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November 2016 Amida Buddha Statue Which Rev Betsuin Centennial Observance and Shinran Shonin 750th Memorial Service he year: 1916. The world was in the midst of a raging war in Europe. THawaii had been a territory of the U.S. for only 16 years. Kihei Nomura, a lay Higashi Hongwanji devotee, purchased and remodeled a cottage into a chapel. In May, Rev. Shingyo Doi, from Gifu prefecture, established a temporary Higashi Hongwanji mission on Kukui street in downtown Honolulu to serve the unmet needs of a large local Japanese community. ‘wa’ Although a Higashi Hongwnji presence had already been established harmony in Waimea, Kauai, in 1899, there was no similar facility on Oahu at the time. In September 1916, the mission moved into a new building between Smith Higashi Hongwanji and Maunakea streets. Hawaii Betsuin The foundation of the Bulletin Hawaii Betsuin was made ofcial with a dedication ceremony of the Gohonzon, the November 2016 Amida Buddha statue which Rev. Doi had 11 brought from Japan. To accommodate the growing numbers Higashi Hongwanji of Nembutsu followers Mission of Hawaii and their families on Rev. Shingyo Doi (center) served as the temporary Betsuin’s first Oahu, the Betsuin minister at the Kukui St. temple. Photo from Betsuin archives At Higashi Hongwanji, we remain true to our origins moved to larger facilities on N. King street in Palama in 1921, then to the as an open Sangha, welcoming Banyan street location in 1939. Immediately following the attack of Pearl anyone who wishes to learn more Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and subsequent outbreak of World War II, the temple about the Jodo Shinshu was shut down and remained closed for the duration of hostilities. tradition of Buddhism. The Betsuin remained without a minister until 1948 but Jodo Shinshu followers continued the Path of the Nembutsu and passed on the teaching. A registered 501(c)3 organization Membership fourished once the temple was able to get back on its feet Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata again. Establishment of a YBA, Jr. YBA, fujinkai and other programs such as Minister: Koen Kikuchi Sunday school and a seniors club augmented regular temple activities. In 1983, after more than 60 years in Palama, the Betsuin moved to its President: Faye Shigemura current Liliha home on Alaneo St., with the Otani Center social hall added in Vice President: Jonathan Tani 1990. The temple’s opening was celebrated as a new page in the history of Secretary: Debra Saiki Shinshu Otani-ha Higashi Hongwanji, with the goal of becoming the “center of Treasurer: Edmund Nakano human liberation through the Teaching of Nembutsu, with the fervent hope Asst. Sec’y & Auditor: Ken Saiki that it will respond to the innermost needs of present-day people.” Today the Betsuin supplements its weekly Sunday services with Dharma 1685 Alaneo Street study classes conducted in English and Japanese, Sunday school, an ukulele Honolulu, HI 96817 Tel: (808) 531-9088 band, movie nights, craft classes, community service projects, among various Fax: (808) 531-3265 other activities. A new service book has been developed so that chants and Email: [email protected] gathas at services can be done in English, to take into account the islands’ diverse population makeup. Wa is published monthly by (cont’d on page 2) Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for its members BETSUIN CENTENNIAL & 750TH GOENKI SPECIAL EVENTS and friends. Comments, articles and other items for S NOV Panel discussion: Awakening to Your Deepest Wish - Betsuin publication consideration A are welcomed. T 5 Commemorative banquet - Ala Moana Hotel Garden Lanai Editor: Ken Saiki S NOV Shinran Shonin 750th Goenki memorial service - Betsuin U N 6 Kikyoshiki confrmation ceremony - Betsuin ? ? CENTENNIAL (cont’d from p. 1) We’ve listed below some of the ? ? What’s a Goenki, various activities of this once-in-a- With renewed commitment, members lifetime event and look forward to Goenki? anyway? are determined to ensure Shinran your attendance on Nov. 5 and 6. If Ho-on-ko is the memorial Shonin’s teaching continues through Even if you haven’t registered yet, service we hold for Shinran the next 100 years to future generations. you might still be able to get in on on his death anniversary, We are fortunate to have this some of the activities, so ask your then what is Goenki? chance to observe Shinran Shonin’s Hawaii District minister for additional Goenki, or 御遠忌, means 750th Goenki memorial service and the information or call the Hawaii District “honorable memorial service” and Hawaii Betsuin’s centennial at the same office at (808) 531-1231, or email refers to the special commemorative time to express our gratitude to our [email protected]. services held every 50 years for founder and his teaching. Early next year we plan to publish Shinran Shonin and Rennyo Shonin. We also