Published by the Shu Headquarters & Kaigai Fukyo Koenkai

No. 149 August 1, 2005 (1) 2Groups Have Officially Joined Nichiren Shu By Rev. Shokai Kanai, Rev. Shinkyo Warner received the Bishop of North America letter of appointment as the minister of the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Two Odaimoku groups in the Community, which is now a recog- United States have formally joined nized member of NONA, at the dedi- NONA (Nichiren-shu Order of North cation ceremony of the Community America) at the dedication cere- held on June 12. monies held recently: Nichiren Bud- Preceding the ceremony, the annu- dhist Samgha of Texas, Houston, al Dharma Conference was held at the Texas, and the Lexington Nichiren Marriot Hotel for two days. Usually Buddhist Community, in Lexington, the activities of the Community are Kentucky. Members of these groups held in a room of an office building in had been engaged in their own activi- the city. ties for more than 10 years until they At the Dharma Conference, which finally obtained the official sanction was attended by 20 Americans and to join the Nichiren-shu Order in their one Japanese student, Bishop Kanai dedication ceremonies with Bishop delivered a lecture, “The Lotus Shokai Kanai officiating. Sutra–We are Children of the Bud- The Houston Samgha is accom- dha.” Rev. Ryuken Akahoshi talked modated in the house of Shami about “The Teaching of the Nichiren- Ancient Lotus in Bloom Myokei, who is taking the initiative shu Order–Rissho-ankoku and Sow- Ms. Tokiko Nagashima, Honorary Professor of Keisen Jogakuen Uni- of the group, under the guidance of ing the Seed of the Odaimoku.” Rev. versity, Kawauchi-machi, Tochigi Prefecture has succeeded in making the Rev. Ryuo Faulconer, resident minis- Warner Shinkyo gave an introduction 800-year-old lotus seed germinate and bloom. It was excavated at the ter of the Portland Nichiren Buddhist to the Nichiren-shu Order. Rev. ancient site of the Chusonji, a -shu temple, Hiraizumi, Iwate Pre- Temple. Rev. Faulconer, who visits Faulconer dealt with “Questions and fecture (above). The seed was found in the site of an old pond of the tem- the samgha several times a year, has Answers” and Shami Myokei spoke been designated “acting” minister of on “Women in .” ple, constructed in the 12th Century. The excavated seed measures 1.5 the samgha while serving as the resi- The opening ceremony was con- cm long and 1 cm wide. The seed is presumed to have been dormant dent minister of the Portland temple. ducted in English. Some two-thirds of covered by a hard shell buried one meter deep in the earth (by courtesy Some 20 Americans of the district the participants were those from other of The Mainichi Newspapers). The photo below shows the ancient Chi- attended the ceremony held on June states. Since they are not able to regu- nese lotus which has bloomed in the compound of the Ryuhonji Temple, 9. They chanted the “Hobempon” and larly attend the Sunday service, some Kyoto. Many ancient lotus flowers, the “Juryohon,” using the Romanized expressed their hope for receiving including the 2,000-year-old Ogha texts, and chanted the Odaimoku to correspondence courses. Lotus are grown in the temple in the accompaniment of the taiko. (related photos on page 4) 60 pots. The photo is taken by Rev. Tendo Miki, head priest of Kyobo-in Temple. The lotus of the Saddhamapundarika Sutra is a white lotus, and the lotus, to which the bodhisattvas emerging from the underground are likened, is a red one. These ancient seeds seem to suggest the eternity of the Buddha Sakyamuni and His activities of saving us.

