October 2014 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Volume 37 Issue No.10

Transcription

1 October 2014 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Volume 37 Issue No.10 1 Wed 10 AM-11 AM BWA CARE Day Activity at Mililani Adult Care 3 Fri 7:30 PM Meditation (Temple) 4 Sat OUHH BWA Convention at Pearl City Hongwanji 5 Sun 9:00 AM Joint Memorial & Family Service (BWA Meeting After Service) 8 Wed 7:30 PM Kyodan Board Meeting Sat-Sun State Dharma School Teachers' Conference (Open to Everyone) 12 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service (No Dharma School) 15 Wed 7:30 PM Dharma Video & Discussion (Carl Sagan) 18 Sat 8:30 AM BWA Hosha Group 4 19 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School 19 Sun Jr. YBA Penny Carnival/Canned Food Drive 25 Sat 7:00 AM No-Host Kyodan Breakfast at Zippy's: All Welcome 26 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service 30 Thu 9:00 AM Lotus Connection (Card Making in Temple) 2 Sun 9:00 AM Joint Memorial & Family Service (BWA Meeting After Service) 4 Tue 8 AM--12N Flower Arrangement Class (Temple) 7 Fri 7:30 PM Meditation (Temple) 9 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School 12 Wed 7:30 PM Kyodan Board Meeting 15 Sat 8:30 AM BWA Hosha Group 5 16 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School 18 Tue 8 AM--12N Flower Arrangement Class (Temple) 20 Thu 9:00 AM Lotus Connection (Card Making in Temple) 22 Sat 7:00 AM No-Host Kyodan Breakfast at Zippy's: All Welcome 22 Sat 8:00 AM Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up 23 Sun 9:00 AM Eitaikyo Service/Keirokai 23 Sun 1:00 PM Oahu District Lay Association Meeting at Waipahu Hongwanji 27 Thu 9:00 AM Thanksgiving Day Service 30 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School 1

2 Fowl Lessons She sports sleek ebony feathers. With her covey of chicks, she industriously scratches the grass and gravel in the medial strip along Kamehameha Highway where the nonstop traffic whizzes by. Her chicks follow her example as they scratch for their morning fare. When the traffic lights offers a momentary pause in the flow of cars and trucks, she crosses the street in chicken strides with her chicks safely underfoot. As the hen and her brood cross the street without any assistance, I remembered the hazards of another mother fowl in the children s literature, Make Way for Ducklings, a favorite for many. Much like the little black hen, in the story set in the Boston Commons, a mother duck safely crosses the busy streets with the help of the kind and gentle police officer. In my trips to and from Wahiawa, I observed this scene on four different occasions. With each passing, I strain to see if this family manages Rev. Jan Youth to survive the hazards of the automobile world. Once, I even pulled off the road to observe the chickens on the highway. I wondered how does the hen manage to keep her family and herself alive with every dash across the street. She has no police officer to help her across. She lives with dangerous conditions. She just does it even if she loses her chicks. We, on the other hand, lament over conditions that we cannot change and celebrate the favorable. We are resourceful in advocating for and advancing improved conditions. Because we can. President s Corner If Mililani Hongwanji were no longer in existence, how would it impact you or your family? Do you routinely attend service? Do you routinely read the newsletter? Do you attend Dharma school? Do you participate in temple activities or activities of our affiliate organizations (BWA, Jr YBA, martial arts)? Do you attend our Bon Dance? What is important to you? Buddhist Education? Listening to Dharma talks? Having a schedule of upcoming events? Is our minister serving your needs? Changes will occur as we adapt to or react to societal changes, technology, and other influences. As an organization that relies on money and volunteers, changes have and will continue to occur. At what point do we discontinue an activity or service that we provide due to lack of money or volunteers? On November 1st the Honpa Honwanji Mission of Hawaii will sponsor an important workshop at the Betsuin that I believe may become a turning point for the future of Mililani Honwanji and possibly the entire Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Several of our temple "volunteers" will attend. Do you have any concerns? Suggestions? Willing to help? Getting burnt out? Now might be a good time for you to think about Mililani Hongwanji's future and discuss your thoughts with the leaders of our temple. Perhaps receiving a daily "dharma tweet" is good enough for you. How long can we sustain what we currently have or provide? If Mililani Hongwanji were no longer in existence, how would it impact you or your family? Dean Sakamoto, Kyodan President 2 2

