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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

1

January 2015

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015
1/1
1/4
1/4
1/8
1/10
1/11
1/11
1/13
1/18
1/18
1/20
1/25
1/27
1/27
1/28
1/30
1/31

Thu 10 am New Year service (Shusho-e)
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Jimmy’s Auto Basics
led by Jimmy Hirakawa
Thu 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 Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in JapaneseTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceSun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Wind Rises
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
Fri 7 pm Public lecture: Dr. Nobuo Haneda
Sat 10 am District Dharma Gathering at Betsuin

2/1
2/1
2/8
2/8
2/10
2/12
2/14
2/15
2/15
2/17
2/22
2/22
2/24
2/24
2/28

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Jimmy’s Auto Basics
led by Jimmy Hirakawa
Thu 7 pm Nirvana Day service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
現代語で仏教を聞こう

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 Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 11 am General membership meeting &Shinnenkai (New Year’s party)
Otani Center
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service

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
Auditor: Ken Saiki
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 Saiki

rst of all, I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has given me
such great support and encouragement during the past year.
Every year when the New Year arrives, I think of the great Zen master
Ikkyu. Ikkyu was a Rinzai Zen master who lived around same age of Rennyo
Shonin, who was the 8th abbot of Hongwanji about 500 years ago. Rennyo
Shonin and Ikkyu were good friends.
Ikkyu-san left a famous poem for the New Yearthat goes like this:ででThe kadomatsu decoration of the New Year,
It is a milestone for the journey to the world of after life.
It is a happy occasion, but also an unhappy occasion.
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata
People celebrate the New Year with meals,
drinking and having a happy time. However, Ikkyu says that we should notforget that we are getting close to the world of death every year. At the
beginning of the year, he walked around the town of Kyoto carrying a longstick with a skull on top. As he walked, he shouted, “Caution! Caution!”
His friend said, “Ikkyu-san, it is Shogatsu, the New Year. Why bring out
the skull? It’s not good luck!”
Ikkyu then replied that we should not forget we are getting closer tothe world of death every year.
Ikkyu did not hesitate to bring out a skull on New Year’s Day, as thisskull represents the reality of our life. Through the death of others, wetouch and face the reality and truth of our life. When we admit the realityof our life and truth, our mind will settle down and have peace. We areliving in the world of impermanence, and thus, the changing nature ofexistence.
Though Ikkyu was a Zen master, he was not a normal Zen priest. He
lived a normal life, but did not live in the temple. He lived in a regularhouse with a blind woman named Shinjo.Ikkyu lived as a human being
and understood Zen, the life of human beings. I think that Rennyo
Shonin felt that Ikkyu had a similar understanding of Buddhism as Jodo
Shinshu.
We are preparing for the Betsuin’s centennial celebration and Shinran
Shonin’s 750th memorial service, both announced for 2016. The theme
for the centennial and the 750th memorial is “Awakening to Your
Deepest Wish.” For the upcoming two years, we will listen to the teachingof Nembutsu under this theme. I ask for your attendance at temple
services and other events, so we can listen to and share the dharma
together to make our celebration meaningful.
I appreciate your continued support to the Betsuin and wish you ameaningful and wonderful year.
Thank you in Gassho,
Kenjun Kawawata

New Year Greetings from Overseas#JTIPQ,ǯJ4BUPP$IJFG"ENJOJTUSBUPS 4IJOTIǼƯUBOJIB

I

wish all of you in the South America, Hawaii, and North
America overseas districts a happy new year. I also wish
to express my deepest appreciation for the wholehearted
support you continue to give to our Sangha.
In many parts of today’s
world, there seems to be no end
to horrible tragedies, such as the
chaotic situation in the Middle Eastand the outbreaks of conflicts inmany other regions. It may not be
an overstatement to say that thehistory of human beings is noneother than the history of conflict.
In the face of such challenging
situations, each of us, as followersof the Buddha’s teaching, as one who lives according to theteachings of Jōdo Shinshū, now has to reevaluate how wehave lived, and must take on the responsibility to engage
in our organization’s mission by transmitting the teachingeffectively and expressing it by our actions.
It is for that reason that I proposed the theme of“transmitting,” which means to carry on the tradition and tohand over the teaching, as the focus of our administrative
duties in the message I gave at the beginning of last year.
Looking back on the last year’s activities, I realize how

