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U.S. POSTAGE
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Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

Shinran Shonin’s Birthday Service
Tanjo-e/Hatsumairi

Address Service Requested

Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

In this issue of WA...

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletinharmony

5

May 2013

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
JUNE 2013

MAY 2013
5/5 Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
5/6 - 5/12
11th World Dobo Convention/Tour
Kyoto, Hida-Takayama
5/11 Sat 10 am Study class:
What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Fukuhara Conference Room
5/12 Sun 10 am Mother’s Day family service
5/16 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
Fukuhara Conference Room
5/19 Sun 10 am Shinran Shonin’s Birthday service
5/21 Tue 7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
5/26 Sun 10 am All War Victims’ Memorial service
5/19 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
5/28 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Letters from Iwo Jima(ᆼ້ਣऊैभু౛)Golden Globe & Academy Award winner
Japanese audio/English subtitles
Fukuhara Conference Room

6/2
6/2

6/8
6/9
6/9
6/13

Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study classਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

Sat
Sun
Sun
Thu

6/16 Sun
6/16 Sun
6/18 Tue
6/23 Sun
6/25 Tue

6/30 Sunled by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Joint retreat at Betsuin
10 am Joint retreat at Hilo
10 am Sunday service
7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Sunday service
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
10 am Father’s Day service
6:30 pm Movie: Departures (उऎॉलध)2008 Academy Award winner
Japanese audio/English subtitles
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, 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: hhhb@me.com
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission of
Hawaii for its members andfriends. Comments, articles andother items for publicationconsideration are welcomed.
Editor: Ken SaikiWe will observe Tanjo-e and Hatsumairi at our service on
Sunday, May 19, at 10 am. Our guest speaker for this special
celebration will be Rev. Frank Childs.
As you may know, Tanjo-e is the celebration of the birth of our
founder, Shinran Shonin, who was born in Kyoto in 1173. We celebrate
his birth and it gives us an opportunity to listen to
the Nembutsu teachings.
Without Shinran Shonin’s efforts
and hard work for seeking theeasy path for awakening, whichis the Nembutsu teaching, we
would not be able to listen to the
Nembutsu teaching now, andwe would not have the Sangha
here.
We really appreciate
listening to the easy path of
Nembutsu teaching. We express
our respect and gratitude to our
founder, who sought the wayof the truth with his entire
being and left the most importantteachings for us. That is why we celebrate
the occasion as Tanjo-e, the gathering of
Shinran Shonin’s birth, and take this opportunity to reflect on his birthand, at the same time, the meaning of our own birth.
We also observe the Hatsumairi service, which is a ceremony for
infants and children up to 12 years of age presented initially before theBuddha. This traditional ritual signifies the foundation towards a
spiritual life. The babies and children will receive a keepsake certificate
for attending this ceremony and onenju from our head temple in Kyoto.
Please bring your children and grandchildren for this special
observance at our 5BOKPF)BUTVNBJSJTFSWJDFPO4VOEBZ .BZTo help us prepare the certificates ahead of time, the temple willneed your children’s information, so please complete and send backthe application form on the enclosed flier.

஡∹ຟযไেভyৗেుੂ૞ॉ১ਏ
‫ڱ‬া‫ڵڭ‬঩‫ؙ‬ଏ৐‫ڬڭ‬ৎ঩মୁ১ਵ‫؟‬ఖਮিཛྷ࿖୽୞

I

was brought up by my mother, a single parent. There is areason that she is single. Shortly after I was born, shekicked my father out of house because she didn’t like him.
So naturally, I don’t have any memories of my father. You canimagine she is not the soft, calm
or gentle type of mother. If I had
to choose one word to describe
her, I would say, “free.” She does
what she likes to do.
One day, she suddenly toldme, “I’m going to India for a monthstarting tomorrow. You take care of
the temple.” Everything was so sudden and instantaneous. I
had never performed the duties of a minister before.
My family members have been Buddhist ministers
for around four centuries. There is a family tradition
that all males use the kanji character ੪, or Gen, in theirnames. For example, my grandfather’s name was ੪ਫ, orGensho. My mother, however, did not like old traditions,so I ended up being ઌ, or Makoto (although my dharma
name is ੪ઌ, or Genshin).
Since my assignment to the Betsuin last August, I’ve
had the opportunity to hear many stories about mothers
while making arrangements for funeral services. One ofthe preparations is to select a dharma name. If possible thename in some way should reflect the person’s life, so I ask

