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

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

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

6

June 2014

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
JUNE 2014
6/1
6/1
6/8
6/8
6/10
6/12
6/14
6/15
6/15
6/17
6/22
6/22
6/24
6/24
6/28
6/28
6/29

Sun 10 am Shotsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Family portrait sitting
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in JapaneseTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Father’s Day family service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-ko: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 11:30 am Ehime Maru Memorial cleaning
Picnic lunch at Kakaako Waterfront ParkTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Hidden BladeSat 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
Sat 11 am Recitation circle
Sun 10 am Sunday service

JULY 2014
7/6
7/6
7/8
7/10
7/12
7/13
7/13
7/15
7/20
7/20
7/22
7/22
7/23
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/28

Sun 10 am Shotsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Family portrait sittingTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Obon/Hatsubon service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Tue 7 pm O-ko: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie nightTue 7 pm Bon dance practice at Otani CenterFri 7 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
Sat 7 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
Sun 10 am Bon dance cleanup (No Sunday service)
Mon 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
Mon 11 am Recitation circle

Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays & 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, we remaintrue to our origins
as an open Sangha, welcoming
anyone who wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
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 Saikihe Turtle long ago, I was tormented by my dreadfully short legs. I sufferedbecause I had to carry my cumbersome heavy shell. No matter how many
years I lived, I could find no appreciation of life. But now, many many years
later, after hearing the Dharma, I realized that it was the shortness of my legs
that enabled me to walk forward steadily, surely…never wandering from mydestination. My hard shell protected me from all kinds of dangers I encountered,giving me the opportunity to live as long as I have. How grateful I am, Namu
Amida Butsu.
When Rev. Koen Mishima, one of West Covina Buddhist Temple’s
previous ministers, left Los Angeles, he gave me this poem. This turtle
poem talks about how Buddha’s teaching can transform us. When theturtle encountered the Buddha Dharma, his entire view of himself
changed and he started to live in a new world.
Normally, when we have problems, we think the cause of the
problems are outside us, because our eyes are always only looking
outward. We think our eyes were not made for seeing inward. However,Buddha’s teaching gives us the eyes
to see inward.
That is why the turtle initiallyjust complained about his
short legs and heavy shell.
But then he realized he had
four short legs and that,
because of their very shortness,he never fell and never lost his way. He also realizedthat his heavy shell protected him from his enemies, and from the heat.
With this realization, his view changed. He became an appreciative turtle.
Actually, when he accepted his nature as it was, his shortcomings
turned into assets. From this point, he changed and started a new life. Thisis the transformation brought by the dharma.
Like the turtle, we always view our shortcomings as problems exterior
to ourselves and fail to appreciate what we really are. However, Shinran
said that when we encounter the dharma—the light of compassion andwisdom—these delusions of ours melt like ice and turn to pure water. With
this transformation, we become one with the water of the “ocean,” thatworld of oneness, the world of Amida’s infinite compassion.
Thus, just as rusted iron turns to gold, when we realize our own
ignorance, our ignorance turns to wisdom and, like a stone that turns intoa diamond, we start to shine.
When we complain about our life, we are only seeing the negative sideof things. But if we realize our life is not always smooth and happy and that
it will contain both good and bad, we can live in peace with both aspects,
good and bad, convenient or inconvenient, throughout our life.
When we encounter the dharma, the teaching of truth, our life willchange. We will be transformed and appreciate our life as it is. Our life will
become creative and dynamic and start to shine.

4FOEVTZPVSGBWPSJUFQIPUPTGPSPVSEJTUSJDUDBMFOEBSH

i everyone! Planningfor the2015 Higashi
Hongwanji District
calendar has begun,and for this year,
we’re asking members
and friends to help us
make the calendar.
We’d like to show temple
activities, nature, people and othereveryday things that are important to
us. Photographs of families, parents,
grandparents, kids, aunties anduncles, flowers and other plants, pets,and even ‘selfies’ are welcome. Pleaseshare your favorite pix. They may bedisplayed prominently or in a collage

in our 2015 district
calendar.
Multiple submittals are welcome,but, of course, there is no guaranteethat a submitted photo will be used.
Knowing names of the people in thephotograph would be nice (for history!)
but names will likely not be used in thecalendar. We will be asking for written
permission for use of personal images

