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Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kahului Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Volume 7, Issue 4 Path of Entrusting - Live the Teachings! April 2013

East Asia

In all east Asian countries Buddha's Birth is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese lunar calendar (in Japan since 1873 on April 8 of the Gregorian calendar), and the day is an official holiday in Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea.

Nepal

The birth of the Buddha is often celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal for an entire month in the Buddhist cal-endar. The actual day is called Buddha Poornima (or Buddha Purnima), also traditionally known as Vai-shakh Poornima. Although the day marks not just the birth of Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha, but also the day of Enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana. But as a gentle effect of West, the event of Birth is given para-mount importance.

The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervour, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People, especially women, go to common Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, as something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha's life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge after he had given up the path of asceticism following six years of extreme austerity. This event was one major link in his enlightenment.

It is said that the Buddha originally followed the way of asceticism to attain enlightenment sooner, as was thought by many at that time. He sat for a prolonged time with inadequate food and water, which caused his body to shrivel so as to be indistinguishable from the bark of the tree that he was sitting under. Seeing the weak Siddhartha Gautama, a girl named Sujata placed a bowl of milk in front of him as an offering. Realis-ing that without food one can do nothing, the Buddha refrained from harming his own body.

Japan

In Japan, Buddha's birth is also celebrated according to the Buddhist calendar but is not a national holiday.

On this day, all temples hold Kanbutsu-e (Japanese: ), ( G tan-e), (Bussh-e), (Yokubutsu-e), (Ryge-e), (Hana-eshiki) or (Hana-matsuri, meaning 'Flower Festi-val'). The first event was held at Asuka-dera in 606. Japanese people pour ama-cha (a beverage prepared from a variety of hydrangea) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if bathing a newborn baby.

Korea

In Korea the birthday of Buddha is celebrated according to the Lunisolar calendar. This day is called

(Seokga tansinil), meaning "Buddha's birthday" or (Bucheonim osin nal) meaning "the day when the Buddha came". Lotus lanterns cover the entire temple throughout the month which are often flooded down the street. On the day of Buddha's birth, many temples provide free meals and tea to all visi-

HanamatsuriBuddhas Birthday

Celebrations in Asian Countries

Excerpts from Wikipedia

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Giving a Shout-Out!

Thank you to everyone for your help and support of our March 30 KHM Ba-

zaar! This event could not have happened without you!

************************** At our Sunday service on March 10, Mike Munekiyo, President of Wailuku Hongwanji, was the guest speaker. The theme for his talk was Dana. As Dana, or selfless giving, is a main emphasis for Buddhists, it plays an important part in our spiritual and our everyday lives. Mike asked the question: How do we make dana a part of life every day? Just as we have to practice baking a cake, playing base-ball, or playing a musical instrument, dana requires practice, too. So we need to be sensitive and open to the times when by our actions we can make others lives a little easier or a little better. We need to be aware, also, of the instances when we are the recipients of danawhen someone does something to or for us that makes us feel better. When we feel better, we, in turn, are more apt to do something positive or encouraging to others. Thank you, Mike, for your commentsyour comments gave clarity to a concept that could have seemed intimidating or unreachable. You brought into focus one of the primary practices of our religion.

************************** Some comments on Dana In theory, selfless giving seems so easy. In practice, the opportunity for selfless giving is oftentimes fragile, falling prey to the Ill do it later pitfall or the missed chance to say or do something. When the moment passes, it usually doesnt come again. If you have a positive or supportive comment, say it. The other side of the coin is also true--If you have a comment that is hurtful, dont say it. Negative words do not have to see the light of day. Dana does not have to be a newspaper headline story. In fact, certain instances of dana is at its purest when no one knows who the giver is. Dana is as near as our family, fellow workers, or colleagues. Just because we see certain people eve-ryday does not mean that we can ignore them, that we dont need to be kind and gentle to them. Perhaps the opposite is more to the point: Because we see certain people every day, we need to be even more thoughtful and appreciative of them. There is the Dana of the Hands when we physically work to make things better for others. There is the Dana of the Heart when we connect with others through feelings and words. There is the Dana of the Mind/Thoughts when we try to rise high and think the best of people and events. Wait! Dont we receive a guide and a reminder every time we say the Golden Chain of Love? To think pure and beautiful thoughts... To say pure and beautiful words... To do pure and beautiful deeds... Thank you, Buddha! In Gassho, Janet

Presidents Corner

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Hosha

Hosha means to give or to help as an expression of ones gratitude. In the spirit of hosha, lets all consider working for the temple to be a privilege.

