April

NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Honolulu, HI
Permit No. 693
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
The Reason for My Birth
3JOCBO,FOKVO,BXBXBUB
Address Service Requested
In this issue of WA...
‘wa’
Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin
t "MUBSSFTUPSBUJPOQSPKFDUp. 2
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t 5IF"SUPG1BQFS$SBGUJOHp. 3
4
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April 2015
t "DLOPXMFEHNFOUTp. 5
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t5FNQMFBDUJWJUJFTDBMFOEBSp. 6
Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii
Temple Activities Calendar
APRIL 2015
4/11
4/12
4/12
4/14
4/19
4/19
4/21
4/23
4/26
4/26
4/28
4/28
4/28
4/30
Sun 10 am HBC Buddha Day service (Soto Mission)
Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Betsuin Buddha Day service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &
Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Tue 7 pm Dharma Study Center lecture series
Dr. Jay Sakashita of UH-Manoa
Lecture 1:The Story of Buddha
Thu 7 pm Lecture 2: The Dharma Spreads
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Lay speaker: Faye Shigemura
Sun 12 pm Jeanne’s Art of Paper Folding class
Tue 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Tue 7 pm Lecture 3: The Dharma Changes
Thu 7 pm Lecture 4: Japanese Buddhism
Just as when Spring comes, flowers bloom naturally,
Just as when Autumn comes, leaves fall on their own,
In order to be happy, everyone was born,
Just as after flowers of sadness bloom come the fruits of joy.
harmony
t5IF3FBTPOGPS.Z#JSUIp. 1
4/5
4/9
“The reason I was born was to meet my father and mother,
The reason I was born was to meet my brothers and sisters,
The reason I was born was to meet all my friends,
The reason I was born was to meet you, whom I love.
MAY 2015
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &
Sunday school
5/3 Sun 12 pm Jeanne’s Art of Paper Folding class
5/9 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
5/10 Sun 7 pm Sunday service
5/10 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
5/3
現代語で仏教を聞こう
5/12 Tue
5/14 Thu
5/17 Sun
5/17
5/19
5/24
5/26
5/26
5/28
5/31
Sun
Tue
Sun
Tue
Tue
Wed
Sun
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Tanjo-e service
(Celebration of Shinran Shonin’s birth)
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
10 am All Wars memorial service
3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
6:30 pm Movie night
10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
7 pm Sunday service
Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays & 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin Main Hall.
At Higashi Hongwanji, we remain
true to our origins
as an open Sangha, welcoming
anyone who wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
Auditor: Ken Saiki
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Associate Minister:
Frank Childs
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
Wa is published monthly by
Higashi Hongwanji Mission
of Hawaii for its members
and friends. Comments,
articles and other items for
publication consideration
are welcomed.
Editor: Ken Saiki
The reason I was born was I had hurt someone somewhere.
The reason I was born was someone somewhere hurt me.
The reason I was born was someone somewhere saved me.
Masashi Sada’s song may give us
some insight into why we were born. The reason I was born was to save someone somewhere.
Just as when the night comes and darkness naturally falls,
Just as when the morning comes and light naturally shines,
In order to be happy, everyone is living,
Just as from the other side of the sea of sadness comes pure happiness.
The reason I was born was to meet you, whom I love.
The reason I was born was to protect you, whom I love.”
T
he song, “Inochi no Riyuu“ (
), or “The Reason for My Life,” by
Japanese composer, lyricist and folk singer Masashi Sada, is a hauntingly
beautiful song about the meaning of our birth and life. You can see and listen
for yourself why it touched so many people’s hearts in Japan and elsewhere.
Here’s a YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CewhQcJjMdw
When we celebrate Buddha’s birth, we reflect on our lives and on the
Buddha’s birth and life. We think about meaning of our
own birth and life.
Upon reaching their teens, children may begin to ask
questions such as, “Why was I born and what is the
meaning of life? Or why do we have to have suffering?”
These questions arise naturally because of our
existence. Thinking of the meaning of being born and
living is directly connected to the Buddha Dharma. What
Rinban Ken Kawawata
is the purpose of our life?
