New Year s Eve Service December 31, 6:00PM New Year s Day Service January 1, 9:00AM Light meal will be served after both services.

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1 There is a Japanese saying, New Year's Day is the key to the year. ( 一年の計は元旦にあり ichi-nen no kei wa gantan ni ari) Very interestingly, there is a similar proverb in English, The first hour of the morning is the key of the day. I think both are saying, the beginning is very important for anything. Thus, traditionally Japanese people planed at the beginning of the year what they aim to do in the year and tried to achieve the goal as much as they could. It may be, quit smoking, keep a diary everyday, do so and so everyday or something practical and relates to one s daily life. By aspiring something at the beginning, they tried to discipline one s self. And at the end of the year, they assessed themselves, how they were. In addition, there is an idiom, you should not forget the spirit 賀正 that you started with. ( 初心忘れるべからず shoshin wasureru bekarazu) As time goes by and as getting used to do things, human can be dull about what they first aspired to achieve. Thus, it says, don t forget the spirit you started with. How was your 2013? And what kind of year do you want to make 2014? As our teaching says, nothing is permanent, or nothing is predictable ; we do not know what will happen in However, regardless what will happen, we should have something that we aim to do throughout the year. It does not have to be difficult; It can be simple. It is very important for all of us to have something we aim to do. Let us try our bests! And let us make 2014 a meaningful and wonderful year for everyone! HOONKO service The most important service for Jōdo Shinshū, HOONKO, will be held on Sunday, January 19. Hoonko is our founder Shinran Shōnin s memorial service who passed away in Thankfully, Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani of HQ is our guest speaker. He is a good English speaker and I guarantee you enjoy his message. Please come and join our service! Date: Sunday, January 19th, 2014 Time: 7:00am Japanese, 8:30am English Guest Speaker: Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani New Year s Eve Service December 31, 6:00PM New Year s Day Service January 1, 9:00AM Light meal will be served after both services. Waipahu Hongwanji Mission Kuhaulua Street, Waipahu, HI Phone Fax waipahuhongwanji@hawaii.rr.com Website: Golden Chain January 2014 Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE P A I D Permit No.5 Waipahu, Hawaii DON T FORGET TO SIGNUP FOR THE NEW YEAR S PARTY WHICH IS ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2!!

2 January 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 New Year's Kokua Hosha Day Service E Sunday svc. 10:00 Ka Punawai Ola Kokua Hosha (7:00, 8:30) (Conf. 1:00) Karaoke 5:30 12 W W W Sunday svc. Banzai Kokua Hosha (Hall) Karaoke 11:00(Hall) Hoonko Kokua Hosha (7:00, 8:30) Entertainment Karaoke 26 E Sunday svc. Banzai Kokua INSTALLATION GC (Hall 7:00) February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday W 5 E Hosha New Year Party Karaoke Kokua Hosha NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS WILL BE INSTALLED ON SUNDAY JANU- ARY 26, DURING THE SUNDAY SERVICE. Memorial Service for January and February st (2013) 1/21 Tomiyo Fujiwara 1/26 Harriet Yaeko Kusunoki 2/15 Nadine Atsuko Ohara 2/19 Kiyotaka Matsumoto 2/21 Katsuma Tanaka 2/22 Haruko Kunishige 3 rd (2013 1/3 Ethel Haruno Iboshi 1/14 Isami Inoshita 2/22 Kimie Nellie Tatsutani 7 th (2008) 1/4 Mabel Chiyomi Maeda 2/11 Masako Miyakaku 2/18 Gladys Haruko Hanaoka 13 th (2002) 1/2 Kishiye Orita 1/15 Mitsuo Kimura 1/24 Toshio Oshiro 17 th (1998) 1/3 Naoto Uyeno 1/26 Takumi Kono 2/2 Clarence Seibin Kishaba 2/26 Benjamin Umeo Nakamoto 25 th (1990) 1/2 Kame Kameya 1/28 Harry Nobuo Kuwahara 2/8 Kame Kamisato 2/15 Namie Tanaka 33 rd (1982) 1/16 Choyu Kameya 1/26 Masuichi Sakai 50 th (1965) 1/2 Sui Inoue

