t t Buddhist Church. Assisting ministers ministers Assisting Church. Buddhist Nichren Seattle of the resident minister current the Rev.and Murakami, Ekou Hokkaido, Hokkeji, from Moriwaki Vegas, Las Kannonji, Rev. Chiryo from Rev. Kanai Shokai Betsuin, Jose Myokakuji San from Matsuda Rev. were Ryusho Shu. Sub-officiants of Administrator Chief the Rev.representing Kobayashi, Junko Kawaguchi, by Rev. Chiko officiated next musical and food great enjoying while stories heartfelt shared resident ministers past and members Church. the outside from 100 guests more than with banquet, the 1. October a Cederman. Rev. Shobo Mitomo, Rev. and Rev. Taiga Kanai, Ichikawa, Shokai Rev. Rev. Matsuda, Nishigaya, Ryusho Rev. celebration: the Kaishun attended residentChurch’s ministers previous weekend of of the October. Six first the Anniversary 100th its celebrated Church Buddhist Nichiren Seattle The Mrs. FusakoMrs. Church President, Kamihara, presents a commemorative to gift Rev. ChikoKawaguchi. Banquet Dinner An Anniversary Service was held the held the was Service Anniversary An with started celebration two-day The Children alldressed upfor Parade. theOchigo No. 217 Mr. Mizuno, aChurch Kaoru Board Member, at the beginning of the Anniversary Service. at thebeginning oftheAnniversary offers the toast at the celebration banquet. Colorful Colorful morning on Sunday, morning October Kirisange Around 170 people attended 170 attended people Around Lotus Petals rain down held on Saturday, Saturday, on held entertainment. NichirenShu News Longtime Longtime Published by the Head Office of Nichiren of Shu Published by the Head& Office NOPPA

2, 2,

Buddha. Buddha. recited Rev.Buddha’s Kawaguchi while blessing the symbolizing air the into thrown Kirisange, ing Division. Missionary Division, Affairs International of the Manager Rev. was ceremonies Sasaki, Kobun Center. ofInternational master The Nichren Buddhist from Takasaki Temple Rev. and Tetsudo of Portland, Buddhist Nichiren the from Ikenaga Jose Myokakuji San Vegas, from Matsuda Las Rev. Shinko Kannonji, from Shu, Rev. Kanai Shoda of Head Office Nichiren the Inoue from were Rev. Yushi Hongo Rev. and Keiryo Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church Buddhist Nichiren Seattle The service opened with a flowerwith opened service The by an Ochigo Parade of children. of children. Parade Ochigo by an by Archbishop Nichimyo Asahi Celebrates Anniversary 100th The OmandalaGohonzon, written Keisanmon, colorful lotus petals, were petals, lotus colorful By Eriko Rowe Photos by Jan Deputy-Louy by Photos Rowe By Eriko Betsuin, Message to the Message in Rev. Eisei 1916. December 1,2016

offer- 18th Shu, Archbishop of Nichiren by the created Omandala the Church’s treasure, the showcased altar The ministers.” senior other and Moriwaki Rev. from Chiryo advice asplendid sought event and this to make years two Seattle in Iarrived time the from mind been on my has Anniversary “The 100th service. the planned resident minister, a “Church” to maintain their identity identity their to maintain a “Church” it name to decided They community. Japanese-American Seattle’s in Buddhists Shu Nichiren devoted of agroup with It began America. North in Shu institution Nichiren Church. the moment historic for this celebrate and made of Japan people from Dozens Hawaii. and Japan America, North temples in various from guests other and ministers Service, 1916. in established was Church Buddhist Nichiren Seattle the when minister resident first the as dispatched dala propagation. international to contributions for his known was Archbishop Asahi Asahi. Nichimyo Rev. andthefounders oftheChurch Oka Ryucho Rev. Ekou Murakami, the Church’s the Rev. Murakami, Ekou The Church 160 the people attended Rev with him from Japan when he was when he was Japan from him with . Ryucho Oka brought the brought the Oka . Ryucho a special on its first anniversary in1917. on itsfirstanniversary including Church members, Church including ago,” she “I explained. wanted pilgrimage to witness to witness pilgrimage is the second oldest second the is Anniversary Oman- Oman-