Myfamilies to share stories about the deceased. At times I would
get a copy of the eulogy shared at the service. Some family
members came to the temple to share their stories. The
insight I would receive, coupled with age, place of birth, job
and family information, allowed
me to expand my image of thedeceased and select the two kanji
for the dharma name Throughthis process I actually end up
meeting the deceased.
People told me so manythings about their mothers,
that they were “pure, spirited, observant, independent,kind, fair, good cook, feisty, strong, hard-working, quiet,
talkative, happy, honest, caring, intelligent, active,
gambler, young at heart, colorful, loyal, generous.” I’m surethere are many more words to describe mothers. I believe,
however, that there is one thing common to all people.
We all live in harmony with others…in harmony withfamily, in harmony with friends, in harmony with community,in harmony with nature. Each person gives life to their family,
friends, community and nature. At same time, they also
receive life from them. So, we are all inter-dependent oneach other, and the rest of the world. Appreciation, I believe,
comes from realizing this inter-dependency.
-- Rev. Makoto Honda

M otherF

2have so much power? I can only wonder. And have
I helped even one of my readers get a sense ofColorado rain?
I can offer a bit more help. In 2004, I went to
Kyoto as part of the Hoshidan group. One
night we went to view maple leaves at a
certain temple on the northeast side of thecity. In the cold, soft rain I stood amazed.
The smell of Kyoto rain was almost thevery same as that of Colorado rain. Why
I felt such a thing I really cannot tellyou. It was just a direct and one-ofa-kind experience lived in during justthat moment.
Any little drop of rain anywhere mightmake any big difference in our everyday
scheme of things. And yet, will any single
day ever come again in Hawaii, Japan orColorado? The little difference in the smell of rain
makes life precious. Please experience for yourself.
-- Rev. Frank Childs

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.

.&.03*"- '6/&3"- */63/.&/5#63*"-4&37*$&
Ed Nakano
Lester Kaichi
Hideo Fukunaga
Oi family

Dorothy Tanaka
Hisayuki Ujimori
Miyoko Ohara family Robert Okuda
Wallace Shimabuku
Toshio Kaichi
Michioku family
Mitzi Shimabukuro
Raymond Shimbo family
Minako Ito
Masao Oshiro family Satoru Uyeno family Thomas Kaoru Kono family
Chiyoko Kimura family,:0%"/%0/"5*0/(including columbarium, Otani Center)
Marilyn Kuroda
Moriso Teraoka

Meuki Amaral
Dale Oishi

Christine Imoto
Bert Maekawa

Kikue Kaneshiro
Miyoko Duesing
Lynn Murakami Shoda

William Higuchi

413*/(0)*("/4&37*$&
Roy Nakamoto
Atsuko Nonaka
Faye Shigemura

Stan & Ruth Tsumoto Jan Lee
Gladys Sakata
Tadao Iwasaki
Kenneth Saiki
Bert Kaizuka
Debra Saiki
Sadao & Kazue Uechi

Takeo Matsuzaki
Mildred Tashiro

Marilyn Yonekura
Peggy Arita

Elleen Uchida

Gainor Tomokiyo(0+*,"*.&.#&34)*1
Roy Nakamoto
Dale Oishi

Shirley Nishizawa
Toshiyuki Eto

Ed NakanoBeatrice Nakano
Akitoshi & Haruko Nakahara

In Memoriam

4)0546,*.&.03*"-4&37*$&
Yoko Oshiro
Sally Higa
Richard Sorida
Yuki Hayashi
Kathleen Kiyuna
Kenneth Saiki
Mae & Kazukiyo Kuboyama

