Namo Amida Butsu
I would like to sincerely thank everyone for making the Wailuku Hongwanji Buddhist Women’s Association’s (BWA) 120th Anniversary Memorial Service on September 21st and the BWA Craft Sale on October 18 a great success. I deeply appreciate your warm understanding, cooperation, and support. Seeing everyone’s smiles reminds me that the temple is truly a wonderful place, a place of gratitude and joy where the smiles of many can be seen.
During Sunday services, I often say, “The temple is our spiritual home” and use various metaphors to express that “The temple is a place where we all share joy.”
The other day, I was talking with some members, and since it had been a long time since we last met, I invited them to my office for coffee. One person surprised me by saying, “Sensei, the temple office has always seemed like a place only special people go to. It has nothing to do with people like us who don’t do anything.” I replied, “Not at all. The temple office is not just for special people, it is a place where everyone in the temple can come freely, talk, and enjoy themselves. There’s always coffee, cookies, and souvenirs, so it’s a space to relax and chat.”
While we were talking, members of the BWA and others from the temple came in, and soon the room was filled with lively conversation. Before leaving, one person said, “Sensei, the temple office is like a coffee shop it was so much fun! I met many people I know. Can I come again?” I smiled and replied, “This is your temple. Please come anytime.”
There is a wonderful story about Rennyo Shōnin from about 550 years ago. During his time, the Hongwanji grew into a large religious organization, and many people from all over Japan traveled to Yamashina Hongwanji Temple in Kyoto to hear the Nembutsu. Since there was no modern transportation, people walked many miles to get there. Along the way, they sometimes visited hot springs and sightseeing spots, but records show that Rennyo Shōnin instructed the temple staff:
“If parishioners visit on a hot day, wash their feet and serve them cold sake to soothe their fatigue. If they visit in the cold winter, serve them hot sake to warm their bodies.”
The Hongwanji deeply appreciated those who made the long journey and served as a spiritual refuge for its members.
We at Wailuku Hongwanji are also a place of peace, built and nurtured by many great Nembutsu pioneers, a spiritual refuge and home for all of you. I was touched recently when a Dharma School student, who also attends the Japanese Language School, said to another student: “This is my church. It’s a fun place where we play games together. You should come too. We can have fun and enjoy being with friends.”
Wailuku Hongwanji is a place where you can find peace and relaxation. It is not a place only for certain people. If you look at our temple services, you will see people from all age groups – Dharma School children, young parents, and senior members – interacting, learning, and sharing the joy of life with one another. These are great Dharma lessons we receive from our temple.
The temple is always a place of spiritual rest for you, a warm place where you can find peace and see everyone’s smiles. One of our Dharma friends makes the temple grounds beautiful with flowers, maintains the property like the Pure Land of Amida, and cleans the inside of the temple, especially wiping all seating places of pews on Thursdays as a form of spiritual dana.
Wailuku Hongwanji is your spiritual home a warm place where you can encounter the heart of Amida Buddha. While I cannot serve sake in my office like Rennyo Shōnin once did, however, our office staff can offer coffee, sweets, smiles, and a welcoming space where you can feel spiritual peace and serenity. Please visit our temple and office anytime.
