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March 2014 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Volume 37 Issue No3

1 Sat 11 AM--8 PM

Judo Promotion Party (Set-up at 8 am)

2 Sun 8:30 AM

SANGHA DAY (125TH ANNIVERSARY) AT WAIPAHU HONGWANJI

No Service at Mililani Hongwanji—details in February DC

9 Sun 9:00 AM

Joint Memorial & Family Service

9 Sun 11:00 AM

BWA Annual Luncheon Meeting

9 Sun

Ki-Aikido Car Wash Fundraiser

12 Wed 7:30 PM

Kyodan Board Meeting

15 Sat 8:30/10:00 AM

BWA Hosha Group 3/Wahiawa Hospital Visitation

16 Sun 9:00 AM

SPRING HIGAN SERVICE & DHARMA SCHOOL –see page 3

22 Sat 7:00 AM

No-Host Kyodan Breakfast at Zippy's--All Welcome

22 Sat 8:00 AM

Takuan preparation in Educ. Bldg. Kitchen

23 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Dharma School

23 Sun 9AM – 1 PM

Oahu/Honolulu Jr.YBA & Dharma School Social at Aiea—see page6

24 Mon 7:00 PM

Oahu District Council Meeting at Aiea

25 Tue 8:00--12:00 PM

Flower Arrangement Class (Temple)

25 Tue 7:30 PM

Bon Dance Meeting #1

27 Thu 9:00 AM

Lotus Connection

27 Thu 5--8 PM

Drop Off Donations for BWA Rummage Sale/Country Store

28 Fri 1--5 PM

Drop Off Donations for BWA Rummage Sale/Country Store

29 Sat 8--9 AM

Drop Off Donations for ONLY BWA COUNTRY STORE

29 Sat 10:00--2:00 PM

2nd ANNUAL MILILANI HONGWANJI BAZAAR—See page 4

30 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Dharma School

30 Sun 1:00--3:00 PM

Oahu District English Seminar at Mililani w/Dr. David Loy—see page 6

5 Sat 5:30 PM

Buddha Day Evening Celebration (4 pm Set-up)—see page 5

6 Sun 9:00 AM

Hawaii Buddhist Council Buddha Day Service (No Service at Mililani)

9 Wed 7:30 PM

Kyodan Board Meeting

12 Sat 9:00 AM

Spring Fling—at Ewa Hongwanji

13 Sun 9:00 AM

Joint Memorial & Family Service (BWA Meeting After Service)

13 Sun

Ki-Aikido Car Wash Fundraiser

19 Sat 8:30 AM

BWA Hosha Group 4 (No Hospital Visitation)

20 Sun 9:00 AM

BWA Eshinni & Kakushinni & Peace Service

24 Thu 9:00 AM

Lotus Connection

26 Sat 7:00 AM

No-Host Kyodan Breakfast at Zippy's--All Welcome

26 Sat 9:30 AM

Ehime-maru Memorial Cleaning

27 Sun 9:00 AM

Baccalaureate Service

30 Mon

Scholarship Applications Due

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Train the Brain to Mind the Mind A few weeks ago, I read an article from the ACLU about father whose step-son was ridiculed and humiliated by his science teacher for his Buddhist beliefs. His classmates, following their teacher’s example, tormented and badgered the young man. The parents were further dumbfounded when they brought this matter was brought to the attention of the school administration who merely dismissed their concerns. The parents went further to bring this issue to the school Superintendent who suggested that they move their child to another district. Currently, the case is in litigation. I read the article and immediately made accusatory judgments and felt personally offended at the conduct of the educators. Within a few minutes, I posted my comments with smug self satisfied righteousness. It took another 24 hours before an awareness of my response presented itself. Did I react because the child was a Buddhist? Would I be as quick to react if the faiths were switched? Was I offended because this all happened in school where all the virtues for an enlightened society are promoted? How have I allowed this to happen? By reacting exactly as I did; swiftly, without thought, compassion, or a clear view .