Attendees at the dedication ceremony of the Nichiren Buddhist Samgha of Texas. In the front row (from left to right) are: Rev. Ryuo Faulconer, Bishop Kanai and Shami Myokei

Attendees at the dedication ceremony of the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community on A scene of the dedication ceremony at Nichiren Buddhist June 12. In the Second row are (from left to right) Shami Myokei, Rev. Shinkyo Warner, Samgha of Texas, June 9 Bishop Kanai, Rev. Akahoshi and Rev. Ryuo Faulconer (2) Nichiren Shu News

have the appearance of being preached by Nichiren Shonin, which The Doctrine of Ichinen Sanzen (9) were written down by Nikko Shonin. ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ Nevertheless, the diction in them is totally different from that in the origi- Ichinen Sanzen and Lord Preacher Sakyamuni Buddha of the Essential Section nal manuscripts. Moreover, their con- ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ tents are quite different from those of the original manuscripts of Nichiren By Rev. Kanji Tamura The Genuine Writings of nals when discerning his true writ- ings from the counterfeits. as well as Nikko. (See the Nikko Ichinen Sanzen is the doctrine of Nichiren Shonin When we go through the original Shonin Zenshu). attaining Buddhahood as well as Today more than 900 writings writings of Nichiren Shonin, he clear- In these secret writings of the Fuji relieving all sentient beings from suf- including treatises, essays, letters, ly states again and again that the group, the core of the idea of wor- fering. The Buddha we try to become drawings or pieces of writing have object of devotion for us in the Latter shipping Nichiren Shonin as the Orig- as our goal or the Buddha who saves been affiliated to Nichiren Shonin. Age of Degeneration is Lord Preacher inal Buddha is described. According all sentient beings is the Lord Among these writings about Sakyamuni Buddha. There is no sen- to them, Sakyamuni Buddha and Preacher Sakyamuni Buddha 660 have their original manu- tence in his originals, in which he Nichiren Shonin are like two sides of described in the essential sec- scripts found wholly or partly. maintains that he himself is the Origi- a coin, but Nichiren Shonin is the tion of the Lotus Sutra. We should, first of all, take nal Buddha, or that Sakyamuni is His superior Original Buddha. However, Nichiren Shonin looked up to these original writings as the cast-off skin. We have to follow the as stated above, the idea of Nichiren the Lord Preacher Sakyamu- standard for studying his righteous faith based on the correct as the Original Buddha cannot be ni Buddha of the essential works. (See the Showa Teihon works of Nichiren Shonin. found anywhere in the original manu- section not only as the funda- Nichiren Shonin Ibun, etc.) scripts of Nichiren Shonin. On the mental Buddha eternally liv- This is because after Why Were Counterfeits Made? contrary, in the original manuscript of “Hoon-jo (Essay of Gratitude)” it is ing in this Saha World to Rev. Kanji Tamura Nichiren Shonin passed Incidentally, why were so many guide sentient beings but also away, many counterfeit writ- counterfeit writings made by Nichiren clearly stated that we should regard as the supreme Buddha who unifies ings were made in the name of Buddhists? One of the several possi- Lord Preacher Sakyamuni Buddha of all the existing Buddhas. That is why Nichiren. During the Medieval Age ble reasons is that a certain group of the essential section as the Most Ven- he dedicated his absolute devotion to and pre-Modern era in Japan, forged Nichiren Buddhists created them in erable One. “Kanjin Honzon-sho Sakyamuni Buddha. or counterfeit writings ascribed to order to emphasize its superiority. (Spiritual Contemplation and the Some Nichiren Buddhists, howev- great persons appeared in great quan- Believing that theirs was the legiti- Most Venerable One)” also preaches er, misunderstand that Lord Preacher tity. In the meantime, many original mate and righteous group among that both the merit of practicing the Sakyamuni Buddha of the essential manuscripts have been lost in the Nichiren Buddhists, they made fake Bodhisattva Way performed by the section is inferior to Nichiren Shonin. course of time. In case of some his- documents, claiming that those coun- Eternal Buddha and the virtue of According to them, Nichiren Shonin torical figures, when all of their origi- terfeits are the secret writings that Sakyamuni as the Eternal Original is the most supreme and original Bud- nals had been lost, it is very difficult descended from Nichiren Shonin only Buddha are included in the Daimoku dha, and Sakyamuni is nothing but even for the specialists to discern to their group. Needless to say that of the Five Characters of the Wonder- His cast-off skin. Nowadays that kind between true writings and fake ones. Nichiren Shonin did not have such ful Dharma, and that Sakyamuni Bud- of incorrect view is internationally Fortunately, as far as Nichiren Shon- intentions. That was why he appoint- dha transmitted this Daimoku to his spread although Nichiren Shonin nev- in’s writings, more than 660 originals ed the Six Senior