or those who seek Enlightenment, three ways of practice may rightly be
there are three ways of practicecalled the disciples of Buddha.
that must be understood and
5IF'PVS/PCMF5SVUIT
followed: first, disciplines for practical The world is full of suffering.
behavior; second, right concentration
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering,of mind; and third, wisdom.
sickness and death%JTDJQMJOFTGPSQSBDUJDBMCFIBWJPS
are sufferings. To
Everyone, whether a person ismeet a person whom
a common person or a way-seeker,
one hates is suffering,should follow the precepts for good
to be separated
behavior. One should control both thefrom a beloved one
mind and body, and guard the gates
is suffering, to beof one’s five senses. One should bevainly struggling toౙ Suffering
afraid of even a trifling evil and, fromsatisfy one’s needs is
moment to moment, should endeavor suffering. In fact, life that is not free
to practice only good deeds.
from desire and passion is always
3JHIUDPODFOUSBUJPOPGNJOE
involved with distress. This is calledUIF
Concentration of mind means to
5SVUIPG4VòFSJOH
quickly get away from greedy and evil
The cause of human suffering isdesires as they arise and to hold theundoubtedly found in the thirsts ofmind pure and tranquil.
the physical body and in the illusions
8JTEPN
of worldly passion.
Wisdom is the ability to perfectly
If these thirsts andunderstand the Fourfold Noble Truths,
illusions are traced
to know the fact of suffering and its
to their source,
nature; to know the source of suffering, they are found toto know what constitutes the end of
be rooted in thesuffering, and to know the Noble Pathintense desires ofthat leads to the end of suffering.
physical instincts. ŃૐŃŃThe Cause of
Those who earnestly follow theseThus, desire, having
Suffering2

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*$&
Peggy Ishida
Ken & Kumiko Saiki
Edwin Aragaki
Amy AbeJanis Tsuhako
Nancy Nakatsu
Warren & Evelyn McKeon(0+*,"*.&.#&34)*1
(especially minors) and release forms
will be provided.
Please send your digital photos to
DBMFOEBS!IICUIJPSH(or if you only
have a print, submit it to your minister
and we can scan it and return yourprint, along with a digital copy via
email or on a CD).

5IF5FBDIJOHPG#VEEIB

F

MahaloGozaimasu

a strong will to live as its basis, seeks
that which feels desirable, even if it
is sometimes death. This is called UIF5SVUIPGUIF$BVTFPG4VòFSJOH
If desire, which lies at the root of
all human passion,
can be removed,
then passion will
die out and all
human suffering
will be ended. Thisis called UIF5SVUIຑŃŃThe Extinction PGUIF$FTTBUJPOPG
of Suffering 4VòFSJOHIn order toenter into a state where there is no
desire and no suffering, one must
follow a certain Path.
This is called UIF5SVUIPGUIF/PCMF
1BUIUPUIF$FTTBUJPOPGUIF$BVTFPG4VòFSJOH
People shouldŃ੊ŃŃThe Path tokeep these Four
Nirvana
Noble Truths clearlyin mind.
—Exerpted and edited from
“Messages from the Buddha,”published by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai

Shirley Nishizawa

Kimiko Kawamoto,:0%"/%0/"5*0/

Rev. Koen Hosokawa Mitsue Ikari
Kaizuka Family
Kojima Family

Dennis & Debra Saiki Peggy Arita
Fred NishimuraCharles Nishida
Kazukiyo & Mae Kuboyama

Carol Suzuki
Leatrice Omiya
Mitsue Ikari
Kathleen Inouye
Family of Patsy Hideko NikaidoFlorence Sueyoshi

Yasuyuki & Harriet KawakamiIn Memoriam

Moriso Teraoka
Denis Kawamoto
Howard & Patsy Nikaido

41&$*"-%0/"5*0/

We wish to extend our deepest
sympathy to the families of the late"-5"3'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54

Henry Toshio “Box Head” Yoshino (83)
April 26, 2014

Mr. Harlen H. Duesing in memory of Mrs. Miyoko Duesing
Minako Ito

Joyce Masaki

James Nobuo Takayama (84)
April 29, 2014

$0-6.#"3*6.