3 New Year s Greeting Immeasurable Light and Life. At the beginning of the year, I would like to send you my greetings from Hongwanji in Kyoto. Upon succeeding the position as Monshu, thirty-six years and nine months have passed. I have come to empathize with Chinese master, Shan-tao, as he writes in Hymns of Birth in the Pure Land, Caught up in everyday life, the days and nights go left unnoticed, unable to become emancipated and escape the sea of suffering. I shall vow to work diligently until my term comes to an end this June. For many of us, although the passing of time seems to speed up with age, in recent years, changes within society have sped up, making things all the more unsettling. Because these rapid transitions are largely the result of developments in scientific technology and economic growth, they sometimes produce discrepancies in individual lifestyles and societal framework. The gap among socio-economic concerns including business corporations and people s lifestyles are widening that both domestic and international efforts have not been successful in dealing with such issues. As a result, there is a sense that neither reflecting on the past nor thinking ahead into the future matters, so long as we are content with the present. However, this mentality will result in repeating past mistakes or passing burdens on to future generations. Is it not that the role of Buddhism is to provide us who live in this constantly changing world, with an unfaltering spiritual foundation to live the life which we have received to the fullest? In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, that foundation is the Primal Vow of Amida Tathagata, namely Namo Amida Butsu. Being unconditionally embraced by Amida Tathagata, we are enabled to accept our own inconvenient past and at this very moment, be joyous of this life we have received. May we all continue to live every day of this year in appreciation of the Nembutsu. January 1, 2014 OHTANI Koshin Monshu Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Namo Amida Butsu and Happy New Year! 2014 Bishop s New Year s Message As we begin the New Year, let me express my most sincere gratitude to all Ministers and their Families, Members and Supporters of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for your commitment and effort in the past year. Without your dedication and willingness, Hawaii Kyodan would not have been able to accomplish all that it did in Now, as a New Year begins, please accept my best wishes and hope that the New Year will be most meaningful and especially peaceful for you. Needless to say as the Jodo Shin Buddhist Sangha, we entrust in Amida Buddha and go to the Dharma/Teachings for guidance. The Great Aspiration of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Infinite Light/Amida Buddha is the peace and happiness of all existence. If a person experiences this Great Wisdom and Unconditional Compassion of Amida Buddha that person also embraces the Buddha s Aspiration. Hence, Shinran Shonin was able to say, Those who feel that their own birth (in the Pure Land of Enlightenment) is completely settled should, mindful of the Buddha s benevolence, hold the nembutsu in their hearts and say it to respond in gratitude to that benevolence, with the wish, May there be peace in the world, and may the Buddha s Teaching spread! In this way, the life of a Shin Buddhist is one of responding in gratitude to Amida Buddha s Compassion by reciting the Nembutsu in awareness, joy and gratitude and incorporating into one s life the wish that the Teaching spreads far and wide and the aspiration for world peace. The reality of interdependence affirms that what we each do (or do not do) will make a difference. However, limited and imperfect my responding efforts are it is important that we try to be that difference. According to the Dharma, a further emphasis would be the importance of how we strive towards our goal. It is clear that the Buddhist emphasis would be on collaboration, without force or violence and without fear. This is the Wisdom of the Buddhas. Truly, let us take to heart our 2014 Theme and Slogan, Path of Entrusting: Share Peace. As the Compassion of Amida Buddha shows peace must be for all people, all life, all existence. I call out to our members and supporters to please help us, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, keep alive the aspiration for world peace by continuing to speak of it and also be engaged in local and world events which nurture peace in individuals and society. In our 125 th Anniversary year in Hawaii, may we encourage each other to listen, to study and learn, and experience Amida Buddha and the Dharma so we can be guided and inspired by it. I humbly ask for your support of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and its Mission Statement To share the living Teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism so that all beings may enjoy lives of harmony, peace and gratitude. I can say with certainty that, in our own way, are making a difference and today more than ever, as we network with other organizations in the community it does make a big difference. Please let us come together and let us work together! Let us entrust and share peace. Once again, a Happy New Year and Namo Amida Butsu/Entrusting in the Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Infinite Light. In gassho, Eric Matsumoto, Bishop