0WFSTFBT%JTUSJDU"CCPU$IǯZǼƯUBOJ
W

ith appreciation for this opportunity, I extend my
New Year Greetings with all of our Dharma friends
who reside in our three overseas districts. I am so happy to
be able to welcome in the New
Year together with all of you who
continue on an everyday basis tolisten to the Buddhadharma.
In April of last year, it wasformally announced that I havebeen selected to be the successor
to the position of Abbot of
our denomination. I humbly
accepted the appointment fromthe Honzan. I am, however,aware of the weight of that
responsibility.
Up until this point in my life, I was raised in Brazil, a2difficult it is to “transmit” those teachings in today’s world.
However, I have become all the more motivated to take on
the task of “transmitting.”
In order to realize the idea of “transmitting,” in keepingwith the realities of society today, I will promote ties andexchanges among people based on the teaching of Shinshū
and the spirit of fellow followers this year.
Last April, the Rev. Chōyū Ōtani, a Kagiyaku(a family member of the Abbot entrusted with the
key to the image of Shinran’s image) and Overseas
District Abbot, was formally nominated to become thesuccessor to the Abbot. This is an excellent opportunity
for us to reconfirm the fundamental principle of theShinshū Ōtani-ha Constitution which designates theShinshū Honbyō (Honzan – the spiritual focus of ourdenomination) as the center of our entire organization.
At the same time, I sincerely hope that the appointmentof Rev. Ōtani, who has been listening to the teaching
together with members of the overseas Sanghas, willdevelop a deeper relationship among members inoverseas districts and those in Japan.
It is our administration’s hope that all of us thisyear will find ourselves illuminated by the teaching anddeepen our relationship as “Dōbō,” fellow followers,
not restricted at all by national, linguistic, nor cultural
boundaries that might otherwise divide us.
In closing, I wish to ask for your support andcooperation in this endeavor.
country where customs and culture are so different fromJapan. To be honest, therefore, I face some anxiety as towhether I will be able to take on such an important role.
However, it is precisely because of that fact that I wish
to spend this year to verify with my entire being the truththat the Shinshū teaching is truly a great and universal paththat can bring serve to bring true meaning to the lives of all
people regardless of differences in ethnicity and lifestyles.
What is important is that each and every one of us,
regardless of whether we are inside or outside of Japan,
continue our efforts to listen to the Buddhadharma andawaken to the depth of our lives. With wishes that we go
forward on the path to confirm the deep ties that we have toall of life, I offer my best wishes for a wonderful year.
As we welcome in the year 2015, I ask for yourcontinued support and guidance.
Gassho,Chōyū Ōtani
Overseas District Abbot

MahaloGozaimasu

We gratefully acknowledge the following for theirgenerous 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 makecorrections to our records.

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Roy Nakamoto
Bert Kaizuka
Sachiko Yoshino
Jane Okinaka
Edith Endo
Lawrence Imai
Ruth Yamauchi
Ken & Kumiko Saiki
Grace Sugimoto
Stanley Gono
Frances Makiyama Carolyn Chang
Wayne Ishii
Faye Shigemura
Gladys Misue Anzai family

Velma Nakahara
Milton Yamanuha
Daniel Abergas
Harvey Shima
Wilfred Fukumoto
Carol Suenaga
Ed Honbo
Jane Smith-Martin
Wilfred Gono family Betty Niide
Charlotte Anami
Helen Suzuki
George Abe family Yoji Kawakami
Robert Kogami family

Millicent Yamamoto Betty Honbo
Roland Yamamoto Mrs. Nomura
Lester Kaichi
Atsuko Nonaka
A M Yamane
Carol Yamanuha
Carolyn Ikeda
Kathryn Okazaki
Paul Fujimoto
Amy AbeEdward Yokichi Nikaido family,:0%"/%0/"5*0/Marjorie Hosaka
Eliena Johnny
Masako Yamatani
Chieko Nishimura
Jonathan Tani
BrianaHerald Takehiro
Sachiko Yoshino
Florence Kanno
Rev. Hiroshi Suzuki
Anonymous
Nakano Family
Masuto & Umeno Miyamoto

Atsuko Nonaka
Shizue Tobara
Marilyn Kobata
Aikido Ohana
Rev. Takaaki Iwaki
Jane Sagawa
Dr. Edward Kaneshige Rev. Hoken Sakai
Anonymous
Violet Kitamori
Homer & Carol Fields Hideo Wakayama
Robert/Shizue Okazaki Joyce Masaki
Moriso Teraoka
Ethel Umemoto
Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai Irene Nakamoto
John/Janis Nakashige Eye Productions Inc.
L. Kessler
Hawaii Association of International Buddhists
Honolulu Meija Makule Softball)000/,0Chieko Sugimoto
Keizaburo Tsuji
Toshimasa Arai
Roy Nakamoto
Frances Maekawa
Marilyn Kuroda
Tadao Iwasaki
Sharon Kawagoe
David/Donna Kohara Anonymous
James Hirakawa
Frances Makiyama

