Summer, 2014

Group photo of the Commemorative 50th Anniversary Service for the Relocation of Hilo Meishoin

HAWAII COUNCIL OF JODO MISSIONS1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

RETURNING TO KAUAI FOR BON DANCE By Lisa Tanaka

Aloha! I’m Lisa Tanaka, daughter of Rev. Kodo Tanaka (former minister at Koloa Jodo Mission). I now live in New York but had the opportunity to enjoy the Bon Dance at Kapaa Jodo Mission on June 7 during my recent visit to Kauai.

I was so impressed by people’s dancing and heart-warming spirit. Not only the temple member but everyone danced perfectly. I jumped in the circle and danced a few songs and had a really lovely time. I haven’t gone back for a Koloa Bon Dance but I thought the O-bon festival is a great opportunity to show our Jodo Shu temples and Japan culture to visitors and non-members. Since summer is busy with visitors from all over, please keep up the Aloha spir-it of our ancestors and share this tradition with old and new friends alike!

I was especially touched by Mrs. Nakaya’s singing the last song of Bon Dance! That is something I cannot see in NY. She went up to the stage and held the microphone and started singing. She is such a great model of how to live a healthy and happy life. Lastly, I truly appreciate the Koloa members Mr. and Mrs. Miyahara for their warm welcome. I had such a great time. I hope to be back next summer for Koloa’s Bon Dance!

SUMMER TIME MEANS O-BON SEASON!!

Summer seems to have snuck up on us so quickly as Kapaa and Wailuku Jodo Mission have already held their Bon Dance. The O-bon festival with its parade of colorful yukata (cotton kimono) and happi coats, rhythmical music and taiko drumming, bright lanterns, and ono-delicious foods! Today, Bon Dances have transcended ethnic boundaries to become one of Hawaii’s many symbols of multiculturalism as people of all backgrounds participate in this cherished Japanese tradition. Even Japanese visitors are surprised to see how popular and diverse Bon Dances are here.

For the hatsubon (first O-bon) families, this season may be an especially sad and difficult time for the loss of their loved ones may still be recent. O-bon season, however, is not only a solemn time but it also represents a joyous time when families come together to reconnect with our beloved ones and our ancestors with deep gratitude and love as well as to celebrate our lives.

Our two special contributors for the O-bon section of this summer issue offer their perspectives of this familiar annual observance. Lisa Tanaka, Rev. Kodo Tanaka’s daughter, who was born and raised on Kauai until age 5, tells us of her recent visit to Kauai for O-bon. June Shibuya, a dedicated Kurtistown Jodo Mission member, who tells us about an important but perhaps lesser recognized practice of cemetery clean-up during O-bon season.

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Kapaa Jodo Mission Bon Dance Lisa Tanaka (far left) with the Miyahara’s

Mrs. Nakaya singing on the yagura

OBSERVING O-BON: PRAYERS AT THE CEMETERY IN KURTISTOWNBy June Shibuya

Since the 1920’s, Kurtistown Jodo Mission (KJM) has overseen two cemeteries that sat on Olaa Plantation land. Happy Homes Cemetery and Kurtistown Jodo Mission Cemetery have been preserved by a handful of dedicated KJM men, who were also members of an organization called the Kurtistown Young Men’s Association (KYMA).

Who was KYMA? Historically, community service was at the heart of KYMA, made up of Olaa Plantation workers, young men of the kumiai (neighborhood camps), who were not all church members. KYMA raised funds, sponsored projects like the Boys Scouts, annual beach picnic, egg hunts, and other activities serving children. The temple sponsored the O-bon service, and KYMA supported the Bon Dance and hakamairi (grave site prayer). Today, KYMA sets up the yagura (the Bon Dance center stage), the tents, and structures, pays for the Bon Dance musicians, and coordinates meals for the dancers. The members purchase supplies and bring their personal lawn mowers, weed whackers, abd blowers to maintain the cemetery and temple grounds. After 100 years, KYMA still carries on the spirit of service as “keepers of the cemetery.” In 1984, when Puna Sugar Company closed, the cemeteries were turned over to KJM.