Peggy Arita
Jan LeeKenneth Hiraki

Helen Suzuki
Dennis & Debra Saiki
Kenneth T. Doi

8"/&84&55&3(including donations, volunteer mailing assistance) Ben & Gail Kaito
Debra Saiki

Little Differences: Hawaii and Colorado
or fifty years I’ve noticed the smell of Hawaii
rain. Our tradewind-driven showers come withthe smell of our tropical climate and geography.
Yet what words of mine can do justice in telling
how the petals of even one flower add to thequiet peace I feel just taking in the scent of
our rain? In some way, though, I feel you
understand…you live here, too. Now, I
must tell you how Hawaii rain is different
from the rain in my childhood home ofColorado. What will help me convey
the feelings I wish to share?
Colorado rain by nature smells far
different from the rain here. Aspen, pineand oak are just some of the trees thatoffer themselves to the scent of Colorado
rain. The air is far more dry, and the wind
has a cold, stark feel to it, even in summer.
I smell those rains of my childhood even in dreams
here and now in Hawaii. Why should such a memory

MahaloGozaimasu

Betty Nishida
Jeanne Kawawata

Keizaburo Tsuji

Yoshiko Moribe

Chieko Sugimoto'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54



Minako Ito

Debra Saiki

R

Faye Shigemura

ev. Honda is in the process ofhelping transition our temple
into the digital age. Even with his
degree in Computer Science, he’s
not Superman and can’t maintainthe temple database and create
content for a Betsuin website alone.
That’s where YOU come in.
Experience is nice, but not arequirement…more important is a
desire to learn and a willingness toconsider this a long-term project. No
technical skill or knowledge isrequired; we can teach you what you
need to know. Both volunteer jobs
may require some extra time andeffort initially during development butTadao Iwasaki

Mr Toshio Kaichi (93)
March 28, 2013
Mrs. Gladys Kiyoko Taketa (84)
March 25, 2013)*("4)*)0/(8"/+*$"-&/%"3Ruth Kunishige

We wish to extend
our deepest sympathies
to the families of the late

Mr. Satoru Uyeno (81)
March 19, 2013HELP
WANTED
Inquire Wi

thin

subsequent periodic maintenanceshould be very manageable.
3&-"5*0/"-%"5"#"4&"44*45"/5
4PGUXBSFFilemaker Pro 12
3FRVJSFNFOUAccurate typist/decent
speller to import data from various
electronic and paper-based sources.

8&#4*5&"44*45"/5
4PGUXBSF Open-source Joomla! 2.5
3FRVJSFNFOUWeb browser &Internet connection (or you can use
temple computer). Once the website
is launched, monthly maintenanceincludes calendar updates andinserting new pages as developed. No
technical skill or knowledge of HTML/CSS is required.
Should your employer or school
give community service credit for
pro-bono work as a volunteer at nonprofit organizations, we can provide
you with a letter to document yourcontribution of your services.
Call Rev. Honda at 531-9088.

5

News on the

Betsuin WirelessMother’s Day Family Service
The Sunday service for May 12 isa Mother’s Day special. While manymembers from the Betsuin are in
Japan for the 11th World Dobo
Convention, Rev. Honda will keep thehome fires burning. The rumor is hemay even be helping to prepare theafter-service otoki lunch!

Buddha Day celebrated

Bishop Kawawata fields questions from attendees at the District Dobo local retreat held April 13 at
the classroom at Palolo Hongwanji. Photo by Makoto Honda

Oahu retreat held at Palolo
Twenty-two members from the
Betsuin and Kaneohe and Palolo
temples gathered at Palolo
Hongwanji on Saturday, April 13, fora Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District
Dobo local retreat.
Following the opening service
officiated by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori
and a welcome address by Bishop
Kenjun Kawawata, attendees
regrouped to the classroom nextdoor for the morning lecture
themed “How we are affected by
Shoshinge through our local retreat.”
The lunch break came quickly
and provided a great opportunity
for members of the various temples
to mingle and get to know eachother better. The sushi platters werea big hit. Memo for next time: moreinari sushi, fewer uzumaki.
Lively discussion dominated thebreakout groups, which thensummarized their findings andpresented them to the main body.
By day’s end we had learned alittle more of Shinran Shonin’steaching and reflected on its effecton our daily lives. Participants
returned to their temples better
prepared to listen to the Dharma.

