Betsuin to Observe Shinran’s Birthday May 21st With Combined Service The birthday of the founder of Jodo Shinshu Bud- dhism, Shinran Shonin, is commemorted during 1727 Pali Highway the month of May in all Jodo Shinshu temples in Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Japan and worldwide, including Hawaii and the US mainland. Known as Gotan-e, this is one of the six major services observed annually by Jodo Shinshu temples to honor and pay respect to Shinran Shonin. GOJI Shinran Shonin lived during the age of Mappo Vol. 72, No. 05 and diligently practiced the asceticism of the MAY 2017 Tendai tradition for twenty years on Mt. Hiei. However, he finally came to the realization that such rigorous practices did not lead to his awakening and liberation. Shinran Shonin was troubled by his own blind passions or “bonno” and, despite twenty years of ascetic practices, he could not attain the enlightenment he was seeking. After undergoing a hundred-day retreat NEWSLETTER at Rokkaku-do temple in Kyoto, the Bodhisattva Kannon appeared to him in of the a dream in the form of Prince Shotoku directing him to see Honen Shonin. Honpa Hongwanji Shinran descended from Mt. Hiei and became a disciple of Honen. Dur- Hawaii Betsuin ing the first year of his discipleship with Honen Shonin, Shinran, at age 29, attained enlightenment or salvation through the Vow of Amida Buddha, the www.hawaiibetsuin.org Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. This attainment of salvation through relying solely on the power of Amida’s vow and discarding all sundry practices be- came the core of Shinran’s teachings throughout his life. Essentially Shinran 2017 Slogan: said that because we are all defiled by greed, hatred and delusion, we have no chance of gaining enlightenment by ourselves and that by entrusting Embrace Change: ourselves totally to Amida Buddha without any calculation or doubt, we are Action continued on page 6 (Open Communications) Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki to be Gotan-e Speaker Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1955. BETSUIN He graduated Waipahu High School 1973 and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1977. Among his MINISTERS previous places of employment, he was an instructor at the University of Hawaii Department of Electrical Engineering Chief Minister and was a computer consultant from 1980 to 1994. Rev. Rev. Toyokazu Hagio Kuniyuki was also employed as an instructor at University of Hawaii at Hilo in the Continuing Education and Community Service program. Ministerial Staff He completed Tokudo in 1994 and graduated from Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin Rev. Yuika Hasebe and earned Kyoshi in 1996. Upon his return to Hawaii, he was assigned as an Associate Minister at the Hawaii Betsuin, then as the Resident Minister Rev. Arthur Kaufmann responsible for the 4-Temple Council, Honomu, Honohina, Papaaloa and Rev. Joshin Kamuro Papaikou Hongwanjis. In 2002 he was assigned as the Resident Minister for Rev. Sol Kalu the Wahiawa Hongwanji, and in 2012 he became the Director of the Bud- dhist Study Center & Office of Buddhist Education. PAGE 2 GOJI MAY 2017 Dharma Message: “The Touching Story of Helen Keller and Hisako Nakamura” My son, Yuma, who is in the 3rd grade Sullivan was also a great Rev. Joshin Kamuro at the Hongwanji Mission School had woman.” My son was met for the first to read the book titled “Helen Keller” very much impressed by Ms. Keller time, they each by Margaret Davidson and write a and Mrs. Sullivan. His enthusiasm felt deep sym- book report as homework. He read the motivated me to read that book and I pathy and shed book of 90 pages chapter learned more about Helen tears. Both Ms. by chapter every day and Keller. I am still moved no Keller’s and finished reading it in a matter how many times I Mrs. Naka- week. When I asked him read the dramatic scene mura’s lives were full of difficulties and for his impressions of the where little Helen touched struggles. But, they could understand book, my son said, “Helen water. She became aware each other’s feelings beyond lan- Keller was a really great for the first time at the age guage and national borders because woman. She graduated of 6 that everything had a of exchanging what was in their true from a good university name, and that she also hearts. Mrs. Nakamura said at the although she was not able had a name. The book end of her life, “Though without hands to see and hear. She ended with a quote of Ms. or legs, I am allowed to live this life. worked so hard to study. Helen Keller Keller’s words, “The best How precious.” She found that pre- And her teacher, Anne and most beautiful things ciousness of her life, regardless of