Minako Ito-Song
Helen Suzuki
Beatrice Nakano
Jonathan Tani
Mary Matsuda
Kikue Kaneshiro)*("4)*)0/(8"/+*)"8"**%*453*$5$"-&/%"3
Holly Nakasone
Howard Nikaido
Yuko Oshiro
George & Jane Lau Gladys Abe
Michael Sawai
Takuo & Sadie Sakai Lowell Arakaki
Peggy Ishida
Satsuye Tanaka
Moriso Teraoka
Shizuno Miyazaki
Amy AbeWayne/Violet Harada Joel Lee Merchanat
Edith Endo
Stanley Kono
Rosalie Tatsuguchi
Miyoko Kimishima Sandra Bow
Jean Hayashi
Roy Nakamoto
Grace Sugimoto
Peggy Arita
Laura Chun
Mitsuko Yukutake
Frances Makiyama
Patricia Nitta
Anonymous
Richard Shozuya
James Tanouye
Amy Yasuda
Beatrice Nakano
Marilyn Yonekura
Natalie Matsuzaki
Paul Motoyama
May Uyeda
Joan Yoshino
Julia Fujioka
Robert & Edwina Takayama(0+*,"*%6&4
Grace Kogami
Ikuto Taketa

Michiko Otsuka
Patricia Nitta

Clement Fujimoto
Anonymous

0)*("/
Gladys Sakata

Mildred Tashiro

Helen Suzuki

0#0/
Anonymous'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54
Minako Ito-Song
Joyce MasakiYoko Nakajima
Mildred Tashiro
Sachiko Yoshino
Kazue Uechi
Marjorie Determan
Alex Shanklin
Ken & Kumiko Saiki
Jane Horiuchi
Peggy Arita
Betty Nishida
Higashi Honganji Shinshu Otani-Ha
Sasayo Okazaki
Paul Nishida
Joyce Kurihara
Atsuko Nonaka
Hideo Fukunaga
Leatrice Omiya
Lois Suzuki
Kazue Uechi
Joyce Noriyama
Eiko Yoshida
Renee Koizumi
Nancy Nakatsu

Daniel Chapp
Edith Endo
Rev. Hiroko Maeda
Dennis & Debra Saiki
Gladys Sakata

Katherine Nakamura Ed & Diane Nakano
Walter Yamada
Katherine Kurakake
Grace Kogami
Fred Zukeran
Viola Uyeno
Sumiko Kubota
George Yamauchi Jane Wataru
Doris Hanai
Akitoshi Nakahara
Eleanor Yamashita Yukie Nagata
Ryde Haruno
Herald/Hilda Takehiro
Kikue Kaneshiro
Charlene Watanabe
Kazuto Shimizu
Annie Malama
Carol Kawamoto
Jane Okazaki
Collin Segawa
Helen Suzuki

In Memoriam
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the late
Shiro Matsuoka (90)
October 19, 2014
Gladys Misue Anzai (96)October 30, 2014
Mildred Misae Imai (97)
December 12, 20147

Shinshu Center of America

News on the

Higashi Hongwanji Shinshu Otani-ha)BZBP.JZB[BXBTTXBOTPOH 
The Wind Rises,JT+BONPWJF

Public Lecture
Modern Shin Buddhism

Manshi Kiyozawa to Haya Akegarasu

By Dr. Nobuo Haneda

Director, Maida Center Of Buddhism

Dr. Nobuo Haneda Biography
1946 Born in Nagano, Japan.
1968 Read Shuichi Maida’s work and became interested in Buddhism.
1969 Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
1971 Studied under Revs. Gyomei Kubose and Gyoko Saito.
1979 Received Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin.
1979 Lecturer, Otani University, Kyoto, Japan.
1981 Lecturer, Buddhist Educational Center, Chicago, IL.
1984 Head Professor, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, CA.
1987 Researcher, Numata Center, Berkeley, CA.
1997 Director, Maida Center of Buddhism, Berkeley, CA.
Manshi Kiyozawa
Manshi Kiyozawa (1863-1903) was one of the most important Japanese Buddhist figures of modern times. Kiyo awa
was a Buddhist minister belonging to the Otani-ha (or Higashi Hongwanji sect of Shin Buddhism - Jodo Shinshu). He
exerted considerable influence upon the direction of modern Japanese Buddhism, although he died at the relatively young
age of forty. (From December Fan by Dr. Nobuo Haneda)
Haya Akegarasu
September 11, 1893 was the most important date for Haya Akegarasu, because on that day he met his teacher,
Reverend Manshi Kyozawa, who changed his whole life. Akegarasu was 16 years old, Kiyozawa was 31 and in the middleof an ascetic life similar to what Gautama Buddha went through for six years. (From Shout of Buddha by Rev. Gyoko Saito)

Friday, January 30, 2015
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
HIgashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. Honolulu, HI 96817
Free and open to the Public.
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District Oﬃce
TEL: 808-531-1231 /FAX: 808-531-1231 Email: adminaloha@higashihonganji.org

6

Betsuin WirelessDr. Haneda enthusiastically maikes a point
during a past lecture at the Otani Center.

