KONA HONGWANJI
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
E - JIHO
January 2013
Theme & Slogan 2013: Path of Entrusting: Live the Teachings!
ANNUAL MOCHI SALE
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Pick up 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed at 7:30 a.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Rev. Shoji Matsumoto
OONKO SERVICES
Saturday, January 26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.—Candle Light Service
Sunday, January 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.—Goshoki Hoonko Service
Guest Speaker both services:
Reverend David Fujimoto, Resident Minister at Puna Hongwanji Mission
Hoonko, meaning a gathering to express our gratitude is the most important Jodo Shinshu observance to commemorate Shinran Shonin’s passing. Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu (True Pureland Sect) was the first to teach systemically the Teachings of Salvation through the grace of Amida Buddha.
AWARENESS
A Way of Life by TBC
We cannot change other people, we can only change ourselves. We cannot blame others for our circumstances. A change in our own behavior brings about new behavior from others.
NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MINISTER OR TO SCHEDULE SERVICES/ACTIVITIES
Please call the church office at 323-2993 Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Office will be closed on weekends and holidays. If unable to contact the office clerk, leave a message on the answering machine. In case of emergencies and unable to contact office clerk, call Rev. Shoji Matsumoto at
323-2993 or cell 987-9900, or Norma Matsumoto at 323-2552 or cell 989-3015.
JANUARY
4 Friday ...... 6:00 PM ...Judo Club Kagami Biraki
6 Sunday ...... NO SUNDAY SERVICE
1:00 PM ...Minister's Meeting
2:00 PM ...Big Island Council Meeting @ Hilo
11 Thursday .....8:30 AM ...Senior Activity Program
13 Sunday ...... 9:00 AM ...English Family Service
15 Tuesday .....10:00 AM ..HAIB Meeting
19 Saturday .....9:30 AM ....HIUBWA Meeting
20 Sunday ...... 9:00 AM....English Family Service
26 Saturday ...8:00 AM ...Hosha - #3; Food Prep - #2; Omigaki - #1
7:00 PM ...Hoonko Candle Light Service
27 Sunday ....9:00 AM ...Goshoki Hoonko Service
Guest Speaker: Rev. David Fujimoto
FEBRUARY
2 Saturday ....9:00 AM ...Cherry Blossom Festival @ Waimea
3 Sunday ...... 9:00 AM ...Scout Sunday Service
8 Friday ...... 8:30 AM ...Senior Activity Program
Friday 8th thru Saturday 9th2013 Legislative Assembly (Giseikai)
13 Wednesday ...7:00 PM ...Board of Directors Meeting
17 Sunday ...... 9:00 AM ...Annual General Membership Meeting, Keirokai
and Luncheon
24 Sunday ...... Gatha Fest here at Kona
CUB SCOUTS & BOY SCOUTS
EVERY MONDAY CUB SCOUT PACK 12 MEETING AT 5:00 PM
EVERY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY CUB SCOUT PACK 12 MEETING AT 5:00 PM EXCEPT 1ST WEDNESDAY
EVERY TUESDAY BOY SCOUT TROOP 59 MEETING AT 7:00 PM
TAIKO PRACTICE
EVERY THURSDAY TAIKO PRACTICE AT 5:30 PM
TAIKO MEETING EVERY 2nd THURSDAY IN THE SOCIAL HALL AT 6:30 PM
JUDO PRACTICE
JUDO CLUB MEETING EVERY 1ST WEDNESDAY IN SCOUT ROOM
EVERY MONDAY AT 7:00 PM NIGHT CLASS
EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 6:00 PM NOVICE; 7:00 PM NIGHT CLASS
EVERY TUESDAY AT 6:30 PM ADULT BEGINNERS
EVERY THURSDAY AT 7:00 PM CHOKE ARM BAR CLASS
IKEBANA
EVERY 2ND SATURDAY AT 9:00 AM IN THE SCOUT ROOM
TAI CHI CLASSES
EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY AT 10:30 AM
DHARMA TALK CLASSES
EVERY TUESDAY AT 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM
KYUDO CLASSES
EVERY SATURDAY AT 1:00 PM IN THE JUDO HALL
New Year’s Greeting
Immeasurable Light and Life.