4 DECEMBER 2013 WAIPAHU HONGWANJI MISSION DONATIONS MEMORIAL SERVICES From KUSHIMA Family Jane Kushima 7 th Year Memorial Svc MURATA Family Miyoko Murata 3 rd Year Memorial Svc & Murata Butsudan NAGAJI Family Lilian Nagaji 100 th Day Svc TENMA Family Inurnment Service at Grave OTHER DONATIONS: From ANONYMOUS Donation FUJIMOTO, Gail Satsui Fujimoto In Memory Of FUJIMOTO, Gail Donation OKAMOTO, Rev. Jay & Tomoko Donation TAKARA Family Makata Takara... In Memory of 50 th Year. SOCIAL CONCERNS DONATIONS: FUJIOKA, Katherine SAKATA, George M/M HIRATA, Roy M/M SEKINE, Annette IWATA, Caran UJIMORI, George M/M KIMURA, Masako UMENO, Helen MATSUMOTO, Frances UYENO, Setsuko OKAZAKI, Lillian YAMAUCHI, Kenei M/M The following members have paid their 2013 membership dues. THANK YOU for your continued support. NEZU, Tadao M/M TANOUYE, Vanassa 2014 Membership Dues paid: Thank you for your prompt response! FUJIMOTO, Gail K. FUJINKAI BIRTHDAY DONATIONS: Happy Birthday to: SHINOZAWA, Carol TSUTSUI, Sachiko Bishop Eric Matsumoto and Rev. Okamoto visited Filipino Community Center on behalf of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii to hand deliver the Typhoon Haiyan relief fund to the President of the center, Rose Churma. (12/20/2013) Hawaii Buddhist Council sponsored Buddha Day service at Jōdo Mission of Hawaii On December 8, 2013, group of Waipahu, Waianae, and Pearl City Hongwanji, chartered a bus and attended Buddha Day service, which celebrates Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment, at Jōdo Mission of Hawaii. Special guest speaker was Prof. Soho Machida of Hiroshima University in Japan, and he gave us a talk on Buddhist practice based on Rinzai-zen understanding. Since the understanding toward practice is quite different from Jōdo Shinshū teaching, how he explained might be little unfamiliar for Hongwanji members. However, listening to other Buddhist understanding was very interesting. Next gathering for Hawaii Buddhist Council will be on April 6, 2014 for Hanamatsuri service. From left to right: Rev. Koji Ezaki of Haleiwa Jōdo Mission, Prof. Soho Machida, and Bishop Gensho Hara of Jōdo Mission.

5 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii HEADQUARTERS UPDATE 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii Phone: (808) Fax: (808) Web: HHMH 2014 SLOGAN AND THEME PATH OF ENTRUSTING: SHARE PEACE DECEMBER 2013 This year Theme is: Path of Entrusting: Share Peace! And as we enter the one hundred twenty fifty year of the Hawaii Kyodan it is very appropriate that our aspiration is to share peace. You will notice that words were chosen carefully avoiding using phrases like Promote Peace and Spread Peace. This is because in Buddhism peace begins with the individual finding peace within and then sharing that peace with others. Please keep in mind that everyone is responsible for his or her own spiritual path and personal actions. But at the same time if the great Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha have transformed one s heart and mind, then one will aspire to share peace in many different ways, great and small. So let us, according to our circumstances and abilities share peace by our actions and words starting with our families and communities. Signs of long years of saying the Nembutsu and aspiring for birth (in the Pure Land) can be seen in the change in the heart that had been bad and in the deep warmth for friends and fellow-practicers; Shinran Shonin, page 551, Collected Works of Shinran. Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki, Director, Office of Buddhist Education HHMH 125 th ANNIVERSARY HHMH will be celebrating its 125 th Anniversary in The Planning Committee members are currently planning a district-centered event which will be observed at each district during the year The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, in the state level, will observe the 125 th Celebration Inaugural Service in conjunction with the Giseikai Opening Service on Friday, February 7, 2014 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. The service will start at 8:30am and it is open to the public. Projects for 125 th Celebration: Update the Ministers Biographies Collect Temple History Religious Observance at each district Hawaii Kyodan-BSC and UH Numata Symposium on Violence, Non-Violence and Japanese Religions in March 2014 Buddhist Musical based on the Sadako Sasaki s story being organized by the Hongwanji Mission School Drama Department and the PBA TV Program featuring interviews with members who have has a positive impact