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

Home Is...
Rev. Makoto Honda

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

3

March 2014

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
MARCH 2014
3/2
3/2
3/9
3/11
3/13
3/15
3/16
3/16
3/18
3/23
3/25
3/25
3/28
3/28
3/30

APRIL 2014

Sun 10 am Shotsuki memorial service &4/6 Sun 10 am HBC Buddha Day service
Sunday school
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
4/6 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Betsuin local retreat
4/8 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceLecturer: Rev. Marcos Sawada
4/8 Tue 7 pm Lecture - Part 1 - Dr. George Tanabe
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
4/10 Thu 7 pm Lecture - Part 2 - Dr. George Tanabe
Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
4/12 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
4/13 Sun 10 am Hanamatsuri service
led by Rev. Frank Childs
4/15 Tue 7 pm Lecture - Part 3 - Dr. George Tanabe
Sun 10 am Ohigan service & Sunday school
4/17 Thu 7 pm Lecture - Part 4 - Dr. George Tanabe
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
4/20 Sun 10 am Shotsuki service & Sunday schoolTue 7 pm O-ko: dharma discussion at Kaneohe
4/20 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Sun 10 am Rennyo Shonin’s memorial day service
4/22 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
4/22 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Ballad of Narayama
Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: 24 Eyes (੸ે஛भቊ)(⎜৛තઅ)
Fukuhara Conference Room
4/27 Sun 10 am Sunday service
Fri 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
4/28 Mon 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
Fri 11 am Recitation circle
4/28 Mon 11 am Recitation circle
Sun 10 am Sunday service & omigaki
Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, we
remain true 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
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 SaikiW

hen I say the word “Home,” what do you picture? Where you live now?
Where you used to live? Do you see the whole house or perhaps just a
certain place in your house?
What would be the expectations for your home? Is it
peaceful? Do you see your family? What meals are you
eating? Are there certain smells in the air? Before you moveto the next paragraph, think about these things. Or if you
are with someone right now, you may want to share thesequestions with them.
One day I met a lady at the temple. Her memory wasfading, unfortunately, yet she visited our temple with her son.
She shared many stories about her life, such as where she lived
and what her jobs were. She was kind enough to invite me to her home.
According to her son, the place she invited me to was a previous residence,
where her life was very difficult. So I imagined that the old house was really“home” to her. Because of her life events, she remembered the old place better.
I was fortunate to be able to return to Japan last month—my first trip backsince I was assigned as minister at the Hawaii Betsuin a year and a half ago—and visit the house where I was raised. I lived in that house until I was 15,
before moving to England. Upon my return to Japan eight years later, I lived
there again for another three years, before leaving to study to become aminister. So that house was my home for most of my life.
When I saw my house on this last trip, I was shocked because it looked as
though my house had shrunk. Everything looked smaller. In my memory, myhouse was a lot bigger. I do not remember having to duck to go through manyof the doors. And the rooms were so small. I only needed a few steps to reachthe other end of the room. I’m already 31, so surely I haven’t grown any since
the last time (at least not vertically; horizontally I’m not so sure). My line ofvision hasn’t changed. I was wondering then why this was so. To me thismeans my childhood memories are much stronger than my adult memories.
At a Sunday service, I once asked members the same question: When I say
the word “home,” what do you picture? Many of the members told me that it is
the house in which they grew up.
Today, what would you find in your home. Joy? Fighting? Crying? Security?
Relaxation? Fun? Hope? Love? Acceptance? No matter how you might
describe your home, I believe it is the place where you want to go back to.
Home is where your life has been lived fully.
Studying Buddhism is just like that. We listen to Buddhism so that Life (orSoul) is able to return where it truly belongs in our daily lives.
One of my teachers once said—and it has stayed with me ever since—“Mylifetime job is to return my soul to childhood.” I believe studying about yourhome is the same as it is studying about the Pure Land, or Higan. One
remembers the strongest feeings of one’s Life the best. Those feelings andmemories as children lead to the foundation of Life.