Even though you may not know the purpose of your life, you can live a
“normal” life going through all the motions, such as getting up in the morning
and going to work, paying your bills, obeying the law and taking care of your
family.
There are many in the world who do not have the time to think about the
purpose of life because they are exerting all their efforts just to survive day by
day. There are those who do have specific goals or purposes for their current
situation. Some students, for example, study very hard to get good grades on
their tests because they want to get into a top-notch university. Athletes may
singlemindedly train to fulfill their goal to compete in the Olympics or play
sports professionally. Other people may want to establish successful
businesses and become wealthy. And if you have health issues, you want to
get past your illnesses and lead a normal life.
We dream and hope for many things for our lives. However, do your
dreams come true? I think your dreams reflect the true purpose of our lives.
You may have already heard many times what the Buddha said about this.
(cont’d on p. 2)
The Reason for My Birth (cont’d from p. 1)
He said life is suffering, and we have many difficulties
in our lives. Life does not always go the way we want.
Our dreams and hopes won’t always come true. But we
don’t want to lose our direction in life. Then what is the
true purpose of our lives?
We often cannot answer these questions right
away. We may be too busy trying to make a living, and
working hard to achieve a comfortable and convenient
life for ourselves. We may dismiss such questions for
our meaningful lives. On the occasion of Buddha Day,
let us pause for a moment to meditate on the meaning
of our birth and life.
I would like to invite everyone to our Hanamatsuri
Buddha Day service on Sunday, April 12 at 10:00 am at
our Betsuin.
Thank you in gassho.
Kenjun Kawawata
Mahalo
Gozaimasu
.&.03*"-'6/&3"-*/63/.&/5#63*"-4&37*$&
Patrick Ohara
Kumiko Sakai
Mildred Tashiro
Gary & Joyce Kurihara Betty Toma
Toshiko Kobata
Kobata family
Doris Goto family
,:0%"/%0/"5*0/
I
We gratefully acknowledge the following for their generous
contributions. If we’ve missed any donor’s name, please accept
our apologies and let us know by calling the Betsuin at 531-9088
so we can make corrections to our records. For donations of $250
or more, receipts/acknowledgment will be issued in accordance
with IRS regulations. For other amounts, receipts will not be
issued unless requested. Thank you for your understanding.
Ethel Umemoto family Annie Uyema
Craig Miyasato
Shirley Nishizawa
Kenneth Kojima
Paul & Judith Tanaka
Moriso Teraoka
Paul Tabata
Diane Funai
Anonymous
Harold & Jane Kudo Susan Kanemoto
Foodland Give Aloha Foodland Super Market Raymond & Fay Uyema Mr. & Mrs. George Yamauchi
n preparation for the our centennial celebration and
Shinran Shonin 750th memorial service anniversary in
2016, the Betsuin is undergoing restoration work to bring
back some of the original luster to the altar area in the
main hall. Metal pieces are being replated while wood
areas are being repaired and reinforced. Re-lacquering of
wood areas will also help protect against termite damage.
The restoration task is being accomplished by
artisans with Kyoto Yuishinan Corp. of Japan. The monthslong project, which started in March, is expected to be
completed by the end of June.
Meanwhile, items which had been kept in the
storage area behind the temple will be used as temporary
replacements in the altar area during services.
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Tadao Iwasaki
Florence Kanno
James & Edith Endo Anonymous
Geraldine Tanoue
Harold & Jane Kudo
Robert & Edwina Takayama
(0+*,"*
Natalie Hanai
Diane Funai
05"/*$&/5&31"3,*/(-05
Jonathan Tani
Briana Sugai
Anonymous
Marilyn Yonekura
Takuo & Sadie Sakai Kikue Kaneshiro
Minako Ito-Song
Eiko Yoshida
Delbert & Jean Watanabe
Frances Maekawa Mitsue Ikari
Sasayo Okazaki
Ellen Miyashiro
Robert & Frances Makiyama
Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka
Margaret Matsuda
Raymond & Fay Uyema
Raymond & Fay Uyema
'-03"-"33"/(&.&/54
Minako Ito-Song
Joyce Masaki
Lawrence Ujimori
In Memoriam
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the late
Ralph Masanori Tanijo (90)
February 26, 2015
Shotsuki Observance for April
O
ur monthly shōtsuki service in remembrance of
temple family members who passed away in the
month of April of a past year will be held on 4VOEBZ
"QSJMThe following list includes members from the
past 25 years .
