortcomings?
Recently I’ve begun to feel that men are really litte boys at heart. Males tend
to absorb themselves in things such as sports and hobbies and can think anddo only one thing at a time. More and more, I’m convinced that’s true about
men and find that it applies to me as well.
On the other hand, females are more mature. Take Kokoro, who is mydaughter and middle child. Her mind, in several ways, is already more advanced
than her older brother, Ren. She takes care of her two siblings like a mother.
Being more mature, females may appear to exhibit more jealousy than males.
At any rate, we can say that both men and women can’t see themselves clearlyand don’t want to admit to their own shortcomings. They point fingers at eachother. Men want to blame women and women want to blame men.
I’ve had dharma talks about our self-ego and our self-centeredness before
and now I’d like to introduce a parable called The Black Mouse and the White
Mouse, taken from a Buddhist sutra.
There was once a traveler walking in the wilderness. All of a sudden, out of
nowhere, he saw a huge elephant charging toward him. Out of fear for his life,
he ran for cover, but there was no place to hide. Desperate, he spotted a dry
well, so he jumped in and held on to some hanging vines. As he descended into
the well, he was dismayed to find four large snakes sllitering and hissing at the(cont’d on p. 2)

Seeing a Devil (cont’d from p. 1)

bottom. Afraid to let go, he hung ontightly to the vines. But then, looking up,
he noticed a black mouse and a whitemouse gnawing at the vines.
Meanwhile, at this critical moment,
five honeybees flew over the well anddropped five drops of honey right
into the mouth of the traveler. Ecstatic
while savoring the blissful sweetnessof the honey, the traveler finds all
thoughts of danger have melted away.
What is the meaning of this story?
The wilderness is this world, inwhich the traveler is walking., while theelephant represents the impermanenceof time that is always chasing us. We
always panic when we happen to see
sudden and unexpected events.
The four snakes at the bottom of
the well are the four elements of ourbodies: earth, water, fire, and wind.
These four elements depend on
the lifeline of the vine, which helps
sustain us for the time being.
The black mouse and the whitemouse, which are slowly but steadily
gnawing away at the vines, are nightand day. And the vines themselvesrepresent our lives.
The five drops of honey from thebees are the five desires of wealth,beauty, fame, food and sleep. Upon
tasting the sweetness, the traveler
forgets about all the imminent dangers.
This story really shows thathuman beings do not look atthemselves truly, and we are only
looking at the things right in front of
us. Quoting Rev. Ryojin Soga again,“A person who sees other people asdevils, that person is also a devil.”
One teacher taught me that thepath on which Jodo Shin Buddhists
walk is to have glasses to see others
as Buddha—not as devils. We cannot
always see others’ good points, evenin our own families. When we see
people we dislike, our devil mind
appears and we don’t regard them as
human beings. At the same time, we
become a devil.
On the other hand, if we cansomehow get the glasses of Buddha’seye, we will be able to see others as a
Buddha, who is going to be a teacher
for us. We can live as human beingsin the real world.

2

ctors of
The Board of Direion of Hawaii
iss
Mji
Higashi Hongwan
u to attend
cordially invite yo

erviceSpring Ohigan S, 2016
Sunday, March 20
.
a.m
0
10:0
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HawaiioRev. Thomas Okan
Dharma message by wanji Mission of Hawaiingnpa HoFormer Bishop, Hoe service.
diately following thOtoki lunch imme

心地よい天候が続く中、皆様にはお元気でお過ごしの事と存じます。
さて春のお彼岸法要を下記の如くお勤め致しますのでご案内申し上げます。
お彼岸は古く聖徳太子の時代より行われてきた伝統ある法要です。
私ども先達はこの機会を仏様の教えを聞く良き機会としてまいりました。
ご家族でご一緒にお参り下さい。