During O-bon season, KYMA sponsors the O-bon gravesite services at three cemeteries, including Mt. View. Bishop Kuki of Hilo Honganji Mission, Rev. Fujimoto of Puna Hongwanji Mission, and Rev. Miyazaki of Jodo Mission all join together on a Sunday afternoon in July. Attendees follow the ministers as they walk between the headstones with thick smoke from burning incense permeating the air, touching each grave. The ministers chant loudly, their voices echoing toward the heavens, calling to welcome the returning spirits of people who once lived in this community as far as 100 years ago. We have not forgotten them!

Today, new activities that include qi gong classes and a new preschool are bringing new people to the temple grounds. We are grateful for the teachers, parents, and children, an increasing membership, a feeling of comfort at the temple, and doing projects with the Kyodan, Fujinkai, KYMA, and friends. Everyone has service and community at heart.

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Rev. Junshin Miyazaki lights incense for Haneda family Harold Shibuya among unmarked river-rocks headstones after O-bon cemetery cleanup.

HILO MEISHOIN 50TH RELOCATION CELEBRATION By Pat Matsuo, President, Hilo Meishoin

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Hilo Meishoin celebrated 50 years at the present location on 97 Olona Street. The celebration of the dedication of the new church happened on the same day 50 years ago on April 26, 1964. I can remember participating in a chigo parade in which girls wore dresses with a sheer vest and a crown-like ornament on our head and boys wore a white dress shirt with a bow tie and black dress pants. We all carried a bunch of flower while marching around in the parade. On that day we took the commemorative photo in front of the church, there were so many people and young children. We were all those young children. It was a very festive and proud day for all of us. For our 50th anniversary, chairpersons Russell Morita and Dale Nagata did an excellent job in planning and working hard in making the event a very successful one. They involved a lot of different members by giving them different jobs and responsibilities and organized the preparing of traditional-style local foods such as nishime, temaki sushi, bara sushi, namasu, baked chicken, steamed fish, shirae, okara, potato macaroni salad, and sekihan. The delicious dishes brought back fond memories of the good old days. We invited members statewide to the Big Island and were also fortunate to have Bishop Hara come to help us celebrate the special day. We ended the day with bingo and many people went home with different prizes.

ALOHA STATE MEISHO YBA CONVENTION By Jocelyn Tengan, Kahului Jodo Mission YBA

The 73rd Aloha Meisho Senior YBA convention was held in Hilo, Hawaii on June 6-8, 2014, with the theme being, “Jodo is the Middle Way”. Truth be told, as a participant, I was not mindful of this year’s theme of a “balanced way of living” as there was too much food to enjoy, the overload of information I received about the history of the Young Buddhist Association and of the temples on the east side of the Big Island, and the outpouring of the aloha spirit amongst the units all contributed to be off balanced, due to having too much of a good time. Fried menpachi, namako, warabi salad, and lychee were foods just on the tip of the food iceberg that the Hilo unit prepared for us. A delicious Hawaiian luau was planned for Friday’s welcome banquet and a scrumptious prime rib dinner with shrimp and roast pork was on the menu for Saturday’s aloha banquet, not to mention the foods in between! Now you can see why anyone would have overeaten! We had an opportunity to visit Kurtistown, Hamakua, and Hakalau Jodo Missions. During our pilgrimage, Rev. Miyasaki and Rev. Wansa shared about the history of our wonderful organization and the ministers and dedicated members who helped to build and sustain the Pure Land movement in Hawaii. This newfound knowledge makes me thankful and committed to continue be follow the teachings of Amida Buddha. It is always a treat to rekindle old friendships and make new friends and to know that we all have a common interest to strengthen Buddhism for a brighter future. Having the convention on different islands allows me to see friends who may not be able to travel, but can attend the hosted convention, so I look forward to going to Oahu next year! Now that I am back home and recuperated from having too much fun, I am following that middle path of balance… Everything in moderation…(haha) … Hope to see you soon…until our next YBA convention!