assimilate with American society. American with assimilate to but also Shu Buddhists Nichiren as helped me live this long.” this mehelped live has Shufaith The I prayed. Nichiren happened, “Whatever Idaho. in camp internment an were in they it while He Rev.Church, created Iijima. Kanjitsu the of minster resident fifth her by the to given been had which Omandala, Shu. She broughtNichiren her treasured for of to her devotion long years recognized officially she was service, the During open,”Church she explained. the finding appreciated and pleased wemember. were back, so “Coming to no live. had place but camps the from who were released shelter provided for and Church people over, was the war re-opened members the war. Once the during undisturbed Fortunately, it remainedcamps. the or left weresentinternment U.S. to its to close activities. community and services various providing Seattle, in center for Japanese-Americans social a for as aplace worship and both as Seattle Nichiren BuddhistChurchSeattle received aspecial Mrs. Misao Korekiyo, Misao Mrs. a longtimememberofthe Mrs. Misao Korekiyo is a 97-year-old is Korekiyo Misao Mrs. During itself established quickly Church The Nichiren Shu, award for herlongyears ofdevoted service. Rev. JunkoKobayashi, ChiefAdministrator of Rev. representative ChikoKawaguchi, of WWII, doors. officiating the Church was forced was Church the Many members either either members Many (continues on page 2) the Anniversary Service. theAnniversary 1

t t 2 Nichiren Shu News No. 217, December 1, 2016

people who have worked so hard to celebration saying, “It was truly Seattle (continues from page 1) build this Church and sustain it for a wonderful. I felt harmony and Itai century,” he said. He served in Seattle Doshin: many bodies united as one