春のお彼岸法要法要
法

日 時 ２０１６年３月２０日 午前１０時
話 岡野 亮珠 師（前本派本願寺ハワイ教団総長）＊法要後お斎がございます。
ご家族お揃いでお参りください。

New Hawaii District Minister, Rev. Kita

H

ello! I am Hidesato Kita, yournew Hawaii District minister,
replacing Rev. Takafumi Bansaka.
I was born in Hokkaido, Japan’s
northernmost prefecture. I went
to Kyoto to attend Otani
High School to study Shin
Buddhism. Then I moved
further south to Kyushu,
to major in sociology at
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific
University. Of course, to get
to Hawaii, I had to fly southfrom Japan. So I’m steadily
moving south. The funny
thing is that my name, Kita,
means north! You’ll remember my name!
I already feel connected to Hawaii,
as my mother worked at the Hawaii
Betsuin 30 years ago. Also, when myfather was attending Otani University,
he was friends with Bishop Kawawata.

Still, I’m a little apprehensive about
my new assignment since I am totallynew to Hawaii and not yet confident
about my English language skills.
I’ll try my best, though, and hope
you will encourage me if
you happen to notice any
improvement.
The Betsuin centennial,
Shinran Shonin 750th
Memorial Service for Hawaii
District and the 12th World
Dobo Gathering in L..A. are
all being held this year. I
will need your full support
and cooperation and will
devote my energy into working
together with you to ensure theevents meet all your expectations.
I’m looking forward to learningfrom and working with all of you.
Mahalo for your support!

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

Jane Nakano
Charlotte Tsukamoto

Franklin Suenaga
Ken Mashima

Moriso Teraoka
Irene Yoshizaki

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. For donations of $250 or
more, receipts/acknowledgment will be issued incompliance with IRS regulations. Thank you.
Tsutomu Doi family
Sally Shito

James Ishikawa,:0%"/%0/"5*0/ (including Otani Center, parking lot, columbarium, altar supplies)
Eleanor Urakawa
Stanley Hosaka
Rosalie Tatsuguchi
Minh Ky Ho
Joyce Masaki
Jonathan Tani

Sandra Abelaye
Helen Motoyama
Michael Sawai
Abe family
Marion KanemoriFred Tanaka
Quyen Duc Long
Briana Sugai
Sandra Abelaye
The Aikido Ohana
Duane & Tammy Morita(0+*,"*%6&4

Fred Tanaka
Diane Funai
Mr. Taketa
Gladys Abe
Moriso Teraoka
Minasan Hawaii Inc
Roy & Mary Matsuda
Carolyn Ching
Atsuko Nonaka
Marigitha Teramoto
Robert & Christine Imoto

Gerald Kogami
Sandra Abelaye
Helen Motoyama
Ayame Hashioto
Atsuko Nonaka
Harvey Maruya
Michael Sawai
Michiko Otsuka
Charlotte Tsukamoto Lanette Darby
Marigitha Teramoto Margaret Matsuda
Jonathan Tani
M/M Michael Nomura James Hirakawa
Ed Nakano
Raymond & Fay Uyema
Kiyoko Dorothy Moriyama$"-&/%"3

Helen Motoyama
Miyoko Hebaru
Bert Kaizuka
Marilyn Kuroda
Lynn Wong
Ruth Kunishige
Mitsuko Yukutake
Akitoshi Nakahara
Gary & Joyce Kurihara Leslie Kawamoto
Jonathan Tani
Doris Toyama

Natalie Matsuzaki
Jean Hayashi
Geraldine TanoueJane Naito
Jean Hayashi
Natalie Matsuzaki
Kathryn Okazaki
Patricia Hirata
Velma Nakahara
Eleanor Yamashita
Wallace & Jean Haruki Kazuto & Lynn Shimizu'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54
Minako Ito-Song

Joyce Masaki

Mabel Higa

Meuki Amaral
Betty Niide
Eye Production
Thomas Yamada
Atsuko Nonaka

Ruth Pacheco
Bert Kaizuka
Geraldine Tanoue Grace Kogami
Joyce Masaki
Kazue Uechi
Wesley & Eileen Uchida

In Memoriam
We extend our deepest sympathy
to the families of the late
Seiyei Miyasato (93)Jan. 31, 2016
Yukie Kawasaki Fujinaga (87)
Feb. 7, 2016

Shotsuki Observance for MarchOur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance oftemple family members who passed away in themonth of March of a previous year will be held thismonth on 4VOEBZ .BSDIThe following list includes temple members whose
deaths occurred in the past 25 years.
Please call the office at 531-9088 if you have any
questions about the listing.