/FX:FBSTUBSUTPòXJUITFWFSBMPQQPSUVOJUJFTUPIFBSUFBDIJOH

Let’s all resolve to listen more
intently to dharma teachings thisyear. January will provide ample
opportunities in addition to weekly
Sunday services.
New Year’s Day service for starters.
We’ll have our first opportunity at
the Shusho-e New Year’s Day service
starting at 10:00 am on Jan. 1, which
will be followed by ozoni and otherosechi delicacies.
Hear Dr. Haneda at a public lecture.

The Wind Rises is a fictionalizedbiopic of Jiro Horikoshi (1903–1982),
designer of the WWII Mitsubishi A6M
Zero fighter plane. Bearing a strong
anti-war message, it was the final film
directed by Hayao Miyazaki before
his retirement two years ago.
The Wind Rises was the highestgrossing Japanese film in Japan in2013 and received critical acclaim.
Nominated for the Academy Award
for Best Animated Feature and theGolden Globe Award for Best Foreign
Language Film in the U.S., it won theJapan Academy Prize for Animationof the Year, as well as many other filmawards worldwide.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Jan. 27.
126 min. Japanese audio with English
subtitles. Free admission. Discussion
following showing of the film.

We’re fortunate to have dharma
teacher Dr. Nobuo Haneda as guest
speaker at two events at the Betsuin
this month. The first is a free public
lecture at the Betsuin, “Modern Shin
Buddhism: Manshi Kiyozawa to Haya
Akegarasu,” sponsored by the Shinshu
Center of America, on Friday, Jan. 30,
starting at 7:00 p.m.
Participate in our district gathering.
The next day, Dr. Haneda, who’s
Director of the Maida Center of
Buddhism in Berkeley, will lead
discussion at an all-day Hawaii
District Dharma Gathering at Otani
Center. You’ll want to take advantageof this chance to expand yourknowledge and understanding of
Jodo Shinshu with Dr. Haneda.
You’ll find additional details on thegathering on p. 5 of this newsletter,or call 531-1231 for more info.

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(FUZPVS)BXBJJ%JTUSJDUDBMFOEBSBUZPVSOFBSFTUUFNQMFPóDF
 If you haven’t received your copyof this year’s Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii District calendar, be sure to
ask for one the next time you drop by
the temple, or call us at 531-9088. A
donation would be gladly accepted
but is entirely optional.
The 2015 calendar focuses onlooking inside your own self, with aquestion to ask yourself every week
to help you understand others.
January’s first question asks what
three things you’d like to accomplish
this year. Will yours relate to universal
challenges such as losing weight,
quitting smoking or saving more?
Or do you have more ambitious
goals, such as writing the book that’s
been your head all this time, orenrolling in a culinary arts programwith the aim of becoming a chef?
We hope you will enjoy sharing
your answers with your family andalso at our calendar discussion page
starting Jan. 1 on the Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii District website at
IICUIJPSH.

3

,JOOBSBBOE"SQBOB“A ★★★★★ experience!”— Faye ShigemuraAncient music of the Imperial
Court of Japan and unusual
Indian dance melodies pierced thestill air in Liliha. Surely residents of theotherwise quiet neighborhood were left
wondering what they were hearing.
Kinnara Gagaku and Arpana Dance
Company were in Honolulu, having
traveled from Southern California toperform at the Betsuin’s Otani Center on
Dec. 6. before a mesmerized audienceof members and friends
The two groups were here tohelp raise awareness and funds
for the Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii

The Kinnara Gagaku group performers
continue an ancient tradition of court music.

District Shinran Shonin 750th Goenki
observance and the Betsuin centennial.
Kinnara Gagaku had its beginnings
at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los
Angeles, and was started by Rev. Masao
Kodani. Even after his retirement, Rev.
Kodani continues to lead this groupof dedicated musicians, who travelinternationally with their art.
They play refined ancient court
compositions—in fact, the oldest
continually played court music in
the world—dressed in authentic
costumes, while their court and Nohdancers perform in equally interesting
and colorful garb.
The musicians come from Asianand Caucasian backgrounds, andwere a delight to watch on their own.
Our own Bishop Kenjun Kawawata
plays the hichiriki, and was part of
the Kinnara Gagaku group when heministered in Los Angeles.
The Arpana Dance Company
provided a different kind of richvisual emotional experience. Asa lover of dance I’ve never before
watched such precise and difficult
movements of head, hands, feet, no,the entire body, my eyes wincing as I
watched the young women of Indianancestry perform strenuous danceswith seemingly little effort.