While shōtsuki services for a loved one are observed
every year, special nenki hōyō memorial services are
A technician removes metal parts from shumidan. Restoration of
the wood portion involves reinforcement, lacquering, polishing,
placing gold leaf on carving parts and finishing with clear lacquer.
2
Top: Wooden parts of center altar are removed for urushi lacquering.
Center: Metal parts are disassembled in preparation for replating.
Bottom: Parts are packed for shipment to Kyoto for restoration.
Shimoe Grace Fujii
Henry Kiyoshi Fukunaga
Kingo Gushikuma
Harriet Yeiko Gushikuma
Chotaro Hane
Suna M. Harada
Yoshiko Harauchi
Shizuko Hayase
Yoshimi “Hash” Hayashi
Takeo Higa
Harue Iwaki
Ralph Kikuo Kaizuka
Dennis Kazuo Kanemori
Makoto Kaya
George Makoto Kaya
Jean Misao Kobata
Uto Koja
Herbert Susumu Kondo
Harry Morio Kumamoto
Edwin Setsuo Matsuoka
Classie Albert McForland
Harue Miike
Misue Miyamoto
Chieko Moriguchi
Clarence Tooru Motoyama
Henry Kichio Mukai
Myles Mitsuo Nakatsu
Mitsue Nakayama
Violet Yoneko Nakayama
Helen Hatsumi Narimasu
Patsy Hideko Nikaido
Juka Nishimura
Mume Nishimura
Shizue Nishioka
Yuku Ohara
held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorial
services for the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and
50th years, normally held during the year prior to the
actual anniversary date.
Call the Betsuin office at 531-9088 for assistance or
for more information.
George Masaji Omura
Rodney Yuji Oshiro
Takashi Otsuka
Ruth Ayako Pacheco
Alice Sueko Ramos
Kiyoto Saiki
Keith Mitsugi Sato
Chieko Sekiya
Take Serikawa
Ushi Shimabukuro
Miyoko Omoto Shinkawa
Shigeru Shirabe
Miyoko Shiramizu
James Seiki Shiroma
Richard Osamu Sorida
Laura Sugai
Yutaka Sumida
Lorraine Toshie Sumiye
Francis Torao Suzuki
Marian Taguma
Shigeru Tanaka
Takeshi Tanaka
Umeno Tanijo
Edward Tokunaga
Edward Matao Tokunaga
Dorothy Fumiko Torikawa
Robert Kazuo Toyama
Haruko Tsuda
Matsue Tsuji
Richard M. “Bosco” Tsukiyama
Koichi Uesato
Jean Shizuko Uyema
Mitsuyo Watanabe
Tamayo K. Yoshimoto
Henry Toshio Yoshino
5
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Dharma Study Center
/FXTPOUIF
presents a four-part lecture series
Buddhism: Different Countries, Different Traditions
Guest lecturer: Dr. Jay Sakashita
Professor, Department of Religion, University of Hawaii
Tuesday, April 21
Thursday, April 23
Tuesday, April 28
Thursday, April 30
Introduction: Story of the Buddha
The Dharma Spreads: Theravada & Mahayana Buddhism
The Dharma Changes: Chinese, Korean & Tibetan Buddhism
The Dharma Becomes Japanese: Japanese Buddhism
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm each evening
Place: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Honolulu, HI 96817
Fee:
$9 per lecture
An alumnus of the University of Hawai‘i, Jay received his Ph.D. degree
from the University of Stirling in Scotland, where his research focused on
contemporary Japanese religions. His work has appeared in newspapers,
magazines, journals, and books. Jay is also Assistant Professor of Religion
at Leeward Community College where he teaches several courses in
religion, including those related to Christianity and Japanese religions. He
has no hobbies, no time to read books, and absolutely no social life. This
is his children’s fault.