Spring Ohigan Service
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Sunday, March 16, 10:00 am

0O.BLJOH)PSTF4FOTF

I

n a recent Sunday service dharma message, Bishop Ken
Kawawata shared a parable about a horse owned by
Saiou, a farmer living in ancient China, to illustrate how
things don’t always go the way you expect.
“One day Saiou’s horse ran away and the old man
cursed the bad luck. After a few days the horse returned
with another horse with it, so Saiou felt quite happy that
it turned out to be good luck, after all. But some timelater, while riding the new horse, his son fell and broke
his leg. Oh, no, bad luck again, the old man thought, until
the army showed up at the village and took all the ablebodied men to fight in a war. Because of his broken leg,the son was, fortunately, left behind.”This story, which points outthat one’s fortune is unpredictable
and changeable, is a well-known
Japanese proverb: য৑ਐহኋᅰऋ஝ (Ningen banji saiou ga uma) or “Allhuman affairs are like Saiou’s horse.”
There are many other horserelated Japanese kotowaza, or
proverbs since horses in Japan havealways lived and worked side by sidewith people. Another saying: ஝भປप୛บ (Uma o mimi ni nembutsu), literally, a sutra ina horse’s ear, or “You can’t talk sense to a horse.” It’s used
to describe a wasted effort, such as trying to explain
something to someone who isn’t able to understand at allor refuses to listen to good advice.

O

ur monthly shotsuki memorial service will be heldon Sunday, March 2. This remembrance service
provides an ideal opportunity for family members to
Kay Kazuko Amuro
Jhosuke Asato
Kitoku Asato
Gary Shinyu Asato
Clifford Fujimoto
Yoshio Fukuda
Shige Gibo
Richard Susumu Goya
Kurao Haruno
Marion M. Hatakenaka
Ayako Hayase
Robert T. Hayase
Martha K. Hayashida
Yoshito Hebaru

2

Teri Teruko Higa
Jinichi Higa
Margaret Haruko HigaCharles Takeshi Hirata
Stanley M. Honda
Kikuyo Ifuku
Elsie Nobue Ishii
Hatsuyo Iwahashi
Toshio Kaichi
Takuji Kanemaru
Howard K. Kaneshiro
Yasuko Kawada
Chiyoko Kaya Kimura
Haruko Kinoshita

Of the more than 30,000 proverbs you’ll find inJapanese dictionaries, many are from Buddhist scripture,of Chinese origin or direct translations of Western
proverbs. Whether native or borrowed, the proverbs giveinsight to the psychology of the Japanese people.
ຒ஝पଭॊ Shiriuma ni noru), or riding on thehorse’s rear end. Since it means riding behind someone
else on the horse’s back, the phrase is used to describe
someone who imitates another blindly.
஝৕पु๲ಎ (Mago ni mo ishou), or a packhorse
driver in fine clothes. In other words, “The clothes makethe man.”उःञॊ஝म੊पພोङ Oitaru uma wa michi owasurezu). An old horse does not forget his path.
೔஝भ௵Chikuba no tomo, or childhood friend.
Chikuba (also read takeuma) is a branch of bamboo with
attached “tail” of leaves sticking out,
ridden around like a horse by children.
Chikuba is also a pair of bamboo
poles with footrests, or stilts, anothertraditional childhood pastime.
ฟमฟ৴ो‫ؚ‬஝म஝৴ो Ushi
wa ushizure, uma wa umazure), whichmeans cows follow cows, horses
follow horses. Same idea as “Birds ofa feather flock together.”ฟ॑஝पଭॉఌइॊ Ushi o uma
ni norikaeru). Switch from riding an ox
to riding a horse. You may hear this saying when someone
changes to a faster mode of transportation, such as froma train to an airplane. By extension, it can also describe
making any change for the better.
— Ken Saiki

get together to express appreciation for the gift of life
from those who came before them, and at the sametime, listen to the dharma.