Disciples in order to disciple called Superior Practice Bod- er stated that. He simply asserted the out of 900 or so have surprisingly leave his teaching equally and impar- hisattva, who will spread it in the Lat- complete devotion to the Eternal and been found existing over 700 long tially among his followers. ter Age of Degeneration. Being aware Original Buddha. In this article, we years. Since more than half of his Those counterfeits include the of himself in his bosom as Superior will learn what the correct view of writings have their original manu- secret writings of the Fuji group such Practice Bodhisattva, the messenger Nichiren Shonin about Lord Preacher scripts, it is very effective to careful- as “Hon’inmyo-sho (Treatise about of Sakyamuni Buddha, Nichiren Sakyamuni Buddha of the essential ly compare the contents of the dubi- the Wonderfulness of the Original strived to propagate the Daimoku. section is. ous writings with the words, sen- Causation),” and “Hyaku-rokka Sojo (translated by Rev. Kanshin Mochida) tences or theories seen in the origi- (106 Inheritances).” These writings (to be continued)

13th memorial The Legend of Nichiren (16) anniversary of Nichiren Shonin in By Rev. Gyokai Sekido, Ph. D. son of Tokiyori and the eighth Shogu- 1294, Nichiji deter- nal Regent, were haunted by a night- mined to set out for an Nichiji Shonin (1250- ? ) mare every night. It was a dream in overseas propagation Nichiren Shonin was released which they saw Shigetoki writhe in mission. His footprints from the Izu banishment on the 22nd agony in a burning vehicle. More- can be spotted in the day of the second month of the third over, their limbs became numb northern part of Japan, year of the Kocho Era (1263). It is though they were not sick, and their namely Aomori Pre- believed that Hojo Tokiyori, the most breasts ached. Many monks copied fecture and Hokkaido. powerful man of the shogunate, made the Lotus Sutra, and held special ser- From there, he is said the arrangement for vices in an attempt to save to have set out for a Nichiren’s release. Though them from these sufferings. voyage of Mainland he had given up the post of However, their regret of exil- China, but there the Shogunal Regent, he was ing Nichiren Shonin did not remain no authentic holding the real power of the disappear. Finally, they traces of him left military government. decided to release Nichiren there. Therefore, Nichiren Shonin. According to the Shonin submitted his “Ris- On the 22nd day of the legend Nichiji climbed sho-ankoku-ron (Treatise on second month in the third Mt. Minobu on the Ren-eiji Temple, Shizuoka City, is a temple Spreading Peace Throughout Rev. Gyokai Sekido year of the Kocho Era (1263), 13th memorial day of founded by Nichiji the Country by Establishing Nichiren Shonin was chant- Nichiren Shonin in the True Dharma)” to the ex-Regent ing the Lotus Sutra facing the sun on 1294 and bade farewell to the statue year of 1295, when he left the Ren- Hojo Tokiyori. Tokiyori admired the the beach in Izu. A stranger came up of our Founder, reporting his determi- eiji Temple, is regarded as the day of courageous attitude of Nichiren Shon- to him and said, “The time has come nation to go abroad for missionary his passing away. in though he ignored the “Rissho- for you to leave this place.” Then the work. He left the Ren-eiji Temple, There exists a “village of the ankoku-ron.” It is because in those stranger left to nowhere. The notice Shizuoka Prefecture, which was Lotus Sutra” and many “temples of days those who dared to go straight to of his release arrived on that day. founded by himself, on New Year’s the Lotus Sutra” in China and Korea. the man of the highest authority After he returned to Kamakura, Day of the following year, waving the These are presumed to be founded by should be ready for the capital pun- Nichiren Shonin was watching the sleeves of his robe to his disciples. He Nichiji. A history book even says that ishment. Tokiyori died in the year state of the world for a while. In those was 46 years old. an odaimoku flag was found in the when the banishment of Nichiren days, Nichiji (1250 - ?) became the He traveled through the northeast- Chinese army at the time of the Shonin was lifted. Thereafter, the disciple of Nikko (1246-1333). To be ern part of Japan, and arrived at Japanese invasion of Korea. It is also government oppressed Nichiren precise, it was in 1263 when Nichiji Hirosaki in the present Aomori Pre- reported that 16 Japanese ship- Shonin harder than before. was 14 years old. When Nichiji was fecture. There he wrote the odaimoku wrecked crewmen were guided to the A legend says that sickness and 21 years old, impressed with the doc- on a wayside rock, making it his last Nichiren-zan Hokekyoji Temple, one ominous dreams harassed the leading trine of Nichiren Shonin, he became a commemoration in Japan. It is said of the 18 temples of the Lotus Sutra. figures of the shogunate following the disciple of Nichiren (in 1270). Both that Nichiji then went over to Hokkai- There they found a tomb of Nichiji on banishment of Nichiren Shonin to Nikko and Nichiji were nominated as do, the northernmost island