t t Also on display was the intricate from 2003 to 2008 and made special mind. This Church was created for relief of the Jigage, Chapter XVI of the efforts for propagation at a time when first and second generation Japanese- Lotus , carved in cherry wood by the American people were skeptical Americans, but now their children Mr. Kazuto Mishima, an 89-year-old about the religious activities of foreign who had come to Sunday School are member. “I only worked on it when I priests following 9/11. supporting the Church, and other was feeling good and in a good mood,” While the Church has mainly Americans have been joining. This he said. “It took me two years to finish.” served Americans of Japanese descent, Church’s future is bright.” His life has not been easy. He grew in recent years it has also become a Rev. Murakami has a renewed sense comfortable home for those with other of mission to keep the Church as a up in the U.S. but had to go back to Jigage, verse section of Chapter 16 of the Japan as WWII neared. He was almost , carved by Mr. Kazuto Mishima. backgrounds. Norma Middleton moved comfortable home for members while deployed as a Kamikaze pilot against the with her family from Salt Lake City, also making it more open and accessible U.S. He returned to the U.S. after the the celebration with his family. “I was Utah, and they all became members so that all people who are interested in war. Looking back on his life he said, so moved that I could come back with of the Church. “We felt so welcome Buddhism can easily share our practice “Nichiren Shu has been giving me the my son and see him in the Ochigo from the first time, and we became of the Wonderful . power to live.” Parade. I have such gratitude for the part of the family,” she said. “We like Beaming with a smile, Rev. Murakami Rev. Murakami. She is great, young, concluded the service thanking all compassionate and knowledgeable.” the attendees. “I was so moved by the Another member, Elizabeth Aurich, is beauty of the sound of Odaimoku, and an artist who has been actively involved especially the Four Great Vows. I am in the Church’s events as a volunteer. pleased that we could create this event “I was searching for a safe place for me with all these people attending. I want religiously and emotionally, and I found this Church to continue as a small but that here. People here are so warm. It’s bright beacon in Seattle.” a fun community, with dancers and After the service, everyone shared a musicians.” bountiful lunch served in the Church’s Rev. Shokai Kanai, another former Members from the Sunday School, Fujinkai Hall. It was a joyful time of resident minister, summed up the which was originally established in 1916. reunion. Past resident ministers were especially pleased to see familiar faces of people whom they had taught in REVEREND KANNO PREACHES (45) the Church’s Sunday School program decades earlier. The Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church has created a tightly “Those who hear this sutra, knit community and nurtured a strong cause others to hear it, keep it, sense of family with other Nichiren Shu cause others to keep it, copy it, Buddhists in North America. cause others to copy it or offer The 14th resident minister of the Rev. Ekou Murakami, Resident Minister of the Church, Rev. Shobo Mitomo, attended Church, concludes the Anniversary Service. flowers, incense, necklaces, banners, streamers, canopies, perfumed oil, and lamps of butter oil to a copy of it, will be Buddhism Q&A (4) palms pressed together, and spoke to the Buddha.” These examples show that able to obtain immeasurable By Rev. Gyokai Sekido, Ph.D. Gassho is the most suitable method to merits.” express the heart of worship and respect —Lotus Sutra, Chapter XVII, What Is Gassho? to the Buddha. The heart of the Buddha, Buddha The Variety of Merits Gassho, is the gesture of joining one’s Nature, lives in the minds of all people. palms and putting them to the breast All sentient beings equally possess the as a token of reverence. Place the palms seeds of and therefore “Immeasurable Merits” together and keep a slightly hollow have the potentiality of realizing We Buddhists show our thankfulness to our ancestors, friends and space between them to worship the Buddhahood. Gassho is the precious others who have passed away and from whom we have received Buddha. Priests and lay people in way to worship Buddha Nature in the Southeast Asian Buddhist countries minds of all people. favors while they were alive on such occasions as Ohigan in spring such as India, Vietnam and Thailand and autumn, Obon in summer and at memorial services for them. do this as a daily greeting. According We make offerings to them at family altars, in front of their graves to the customs of India, the right hand or at temples. Offerings include flowers, cakes, or regional goods is the sacred hand, and the left hand is the uncouth hand. But when both during the Obon season. By burning incense, we offer fragrance to hands come together, as Gassho, it those people now in the other side of the world. becomes a precious thing. The greatest is, of course, chanting the Lotus Sutra for them. There are many examples of Gassho These types of offerings are meant for others. In the Lotus Sutra, in the Lotus Sutra. From Chapter 2, Skillful Means: “...all are standing the Buddha tells us to make offerings not only to others but for the respectfully with palms pressed together sake of our own selves. asking how to accomplish the path.” As shown in the above phrase of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha From Chapter 4, Willing Acceptance: tells us that by making various offerings to the Lotus Sutra we will “They immediately rose from their seats, straightened their garments, leaving be able to obtain “immeasurable merits” for ourselves. This is the their right shoulders bare, and touched offering for the sake of oneself. their right knees to the ground. With By hearing lectures on the sutra and causing others to do the same, rapt attention and with palms pressed by copying the sutra and teaching others to do the same, we will together they bowed in veneration and, gazed at the Buddha’s face.” obtain immeasurable merits and share these merits with others. We From Chapter 21, The Transcendent call it the merits of the same faith and practice. Powers of the Buddha: “Thereupon the To listen calmly to a preaching of the Sutra at a temple and then equal to the number of We welcome readers’ questions about copy the Odaimoku at home is such a precious way of spending a day. particles in the great manifold cosmos, Buddhism and Nichiren Shonin. Please who had emerged from the earth, all send us your questions by e-mail to Rev. Nissho Kanno, Bishop of Ikegami Honmonji Temple, in the presence of the Buddha gazed [email protected] single-mindedly at His face with their or contact us through your local temple. No. 217, December 1, 2016 Nichiren Shu News 3

FOOTPRINTS OF NICHIREN SHONIN (5)

From the Nichiren Shu Shimbun. Translated and Compiled by Rev. Sensho Komukai. In this fifth installment of our virtual pilgrimage of the 57 Honzan, or main temples, we visit Shizuoka where Nichiren Shonin prepared his first great writing, the Rissho Ankoku Ron, and where later two of his senior disciples established major temples which played central roles in the history of the order.