Haruko Sugita Kono
Yoshiko Kumamaru
Betsy Shigeko Lam
Robert K. Matsuda
Yoshiko Matsumoto
Herbert S. Matsumura
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 M. Shimogawa
Itaro Shimotsu
Frances Shizu Shinko
Toshio Shinohara
Handy Seisei Sueyoshi
Shizuko Tagami
Glenn Takaki

Kikue Takamatsu
Gladys Kiyoko Taketa
Hatsuko Tamanaha
Toku Toda
Herbert M. Tokunaga
Bill Masaichi Toma
Rosie Hanae Uchida
Satoru Uyeno
Richard Isamu Uyema
Manabu Yamakawa
Haruki Yamauchi
Shizuko Yoshida(listing includes past
25 years only)

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.

4)0546,* .&.03*"- '6/&3"- */63/.&/5#63*"-4&37*$&
Paul Klink
Omiya
Stanley Gono

Shirley Nishizawa
Leslie Kobata
Wilfred Gono & Family S. Higa
Wayne Shinbara
Kenneth Doi

Lester Kaichi
Mel & Ida Hori

Okawa Family
Ken Mashima

Shigeru Gushikuma Honolulu Meiji Makule SoftballMoriso Teraoka
Charlotte Anami

Koka University

Wallace & Jean Haruki(0+*,"*.&.#&34)*1



,:0%"/%0/"5*0/(including columbarum, Otani Center)Collin Segawa
Minako Ito-Song
Richard & Rachel Ishida
Duane & Tammy Morita

Howard & Patsy Nikaido
Haruko Yoshioka
Dennis & Carrie Kawamoto
Jonathan Tani
Patricia Hirata
Ellen Sasayo Okazaki Ed Nakano

Kazuo Kono Leatrice
Family of Masao Oshiro

Tadao Iwasaki
Kimie Sugimoto
Geraldine Tanoue4)*//&/,"*/&8:&"31"35:(including entertainment, door prizes and other donations)
Atsuko Nonaka
Tsutomu Nakai
Hiroe Suenaga
Laura Hirayama
Bando Mieyuki
Bando Miejuro
Rev. Noriaki Fujimori Keizaburo Tsuji
James Hirakawa
Jonathan Tani
Helen Suzuki
Tai Chi ladies

Chisato Yato
Jun Hees
Rev. Makoto Honda
Ken Saiki
Joyce Masaki
Dennis Saiki

Yoshiko Bailey
Kumiko Sakai
Stanley Kawaguchi
Ryo Shinozaki
Bando Mietoshi
Hanayagi Katsumoto
Bishop Ken Kawawata Rev. Takafumi Bansaka Rev. Hiroko Maeda
Ed NakanoDebra Saiki

In Memoriam

We wish to extend our deepest
sympathy to the family of the late)*("4)*)0/(8"/+*)"8"**%*453*$5$"-&/%"3
Wallace & Jane Naito Masayuki Miyasato"-5"3'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54
Minako Ito

Sadie Shizuno Yamada (93)
February 21, 20148&%%*/(

Joyce Masaki

Tsukasa Sasaki

5FNQMF&UJRVFUUFT

his is the first in a series ofarticles we will be preparing
regarding temple operations andetiquette.
Many of us learned what weknow about temple proceduresby watching what our parents andgrandparents did. After the thirdor fourth generation, however, we
may not spend as much time at the
temple and don’t have the same
opportunity to learn the traditions
observed by our first and second
generation family members. Enter
Temple Etiquette 101.
The questions I get asked mostoften are related to funeral andmemorial services. “How much do I
give to the temple for a memorialservice?” “How many envelopes
should I prepare?” “How much do I
give to the minister?”Following a death of a family
member, a funeral director from amortuary usually provides the familywith instructions on all procedures,
including suggested honorarium
for the minister and donation
amounts to the temple. It’s difficult
for the temple to answer the samequestions about honorarium anddonations because these amounts
are considered discretionary.
The same type of questions
arises for private family memorialservices, such as the 3rd- and 7thyear anniversary memorial services.
These memorial services are not as

involved as an actual funeral service,so the amounts a family donates to atemple and gives to the minister are
generally smaller.
At Higashi Hongwanji we also
hold monthly shotsuki memorialservices, usually on the first Sunday ofthe month, to remember all deceased
members who died in that month inpast years. Although a special service,this group service is performed aspart of our regular Sunday service.
Donations from family members areusually made to the temple, but notnecessarily to the minister.
If you have questions, pleasefeel free to call the temple. We will
gladly assist in any way we can.
— Faye Shigemura

