As you may know, Jodo Shu will celebrate the 850th Anniversary of its founding in 2024. As part of this commemoration, we invite you to participate in the Dharma Light Relay Ceremony of Nenbutsu at Jodo Mission of Hawaii on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00 am at Jodo Mission of Hawaii. 

This Dharma Light Relay starts at Seiryuji Temple where Honen Shonin encountered the verse, “All will be saved by calling Amida Buddha’s sacred name, Namu Amida Butsu” in the commentary on the Visualization Sutra by the Chinese Pure Land Master Shandao. Honen Shonin realized that Nenbutsu was the ultimate way for universal salvation. Then he descended to the city and stayed at Yoshimizu (currently Chionin temple) where he dedicated himself to the spread of Nenbutsu teachings. Thus Nenbutsu spread gradually and was transmitted from person to person from generation to generation. We call this transmission of Nenbutsu as transmission of “Dharma Light.” 

In recognition of Honen Shonin’s footstep of the initial transmission of “Dharma Light” from Seiryuji Temple, young ministers will carry Light with a candle on foot from Seiryuji temple to Chionin where various representatives will get together to receive and pass this light to many more temples and members. Bishop Ishikawa is attending this service in order to pass out this Dharma Light to Jodo Mission temples in Hawaii. Ministers from neighbor islands will gather for this ceremony at Jodo Mission to receive and pass out the light to its members. All are invited and we will present candle light with Dharma light of Nenbutsu to each participant. Light refreshments will be served after the service. Also special Koto Concert will be held after the refreshments at 1:00 pm. 

In relation to this Dharma Relay, we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to establish a Karmic Connection with Amida Buddha by participating in the Reiwa-Edition Registry of Nenbutsu Devotees. 

On the one-year memorial service for Honen Shonin, his foremost disciple Genchi Shonin expressed his devotion to his maser by having a standing statue of Amida Buddha carved in his memory. Inside the image was discovered sheets of paper in which as many as 46,000 names of devotees were written, who were karmically connected to the statue. This registry attests that many people who wished to be born in the Pure Land of the Western Paradise, created a strong bond with Honen Shonin’s teachings and recited Nenbutsu with deep appreciation. Now almost 850 years after Honen Shonin founded the Pure Land Sect called “Jodo Shu”, let us also recite the Nenbutsu and write down Namu Amida Butsu for the Reiwa-Edition Registry. Your Nenbutsu offerings will be compiled in the registry and dedicated in front of the Statue of Amida Buddha created by Genchi Shonin. Registry paper will be available at the service. We hope you will take this opportunity to make a strong karmic connection with the Nenbutsu. 

 
Dear Members and friends of Jodo Mission,

Did you know that McDonalds in Japan used to offer a “smile” on the menu? It was a real smile for free. On the menu board, it clearly said, “Smile….￥0” in Japan. Therefore it was possible to ask “Can I have a smile?” and you could have a big smile from the service staff for free before. I thought this was a wonderful idea to provide something free to customers all the time. I heard they discontinued “Free Smiles” on the menu boards because they can now give smiles without your ordering! 

Needless to say, smile is so important. When I see someone smiling I become so happy that I can forget whatever unhappiness might be present. Although I don’t have a handsome smile, I do like smiling and I like seeing people smiling back. The Japanese often say, “Warau kado ni wa, Fuku kitaru.” It’s a proverb that means: “Happiness comes to those who wear a smile.” Another definition is: “laugh and grow prosperous.” It indicates that the attitude of the person is what creates their happiness or unhappiness. 

The late well-known Vietnamese Buddhist Master, Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh had taught many people around the world about the easy way to mediate. As a method of meditation, he recommends that we can become aware of our breathing at any time and in any place. Here are the four lines that Thich Nhat Hanh recommended to recite as we mindfully breathe in and out: 

Breathing in, I calm my body. 
Breathing out, I smile. 
Dwelling in the present moment, 
I know this is a wonderful moment. 

The Buddha teaches we should be the master of ourselves. Whenever we have to do something that we don’t enjoy, we may begin to frown or even make an angry face. Thich Nhat Hanh stresses that we put a smile on our face in times like those in order to gain mastership over ourselves. In fact, anytime is a good time to smile. 