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Ono food at Hilo Meishoin Hilo Farmer’s Market Farmer’s Market

YOUTH RETREAT ON MAUI By Rev. John Cho-on Hara

On March 21–22, 2014, the Maui temples held a Cultural Youth Camp at the Lahaina Jodo Mission. Seven children between the ages of 9 to 12 attended. As part of the two-day retreat, the kids set up tents, cleaned the hall and kitchen in preparation for dinner, and learned about all that goes into mochi pounding.

Followed by a beach cleanup, the kids happily played in the water. At dinner, lasagna and garlic bread was served. Then the kids learned how to wash and soak mochi rice over night. The night ended with a round of charades and the ringing of the large temple bell.

Baldwin High school students were invited to the mochitsuki event, the following day. At 9 a.m., Bishop Hara chanted the opening prayers and welcomed everyone. Mr. Rory Sato and his Japanese culture club students participated in the making of the mochi, which took until noon to make. Though it was a lot of work, all the participants enjoyed the event and even got to take home some mochi to share with their family and friends. All of this would not have been possible without the generous help of the parents and friends, who volunteered their services.

The Youth Retreat is an important part of building the next generation of Jodo Shu members in Hawaii as it draws not only children but gets parents involved with the temples too. Developing and promoting youth programs and activities are vital for the future of Jodo Shu in Hawaii. I hope that all the temples will work together to hold youth retreats on their islands and will support more youth programs. Please feel free to contact me if you have any ideas on educational programs or on how you can help in the future (tel. 244-0066/johnhara@gmail.com).

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Installation of new Meisho YBA officers

Participants in the temple Enjoying evening bell ringing Offering prayers to begin mochi pounding

Visitation of Hamakua Jodo Mission during YBA Convention

UPCOMING EVENTS & WHAT’S NEW

* LAYPERSONS/RENGO FUJINKAI CONVENTION IN HILO / Sept. 19–21, 2014 (Fri.–Sun.)The 23rd Layperson’s Association and 24th Hawaii Jodo Shu Rengo Fujinkai convention will be held in Hilo. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel offers a special rate of $125/night (until Aug. 15; call the hotel at 808-935-9361 and mention “Jodo Shu Convention”). In addition to the General meeting and a farmer’s market excursion, a Bon Dancercise is planned so bring your hapi coat! For more information, please contact Rev. Miyazaki, tel. 935-6996 or email: gongqi326@hotmail.com or Bob Miyake, tel. 938-8336 or email: r_e_miyake@hawaiiantel.net.

* 120TH YEAR COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE AT HAMAKUA JODO MISSION / Sept. 20, 2014 (Sat.) In March 1894, Rev. Taijo Matsuo first sailed to Hawaii to start Jodo Shu missionary work in Hawaii. In May of the same year, Rev. Gakuo Okabe arrived and joined Rev. Matsuo in spreading the teachings of O-Nenbut-su. These two priests were not just the first Jodo Shu missionaries but the first official Japanese Buddhist mis-sionaries among all the sects from Japan to arrive in Hawaii. Rev. Matsuo dedicated five difficult years before he fell ill and returned to Japan, where he died two weeks later. In 1896, Rev. Okabe and the devoted members from five local plantation communities in the Hamakua area built the first Buddhist temple in the entire state as a worship place for all Japanese immigrants.

This year marks 120 years since the arrival of Rev. Matsuo and Rev. Okabe. Their great sacrifice and effort contributed to the later growth of Jodo Shu in Hawaii. In conjunction with the Laypersons/Fujinkai Conven-tion, a special 120th Anniversary commemorative service will be observed at historic Hamakua Jodo Mission. Please come join in this auspicious celebration!

* WAILUKU JODO MISSION CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION / Oct. 25, 2014 (Sat.)Founded in 1914, Wailuku Jodo Mission will observe its Centennial Service and commemorative luncheon at Kahili golf course. For more information, please contact Rev. John Hara, tel. 244-0066 or johnhara@gmail.com

NEW OTSUTOME BOOKThe Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions is pleased to announce the publication of our long-awaited, revised Otsutome book. In a completely new format, the new book has most of the contents of the previous much-cherished Otsutome book. The sutra section now brings together Japanese reading, kanji, Romanized reading, and English translation line by line.