Letters from Iwo Jima to cap
Memorial Day weekend
The gripping and unforgettablefilm, Letters from Iwo Jima, directed by
Clint Eastwood and starring Ken
Watanabe, will be our featured
presentation at our monthly MovieNight, Tuesday, May 28. The criticallyacclaimed movie is being shown inconjunction with our Memorial Day
weekend observance, which includes
an All War Victims’ Memorial service
on May 26.
Nominated for four Academy
Awards, including Best Picture, Lettersfrom Iwo Jima won the Golden GlobeAward for Best Foreign Language filmin 2006. Runtime: 140 min. Japanesewith English subtitles. Rated R(Graphic war violence).
Showtime is 6:30 pm. Admission
is FREE. Ample seating in the
Fukuhara Conference Room.
ᆼ້ਣऊैभু౛
৐஽भৢॉਸ਼৚॔ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖभ੿ષೖ‫؞‬૰୚ೖ‫؞‬࿄মೖ‫؞‬ఠ஭ౣૐೖ
पঀ঑ॿ‫ॺش‬औोञ‫؛‬૰୚ॡজথॺ‫؞‬ॖ‫ش‬५ॺक़ॵॻ‫؛‬ল౰঻நఈ
ေ‫੸ؚ‬૝ਮื‫ؚ‬టਉྌಂਸ௿࿜
੉ୁ঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ
঱಩ৎ৑ী‫ؙ‬োৃ૮મ‫ڱ‬া‫ڴڮ‬঩‫كౌق‬ଏ৏‫ڬگڲ‬ৎ

Higashi Hongwanji helped the
Hawaii Buddhist Council celebrate
Hanamatsuri Buddha Day on April 7
with a popular marshmallow
decorating table at the Honpa
Hongwanji Betsuin.
On April 14, we held our own
Hanamatsuri service at the Betsuin,complete with a colorfully decorated
hanamido. Three curious boys fromthe neighborhood joined in pouring
tea over the baby Buddha.

Debra Saiki and Faye Shigemura helped
dozens of kids of all ages create treats at the
Marshmallow Heaven booth sponsored by the
Betsuin at the HBC Buddha Day celebration at
Honpa Hongwanji. Makoto Honda photo

Peggy Arita pours sweet tea over the baby
Buddha in the decorated hanamido, while Mrs.
Yoshiko Osa and Rev. Ryoko Osa prepare tooffer incense at the Betsuin Buddha Day service.
Jeanne Kawawata photo3

Debra SaikiFor the next couple of months
we’ll be featuring profiles of the
new members elected to the Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin board
this year. A new secretary and two
new members were elected in 2013.
First we’ll introduce you to
our secretary, Debra Saiki. She’s afamiliar faceamong thoseof you who
attend weekly
services andstay for otoki
refreshments
afterward.
You’ll often
find her in the kitchen at the
Otani Center, along with her sister,
Faye Shigemura, making sure ourregular service attendees, shotsuki
families and other temple visitorsfrom points near and far haverefreshments and something to eat
before heading home.
Debbie’s parents andgrandparents were members ofHigashi Hongwanji Betsuin backwhen it was located on Banyan
Street so it was natural for her toalso become a member. Born andraised in the neighborhood, she
graduated from Farrington HighSchool and attended Kapiolani
Community College and Universityof Hawaii. She is currently employedat Rosehill & Associates, a consulting
firm specializing in representing
various interest groups.
She and her entrepreneurial
husband, Dennis, moved to Austin,
Texas in 1988 to start a business andlived there for more than 12 years.

