Dear members and friends of Jodo Mission,

Aloha Kakou.  Thank you very much for your ongoing support and cooperation. Time flies, and soon it will be April—a time for the Hanamatsuri (Buddha’s Birthday Celebration) and the Koinobori (Carp Streamer) Celebration. Also I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of our members who have passed away recently and hope that we can continue to offer our spiritual support.

How have you all been during these first three months of the new year? I imagine you have all been very busy. I can hardly believe it is already April. Three months have passed in the blink of an eye. Reflecting on it, December—previously known as "Shiwasu"—is a time when even monks must rush around. After the hustle of mochi pounding, year-end parties, Christmas gatherings, and other events, we barely have a moment to relax before welcoming the New Year. Then, many organizations hold one of their biggest events of the year—the New Year’s gathering—followed by celebrations like the Lunar New Year and the Super Bowl, bringing families together once more. I believe that the reason time feels like it flies by so quickly is that these three months are packed with so many events.

However, if we think about it carefully, being busy is, in a way, a great blessing. When we are busy, we neither dwell on the past nor worry about the future—we simply live in the present. We call it “happiness.”  Of course, there are many definitions of "happiness," and each person has their own. Some find happiness in reading, watching movies, engaging in sports, pursuing hobbies, or love. Others may feel happiest when doing nothing at all. But what do all these have in common? I have always believed that happiness comes from "being busy."

Why is reading enjoyable? Because we are so engaged in following the words that we become immersed in the world of the book. Why is baseball exciting? Because we are so focused on chasing the ball that we forget everything else. Like many of you, I am a huge fan of Shohei Ohtani. When he hits a home run, the sheer force of the ball overwhelms me, and I forget everything, experiencing a profound sense of happiness. 

Some people might say they feel happiest when doing nothing and just spacing out. At first glance, "being busy" and "doing nothing" may seem contradictory, but in reality, those who find happiness in doing nothing are actually "busy doing nothing." In other words, the moments we feel truly happy are the moments when we are deeply engaged in something. Conversely, when we are not engaged in anything, it is difficult to feel happy. 

Take reading, for example. If we are not busy following the words, our minds wander, and we cannot fully immerse ourselves in the book. The same goes for movies—if a movie is uninteresting, we do not get engrossed in watching it, and we start thinking about other things, making it difficult to feel happiness. 

Buddhism is a teaching of happiness, and practices such as meditation and chanting are ways to cultivate happiness. By deeply focusing on meditation or by chanting wholeheartedly, we can experience joy. As you may know, breathing is fundamental to meditation. We inhale with deep focus to replenish our energy and exhale with full concentration. By engaging in these actions with intention, we truly live in the present. However, if we fail to focus on our breathing, thoughts of past regrets and future worries creep into our minds.

The same is true for chanting the Nenbutsu. When we sincerely think of Amida Buddha, express gratitude for His compassion, and wholeheartedly wish to be reborn in His Pure Land, chanting Namu Amida Butsu allows us to forget everything and immerse ourselves completely in the practice, leading to an incredible sense of happiness. 

However, this requires training. But the wonderful thing about the Nenbutsu is that simply chanting it brings benefits. Even if stray thoughts arise while chanting, it does not matter at all—this is what Honen Shonin taught us. 

"If we live, we accumulate the merits of the Nenbutsu; if we die, we are born 

into the Pure Land. Whatever happens, there is nothing to worry about in this life”  -Honen Shonin (1133-1212) -

As long as we continue chanting the Nenbutsu while alive, we can accumulate merit, and when our lives end, with these accumulated merits, we are born in the Pure Land. Understanding this fully, we need not trouble ourselves with thoughts of life and death. It is truly a wonderful teaching, and whenever I think of this, I cannot help but recite Nenbutsu. 'Namu Amida Butsu' naturally come to my lips.