Dr. Jay Sakashita
Name____________________________________________________________________________________
Retired Rinban Fukuhara was guest speaker
at the Betsuin’s March 15 Ohigan service.
#VEEIB%BZTFSWJDFTUPCFIFME
BU4PUP.JTTJPOBOE#FUTVJO
Members of various Buddhist
sects in Hawaii will gather April 5 at
Soto Mission of Hawaii to celebrate
Buddha’s birth at a joint service held
#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT
by the Hawaii Buddhist Council
(HBC). The service starts at 9:00 am
at Soto Mission at 1708 Nuuanu Ave.
Sunday services will not be held at
our Betsuin that day.
Guest speaker is Dr. Jay Sakashita
of the University of Hawaii - Manoa
Religion Department.
The joint service will be a good
opportunity to meet members of
various temples affiliated with HBC,
including the Higashi Hongwanji,
Honpa Hongwanji, Jodo, Nichiren,
Shingon and Tendai denominations.
The Betsuin will celebrate Buddha’s
birthday the following week with a
Hanamatsuri service on Sunday, April
12, starting at 10:00 am.
Rinban Ken Kawawata will
present dharma message, while
the temple ukulele band is scheduled
to accompany the gatha singing.
%S4BLBTIJUBMFDUVSFTUPDPWFS
WBSJPVT#VEEIJTUUSBEJUJPOT
Be sure to mark four dates on
your calendar this month for a series
of four Dharma Study Center lectures
by UH Religion Professor Jay Sakashita
that you definitely won’t want to miss.
The lecture series delves into how
Buddhism and associated traditions
developed and evolved as it
progressed through the various
countries throughout Asia.
Dr. Sakashita has an uncanny
knack for weaving interesting and
amusing anecdotes into ordinarily dry
subject material and has gained a
reputation as one of the most popular
lecturers on campus.
See page 4 for more details.
Because of the scheduled lecture on
the 4th Tuesday, there will be no
Movie Night this month.
The art of Paper Crafting
Sunday, April 26, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Preparation & folding of paper
Sunday, May 3, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Assembly of tsuru using your folded paper
Paper crafting instructor:
Jeanne Kawawata
Cost of materials:
$4.00 per tsuru
(light lunch included at 11:00 am)
Please call to reserve your spot
or if you have questions.
Phone: 531-9088
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Honolulu, HI 96817
'6563&130+&$54
Address __________________________________________________________________________________
#BMM
City__________________________________________ State ________ Zip ___________________________
Telephone_____________________________________Email_______________________________________
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
.FOJOCPBU
1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Telephone (808) 531-9088
4
3
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Dharma Study Center
/FXTPOUIF
presents a four-part lecture series
Buddhism: Different Countries, Different Traditions
Guest lecturer: Dr. Jay Sakashita
Professor, Department of Religion, University of Hawaii
Tuesday, April 21
Thursday, April 23
Tuesday, April 28
Thursday, April 30
Introduction: Story of the Buddha
The Dharma Spreads: Theravada & Mahayana Buddhism
The Dharma Changes: Chinese, Korean & Tibetan Buddhism
The Dharma Becomes Japanese: Japanese Buddhism
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm each evening
Place: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Honolulu, HI 96817
Fee:
$9 per lecture
An alumnus of the University of Hawai‘i, Jay received his Ph.D. degree
from the University of Stirling in Scotland, where his research focused on
contemporary Japanese religions. His work has appeared in newspapers,
magazines, journals, and books. Jay is also Assistant Professor of Religion
at Leeward Community College where he teaches several courses in
religion, including those related to Christianity and Japanese religions. He
has no hobbies, no time to read books, and absolutely no social life. This
is his children’s fault.
Dr. Jay Sakashita
Name____________________________________________________________________________________
Retired Rinban Fukuhara was guest speaker
at the Betsuin’s March 15 Ohigan service.