Here is where I was brought back to see the starkness of how personal conduct, when misguided and unbridled, produce far reaching results in attitudes and conduct of bigotry and cruelty. All because a mind that flits and flutters according to the sentiment of the moment takes me and all that I embody along a foolish path to no one’s benefit; not even my own. I contribute to these unjust human conditions that abound. Thus, the teachings offer tools to stretch the heart and mind and cultivate mindfulness with the Four Sublime States of Loving Kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), Sympathetic Joy (muditha), and Equanimity (uppekka) . The practice of mindfulness as a healthy living practice was highlighted in a recent Mayo Clinic Newsletter that was also a citation in a recent issue of Newsweek. Being Buddhist and practicing mindfulness is healthy living. Mindfulness: Learning to live in the moment

Rev. Jan Youth can be reached at 808-690-7891; revjan808@gmail.com or the temple office @ 625-0925

Office hours: Mililani Hongwanji Temple Building Office

Wednesday, Thursday 1:00-4:00 pm Saturday Sunday 8:00-12:00 Noon

Drop by for brown bag Buddhism* with coffee.

*informal Buddhism talk story time.

Please drop in or call to make appointments for memorial services or other spiritual/counseling requests.

Rev. Jan holds brief service at the WCCH facility with clients on the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 10:30. You are welcome to join in this activity to spend an hour with the seniors. Please consider coming over to sing, dance or work some magic at the WCCH Adult Day Care Program at Mililani Hongwanji.

From our facebook page— "Something as small as making a decision can be very empowering. We feel in control of our situation (rather than victimized by it), and when things change, we change with them. This flexibility and fluidity doesn't happen overnight. There is a gap between needing to make a decision and actually making it, and that gap is almost always filled with fear. We fear change and the unknown, so we cling to a past that's already gone and attempt to avoid a future that is inevitable." Timber Hawkeye in Buddhist Boot Camp, pg 111.

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HHMH 125th Anniversary Inaugural Service opens 102nd Giseikai on February 7-8, 2014 The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii observed its 125th Anniversary Inaugural Service on February 7, 2014 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin Hondo in conjunction with the Giseikai Opening Service. Bishop Eric Matsumoto officiated the service together with the ministers representing each districts’ Ministers Association and the 125th Planning Committee. In the beautifully-arranged altar, ministers chanted the sutras and scattered the petals of adoration. Gomonshu Koshin Ohtani’s message was read by Rev. Tatsuo Muneto. Bishop Matsumoto delivered a message on this auspicious occasion by offering his congratulations and appreciation to the members and supporters of the Hawaii Kyodan for without them we would not be here today, and encouraged everyone to continue to share our joy of Namo Amida Butsu in the 125th Anniversary theme “Live Peace, harmony, and gratitude: Share Aloha!”. Bishop Matsumoto will officiate at the Oahu District 125th Service at the Sangha Day Plantation Days service on Sunday, March 2.

The 102nd Legislative Assembly came to a successful conclusion after 2 days of deliberation, election of a new kyodan president and the Living Treasures Banquet. Pieper Toyama, formerly with the Pacific Buddhist Academy, was elected President of Hawaii Kyodan. President Dean Sakamoto, Rev. Jan Youth, June Asato, Roger Babcock, Richard Taira, Cliff Togo, Dennis Oshita, Bob Asato and Janet Honda attended. Read more about the business proceedings in the Headquarters Update .

Spring Higan at Mililani Hongwanji on Sunday, March 16

Higan is a time of changes in the season from the harshness of winter to the blossoming spring, and a time when the Sangha comes together for study and quiet contemplation. In Hawaii, we designate one day to observe Higan while in Japan, it is a weeklong observance. In Hawaii, we designate a day dedicated for Higan activities. We will observe the spring Higan on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 9:00 am. Rev. Jan will share a dharma message for the season.

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The BWA members are busy getting ready for the Mililani Hongwanji Bazaar on Saturday, March 29 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. We will be having a Country Store and a Rummage Sale. We need the support of everyone by donating your specialty snack or baked items, plants and unique homemade crafts. For cookies and brownies, we suggest a price of $2.00 for four in a bag. If you are donating cake, please cut them into bars with light frosting. Please pre-price all other items. Also, we will accept donations of gently used or new household items, clothing and toys. Please pre-price if donating dishes, pots and pans and suitcases. A sign-up sheet is posted on the church bulletin board for Country Store donations. Please spend a minute to sign-up to bring your favorite snack item.