Kay Kazuko Amuro
Jhosuke Asato
Kitoku Asato
Gary Shinyu Asato
Ethel Etsuko Fujihara
Clifford Fujimoto
Yoshio Fukuda
Shige Gibo
Richard Susumu Goya
Kurao Haruno
Marion Miyuki Hatakenaka
Ayako Hayase
Robert Tsutomu Hayase
Martha Kiyoko Hayashida
Yoshito Hebaru
Teri Teruko Higa
Jinichi Higa

Jane Sueno Matsunaga
Alma Kumae Matsuoka
Edith Shigeko Miyasato
Ruth Yaeko Nakano
Florence T. Nishizawa
Gladys Yoshie Oda
Masako Ogata
Tsutae Ogawa
Jack Kikuo Okazaki
Mitsuo Omiya
S. Shizuko Onaka
Ben Tsutomu Sagawa
Robert Koru Saiki
Hinaye Saiki
Gyoko Saito
Richard Masaru Shimogawa
Itaro Shimotsu

Margaret Haruko Higa
Stannly Masatoki Honda
Kikuyo Ifuku
Elsie Nobue Ishii
Toshio Kaichi
Takuji Kanemaru
Howard Kameyoshi Kaneshiro
Yasuko Kawada
Chiyoko Kaya Kimura
Haruko Kinoshita
Paul Shigeo Kojima
Haruko Sugita Kono
Yoshiko Kumamaru
Betsy Shigeko Lam
Robert Katsumi Matsuda
Yoshiko Matsumoto
Herbert Shigeru Matsumura

Frances Shizu Shinko
Toshio Shinohara
Handy Seisei Sueyoshi
Shizuko Tagami
Glenn Takaki
Kikue Takamatsu
Gladys Kiyoko Taketa
Hatsuko Tamanaha
Toku Toda
Herbert Masuo Tokunaga
Bill Masaichi Toma
Rosie Hanae Uchida
Richard Isamu Uyema
Satoru Uyeno
Manabu Yamakawa
Haruki Yamauchi
Shizuko Yoshida

5News on the)PPOLP)PTIJEBO

Betsuin Wireless

Fujimori, Maeda and Kikuchi andmoderated by the bishop, expandedon the theme and fielded audience
questions, which further encouraged
lively, on-topic discussion among themany contributors eager to participate.
Among the conclusions reached
was that we all have the aspiration,and the deeper we go, the moredifficult it is to describe and put intowords. One apt way to express thisformless inconceivability might be“Amida...No Boundaries.”with Keita after birth, and after DNA
tests prove the error, they must now
make a life-changing decision toeither keep Keita, the boy they raised
as their own son, or switch him fortheir biological son. Also stars Yoko
Maki as Yukari Saiki and Lily Franky as
her husband, Takehiro.
Like Father, Like Son, directed by
Hirokazu Koreeda and released in 2013,
received international acclaim, winning aJury Prize (2013 Cannes Film Festival),
People’s Choice Award (VancouverFilm Festival), 2014 Japan
Like Father, Like Son UPCFGFBUVSFE International
Academy Awards (Best Actor - Masaharu

Bishop Kawawata took the reins for Dr.
Haneda at the Feb. 6 district gathering.

"XBLFOJOHUIFNFEJTDVTTFEBU
%JTUSJDU%IBSNB(BUIFSJOH
With scheduled speaker Dr. Nobuo
Haneda unable to attend the District
Dharma Gathering Feb. 6 due to illness,
Bishop Kenjun Kawawata assumed theduties and started the joint retreat’s“Awakening to Your Deepest Wish”
discussion in the morning.
Following lunch, a panel comprisedof Hawaii temple ministers Revs.