It is not easy to become the master of yourself. It is, however, not too difficult to be the master of your smile. When smiling, we use many muscles in our face. By using the many muscles in our face, they naturally become very healthy and comfortable. And when we smile to others, we share the strength of the power of our smile with others. 

Our world is not always a peaceful place. Violence, terrorism, and war are always going on somewhere in the world. It may be idealistic to try to live peacefully in these times, but unless we remain idealistic and continue in our efforts, the world will never change. I encourage each and every one of you to practice smiling as well as Nenbutsu. Bringing peace to the world can begin with one smile. I pray everyday that Amida Buddha’s gentle smile always surrounds you no matter where you are in the world. 

Namu Amida Butsu with Gassho, 
Bishop Kosen Ishikawa 

For more information, please check this flyer.

The website for registration has been released.  For more information, please visit the link below;

 https://cvent.me/QDLX7n 

at the Mystical Rose Oratory on the Chaminade campus. 3140 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816.

Haleiwa Jodo Mission Sunday School will host our annual Youth Retreat program on Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 9am -2pm as follows:

8:50 am         Gather at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
                         (66-279 Haleiwa Rd A, Haleiwa, HI 96712)
9:00 am         Jodo Buddhist Sunday School Service at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
9:30 am          Visit Malama Loco Air Fishpond in Haleiwa
                         Tour of Loko ea
                          Iʻa (Fish) Identification and Observation activity 
                          Mālama ʻĀina activity 
                          Clean-up and Closing Circle 
12:30 pm        Lunch at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
1:30 pm          Holo-holo around Island X
2:00 pm         Dismissal

Jodo Mission offers this program for free for children/grand-children/great-grandchildren of our Jodo Shu members.  Please encourage them to join in our youth activities.    For more information, please contact Rev. Myoko Takano (Email: [email protected] ). 

Registration starts on Wednesday January 18 @5:00am (Hawaii Time).

For more information, please visit here.

Do you practice Nenbutsu?  Are you a follower of Nenbutsu?  If so, please help us to make a Nenbutsu followers map.  By registering your name and location on the special site,  picture of lotus flower will be pop up in the map! 

In our Jodo Mission temples in Hawaii, Gyoki Memorial Services, are held in January of every year in honor of our founder, Honen Shonin.  In Japan, the word Gyoki is used only for the memorial services for ancestors of the Emperor’s family.  Placing his firm belief and trust in Honen Shonin’s teachings, the Emperor Gokashiwabara issued an edict in 1524, proclaiming that the word Gyoki is authorized to use for the memorial service of Honen Shonin.

In consideration of Emperor Gokashiwabara’s firm dedication to Honen Shonin’s teachings, what kind of a man must have Honen Shonin been to receive such special consideration?  Of course, we know that Honen Shonin was the founder of our sect, but just being a founder of yet another of the long list of founders, of the many denominations of Buddhism introduced to Japan, could surely not be the sole reason for the Emperor’s edict.  Honen Shonin must have possessed some outstanding qualities, which surpass those of the many other founders of Buddhist denominations in Japan.

Buddhism was introduced to Japan nearly 1,400 years ago, and in the beginning it was accepted by only a relatively small portion of the Japanese population.  It was several centuries from the original introduction of Buddhism to Japan before the general public was able to really digest the Buddhist teachings, and seamlessly integrate them into the culture.  Seven centuries later, perhaps the greatest of Buddhist reaches to succeed in pioneering this Cultural Revolution in Japan was none other than our own Honen Shonin.

Honen Shonin said, “In Buddhism there are eight thousand and four hundred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha that are all of worthy our recognition, but the one that suits me best is the teaching of Nenbutsu.  No matter how important a teaching may be, if it is only absorbed by the uneducated; or if it is accomplished by the rich yet not by the poor; or if it is observed by the virtuous yet not by the poor; or if it is observed by the sinful; or if it is understood by the adult but not by the young; if this were the case, then his teaching would only be appreciated by a very small fraction of the total population.  In this sense, these teachings could never be deemed to be the teaching of true salvation for all.   On the other hand, the recitation of Nenbutsu does not make any distinction in whatever, or wherever, we might be.   The Nenbutsu can be recited by all people regardless of race, age, color, or gender.  This teaching of the Nenbutsu was discovered by Honen Shonin amongst the eight thousand and four hundred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Honen Shonin taught us to just recite the Nenbutsu.  Our genuine feelings are manifested in our sincere vocalization of the Holy Name of Amida Buddha.   Therefore, when we recite the Nenbutsu, we have to say it loud enough that we can at least hear our own voice.