4

Debbie (left), Faye Shigemura and Rev. Makoto
Honda at the Marshmallow Heaven table at the
recent HBC Buddha Day celebration.

Being young and adventurous,
Debbie one day decided to fulfill
her urge to do something daring
and bold, and said she wanted to go
skydiving. Dennis, meanwhile, beinga very thoughtful person, pointed
out that, should anything happen,

one of them should live to keep
the business going and graciously
volunteered to wait on the groundfor her. Once she completed thatadventure, Debbie says she very
quickly became older and wiser andwas permanently cured of any desire
to jump out of a perfectly good
airplane again.
After returning to Honolulu she
once again became involved in thetemple, helping with fundraisingand other events. In 2012 she wasappointed as acting secretary and in2013 was elected to the position as
secretary.
She and Dennis, whom you’ll
see behind the barbecue grill during
bon dances and running the soundsystem at other events, have threechildren and eight grandchildren.

O

ur May 5 shotsuki service is our monthly remembrance of our temple
family members who passed away in May of a past year. At thismonth’s shotsuki service we honor and pay respects to:

Jo Ann Sayoko Dawson
Kiyoshi Fujieda
Fujie Fujieda
Masako Fukuhara
Jean Haruko Hifumi
Michiko Higa
Kiyoshi Hikari
Ike Torao Ikari
Sueto Ikari
Tsuruko Ishikawa
Doris Umeko Ishikawa
Shigeru Ishimatsu
Hazel Sachiko Iwaki
Roy Hideo Kaneshiro
Grace Matsue Kaneshiro
Francis Kawada
Masao Kitayama
Hisa Kobayashi
Gary Ken Kudo
Raymond Eiwo Kurakake
Masatoshi Matsumoto

Shizuko Matsumoto
Phyllis Umeko Matsunaga
Randal Kiyoshi Michioku
Yoshino Mimuro
Harry Masaru Minamishin
Robert Seigi Miyagi
Tsutayo Miyamura
George Kazuyuki Morita
Kenichi Mukai
Chiyoko Nakagawa
James Kiyoshi Nakamoto
Toshie Nakamura
Harry Masao Nishida
Muraichi Nishida
Mildred Yukie Saida
Ishi Sawamura
Asako Sekimoto
Sueko Shima
Florence Mitsue Shimada
Kazumi Shimizu
Hiroshi Shoji

Hisako Suyama
Myron Nagao Suyetsugu
Richard Kakuji Takasaki
Mamoru Takeshita
Shigeru Tamanaha
Fred Gyoun Tamayose
Cherie Toshiko Tamayose
Hatsue Tanoue
Caesar Shinzo Tsutsumi
Harumi Ujimori
Takino Umeda
James Shigeru Umeda
George H. Umemoto
Laura Tsuki Yamamoto
Sharon Taeko Yamamoto
James Takeo Yamamura
Rik Rikio Yamashita
Yoshio Yonekura
Hyosaburo Yoshida(Listing includes members
from past 25 years)

While shotsuki services are observed every year, special nenki hoyo
memorial services are held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorial services for the 3rd, 7th,
13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th years, held during the year prior to theactual anniversary date. Consult a minister for more information.

News on the

Betsuin WirelessMother’s Day Family Service
The Sunday service for May 12 isa Mother’s Day special. While manymembers from the Betsuin are in
Japan for the 11th World Dobo
Convention, Rev. Honda will keep thehome fires burning. The rumor is hemay even be helping to prepare theafter-service otoki lunch!