Mr. & Mrs. Akitoshi Nakahara

Shotsuki Observance for JuneOur monthly shotsuki service in remembranceof temple family members who passed awayin the month of June of a past year and will be held
on 4VOEBZ +VOFThe following list includes family
members from the past 25 years.
While shotsuki services are observed every year,
special nenki hoyo memorial services are held duringcertain auspicious years. These years include the 1stanniversary, followed by memorial services for the 3rd,
7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th years, held during
the year prior to the actual anniversary date.
If you wish you may schedule memorial services
to be held at your home, as is the usual custom inJapan. The ministers will be happy to accommodate
your preference. Call the Betsuin office at 531-9088 forassistance or for more information.

Dorothy T. Akamine
Masato Arima
Eddy S. Chinen
Matsuichi Fujimoto
Doris S. Fukuda
Philip T. Fukushima
Teruko Hamamoto
Hajime Harauchi
Charles K. Ifuku
Momoe Inouye
Betsy Momoyo Ishii
Hatsue Ishimatsu
Kenneth T. Iwasaki
Sute Kakugawa
Yoshiyuki Kawakami
Masayo Kogami
Thomas T. Kojima

Wallace H. Oi
Kazuo “Bob” Okazaki
Satsuki Omura
Kikue Saida
Shizuko Saiki
Katsue Sakai Takeuchi
Henry K. Sakamoto
Kenneth W. Sakamoto
Sadaichi Sakamoto
Sadao Sasabuchi
Shizue Sekiya
Stanley Manabu Shirai
Shinichi Shiroma
Kenneth Mutsuo Sugai
Yoshitaka Tachibana
Hanae Uyeno
Charles F. Taketa
Joe Tanaka

Ethel T. Komatsu
Ima Kono
Hideto Kubota
Jitsuzen Makiya
Kiyoshi Matsumoto
Leatrice C. Matsumoto
Fusano Michioku
Otome Miyashiro
Sadako Morita
Michino Murakami
Lois K. Muramoto
Mitsuko Nakahara
Kiyoumi Nakamura
George Yoshio Nii
Katsumi NishidaMatsutaro Nishimura
Katsumi Nomura
Aileen T. Ogawa

Stanley H. Tanaka
Hazel K. Tanijo
Sue Tanimura
Yutaka Teshima
Vivian Toshiko Tomita
Edward G. Tsubaki
Harry Hideo Tsukamoto
Geroge T. UchidaCharles S. Uchihara
Shigeru Uyeunten
Florence WatanabePeter Y. Watanabe
Ted T. Yamamoto
Russell Ken Yamamoto
Marilyn Shizue Yanagida
Chima Yoshimura
George H. Yoshino

5/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT
use one of ours. Because kimono
sittings will be a more involved
session that needs preparation,please call for an appointment. Hairand make-up should be done prior
to coming. These sessions will beheld after our shotsuki memorialservices on the first Sunday of themonth, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm.

i5IF)JEEFO#MBEFwJT+VOFNPWJF

Some temple members ham it up for the camera after a picnic lunch at a Nuuanu park.

1JDUVSFQFSGFDUQJDOJDBUUIFQBSL

After the May shotsuki service wepacked our picnic baskets andheaded for Nuuanu Valley Park on
Puiwa Road for a picture-taking
outdoor feast.
Jeanne Kawawata made her
famous ever-so-neat Spam musubi,
while Joyce Masaki, Kazue Uechi,and Margaret Hamachi each
prepared chicken in a different way.
John and Roy Nakamoto pickedup pizzas, Debra Saiki brought
tsukemono, Atsuko Nonaka,simmered kabocha and Faye
Shigemura, carrot and celery sticks.
Next to us was a Special Olympics
group, who combined practicing
their games with a picnic. We
cheered them on, giving them achance to enjoy the ‘roar of thecrowd’ as they did their best to
experience the thrill of victory.
Bishop Kawawata brought his
camera and lighting equipment to
the picnic for portrait sittings. You
can view some of his work on thebulletin board in the temple hallway.
The park provided an ideal setting
and the weather was great.
Professional photographers often use
the park for portraits, taking
advantage of Nuuanu Stream passing
through as a small brook, a rope
swing and a large low-hanging
branch as picturesque elements of
the natural surroundings.
Our next photo sessions will
give you an opportunity to dress
up in kimono, if you wish. If you
have your own kimono, you may
bring it to the session, or you may