of Japan, which was inscribed the date, May Izu. Hojo Shigetoki, father of Naga- members of “Six Senior Disciples” of and from there to Mainland China, 18, indicating the day of his death, toki, the sixth Shogunal Regent, died Nichiren Shonin at the time of but he was lost thereafter. Therefore, but the year name was not mentioned. of illness. Nagatoki, and Tokimune, Nichiren’s death. After observing the the first day of the first month in the (to be continued) Nichiren Shu News (3) ‘No Regrets About Path I Have Traveled’ By Shami Myokei Lynda Barrett the practice of Nichiren Shonin’s Bud- governing my activities and this was Nichiren Shu temples. We knew we Nichiren Buddhist Samgha of Texas dhism and to chant hours and hours of the beginning of my need to find a were setting a stage for our future odaimoku. It was quite normal at that greater voice in how I should practice growth as a community; all the My discovery of Nichiren Shonin’s time to participate in regular 24 hour and serve the dharma. samgha members felt a sense of own- Buddhism began when I was a young daimoku tosos as youth division mem- I began to seek deeper and more ership for our newly renovated space. teenager struggling to find answers to bers dedicated to spreading the dharma thorough understanding of Nichiren Twice each week, we gather the suffering I was experiencing, pri- for world peace. Study at that point Buddhism and found a greater level together for formal activities. On marily loneliness and isola- wasn’t really that important of freedom and independence in my Wednesday evenings, we hold tion. While my parents did to me, but I did manage to practice to trust myself. Along the shodaigyo services. Generally speak- not push religion, my sib- learn a good deal more way, I discovered that what I had ing, most new guests are looking for a lings and I were always sent about . learned about Nichiren Buddhism meditation practice and shodaigyo is a to church so the value of However, I did maintain a and its application to daily life and great introduction. The first Sunday of religion was always made great deal of independence relationship was in fact often incor- each month, we gather to pray for quite clear to us. Since we from the organization rect. I became increasingly con- peace. We hold a service and business were a military family with because I truly did not want cerned about the preservation of the meeting on the second Saturday of two diverse cultures, our to be like everyone else; I correct teachings of Nichiren Bud- each month. On the third Sunday, we religious focus tended to be wanted to benefit from the dhism and how it would be interpret- study a chapter of the Lotus Sutra and rather generic so we were practice but I also wanted to ed in the future. I had, however, conduct the service chanting the par- able to experience Chris- have my freedom to gained a great deal from vigorous ticular chapter in English. On the tianity in all its various Shami Myokei explore as much of life as I practice within the SGI. fourth Saturday of each month, we forms. None of these teach- Lynda Barrett could. I practiced this way My increased understanding made have “ichi ichi mon mon” practice of ings provided satisfactory answers to for many years until I moved away it very difficult to continue within the Yohon. the questions I had. I was always told from my home town and went to the SGI organization. I did try to initiate At least twice a year, we have an that I simply need to “have faith” and big city–Houston! change and it was rejected at every intensive retreat during which we prac- that I would become happy. I had no Moving to Houston changed my instance. I eventually determined that tice shakyo, shabutsu, walking medita- understanding of what that meant but I life as I encountered many challenges the majority of people were happy tion, and drumming. We may also knew that faith was something miracu- in learning how to survive on my own. with the way things were in SGI. Since occasionally practice the Hokke Sem- lous and marvelous because I had seen On the way to this point, I had become I was not, I should leave and look else- bo and enjoy lectures and discussions all the movies romanticizing religious a single mother and managed to gain where for a community. conducted by our minister, Reverend life. “The Nun’s Story” starring suitable employment that at the time When I joined Nichiren Shu, I dis- Ryuoh Michael Faulconer of Portland. Audrey Hepburn created a desire to seemed quite promising. When the covered the Lotus Sutra. I had previ- Our samgha also supports two become a nun. Her life of service bottom fell out of the oil industry, I ously studied small parts of the Lotus prison samghas: one in Huntsville and seemed so rewarding and so exciting. I really had to challenge myself and my Sutra, but only understood the value of the other in Navasota. The Navasota also fell in love with Jesus as portrayed practice simply just to survive. My Chapters 2 and 16. It was almost as if samgha is a Nichiren Shu group whose by Jeffrey Hunter in “King of Kings,” a study of Nichiren Buddhism deepened the rest did not matter. Studying