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

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

Do you know how to get a ticket
to the Other Shore?

Address Service Requested

Rinban Kenjun Kawawata‘wa’

In this issue of WA...

harmony

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletint(FUUJOHB5JDLFUUPUIF0UIFS4IPSFt3FW1BUUJ/BLBJ1BDLTA&N*O

3t#VEEIJTN#BDLUPUIF#BTJDTt#VEEIJTNTUVEZDMBTTJO+BQBOFTFਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअMarch 2013t-JUUMF%JòFSFODFT-")BXBJJtGo Green!

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
APRIL 2013

MARCH 2013
3/3
3/3

3/9

Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm ABCs of Buddhism study classਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअSat

3/10 Sun
3/14 Thu

3/17 Sun
3/17 Sun
3/19 Tue
3/24 Sun
3/31 Sunled by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Study class:
What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Sunday service
7:00 pm Basic & Shin Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in EnglishFukuhara Conference Room
10 am Ohigan service
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
10 am Rennyo Shonin Memorial service
10 am Sunday service

HBC Buddha Day service
Joint Hawaii Buddhist Council service
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
4/11 Thu 7:00 pm Basic & Shin Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
4/13 Sat 10 am Local retreat
Betsuin, Palolo & Kaneohe temples
Palolo Hongwanji
4/14 Sun 10 am Hanamatsuri service (Buddha Day)
4/14 Sun 12 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
4/7Sun 9 amਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

4/16 Tue
4/21 Sun
4/21 Sun
4/28 Sunled by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
10 am Shotsuki service
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Sunday service

Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, weremain true to our origins
as an open Sangha,welcoming anyone whowishes 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: hhhb@me.com
8B is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission ofHawaii for its members andfriends. You are encouraged tosubmit comments or items for
publication consideration tothe address shown above.
Editor: Ken SaikiW

henever I travel to Japan, I worry about transportation. I mean, it’s not theflight to Japan. Buying a plane ticket through a travel agency or on theInternet is easy. Once in Japan, however, to get anywhere, I have to take a train orbus. Public transportation there is really great, allowing me to enjoy views from thetrain and watching other people. My problem is getting the ticket.
Before you board a train or bus, you need to have a ticket in hand. Japanesepeople know how to find their destination, determine what the ticket is going tocost and use the vending machines to get their ticket. For them it’s easy.
For foreigners, or folks like me who’ve lived in another country for a long time,
it can be quite bewildering just to buy a ¥300 ticket to the next station. First you
have to figure out the huge map above
the vending machine, which shows thevarious destinations and ticket prices.
Meanwhile, as you’re trying to findwhere you’re going and how much it’sgoing to cost you, other people in ahurry behind you are bumping againstyou. After a long time gazing at themap, you find your destination anddiscover how much the ticket is. Woohoo! You triumphantly step forward to thevending machine to purchase your ticket. Umm…where do you put your money
in? Which button do you press? People in line behind you fidget impatiently andwonder what’s taking so long. It’s a horrific moment I have to experience during myJapan trip, which, by right, should really just be stress-free enjoyment.
Today, however, I’m more familiar with the procedure for buying bus and train
tickets. I hope they won’t change their system soon.
To get to your destination, it’s important to have your ticket. Without it, you’ll
never get there. For our own lives, too, we should know our destination, or thepurpose of our life.
By the way, do you know how to get a ticket to the Other Shore, Ohigan?
Hawaiian Airlines does not sell this ticket, nor does any other airline. You can’t get itfrom a vending machine, either. Only the temple has this ticket for you.
As you know, the Other Shore, is the symbol of the Buddha’s state of mind —peace and quiet — called “Nirvana.” In Jodo Shinshu, we call the other shore“Pure Land.” In Buddhism there is This Shore, which symbolizes the mind of
deluded persons just like us as ordinary people. Naturally we all wish to go to
the Other Shore, Nirvana.
At the temple we listen to the dharma and try to find true peace in our minds
even though we have a lot of difficulties in our daily lives. The dharma is our ticket
to the Other Shore. When we have a deep understating of the dharma and our own
selves, the Other Shore comes to us and embraces us.
Please join us for our Spring Ohigan service on March 17 at 10:00 am. Let’slisten to the Buddha dharma together and get a dharma ticket to the Other Shore.
In gassho,Kenjun Kawawata