B\EHQHÀWRI,QÀQLWH/LJKWWUXHHQWUXVWLQJLVPDJQLÀFHQW7KHLFHRIGHVLUHLVPHOWHGWREHFRPHWKHZDWHURI1LUYDQD2XUGHVLUHVDUHWKHHVVHQFHRI
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LFHWKHPRUHZDWHUWKHPRUHGHVLUHWKHPRUH1LUYDQD
– Shinran Shonin

4

The 2004 film The Hidden Bladeis set in 1860s Japan. The plot
revolves around several samurai
during a time of change in theruling and class structures of Japan.
The film was written and directed by
Yoji Yamada and, like its hit
predecessor, The Twilight Samurai, isbased on a short story by Shūhei
Fujisawa.
Awarded the Japan Academy
Prize for Outstanding Achievementin Art. Stars Masatoshi Nagase as
Munezo Katagiri. Japanese audiowith English subtitles.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tuesday,June 23. 131 minutes. Free
admission, open to all. Ample seatingin Fukuhara Conference Room.

ඛख໐ྭभᅂ ऊऎखऐ॒उपभणी‫ك‬َञजऋो஬ௗୋُपਢऎ‫ؚ‬৛িஞઃ૰
୚‫٭‬ઢ૕ఢ਴ਉ੿भযੲৎ৻แ‫؛‬෸໐nྭ
भᅂ|॑஫౸औोञ਴ᆎऋञनॊ੒਋चफ
ઈ୵ध‫ؚ‬ਦ୛धఎपেऌॊ௅॑๜ऌল
घ‫؛‬঩ম॔ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖ஖୒ೖऔोञ‫؛‬ল౰঻‫ؙ‬ൺ༙෕୉‫ె؟‬௿ਫส‫ਁؙ‬৫ফ੉ୁ঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ‫ؙ‬಩ৎ৑ী‫ؙ‬োৃ૮મা঩ ౌ ଏ৏ৎ

Our

I

Mother’s Day

knew men were good forsomething. The male counterparts
at Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin
became Heroes For A Day in the
kitchen. They prepared their best
dishes for the grateful and happy
mothers on Sunday, in celebration ofMother’s Day.
Kei Tsuji made chicken curry fromscratch, no less. As Bishop Kawawata
said, it brought back memories of his
mother’s cooking. I had two servings.
Ken Saiki
prepared his
delicious
oden withhot karashi
mustard. Lotsof daikon,
fishcake ofdifferent sizes and shapes, konbu,
konnyaku, hard-boiled eggs andeven kinchaku. Ken’s dashi is always
tasty, and this was no exception. He
must get good training from his wife,
Kumiko. Slurp. I had two servings.
Dennis Saiki, Ken’s baby brother,made healthy kabocha with ebi, andnamasu that rivaled Mrs. Nonaka’s.
Thin cucumber slices and baby clams
begged to be savored slowly. I had
three quick servings. Y-y-yumm!
Rev. Makoto Honda surprised
us all with his shoyu pork belly. Whowould have thunk he could prepare
something so delicious! He said he
got the recipe off the Internet. He
baked a yellow cake, too. Go, go,
Mako-to!
Bishop Kawawata made wellseasoned kinpira using fresh kakuma
from the Big Island, where he recently
visited. He also made chicken andkakuma kamameshi. Good planning,
Bishop! I must have eaten at least two
persons’ share.

Feast

Rev. Takafumi Bansaka showed
us that his work experience at an
izakaya did not go to waste andpresented us with delicious mabo
tofu. This, too, did not escape myhungry eyes. My dilemma waswhether to eat mabo tofu with white
rice or the chicken kamameshi rice.
John Ishikawa and Roy Nakamoto
thoughtfully provided a because-Isaid-so low-calorie dessert of chocolate
haupia pie, always a favorite with us
mothers. I ate dessert first.
Jonathan Tani helped
complete the feast witha couple of perfectly
browned roast chickens
and the drinks. I
don’t know who
got the wishbones,
but I was stuffed.
And to provide the exclamation
point to the delightful buffet was
Jim Hirakawa’s contribution of
traditional Japanese wagashi sweets,the perfect complement
to a brimming cup of hot
green tea
after lunch.
Okay,
so this iswhere thecelebration ended. After lunch, all
the men picked up their pots andhurried off somewhere, leaving themothers to the clean-up. Well, they
didn’t promise to clean up, just to
cook, so no promises were broken.
We really didn’t mind, since they sograciously thought of the idea, andwe could enjoy another half hourin bed. Hope everyone had a niceMother’s Day.
Let’s have another Mother’s Day
next month!
– Faye Shigemura

