OCEAN OCEAN Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Volume 7, Issue 12 Path of Entrusting - Live the Teachings! December 2013 Bodhi Day: Celebrating Buddha’s Enlightenment By Reverend Richard Tennes Most of us know that Buddhism began a long time ago in India with the enlight- enment or “awakening” of Shakyamuni Buddha. In December, Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day, a time to reflect on the Buddha’s enlightenment and to consider what that “awakening” has to do with our lives today. “Shakyamuni Buddha” is the way we traditionally refer to the historical Buddha, the person who lived in Northern India about 2,500 years ago. His name, before he became the Buddha (the “awakened one”) was “Siddhartha Gautama” or just “Siddhartha” for short. Siddhartha was an ordinary person, a human being, like all of us. What is his story? Unlike most of us, however, Siddhartha’s father happened to be a king, and he wanted his son to be king after him. One thing he was afraid of, though, was that his son might become a religious seeker. If that happened, he knew that his son would never be the king. To be a king, a person really has to care about ruling over others; he has to enjoy power. But spiritual seekers don’t care about power; they are only interested in what is good and true. So, in order to keep Siddhartha safe from the kind of thoughts that inevitably lead to spiritual questions, questions about life and death, his father kept him in a wonderful palace where he could have everything he wanted and where he never saw anything that might disturb his happiness. Here, Siddhartha was given everything he could ever want, and what’s more, he never experienced or saw anything that might have suggested the existence of suf- fering in the world. In other words, he never saw sickness, old age, or death. His father actually shielded Sid- dhartha from anyone who was sick or old or unhappy or angry; he even protected him from hearing stories or news about such things! Everyone that Siddhartha saw, everyone that took care of him, had to be young, healthy, and beautiful and had to be happy and smiling all the time. He must have thought that everything in life was always happy, young, and new! In this way, Siddhartha was kept from encountering anything that might have awakened him to the truth of impermanence, to reality. In this way, Siddhartha’s father tried to ensure that his son would become a good king and not a religious seeker. But, as you might guess, when parents try to shield their children from reality, it seldom works out well. As Siddhartha’s father got older, he too had to stop visiting his son. Otherwise, Siddhartha might have seen his father ageing and start to realize that there is impermanence in the world. Anyone who got sick or had problems of any kind—which might have revealed that life was not all happiness and goodness—had to leave the palace. When this happened, Siddhartha must have wondered why his friends and family members eventually disappeared, one-by-one, from his life. Even though his father was successful in preventing his son from seeing people age, Siddhartha must have asked himself “where did they go?” He must also have begun to wonder what went on outside his wonderful palace! One day, despite all the precautions his father had taken, Siddhartha was able to sneak out of the palace and to take a look at the real world. He was really shocked by what he saw. He saw people working desper- ately hard growing grain and vegetables. He saw others laboring to make bread and other foods. He saw poor people suffering from hunger. This was unbelievable to Siddhartha because he had always received whatever (continued on next page)
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OCEANOCEAN
Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Volume 7, Issue 12 Path of Entrusting - Live the Teachings! December 2013
Bodhi Day: Celebrating Buddha’s Enlightenment
By Reverend Richard Tennes
Most of us know that Buddhism began a long time ago in India with the enlight-
enment or “awakening” of Shakyamuni Buddha. In December, Buddhists celebrate
Bodhi Day, a time to reflect on the Buddha’s enlightenment and to consider what
that “awakening” has to do with our lives today.