News on theBetsuin WirelessRev. Nakai Packs ‘Em In

Who would’ve thought a lecture
on modern Shin Buddhist teachers
would draw such a crowd?
A standing-room-only group of
40 eager learners crammed into theFukuhara Conference Room at theBetsuin on Feb. 20 to listen to Rev.
Patti Nakai, a sansei Jodo Shinshu
minister visiting from the Buddhist
Temple of Chicago, describe how

A new edition of Kiyozawa’s
simple but profound essays,
December Fan, also translated by Dr.
Haneda, is scheduled to be publishedsoon by the Shinshu Center ofAmerica.
More of Rev. Nakai’s reflections
on Kiyozawa, life in general andhappenings at her temple can befound on her blog, “Taste of Chicago
Buddhism.”

The most well-known letter, “OnWhite Ashes” (ஜ෗भ౪ધ), which is areflection on the impermanence oflife and the importance of relying onAmida Buddha’s Vow, is frequently
read aloud during our funeralservices.

Ehime Vice Gov. Says “Mahalo!”Rev. Nakai traces her own connection to Manshi
Kiyozawa through her mentors and teachers.

Shin Buddhist reformer Manshi
Kiyozawa fostered the spread of
nembutsu teachings through his
students Daiei Kaneko, Ryojin Sogaand Haya Akegarasu, and opened
the vast dharma storehouse in thecontext of the modern world. Others
inspired by them, including people
like Shuichi Maida and Dr. Nobuo
Haneda, subsequently influenced
others and made Shinran’s teachings
more accessible to people brought
up in a Western culture.
At the conclusion of her lecture
and Q&A session, each attendee wasgifted with a copy of The Evil Person,
a collection of essays by Maida, andtranslated by Dr. Haneda.

Rennyo (1415-1499) was a direct descendant ofour denomination’s founder, Shinran Shonin.

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 theBetsuin at 531-9088 so we can make corrections to our records.

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

Ujimori Family4)0546,*.&.03*"-4&37*$&
Leatrice Omiya
Ken Mashima
James & Elizabeth Takishita(0+*,"*.&.#&34)*1
Ed Nakano

Shirley Nishizawa

Shimbo Family

Okuda Family

Melvin & Ida Hori

Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Gono Masatoshi Watanabe Mary Shinbara

Jan LeeKenneth Saiki

Marion Kanemori

Tadao Iwasaki

Marilyn Kuroda

Jonathan Tani

Osa Family

Sanjo Kyomusho

Kyoto Koka Women’s University

Roy Nakamoto

Debbie Saiki,:0%"/%0/"5*0/(including columbarium, Otani Center)
Eugene Chun Family

Moriso Teraoka

Hisano Muramoto

Eva ItoKubota Family

Hirata Family)*("4)*)0/(8"/+*%*453*$5$"-&/%"3
Saburo Tanida

Taketoshi Nakahara

5&.1-&/&84-&55&3."*-*/(Betty Nishida

Rennyo Shonin Memorial 3/24

Our Sunday service on March 24
will be in commemoration of Rennyo
Shonin’s death on March 25, 1499.
Rennyo (ၕ࿰), the 8th Abbotof the Hongwanji Temple, is called
the restorer of Shin Buddhism, as hewalked all over Japan and revived
Shinran Shonin’s teachings with his
enthusiastic energy.
Rennyo’s most influential work is
his collection of letters to members,
known as Ofumi, which have thestatus of scriptural texts and are usedin Shinshu daily liturgy.