#VEEIB%BZTFSWJDFTUPCFIFME
BU4PUP.JTTJPOBOE#FUTVJO
Members of various Buddhist
sects in Hawaii will gather April 5 at
Soto Mission of Hawaii to celebrate
Buddha’s birth at a joint service held
#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT
by the Hawaii Buddhist Council
(HBC). The service starts at 9:00 am
at Soto Mission at 1708 Nuuanu Ave.
Sunday services will not be held at
our Betsuin that day.
Guest speaker is Dr. Jay Sakashita
of the University of Hawaii - Manoa
Religion Department.
The joint service will be a good
opportunity to meet members of
various temples affiliated with HBC,
including the Higashi Hongwanji,
Honpa Hongwanji, Jodo, Nichiren,
Shingon and Tendai denominations.
The Betsuin will celebrate Buddha’s
birthday the following week with a
Hanamatsuri service on Sunday, April
12, starting at 10:00 am.
Rinban Ken Kawawata will
present dharma message, while
the temple ukulele band is scheduled
to accompany the gatha singing.
%S4BLBTIJUBMFDUVSFTUPDPWFS
WBSJPVT#VEEIJTUUSBEJUJPOT
Be sure to mark four dates on
your calendar this month for a series
of four Dharma Study Center lectures
by UH Religion Professor Jay Sakashita
that you definitely won’t want to miss.
The lecture series delves into how
Buddhism and associated traditions
developed and evolved as it
progressed through the various
countries throughout Asia.
Dr. Sakashita has an uncanny
knack for weaving interesting and
amusing anecdotes into ordinarily dry
subject material and has gained a
reputation as one of the most popular
lecturers on campus.
See page 4 for more details.
Because of the scheduled lecture on
the 4th Tuesday, there will be no
Movie Night this month.
The art of Paper Crafting
Sunday, April 26, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Preparation & folding of paper
Sunday, May 3, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Assembly of tsuru using your folded paper
Paper crafting instructor:
Jeanne Kawawata
Cost of materials:
$4.00 per tsuru
(light lunch included at 11:00 am)
Please call to reserve your spot
or if you have questions.
Phone: 531-9088
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St. (corner N. Kuakini St.)
Honolulu, HI 96817
'6563&130+&$54
Address __________________________________________________________________________________
#BMM
City__________________________________________ State ________ Zip ___________________________
Telephone_____________________________________Email_______________________________________
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
.FOJOCPBU
1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Telephone (808) 531-9088
4
3
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Honolulu, HI
Permit No. 693
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
The Reason for My Birth
3JOCBO,FOKVO,BXBXBUB
Address Service Requested
In this issue of WA...
‘wa’
Higashi Hongwanji
Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin
t "MUBSSFTUPSBUJPOQSPKFDUp. 2
t /FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTTp. 3
t 5IF"SUPG1BQFS$SBGUJOHp. 3
4
t -FDUVSFTFSJFTCZ%S4BLBTIJUBp. 4
April 2015
t "DLOPXMFEHNFOUTp. 5
t 4IPUTVLJMJTUJOHGPS"QSJMp. 5
t5FNQMFBDUJWJUJFTDBMFOEBSp. 6
Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii
Temple Activities Calendar
APRIL 2015
4/11
4/12
4/12
4/14
4/19
4/19
4/21
4/23
4/26
4/26
4/28
4/28
4/28
4/30
Sun 10 am HBC Buddha Day service (Soto Mission)
Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
Sun 10 am Betsuin Buddha Day service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &
Sunday school
Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
Tue 7 pm Dharma Study Center lecture series
Dr. Jay Sakashita of UH-Manoa
Lecture 1:The Story of Buddha
Thu 7 pm Lecture 2: The Dharma Spreads
Sun 10 am Sunday service
Lay speaker: Faye Shigemura
Sun 12 pm Jeanne’s Art of Paper Folding class
Tue 10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
Tue 3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
Tue 7 pm Lecture 3: The Dharma Changes
Thu 7 pm Lecture 4: Japanese Buddhism
Just as when Spring comes, flowers bloom naturally,
Just as when Autumn comes, leaves fall on their own,
In order to be happy, everyone was born,
Just as after flowers of sadness bloom come the fruits of joy.
harmony
t5IF3FBTPOGPS.Z#JSUIp. 1
4/5
4/9
“The reason I was born was to meet my father and mother,
The reason I was born was to meet my brothers and sisters,
The reason I was born was to meet all my friends,
The reason I was born was to meet you, whom I love.