“Shakyamuni Buddha” is the way we traditionally refer to the historical Buddha,
the person who lived in Northern India about 2,500 years ago. His name, before he
became the Buddha (the “awakened one”) was “Siddhartha Gautama” or just
“Siddhartha” for short. Siddhartha was an ordinary person, a human being, like all
of us. What is his story? Unlike most of us, however, Siddhartha’s father happened
to be a king, and he wanted his son to be king after him. One thing he was afraid of,
though, was that his son might become a religious seeker. If that happened, he knew that his son would never
be the king. To be a king, a person really has to care about ruling over others; he has to enjoy power. But
spiritual seekers don’t care about power; they are only interested in what is good and true. So, in order to
keep Siddhartha safe from the kind of thoughts that inevitably lead to spiritual questions, questions about life
and death, his father kept him in a wonderful palace where he could have everything he wanted and where he
never saw anything that might disturb his happiness. Here, Siddhartha was given everything he could ever
want, and what’s more, he never experienced or saw anything that might have suggested the existence of suf-
fering in the world. In other words, he never saw sickness, old age, or death. His father actually shielded Sid-
dhartha from anyone who was sick or old or unhappy or angry; he even protected him from hearing stories or
news about such things! Everyone that Siddhartha saw, everyone that took care of him, had to be young,
healthy, and beautiful and had to be happy and smiling all the time. He must have thought that everything in
life was always happy, young, and new! In this way, Siddhartha was kept from encountering anything that
might have awakened him to the truth of impermanence, to reality. In this way, Siddhartha’s father tried to
ensure that his son would become a good king and not a religious seeker.
But, as you might guess, when parents try to shield their children from reality, it seldom works out
well. As Siddhartha’s father got older, he too had to stop visiting his son. Otherwise, Siddhartha might have
seen his father ageing and start to realize that there is impermanence in the world. Anyone who got sick or
had problems of any kind—which might have revealed that life was not all happiness and goodness—had to
leave the palace. When this happened, Siddhartha must have wondered why his friends and family members
eventually disappeared, one-by-one, from his life. Even though his father was successful in preventing his
son from seeing people age, Siddhartha must have asked himself “where did they go?” He must also have
begun to wonder what went on outside his wonderful palace!
One day, despite all the precautions his father had taken, Siddhartha was able to sneak out of the palace
and to take a look at the real world. He was really shocked by what he saw. He saw people working desper-
ately hard growing grain and vegetables. He saw others laboring to make bread and other foods. He saw poor
people suffering from hunger. This was unbelievable to Siddhartha because he had always received whatever
(continued on next page)
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Maui Hongwanji Ministers Association is organizing a special Community Memorial Service in
support of the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan on Friday, December 20 at Kahului Hongwanji Mission.
For more information, please call the temple office.
Reverend Tennes’s open office hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, 10:30 am—12:30 pm. If you wish
to see Rev. Tennes outside these times, please call the temple at 871-4732 or email him at
At the 98th Legislative Assembly of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii held in February 2010,
presided over by State President Mr. Alton Miyamoto and Bishop Thomas Okano, the Honpa Hongwanji Mis-
sion of Hawaii, upon the recommendation of the HHMH Committee on Social Concerns, officially adopted a
resolution supporting the rights of same-gender couples which was shared with the General Public. In Febru-
ary 2011, Civil Unions were recognized in the State of Hawaii.
On September 9, 2013, the Honorable Governor Neil Abercrombie called for a Special Session of the
Hawaii State Legislature relating to Marriage Equality or Same-sex Marriage. The Senate Hearing was held on
October 28, 2013 and the House Hearing was held on October 31, 2013, at both Hearings Bishop Eric Matsu-
moto of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii testified in person in support of Marriage Equality with the
following moving testimony.
In Strong Support of Senate Bill 1 Relating to Equal Rights (Testimony given at Senate Hearing and House Hearing by Rev. Eric Matsumoto, Bishop)
I would like to express my strong support of Senate Bill 1. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii is the larg-
est Buddhist denomination in Hawaii with 33 temples throughout the State. For nearly 125 years, we have been
sharing the message of an All-Inclusive Wisdom and All-Embracing Compassion which aspires for the peace and
happiness of all existence. Guided by Great Wisdom and Compassion, we are encouraged to equally respect all
people. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s support of marriage equality is based on the equality of all
people.
We believe that marriage equality is a basic civil right of any person. Further in any relationship, what are most
important are the commitment, respect and trust that people bring to the relationship. The choice to marry the
person you love is a freedom that should not be denied to anyone. Gay and lesbian couples wish to marry for
similar reasons as anyone else – to make a lifetime commitment filled with love and fidelity to the person they
love.
I believe that religious freedom is adequately protected by the bill. It is clear that no member of the clergy will
be required to perform a wedding ceremony with which he or she does not agree. On the other hand, the pas-
sage of the bill will provide clergy the opportunity to marry all individuals who are deeply committed to each
other. It is clear that some religious denominations will perform marriages for same-gender couples, and some
will not, just as some houses of worship perform interfaith marriages and some will not. This bill does not
change this fact.