5

1VCMJD-FDUVSFBOE+PJOU%JTUSJDU%PCP3FUSFBU)JHIMJHIUT

L

ocal Shin Buddhism followers
were treated to two excellent
opportunities to listen to Jodo
Shinshu presentations in February
by Dr. Nobuo Haneda, of the Maida
Center of Buddhism in Berkeley.
16#-*$-&$563&

The first was at a Shinshu Centerof America public lecture at theHigashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
main hall, where he faced stiffcompetion with other Valentine’s

Shinran’s original teachings. At
one point, Kiyozawa was labeled a“heretic,” lost his teaching position
and was even briefly expelled fromthe Otani-ha sect along with othersin his reform movement.
Eventually, Kiyozawa resumed
his educational activities andhis students developed his Shinteachings into the 20th century
and revived the Dobo reformation
movement we see today.
Because of many questions
from the audience, the Q&A session
extended more than an hour beyond
the original schedule. Not wanting
to miss out on any of Dr. Haneda’s
enthusiastic responses, nearly
everyone chose to remain until time
finally had to be called.
)"8"**%*453*$5+0*/53&53&"5

Dr. Haneda enthusiastically talks about
Manshi Kiyozawa, whom he described as
the “Shinran Shonin of Modern Times.”

Day activities on the evening of Feb.
14 to describe the life and beliefsof the reformer Manshi Kiyozawa,
often called “The Father of Modern
Japanese Shin Buddhism.”With his usual impassioned
zeal, Dr. Haneda dove into details of
Kiyozawa’s life and how it paralleled
Sakyamuni Buddha’s and Shinran
Shonin’s life in religious practices,
subsequent renunciation of theirpractices, awakening experiencesand dynamic lives after wakening.
Kiyozawa viewed Buddhism asa teaching of self-examination—
the basis of other world religions
as well—but did not view Shin
Buddhism as a teaching of salvation
by faith in an external savior.
He challenged traditional,
established Edo-era Shin Buddhism
doctrine and attempted to restore

4

The following day, Feb. 15,
Higashi Honganji Hawaii District
held the first Joint Dobo Retreat
leading up to the Betsuin’s
centennial. Dr. Haneda led the allday event with the theme, “Hongan- Aspiration” at the Otani Center.
The Parable of the Two Rivers
and the White Path, by Chinese Pure
Land monk Shan-tao, provided alla wonderful opportunity to learn
again about life’s journey as weapproach Spring Ohigan and set oursights on the Other Shore.
In the parable, a man is travelingwest when he comes upon an

endless river, a hundred paces
across. To the south is a raging fire,
and to the north, billowing waves
of water. A single white path, fouror five inches across separates thetwo. Bandits and vicious animals areclose behind.
Facing sure death, the traveler
makes up his mind and chooses
to cross over the white path. An
encouraging voice to the east urges
him on, while a voice to the west
calls to him and promises to protect
him. Meanwhile, the bandits try toconvince him to turn back.
He single-mindedly presses
forward and reaches the westernside, meets his good friend and his
joy is boundless.
The traveler in the parable
represents all human beings as we
journey from this world (east) to theland of perfect bliss (west). Greed anddesire (water) and anger and hatred(fire) challenge us. Since the goodmind is slight, it’s like the white path.
While others of different practices
are calling out and trying to confuse
us, we follow Sakyamuni’s teachings(voice from the east) as well as theintent of Amida’s call (voice beckoning
from the west). By entrusting ourselvescompletely to the power of Amida’s
Vow and continuing to listen andrely on the dharma, we are able tokeep walking on the path of eternal
happiness toward the Pure Land.