Reciting the Nembutsu, we welcome the new year. I express my warmest greetings to you. Following the East Japan Great Earthquake, one year and ten months has passed. More than a hundred thousand people continue to live in evacuation center housing, unable to return to their homes. Personally, I find the events of the Seven hundred fiftieth Memorial for Shinran Shonin and East Japan Great Earthquake to be inseparable.
I am sure that each person directly affected by the natural disaster has his or her own sufferings and is being faced with various problems and tasks. It goes without saying that support and recovery efforts are important. However, with this as an opportune time, as a fellow earthly being, I would also like to reflect on the fundamental issues we all have in common. What we need to reconsider is how we have easily come to accept our common values and ways of perceiving things, regardless of whether we are conscious of it or not. For example, there is the notion that development in science technology and economic competition increases happiness. Although technological advancements and economic strength may be immediate solutions for simple issues at hand, stopping there can result in something else becoming overlooked. That is our infinite humanly cravings, our limited intelligence, and our lack of harmony with the greater nature. This is an issue that is deeply connected with Buddhism.
The beauty of Mt. Fuji and other mountains and valleys are all results of volcanic activity and earthquakes. Although nuclear energy may appear to be an efficient prescription for the immediate situation, not only does it become a problem when an accident occurs, but with our current technological skills, we are unable to safely dispose of radioactive wastes. We cannot simply pick and choose just what is convenient nor do we have the power to control nature. It is my hope that the measures we take will not simply end up as temporary solutions. But rather, they will help to make a positive change in our social values and reflect on our own standards and realize a sustainable society.
January 1, 2013
OHTANI Koshin
Monshu
Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha
Bishop’s New Year’s Message
With the Nembutsu upon my lips, a Happy New Year to All! As we begin a new year, I extend my most sincere best wishes to you. As we start the year, let us take a moment to ponder our 2013 Slogan and Theme which reads “Path of Entrusting: Living the Teachings.” Rennyo Shonin shared “Ever in sight of Amida Buddha’s Teachings, let us always humbly reflect.” When I think about it, much of Buddhist Teachings is not really so extraordinary, although there are exceptions. In a way, it can be said that the extraordinary part of Buddhist Teachings is how ordinary it is and yet as I reflect “How difficult it is to live this Teaching.” As an example, interdependence, we have heard this word over and over and yet how hard it is to truly, one hundred percent, live interdependency. Go-monshu says “Among the basic tenets of Buddhism is the teaching of pratitya-samutpada: all things are interdependent, interconnected, and intricately joined together. While this is true of human life, it is also true of life outside the human sphere, as well as things outside of life itself, with nature as a whole being connected in this way-this is the truth of pratitya-samutpada.” “Pratitya-samutpada, thus, offers a valuable way of looking at things when we seek to address today’s problems of environmental destruction, armed military conflict, and other events where countless lives are lost; not merely human lives alone.” If we are truly guided by this Teaching of Interdependency, we should feel a connection with all existence and happenings around us. We should not think “That has nothing to do with me” or “That’s not my problem.” Of course, practically and realistically, we cannot be fully involved in everything, but the Dharma does promote within us this feeling of being connected with all others and thus makes a big difference in how we perceive what is happening in life and the world. The perspective is “We are in this together. How can I make a difference?” Whether it is a problem and/or solution, we see our relationship with it. We are not totally disconnected with anything or anyone. Everything and everyone exists in an intricate web of existence each affecting and being affected by the other. It is this feeling of oneness and togetherness that the Buddha-Dharma fosters within us.
A perfect example of this oneness is Amida Buddha. Amida Buddha does not distance itself from the bonbu/foolish being and instead totally embraces the foolish being who entrusts. As Gomonshu says “To save all, is the reason for Amida Buddha’s existence. This is how Shinran Shonin thinks and feels.” Well, this may be the extraordinary part of Shin Buddhist Teachings in which the foolish being “as-we-are” is promised enlightenment with birth in the Pure Land as Rennyo Shonin shared. What greater expression of Compassion is there than being accepted “as-we-are”, imperfection and all and thus the reason why we respond in gratitude by trying to be better persons by living with the Dharma as our guide.