the core members are studying the Lotus recreation of the New Testament. at this point as I sought answers to my Lotus Sutra totally changed my life Sutra and learning to practice Nichiren The primary understanding I struggles in Nichiren Shonin’s letters. I and my practice of Buddhism. No Shonin’s Buddhism. The Huntsville gained from my early search was that found great comfort in learning about longer did I feel at cross purposes with samgha is an eclectic group with religion was about introspection and his life and the ways in which he over- what I understood Nichiren Shonin to whom we simply share shodaigyo. We self development. I continued my came his obstacles and fulfill his mis- be saying in his letters. I also came to also publish our monthly newsletter, search and studied religion deeply and sion. At the same time, I identified understand the connection that Lotus on the Bayou, which is sent to was led eventually to an NSA (now quite strongly with his apparent rebel- Nichiren Shonin had with the Lotus all samgha members as well as SGI) weekend meeting. One of my lion and independence–I came to Sutra and the reasons he chose to prac- approximately 40 prisoners who are mother’s friends invited us to attend believe that we had a great deal in tice the way he did. I also learned to interested in Nichiren Buddhism. the meeting which was in Amarillo. common. understand the true spirit of Buddhism In addition, we are developing a My mother was not interested but gave The more I studied and the greater and spreading the dharma. I had finally program which we hope to share in me permission to go with the strict responsibility I was given renewed my found the place where I could truly be our local community to introduce admonition not to join anything. I dreams of being of service to others. I at home in my faith and practice. For shodaigyo to young people in an urban don’t recall much of the meeting could not be a nun Like Audrey Hep- the first time, my being female and setting whose lives are marked by vio- except hearing the experiences people burn, but I could definitely support independent– the qualities that made lence and poverty. shared about the benefits received samgha members in their practice. Pre- my life so difficult previously–were Today, I am fortunate to be able to from chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. viously, I shared Nichiren Buddhism acceptable and treated as if they were focus most of my time on the study of The stories were all quite fantastic and with others for my own selfish gain. It of little consequence. I found my mas- Nichiren Buddhism. I recently com- some seemed unbelievable, such as was simply enough to introduce peo- ter in life and began to train as a pleted my last semester teaching Amer- one young lady saying she had learned ple to the practice and let others take Nichiren Shu minister. ican Government and Politics at a local to speak English simply by chanting. care of developing them. Something Throughout these years of practice, university and plan to apply for admis- The pressure to receive an omandala changed when I met some of the mem- I cannot even remember a time when sion to a clinical pastoral chaplaincy was quite strenuous especially since I bers in Houston who had never experi- our home was not used for meetings. In program to gain training in counseling could not leave and go home–it was a enced samgha in the manner in which fact, when my husband and I looked for and ministry. I would also like to pur- considerable distance from Amarillo to I had begun my practice. The people in a home, we made sure we would have sue advanced study of Buddhism. El Paso! However, because my mother my previous community were family enough parking and restroom facilities My husband, Mike, is the president had said not to join, it seemed only friends and members of military fami- to accommodate meetings. We have of the samgha and both of us devote a logical in my rebellious teenaged mind lies who had much the same back- always felt it a great privilege to have great deal of time and energy to devel- that I should get an omandala. ground as my own family. The women meetings at our home because the activ- oping the samgha. He works for It took awhile before the omandala were all Japanese and the men were all ities for the dharma seemed to energize Jacobs Engineering as an electrical arrived from Japan and what I remem- American soldiers. Naturally, this the space and keep it safe and secure. designer. Our daughter, Merisa, is 16 ber is that it was a beautiful scroll, but common experience bonded us togeth- For the last 22 years, we have and has been practicing since she was it meant nothing much beyond that to er and we took care of each other as always had a “Gohonzon” room dedi- a small child. She has also been a very me. I was totally uneducated about family. I wanted to share what I had cated to our practice since both of us talented dancer and singer since the practicing or the meaning of anything. experienced as part of that Buddhist practiced together since the beginning age of 3. She will be attending the All I knew was that