/FXTPOUIFTIJOOFOLBJDFMFCSBUFTUIFOFXZFBS

Betsuin members congratulate a lei-bedecked Dr. George Tanabe
at a United Japanese Society luncheon honoring him for his
imperial decoration, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with
Neck Ribbon, conferred by the government of Japan.

%S5BOBCFSFUVSOTGPSFODPSFMFDUVSFTFSJFT

A second series of lectures by Dr. George Tanabe,
Professor Emeritus, Department of Religion, University of
Hawaii, is tentatively scheduled for April 8, 10, 15 and 17.
Dr. Tanabe’s four-part lecture series on Finding
Harmony in Chaos in November 2013 was extremely
well-received. Higashi Hongwanji’s Dharma Study
Center received several requests for more of the same.
Watch for registration details in the mail or drop by the
temple for more information.

.BSDINPWJFGFBUVSF5XFOUZ'PVS&ZFT

One of Japan’s most popular and endearing classics,
this 1954 black-and-white film follows the career of aschoolteacher named Ōishi (played by Hideko
Takamine) in Shōdoshima during the rise and fall ofJapanese ultra-nationalism in the beginning of the
Shōwa period. The narrative begins in 1928 with theteacher’s first class of 1st grade students and follows
her through 1946.
The movie won the Golden Globe Foreign Language
Film award in 1955. 154 minutes. Japanese audio withEnglish subtitles.
Free admission. Showtime 6:30 pm, Tuesday, March
25. Ample seating in the Fukuhara Conference Room.
੸ે஛भቊ‫ق‬पगॄअखभऱधा‫ك‬

Some 24 Oahu and Kauai residents attended the Feb. 15 retreat at the Betsuin. A similar retreat
was conducted at the Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission the next day for Big Island residents.

#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT঩মऋਸ਼੸ઃ਼ੀপਅ॑఍ऌਤ॒टഄఴभअबॉप‫ؚ‬౯ૢऩऎධा੢ऽोथःऎ੓ਙઇపधেെञठभౙ୔ध
๩แ॑ৢखथ‫ؚ‬ਅଥभ๩ၥऔ॑๜ःञ੿ષदँॊ‫؛‬ফ২भ०‫ش‬ঝॹথॢট‫ش‬ঈೖਗবୁ಩઺ೖ॑ਭ
ೖ‫؛‬಩઺যऋ৭वड़‫ش‬ঝॱॖ঒ঋ५ॺ‫؞‬঩ম಩઺ౣदमਜ਼पছথॡॖথऔोथःॊ‫؛‬ল౰঻‫؟‬ৈ໕ೢ৕੉ୁ঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ঱಩ৎ৑ীஜహ
োৃ૮મা঩‫كౌق‬ଏ৏ৎ

About 75 members and friends filled Otani Center at
the Betsuin’s General Membership Meeting andShinnenkai - New Year Party held on Feb. 23.
After a short business meeting led by Faye Shigemura,reviewing the temple’s accomplishments during the past
year, everyone enjoyed a festive Chinese lunch.
Entertainment opened with the Yamagata folk song
Hanagasa Ondo, danced by a group of Bando and Hanayagi
Japanese classical dance-trained natori, plus a surprisingly
nimble Rev. Makoto Honda.
Then a group of temple ukulele musicians known as theDharma Hawaiians (or Daruma Hawaiians, depending onwhom you ask), did a group sing-along with Yuuyake Koyake
and You Are My Sunshine, followed by At the Hukilau group hula.
The all-minister “Bonsan Band-o” then played some
melodies from the days of their youth, accompanied bygroup singing.
Atsuko Nonaka’s
Harada Nao Azusa Kai
entertained with fivesongs, Hanagasa Ondo,
Sakazukuri Iwai Uta,
Harada Kai Ondo, Shan
Shan Uma Dochu Uta
and Kyushu Tanko
Bushi. The audience
joined in a bon dance The tasty buffet choices catered fromcircle for the last song. Golden Lion Chinese Kitchen in Waimalu
A lucky number were a big hit with shinnenkai attendees.
drawing, scavenger hunt and karaoke rounded out thegathering’s festivities.
Mahalo to all who attended and to those who gave of
their time and effort to make for a fun and enjoyable event.