Buddha Day celebrated

Bishop Kawawata fields questions from attendees at the District Dobo local retreat held April 13 at
the classroom at Palolo Hongwanji. Photo by Makoto Honda

Oahu retreat held at Palolo
Twenty-two members from the
Betsuin and Kaneohe and Palolo
temples gathered at Palolo
Hongwanji on Saturday, April 13, fora Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District
Dobo local retreat.
Following the opening service
officiated by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori
and a welcome address by Bishop
Kenjun Kawawata, attendees
regrouped to the classroom nextdoor for the morning lecture
themed “How we are affected by
Shoshinge through our local retreat.”
The lunch break came quickly
and provided a great opportunity
for members of the various temples
to mingle and get to know eachother better. The sushi platters werea big hit. Memo for next time: moreinari sushi, fewer uzumaki.
Lively discussion dominated thebreakout groups, which thensummarized their findings andpresented them to the main body.
By day’s end we had learned alittle more of Shinran Shonin’steaching and reflected on its effecton our daily lives. Participants
returned to their temples better
prepared to listen to the Dharma.

Letters from Iwo Jima to cap
Memorial Day weekend
The gripping and unforgettablefilm, Letters from Iwo Jima, directed by
Clint Eastwood and starring Ken
Watanabe, will be our featured
presentation at our monthly MovieNight, Tuesday, May 28. The criticallyacclaimed movie is being shown inconjunction with our Memorial Day
weekend observance, which includes
an All War Victims’ Memorial service
on May 26.
Nominated for four Academy
Awards, including Best Picture, Lettersfrom Iwo Jima won the Golden GlobeAward for Best Foreign Language filmin 2006. Runtime: 140 min. Japanesewith English subtitles. Rated R(Graphic war violence).
Showtime is 6:30 pm. Admission
is FREE. Ample seating in the
Fukuhara Conference Room.
ᆼ້ਣऊैभু౛
৐஽भৢॉਸ਼৚॔ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖभ੿ષೖ‫؞‬૰୚ೖ‫؞‬࿄মೖ‫؞‬ఠ஭ౣૐೖ
पঀ঑ॿ‫ॺش‬औोञ‫؛‬૰୚ॡজথॺ‫؞‬ॖ‫ش‬५ॺक़ॵॻ‫؛‬ল౰঻நఈ
ေ‫੸ؚ‬૝ਮื‫ؚ‬టਉྌಂਸ௿࿜
੉ୁ঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ
঱಩ৎ৑ী‫ؙ‬োৃ૮મ‫ڱ‬া‫ڴڮ‬঩‫كౌق‬ଏ৏‫ڬگڲ‬ৎ

Higashi Hongwanji helped the
Hawaii Buddhist Council celebrate
Hanamatsuri Buddha Day on April 7
with a popular marshmallow
decorating table at the Honpa
Hongwanji Betsuin.
On April 14, we held our own
Hanamatsuri service at the Betsuin,complete with a colorfully decorated
hanamido. Three curious boys fromthe neighborhood joined in pouring
tea over the baby Buddha.

Debra Saiki and Faye Shigemura helped
dozens of kids of all ages create treats at the
Marshmallow Heaven booth sponsored by the
Betsuin at the HBC Buddha Day celebration at
Honpa Hongwanji. Makoto Honda photo

Peggy Arita pours sweet tea over the baby
Buddha in the decorated hanamido, while Mrs.
Yoshiko Osa and Rev. Ryoko Osa prepare tooffer incense at the Betsuin Buddha Day service.
Jeanne Kawawata photo3

Debra SaikiFor the next couple of months
we’ll be featuring profiles of the
new members elected to the Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin board
this year. A new secretary and two
new members were elected in 2013.
First we’ll introduce you to
our secretary, Debra Saiki. She’s afamiliar faceamong thoseof you who
attend weekly
services andstay for otoki
refreshments
afterward.
You’ll often
find her in the kitchen at the
Otani Center, along with her sister,
Faye Shigemura, making sure ourregular service attendees, shotsuki
families and other temple visitorsfrom points near and far haverefreshments and something to eat
before heading home.
Debbie’s parents andgrandparents were members ofHigashi Hongwanji Betsuin backwhen it was located on Banyan
Street so it was natural for her toalso become a member. Born andraised in the neighborhood, she
graduated from Farrington HighSchool and attended Kapiolani
Community College and Universityof Hawaii. She is currently employedat Rosehill & Associates, a consulting
firm specializing in representing
various interest groups.
She and her entrepreneurial
husband, Dennis, moved to Austin,
Texas in 1988 to start a business andlived there for more than 12 years.