Needless to say, the very fact that we are alive is truly a blessing, made possible by immense support and countless blessings. With the intention of sharing this gratitude, honoring, respecting, and encouraging the people in the past, present, and future, we began the Koinobori Celebration. This year marks our fourth annual event. 

Thanks to everyone's understanding, cooperation, and the generous support of many sponsors, we displayed 800 koinobori (carp streamers) last year and hopefully many more Koinobori this year.  By raising so many colorful koinobori, we hope they will flutter against the blue Hawaiian sky, bringing encouragement and inspiration to the community. We would be truly grateful for any further support in sponsoring additional koinobori. 

This year, the opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, featuring a Taiko performance by Dragon Beat Hawaii and hula performance.  Additionally, we will host a Japanese cultural month, including special talk by Sensei Grant “Sandaa” Murata, a master of Okinawan classical music and the Sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed instrument), as well as introduction of Japanese Culture by Mr. Nate Gyotoku, President of JCCH (Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii), kyūdō (Japanese archery) by Hawaii Kyudokai Group and Kendo (the way of sword) by Sensei Christopher Goodin.  Please do not miss out on these special presentations and talks! 

For more details and updates, please visit www.jodo.us or www.hawaiijodo.net .We hope to welcome as many people as possible to join us in this celebration! 

Once again, thank you very much for everything.  Please stay safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing you soon. 
Mahalo with Gassho, 
Bishop Kosen Ishikawa 

On the occasion of the Autumn Conferment of Honors for the 6th year of Reiwa(2024),  we sincerely congratulate stone sculptor and Great Busshi Wakei Nagaoka on receiving the Medal with Yellow Ribbon from the Emperor of Japan.

Master Nagaoka is a stone sculptor based in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, and it is said that he had a connection with the late Bishop Dwight Ryokan Nakamura, who was once the chief priest of Daijuji Temple in Okazaki City. 

To commemorate Reverend Nakamura’s return as Bishop of the Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions in 2004, Master Nagaoka donated four statues of Kuse Shoson to the Jodo Mission of Hawaii.

Upon receiving the news of this prestigious award, we sincerely congratulate Master Nagaoka.   From Hawaii, we wish him continued success and good health in the future.  

 

Master Wakei Nagaoka 

Born in 1955 (Showa 30) in Takikawa City, Hokkaido. At the age of 22, he was encouraged by his elder brother, Kizan, who was four years older and a Buddhist sculptor and stone carver, to pursue a career as a Buddhist sculptor and stone carver himself. 

At the age of 27, he became independent and established an atelier in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. Since then, he has created and released over 880 stone Buddhas and stone statues. His works are housed in prestigious institutions such as the British Museum in the United Kingdom and the State Leipzig Ethnographic Museum in Germany. Additionally, an art tile mural of his is preserved at the Leonardo da Vinci National Middle School in Italy. 

His sculptures have been erected at various renowned sites, including the Jodo Mission of Hawaii in the United States, and in Japan at Todaiji Temple, Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, Mii-dera Temple, Eiheiji Temple, Zenkoji Temple, Eikando Temple, Nariaiji Temple, and Hokoji Temple, as well as Sennyuji Temple, the Imperial Family’s ancestral temple. 

He has also been recognized internationally, becoming an artist with art posters housed in the Louvre Museum Lens Branch in France. In Gubbio, Italy, he won the Gold Prize at the Japanese Art Selected Fine Arts Exhibition. 

In 2000 (Heisei 12), he and his brother were awarded the title of "Great Buddha Master" (Daibutsushi) by Mii-dera Temple, marking the first time this title had been awarded in postwar Japan for stone Buddhas. In 2010 (Heisei 22), they were again honored with the title of "Great Buddha Master" by Sanzen-in Monzeki Temple of the Tendai sect. 

In 2022 (Reiwa 4), he was awarded the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare's Commendation for Contemporary Master Craftsmen (Gendai no Meiko). In Autumn 2024 (Reiwa 6), he will receive the Medal with Yellow Ribbon (Kōjuhōshō) from the Emperor of Japan. 