Please come and help!

April 6, 7:30 a.m. April 20, 7:30 a.m. Window CleaningJr. YBA

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Mark Your Calendar!

Service Responsibilities

April 7 No service at temple

April 14 Jr. YBA

April 21 Dharma School

April 28 BWA/Kyodan

Mothers Day Brunch at KHM

Sunday, May 12

We welcome everyone to our annual Moth-ers Day Brunch after Sunday service. RSVP to the temple office (871-4732) by May 5. Please join us in honoring our moth-ers and grandmothers!

Hanamatsuri Service

Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m.

Velma M. Santos Community Center

The Central Maui Buddhist Councils annual Hanamatsuri event will be held on April 7. Hanamatsuri commemorates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha 2,500 years ago, and is one of the most celebrated observances in the Buddhist tradition. Featured speaker is Lama Gyaltsen of the Maui Dharma Center. Games, entertainment and lunch will fol-low the service.

KHM will be ordering lunch for the attendees. If you plan to attend, please sign up at the temple office. Everyone is invited to this event. Itll be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the different Buddhist sects on Maui!

Kahului Hongwanji is in charge of the refreshment table this year. We appreciate any donation of refreshments.

Kahului Hongwanji Hanamatsuri Service

& Infants Initiatory Rites

Sunday, April 21, 9 a.m.

Parents formally present their child to the Buddha and Sangha for the first time in Infants Initiatory Rites. At Ka-hului Hongwanji, it is incorporated with the Hanamatsuri Service. Please contact the temple office at 871-4732 by Sunday, April 14, if you wish to have your child be part of this ceremony.

Dates to Remember!

April 7 Central Maui Buddhist Councils Hanamatsuri Service April 21 KHM Hanamatsuri Service & Infants Initiatory Rites May 5 Boys Day May 11 Maui MatsuriKHM booth May 12 Mothers Day Brunch after Family Service at KHM May 19 Fujimatsuri at WHM May 26 Gotan-e Service at KHM

Fujimatsuri Service

Sunday, May 19, 9 a.m. at WHM

The Maui Hongwanji Councils Fujimatsuri festivities will be held at the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission. Please contact the temple office (871-4732) by May 5, if you plan to at-tend as a count for lunch is needed.

Gotan-e

Sunday, May 26, 9 a.m. at KHM

Gotan-e commemorates the birth of Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), the founder of Jodo Shinshu. We observe this day to raise awareness in the Nembutsu teaching, to pay tribute to our founder, and to take pride in the Buddhist heritage. Please join us!

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Buddhist Womens Association

The annual Maui United BWA Spring Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 20 at Danis in Wai-luku. Helen Wai, the guest speaker from Hawaii Energy, will speak about energy efficiency. The cost is $20 and the deadline to participate is Sunday, April 14. Please confirm your attendance with Patsy Saki or Charlotte Wilkinson. Red Discount Card Service: This service is available for eligible seniors who are 60 years and older and are permanent residents here on Maui. Pick up your red card and a senior discount list at MEOs Com-munity Service Office, 249-2970. The MEOs newsletter Senior Scoop is available to BWA members so please see Irene Matsuda or Charlotte Wilkinson for a copy. Upcoming events: Visitation/Community Service to Kula Hospital will be on Saturday, May 4 after hosha. Details will be discussed at the BWA meeting on Saturday, April 6 at 8:30 a.m. The Bud