5IF(SFFOJOH
PGUIF#FUTVJO

At the temple, we have atreasure in a small package
named Joyce Masaki. Joyce taught
school on the mainland, retired,and now volunteers at a few places,
including the Bishop Museum andHigashi Hongwanji. She listened to
our wishes for more beautiful, easyto-care-for plants, and has singlehandedly started changing andimproving our landscaping.
The next time you visit, you’ll
see changes in our gardens andborders. Joyce’s work continues,
and she’s looking for items to use inher quest for Nirvana gardens.
If you have any items on her wish
list to donate to the temple, pleasecall us at 531-9088.
Also, let us know if you cansqueeze in some time during theweek to help with landscaping.
Because of the success of ourvolunteer Kokua Day in April, we’replanning to schedule one every
quarter. It’s more fun when we canwork together as a team and get toknow each other better. Our next
Kokua Day will be right before ourbon dance in July, so watch for anannouncement in Wa.

5FNQMF(BSEFO8JTI-JTU
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Plants with hardy flowers for altar
White hydrangea
Song of India (dracaena reflexa)
Jade plant
Herbs for herb garden
Succulents for cactus garden
3PDLTCSJDLTUJMF
Large rocks for rock garden
Landscaping pebbles
Cinders
Bricks & hollow tile
1PUT
1- to 3-gallon plant pots3

/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT
use one of ours. Because kimono
sittings will be a more involved
session that needs preparation,please call for an appointment. Hairand make-up should be done prior
to coming. These sessions will beheld after our shotsuki memorialservices on the first Sunday of themonth, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm.

i5IF)JEEFO#MBEFwJT+VOFNPWJF

Some temple members ham it up for the camera after a picnic lunch at a Nuuanu park.

1JDUVSFQFSGFDUQJDOJDBUUIFQBSL

After the May shotsuki service wepacked our picnic baskets andheaded for Nuuanu Valley Park on
Puiwa Road for a picture-taking
outdoor feast.
Jeanne Kawawata made her
famous ever-so-neat Spam musubi,
while Joyce Masaki, Kazue Uechi,and Margaret Hamachi each
prepared chicken in a different way.
John and Roy Nakamoto pickedup pizzas, Debra Saiki brought
tsukemono, Atsuko Nonaka,simmered kabocha and Faye
Shigemura, carrot and celery sticks.
Next to us was a Special Olympics
group, who combined practicing
their games with a picnic. We
cheered them on, giving them achance to enjoy the ‘roar of thecrowd’ as they did their best to
experience the thrill of victory.
Bishop Kawawata brought his
camera and lighting equipment to
the picnic for portrait sittings. You
can view some of his work on thebulletin board in the temple hallway.
The park provided an ideal setting
and the weather was great.
Professional photographers often use
the park for portraits, taking
advantage of Nuuanu Stream passing
through as a small brook, a rope
swing and a large low-hanging
branch as picturesque elements of
the natural surroundings.
Our next photo sessions will
give you an opportunity to dress
up in kimono, if you wish. If you
have your own kimono, you may
bring it to the session, or you may

B\EHQHÀWRI,QÀQLWH/LJKWWUXHHQWUXVWLQJLVPDJQLÀFHQW7KHLFHRIGHVLUHLVPHOWHGWREHFRPHWKHZDWHURI1LUYDQD2XUGHVLUHVDUHWKHHVVHQFHRI
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LFHWKHPRUHZDWHUWKHPRUHGHVLUHWKHPRUH1LUYDQD
– Shinran Shonin

4

The 2004 film The Hidden Bladeis set in 1860s Japan. The plot
revolves around several samurai
during a time of change in theruling and class structures of Japan.
The film was written and directed by
Yoji Yamada and, like its hit
predecessor, The Twilight Samurai, isbased on a short story by Shūhei
Fujisawa.
Awarded the Japan Academy
Prize for Outstanding Achievementin Art. Stars Masatoshi Nagase as
Munezo Katagiri. Japanese audiowith English subtitles.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tuesday,June 23. 131 minutes. Free
admission, open to all. Ample seatingin Fukuhara Conference Room.