MahaloGozaimasu

Keizaburo Tsuji

Jonathan Tani

Morita Family

Tadao Iwasaki

Kumiko Saiki

Tsutomu Oi'-03"-"33"/(&.&/5"/%%0/"5*0/
Minako Ito

Kyodan Pres. Faye Shigemura accepts thanksfrom Ehime Maru Memorial Association Pres. EdHawkins and Ehime Vice Gov. Keiji Joko on behalf ofthe Betsuin. Temple member volunteers have beencleaning the Ehime Maru Memorial at Kakaako
Waterfront Park twice a year as a community service

Buddhism: Back to the Basics

While others may have scored adozen roses on Valentine’s Day,
Rinban Kawawata had to be content
with the dozen attendees at his new
Basic & Shin Buddhism class Feb. 14.
Everyone is invited to join the“come-as-you-are” classes every 2nd
Thursday of the month, from 7:00 to8:30 pm at the Betsuin.
Meanwhile, after a few months’
hiatus as a result of Bishop Mine’s
reassignment to Kyoto, the basic
Buddhism study class in Japaneseresumed on Feb. 3, led by Rinban
Kawawata. It will continue to beheld, usually on the first Sunday ofeach month, starting at 12 noon.

Dharma Words toLive Byၕ࿰঱যम‫َؚ‬ষऎ੔टऐৄथ‫ؚ‬ঽীभଌ੪॑ৄऩःदःॊध‫ؚ‬णऽङऎपୀःऩः‫౎؛‬যभऒधटऐ॑ৄथ‫ؚ‬ঽীঽମभऒध
पणःथੱऋऐऩःदःॊध‫ؚ‬প૗ऩऒधपॊُधྛचपऩॉऽखञ‫؛‬

If you only look ahead without watching your step, you are likely to miss your footing. Similarly, if you only look at otherpeople without watching yourself, you will invite serious problems. So Rennyo Shonin said.
-- Rennyo Shonin Goichidaiki-kikigaki(Thus I Have Heard From Rennyo Shonin), Chapter 191

Little Differences: Los Angeles and Hawaii

Before I came to live in Hawaii,
I visited several times a yearon business trips. I was living in Los
Angeles then and was able to fly tothis island. From the city that started
out as a desert, I came to Honolulu,
the city of rainbows and water
everywhere. Los Angeles is a citythat is big and dry, quiet but noisy
with the sounds of cars or music. But
everything there seems man-made.
Sometimes, amidst the natural
beauty of this island, I become
fearful, of the power of nature, thestrength of this Earth. I become
afraid and lose my composure. In
this dynamic island, somethingalways seems to be moving.
Raindrops fall often and the sun isalways shining. The wind sometimes
makes a lot of noise. But the lukewarm
heat touches our skin with the wind.
Birds are singing and chattering.
Flowers bring us their sweet
fragrance. Also, flowers teach methat there are many kinds of red andyellow. The sunbeams streaming
through the leaves of trees change
the shape of light and shadow all thetime. Leaves show different shades ofgreen in front and back. The blue ofthe sea changes from hour to hour.
Also, the color of the sky is not onlyblue. Sometimes we can see whiteand pink in the palette of the sky.
Rainbows appear often, so beautifulthat it’s like magic. Everything seems
to be living and moving.
This fear that I sometimes feel,I believe, comes from the awe ofnature. This indescribable energy
is way beyond the power of
us human beings. How do weexpress this immense power?
People might say things like, “Oh,my God!” or “Oh, Mother Nature!”In our case, might we say, “Oh,Buddha”? There are no words toadequately express ourselves.
Now, after living here for awhile, I feel comfortable to be
surrounded in the midst of thebeauty of the nature of Hawaii.
I feel that I am a part of this vastnature. I’m honored to be a partof it, and realize I need not be
afraid of it anymore.
- Rev. Ryoko Osa

GO GREEN!
We’ve all heard of many ways
we can “go green” to help reducethe impact on our environment, plus
save money at the same time. At theBetsuin, we’ve taken the basic steps,
such as in recycling and switching toenergy-saving lights, where possible.
Getting your monthly WA bulletinby email instead of on paper may be
another way to conserve resources.
To switch to an electronic versionof our WA newsletter, send anemail, with subject line “Email WA,”
including your name and address,
to the Betsuin at IIIC!NFDPN
Starting next month, your WA will
arrive in your inbox instead of yourmailbox. BONUS...in color, too!

In Memoriam
We wish to extend our deepest
sympathy to the family of the lateThomas Kaoru Kono (87)
February 10, 2013

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

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

Do you know how to get a ticket
to the Other Shore?