JISSOJI TEMPLE: From 1257 to 1260 CE, a series KITAYAMA HONMONJI TEMPLE: Nikko Shonin, temple. This was the beginning of the Kitayama REN-EIJI TEMPLE: Shonin, one of the of strange phenomena appeared in the sky. the third of the Six Senior Disciples, founded Hon- Honmonji Temple. Nikko Shonin remained here Six Senior Disciples, founded Ren-eiji Temple Natural calamities, including disastrous earth- monji Temple at Omosu, Kitayama in the Province for the last 42 years of his life until his death at the at in 1274 CE or 1283 CE. quakes, droughts, severe rains, floods, and pesti- of Suruga, present day Shizuoka prefecture. age of 88. Nikko Shonin made Honmonji Temple In 1294 CE he visited Nichiren Shonin’s tomb at lence, occurred in succession. Wondering about After Nichiren Shonin passed away, Nikko the center of his teaching activities, establishing Minobusan for the thirteenth anniversary of the the reasons for these miserable events, Nichiren Shonin became the main caretaker of the founder’s an educational institution called Omosu Dansho to founder’s death and made a vow to spread the Shonin came to the library at Jissoji Temple which tomb at Minobusan. Near the time of the sixth train Nichiren Buddhists. teachings of to foreign lands contained all Buddhist scriptures. year memorial service of the founder, he rebuked Although Nikko Shonin left Minobu and where nobody had yet heard of putting their faith After two years of careful reading and Nambu Sanenaga, Lord of Minobu, for Sanenaga’s remained at Kitayama Honmonji for the rest of his in the Lotus Sutra. The following year, turning over reflection, he concluded that these calamities noncommittal faith. As the breach between them life, he was always thinking about Minobu and the his temple to his disciple, he began his journey. were due to the absence of the True Dharma and worsened, Nikko Shonin decided to leave Minobu tomb of our founder Nichiren Shonin. In his will, In those days there were no trains or airplanes. by the prevalence of false teachings. In his Treatise in 1288 CE for Suruga, his mother’s old home. Nikko Shonin asked that his tombstone, which He walked all the way to the far northern end of on the Elimination of Calamities he wrote, “All the Nanjo Tokimitsu was a young nobleman and a is at Honmonji Temple, should be set up to face the main island of Japan, then crossed over to protective deities of Buddhism became powerless devout Nichiren Buddhist. He offered to build a Minobusan. Hokkaido, where in 1298 CE he boarded a ship to and left this country. As a result, demons and hermitage for Nikko Shonin at Fuji Oishi-ga-hara, Siberia. From there he is said to have traveled a evil spirits have grown rampant, causing various Ueno in 1290 CE. One year later, Nikko Shonin great distance to China. disasters to occur.” To provide a comprehensive moved to a new hermitage, two miles away Nichiren Shonin had many disciples of solution, he made a draft in this temple of his at Kitayama. With the help of Nanjo Tokimitsu, exceptional talent. Efforts to spread the “Treatise on Spreading Peace throughout the Ishikawa and Yoshitada, he remodeled it into a Wonderful Dharma were very active within Japan, Country by Establishing the True Dharma,” Rissho but before Nichiji Shonin made his journey, no Ankoku Ron. one spread Nichiren Buddhism outside Japan. He then presented the completed work Since no one knows his whereabouts once he to former Shogunal Regent Lay Priest Hojo reached the continent of China, we use January Tokiyori, insisting that unless the rulers of the first, the day when he set off from Ren-eiji Temple, land established the True Dharma, the country as the memorial day of his death. Today, Nichiji would be troubled by domestic disturbance and Shonin is revered as the first Nichiren Buddhist foreign invasion. minister to go abroad as a missionary.

Nichiji Shonin was dispatched by Nichiren to propagate the Lotus Sutra outside Japan. While staying at Jissoji Temple, Nichiren Nikko Shonin spent the last 42 years of his life Before starting on his journey to China, Shonin wrote a draft of Rissho Ankoku Ron. at Kitayama Honmonji Temple. he founded Ren-eiji Temple.