her in the world cannot be lost hands and legs. seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” As Ms. Keller said, Reading about Ms. Helen Keller and GOJI we pay so much attention to what we Mrs. Hisako Nakamura, I learned the see and touch, that we tend to neglect TheGOJI is a monthly publication of the importance of what we feel in our Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, Tel. what we feel in our hearts and think in hearts and minds. As shown in Mrs. (808) 536-7044. There is no newsletter our minds. published for the month of August. Nakamura’s experience, Nembutsu practitioners who are embraced in DEADLINE: Ms. Keller visited Japan 3 times, in Articles must be submitted no later than Buddha’s compassion will be given the 10th of the month prior to publica- 1937, 1948, and 1955. When she peace of mind and the ability to accept tion by e-mail (execdir@hawaiibetsuin. visited Japan for the first time, she reality, regardless of their circum- org), mail (1727 Pali Hwy, Honolulu, HI, met Mrs. Hisako Nakamura. Ms. 96813) or fax (536-0919). Address sub- stances. Let us continue saying the missions to the GOJI. Please include Keller said to Mrs. Nakamura, “You Nembutsu in joy and gratitude for the your name and contact information. lived a tougher life but you accom- Buddha’s compassion. Namo Amida Original images should be labeled on plished more things than I did.” Mrs. the reverse side with caption and return Butsu information. Nakamura lost her hands and legs at GOJI STAFF: the age of 3 from frost bite and a fever Editorial: Jo desMarets; Dianne Ida, which followed. Although she didn’t Randy Kawamoto, Rev. Yuika Hasebe, have her hands and legs, she lived in Japanese section editor, Production: Stacy Bradshaw, Colleen Kunishige; Joyce Tomita, a positive way through the Nembutsu Circulation: Stacy Bradshaw; Contributing teaching. Mrs. Nakamura presented reporters from Hongwanji Mission School, Ms. Keller a gift, a doll, which she had Buddhist Women’s Association, Dharma School & Parents, Project Dana, Wednesday made herself, using her mouth and Gang and Gals, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, teeth. Mrs. Nakamura said, “When we Pacific Buddhist Academy, and the Kyodan work at something in which we put all The opinions expressed by individual our heart, there is neither ocean nor contributors are their own and do not national boundary. The sacred and the necessarily reflect those of the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. true mind of human beings overcomes many obstacles in life.” When they Hisako Nakamura GOJI MAY 2017 PAGE 3 Betsuin BWA News and Events Fujiko Motobu COMING EVENTS FOR MAY: Come join us and have a nice day. The 2017 exhibit will be held at GRADUATION: A GOTAN E: BIRTHDAY Honolulu Hale, City hall, from May BWA representa- CELEBRATION OF 8 noon to Friday, May 19. It is free tive will be present SHINRAN SHONIN admission, so take some time to enjoy at the PBA (Pacific ON SUNDAY, MAY some spectacular art work this year. It Buddhist Academy) 21: The human size, is hard to believe that our seniors are commencement cedar wood statue of very talented in art work, calligraphy, exercise, the Shinran Shonin will be and flower arrangements. Go and Hongwanji Mission 8th grade gradu- displayed on the stage for Gotan-e. It observe them for yourself. Perhaps ation ceremony, and Fort Gakuen should be a welcome sight for parents you may want to join he classes. graduation exercise. All of the and little ones to have their pictures students have studied hard and they taken with Shinran Shonin. LAUGHTER IS GREAT FOR YOU: all deserve our sincerest gratitude TV is the best thing for me. I can and appreciation for accomplishing SAGARYU ikebana flower arrange- watch all kinds of sports that I would their educational goals. A gift will be ment and Japanese Calligraphy never be able to watch in real life. One presented to a recipient from all three will be exhibited in the social hall on that I like is ice hockey. It seems like schools. Congratulations. Gotan E service day. The displays a rough game, sliding and swinging are done by students of Mrs. Michiko the long hockey stick. Did you know BWA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP Okano. They are beautifully done, so that the first testicular guard, the MEETING #2 for year 2017 will be enjoy them. “cup”, was used in Hockey in 1874, held on Sunday, May 2nd after the 10 some 143 years ago? The first helmet o’clock service, beginning at 11:00 am SUMIE EXHIBITION AT CITY HALL: was used in 1974, a hundred years in the social hall. President Wendie May 8 through 19th by the students after the “cup”. That means it took Yumori and her committee members of Mrs.