Address Service Requested

Rinban Kenjun Kawawata‘wa’

In this issue of WA...

harmony

Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletint(FUUJOHB5JDLFUUPUIF0UIFS4IPSFt3FW1BUUJ/BLBJ1BDLTA&N*O

3t#VEEIJTN#BDLUPUIF#BTJDTt#VEEIJTNTUVEZDMBTTJO+BQBOFTF
ਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअMarch 2013t-JUUMF%JòFSFODFT-")BXBJJtGo Green!

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
APRIL 2013

MARCH 2013
3/3
3/3

3/9

Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm ABCs of Buddhism study classਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअSat

3/10 Sun
3/14 Thu

3/17 Sun
3/17 Sun
3/19 Tue
3/24 Sun
3/31 Sunled by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Study class:
What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Sunday service
7:00 pm Basic & Shin Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Ohigan service
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
10 am Rennyo Shonin Memorial service
10 am Sunday service

HBC Buddha Day service
Joint Hawaii Buddhist Council service
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
4/11 Thu 7:00 pm Basic & Shin Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
4/13 Sat 10 am Local retreat
Betsuin, Palolo & Kaneohe temples
Palolo Hongwanji
4/14 Sun 10 am Hanamatsuri service (Buddha Day)
4/14 Sun 12 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
4/7

Sun 9 amਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

4/16 Tue
4/21 Sun
4/21 Sun
4/28 Sunled by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
10 am Shotsuki service
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Sunday service

Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, weremain true to our origins
as an open Sangha,
welcoming anyone whowishes 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: hhhb@me.com
8B is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission ofHawaii for its members andfriends. You are encouraged tosubmit comments or items forpublication consideration tothe address shown above.
Editor: Ken SaikiWhenever I travel to Japan, I worry about transportation. I mean, it’s not theflight to Japan. Buying a plane ticket through a travel agency or on theInternet is easy. Once in Japan, however, to get anywhere, I have to take a train orbus. Public transportation there is really great, allowing me to enjoy views from thetrain and watching other people. My problem is getting the ticket.
Before you board a train or bus, you need to have a ticket in hand. Japanesepeople know how to find their destination, determine what the ticket is going tocost and use the vending machines to get their ticket. For them it’s easy.
For foreigners, or folks like me who’ve lived in another country for a long time,
it can be quite bewildering just to buy a ¥300 ticket to the next station. First you
have to figure out the huge map above
the vending machine, which shows thevarious destinations and ticket prices.
Meanwhile, as you’re trying to findwhere you’re going and how much it’sgoing to cost you, other people in ahurry behind you are bumping againstyou. After a long time gazing at themap, you find your destination anddiscover how much the ticket is. Woohoo! You triumphantly step forward to thevending machine to purchase your ticket. Umm…where do you put your money
in? Which button do you press? People in line behind you fidget impatiently andwonder what’s taking so long. It’s a horrific moment I have to experience during myJapan trip, which, by right, should really just be stress-free enjoyment.
Today, however, I’m more familiar with the procedure for buying bus and traintickets. I hope they won’t change their system soon.
To get to your destination, it’s important to have your ticket. Without it, you’ll
never get there. For our own lives, too, we should know our destination, or the
purpose of our life.
By the way, do you know how to get a ticket to the Other Shore, Ohigan?
Hawaiian Airlines does not sell this ticket, nor does any other airline. You can’t get itfrom a vending machine, either. Only the temple has this ticket for you.
As you know, the Other Shore, is the symbol of the Buddha’s state of mind —peace and quiet — called “Nirvana.” In Jodo Shinshu, we call the other shore“Pure Land.” In Buddhism there is This Shore, which symbolizes the mind of
deluded persons just like us as ordinary people. Naturally we all wish to go to
the Other Shore, Nirvana.
At the temple we listen to the dharma and try to find true peace in our minds
even though we have a lot of difficulties in our daily lives. The dharma is our ticket
to the Other Shore. When we have a deep understating of the dharma and our own
selves, the Other Shore comes to us and embraces us.
Please join us for our Spring Ohigan service on March 17 at 10:00 am. Let’slisten to the Buddha dharma together and get a dharma ticket to the Other Shore.
In gassho,Kenjun Kawawata