To conclude, our trying to live the Dharma is also a means by which others can come to know and appreciate the Buddhist Teachings. Let us provide the opportunity for others to encounter the Buddha and share the Dharma with others. I believe, whether we are Buddhist or not, we can all avail ourselves to Wisdom and Compassion and be guided and inspired by it. It is my hope that 2013 will be a year in which we, who do call ourselves Buddhists, will truly see the significance of “Living the Teachings.” Let us reflect “Am I saying the Nembutsu? Am I praising the virtues of the Buddha?”Like Shinran Shonin and many before us may we continue to recite the Nembutsu of Gratitude for Amida Buddha’s Unconditional Compassion and praise Amida Buddha’s Virtue so all may hear about Great Compassion. A very Happy New Year to all and I encourage you, your family and friends to listen to the Dharma and may we be active in our community so all lives may be enriched by Wisdom and Compassion. Namo Amida Butsu and Happy New Year!
In gassho, Eric Matsumoto
PRESIDENT’S NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE
Aloha and best wishes for a happy and peaceful New Year! 2012 was special in that it was the kick-off for our strategic planning committees. While it has taken us two years to organize and get enough volunteers for this important effort, it will take a lot more work to develop and implement plans to meet our strategic goals. We experienced more shortage of ministers and the closing of Kahuku Hongwanji. While these incidents can be viewed in a negative way, they can result into positive actions. The shortage of ministers has increased the interest of the lay members to participate in programs to assist the ministers. The closing of a temple is similar to a company downsizing to stabilize itself before expanding once more.
As we downsize we must also have a plan to invest and expand in the future. Our strategic planning committees are working on that plan. There are also positive indications that things are turning around. PBA is close to meeting its initial capital campaign goal and start construction of a new building. While it has taken longer than desired to raise the funds because of the economic times, the interest and support of PBA’s program has steadily increased. It has truly been a team effort of the PBA staff and Board of Trustees; however, it wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership and creativity of our Head of School Pieper Toyama, who will be retiring at the end of this school year. We are truly grateful for his vision and leadership and hope he will continue to be active in other roles/positions.
We all understand that our organization cannot function without volunteers. Temples are finding it difficult in finding members willing to be on the board of directors and/or officers. It is difficult to get people into leadership positions at the temple level and even more so at a statewide level. The length of time it took to get volunteers for our strategic planning committees indicates that our members are busy and the temple/organization is not a priority in their lives as it was with the Issei and Nissei.
It is a Catch 22 situation. The long range goal of the strategic plan is to make the temple/organization a priority in our members’ lives. But not enough members are willing to take leadership roles because the temple/organization is not a priority in their lives. Therefore all we can do is to ask you to believe in our strategic plan and get involved in all levels of the organization, especially in leadership roles. Without your help, we will be unable to grow for our future generations
We are truly grateful for the many hands that help us at all levels or our organization. Let us show our gratitude and lessen their burden by offering our help. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your patience, understanding, cooperation and support. Your participation is crucial in our leadership role for the international propagation of Jodo Shinshu.
In Gassho,
Alton H Miyamoto, President
Hawaii Kyodan
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR JANUARY and FEBRUARY 2013
First Year (2012)February9YAEKO KANEKO
10KENNETH KADOOKA
Third Year (2011)January3NANCY AYANO MATSUMOTO
10RAYMOND A. KIMOTO
10YASUO KAWAKAMI
February19MASAYUKI NAGATOSHI
Seventh Year (2007)January13LARRY SHIMIZU
25AKIE SUGA
25ASAKO MASUHARA
February19EVELYN NATSUYO TERAWAKI
25NAMIKO IDE
Thirteenth Year (2001)January2WALTER K. NAKAYAMA
22GEORGE M. MOTOYAMA
February5AMY K. SHIRAISHI
Seventh Year (1997)January13HISAYO BAN
February2KAREN KAZUKO MURATA
Twenty-fifth Year (1989)January20KAZUO UCHIMURA
25HITOSHI WALLY NAKAMOTO, SR.