4

Debbie (left), Faye Shigemura and Rev. Makoto
Honda at the Marshmallow Heaven table at the
recent HBC Buddha Day celebration.

Being young and adventurous,
Debbie one day decided to fulfill
her urge to do something daring
and bold, and said she wanted to go
skydiving. Dennis, meanwhile, beinga very thoughtful person, pointed
out that, should anything happen,

one of them should live to keep
the business going and graciously
volunteered to wait on the groundfor her. Once she completed thatadventure, Debbie says she very
quickly became older and wiser andwas permanently cured of any desire
to jump out of a perfectly good
airplane again.
After returning to Honolulu she
once again became involved in thetemple, helping with fundraisingand other events. In 2012 she wasappointed as acting secretary and in2013 was elected to the position as
secretary.
She and Dennis, whom you’ll
see behind the barbecue grill during
bon dances and running the soundsystem at other events, have threechildren and eight grandchildren.

O

ur May 5 shotsuki service is our monthly remembrance of our temple
family members who passed away in May of a past year. At thismonth’s shotsuki service we honor and pay respects to:

Jo Ann Sayoko Dawson
Kiyoshi Fujieda
Fujie Fujieda
Masako Fukuhara
Jean Haruko Hifumi
Michiko Higa
Kiyoshi Hikari
Ike Torao Ikari
Sueto Ikari
Tsuruko Ishikawa
Doris Umeko Ishikawa
Shigeru Ishimatsu
Hazel Sachiko Iwaki
Roy Hideo Kaneshiro
Grace Matsue Kaneshiro
Francis Kawada
Masao Kitayama
Hisa Kobayashi
Gary Ken Kudo
Raymond Eiwo Kurakake
Masatoshi Matsumoto

Shizuko Matsumoto
Phyllis Umeko Matsunaga
Randal Kiyoshi Michioku
Yoshino Mimuro
Harry Masaru Minamishin
Robert Seigi Miyagi
Tsutayo Miyamura
George Kazuyuki Morita
Kenichi Mukai
Chiyoko Nakagawa
James Kiyoshi Nakamoto
Toshie Nakamura
Harry Masao Nishida
Muraichi Nishida
Mildred Yukie Saida
Ishi Sawamura
Asako Sekimoto
Sueko Shima
Florence Mitsue Shimada
Kazumi Shimizu
Hiroshi Shoji

Hisako Suyama
Myron Nagao Suyetsugu
Richard Kakuji Takasaki
Mamoru Takeshita
Shigeru Tamanaha
Fred Gyoun Tamayose
Cherie Toshiko Tamayose
Hatsue Tanoue
Caesar Shinzo Tsutsumi
Harumi Ujimori
Takino Umeda
James Shigeru Umeda
George H. Umemoto
Laura Tsuki Yamamoto
Sharon Taeko Yamamoto
James Takeo Yamamura
Rik Rikio Yamashita
Yoshio Yonekura
Hyosaburo Yoshida(Listing includes members
from past 25 years)

While shotsuki services are observed every year, special nenki hoyo
memorial services are held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorial services for the 3rd, 7th,
13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th years, held during the year prior to theactual anniversary date. Consult a minister for more information.

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

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

Shinran Shonin’s Birthday Service
Tanjo-e/Hatsumairi

Address Service Requested

Rinban Kenjun Kawawata

In this issue of WA...

