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Gotan-E, the Birth Date of Jodo Shinshu Founder, Shinran Shonin

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Gotan-E, the Birth Date of Jodo Shinshu Founder, Shinran Shonin Gotan-e, The Birth Date of Jodo Shinshu Founder, Shinran Shonin Over 800 years ago in Japan, an offshoot 1727 Pali Highway Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 of the original Japanese Pure Land tradi- tion, Jodo Shinshu, was established by the venerated master Shinran Shonin, who was a disciple of Honen, the founder of the Jodo Shu sect. Shinran Shonin was born in Kyoto to the Arimori family, a branch of the Fujiwara clan and was named Matsuwakamaro. Shin- GOJI ran lost both his parents at an early age and Vol. 74, No. 05 entered the Shoren-in, a temple in Kyoto at age 9 to be ordained as a monk. For the next 20 years, Shinran practiced at Mt. Hiei under the Tendai tradition of Buddhism but without success in achieving spiritual awakening. Af- ter leaving Mt. Hiei and undergoing retreat and intense practice at Rokkakudo MAY 2019 temple in Kyoto, Shinran experienced a vision of the Bodhisattva Kannon as NEWSLETTER Prince Shotoku, directing him to meet his future Dharma Master Honen Sho- of the nin, who had also abandoned the practices at Mt. Hiei for the same reason as Shinran’s. Under Honen’s tutelage, Shinran awakened to Amida Buddha’s Honpa Hongwanji Vow of Salvation and made it the core teaching of the Jodo Shinshu sect which Hawaii Betsuin became the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan. It has also hawaiibetsuin.org taken roots in various countries around the world such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, and even parts of Europe. 2019 Slogan: The Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin will observe its Gotan-e memorial ser- vice in honor of Jodo Shinshu founder Shinran Shonin on May 19, 2019 at Embrace Change: 9:30 a.m. The guest speaker for this major service in the Jodo Shinshu Hong- TRANSFORMATION wanji tradition will be Rev. Kerry Kiyohara. (Walk in Peace) BETSUIN Rev. Kerry Kiyohara MINISTERS Reverend Kerry Kiyohara is the resident minister of Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Maui. He was born and raised in Los Angeles; graduated with BA and MBA degrees from the Chief Minister University of Southern California. Reverend Kerry previously Rev. Toyokazu Hagio had a career as CEO, COO, and CMO in the advertising agency business, partner in start-up ventures, strategy consultant, and copywriter in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Honolulu. Kiyohara Sensei was tokudo ordained in 2016, Ministerial Staff graduated from Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin Seminary in Kyoto, and was certified as a Rev. Yuika Hasebe kyōshi teacher in the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji tradition in 2018. Kerry speaks Rev. Joshin Kamuro native English, is fluent in Japanese, has command of basic Spanish, survival Rev. Sol Kalu Chinese, and struggles with da kine pidgin Hawaiian Creole English. He and his Rev. Shingo Furusawa wife, Mimy, have a son, Kendall Akira, who lives in Honolulu with his family, wife Arlene, and a six-year-old daughter, Melody Hatsune. PAGE 2 GOJI MAY 2019 Dharma Message: “Amida Buddha’s View” Rev. Shingo Furusawa In the 10: 00 AM English Sunday The vow includes many difficult words, Unfortunately, it is Services, we often chant “Sanbutsuge” but it reveals Amida Buddha’s view. very difficult for us to and “Juseige.” They are the parts of From the viewpoint of the Buddha, all have the same view “The Sutra on the Buddha of Immea- beings and all things are shining gold. as Amida because surable Life” or “Larger Sutra.” The It means that Amida sees all of them we have blind pas- sutra is the most important Buddhist as precious and valuable. sions such as greed, scripture in our tradition, Jodo Shinshu anger, and ignorance or Shin Buddhism. “The Buddha of To explain about the view, I would like of the truth in this Immeasurable Life” is Amida Buddha, to introduce a story about an aggres- world. We tend to have discriminatory and the sutra reveals the Buddha’s 48 sive man. One day, the man went to a views such as “I like this,” “I do not like vows that were established to save or Buddhist temple and listened to a resi- that,” and “I hate him/her.” liberate all of us. The 3rd vow is as fol- dent monk’s Dharma message, but the lows: If, when I attain Buddhahood, the message was not interesting to him. However, we can learn Amida’s humans and devas in my land should After the service, he said to the monk, view through listening to the Buddha not all be the color of genuine gold, “Hey, your message was garbage, Dharma. Even though we cannot have may I not attain the perfect enlighten- so you are also garbage!” If ordinary the view like the Buddha, Amida