LIGHT

The
to theWorld of Awakening
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata‘wa’
harmony

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin2

February 2018

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii
At Higashi Hongwanji, we remaintrue to our origins
as an open Sangha, welcoming
anyone who wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Koen Kikuchi
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
Asst. Sec’y & Auditor: Ken Saiki
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 observed in the Buddhist world as Nirvana Day. Nirvana Day isthe day Shakyamuni Buddha passed away.
When we hear about the Buddha, we think Buddha was not like us, like a superhuman being, divine being. But we should not forget that he was the same asus; he was born as a human being and he died as a human being. Then what isdifferent between Buddha and us? He found peace of mind and had eyes to see
reality and truth. By having those qualities, he had a goodand meaningful, profound life.
Our main goal with Buddhism is the same as Shakyamuni’s:
to become a Buddha, which means becoming an awakened
one and to become a person who has a settled peace of mind.
So it is important to remember Shakyamuni as our
teacher. We walk on the path of the Buddha as teaching of
Nembutsu. We listen to the Buddha’s teaching and reflect on
our lives and open our eyes to the truth.
Shakyamuni Buddha died at the age of 80. He had
been sharing his teaching with others for 45 years. When
Rinban Ken Kawawata
he realized that he would soon die, he left Rajagriha, where
he was staying at that time and went back to his hometown of Kapila-vastu.
This was his last journey. On the way to Kapila-vastu, he stayed at a placecalled Kushinagara, and received offerings of food from Chunda, a blacksmith.
But there was a poisonous mushroom in the food. Only the Buddha got foodpoisoning. Buddha lay down under the Sala tree and it is said that his cause ofdeath was given as old age and food poisoning.
Buddha knew that the cause of his sickness was the food that Chunda offered.
He also knew that he would soon die. So before he died, he told his disciples, “Don’t
accuse Chunda. His offering was 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,” was his last message to his attendant Ananda, a first cousin
and one of his principal disciples, and his followers. He then passed away.
In the Buddha’s last sermon, he said, “Make the dharma your light! Rely uponit; do not depend upon any other teaching. Make a light of yourself. Rely upon
yourself; do not depend upon anyone else.”
He also pointed out to Ananda that our world is constantly changing andnot lasting—the essence of impermanence—so make efforts to practice theteaching of Buddha and gain your own salvation.
In his last message, the Buddha is telling us that we need two lights for ourlives: one to illuminate to see the world of reality, truth and the Dharma, and one
to illuminate to see our own selves.
When you walk outside on a dark night, you need a flashlight. Since our worldis constantly changing and moving—we are, too—we cannot imagine what will
happen in the next moment. We need to make a constant effort to listen to the
Buddha’s teaching, which directs us to the world of awakening.
Our practice is hearing and calling Buddha’s name “Namu Amida Butsu.” Throughthis living of Nembutsu, we come up with what Buddha said in his last message.
I hope you will be able to join us to listen to more of the Buddha’s teaching at our
Nirvana Day service at the Betsuin on Sunday, Feb. 18, starting at 10 am.
Thank you in gassho,
Kenjun Kawawata

IMPORTANT NOTICEATTENTION MEMBERS! Please
help us by attending the General
Membership meeting on Sunday,
Feb. 25 at 11:00 am at Higashi
Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Otani
Center at 1685 Alaneo St. At themeeting you’ll have the opportunity
to vote on proposed amendments toour charter and bylaws. A member
quorum is needed to accomplish this.
What are the charter & bylaws?
The charter and bylaws are partof the governing documents of our
Betsuin and provide the authority,
instruction and guidelines for theboard of directors and officers in
the operations of the temple.
Why are we amending them?
We’re updating the existing
charter and bylaws to comply withcurrent Hawaii State and federal
laws and more efficiently address
the Betsuin’s operations. It’s beena while since our last update andwe believe that the new amended
articles of incorporation and bylaws
will serve as a more comprehensive
operational guide for the board of
directors and officers in our day-today operations.
What’s more, through betterorganization and inclusion of atable of contents and descriptive
paragraph headings, the documents
are more user-friendly and easierto read. We believe that theseamendments are in the best interestof both the temple and our current
membership.
Can I review the documents?
You’re welcome to review the
proposed amended and restatedarticles of incorporation and bylaws
at our office. Or you may request a
copy of these drafts by contacting
the temple office at (808) 531-9088.
Because the articles of incorporation
and bylaws will serve as the guiding
documents for the board of directors
and officers, we urge you to participate
in this important matter and makeyour vote count.