BTNPWJFPGUIFNPOUIBU#FUTVJO

Ryota Nonomiya (Masaharu
Fukuyama) is an elite businessman
who is focused so much on work that
he neglects his wife, Midori (MachikoOno), and 6-year-old son, Keita (Keita
Ninomiya). Upon his return home
one day, Midori tells him that thehospital where Keita was born needs
to speak to them urgently, and Ryota
senses trouble. After arriving at thehospital, the couple learns that their
biological son Ryusei (Shogen
Hwang) was accidentally switched

SHINNENKAI HIGHLIGHTS: Clockwise, from upper right: The catered Korean lunch was
so ono! Entertainment included Ren as guest minyo vocalist with Harada Naoatsusa Kai.
Everyone enjoys winning prizes. The Kita & Kikuchi Yokai Family show some fancy footwork.

Fukuyama), among other awards.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., March
22. 120 min. Color. Japanese audio,
English subtitles. Free admission.
Everyone welcome to attend. Light
refreshments provided but feel free
to bring your own snacks.
（そしてちちになる）
大手建設会社に勤務し、都心の高級マンションで妻と息子と暮らす野々宮良多
は、人生の勝ち組で誰もがうらやむエリート街道を歩んできた。そんなある日、病院からの電話で、6歳になる息子が出生時に取り違えられた他人の子どもだと判明する。妻のみどりや取り違えの起こった相手方の斎木夫妻は、それぞれ育てた
子どもを手放すことに苦しむが、どうせなら早い方がいいという良多の意見で、互いの子どもを“交換”することになるが……。
受賞： 第66回カンヌ国際映画祭、 審査員賞、第32回バンクーバー国際映画祭、観客賞、 第37回日本アカデミー
賞、 優秀主演男優賞（福山雅治）、その他。 監督 :是枝裕和、 出演者 ：福山雅治、尾野真千子、真木よう子、二宮慶多黄升炫、 リリー・フランキー。
公開 ：2013、 言語 : 日本語、 字幕 :英語 、映時間 : 120分、 カラー、 3月
22日(火)午後6:30時 、入場無料。

3“A once-in-a-lifetime experience”

I

was very fortunate to be part of a group that traveled toJapan last year to attend the Hoonko service on Nov. 28 at
Shinshu Honbyo, the Higashi Hongwanji complex in Kyoto. It
was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me to attend thismemorial service for Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo
Shinshu Buddhism.
Our Hawaii traveling group included Jane and Jay from
Hilo, Alex from Kauai, Ivan from Palolo and Jim and Wendy
from Kaneohe. We were guided by Rev. Hiroko Maeda from
Kaneohe. We met up with other members from Berkeley, L.A.,
West Covina and Chicago. and were the English-speaking
participants, joining many others from Japan and Brazil. We
stayed at the temple’s Dobo Retreat Center for three days,
attended morning and evening services, and participated indaily discussions led by Rev. Conway. Even though we were all
meeting for the first time, I felt so at ease with the group, and I
know others have expressed similar views. I think it was
because we could all sense that this was something very special.
Rev. Conway translated the Japanese portions of theservices for us, which we could listen to with earbuds via atransmitting device. He had such a soothing voice I had tofight to stay awake in my jet-lagged state.
Recently, our board president, Faye, asked me what mymost memorable moment was from my trip. Without having
to think about it, I said, “Hearing hundreds of people singing
Shinshu Shuka together. We sing this at the Betsuin services
occasionally, but hearing hundreds of people singing this,quite loudly, made something so ordinary, extraordinary.
I grew up in West Covina, where there is a Higashi temple.
I probably started going there when I was a baby, attended
Sunday School as a kid and also participated in Junior YBA
activities in high school. After that, I didn’t attend church as
regularly, but kept up with the news via “The Gateway,”West Covina’s version of our “Wa” newsletter, as well as
getting updates from family and friends. So I had heard ofchurch members going to the Hoonko service in Kyoto, andthey usually wrote “Gateway” articles about their experience.
The thing I remember reading about year after year was how
hard it was for them to sit during the services. I didn’t quite
understand why everyone kept mentioning this, until I
experienced it for myself! More on this later.
After I moved to Hawaii, my father told me I should go to
the Betsuin, because “Rev. Ken” was there. That’s whatmembers affectionately called Bishop Kawawata when he
was at the West Covina temple. So of course, being a good

Margaret Hamachi, 2nd from left, along with other Hoonko Hoshidan members.