The magic was in the huge
expressive eyes and facial expressionsof the dancers. When we see picturesof dancers from India dressed ingolden costumes with their contorted
gestures, those cramp-inducing
movements are truly accurate. They
perform intricate poses, but most of

HIGASHI HONGWANJI HAWAII DISTRICT2015 DOBO RETREAT PROGRAM

District Dharma Gathering
We wish to invite you to attend the 2015 District Dharma Gathering of Higashi Honganji
Hawaii District. We will invite Dr. Nobuo Haneda, the head of the Maida Center, Berkeley as ourguest speaker. The theme of the Gathering is “Awakening to Your Deepest Wish.” Please send
the application form below to the Hawaii District office or to the minister of your local temple.
Date:
Time:
Speaker:
Location:

The expressive gestures and movements of
the Arpana dancers are a sight to behold.

Theme:
Fee:us miss the subtle details if they aren’t
pointed out to us.
The audience included some who
watched the performers the night
before, and came again for a second
look. It was a treat not to be missed. I
can confidently place them on a levelwith ballerinas and flamenco dancers
of great proficiency. Be sure not to missthem the next time they’re in town!

Dr. Nobuo Haneda Biography
1946 Born in Nagano, Japan.
1968 Read Shuichi Maida’s work and became interested in Buddhism.
1969 Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
1971 Studied under Revs. Gyomei Kubose and Gyoko Saito.
1979 Received Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin.
1979 Lecturer, Otani University, Kyoto, Japan.
1981 Lecturer, Buddhist Educational Center, Chicago, IL.
1984 Head Professor, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, CA.
1987 Researcher, Numata Center, Berkeley, CA.
1997 Director, Maida Center of Buddhism, Berkeley, CA.

Shotsuki Observance for JanuaryOur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance oftemple family members who passed away in themonth of January of a past year will be held on 4VOEBZ +BOVBSZThe following list includes members fromthe past 25 years .
While shōtsuki services for a loved one are observed
every year, special nenki hōyō memorial services are
Edward K. Anami
Kazuko Arakawa
Tomi Asato
Janet Emiko Cho
Shirley S. Curek
Nobuyuki Fukunaga
Harold K. Hamamoto
Darrell K. Higa
Masaichi Higa
Rose C. Hirata
Arthur T. Hiroshima
Shigeko Hosaka

4

Betty M. Hoshino
George S. Ige
Sadami Ikeda
Dorothea F. Inoshita
Sadame Ishida
Yoshie Ishimatsu
Harry Y. Iwanaga
Yuhiro Iwasaki
Takumi Kajioka
Dwight K. Kamae
Harriet I. Kawakami
Mabel S. Kihara
Tetsuo Koga

Kimiko Kubo
Takeo Maekawa
Tamiko K. Mashima
Naka Mesaku
Yuiko Michioku
Jitsuo Mimuro
Rihachi Mitomi
Grace T. Mitsuka
Jane N. Miyashiro
Sharie K. Miyazaki
Noboru Miyazaki
Masayuki MoriJames S. Murotake

held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorialservices for the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and50th years, normally held during the year prior to theactual anniversary date.
Call the Betsuin office at 531-9088 for assistance orfor more information.

Masao Nakahara
Gary T. Nakasato
Shizuko Nakasone
Shigeto NishimuraFred M. Nishiyama
Colleen C. Nishiyama
Neil H. Nishizawa
Leatrice S. Nomura
Tsuya Oasa
Robert M. Oba
Toyome Ogata
Ichiji Okamoto
Elsie Tokie Okawa

Hiromu Okihiro
Shizuka Onishi
Isamu Oshiro
Masao Oshiro
Shizue Otsuka
Sadao Shinkawa
Kiyoshi Shinsato
Akino Shirabe
Itoko Sueyoshi
Alice Hatsumi Sur
Hideko Takaki
Ethel T. Takamatsu
Nobuyo Tanaka

Tome Tokunaga
Tadakazu Tsuda
Richard M. Uchida
Violet S. Uyesato
Richard Y. Wataru
Jean T. Yamamoto
Kikumi Yamato
Susumu Yamauchi
William H. Yamura
Elsie K. Yoshimura
Lester S. Yoshino
Hisao Yukawa

Saturday, January 31, 2015
10:00 am — 4:00 pm
Dr. Nobuo Haneda (Maida Center of Buddism)
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 531-1231, Fax: (808) 531-1231“Awakening to Your Deepest Wish”$10.00 (payable to Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District)If you have any questions, please contact your local temple or the district office at:
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District Office1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 531-1231, Fax: (808) 531-1231, Email: adminaloha@higashihonganji.org
Detach HereI would like to participate in the 2015 District Dharma Gathering.
Name

Temple5

,JOOBSBBOE"SQBOB“A ★★★★★ experience!”— Faye ShigemuraAncient music of the Imperial
Court of Japan and unusual
Indian dance melodies pierced thestill air in Liliha. Surely residents of theotherwise quiet neighborhood were left
wondering what they were hearing.
Kinnara Gagaku and Arpana Dance
Company were in Honolulu, having
traveled from Southern California toperform at the Betsuin’s Otani Center on
Dec. 6. before a mesmerized audienceof members and friends
The two groups were here tohelp raise awareness and funds
for the Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii

Dr. Haneda enthusiastically maikes a point
during a past lecture at the Otani Center.