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Year of the Dog
Shinnenkai/New Year Party
明けましておめでとうございます！今年もよろしくお願いいたします！

WHO: Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin members, families & friends
WHEN: Sunday, February 25 (~11:30 am)
Immediately following General Membership meeting

WHERE: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii - Betsuin
Otani Center, 1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu
COST: FREE...though donations are greatly appreciated!
MENU: Favorites from New Mui Kwai Chop Suey!
PRIZES: Everybody’s a winner!
RSVP: Call 531-9088 (Let us know name, # adults, # children)
ENTERTAINMENT FEATURING:
Over the Hilltop Serenaders...Live on stage! Direct from Mililani!
Skit by Betsuin Sunday School children
Win
Bingo Dharma Hawaiians - Betsuin ukulele band

great
prizes!

Lucky Me& g ift car !
dprizes!

Wan! Wan!

Win! Win!

Don’t miss out on all the fun, food and fellowship!
Please be sure to join us!

News on the

Betsuin Wireless

Influenza season isn’t over yet!

Even if you haven’t gotten your flu
shot yet, it’s not too late! According to
the Centers for Disease Control, thisyear’s flu season is the most widespreadon record, with 12,000 hospitalized,
and the rate is reportedly still increasing!
While the vaccine is not perfect,
data shows it does help. Of the 37
children who died from flu this season,
85% did not get a flu shot. Protect yourloved ones. Protect yourself! The life
you save may be your own!

Feb. movie: heartwarming comedy
Pecoross’ Mother and Her DaysRev. Imai leads the discussion at the Hawaii
District Dharma Gathering at Otani Center.

District launches new theme fornext 3 years at dharma gathering

Our new “Joy of Living” theme
through 2020 was introduced by Rev.
Akinori Imai, former bishop of the
Hawaii & North America districts, at our
all-day Hawaii District Gathering at the
Betsuin Jan. 20 with some 25 attendees.
“Controlling” was among the
keywords in his lecture entitled, Let Us
Discover the Joy of Living. Rev. Imaireminded us that we cannot control
everything the way we want, sharing
personal examples such as not being
able to hit his drives 150 yards any
more or get his first couch choice
when furniture shopping with his wife.
The fact remains that reality is
uncontrollable. In our daily lives,much as though we’d like to thinkotherwise, we do not have full control.
Rev. Imai reminds us that all we cando is entrust ourselves in the power ofthe Buddha’s primal vow.
If the “Joy of Living” slogan has afamiliar ring to it, well, it should!
Honzan has been using it for morethan 50 years now. A huge sign at theentrance to our denomination’s
headquarters temple in Kyoto boldly
greets visitors, proclaiming, 生まれた意義と生きる喜びを見つけよう,or Let Us Discover the Significance ofBirth and the Joy of Living.

Yuichi Okano (Ryo Iwamatsu) is alaid-back baby boomer manga artist
born and raised in Nagasaki. His baldhead looks like a pecoross, a small
onion. His mother, Mitsue (Harue
Akagi) has dementia that began soonafter her husband, Satoru, died 10
years before. Typical episodes of her
daily life include sweetly sorrowful
events such as asking her grandson
Masaki (Kensuke Owada) to buy sakefor his late grandfather, nearlygetting run over while waiting at the
parking lot for Yuichi to return or
finding dirty underwear in tansu
drawers. Yuichi hesitatingly leaves
Mitsu at a care home.
As Japan’s population ages
rapidly, nursing care and dementia
are serious social issues today, andthis film faces the reality of thechallenges and is a heartwarming
comedy at the same time.
Critically acclaimed as one of thebest movies in Japan in 2013, awards
include 35th Yokohama Film Festival
Best Ten (#3), Best Director (Azuma
Morisaki) and Best Photography; 2013
Kinema Junpo Best Ten (#1); Mainichi
Film Awards Best Actress (Harue
Akagi); 28th Takasaki Film Festival Best
Work, Best Actress (Harue Akagi), Best
Supporting Actress Award (Kiwako
Harada); Movie Arts 2013 Movie BestTen (#1); among others.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Feb. 27,
113 min. Color, Japanese audio,
English subtitles. Free admission.
Light refreshments, or bring to share!