4

daughter, I listened to my dad and finally attended myfirst service here a couple of years ago. I didn’t actually
meet Bishop Kawawata until then. The members were sowelcoming and the service format familiar, so I felt right at
home. Thanks, Dad!
So when Bishop Kawawata asked me if I would like to go
to Japan for the Hoonko Hoshidan, I was really excited. This
would be my first trip to Japan!
Attending the Hoonko service in the Founder’s Hall,
one of the largest wooden structures in the world, we satamong thousands of people. A special form of chanting,Bando Bushi, is performed only during Hoonko in Kyoto. It is a
dynamic chant. Rows of priests sway
forward from a sitting position, left toright and back up. It reminded me ofhula, where sitting dancers will rollbackwards onto their backs and up
again. Ministers also perform live
music in front of the altar. It was truly
a wonderful experience. And yes, it really isa challenge to sit through the service,
which ended up lasting 2 ½ hours!
Writing this article and reflecting on
sweeping skills.
our discussions got me thinking of the Showing
Photos by Hiroko Maeda
Sangha and gratitude. When we areyoung, we think of ourselves as being the center of theuniverse, and as we grow, we come to realize that is not thecase. However, we still look at things from our own limited
perspective, and that can be a source of conflict and suffering.
Even the ministers struggle with this, as they related
anecdotes relating to their wives or mothers-in-law. Rev.
Conway laments over why his wife has to put her handbag
down in the middle of the hallway, or why she doesn’t dowhat he wants. We discussed the three blind, poisonous
passions: greed, anger and ignorance. Based on our limited
way of looking at things and our selfish perspective, we makevalue judgments, either liking or disliking something—it’sright or wrong, etc. Recognizing our own limitedness isimportant and can awaken us to unlimited life and light.
As a child, I didn’t realize all the effort it took to keep achurch running, or how much work it took my mom to keep ahouse full of seven people going. I have much more gratitude
now for all that it takes and how important compassion andinterdependence are to our lives. There are so many people tothank that make Hoonko Hoshidan happen every year, but
special thanks to Bishop Kawawata, Rev. Bansaka, Rev. Maeda,
as well as everyone at the Honzan headquarters in Kyoto.
So, as we all lead busy lives and get caught up in the day today, it is important to step back and listen to the voices of ourteachers, to return to a broader perspective more encompassing
than our own. Bishop Kawawata frequently talks to us about
leading a “meaningful life” by listening to the Dharma.
I really encourage (challenge, ha!) all of you who read the“Wa”, to come to a service. One of Shinran’s three virtues in hislife was to make Shin Buddhism flourish. And I would love tohear more voices singing Shinshu Shuka!
In Gassho,
Margaret Hamachi

News on the)PPOLP)PTIJEBO

Betsuin Wireless

Fujimori, Maeda and Kikuchi andmoderated by the bishop, expandedon the theme and fielded audience
questions, which further encouraged
lively, on-topic discussion among themany contributors eager to participate.
Among the conclusions reached
was that we all have the aspiration,and the deeper we go, the moredifficult it is to describe and put intowords. One apt way to express thisformless inconceivability might be“Amida...No Boundaries.”with Keita after birth, and after DNA
tests prove the error, they must now
make a life-changing decision toeither keep Keita, the boy they raised
as their own son, or switch him fortheir biological son. Also stars Yoko
Maki as Yukari Saiki and Lily Franky as
her husband, Takehiro.
Like Father, Like Son, directed by
Hirokazu Koreeda and released in 2013,
received international acclaim, winning aJury Prize (2013 Cannes Film Festival),
People’s Choice Award (VancouverFilm Festival), 2014 Japan
Like Father, Like Son UPCFGFBUVSFE International
Academy Awards (Best Actor - Masaharu

Bishop Kawawata took the reins for Dr.
Haneda at the Feb. 6 district gathering.