For the first time in history, Honen Shonin made Buddhism a religion for the laity, and as such, it very soon became a religion for the average people of Japan.   Therefore, Honen Shonin’s tireless efforts became greatly appreciated by the succeeding Emperors of Japan; and in respect for his efforts, the Emperors have given Honen Shonin honorable, posthumous titles seven times in the past, where founders of the many other Buddhist sects in Japan have received such titles only once after their passing.   The following are the seven titles given to our great founder, Honen Shonin, in the past:

Enko Daishi (The Great Sage who is a Guiding Light) give by the Emperor Higashiyama.)

Tozen Daishi (The Great Sage who propagated Buddhism Eastward) given by the Emperor Nakamikado.)

Ejo Daishi ( The Great Sage who perceived Wisdom) given by the Emperor Momozono.

Kogaku Daishi (The Great Sage who was broadly Awakened ) given by the Emperor Kokaku.

Jikyo Daishi (The Great Sage who taught Compassionate teachings )given by the Emperor Komei.

Meisho Daishi (The Great Sage who shines brilliantly) given by the Emperor Meiji.

Wajun Daishi (The Great Sage whose teaching is harmonious ) given by the Emperor Showa.
 
Honi Daishi (The Great Sage who was like True Nature) given by the Emperor Akihito.  
 
Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions – Teaching Series Revival (2)
 

Sunday, December 4, 2022 

at 9:30 am 

at Jodo Mission of Hawaii

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84763165946?pwd=UnpIZ0FIN2tJOUZVOXUyK0Y0dXlxdz09

Saturday, October 29 from 6pm -8pm
at Jodo Mission

Friday, May 20 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
Lahaina Jodo Mission, Rev. Gensho Hara  & Rev. Wajira Wansa
  Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 am -8:00 am
Wailuku Jodo Mission , Rev. Choon John Hara

9:00 am -10:00 am
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
For more information (Zoom Link), please click here.

 
The Hawaii Buddhist Council will be holding the Buddha Day Service “Hanamatsuri” to commemorate the Birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who became Sakyamuni Buddha and also a memorial service for the victims of Covid-19 as follows;

Date: Sunday, April 3, 2022
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Jodo Mission of Hawaii (***Limited In-person Service)
(*1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96814)
Guest Speaker: Dr. Glenda Nogami Streufert
Former Manager, Kauai Civil Defense Agency
Adapting & Responding to Uncertain Situations - Interaction with Others

Zoom Link :  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88176848159?pwd=TGhDUlNOTmRPVkszNHpCWnVleTRMZz09
 

Meeting ID: 881 7684 8159 

Passcode: 593636 

Jodo Shu ministers and friends in the world get together on Zoom for the betterment of our Jodo Shu community in the world.  Hosted by Marcel in Korea, we are having a once-a-month meeting and sharing latest information on Jodo Shu.  On this month, Rev. Hodo Stephen of Saga Prefecture in Japan will be giving us a lecture on Chinzeiki or memorial service for our 2nd founder of Jodo Shu.  If you are interested in joining in our informal meeting,  please contact [email protected] 

Hosted by Jodo Shu ministers in Brazil, we will have the 7th Zoom Nenbutsu on Saturday, March 5 from 11:00 am -12:00 noon.    Please use the link below for your participation.  It's absolutely for free!  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86780265174?pwd=bStzZUs2TEp2azM2V2o0Q0RQdEg3UT09

Meeting ID ：867 8026 5174
Passcode：sscode：690378

Please join us in reciting ”Namu Amida Butsu” from anywhere in the world.

 * Times around the world are as follows

Brazil time: March 5h 18:00 pm 

 Japan time: March 6, 6:00 am
 Australia Time: March 6, 7:00 am
 Taiwan Time: March 6, 5:00 am
 France Time: March 5, 22:00 pm
 Nepal Time: March 6, 2:45 am
 India Time: March 6, 2:30 am
 Hawaii Time: March 5 11:00 am