on the community. The topic will be how Buddhism has played a role in their lives. Membership Drive by the Membership and Proration Committee A Project recognizing Mary Foster and her contributions in support of Buddhism and HHMH Anniversary T-shirt MINISTERS WALK IN SUPPORT OF PBA Ministers of the Honolulu and Oahu Districts together with PBA students and other supporters walked 6 miles from PBA to Kapiolani Park on December 9, 2013 to raise awareness of PBA in the community and to support its Capital Campaign toward the construction of the new school building. Ministers and students had a short service at Hawaii Betsuin at 6:30am and proceeded to Moiliili Hongwanji Mission where they took a brief rest stop and continued to Kapiolani Park. In 2011, Hongwanji Ministers and members of the PBA Ohana walked 5.7 miles and raised over $20,000 for the Capital Campaign. The goal for this year is to raise $25,000 and the ministers took the lead to collect pledges. Rev. David Nakamoto said, I enjoyed the fellowship that the walk provided. Getting to talk story with the ministers was truly meaningful as these opportunities to spend a block of time sharing experiences was invaluable. We are appreciative of all that was involved in the planning and implementation of the walk.

6 Also to our temple members, we are grateful for their providing moral as well as monetary support for PBA. Let s do it again! PBA s Head of School Mr. Robert Cody mentioned, It is clear to us all that the Ministers and Temples love and support Pacific Buddhist Academy and our students. The Ministers Walk is just another example of how our Spiritual Leaders continue to take the leadership role in developing the next generation of leaders. Having the students involved with such great role models made it all worthwhile. One PBA student who participated in the walk said, I enjoyed the walk because it is a really good opportunity to interact with people that I normally wouldn t. I really appreciate all the support the temple gives us. A lot of the work you do is unrecognized and I just wanted to say thank you. Other students said, It was cool to see the ministers in their robes and shoes walking in the morning. You can still show your support for PBA. For more information, please contact PBA at or go to their website for donation information. If you donate online, in the section where it says Class Year(s) type in Ministers Walk Thank you. Photo courtesy of Alan Kubota YOUTH FORUM: THE FUTURE OF With the theme and slogan for 2014 being Path of Entrusting: Share Peace, the Hongwanji Youth will talk about internal peace relating to their daily lives. These representatives have been involved in several youth activities the HHMH has to offer. These include, but not limited to, Jr. YBA, PBA, BSCFC, YESS Camp and Young Adult Retreat. The Forum will begin at 10am on January 11, 2014 at the Buddhist Study Center. Each member of the panel will share a quick reflection on peace, and then they will entertain questions from the public. Please see the attached flyer for more information. YESS CAMP 2014 The Young Enthusiastic Shinshu Seekers' Camp (YESS Camp) is an annual camp devoted to educating young and enthusiastic Buddhists about Jodo Shinshu traditions. In the 30 year history, many enthusiastic young Buddhists that came to learn about Buddhism also learned a lot about themselves in the process. Through the course of the camp there are also many bonding activities with fellow campers that can create strong friendships that could last a lifetime. Many of the former YESS Camp participants are still involved within the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii as lay leaders or even ministers. Due to scheduling conflicts, the dates for this year s camp will be a little earlier than usual. It will be on February 15-17, at Camp Timberline located on Oahu. Please be aware that it is the Great Aloha Run that weekend so flights may go quick. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jacob Chang by at youth@honpahi.org or by phone at The application form can be found at