District Shinran Shonin 750th Goenki
observance and the Betsuin centennial.
Kinnara Gagaku had its beginnings
at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los
Angeles, and was started by Rev. Masao
Kodani. Even after his retirement, Rev.
Kodani continues to lead this groupof dedicated musicians, who travelinternationally with their art.
They play refined ancient court
compositions—in fact, the oldest
continually played court music in
the world—dressed in authentic
costumes, while their court and Nohdancers perform in equally interesting
and colorful garb.
The musicians come from Asianand Caucasian backgrounds, andwere a delight to watch on their own.
Our own Bishop Kenjun Kawawata
plays the hichiriki, and was part of
the Kinnara Gagaku group when heministered in Los Angeles.
The Arpana Dance Company
provided a different kind of richvisual emotional experience. Asa lover of dance I’ve never before
watched such precise and difficult
movements of head, hands, feet, no,the entire body, my eyes wincing as I
watched the young women of Indianancestry perform strenuous danceswith seemingly little effort.

The magic was in the huge
expressive eyes and facial expressionsof the dancers. When we see picturesof dancers from India dressed ingolden costumes with their contorted
gestures, those cramp-inducing
movements are truly accurate. They
perform intricate poses, but most of

HIGASHI HONGWANJI HAWAII DISTRICT2015 DOBO RETREAT PROGRAM

District Dharma Gathering
We wish to invite you to attend the 2015 District Dharma Gathering of Higashi Honganji
Hawaii District. We will invite Dr. Nobuo Haneda, the head of the Maida Center, Berkeley as ourguest speaker. The theme of the Gathering is “Awakening to Your Deepest Wish.” Please send
the application form below to the Hawaii District office or to the minister of your local temple.
Date:
Time:
Speaker:
Location:

The expressive gestures and movements of
the Arpana dancers are a sight to behold.

Theme:
Fee:us miss the subtle details if they aren’t
pointed out to us.
The audience included some who
watched the performers the night
before, and came again for a second
look. It was a treat not to be missed. I
can confidently place them on a levelwith ballerinas and flamenco dancers
of great proficiency. Be sure not to missthem the next time they’re in town!

Dr. Nobuo Haneda Biography
1946 Born in Nagano, Japan.
1968 Read Shuichi Maida’s work and became interested in Buddhism.
1969 Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
1971 Studied under Revs. Gyomei Kubose and Gyoko Saito.
1979 Received Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin.
1979 Lecturer, Otani University, Kyoto, Japan.
1981 Lecturer, Buddhist Educational Center, Chicago, IL.
1984 Head Professor, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, CA.
1987 Researcher, Numata Center, Berkeley, CA.
1997 Director, Maida Center of Buddhism, Berkeley, CA.

Shotsuki Observance for JanuaryOur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance oftemple family members who passed away in themonth of January of a past year will be held on 4VOEBZ +BOVBSZThe following list includes members from thepast 25 years .
While shōtsuki services for a loved one are observed
every year, special nenki hōyō memorial services are
Edward K. Anami
Kazuko Arakawa
Tomi Asato
Janet Emiko Cho
Shirley S. Curek
Nobuyuki Fukunaga
Harold K. Hamamoto
Darrell K. Higa
Masaichi Higa
Rose C. Hirata
Arthur T. Hiroshima
Shigeko Hosaka

4

Betty M. Hoshino
George S. Ige
Sadami Ikeda
Dorothea F. Inoshita
Sadame Ishida
Yoshie Ishimatsu
Harry Y. Iwanaga
Yuhiro Iwasaki
Takumi Kajioka
Dwight K. Kamae
Harriet I. Kawakami
Mabel S. Kihara
Tetsuo Koga

Kimiko Kubo
Takeo Maekawa
Tamiko K. Mashima
Naka Mesaku
Yuiko Michioku
Jitsuo Mimuro
Rihachi Mitomi
Grace T. Mitsuka
Jane N. Miyashiro
Sharie K. Miyazaki
Noboru Miyazaki
Masayuki MoriJames S. Murotake

held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorialservices for the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th
years, normally held during the year prior to the actual
anniversary date.
Call the Betsuin office at 531-9088 for assistance orfor more information.