ඛख໐ྭभᅂ ऊऎखऐ॒उपभणी‫ك‬َञजऋो஬ௗୋُपਢऎ‫ؚ‬৛িஞઃ૰
୚‫٭‬ઢ૕ఢ਴ਉ੿भযੲৎ৻แ‫؛‬෸໐nྭ
भᅂ|॑஫౸औोञ਴ᆎऋञनॊ੒਋चफ
ઈ୵ध‫ؚ‬ਦ୛धఎपেऌॊ௅॑๜ऌল
घ‫؛‬঩ম॔ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖ஖୒ೖऔोञ‫؛‬ল౰঻‫ؙ‬ൺ༙෕୉‫ె؟‬௿ਫส‫ਁؙ‬৫ফ੉ୁ঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ‫ؙ‬಩ৎ৑ী‫ؙ‬োৃ૮મা঩ ౌ ଏ৏ৎ

Our

I

Mother’s Day

knew men were good forsomething. The male counterparts
at Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin
became Heroes For A Day in the
kitchen. They prepared their best
dishes for the grateful and happy
mothers on Sunday, in celebration ofMother’s Day.
Kei Tsuji made chicken curry fromscratch, no less. As Bishop Kawawata
said, it brought back memories of his
mother’s cooking. I had two servings.
Ken Saiki
prepared his
delicious
oden withhot karashi
mustard. Lotsof daikon,
fishcake ofdifferent sizes and shapes, konbu,
konnyaku, hard-boiled eggs andeven kinchaku. Ken’s dashi is always
tasty, and this was no exception. He
must get good training from his wife,
Kumiko. Slurp. I had two servings.
Dennis Saiki, Ken’s baby brother,made healthy kabocha with ebi, andnamasu that rivaled Mrs. Nonaka’s.
Thin cucumber slices and baby clams
begged to be savored slowly. I had
three quick servings. Y-y-yumm!
Rev. Makoto Honda surprised
us all with his shoyu pork belly. Whowould have thunk he could prepare
something so delicious! He said he
got the recipe off the Internet. He
baked a yellow cake, too. Go, go,
Mako-to!
Bishop Kawawata made wellseasoned kinpira using fresh kakuma
from the Big Island, where he recently
visited. He also made chicken andkakuma kamameshi. Good planning,
Bishop! I must have eaten at least two
persons’ share.

Feast

Rev. Takafumi Bansaka showed
us that his work experience at an
izakaya did not go to waste andpresented us with delicious mabo
tofu. This, too, did not escape myhungry eyes. My dilemma waswhether to eat mabo tofu with white
rice or the chicken kamameshi rice.
John Ishikawa and Roy Nakamoto
thoughtfully provided a because-Isaid-so low-calorie dessert of chocolate
haupia pie, always a favorite with us
mothers. I ate dessert first.
Jonathan Tani helped
complete the feast witha couple of perfectly
browned roast chickens
and the drinks. I
don’t know who
got the wishbones,
but I was stuffed.
And to provide the exclamation
point to the delightful buffet was
Jim Hirakawa’s contribution of
traditional Japanese wagashi sweets,the perfect complement
to a brimming cup of hot
green tea
after lunch.
Okay,
so this iswhere thecelebration ended. After lunch, all
the men picked up their pots andhurried off somewhere, leaving themothers to the clean-up. Well, they
didn’t promise to clean up, just to
cook, so no promises were broken.
We really didn’t mind, since they sograciously thought of the idea, andwe could enjoy another half hourin bed. Hope everyone had a niceMother’s Day.
Let’s have another Mother’s Day
next month!
– Faye Shigemura

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At the temple, we have atreasure in a small package
named Joyce Masaki. Joyce taught
school on the mainland, retired,and now volunteers at a few places,
including the Bishop Museum andHigashi Hongwanji. She listened to
our wishes for more beautiful, easyto-care-for plants, and has singlehandedly started changing andimproving our landscaping.
The next time you visit, you’ll
see changes in our gardens andborders. Joyce’s work continues,
and she’s looking for items to use inher quest for Nirvana gardens.
If you have any items on her wish
list to donate to the temple, pleasecall us at 531-9088.
Also, let us know if you cansqueeze in some time during theweek to help with landscaping.
Because of the success of ourvolunteer Kokua Day in April, we’replanning to schedule one every
quarter. It’s more fun when we canwork together as a team and get toknow each other better. Our next
Kokua Day will be right before ourbon dance in July, so watch for anannouncement in Wa.