"XBLFOJOHUIFNFEJTDVTTFEBU
%JTUSJDU%IBSNB(BUIFSJOH
With scheduled speaker Dr. Nobuo
Haneda unable to attend the District
Dharma Gathering Feb. 6 due to illness,
Bishop Kenjun Kawawata assumed theduties and started the joint retreat’s“Awakening to Your Deepest Wish”
discussion in the morning.
Following lunch, a panel comprisedof Hawaii temple ministers Revs.

BTNPWJFPGUIFNPOUIBU#FUTVJO

Ryota Nonomiya (Masaharu
Fukuyama) is an elite businessman
who is focused so much on work that
he neglects his wife, Midori (MachikoOno), and 6-year-old son, Keita (Keita
Ninomiya). Upon his return home
one day, Midori tells him that thehospital where Keita was born needs
to speak to them urgently, and Ryota
senses trouble. After arriving at thehospital, the couple learns that their
biological son Ryusei (Shogen
Hwang) was accidentally switched

SHINNENKAI HIGHLIGHTS: Clockwise, from upper right: The catered Korean lunch was
so ono! Entertainment included Ren as guest minyo vocalist with Harada Naoatsusa Kai.
Everyone enjoys winning prizes. The Kita & Kikuchi Yokai Family show some fancy footwork.

Fukuyama), among other awards.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., March
22. 120 min. Color. Japanese audio,
English subtitles. Free admission.
Everyone welcome to attend. Light
refreshments provided but feel free
to bring your own snacks.
（そしてちちになる）
大手建設会社に勤務し、都心の高級マンションで妻と息子と暮らす野々宮良多
は、人生の勝ち組で誰もがうらやむエリート街道を歩んできた。そんなある日、病院からの電話で、6歳になる息子が出生時に取り違えられた他人の子どもだと判明する。妻のみどりや取り違えの起こった相手方の斎木夫妻は、それぞれ育てた
子どもを手放すことに苦しむが、どうせなら早い方がいいという良多の意見で、互いの子どもを“交換”することになるが……。
受賞： 第66回カンヌ国際映画祭、 審査員賞、第32回バンクーバー国際映画祭、観客賞、 第37回日本アカデミー
賞、 優秀主演男優賞（福山雅治）、その他。 監督 :是枝裕和、 出演者 ：福山雅治、尾野真千子、真木よう子、二宮慶多黄升炫、 リリー・フランキー。
公開 ：2013、 言語 : 日本語、 字幕 :英語 、映時間 : 120分、 カラー、 3月
22日(火)午後6:30時 、入場無料。

3“A once-in-a-lifetime experience”

I

was very fortunate to be part of a group that traveled toJapan last year to attend the Hoonko service on Nov. 28 at
Shinshu Honbyo, the Higashi Hongwanji complex in Kyoto. It
was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me to attend thismemorial service for Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo
Shinshu Buddhism.
Our Hawaii traveling group included Jane and Jay from
Hilo, Alex from Kauai, Ivan from Palolo and Jim and Wendy
from Kaneohe. We were guided by Rev. Hiroko Maeda from
Kaneohe. We met up with other members from Berkeley, L.A.,
West Covina and Chicago. and were the English-speaking
participants, joining many others from Japan and Brazil. We
stayed at the temple’s Dobo Retreat Center for three days,
attended morning and evening services, and participated indaily discussions led by Rev. Conway. Even though we were all
meeting for the first time, I felt so at ease with the group, and I
know others have expressed similar views. I think it was
because we could all sense that this was something very special.
Rev. Conway translated the Japanese portions of theservices for us, which we could listen to with earbuds via atransmitting device. He had such a soothing voice I had tofight to stay awake in my jet-lagged state.
Recently, our board president, Faye, asked me what mymost memorable moment was from my trip. Without having
to think about it, I said, “Hearing hundreds of people singing
Shinshu Shuka together. We sing this at the Betsuin services
occasionally, but hearing hundreds of people singing this,quite loudly, made something so ordinary, extraordinary.
I grew up in West Covina, where there is a Higashi temple.
I probably started going there when I was a baby, attended
Sunday School as a kid and also participated in Junior YBA
activities in high school. After that, I didn’t attend church as
regularly, but kept up with the news via “The Gateway,”West Covina’s version of our “Wa” newsletter, as well as
getting updates from family and friends. So I had heard ofchurch members going to the Hoonko service in Kyoto, andthey usually wrote “Gateway” articles about their experience.
The thing I remember reading about year after year was how
hard it was for them to sit during the services. I didn’t quite
understand why everyone kept mentioning this, until I
experienced it for myself! More on this later.
After I moved to Hawaii, my father told me I should go to
the Betsuin, because “Rev. Ken” was there. That’s whatmembers affectionately called Bishop Kawawata when he
was at the West Covina temple. So of course, being a good