0UBOJTUVEFOUTFYQFSJFODF)BXBJJUFNQMFMJGF

Two 3rd-year students at Kyoto’s Otani University, which
trains ministers in our Higashi Hongwanji sect, are spending amonth of personal time at the Betsuin. While here, they hopeto gain better insight into how overseas missions operate.
Riaru Kai andShinren Tomishige,both 21, have been
assisting with various
temple ministerial
duties and havegone sightseeing
during their sparetime. They return to Riaru (l) and Shinren (r) tour Pearl Harbor
Japan in early March. with Rev. Honda and Faye Shigemura.

3

1VCMJD-FDUVSFBOE+PJOU%JTUSJDU%PCP3FUSFBU)JHIMJHIUT

L

ocal Shin Buddhism followers
were treated to two excellent
opportunities to listen to Jodo
Shinshu presentations in February
by Dr. Nobuo Haneda, of the Maida
Center of Buddhism in Berkeley.
16#-*$-&$563&

The first was at a Shinshu Centerof America public lecture at theHigashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
main hall, where he faced stiffcompetion with other Valentine’s

Shinran’s original teachings. At
one point, Kiyozawa was labeled a“heretic,” lost his teaching position
and was even briefly expelled fromthe Otani-ha sect along with othersin his reform movement.
Eventually, Kiyozawa resumed
his educational activities andhis students developed his Shinteachings into the 20th century
and revived the Dobo reformation
movement we see today.
Because of many questions
from the audience, the Q&A session
extended more than an hour beyond
the original schedule. Not wanting
to miss out on any of Dr. Haneda’s
enthusiastic responses, nearly
everyone chose to remain until time
finally had to be called.
)"8"**%*453*$5+0*/53&53&"5

Dr. Haneda enthusiastically talks about
Manshi Kiyozawa, whom he described as
the “Shinran Shonin of Modern Times.”

Day activities on the evening of Feb.
14 to describe the life and beliefsof the reformer Manshi Kiyozawa,
often called “The Father of Modern
Japanese Shin Buddhism.”With his usual impassioned
zeal, Dr. Haneda dove into details of
Kiyozawa’s life and how it paralleled
Sakyamuni Buddha’s and Shinran
Shonin’s life in religious practices,
subsequent renunciation of theirpractices, awakening experiencesand dynamic lives after wakening.
Kiyozawa viewed Buddhism asa teaching of self-examination—
the basis of other world religions
as well—but did not view Shin
Buddhism as a teaching of salvation
by faith in an external savior.
He challenged traditional,
established Edo-era Shin Buddhism
doctrine and attempted to restore

4

The following day, Feb. 15,
Higashi Honganji Hawaii District
held the first Joint Dobo Retreat
leading up to the Betsuin’s
centennial. Dr. Haneda led the allday event with the theme, “Hongan- Aspiration” at the Otani Center.
The Parable of the Two Rivers
and the White Path, by Chinese Pure
Land monk Shan-tao, provided alla wonderful opportunity to learn
again about life’s journey as weapproach Spring Ohigan and set oursights on the Other Shore.
In the parable, a man is travelingwest when he comes upon an

endless river, a hundred paces
across. To the south is a raging fire,
and to the north, billowing waves
of water. A single white path, fouror five inches across separates thetwo. Bandits and vicious animals areclose behind.
Facing sure death, the traveler
makes up his mind and chooses
to cross over the white path. An
encouraging voice to the east urges
him on, while a voice to the west
calls to him and promises to protect
him. Meanwhile, the bandits try toconvince him to turn back.
He single-mindedly presses
forward and reaches the westernside, meets his good friend and his
joy is boundless.
The traveler in the parable
represents all human beings as we
journey from this world (east) to theland of perfect bliss (west). Greed anddesire (water) and anger and hatred(fire) challenge us. Since the goodmind is slight, it’s like the white path.
While others of different practices
are calling out and trying to confuse
us, we follow Sakyamuni’s teachings(voice from the east) as well as theintent of Amida’s call (voice beckoning
from the west). By entrusting ourselvescompletely to the power of Amida’s
Vow and continuing to listen andrely on the dharma, we are able tokeep walking on the path of eternal
happiness toward the Pure Land.