This bill expands religious freedom and rights to more people in our Nation through our State. I believe it is in
the spirit of our great Nation and our Aloha State to welcome, embrace and provide for all people. I know our
ministers would welcome the opportunity to perform weddings for same-gender couples as it also affirms our
spiritual values. True Compassion and Aloha includes all!
I humbly ask for your support for same-gender couples having the right to marry in Hawaii. Thank you for this
opportunity to testify.
Bishop Matsumoto was also one of several clergy who spoke at a rally held by supporters at Capitol
Rotunda which was also attended by Rev. Shindo Nishiyama and Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani. Bishop Matsumoto
was present at the State Capitol during various times throughout the special session to show the support of the
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. There were some tense moments between supporters and opponents
who had gathered at the State Capitol, but in the end Hawaii lived up to its name of the Aloha State.
13 Volume 7, Issue 12 OCEAN Page
Highlights of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii—continued Rev. Blayne Higa, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Concerns, also sent letters of support to all Sen-
ators and Representatives on behalf of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. He delivered an Invocation at
the opening of the House of Representatives to provide guidance to those in attendance. He served as the criti-
cal link between the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and various other supporting organizations such as
Hawaii United for Marriage, ACLU, other clergy in support of marriage equality and many other groups in-
cluding Legislators. Bishop and he were invited to attend the By-Invitation only signing of the Bill by the Gov-
ernor of Hawaii held at the Hawaii Convention Center on November 13, 2013 which made Hawaii the 15th
State together with the District of Columbia in the Nation to recognize same-sex marriage. In attendance to
witness this significant moment was Representative Richard Onishi of Hilo, Hawaii.
The support and presence of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, as the largest denomination of Bud-
dhism in Hawaii, was appreciated by many supporters and seems to have impacted a significant number of in-
dividuals including Legislators. Bishop Matsumoto stated that he was very proud to represent the Honpa
Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and expresses his appreciation to the Members and Supporters of the Honpa
Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for sharing their perspective and value on the equality of all people with the rest
of the Community. He is overjoyed that Jodo Shin Buddhists are being guided by Wisdom and inspired by
Compassion and that is making a difference in our world.
Truly thanks to the support and dedication of so many people all across the State who supported Marriage
Equality by submitting written and oral testimony, contacted Legislators, participated in rallies, signed peti-
tions and informed the Honpa Hongwanji of their support and appreciation, we have marriage equality in our
State. Thank you for your support! Let us continue our efforts to promote more awareness, mutual respect and
understanding among all people. Thank you!
2014 Giseikai
The 2014 HHMH Legislative Assembly (Giseikai) will be held on February 7 & 8, 2014 at the Honpa
Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. The registration fee for Giseikai is $100.00 (includes Living Treasures luncheon
fee). Rap Session fee is $8.00. The Registration form and other documents that need to be submitted for Gis-
eikai were already sent to the temples and organization leaders. Please submit all the documents to HQ by the
deadline described in the letter. The packet containing materials for Giseikai will be distributed at the Hawaii
Kyodan Board of Directors’ Meeting on December 7, 2013. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Living Treasures of Hawaii recognition Luncheon The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii will honor the following individuals as the 2014 Living Treas-
ures of Hawai’i™ in recognition of their personal and professional achievements and their contributions to the
community. We welcome you to celebrate this honor with them.
Reverend Ida Chun Dr. Samuel Gon III Robert Hamada Arthur & Rene Kimura Reverend Chikai Yosemori
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2014 Place: Sheraton Waikiki Hotel Time: 11:00 AM Registration, 12:00 PM Lunch and Program Cost: Early registration - $70.00 for payments received by January 24, 2014
Late registration - $85.00 for payments between January 25-February 3, 2014 (Reservations will NOT be accepted after February 3, 2014) Sponsor Tables are available: Gold - $5,000; Silver - $3,000; Bronze - $1,500
*To register, please call your temple office for the form to be completed.