7 Below is an article about the BWA participation in the Martin Luther King parade on January 20th: FEDERATION OF BWA PARTICIPATES IN THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE The Hawaii Federation of Buddhist Women's Associations will be participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade on Monday, January 20, They will have a marching unit of BWA members, friends, and family with the possibility of a trolley for members who are unable to walk the 2 mile distance. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition Hawaii promotes this as a day of national and community service, time to reflect on principles of interracial cooperation, equality and social change through nonviolent resolution of conflict, dedication to global peace, and social justice.. This is a message of interdependence that is also a foundation of Shin Buddhism. Those who would like to participate in the parade should let their temple BWA president know by January 10th. The BWA is encouraging members, prospective members and family members to participate in what they hope will be a fun event. Participants should meet at Magic Island at 7:30 and wear purple or BWA t-shirts. The parade will start at 9:00 and go from Magic Island, through Waikiki, to Kapiolani Park. Following the parade, members will gather at Kapiolani Park for fellowship and light refreshments. Let's get out to support the BWA by marching or cheering them on along the parade route. Headquarters Office will be closed on the following dates. December 25, 2013 for Christmas Day January 1, 2014 for New Year s Day Headquarters Bookstore is open from Tuesday (8:30am-4:00pm) to Saturday (8:30am-12:00pm). The store is also open on the first Sunday of the month (8:30am-12:00pm). COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL CONCERN The Committee of Social Concern made the following recommendations for disbursement of funds and it was approved at the Hawaii Kyodan Board of Director s Meeting on December 7, MUSIC COMMITTEE $5,000 American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter for Typhoon Haiyan Relief $5,000 Filipino Community Center/Consuelo Foundation for Typhoon Haiyan Relief $5,000 Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation for Typhoon Haiyan Relief $2,000 Hawaii Food Bank $1,000 Hawaii Food Bank Kauai Branch $1,000 Food Basket (Hawaii Island Food Bank) $1,000 Maui Food Bank $1,000 Hawaii Conference of Religions for peace: A-bombs Exhibit for Peace in Honolulu $5,000 University of Hawaii Religion department/buddhist Study Center Numata Conference in Buddhist Studies $2, th /442 nd /MIS Documentary in Okinawa $250 Sunrise Ministry Foundation-Journeys to Wellness Seminar The Hawaii Kyodan Music Committee (Translation Subcommittee) recently sent out the scores of seven English gathas that have been rendered from the Japanese in the past three years. The gathas are: Awakening (Nyushin) Happily Together (Minna Nakayoku) How Happy I am! (Go On Ureshiya) Lullaby for Children of the World (Nonnosama) Other Shore (Higan) Son of O-Bon (Bon-E No Uta) Touched by Kindness (Shiawase Ni Deattara) The Translation Subcommittee were comprised of Mitsuyo Saito (chair), Shigeaki Fujitani, Osamu Kawabata, Ruby Nagao, Francis Okano, Florence Wasai, and Wendie Yumori. The scores of those gathas were sent to the temple ministers and the presidents.

8 MINISTERIAL ASSIGNMENT (JINJI) Rev. Mary David, the Resident Minister of Mililani Hongwanji Mission, will be relieved of her responsibilities as Resident Minister of Mililani Hongwanji Mission and Oversee Minister of Waialua Hongwanji Mission as of December 31, 2013, and will be assigned to Headquarters as HQ Staff in the Office of Buddhist Education as of January 1, She will retire from HHMH as of March 1, Rev. Janet Youth, a Retired Minister, will provide religious services for Mililani Hongwanji Mission until the new assignment will be made to Mililani Hongwanji Mission. Rev. Kojun Hashimoto, the Resident Minister of Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission, will oversee Waialua Hongwanji Mission. DONATION TO HONPA HONGWANJI You can now make a donation to Honpa Hongwanji through online with your Credit Card. Please visit our website at and click Donation to Honpa Hongwanji on the main page. Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowable by law. PEACE BEGINS WITH ME. Come and hear the perspective of an all-youth panel discuss experiences with Peace from within. The panel will share a brief reflection and will answer a few questions regarding Peace. WHEN: January 11, 10 AM Noon WHERE: Buddhist Study Center, 1436 University Ave., Honolulu, HI 96822, Phone: Open to the public, RSVP appreciated. Jake Chang youth@honpahi.org The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii presents September 27-28, Betsuin 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI Conductor: Nola Nahulu Gathas: Cosmos Flower, Lullaby for Children of the World, Each Day Anew, Buddha's Great Light, Amida's Compassionate Vow Congregation Gatha: Gratefulness II Deadline to Register: April 1, 2014 Registration Fee: $30.00 For more information, call the Office of Buddhist Education at