Margaret Hamachi, 2nd from left, along with other Hoonko Hoshidan members.

4

daughter, I listened to my dad and finally attended myfirst service here a couple of years ago. I didn’t actually
meet Bishop Kawawata until then. The members were sowelcoming and the service format familiar, so I felt right at
home. Thanks, Dad!
So when Bishop Kawawata asked me if I would like to go
to Japan for the Hoonko Hoshidan, I was really excited. This
would be my first trip to Japan!
Attending the Hoonko service in the Founder’s Hall,
one of the largest wooden structures in the world, we satamong thousands of people. A special form of chanting,Bando Bushi, is performed only during Hoonko in Kyoto. It is a
dynamic chant. Rows of priests sway
forward from a sitting position, left toright and back up. It reminded me ofhula, where sitting dancers will rollbackwards onto their backs and up
again. Ministers also perform live
music in front of the altar. It was truly
a wonderful experience. And yes, it really isa challenge to sit through the service,
which ended up lasting 2 ½ hours!
Writing this article and reflecting on
sweeping skills.
our discussions got me thinking of the Showing
Photos by Hiroko Maeda
Sangha and gratitude. When we areyoung, we think of ourselves as being the center of theuniverse, and as we grow, we come to realize that is not thecase. However, we still look at things from our own limited
perspective, and that can be a source of conflict and suffering.
Even the ministers struggle with this, as they related
anecdotes relating to their wives or mothers-in-law. Rev.
Conway laments over why his wife has to put her handbag
down in the middle of the hallway, or why she doesn’t dowhat he wants. We discussed the three blind, poisonous
passions: greed, anger and ignorance. Based on our limited
way of looking at things and our selfish perspective, we makevalue judgments, either liking or disliking something—it’sright or wrong, etc. Recognizing our own limitedness isimportant and can awaken us to unlimited life and light.
As a child, I didn’t realize all the effort it took to keep achurch running, or how much work it took my mom to keep ahouse full of seven people going. I have much more gratitude
now for all that it takes and how important compassion andinterdependence are to our lives. There are so many people tothank that make Hoonko Hoshidan happen every year, but
special thanks to Bishop Kawawata, Rev. Bansaka, Rev. Maeda,
as well as everyone at the Honzan headquarters in Kyoto.
So, as we all lead busy lives and get caught up in the day today, it is important to step back and listen to the voices of ourteachers, to return to a broader perspective more encompassing
than our own. Bishop Kawawata frequently talks to us about
leading a “meaningful life” by listening to the Dharma.
I really encourage (challenge, ha!) all of you who read the“Wa”, to come to a service. One of Shinran’s three virtues in hislife was to make Shin Buddhism flourish. And I would love tohear more voices singing Shinshu Shuka!
In Gassho,
Margaret Hamachi

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

Do You See Devils?

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

Address Service Requested

Rev. Koen Kikuchi

The following is the dharma message presented by Betsuin minister Rev. Koen Kikuchi
on February 21, 2016, adapted for publication in Wa.