IMOP Ministers’ Internship in Hawaii
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii welcomed two ministers who were in the International Ministerial
Orientation Program (IMOP) at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkley, CA. During the three-month program, the
participating ministers take classes at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, receives lectures from the Kaikyoshi
(Overseas Minister) and members, attends Sunday Services, and observes Kaikyoshi’s duties and responsibili-
ties to deepen his/her understanding and aspiration to become a Kaikyoshi Minister in Overseas districts. The
14 Volume 7, Issue 12 OCEAN Page
Highlights of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii—continued
Kaikyoshi aspirants from Japan must complete the IMOP in order to be officially registered as Kaikyoshi Min-
ister by Honzan (Mother temple in Kyoto). Honzan will then dispatch the new minister to Honpa Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii, Buddhist Churches of America, or Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada based on the
needs from the district and the aspiration of the minister.
This year Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii supported this program by welcoming two individuals for
their 9 days internship in Hawaii. This year’s IMOP participants, Rev. Yuko Kubo and Rev. Daido Baba,
went through the Internship in Hawaii from October 19 to 27, 2013 under the supervision of Rev. Toshiyuki
Umitani. They received lectures and observed minister’s work from the Hawaii Kyodan Ministers, had a fel-
lowship with BSC Fellowship Club, and delivered a Dharma Message at Waipahu Hongwanji Mission. They
both showed their great interest in becoming a Kaikyoshi Minister in overseas districts.
Appreciation Gathering for the Retired Ministers and Spouses
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii annually invite all the retired ministers and their spouses to express
our appreciation for their service and dedication to the Hawaii Kyodan. This year’s gathering was held on No-
vember 2, 2013 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. At the opening service, Bishop Eric Matsumoto and
Mr. Alton Miyamoto delivered a message of appreciation on behalf of the active ministers and members of
HHMH. An appreciation luncheon was held at the Bishop’s residence.
Dr. George Tanabe receives the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
On November 3, 2013 (Japan time), the Government of Japan announced the 49 foreign recipients of the
Fall 2013 Imperial Decorations. From Hawaii, Dr. George Joji Tanabe, Jr., Professor Emeritus of the Depart-
ment of Religion at the University of Hawaii at Manoa was selected to receive the Order of the Rising Sun,
Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Service: Contributed to the enhancement of mutual understanding between the
United States and Japan and the promotion of Japanese culture and values through research and studies in Jap-
anese Religions and for his contributions to the strengthening of academic and cultural exchanges between the
United States and Japan.
In 1977, he joined the faculty of the Department of Religion at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where
he taught religion and Buddhist philosophy for 28 years, as well as concentrating his efforts on writing books
and articles and doing public lectures on Japanese Buddhism and Japanese culture. Dr. Tanabe served as the
Chairman of the Department of Religion from 1991 to 2001.
In 2006, Dr. Tanabe became a Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawaii and continued his writing and
lectures. That year, he also became an Advisor of the Numata Center at the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai.
For 35 years, Dr. Tanabe has been a key figure in Hawaii in the field of religion, mainly in the area of Japa-
nese Buddhism, focusing his efforts on educating students and doing research. He strengthened academic co-
operation between the United States and Japan by visiting Japanese universities and fostering networks with
the research faculty there, and in coordinating academic symposiums such as the International Conference on
the Lotus Sutra and Japanese Culture.
In 2001, following the Ehime Maru incident, Dr. Tanabe assisted and advised the American side on issues
of varying sensitivities involving Japan culture and religion. Dr. Tanabe’s contributions have deepened the un-
derstanding of Japanese religion and Japanese culture, and promoted academic and cultural exchanges between
the United States and Japan.
Donation from JTB
On November 18, 2013, Mr. Kyoji Koitabashi and Ms. Naomi Ozawa of JTB USA Honolulu Office visited
the Bishop Eric Matsumoto to present a grant of $1,000 to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. JTB Cultur-
al Exchange Corporation has established a grant program in 1988 to recognize individuals and organizations
that have shown commitment to enhancing international awareness and relations between the peoples of Japan
and the United States. Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii has been selected to receive this grant award be-
cause of our commitment to strengthening positive relations between Japan and the United States.
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Off
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Phone:
871
-4732
Off
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Fax
: 877
-2640
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December Calendar of Events
Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple 291 South Puunene Avenue Kahului, Hawaii 96732