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletinharmony

5

May 2013

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
JUNE 2013

MAY 2013
5/5 Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
5/6 - 5/12
11th World Dobo Convention/Tour
Kyoto, Hida-Takayama
5/11 Sat 10 am Study class:
What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Fukuhara Conference Room
5/12 Sun 10 am Mother’s Day family service
5/16 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
Fukuhara Conference Room
5/19 Sun 10 am Shinran Shonin’s Birthday service
5/21 Tue 7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
5/26 Sun 10 am All War Victims’ Memorial service
5/19 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
5/28 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Letters from Iwo Jima(ᆼ້ਣऊैभু౛)Golden Globe & Academy Award winner
Japanese audio/English subtitles
Fukuhara Conference Room

6/2
6/2

6/8
6/9
6/9
6/13

Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study classਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

Sat
Sun
Sun
Thu

6/16 Sun
6/16 Sun
6/18 Tue
6/23 Sun
6/25 Tue

6/30 Sunled by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Joint retreat at Betsuin
10 am Joint retreat at Hilo
10 am Sunday service
7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Sunday service
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Fukuhara Conference Room
7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
10 am Father’s Day service
6:30 pm Movie: Departures (उऎॉलध)2008 Academy Award winner
Japanese audio/English subtitles
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, 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: hhhb@me.com
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission of
Hawaii for its members andfriends. Comments, articles andother items for publicationconsideration are welcomed.
Editor: Ken SaikiWe will observe Tanjo-e and Hatsumairi at our service on
Sunday, May 19, at 10 am. Our guest speaker for this special
celebration will be Rev. Frank Childs.
As you may know, Tanjo-e is the celebration of the birth of our
founder, Shinran Shonin, who was born in Kyoto in 1173. We celebrate
his birth and it gives us an opportunity to listen to
the Nembutsu teachings.
Without Shinran Shonin’s efforts
and hard work for seeking theeasy path for awakening, whichis the Nembutsu teaching, we
would not be able to listen to the
Nembutsu teaching now, andwe would not have the Sangha
here.
We really appreciate
listening to the easy path of
Nembutsu teaching. We express
our respect and gratitude to our
founder, who sought the wayof the truth with his entire
being and left the most importantteachings for us. That is why we celebrate
the occasion as Tanjo-e, the gathering of
Shinran Shonin’s birth, and take this opportunity to reflect on his birthand, at the same time, the meaning of our own birth.
We also observe the Hatsumairi service, which is a ceremony for
infants and children up to 12 years of age presented initially before theBuddha. This traditional ritual signifies the foundation towards a
spiritual life. The babies and children will receive a keepsake certificate
for attending this ceremony and onenju from our head temple in Kyoto.
Please bring your children and grandchildren for this special
observance at our 5BOKPF)BUTVNBJSJTFSWJDFPO4VOEBZ .BZTo help us prepare the certificates ahead of time, the temple willneed your children’s information, so please complete and send backthe application form on the enclosed flier.

஡∹ຟযไেভyৗেుੂ૞ॉ১ਏ
‫ڱ‬া‫ڵڭ‬঩‫ؙ‬ଏ৐‫ڬڭ‬ৎ঩মୁ১ਵ‫؟‬ఖਮিཛྷ࿖୽୞

Tanjo-e Service
In celebration of the birth of Shinran Shonin

Hatsumairi Ceremony
Held in conjunction with Tanjo-e Service

Sunday May 19, 2013 10:00 am
English Message : Rev. Frank Childs

親鸞聖人誕生会
新生児初参り法要
２０１３年５月１９日 午前１０時
日本語法話：河和田賢淳輪番

A ceremony for infants and children up to  years of age who shall
EH SUHVHQWHG LQLWLDOO\ EHIRUH WKH %XGGKD ,W VLJQLÀHV WKH IRXQGDWLRQ
towards a spiritual life.
初参りは、新しいいのちの誕生を祝う儀式です。12才までのお子さんを受け付け致します。お早めにお寺まで申し込んでください。

Child's Name
BirthdayAge

Parent's Name
Address
City

State

Zip

Telephone

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu, HI 96817
Telephone (808) 531-9088

Sex

M F

Mother's Day
Family Service
Sunday, May 12, 2013
10:00 a.m.
Message : Rev. Makoto Honda

母の日家族礼拝
２０１３年５月１２日
午前１０時

メッセージ：本多真

開教使

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu, HI 96817
Telephone (808) 531-9088