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Plants with hardy flowers for altar
White hydrangea
Song of India (dracaena reflexa)
Jade plant
Herbs for herb garden
Succulents for cactus garden
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Large rocks for rock garden
Landscaping pebbles
Cinders
Bricks & hollow tile
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1- to 3-gallon plant pots3

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

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

6

June 2014

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
JUNE 2014
6/1
6/1
6/8
6/8
6/10
6/12
6/14
6/15
6/15
6/17
6/22
6/22
6/24
6/24
6/28
6/28
6/29

Sun 10 am Shotsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Family portrait sitting
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in JapaneseTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Father’s Day family service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-ko: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 11:30 am Ehime Maru Memorial cleaning
Picnic lunch at Kakaako Waterfront ParkTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Hidden BladeSat 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
Sat 11 am Recitation circle
Sun 10 am Sunday service

JULY 2014
7/6
7/6
7/8
7/10
7/12
7/13
7/13
7/15
7/20
7/20
7/22
7/22
7/23
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/28

Sun 10 am Shotsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Family portrait sittingTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceThu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Obon/Hatsubon service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Tue 7 pm O-ko: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service & Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie nightTue 7 pm Bon dance practice at Otani CenterFri 7 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
Sat 7 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
Sun 10 am Bon dance cleanup (No Sunday service)
Mon 10 am Shinran Shonin memorial service
Mon 11 am Recitation circle

Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays & 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, we remaintrue to our origins
as an open Sangha, welcoming
anyone who wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
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 Saikihe Turtle long ago, I was tormented by my dreadfully short legs. I sufferedbecause I had to carry my cumbersome heavy shell. No matter how many
years I lived, I could find no appreciation of life. But now, many many years
later, after hearing the Dharma, I realized that it was the shortness of my legs
that enabled me to walk forward steadily, surely…never wandering from mydestination. My hard shell protected me from all kinds of dangers I encountered,giving me the opportunity to live as long as I have. How grateful I am, Namu
Amida Butsu.
When Rev. Koen Mishima, one of West Covina Buddhist Temple’s
previous ministers, left Los Angeles, he gave me this poem. This turtle
poem talks about how Buddha’s teaching can transform us. When theturtle encountered the Buddha Dharma, his entire view of himself
changed and he started to live in a new world.
Normally, when we have problems, we think the cause of the
problems are outside us, because our eyes are always only looking
outward. We think our eyes were not made for seeing inward. However,Buddha’s teaching gives us the eyes
to see inward.
That is why the turtle initiallyjust complained about his
short legs and heavy shell.
But then he realized he had
four short legs and that,
because of their very shortness,he never fell and never lost his way. He also realizedthat his heavy shell protected him from his enemies, and from the heat.
With this realization, his view changed. He became an appreciative turtle.
Actually, when he accepted his nature as it was, his shortcomings
turned into assets. From this point, he changed and started a new life. Thisis the transformation brought by the dharma.
Like the turtle, we always view our shortcomings as problems exterior
to ourselves and fail to appreciate what we really are. However, Shinran
said that when we encounter the dharma—the light of compassion andwisdom—these delusions of ours melt like ice and turn to pure water. With
this transformation, we become one with the water of the “ocean,” thatworld of oneness, the world of Amida’s infinite compassion.
Thus, just as rusted iron turns to gold, when we realize our own
ignorance, our ignorance turns to wisdom and, like a stone that turns intoa diamond, we start to shine.
When we complain about our life, we are only seeing the negative sideof things. But if we realize our life is not always smooth and happy and that
it will contain both good and bad, we can live in peace with both aspects,
good and bad, convenient or inconvenient, throughout our life.
When we encounter the dharma, the teaching of truth, our life willchange. We will be transformed and appreciate our life as it is. Our life will
become creative and dynamic and start to shine.