Masao Nakahara
Gary T. Nakasato
Shizuko Nakasone
Shigeto NishimuraFred M. Nishiyama
Colleen C. Nishiyama
Neil H. Nishizawa
Leatrice S. Nomura
Tsuya Oasa
Robert M. Oba
Toyome Ogata
Ichiji Okamoto
Elsie Tokie Okawa

Hiromu Okihiro
Shizuka Onishi
Isamu Oshiro
Masao Oshiro
Shizue Otsuka
Sadao Shinkawa
Kiyoshi Shinsato
Akino Shirabe
Itoko Sueyoshi
Alice Hatsumi Sur
Hideko Takaki
Ethel T. Takamatsu
Nobuyo Tanaka

Tome Tokunaga
Tadakazu Tsuda
Richard M. Uchida
Violet S. Uyesato
Richard Y. Wataru
Jean T. Yamamoto
Kikumi Yamato
Susumu Yamauchi
William H. Yamura
Elsie K. Yoshimura
Lester S. Yoshino
Hisao Yukawa

Saturday, January 31, 2015
10:00 am — 4:00 pm
Dr. Nobuo Haneda (Maida Center of Buddism)
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 531-1231, Fax: (808) 531-1231“Awakening to Your Deepest Wish”$10.00 (payable to Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District)If you have any questions, please contact your local temple or the district office at:
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District Office1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 531-1231, Fax: (808) 531-1231, Email: adminaloha@higashihonganji.org
Detach HereI would like to participate in the 2015 District Dharma Gathering.
Name

Temple5

Shinshu Center of America

News on the

Higashi Hongwanji Shinshu Otani-ha)BZBP.JZB[BXBTTXBOTPOH 
The Wind Rises,JT+BONPWJF

Public Lecture
Modern Shin Buddhism

Manshi Kiyozawa to Haya Akegarasu

By Dr. Nobuo Haneda

Director, Maida Center Of Buddhism

Dr. Nobuo Haneda Biography
1946 Born in Nagano, Japan.
1968 Read Shuichi Maida’s work and became interested in Buddhism.
1969 Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
1971 Studied under Revs. Gyomei Kubose and Gyoko Saito.
1979 Received Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin.
1979 Lecturer, Otani University, Kyoto, Japan.
1981 Lecturer, Buddhist Educational Center, Chicago, IL.
1984 Head Professor, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, CA.
1987 Researcher, Numata Center, Berkeley, CA.
1997 Director, Maida Center of Buddhism, Berkeley, CA.
Manshi Kiyozawa
Manshi Kiyozawa (1863-1903) was one of the most important Japanese Buddhist figures of modern times. Kiyo awa
was a Buddhist minister belonging to the Otani-ha (or Higashi Hongwanji sect of Shin Buddhism - Jodo Shinshu). He
exerted considerable influence upon the direction of modern Japanese Buddhism, although he died at the relatively young
age of forty. (From December Fan by Dr. Nobuo Haneda)
Haya Akegarasu
September 11, 1893 was the most important date for Haya Akegarasu, because on that day he met his teacher,
Reverend Manshi Kyozawa, who changed his whole life. Akegarasu was 16 years old, Kiyozawa was 31 and in the middleof an ascetic life similar to what Gautama Buddha went through for six years. (From Shout of Buddha by Rev. Gyoko Saito)

Friday, January 30, 2015
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
HIgashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. Honolulu, HI 96817
Free and open to the Public.
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District Oﬃce
TEL: 808-531-1231 /FAX: 808-531-1231 Email: adminaloha@higashihonganji.org

6

Betsuin WirelessDr. Haneda enthusiastically maikes a point
during a past lecture at the Otani Center.

/FX:FBSTUBSUTPòXJUITFWFSBMPQQPSUVOJUJFTUPIFBSUFBDIJOH

Let’s all resolve to listen more
intently to dharma teachings thisyear. January will provide ample
opportunities in addition to weekly
Sunday services.
New Year’s Day service for starters.
We’ll have our first opportunity at
the Shusho-e New Year’s Day service
starting at 10:00 am on Jan. 1, which
will be followed by ozoni and otherosechi delicacies.
Hear Dr. Haneda at a public lecture.

The Wind Rises is a fictionalizedbiopic of Jiro Horikoshi (1903–1982),
designer of the WWII Mitsubishi A6M
Zero fighter plane. Bearing a strong
anti-war message, it was the final film
directed by Hayao Miyazaki before
his retirement two years ago.
The Wind Rises was the highestgrossing Japanese film in Japan in2013 and received critical acclaim.
Nominated for the Academy Award
for Best Animated Feature and theGolden Globe Award for Best Foreign
Language Film in the U.S., it won theJapan Academy Prize for Animationof the Year, as well as many other filmawards worldwide.
Showtime: 6:30 pm, Tues., Jan. 27.
126 min. Japanese audio with English
subtitles. Free admission. Discussion
following showing of the film.