never ment. people are told such things, they will abandons us. We are always the main get angry, but the monk said, “You are concern of the Buddha’s unconditional a very kind person because you teach compassion because Amida Buddha me about my true nature. Thank you always sees us as precious and valu- very much!” Listening to the monk’s able. That is why it is very important response, the man thought “what ?” for us to attend the religious services to GOJI learn about the Buddha’s view. TheGOJI is a monthly publication of the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, Tel. After going back to his house, the man In Gassho. (808) 536-7044. There is no newsletter said to his wife, “Today, I went to the published for the month of August. Buddhist temple and listened to one DEADLINE: monk’s message, but it was garbage, Articles must be submitted no later than the 10th of the month prior to publica- and I let him know that he and his tion by e-mail (execdir@hawaiibetsuin. message were garbage, but the monk If you are unable org), mail (1727 Pali Hwy, Honolulu, HI, appreciated me and said, ‘You are a 96813) or fax (536-0919). Address sub- to come to the very kind person.’ I could not under- missions to the GOJI. Please include temple and would your name and contact information. stand him.” Original images should be labeled on like to have a the reverse side with caption and return Listening to him, his wife said, “The minister visit information. monk is very kind and gentle. That is you in your home, GOJI STAFF: why he looked at you and thought you Editorial: Jo desMarets; Dianne Ida, please call Randy Kawamoto, Rev. Yuika Hasebe, are also kind and gentle. However, Rev. Yuika Hasebe Japanese section editor, Production: Stacy you looked at the monk and thought he at 536-7044 to Bradshaw, Colleen Kunishige; Joyce Tomita, is garbage because you are garbage!” Circulation: Stacy Bradshaw; Contributing request a home visit. reporters from Hongwanji Mission School, The man could not say anything…… Buddhist Women’s Association, Dharma School & Parents, Project Dana, Wednesday Please think that Amida Buddha is like Gang and Gals, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Pacific Buddhist Academy, and the Kyodan this monk. The Buddha has a very pure heart. So when Amida is seeking The opinions expressed by individual We miss you and contributors are their own and do not all beings and all things, Amida sees necessarily reflect those of the Honpa shining gold. In other words, the Bud- do not want to lose Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. dha sees all of them as precious and contact with you! valuable. GOJI MAY 2019 PAGE 3 President’s Message: i am a link. Dexter Mar Interconnection, the heart of Bud- Concourse”). The Federal “Sacred the State after dhism beats strongly at Hongwanji Places” grant focuses mostly on the wartime mar- Betsuin. Hondo (main temple), especially tial law, racial the altar area. The Federal grant discrimination As we continue our Second Century offers support to preserve and and religious Capital Campaign, our grant applica- restore historic religious buildings. intolerance. tion efforts at the State and Federal Hawaii Betsuin would be the first In Buddhism levels have been warmly received and Buddhist temple to receive this each action has a cause and effect. encouraged. At the time of this GOJI award, which began in 2016 and Collectively, the actions of previous edition’s deadline, we are awaiting closes in 2020. To date, 43 Chris- members and supporters have re- the final decision on our State grant tian churches have been recipients sulted in what we are today. When we application and our Federal “Sacred of awards from $50,000-250,000. look into the faces of our keiki today, Places” grant is in process. Whatever may we be inspired to be their link to a the outcome, we’ve learned that Hon- “i am a link” is our Second Century bright and golden life. gwanji has many connections to the Capital Campaign theme. This Hawaii community and non-member serves as a reminder to our Hong- “i am a link” supporters. wanji family of our plantation lega- We are each a link in our history, and cy, remarkable second Bishop, Rev. within our community. Today, we have The State grant focuses on our “Com- Yemyo Imamura and thousands an opportunity to help ensure that munity Conference Center” (Annex of members over our 130 years in the Hawaii Betsuin remains a vibrant Upper Hall, Lounge, Main Social Hall) Hawaii. Special recognition goes member of the community. We have and improved walkway between the to post-WWII members who revived a shared obligation and responsibility Annex and Main buildings (a “Peace the Betsuin and temples throughout for future generations. The Second Century campaign really goes beyond the temple buildings.
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