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Betsuin members congratulate a lei-bedecked Dr. George Tanabe
at a United Japanese Society luncheon honoring him for his
imperial decoration, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with
Neck Ribbon, conferred by the government of Japan.

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A second series of lectures by Dr. George Tanabe,
Professor Emeritus, Department of Religion, University of
Hawaii, is tentatively scheduled for April 8, 10, 15 and 17.
Dr. Tanabe’s four-part lecture series on Finding
Harmony in Chaos in November 2013 was extremely
well-received. Higashi Hongwanji’s Dharma Study
Center received several requests for more of the same.
Watch for registration details in the mail or drop by the
temple for more information.

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One of Japan’s most popular and endearing classics,
this 1954 black-and-white film follows the career of aschoolteacher named Ōishi (played by Hideko
Takamine) in Shōdoshima during the rise and fall ofJapanese ultra-nationalism in the beginning of the
Shōwa period. The narrative begins in 1928 with theteacher’s first class of 1st grade students and follows
her through 1946.
The movie won the Golden Globe Foreign Language
Film award in 1955. 154 minutes. Japanese audio withEnglish subtitles.
Free admission. Showtime 6:30 pm, Tuesday, March
25. Ample seating in the Fukuhara Conference Room.
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Some 24 Oahu and Kauai residents attended the Feb. 15 retreat at the Betsuin. A similar retreat
was conducted at the Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission the next day for Big Island residents.

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About 75 members and friends filled Otani Center at
the Betsuin’s General Membership Meeting andShinnenkai - New Year Party held on Feb. 23.
After a short business meeting led by Faye Shigemura,reviewing the temple’s accomplishments during the past
year, everyone enjoyed a festive Chinese lunch.
Entertainment opened with the Yamagata folk song
Hanagasa Ondo, danced by a group of Bando and Hanayagi
Japanese classical dance-trained natori, plus a surprisingly
nimble Rev. Makoto Honda.
Then a group of temple ukulele musicians known as theDharma Hawaiians (or Daruma Hawaiians, depending onwhom you ask), did a group sing-along with Yuuyake Koyake
and You Are My Sunshine, followed by At the Hukilau group hula.
The all-minister “Bonsan Band-o” then played some
melodies from the days of their youth, accompanied bygroup singing.
Atsuko Nonaka’s
Harada Nao Azusa Kai
entertained with fivesongs, Hanagasa Ondo,
Sakazukuri Iwai Uta,
Harada Kai Ondo, Shan
Shan Uma Dochu Uta
and Kyushu Tanko
Bushi. The audience
joined in a bon dance The tasty buffet choices catered fromcircle for the last song. Golden Lion Chinese Kitchen in Waimalu
A lucky number were a big hit with shinnenkai attendees.
drawing, scavenger hunt and karaoke rounded out thegathering’s festivities.
Mahalo to all who attended and to those who gave of
their time and effort to make for a fun and enjoyable event.

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Two 3rd-year students at Kyoto’s Otani University, which
trains ministers in our Higashi Hongwanji sect, are spending amonth of personal time at the Betsuin. While here, they hopeto gain better insight into how overseas missions operate.
Riaru Kai andShinren Tomishige,both 21, have been
assisting with various
temple ministerial
duties and havegone sightseeing
during their sparetime. They return to Riaru (l) and Shinren (r) tour Pearl Harbor
Japan in early March. with Rev. Honda and Faye Shigemura.

3

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Home Is...
Rev. Makoto Honda

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In this issue of WA...