His unique artistic style, which allows no compromise in detail, is widely recognized. His publications include "Nagaoka Brothers Buddhist Sculpture Photo Collection", "Carving Stone Buddhas" (selected by the Japan Library Association, published by Nihon Kyobunsha), "The World of Kazuyoshi Nagaoka", and co-authorship of "Warabe no Komichi (Guidebook)". 

He serves as a director of the Japan Stone Buddha Association and resides in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. 

Congratulations to Bishop Miyabayashi who will officiate the traditional Gyoki Service in memory of our founder Honen Shonin at Zojoji, Jodo Shu Head Temple in Tokyo.   

Scrolls were donated by Mr. Kinzo Ozaki in commemoration of the completion of Jodo Mission Temple Building at Makiki in 1932.  As one of our 850th Anniversary projects, we made this available online with English translations. 

We are truly saddened and shocked to learn about the recent wildfire that devastated Lahaina, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Hawaii.  With much pain and sympathy, we must report that our Lahaina temple buildings were all burnt to the ground while we are relieved to know our resident minister, Reverend Gensho Hara, and the family are safe after evacuation several times during the night.

I wish to express our sincerest condolences to those who lost their lives,  residents of Lahaina, and all those affected by the devastating wildfire on Maui.  The loss of precious lives and properties is truly heartbreaking and our prayers are with the community as they rebuild and heal from this tragedy.  Please know that we are not alone.  Our ancestors must have experienced this devastation many times in the past and every time they got to be strong and rebuild what they lost.  

According to the Buddhist teachings, life is marked by change with the impermanence of all things, and it is our understanding that true solace can be found in supporting one another during these challenging moments.   May we all find strength in the interconnectedness of all beings as we move forward on the path of healing and recovery.  

We have now two Go Fund Me fundraisers for both rebuilding Lahaina Jodo Mission and supporting Rev. Gensho Hara.  Your kind support will be greatly appreciated.

Namu Amida Butsu. 

Gassho,
Bishop Kosen Ishikawa 

LIVE streaming Sunday Service at 10:00 am (HST)!

Please check Bishop's YouTube Channel.

Jodo Mission Major Events for 2023
January 22 (Sun.)    Gyoki / Memorial Service for Honen Shonin
January 29 (Sun.)  Sunday Service & General Membership Meeting
February 12 (Sun.)   Nirvana Day Service
March 5 (Sun.)   Fujinkai General Membership Meeting
March 19 (Sun.)  Higan Service
April 2 (Sun.)   HBC Buddha Day Service
April 15- May 15   Koinobori Celebration
May 14 (Sun. )  Mother's  Day service
May 28 ( Sun.)  Memorial Day Service
June 18 (Sun.)  Father's Day Service
July 9 (Sun.)   O-Toba Set Up and General Cleaning
July 14-16  O-Bon Services
August 13 (Sun.)  Yagura Set Up
August 19 (Sat.)  Bon Dance 
September 10 (Sun.)  Higan Service
October 15 (Sat.) Bazaar Preparation Day
October 22 (Sun.) Bazaar
November 12 (Sun.)  O-juya Service
December 3 (Sun.) HBC Bodhi Day
December 10 (Sun.) General Clean-up
December 17 (Sun.) Mochi Sale
December 31 (Sun.) New Year's Eve Service

Aloha!   Welcome to the Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions' website.  HCJM is the umbrella organization for the 13 Jodo Mission temples in the State of Hawai'i. 
We belong to Jodo Shu (Pure Land Buddhist Sect) which was founded by Honen Shonin (1133-1212) in Japan in 1175.   
Please visit our temples and/or website for more information about our services and events throughout the year.
The purpose of HCJM is:
a) To propagate the teachings of Jodo Buddhism and the Buddhist religion;
b) To promote generally the welfare of the people of the community throughout the State of Hawaii;
c) To serve as the liaison body for the various Jodo Missions.
Please feel free to join in our temple services, activities and events.