Taking a Vow, Another : An Interview with Shami Roen Drewello By Eriko Rowe

Elizabeth Drewello started practicing outward symbols of my inner changes. thinking “why do we have to sit in this with Nichiren Shu in 2013. Under the There was a sense of rebirth in the position?” Then I realized thatsitting in guidance of Rev. Ryuoh Faulconer of the ceremony. I see this as a natural process seiza has been part of the practice for so Greater New England in the United of human development. I have been a long and that people I love and respect States, she took her Tokudo vow in 2015 daughter, a student, a cook, a language have been sitting this way. and was given the Buddhist name Roen. teacher, and a friend. I have been a After a year of training, she traveled to Christian, an Agnostic, and now I am Do you feel that the history and practice Japan for the Docho Ceremony, formally a Buddhist. are being passed down? beginning her process of becoming a priest Definitely. I can’t spread the teachings and designating her as a Shami, or novice What did you think of the Docho of the Lotus Sutra and the Odaimoku by priest. Docho is held at Seichoji Temple Shami Drewello with others at the Ceremony? myself. It was reassuring to be with other where Nichiren Shonin took his vow and Youth Lay Leader Retreat at Minobusan. It was way outside of my daily routine, people in the ceremony, knowing that entered the priesthood. Shami Drewello but I felt welcomed and cared for by all they have the same sense of mission. I lives in Boston where she is also attending For about two years now, I’ve been a the senior ministers. am supporting them. They are supporting graduate school in social work. live-in disciple of Rev. Faulconer. Visiting Seichoji Temple was like me. It feels less overwhelming knowing retracing the path of every other that I am on this path with other people. How did you become a Buddhist? Why did you decide to become a minister in Nichiren Shu. Feeling the I grew up as a farm girl in rural New York. Nichiren Shu priest? connection between me and all the other What does Nichiren Shu Buddhism My mother encouraged me to become I went to Minobusan in Japan for the ministers in the order was a powerful mean to you? a Christian pastor or a missionary as Youth Lay Leader Retreat in 2013. While realization. During the ceremony, I was Nichiren Shonin said, “If you want to her grandfather was a Salvation Army there, I got the especially strong feeling not comfortable sitting in seiza. I started bring joy to the people, teach them the minister. I considered myself a Christian that I want to dedicate myself fully to expedient teachings. If you want to free until I was about 18, but I had a really the preservation and success of Nichiren them from their suffering, teach them hard time with some of the doctrine that Shu in the United States. Rev. Faulconer the Lotus Sutra.” I am so impressed with I grew up with. and many other people have encouraged how deeply he cared for his followers When I was in eighth grade, I became me to pursue this training. It repays my and his disciples. I believe he was a interested in Japanese culture and debt of gratitude for everything I have humble person and a natural leader. He studied Japanese language as a hobby learned through Nichiren Shu. My most told people to pay attention, learn from, in college. One day, I noticed a Japanese sincere hope is to become a strong link and respect the teachings of the Lotus across the street from my in the chain of Nichiren Shu ministers in Sutra. He pointed away from himself apartment and decided to visit, hoping the United States and pass on the teach- and towards the Dharma. I sometimes for a chance to practice Japanese. Instead, ings of the Lotus Sutra properly to the answer questions from people who are I was introduced to a sutra-chanting next generation. new to Buddhism. Using my own words practice: Odaimoku. to explain it to others helps immerse me From the first days, I felt I was finally What did Tokudo mean to you? in the teachings. When asked if I believe getting answers to my questions about That was one of the most significant in rebirth, I can easily and unhesitatingly life. I started going to every service and changes in my life. Shaving my hair and Shami Drewello and Rev. Faulconer answer “yes.” My own journey is clear at Seichoji Temple. not wanting to go home after services. putting on robes were just two of the proof of that. 4 Nichiren Shu News No. 217, December 1, 2016