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The main altar of Hamakua Jodo Mission, made of Hawaiian koa

wood by pioneer Japanese immigrants

Portrait of Rev. Gakuo Okabe

CHALLENGE + HOBBY = YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Is it possible for Jodo Shu to attract a general audience? If so, how can people get to know more about Jodo Shu? Launching a Youtube Channel has been my answer since March, 2009. I started this because it was free and I had nothing to lose. I simply thought this could be a very good way for free advertisement, communication, and propagation. I also thought if I could provide various information on the internet, it could make Jodo Shu teachings more accessible to a larger audience, and as a result, they might be interested in Jodo Shu. Now I have over one hundred subscribers and surprisingly, some have even come to Sunday Service after watching my channel. I hope many will enjoy my Dharma talks, messages, and videos on my Youtube channel.

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Today, we have all kinds of information that we couldn’t have imagined not too long ago readily at our fingertips. Two of our Hawaii hardworking ministers—Rev. Ishikawa (Koloa) and Rev. Ezaki (Halei-wa)—are reaching out to a larger audience through their inspirational and educational Dharma talks and chanting on the internet. Rev. Ishikawa tells us why he started his Youtube channel, which now has as many as 115 subscribers. Rev. Ezaki, who recently started, delivers his online sermons in English and Jap-anese. You too can check them out on www.youtube.com (search “Kosen Ishikawa” and “Koji Ezaki”)! Please tell your friends, who are interested in Buddhism, about them too!

Rev. Ishikawa lecturing in St. Honen’s One-Sheet Document

Rev. Ezaki’s sermon on Buddhist psychotherapy

Front row (seated): Bishop Hara (Lahaina) and Rev. Narashiba (Betsuin); Back row (left to right): Rev. John Hara (Wailuku), Rev. Nakano (Betsuin), Rev. Miyazaki (Hilo, Kurtistown, Hakalau), Rev.

Ezaki (Haleiwa), Rev. Ishikawa (Koloa), Rev. Wansa (Hamakua, Hawi, Kohala), and Rev. Akiya (Kapaa).

GO JODO SHU HAWAII SENSEIS! Our dedicated team of ministers at their recent Min-isters’ Meeting in Ikoi Hall at the Jodo Mission of Hawaii (Betsuin) on April 22, 2014. Members and Friends, your cooperation and devotion to our tem-ples and community are greatly appreciated!

HAWAII COUNCIL OF JODO MISSIONS 2014 O-BON SCHEDULE

Each temple offers a unique and colorful experience. If you happen to be on another island during an O-bon service or Bon Dance, why not join in to participate or lend a helping hand? Everyone at the temples will be happy to see you!

Temple Dates* Additional InformationKapaa Jodo Mission June 1 (Sat.) Osegaki service onlyKapaa Jodo Mission June 6 & 7 (Fri. & Sat.) Wailuku Jodo Mission June 20 (Fri.) Lahaina Jodo Mission July 4 & 5 (Fri. & Sat.) Fri. service only/Sat. toro nagashi, danceKohala Jodo Mission July 12 (Sat.) Osegaki service onlyKoloa Jodo Mission July 13 (Sun.) Osegaki service onlyHaleiwa Jodo Mission July 18 & 19 (Fri. & Sat.) Sat. toro nagashi, danceHilo Meishoin July 18 & 19 (Fri. & Sat.) Koloa Jodo Mission July 18 & 19 (Fri. & Sat.) Betsuin July 25 (Fri.) Osegaki service onlyKurtistown Jodo Mission Aug. 2 (Sat.) Hawi Jodo Mission Aug. 2 (Sat.) Osegaki service onlyKahului Jodo Mission Aug. 9 (Sat.) Hamakua Jodo Mission Aug. 9 (Sat.) Osegaki service onlyKoloa Jodo Mission Aug. 10 (Sun.) Toro nagashi onlyBetsuin Aug. 15 & 16 (Fri. & Sat.) Hakalau Jodo Mission Aug. 16 (Sat.) *List for service and Bon Dance, unless otherwise noted.

Colorful Bon Dance in Lahaina Otoba kuyo at Betsuin Floating Lantern Ceremony in Haleiwa

For suggestions on future articles and/or comments, please write us at hawaiibuddhism@gmail.com