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

3

March 2014

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
MARCH 2014
3/2
3/2
3/9
3/11
3/13
3/15
3/16
3/16
3/18
3/23
3/25
3/25
3/28
3/28
3/30

APRIL 2014

Sun 10 am Shotsuki memorial service &4/6 Sun 10 am HBC Buddha Day service
Sunday school
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
4/6 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
Fukuhara Conference RoomSun 10 am Betsuin local retreat
4/8 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceLecturer: Rev. Marcos Sawada
4/8 Tue 7 pm Lecture - Part 1 - Dr. George Tanabe
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
4/10 Thu 7 pm Lecture - Part 2 - Dr. George Tanabe
Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
4/12 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
4/13 Sun 10 am Hanamatsuri service
led by Rev. Frank Childs
4/15 Tue 7 pm Lecture - Part 3 - Dr. George Tanabe
Sun 10 am Ohigan service & Sunday school
4/17 Thu 7 pm Lecture - Part 4 - Dr. George Tanabe
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
4/20 Sun 10 am Shotsuki service & Sunday schoolTue 7 pm O-ko: dharma discussion at Kaneohe
4/20 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Sun 10 am Rennyo Shonin’s memorial day service
4/22 Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
4/22 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Ballad of Narayama
Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: 24 Eyes (੸ે஛भቊ)(⎜৛තઅ)
Fukuhara Conference Room
4/27 Sun 10 am Sunday service
Fri 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
4/28 Mon 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
Fri 11 am Recitation circle
4/28 Mon 11 am Recitation circle
Sun 10 am Sunday service & omigaki
Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, we
remain true 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
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 SaikiW

hen I say the word “Home,” what do you picture? Where you live now?
Where you used to live? Do you see the whole house or perhaps just a
certain place in your house?
What would be the expectations for your home? Is it
peaceful? Do you see your family? What meals are you
eating? Are there certain smells in the air? Before you moveto the next paragraph, think about these things. Or if you
are with someone right now, you may want to share thesequestions with them.
One day I met a lady at the temple. Her memory wasfading, unfortunately, yet she visited our temple with her son.
She shared many stories about her life, such as where she lived
and what her jobs were. She was kind enough to invite me to her home.
According to her son, the place she invited me to was a previous residence,
where her life was very difficult. So I imagined that the old house was really“home” to her. Because of her life events, she remembered the old place better.
I was fortunate to be able to return to Japan last month—my first trip backsince I was assigned as minister at the Hawaii Betsuin a year and a half ago—and visit the house where I was raised. I lived in that house until I was 15,
before moving to England. Upon my return to Japan eight years later, I lived
there again for another three years, before leaving to study to become aminister. So that house was my home for most of my life.
When I saw my house on this last trip, I was shocked because it looked as
though my house had shrunk. Everything looked smaller. In my memory, myhouse was a lot bigger. I do not remember having to duck to go through manyof the doors. And the rooms were so small. I only needed a few steps to reachthe other end of the room. I’m already 31, so surely I haven’t grown any since
the last time (at least not vertically; horizontally I’m not so sure). My line ofvision hasn’t changed. I was wondering then why this was so. To me thismeans my childhood memories are much stronger than my adult memories.
At a Sunday service, I once asked members the same question: When I say
the word “home,” what do you picture? Many of the members told me that it is
the house in which they grew up.
Today, what would you find in your home. Joy? Fighting? Crying? Security?
Relaxation? Fun? Hope? Love? Acceptance? No matter how you might
describe your home, I believe it is the place where you want to go back to.
Home is where your life has been lived fully.
Studying Buddhism is just like that. We listen to Buddhism so that Life (orSoul) is able to return where it truly belongs in our daily lives.
One of my teachers once said—and it has stayed with me ever since—“Mylifetime job is to return my soul to childhood.” I believe studying about yourhome is the same as it is studying about the Pure Land, or Higan. One
remembers the strongest feeings of one’s Life the best. Those feelings andmemories as children lead to the foundation of Life.

Spring Ohigan Service
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Sunday, March 16, 10:00 am