Since I arrived in Hawaii, I notice Detailed explanations by Mr. Les people smile a lot. The first week I was Goto helped deepen my understanding. here, temple members prepared for the Laborers were forced to work long hours Bon Dance. I don’t speak English well, under the scorching sun. When they made Puunene Nichiren Mission but I spoke with many members and their mistakes, it’s said that they were hit with By Rev. Chitoku Kawaguchi families. Everyone listened to me intently a rod. I was so shocked to learn how the to understand what I was saying. They Japanese were treated in those days. I Installation Ceremony opened up their hearts to me. It made me feel that people in Japan have to learn The Puunene Nichiren Mission held my very happy. It seems they all understood more about the history of the Japanese installation ceremony on September 3. each other well so they could work immigrants in Hawaii and that the lack The ceremony was conducted by Bishop together. It surprised me that everybody of the awareness in Japan is a problem. Chishin Hirai of the Hawaii Nichiren expressed their appreciation directly This homestay has changed how that Buddhism is a profound thought. Mission and Rev. Takamasa Yamamura towards each other, even among family I see Hawaii. The ocean is beautiful Every event of my life stimulates me, my of Honolulu Myohoji Temple with many members. In Japan, we seldom do this. and shopping is fun. However, today’s spirit, and makes me grow. During my Puunene members and guests from the However, I think this is very important. prosperity is a result of the sadness and training, I decided to be a bridge between other islands in attendance. During the second week, Bishop Hirai hardships of many people who came the deceased and their families. I want to and the members took me to various before us. We can’t forget this history. hold memorial services for the deceased places, including a hospice, schools, the We see a diversity of people in Hawaii and at the same time provide grief care Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, a now. The warmth of the people comes for their families. This is why I became nursing home, and Pearl Harbor. I learned from the mixture of many cultures. Now a priest. many things every day such as Hawaii’s I love Hawaii more. If I come back, I want I hope you and your spirit meet some- environment, food, history and culture. I to go not just to tourist spots but also to thing wonderful every day. realized these are all related to education. historical and cultural places. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. I am interested in education and want I appreciate the opportunity to to study it more for my future career. I experience many things during this Nichiren Buddhist plan to share my experience in Hawaii three-week program and am very grateful International Center with my friends and many other people. to the members who were so kind to me. By Rev. Tetsudo Takasaki I appreciate the opportunity to learn. Thank you for your warm hospitality. Shami Seminar I received an official assignment from These three weeks have gone by so The 18th Shami Seminar was held from Nichiren Shu Shumuin and vowed to help quickly. During this short period, I have Homestay at the Hawaii Mission July 20-24 at NBIC. Five Shamis attended spread the Lotus Sutra and Odaimoku in shared so much with the members who By Rev. Tenshu Chichibu the seminar and received training from Hawaii from the island of Maui, while also have given me such wonderful memories. I became a Nichiren Shu priest two years five instructors. Rev. Kosho Ohara from maintaining the Hilo Mission. There is not enough I can do to repay their ago after finishing training at Shingyo Aichi Prefecture provided special Shomyo I trained at the Hawaii Mission in 2008 hospitality, but I will think of something. Dojo, where every priest of our sect training along with Rev. Chiryo Moriwaki and then did propagation in Southeast Today, I will play the organ to accompany undergoes a tough program. I am from from Hokkaido. Revs. Eisei Ikenaga, Asia for some time. There seemed to be a a Gatha, a verse from the Lotus Sutra. It Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. This is Ryuoh Faulconer and Ekou Murakami, destiny for me to return to Hawaii. has been a while since I last played the also where Reverend Ekou Murakami was taught and supported the five Shamis My other job is playing Gagaku, Japan- piano, but I will do my best! born. We associate on friendly terms as during the seminar. Certain restrictions ese traditional court music. Gagaku is Thank you all