convey our deepest a booklet in commemoration of our The occasion of this 750th Goenki appreciation to our dharma teachers centennial celebration and Goenki is an opportunity for us to express who have handed down the Nembutsu observance, including highlights and our appreciation and reverence for teaching to the present time. photos from the various events. Shinran Shonin and his teaching. Your handy guide to our 750th Goenki and Centennial activities Saturday, November 5 Hula: Masago, Mika & Maya Asai 9:00 am Reception ....................Betsuin Hondo 8:30 pm Closing 10:00 am English service . .Betsuin Hondo English service book Sunday, November 6 Welcome: Bishop Kawawata 10:00 am Tolling of Bell . Betsuin Hondo 10:30 am Panel discussion: Awakening . Betsuin Otani Center Procession of priests to your Deepest Wish Gagaku music Dr. Michael Conway Hawaii Gagaku Society Masago Asai 10:15 am Gassho Glen Kila Chanting Christophor Oliveira Roberta Kehaulani Fontes 10:35 am Amidakyo & Sange Shoshinge 12:30 pm Lunch Recession of priests Asst’d sandwich selection 11:20 am Greeting: 1:00 pm Discussion summary Overseas Abbot Choyu Otani Dr. Michael Conway Guest Lecturer Dharma message: あ Mahalo Dr. Michael Conway 1:30 pm Closing Dr. Michael Conway り Words of Appreciation: が Thank you 2:30 pm Shuttle bus . .Betsuin parking lot と Bishop Kenjun Kawawata Obrigado to Ala Moana Hotel う 12:00 pm Group photo. .Betsuin front steps 3:00 pm Check in out-of-town guests . .Ala Moana Hotel 12:20 pm Confrmation ceremony . .Betsuin Hondo 5:30 pm Reception/no-host cocktails . .Ala Moana Hotel English service book A Taste of Dana $5 Mktplace Garden Lanai 1:15 pm Break for otoki lunch . Betsuin Otani Center 6:00 pm Commemorative banquet Messages: 1:20 pm Gagaku performance Bishop Kenjun Kawawata Hawaii Gagaku Society Bishop Koi Sato’o 1:30 pm Welcome address: 6:15 pm Itadakimasu Faye Shigemura Kanpai toast & dinner Congratulatory message: Bishop Noriaki Ito 7:30 pm Entertainment Hula: 2:30 pm 100th birthday cake Masago, Mika & Maya Asai 2:40 pm Ukulele sing-along Ukulele performance: Dharma Hawaiians Honoka & Azita Giveaway game 3:00 pm Closing 2 The Life of Sharing the Dharma Taking his exile as an opportunity, Shinran resolved Shinran anew to live in the Nenbutsu teaching, and regarded himself as an “ignorant bald-headed disciple of the Shonin Buddha.” He married Eshinni, and while living among the local people, he shared the Nembutsu teaching with them. Although he was pardoned fve years later, Shinran, he upcoming Goenki knowing of the death of Hōnen, did not return to Kyoto, Tis the 750th memorial but instead headed toward the Kantō area (the region, service for Shinran Shonin, surrounding present-day Tokyo) with his family. Through the founder of our Jodo living in such places as Shimotsuma, Kojima, and Inada Shinshu denomination. (all in present-day Ibaraki prefecture), he shared the Shinran was an eminent Nembutsu teaching with many people. Buddhist fgure of the Kamakura period (1192- Returning to Kyoto 1333), a period regarded After living in the Kantō area for about twenty as “The Golden Age of years, Shinran, in his early sixties, returned to Kyoto. Japanese Buddhism,“ Just around that time, he fnished compiling his major when most of the schools work, the Ken Jōdo Shinjitsu Kyōgyōshō Monrui (popularly of Japanese Buddhism known as Kyōgyōshinshō), which he had been working were founded. on for about ten years. Even without a permanent Birth & Spiritual Transformation residence in Kyoto, he enthusiastically continued his writings, including the Songō Shinzō Meimon (The Shinran was born in 1173 in Inscription on the Sacred Name and Images) and the the village of Hino, near Uji, Sanjō Wasan (The Triple Hymns). He completed these Kyoto as the first son of Fujiwara writings to (Hino) Arinori. It was the time clarify and when the aristocratic Heian period hand down the (794-1185) was coming to an path he had end and the age of the encountered warrior was just beginning, through Hōnen, as the Genji and Heike clans were fighting each other. so that all At the age of nine, Shinran received ordination at people could be Shōren-in (a temple of the Tendai denomination) at saved equally Awataguchi (Higashiyama, Kyoto), with the name of together. Hannen and entered upon the Buddhist path. Later, he Further, went to Mt. Hiei, the center of the Tendai denomination through writing and single-mindedly devoted himself to Buddhist letters, Shinran studies. In spite of 20 years of such endeavors however, continued to Shinran could not fnd the way to overcome sufering and convey the anxiety. In his turmoil, he secluded himself in Rokkaku- Nembutsu dō temple (Kyoto) and while there, had a profound teaching to spiritual experience. As a result, he was able to meet his fellow Hōnen (1133-1212) who was then living in Yoshimizu at practitioners Higashiyama.
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