MAY 2015
Sun 10 am Shōtsuki memorial service &
Sunday school
5/3 Sun 12 pm Jeanne’s Art of Paper Folding class
5/9 Sat 10 am What on Earth Is Namuamidabutsu?
led by Rev. Frank Childs
5/10 Sun 7 pm Sunday service
5/10 Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study class
5/3
現代語で仏教を聞こう
5/12 Tue
5/14 Thu
5/17 Sun
5/17
5/19
5/24
5/26
5/26
5/28
5/31
Sun
Tue
Sun
Tue
Tue
Wed
Sun
led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata in English
Fukuhara Conference Room
10 am Tanjo-e service
(Celebration of Shinran Shonin’s birth)
12 pm Betsuin board meeting
7 pm O-kō: Dharma discussion at Kaneohe
10 am All Wars memorial service
3 pm Ukulele class/band practice
6:30 pm Movie night
10 am Shinran Shōnin memorial service
7 pm Sunday service
Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays & 28th day of the month) in the Betsuin Main Hall.
At Higashi Hongwanji, we remain
true to our origins
as an open Sangha, welcoming
anyone who wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization
President: Faye Shigemura
Vice President: Jonathan Tani
Secretary: Debra Saiki
Treasurer: Edmund Nakano
Auditor: Ken Saiki
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Associate Minister:
Frank Childs
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: betsuin@hhbt-hi.org
Wa is published monthly by
Higashi Hongwanji Mission
of Hawaii for its members
and friends. Comments,
articles and other items for
publication consideration
are welcomed.
Editor: Ken Saiki
The reason I was born was I had hurt someone somewhere.
The reason I was born was someone somewhere hurt me.
The reason I was born was someone somewhere saved me.
Masashi Sada’s song may give us
some insight into why we were born. The reason I was born was to save someone somewhere.
Just as when the night comes and darkness naturally falls,
Just as when the morning comes and light naturally shines,
In order to be happy, everyone is living,
Just as from the other side of the sea of sadness comes pure happiness.
The reason I was born was to meet you, whom I love.
The reason I was born was to protect you, whom I love.”
T
he song, “Inochi no Riyuu“ (
), or “The Reason for My Life,” by
Japanese composer, lyricist and folk singer Masashi Sada, is a hauntingly
beautiful song about the meaning of our birth and life. You can see and listen
for yourself why it touched so many people’s hearts in Japan and elsewhere.
Here’s a YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CewhQcJjMdw
When we celebrate Buddha’s birth, we reflect on our lives and on the
Buddha’s birth and life. We think about meaning of our
own birth and life.
Upon reaching their teens, children may begin to ask
questions such as, “Why was I born and what is the
meaning of life? Or why do we have to have suffering?”
These questions arise naturally because of our
existence. Thinking of the meaning of being born and
living is directly connected to the Buddha Dharma. What
Rinban Ken Kawawata
is the purpose of our life?
Even though you may not know the purpose of your life, you can live a
“normal” life going through all the motions, such as getting up in the morning
and going to work, paying your bills, obeying the law and taking care of your
family.
There are many in the world who do not have the time to think about the
purpose of life because they are exerting all their efforts just to survive day by
day. There are those who do have specific goals or purposes for their current
situation. Some students, for example, study very hard to get good grades on
their tests because they want to get into a top-notch university. Athletes may
singlemindedly train to fulfill their goal to compete in the Olympics or play
sports professionally. Other people may want to establish successful
businesses and become wealthy. And if you have health issues, you want to
get past your illnesses and lead a normal life.
We dream and hope for many things for our lives. However, do your
dreams come true? I think your dreams reflect the true purpose of our lives.
You may have already heard many times what the Buddha said about this.
(cont’d on p. 2)