3 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii HEADQUARTERS UPDATE JINJI MINISTERIAL ASSIGNMENTS Rev. Shinji Kawagoe, the Associate Minister of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, has been assigned to Papaikou Hongwanji Mission as its Resident Minister effective August 1, He has also been assigned to Honohina Hongwanji Mission, Honomu Hongwanji Mission, and Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission as their Oversee Minister. NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL NAMED AT PACIFIC BUDDHIST ACADEMY (HONOLULU) The Board of Trustees at Pacific Buddhist Academy is pleased to announce that Joshua Hernandez Morse will be its new Head of School. As a founding member of the school, Josh brings a comprehensive understanding of how Pacific Buddhist Academy began, where it is at present, and its tremendous potential for growth and expansion, said Leigh-Ann Miyasato, Chair of the Head of School Search Committee. Josh has been a tremendous asset to our community and we are impressed by his commitment to leading the school. Eitaikyo and Keiro no Hi We will observe Eitaikyo service on November 23, Our own Reverend Jan Youth will be conducting the service. Eitaikyo ( 永代経 ) Sutra (over) long generations One way to understand the Eitaikyo is as the temple s promise to continue to share and propagate the Dharma, in particular the Nembutsu Teaching (as expressed by the character 経 or Sutra), over many long ( 永 ) generations ( 代 ). The expression long generations ( 永 ) is frequently translated as perpetual. ( Venice Beach Hongwanji ) Following the Eitaikyo Service, we will observe our annual Keiro Kai, (Honoring Our Elders Day) with a Sangha wide intergenerational activity. The background of this event dates back to the year 1947 when a town in Hyogo Prefecture declared 15 September as the Old Folks Day or Toshiyori no Hi. The idea spread rapidly throughout Japan so that in 1966, the government proclaimed Respect for the Aged Day as a national holiday. We too would like to ask that those who will be 80 years old this year, identify themselves to Rev. Jan as we want to honor you on this special day. If you know of members who will celebrate their 80 th birthday this year, please let Rev. Jan know. 3

4 BWA News for October Beginning this month, look for BWA information in the Dharma Connection in 2-3 different places. Every month there will be: BWA Upcoming Activities/Events BWA News for (month) At times, during the year, you will also see a BWA ad for the membership committee. Another exciting change you will begin to see 3-4 times a year is Getting to Know...a short interview with one of our members. It will be posted in the Dharma Connection and begins this month! UPCOMING BWA ACTIVITES/EVENTS Wednesday, Oct 1, 10-11AM...CARE day activity at Mililani. Saturday, Oct 4...Oahu BWA Convention, Pearl City, 8:30-1:15. Meet 8 AM at temple to carpool. Sunday, Oct. 5...Meeting after service Saturday, Oct. 18, 8:30AM...Hosha Group 4 Saturday, Nov. 1...Ehimemaru service/ cleaning. Meet 9 AM at temple to carpool. Sunday, Nov. 2...Meeting after service Saturday, Nov. 15, 8:30AM...Hosha Group 5 10:00AM...Hospital visitation An Evening with Carl Sagan Join us for a dharma discussion on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 7:30pm. We will spend the evening viewing the video with Carl Sagan discussing the nature of the universe and engage in a dharma discussion following the viewing. Come for coffee and popcorn. Jr. YBA The new school year has started and so has the new year for our Junior YBA students. Our United of Oahu Jr YBA consists of kids from the Hongwanjis of Mililani, Wahiawa, Aiea, Waipahu and Pearl City. Chloe Oshiro, Xander Babcock, Evan Babcock and Ty Yamamoto make up the list from Mililani. Our United of Oahu officers are: President - Kano Hashimoto from Wahiawa VP/Councilor - Katelyn Otani from Pearl City Secretary/Councilor - Ty Yamamoto from Mililani Treasurer/Councilor - Aaron Nonaka from Aiea Back up Councilor - Akane Sugaya-Kimura from Aiea Our Federation Officers are: President - Ty Yamamoto from Mililani VP - Colin Kubota from Honolulu Co-Secretary - Chika Matsumoto from Honolulu Co-Secretary - Alia Fukumoto from Honolulu Treasurer - Mie Miller from Kauai The kids ended the year with their annual convention on Maui and starting the new year by helping at our Bon dance. They had fun visiting and making new friends on Maui and helping, eating the delicious food and dancing the nights away at the Bon dance. The United of Oahu is in charge of the upcoming Jr YBA convention in June and has started actively planning to make this a successful event. Other activities that are being planned for are helping at the DSTO convention, a membership drive, a Senior celebration, a Minister appreciation along with several community service projects. The kids and advisors continue to ask for the Sangha s support. 4