We’re fortunate to have dharma
teacher Dr. Nobuo Haneda as guest
speaker at two events at the Betsuin
this month. The first is a free public
lecture at the Betsuin, “Modern Shin
Buddhism: Manshi Kiyozawa to Haya
Akegarasu,” sponsored by the Shinshu
Center of America, on Friday, Jan. 30,
starting at 7:00 p.m.
Participate in our district gathering.
The next day, Dr. Haneda, who’s
Director of the Maida Center of
Buddhism in Berkeley, will lead
discussion at an all-day Hawaii
District Dharma Gathering at Otani
Center. You’ll want to take advantageof this chance to expand yourknowledge and understanding of
Jodo Shinshu with Dr. Haneda.
You’ll find additional details on thegathering on p. 5 of this newsletter,or call 531-1231 for more info.

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(FUZPVS)BXBJJ%JTUSJDUDBMFOEBSBUZPVSOFBSFTUUFNQMFPóDF
 If you haven’t received your copyof this year’s Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii District calendar, be sure to
ask for one the next time you drop by
the temple, or call us at 531-9088. A
donation would be gladly accepted
but is entirely optional.
The 2015 calendar focuses onlooking inside your own self, with aquestion to ask yourself every week
to help you understand others.
January’s first question asks what
three things you’d like to accomplish
this year. Will yours relate to universal
challenges such as losing weight,
quitting smoking or saving more?
Or do you have more ambitious
goals, such as writing the book that’s
been your head all this time, orenrolling in a culinary arts programwith the aim of becoming a chef?
We hope you will enjoy sharing
your answers with your family andalso at our calendar discussion page
starting Jan. 1 on the Higashi
Hongwanji Hawaii District website at
IICUIJPSH.

3

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

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

Happy New Year!
3JOCBO,FOKVO,BXBXBUB

Address Service Requested

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Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

1

January 2015

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015
1/1
1/4
1/4
1/8
1/10
1/11
1/11
1/13
1/18
1/18
1/20
1/25
1/27
1/27
1/28
1/30
1/31

Thu 10 am New Year service (Shusho-e)
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Jimmy’s Auto Basics
led by Jimmy Hirakawa
Thu 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 Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in JapaneseTue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceSun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Wind Rises
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
Fri 7 pm Public lecture: Dr. Nobuo Haneda
Sat 10 am District Dharma Gathering at Betsuin

2/1
2/1
2/8
2/8
2/10
2/12
2/14
2/15
2/15
2/17
2/22
2/22
2/24
2/24
2/28

Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Jimmy’s Auto Basics
led by Jimmy Hirakawa
Thu 7 pm Nirvana Day service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
現代語で仏教を聞こう

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 Sunday service
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meetingTue 7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Betsuin
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Sun 11 am General membership meeting &Shinnenkai (New Year’s party)
Otani Center
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practiceTue 6:30 pm Movie night
Wed 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service

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
Auditor: Ken Saiki
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 Saiki

rst of all, I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has given me
such great support and encouragement during the past year.
Every year when the New Year arrives, I think of the great Zen master
Ikkyu. Ikkyu was a Rinzai Zen master who lived around same age of Rennyo
Shonin, who was the 8th abbot of Hongwanji about 500 years ago. Rennyo
Shonin and Ikkyu were good friends.
Ikkyu-san left a famous poem for the New Yearthat goes like this:ででThe kadomatsu decoration of the New Year,
It is a milestone for the journey to the world of after life.
It is a happy occasion, but also an unhappy occasion.
Rinban Kenjun Kawawata
People celebrate the New Year with meals,
drinking and having a happy time. However, Ikkyu says that we should notforget that we are getting close to the world of death every year. At the
beginning of the year, he walked around the town of Kyoto carrying a longstick with a skull on top. As he walked, he shouted, “Caution! Caution!”
His friend said, “Ikkyu-san, it is Shogatsu, the New Year. Why bring out
the skull? It’s not good luck!”
Ikkyu then replied that we should not forget we are getting closer tothe world of death every year.
Ikkyu did not hesitate to bring out a skull on New Year’s Day, as thisskull represents the reality of our life. Through the death of others, wetouch and face the reality and truth of our life. When we admit the realityof our life and truth, our mind will settle down and have peace. We areliving in the world of impermanence, and thus, the changing nature ofexistence.
Though Ikkyu was a Zen master, he was not a normal Zen priest. He
lived a normal life, but did not live in the temple. He lived in a regularhouse with a blind woman named Shinjo.Ikkyu lived as a human being
and understood Zen, the life of human beings. I think that Rennyo
Shonin felt that Ikkyu had a similar understanding of Buddhism as Jodo
Shinshu.
We are preparing for the Betsuin’s centennial celebration and Shinran
Shonin’s 750th memorial service, both announced for 2016. The theme
for the centennial and the 750th memorial is “Awakening to Your
Deepest Wish.” For the upcoming two years, we will listen to the teachingof Nembutsu under this theme. I ask for your attendance at temple
services and other events, so we can listen to and share the dharma
together to make our celebration meaningful.
I appreciate your continued support to the Betsuin and wish you ameaningful and wonderful year.
Thank you in Gassho,
Kenjun Kawawata