Namo Amida Butsu
Namo Amida Butsu
The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii will hold its annual Legislative Assembly (Giseikai) this February at the Hawaii Betsuin Social Hall. This gathering brings together Hongwanji members, district directors, and ministers from across the state to discuss and vote on key resolutions over two days. As one of our most important meetings, the assembly is conducted according to Hongwanji’s bylaws, reflecting our shared commitment to the Nembutsu tradition and its values.
This year marks the 113th Giseikai since the establishment of Hawaii Kyodan in 1889. While we don’t have records of the first assembly or the resolutions discussed back then, it’s clear that our predecessors valued a democratic process in their meetings, which remains a cornerstone of our organization today. Over the decades, the topics have evolved from internal programs and issues to include broader social concerns, reflecting the Hongwanji Mission’s integral role in our communities.
As I participate in my 40th Giseikai this year, I feel deeply honored to be part of this enduring legacy. I am grateful for the dedication and sacrifices of the Nembutsu pioneers who built and maintained the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for over 135 years. Their selfless efforts serve as a guiding light for us today.// Our assembly begins on Friday morning with an opening service in the Hondo of Hawaii Betsuin. The recitation of Vandana and Ti-Sarana, followed by sutra chanting, sets the tone for the event. During this service, we honor and remember the dedicated leaders who have passed away since the last assembly. This tradition, maintained for over a century, connects us to the values and legacy of the Nembutsu.
The general assembly follows, with nearly 160 delegates and observers gathering in the social hall to deliberate on critical issues. Resolutions approved by the majority receive our collective support— both financial and physical—ensuring their successful implementation. In recent years, we’ve opened the assembly to representatives from affiliated Hongwanji organizations, allowing us to hear their voices and collaborate more effectively. This inclusion strengthens our mission and supports these organizations in their service to the community.
The Legislative Assembly also serves as a reminder of our responsibility to pass on the values of sincerity, compassion, and truth to future generations. As the Buddha taught, “As the light of a small candle will spread from one to another in succession, so the light of Buddha’s compassion will pass on from one mind to another endlessly.” Through this process, we create a brighter future for the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, ensuring that the teachings of the Nembutsu continue to inspire and guide us. In the Buddha’s teachings, it is said:
“The rain of the sacred teaching falls on all people alike without regard to their conditions or circumstances. Those who accept it gather into small groups, then into organizations, into communities, and finally find themselves in the great Ocean of Enlightenment. The minds of these people mix like milk and water and finally organize into a harmonious Brotherhood. Thus, true teaching is the fundamental requirement of a perfect organization, and it is the light that enables people to recognize one another, to become adjusted to one another, and to smooth out the rough places in their thinking.”
Let us remember that we are all embraced by the infinite wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha. May we live each day with gratitude for this boundless guidance.