5 Robyn Izumi Getting to Know...Robyn Izumi Robyn was born in Honolulu, raised in Kapahulu, and attended Kaimuki High School. She has been married to husband, Duane, for 39 years and has two children who currently live on the mainland. Bon Dances (with great food!) at Jikoen and at-home memorial services for her maternal grandfather are some of her childhood memories. She began attending Mililani Hongwanji when Gail Taira invited her and Duane to hear Sherman Thompson speak at the temple. She continued to attend services and listen to dharma talks because it seemed relevant to her life. A few years ago, someone (Robyn can t remember who) asked her to become part of the BWA. With a desire to give back, she joined the BWA. On September 7, she was a BWA MC for Sunday service and did a great job!!! Please join us in a First Friday Mindfulness Meditation at 7:30-8:30 PM Mililani Hongwanji Temple What is mindfulness practice? keep your attention focused on the work, be alert and ready to handle ably and intelligently any situation which may arise Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness, p. 14. Mindfulness is our capacity to be fully present in our own lives, to be aware of what we are doing as we are doing it. As we develop our awareness, an inner stillness naturally grows. We are better able to embrace the world, better able to respond wisely and lovingly. If we are not mindful, we are split, and disconnected from the life energy that is in us and in the world. Mitchell Ratner, Dharma Teacher, Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center If you continue this simple practice every day you will obtain some wonderful power. Before you attain it, it is something wonderful, but after you attain it, it is nothing special Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner s Mind, p. 43. *** Our Friday evening will have a guided sitting meditation, a walking meditation and some time for dharma sharing. Ernestine Enomoto, a dharma teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, will be leading these meditations. Anyone with an interest in the practice of mindfulness is welcomed to join the sitting; no experience is necessary. For more information, please contact Mel Hayase at Creativity abounds in members of our Sangha. Jenny Taira and her crew with Ohana Arts are preparing for a musical production in conjunction with Peace Day events in Hawaii. Save the date for this original stage work entitled Peace on Our Wings. For more information, go to: 5

6 Mililani Hongwanji A Shin Buddhist Temple Minister: Rev. Jan Youth, c Kyodan President: Dean Sakamoto Mail to: P.O. Box Mililani, HI Location: Kaloapau Street Mililani, HI Phone: dharma.connection@gmail.com mililanihongwanji.org The Dharma Connection A Publication of the Mililani Hongwanji Submit articles, photos, dharma reflections by the 3rd Sunday of each month for publication in the following month to Editor: Reverend Jan Youth at dharma.connection@gmail.com Highlights of September 10, 2014 Board of Director s Meeting Adult Care WCCHC Lease Agreement Amendment (Bob Asato): The amendment approved by the Board in August was signed by all parties. It is effective from July 2014 through February Eagle Scout Project: Evan Babcock presented his project proposal to repaint the education building, restripe the parking lot, and repaint the stairs and railings with scouts and volunteers. Project Dana 25th Anniversary fundraiser/donation for appreciation luncheon on September 20th passed unanimously. Hall Use Issue (Stan Sasaki): The existing Liaison Committee will meet with Judo to re-establish practice schedules. WCCHC Adult Day Care at Mililani Hongwanji Aloha! We would like to let everyone know that we are accepting applications for Adult Day Care enrollment. Do you know anyone caring for a loved one that needs respite or help caring for their loved one throughout the day? We are welcoming new clients. For any interested new applicants, we are offering tuition assistance. Please contact our ADC Director Trece White for more information at (808) We are OPEN at Mililani Hale 5 Days a week Monday thru Fridays from 8am 5pm; with early drop off available as early as 7am. 2 ways to get the Dharma Connection the newsletter of the Mililani Hongwanji: By snail mail US Post Office will deliver to your mailbox. available by request only! (This edition is online at mililanihongwanji.org) In your inbox available by subscription only! Please forward to friends and others interested. If you wish to receive the Dharma Connection by , contact dharma.connection@gmail.com Spread the news to your family members. For additional information check out our Facebook Page Visit us at mililanihongwanji.org 6

7 7

8 Our Condolences We are saddened to have lost two members of our Mililani Sangha. We send forth our deepest wish that the families may find comfort in the Nembutsu. Mr. Charles Charley Nishioka died on August 19, 2014 at the age of 99. Mr. Nishioka received a posthumous title (Ingo), Ai Gyo In, the one who shared his love and respect for others, in recognition and appreciation for his contribution of time and talent to help Mililani Hongwanji thrive since our beginnings. Mrs. Kayono Koike passed away on August 23, 2014 at the age of 101. She joined Mililani Hongwanji when she moved from the Big Island where she was a long time member. Her daughter Sylvia Koike attend services regularly. 8