26GORO FUJII
28YOSHIO DOI
Thirty-third Year (1981)February 5ISAMI KOGA
Fiftieth Year (1964)February1MORIO IGETA
One Hundredth Year (1914)January4NOBUO TERAZONO
4TAHACHI MIURA
12TSUNEKICHI KUMAMARU
22TOMO IWASHIRO
26KITARO NAKAMURA
February1MITSUNO YAMANE
7SOKURO MATSUMURA
15ICHIRO AZUMA
16ICHIHE KUWABARA
17TSUKASA OKA
December President’s message by: Norma Matsumoto
As the number of days in the year 2012 dwindle, I reflect on my experiences as Kyodan president for your temple. Wow! What a trip! Not a narcotic ‘trip’, but a kind of a wild ride into things I would never have given a thought about before. I’ve grown to appreciate the organization and expertise of our temple’s board of directors who are really knowledgeable people who really care about and worry about every aspect of temple responsibility. They are doing a good job of teaching me. Folks who know me in the community, would not think of me as a very spiritual, contemplative individual at all. I was also not born and raised here and am continually surprised as to who is related to whom and how! I am really naïve as to the challenges of our temple in the past; but the last seven years that I have been involved, have been eye-opening. I, like some of you, have paid my annual dues without even knowing what for! I have also used that phrase I hear from others, “that church only cares about money!” Ha, ha…You know who you are!! At our annual meeting this coming February, look over our financials and ask questions! Feel free to grumble about church ‘doings’. But, for every minute of grumbling, give the temple at least twice that much in participation somehow. I am always available by phone (check the front page!) to answer your concerns and questions. At least be an INFORMED grumbler! Things like your state, your country, your temple are not tangible things to just throw out or say it’s ‘lousy’. They are made of constituents/members like you and me…and we don’t like to be called ‘lousy’! Deep, huh?!? I am learning more every day and appreciate all of you who have supported this temple despite all of its challenges and shortfalls. My sincere thanks to all of our affiliate organizations and youth groups who work to benefit the temple and the community. Have a safe and joyful holiday season. Don’t forget to get your mochi, too!
In Gassho
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONBy Mary Katayama
Keirokai: At the Annual Membership meeting on February 17, 2013, we will be honoring members attaining the age of 80 in 2013. Please contact Office Clerk (Judy) at 323-2993 if you know of any member born in 1933. Birthdates are not listed on some of the membership form.
HAWAII KYODAN DUES: The 2012 dues to Hawaii Kyodan is $37,819.00. Based on our financial status our board approved payment of $1,000 each month. To all the members who contributed a total of $12,465.00 toward the 2012 dues, we thank you very much! Although we have a huge balance from previous years you have helped in maintaining the operations of our temple. Please attend our annual membership meeting on February 17, 2013 for more information.
Bylaws Amendment: Enclosed in this Jiho is the proposed amendment to our Bylaws: Article V Section 1. Board of Directors; Article V1 Section 1. Councils and Committees and Article V11 Section 5. Meetings. Please review amendments which will be presented at the annual meeting for your approval.
Jiho: Please take time to read our newsletter (JIHO). Special dates, announcements and other information are printed for member’s information. If you want to receive it electronically, please contact the office with your email address. Volunteers work very hard to prepare the monthly newsletter sent to members, non-members, temples and others.
Giseikai (Legislative Assembly): The board elected the following delegates to the 2013 Giseikai: Reverend Shoji Matsumoto, President Norma Matsumoto and Morris Nagata. The Giseikai will be held on February 8 and 9, 2013. There are several Resolutions to be presented. Contact delegates for information. Report will be given at the annual membership meeting.
HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
YESS CAMP
On November 4, the staff and volunteers of Young Enthusiastic Shinshu Seekers (YESS) Camp XXX had a car wash fundraiser at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. The staff and volunteers of YESS Camp XXX would like to express their appreciation to the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin and to those who attended. Although the staff hasn’t reached their fundraising/donations goal yet, they are well on their way to do so. Doing these fundraisers and collecting donations, help pay for costs associated with the camp. As a result, it helps reduce the registration fee per camper. If you are interested in making a donation, you can write a check, payable to “Honpa Hongwanji YESS” and mail it to YESS Camp XXX, 1436 University Ave., Honolulu, HI 96822.
For those who don’t know, YESS Camp is a camp held in the spring, for young people interested in learning about Shin Buddhism. In the process of learning about Shin Buddhism, they also learn a little about themselves and develop bonds of friendships to carry on for many years. The camp is open to those in 8th grade to 23 years old.