I could chant family. I became a district leader and of our marriage. Once we joined International Youth Camp at the NBIC Namu-myoho-renge-kyo and I could took responsibility for spreading Nichiren Shu, our small group incor- this July. Our family is completed by achieve my wildest dreams. It wasn’t Nichiren Buddhism and developing porated as a nonprofit organization in two akitas, Quidam and Zazen. until I went away to college at 18 that I capable people. the State of Texas and we began to I am very happy and content with began to learn about Nichiren Bud- I put my entire heart and soul into build the Nichiren Buddhist Samgha the life I have chosen and have dhism because one of my roommates this endeavor and this effort was often of Texas from the ground. We now absolutely no regrets about the path I was an SGI member. misunderstood and perceived as an have 13 members who actively prac- have traveled. Every failure and every I was still distant from the SGI attempt to gain personal power. I had tice on a regular basis. victory has shaped my life deeply and organization even at that point because bought into the dream of world peace Our samgha was given a large profoundly. My journey is full of of my desire for independence. It was and wanted to accomplish this goal, “shutei” omandala by Nichiren Shu challenges, but the rewards are extra- the first time I had ever been on my but my efforts to do so were often Shumuin which we enshrined in place ordinary. I know that one day in own away from home and learning thwarted because I was still a rebel at of our personal one. This simple Houston there will be a strong, estab- how to manage my life occupied most heart and wanted to do things differ- action changed the way the entire lished Nichiren Shu community with of my time. It wasn’t until I left col- ently from the norm. Initially, I was samgha thought about the gohonzon a beautiful temple. I am truly fortu- lege that I started to participate with quite successful in developing a group room. We came to view it more as our nate to have a family which shares the SGI organization and really began of people who could practice and prac- temple and we found that we began my dream as well as a community of to practice. tice well. There were many times setting it like the more traditional friends who work together to make I learn to introduce many people to when I was constrained by the rules views we had seen in pictures of this dream a reality. (4) Nichiren Shu News 平成17年 8月 1日 第 149号

Japan. Congratulations to SEATTLE Church Events you! By Shobo Mitomo By Sandra Seki LOS ANGELES As an annual event in August, we have a special members and help for our enjoy a round of mini golf, the Puunene Bon Dance. On Perpetual Memorial Tablet service commemorating the temple events. pizza and had lots of fun. June 11, members gathered At the Board meeting it end of World War II with Mini Bazaar early to prepare makizushi, was decided to buy 300 floating lanterns placed on HONOLULU tune the instruments and white tablets from Japan for the lake as a tribute to all After the Obon services check the lighting. It was a the souls of the perpetual those who lost their lives in Shin Bon Service on July 10, a mini bazaar fine day and almost 150 peo- memorial prayers. This ser- the Pacific War. The annual new Bon ser- was held to raise funds for ple came. The manju and vice is held every year in In order to raise funds for vice for the loved ones who the Rainbow Conference by makizushi were all sold out November for the deceased the temple we hold a Chow had passed away since last the Fujinkai. Crafts and sim- and the chilidogs, chili rice who are registered on the Mein Sale in September after summer’s Obon was held on ple food (sushi, cookies, and hotdogs were almost all temple perpetual memorial the Ohigan. For this day Saturday, July 9th from 7 cakes, etc.) were sold. gone, too. The game corner list. 250 deceased have been only, the young and the old p.m. A lantern was dedicated was thriving with people and registered since the 1960's, get together for days to pre- to each of the deceased. The WAHIAWA and it was obvious that this event and there are wooden tablets pare the chow mein, rice and Obon service was held on HILO was another success. The written with the donor’s pickle set, teriyaki chicken, the following day, Sunday, sales from this event all go to names on the wall of the apple pie and sweet potato July 10th from 10 a.m. The The Wahiawa Nichiren help maintain the temple, waiting room. Since all the cakes. Segaki service was held with Mission held its Obon ser- thanks to the hard work of urns that were installed in This sale is very popular the Obon service. This ser- vice on Sunday, July 17th, the temple members and the memorial chamber among the Japanese Ameri- vice originated with Ven. from 4 p.m. and the Hilo friends. behind the main hall were cans in Seattle and every Maudgalyayana, one of the Mission’s Obon service was moved into the newly built year the event draws a 10 great disciples of the on Sunday, July 26th, from 7 SAN JOSE Nerio Hall, the shelves in the crowd. About 1,300 sets are Buddha, who