Namo Amida Butsu
As you may know, great athletes captivate us with their remarkable skills and performances. Whether it’s the NBA Finals, the World Series, or the NFL Super Bowl, these events are thrilling, and we passionately support our favorite teams with cheers like “Go, Go, Go” and “Defense, Defense.” In each winning team, there is often a “Hero,” the MVP, who plays a pivotal role in securing victory. Yet, behind every MVP, there are countless individuals working diligently behind the scenes, whose support is crucial to the team’s success, even though they may not receive the spotlight or awards.
The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii is preparing to celebrate a significant milestone with a triple celebration on September 7 and 8 at the Ala Moana Hotel. This momentous event will mark the 135th anniversary of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, the 800th anniversary of the establishment of Hongwanji, and the 850th birthday of Shintani Shonin. We anticipate the participation of ministers from across the state, their families, temple presidents, and our sangha. The celebration will include educational workshops on both days and culminate in a special service with rituals reminiscent of those at our Mother Temple in Kyoto. A dedicated committee of ten ministers will perform a special ritual with the Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii before the altar, echoing a service held in Kyoto in 2023.
As we prepare for this special service, including a unique ritual with Bishop Umitani and other ministers, we are reminded of the honor and sense of community this event represents. It is a once-in-alifetime experience and serves as a poignant reminder of the causes and conditions that have shaped our ministries here in Hawaii. The 135-year history of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii stands as a testament to the strength of our community. We take pride in the work we have done together with our members, sangha, and the wider community, and we have truly become a united Ohana.
As members of Hongwanji, whether minister, temple member, or BWA member, we are all guided by the Nembutsu and have the opportunity to share this profound guidance with our community daily. In the Homages, it is said, “Hard it is to be born into human life; now we are living in it. Difficult it is to hear the Teachings of the Blessed One; now we hear them.” This reminds us to appreciate all we have and to find joy in the happiness of others. The Buddha’s teachings remind us, “Your happiness is my happiness, and your sadness is my sadness, too.”
We are blessed with the “Spiritual Joy of the Nembutsu,” and may we all rejoice in the great joy and happiness that our triple celebration brings. We also look forward to celebrating the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission’s 125th anniversary on October 20, 2024. “Okage-samade,” I am deeply grateful for your dedication, thoughtfulness, and care for our Hongwanji.