ペコロスの母に会いに行く
長崎生まれの団塊世代、岡野ゆういち(岩松了)は、漫画を描いたり音楽活動をしたりと趣味にうつつを抜かし、仕事に身が入らないダメサラリーマン。小さいたま
ねぎ“ペコロス”に似たハゲ頭のゆういち
は、今日もライヴハウスでオリジナルソン
グを歌い上げて悦に入っている。そんなゆ
ういちの母・みつえ(赤木春恵)の認知症が始まったのは、夫のさとるが亡くなった頃からだった。それから10年、ある時はさとるのために酒を買いに出たところを孫のまさき(大和田健介)に見つけられて連れ戻され、またある時はゆういちが帰ってくるのを駐車場で待ち続けて危うく轢
かれそうになった。さらに、箪笥の引き出
しから汚れた下着が大量に出てきたこともある。ケアマネージャーに勧められたゆういちは、悩みながらも、みつえを介護施設に預けることにする。そこは老人たちが皆で歌を合唱するような明るい雰囲気のグループホームだった。

Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days

受賞:第35回ヨコハマ映画祭2013年日
本映画ベストテン第3位、監督賞（森﨑東）、撮影賞；2013年第87回キネマ旬報
ベスト・テン日本映画ベスト・ワン；第68回毎日映画コンクール日本映画優秀賞、女優主演賞（赤木春恵）；第28回高崎映画祭最優秀作品賞、最優秀主演女優賞（赤木春恵）、最優秀助演女優賞（原田貴和子）；映画芸術 2013年日本映画ベスト
テン＆ワーストテン・ベストテン1位；その他。
公開 : 2013年、カラー、言語 : 日本語、
字幕 : 英語 、映時間 : 113分、2月27日(火)午後6:30時、入場無料。

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Mahalo!

HAWAII BUDDHIST COUNCIL
presents

Open Night at the Temples

Seeking

s
new
e
v
i
t
?
Negaverload
o
Runn
ing c

ing

ss
Stre

razy?

quiet tim
e?
?
t
u
o

Press the pause button. Buddhism offers to bring you peace through compassion
and wisdom. The seven denominations of the Hawaii Buddhist Council offer you
90-minute open houses in February, starting at 6 pm. Service, lecture and Q&A. No
obligation, no reservation necessary. Stop by and discover the diversity of Buddhism
so that you can discover your faith, and find that missing “something” to enjoy amore fulfilling life. Let’s rest our smartphones and rediscover our community.
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu

2/1 Nichiren Mission of Hawaii
33 Pulelehua Way, Hon. 96817 595-3517
2/6 Jodo Mission of Hawaii
1429 Makiki St., Hon. 96814 949-3995
2/8 Soto Mission of Hawaii
708 Nuuanu Ave.., Hon. 96817 537-9409
2/13 Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii 1685 Alaneo St., Hon. 96817 531-9088
2/15 Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin 1727 Pali Hwy., Hon. 96813 536-7044
2/20 Liliha Shingonji Mission
1710 Liliha St., Hon. 96817 533-3929
2/22 Tendai Mission of Hawaii
23 Jack Lane, Hon. 96817 595-2556

Thank you to all the Betsuin
families and individuals 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 your continued
support at your earliest convenience.
Payment of annual gojikai dues
gives you all the benefits ofmembership, including the right tovote in temple matters that concern
you at general membership meetings
and also allows you to maintain aniche in our columbarium.
If you’re not a member yet, pleaseconsider joining. Your membershipwill help us continue our mission toserve the local Hawaii community as
we have for the past century!
If you have questions about duesor membership, please feel free to callthe temple office at 531-9088.

Shotsuki Observance for FebruaryOur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance oftemple family members who passed away in themonth of February of a previous year will be held thismonth on Sunday, February 4.