saved his p.m. memorial chamber behind sold but the time and effort mother from the realm of 25th Anniversary the main hall are empty which is put into the prepara- hungry spirits. By giving PUUNENE This is a reminder to all except for the tablets. The tion is getting harder for our various offering to the hun- members and friends that the new Eitaikyo tablets will be elderly members. There are gry souls, paying homage to On June 11, the Puunene 25th anniversary ceremony installed on these shelves so thoughts of ending this the deceased and having the Nichiren Mission held its of the temple is just four the ministers can offer event. However, when peo- ministers chant the sutras, annual Bon Dance Festival. months away. We would like prayers for the deceased ple come up and comment we can pray that our ances- As another event was sched- to ask for your support for every morning. Since the on “How delicious the food tors will be saved from suf- uled for the day, it was the temple renovation and new tablet is plain wood, was!” or “When is it taking fering and that they will feared that not many people commemorative publication. Bishop Shokai Kanai has to place next year?” we know enjoy a peaceful life in the would be able to attend our As of June 21, the temple write the Buddhist name of we must continue this worth- land of the Buddha. It is event. At 7 p.m. the Shin has received a pledge of each deceased and the while event. important for us to think Bon service conducted by $10,650.00. donor’s name. It may take It has been a year since I over the relationship with Bishop Joyo Ogawa began. Congratulations many months or even years got this assignment as a resi- our ancestors, parents, broth- After this service many peo- to complete this project. dent minister of the Seattle ers and sisters and try to ple began flocking into the Rev. Sugawara However, it is very impor- Buddhist Church. I have repay their favors to us. We temple grounds. People were Rev. Zuishoh Sugawara, tant to have such wooden experienced hardships and should hold memorial ser- looking forward to this who has been practicing at tablets in memory of the toil. I am, however, doing vices for them to renew our annual Bon Dance. At 8 the San Jose Temple since deceased of our temple. my best. If anyone gets tired sense of gratitude and enrich p.m. the Tanko Bushi began last August, was wed to Ms. There is no extra fee for this. of living in this fast moving our lives. and all the dancers made a Mikiko Kameyama on July The Eitaikyo memorial ser- society, please feel free to circle and started dancing 2nd at his hometown in vice will be held on Novem- drop in at the Seattle Sunday School Activities around the scaffold. Fukushima Prefecture, ber 17, 2005. Nichiren Buddhist Temple. The Sunday School Chil- There are no written We can always offer you the dren’s activities were held records to show when the (continued from page 1) beautiful greenery and some on Sunday, July 31, from 11 first Bon dance began in coffee to relax your tired a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jungle Hawaii or why they were mind and body. We are River Mini Golf Village. held on the temple premises. always welcoming new Children were welcome to However, when the Japanese immigrants began coming to Hawaii, they brought with them their tradition of New Years, Obon and other festiv- ities. They were held near the sugarcane fields where they worked. The Bon dance tradition has not disappeared. Nowa- days, not only the Japanese- Americans but also other eth- nic groups enjoy this festival. The Caucasians come wear- ing hanten and yukatas and it The Stars and Stripes and a Buddhist flag welcome visi- is a trend to collect the tors to the temple of Nichiren Buddhist Samgha of Texas, tenugui given out by the dif- accommodated in the house of Shami Myokei ferent temples. Some even make their own hanten with their collection. Some are so Shoronagashi in Seattle earnest that they attend all the Bon dances held every NICHIREN SHU NEWS Saturday or sometimes Fri- days throughout the season. c/o NICHIREN SHU Shumuin Editorial Board: Their style of dancing is 1-32-15, Ikegami, Ota-ku, more rhythmical compared to Tokyo 146-8544, Japan Editor…………Keiryu Shima Tel. 03-3751-7181～3 Supervisor-Editor the traditional Bon-odori. Board of Trustees: Tansei ………………Kyotsu Hori On June 5, six days prior Iwama, Chief Administrator, Foreign News Editor to the event, members gath- Nichiren Shu; Bungyo Yoshi- ………………Sandra Seki ered to set up the scaffold da, President, Kaigai Fukyo and clean up the premises. Koenkai; Ryosho Nakajo, Staff Writers … Tesshu Saito Executive Director, General …………Gen-ichi Oikawa Both the young and old Affairs Bureau; Shoshin Kuri- (overseas)…Ryuken Akahoshi cooperated. On June 7 and 8 hara, Executive Director, Mis- …………… Chishin Hirai preparations for the manju sionary Bureau; Giko Tabata, Advisor…… Hoyu Maruyama sale took place. All the man- Director, Missionary Depart- ju are made by the members Some 20 people joined the annual Dharma Conference, ment, Nichiren Shu and they are the highlight of held this year at Lexington Buddhist Community, June 12