for your kindness. neighbor temples. in line with the Shingyo Dojo tradition also . I played during I applied to this homestay program were followed, such as not allowing the installation ceremony to offer my Homestay In Hawaii first to learn to speak English. Secondly, newspapers, cell phones, computers or any gratitude to the Buddha and previous By Norihiro Kaneko I wanted to learn the activities of an outside information. Morning training ministers and the deceased members of Aloha! I’m from Machida, Tokyo, overseas mission and its members. I started with suigyo, water purification, at the Puunene Mission. near Kanagawa Prefecture. My home am really happy with the courtesy and 5:30 a.m., and the daily curriculum ended Nichiren Shonin explained in his is a temple, where my father is the kindness of everyone here in Hawaii. at 9:00 p.m. The food was vegetarian, and writing, Itaidoshinji; “even if there are head minister. I’m a People are gentle and easygoing, and I all the participants spent a simple life hundreds or thousands of people, if they sophomore at Rissho feel relaxed as time passes. I enjoyed not throughout the seminar. are united into one, they will surely be University in Tokyo only the beaches, but also the Japanese Attendees included Kanyu Kroll, able to accomplish their goal.” majoring in Buddhism. Cultural Center of Hawaii, Punchbowl, Kanse Capon, Yotatsu Chiamulera, I will continue to propagate as a Since I want to be a and visiting the St. Francis Hospice. I Roen Drewello and Eisho Rosman. Soon Nichiren Shu missionary with the help minister, I want to learned a lot about this island, its history, afterwards, ShamiDrewello went on to of Bishop Hirai and Rev. Yamamura. I learn many things and the life and thoughts of its people. take the formal vows of a Nichiren Shu ask for the cooperation and support from about propagation. I thank the members for taking me to priest at the Docho ceremony held at all the members and friends in Hawaii. I have visited Hawaii many times on those places. Seichoji Temple, Chiba Prefecture. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. vacation with my family. We always went Since my childhood, I feel familiar with Congratulations to all the Shamis, and to tourist spots such as Ala Moana and death. Both my parents are priests, and may they continue their study and practice Homestay in Hawaii Waikiki. I didn’t know there was Bon they often discuss issues of death.But of the Lotus Sutra. By Ao Yamazaki dance in Hawaii. During this homestay, I still didn’t know what priests do and I’m a sophomore at Hirosaki University I went to the Japanese Cultural Center what Buddhism is about. It was difficult majoring in Education. I teach Japanese of Hawaii (JCCH), Pearl Harbor, Punch- for me to understand things I couldn’t and Social Studies to bowl, and a hospice. What I learned most see or touch. My mother advised me, “If children at after school was at the JCCH about the history of you want to understand Buddhism, first classes. It’s fun to be Japanese immigrants. For example, many you need to study it, and then practice it!” with them because laborers were needed in Hawaii after the Following her advice, I studied Buddhism their smiles are very Meiji Period, so the Japanese government at Rissho University which was established cute. This keeps me dispatched them. I found their lifestyle by Nichiren Shu. Afterwards, I spent a year smiling too. interesting, especially what they ate. in Kyoto training as a priest. I realized

Calendar for December 2016–January 2017

DEC 8 Jodo-e (Enlightenment Day) commemorating the day JAN 1 Memorial Service for Nichiji Shonin, one of the six main disciples when the Buddha attained Enlightenment. of Nichiren Shonin. DEC 31 New Year’s Eve Service; Bell ringing ceremony held JAN 13 Minobusan Opening Ceremony for the New Year at Kuonji Temple throughout Japan. JAN 21 Memorial Service for Nichiro Shonin, one of the six main disciples of Nichiren Shonin

Nichiren Shu News c/o The Head Office of Nichiren Shu, 1-32-15 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146-8544, Japan; Tel. +81-3-3751-7181, E-mail: [email protected] Board of Trustees Junko Kobayashi, Chief Administrator, The Head Office of Nichiren Shu; Bungyo Yoshida, President, NOPPA; Honshu Nakai, Executive Director, Missionary Department; Momi Shiozaki, Executive Director, General Affairs Department; Daiei Matsui, Director, Missionary Department Editorial Board Sandra Seki, Editor; Shinkyo Warner, Assistant Editor; Alan Rowe, Art Director; Keiryu Shima, Chief Advisor Staff Kanshu Naito, Gyokai Sekido Advisor Hoyu Maruyama