Edward Abe
Jue Anami
Violet Kikuko Doi
Tadao Fuchikami
James M. Fujiwara
Bun Fukunaga
George Masato Gono
Doris Yaeko Goto
Richard Isami Hanai
Katsuki Hanazono
Clara Masako Hatori
Hitoshi Hayase
James Kiyoshi Hayase
Kame Higa
Kiyoko Higa
Masae Higa
Ted Teiyei Higa
Dick Michio Higuchi

4

Kumaki Hisano
Mitsue Horita
Florence Tomoe Ikari
Fumio Ikuta
Betty Mitsuno Imura
Arthur T. Inabata
Shigeko Ishibashi
Shigeru “Jack” Ishibashi
Kenneth M. IshidaThomas Tatsuo Ishida
Robert H. Ishimatsu
Sumio Ito
Yaeno Iwanaga
Hatsue Kaneshiro
Kishun Kaneshiro
Clarence I. Kawamoto
David Hisashi Kobata
Tatsuo Kobata

The following list includes temple members whose
deaths occurred this month during the past 50 years.
Please call the office at 531-9088 if you have any
questions about the listing.

Thomas Karu Kono
Masako Kudo
Roy Yosho Kurihara
Kimiko Manabe
Kanji Mashima
Harriet Harue Matsuo
Clara Y. Minamishin
Yakuro Miyamoto
Elliott S. Miyazono
Floyd Iwao Muraoka
Suma Muratsuchi
Ryoichi Nakahara
Yoshiko Nakahara
Katherine Nakamura
Shigeko Nishizawa
Thomas T. Nitta
Yoshiko Oda

Ethel Hisako Ogata
Hiroharu Ohara
Toyono Oi
Carol Masako Otani
Masao Sakaida
James Sakamoto
Vivian H. Sakamoto
Miles Y. Shigemura
Shigeko Shimabuku
Mary M. Shinbara
Oshi Shinsato
Kimiko Taketa
Takeo Takeuchi
Ralph M, Tanijo
Kiyoko Tomita
James M. Tsuchida
Henry K. Tsuchiyama

Isami Tsukamoto
Clyde T. Uchida
Jack Ujimori
Sadako Ujimori
Ethel H. Umemoto
Shigeko Uyehara
Masayuki Uyemura
Torao Uyeno
Yoshiaki Uyeno
Masatoshi Watanabe
Sadie S. Yamada
Noboru Yamakawa
Hiromu Yamamoto
Lilian Michiko Yoneda
Helen H. Yonehara
Matsue Yonekura
Robert M. Yoshida
Violet H. Yoshida

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

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

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...
t The Light to the World of Awakening p. 1t(FOFSBMNFNCFSTIJQNFFUJOHp. 2
t4IJOOFO&OLBJ/FX:FBSQBSUZp. 2
t/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTTp. 3t/FXXPSETUPMJWFCZp. 3
t'MVTFBTPO*UBJOUPWFSUJMMJUTPWFSp. 3
t.PWJFPecoross’ Mother & Her Days p. 3t HBC Open Night at the Temples p. 4
t Gojikai membership dues p. 4
t February shōtsuki service p. 4
t Acknowledgments p. 5tTemple activities calendar p. 6

Temple Activities Calendar
2/4
2/4

2/5
2/8
2/10
2/11
2/13
2/13
2/18
2/18
2/19
2/20
2/25
2/25
2/27
2/27

FEBRUARY

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki service/Sunday school
Sun 12pm The Larger Sutra study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
代語で

日本語
を こう

Mon 10 am Betsuin study classThu 7 pm The Larger Sutra study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 12 pm Oahu MAP class
Sun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday schoolTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6 pm HBC Open Night at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Nirvana Day service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingMon 10 am Betsuin study classTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service/Sunday school
Sun 11 am General membership meeting
Shinnenkai/New Year party
Otani Center
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Pecoross’ Mother & Her Days
ペコロスの母にいにく (2013)

2/28 Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service

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4

3/4
3/4
3/5
3/8
3/11
3/13
3/18
3/18
3/20
3/20
3/23
3/24
3/25
3/26
3/27
3/27
3/28

MARCH

Shōtsuki service/Sunday school
Omigaki polishing of altar decorations
Betsuin study class
The Larger Sutra study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Temple picnic at Kapiolani Park(no service at Betsuin)Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceSun 10 am Ohigan service/Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 10 am Ministers’ training (through 3/22)
Tue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Fri 7 pm Public lecture
Dr. Michael Conway, Otani University
Sat 10 am Temple presidents’ meeting
Higashi Honganji Hawaii District
Sun 10 am Rennyō Shōnin memorial service
Mon
Hawaii District Fukushima project(though 4/2)
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: Land of HopeのFukuhara Conference Room
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
Sun 10 am
Sun 12pm
Mon 10 am
Thu 7 pm

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

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