O

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

3

March 2016

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
MARCH

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
3/6 Sun 12 pm Omigaki (Altar implement polishing)
Fukuhara Conference Room
3/8 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara Conference Room
3/10 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
3/13 Sun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
3/13 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class3/6

現代語で仏教を聞こう

3/15
3/20
3/20
3/22
3/22
3/27
3/27
3/28

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Spring Ohigan service
Guest speaker: Rev. Thomas Okano
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Like Father, Like Son (2013)
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Rennyo Shonin memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Crafting class
Fukuhara Conference RoomMon 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service

4/3
4/10

4/12
4/14
4/17
4/17
4/19
4/24
4/24
4/26
4/26
4/28

APRIL

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 10 am HBC Buddha Day and
Betsuin Hanamatsuri service
Joint Hawaii Buddhist Council service
held at Betsuin hondo (main hall)
Refreshments at Otani Center
Food collection for Hawaii Foodbank
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara Conference RoomThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Art of Paper Crafting class
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Fukuhara Conference RoomTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Tokyo Sonata (2008)
Fukuhara Conference RoomThu 10 am Shinran Shonin 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
Asst. Sec’y & Auditor: Ken Saiki
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Koen Kikuchi
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 Saikin February 3 at shrines all over Japan, you’ll find actors and actresses,
sumo wrestlers and other celebrities tossing roasted beans to chase away
evil spirits. This custom has been popular for centuries inJapan at the start of spring.
When throwing the beans, people shout, “Oni wa
soto! Fuku wa uchi!,” or “Evil out, happiness in.” Afterwards,
people pick up and eat the number of beans whichcorrespond to their age. Tradition says that will help themavoid bad things in the coming year.
This event emphasizes throwing away bad things
and keeping only good things. As human beings,
this is what we prefer. But as Rev. Ryojin Soga (1875Rev. Koen Kikuchi1971), an influential thinker in the Higashi Hongwanji
denomination, said, “A person who sees other people as devils, that person is
also a devil.” In Japanese, 相手を鬼と見る人は、自分もまた鬼である (曽我量深). In our denomination, we think we are the beings that possess thedevil inside of us. In this case, the devil means a person who is heartless, notsympathetic, and not kind. This kind of person does harmful things and takes
away our future wishes and hopes.
Do you know what a tsunokakushi is? It’s a traditional wedding headwear still
popular in Japan, worn when a bride wears a kimono in a wedding ceremony.
Tsuno-kakushi literally means “to hide one’s horns,” and so the headwear is supposedto veil the bride’s horns of jealousy, ego and selfishness. It
also symbolizes the bride’s resolve to become a gentle andobedient wife for her dear husband.
Well, it might have been common belief in the oldendays that only women had shortcomings when they got
married. But what about men? Some claim that womenpossess more of the jealousy, ego and selfishness DNA thanmen. But what would happen if we look at this tradition
from Rev. Ryojin Soga’s point of view? He would answer
Do you think this bride’s that men are just as jealous, egotistic and selfish. Or, could
tsunokakushi is hiding it be that men are not honest and, in fact, quite stupid
any “horns of jealousy”?
because they don’t admit to their own shortcomings?
Recently I’ve begun to feel that men are really litte boys at heart. Males tend
to absorb themselves in things such as sports and hobbies and can think anddo only one thing at a time. More and more, I’m convinced that’s true about
men and find that it applies to me as well.
On the other hand, females are more mature. Take Kokoro, who is mydaughter and middle child. Her mind, in several ways, is already more advanced
than her older brother, Ren. She takes care of her two siblings like a mother.
Being more mature, females may appear to exhibit more jealousy than males.
At any rate, we can say that both men and women can’t see themselves clearlyand don’t want to admit to their own shortcomings. They point fingers at eachother. Men want to blame women and women want to blame men.
I’ve had dharma talks about our self-ego and our self-centeredness before
and now I’d like to introduce a parable called The Black Mouse and the White
Mouse, taken from a Buddhist sutra.
There was once a traveler walking in the wilderness. All of a sudden, out of
nowhere, he saw a huge elephant charging toward him. Out of fear for his life,
he ran for cover, but there was no place to hide. Desperate, he spotted a dry
well, so he jumped in and held on to some hanging vines. As he descended into
the well, he was dismayed to find four large snakes sllitering and hissing at the(cont’d on p. 2)