You may drop off Country Store and Rummage Sale items at the temple from Thursday, March 27 from 5:00-8:00 PM, Friday, March 28 from 1:00-5:00 PM and Saturday, March 29 from 8:00-9:00 AM for Country Store items only. We will also be selling barazushi, takuan and hot andagi. See a BWA member for barazushi tickets ($3.00). See you there! Have you signed up yet? The 2nd Annual Mililani Hongwanji Bazaar is fast approaching (Saturday

March 29) and help is needed to man the Country Store and Rummage Sale. Please volunteer to help for a few hours (or more if you can)!! Sign-up sheets are posted on a bulletin board in the Temple. Call Theo Hirai for more information or to volunteer.

BWA News for March

Hosha Group 3 (coordinator: Sharon Kaneko) will be cleaning/preparing the temple for Sunday service on Saturday, March 15, at 8:30 AM. If you are in this group and are unable to help; please find someone to replace you and notify Sharon.

Wahiawa Hospital visitation will also be on Saturday, March 15, at 10:00 AM.

The Flamingo Restaurant is the site for our annual luncheon meeting on Sunday, March 9, at 11:00 AM. Bring your wrapped door prize ($5-$8). Carpooling from the temple will be available.

Sangha Scouts and Leaders

lead Scout Sunday at Mililani

Hongwanji and the sangha

enjoyed the talk by Mililani

Eagle Scout Tyler Oshiro.

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Special speaker at Mililani Hongwanji Rev. Irene Matsumoto on Sat April 5

Rev. Irene Matsumoto is resident minister of Palolo Kwannon Temple. She attended Ochanomizu Women's University, Tokyo, Japan as a foreign student, holds her Bachelor of Education, University of Hawaii and is a graduate of Tendai Buddhist Training Center. Rev Matsumoto was with the Hawaii Department of Education for 28 years. She is first vice president of The Interfaith

Alliance Hawaii (TIAH), president of Hawai'i Conference of Religions for Peace (HCRP) and president-elect of the United Japanese Society of Hawai’i.

Reserve your seat on the bus and order your

bento for the Hanamatsuri Buddha Day

Celebration on Sunday, April 6.

Sign up on the bulletin board by March 30, or

by sending a message to the Religious Services

committee to dharma.connection@gmail.com.

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March 20-21, 2014 Symposium Numata Conference in Buddhist Studies

Violence, Nonviolence, and Japanese Religions: Past, Present, and Future This event is cosponsored by the Department of Religion at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Buddhist

Study Center (Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i). This conference is made possible thanks to the generous support received from:

The Numata Foundation (Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai) Japan The Henry R. Milander Fund for Buddhist Studies.

New Online preregistration form available on the website of theBuddhist Study Center at: https://sites.google.com/site/buddhiststudycenter/Home/numata-conference

Click Here for : Full conference schedule and registration form

Note: Dr. Loy will be keynote speaker at the Numata Conference and will also present this lecture at the Buddhist Study Center on Friday, March 28 at ___ pm.

Dharma School students (6th grade – 19 years)

Come out to Aiea Hongwanji to meet youth from temples on Oahu

including Honolulu.

What : Joint Jr. YBA/Dharma School Social Activity

When: Sunday, March 23, 2014 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Where: Aiea Hongwanji 99-186 Puakala St. , Aiea

For more information—

contact your minister or your Jr. YBA officers and advisors.

Get details at Dharma School. Coordinated by the United Jr. YBA of

Oahu and the United Jr. YBA of Honolulu.

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Joint Memorial Service will be held on Sunday,March 9, 2014 This list is omitted in the onlineedition

Special Family Memorial Services

For 2014, special memorial years are observed for loved ones who passed away in:

2013 1st Year 1990 25th year 2012 3rd Year 1982 33rd year 2008 7th Year 1965 50th year 2002 13th Year 1915 100th year 1998 17th Year

Please call the minister at 808-690-7891, 625-0925 and/or email dharma.connection@gmail.com if there are corrections or additions to the published list. Families may call the minister to schedule special family memorial services for their loved ones. Thank you acknowledgements omitted in online edition

Mililani Hongwanji

A Shin Buddhist Temple

Minister: Rev. Jan Youth

Kyodan President Dean Sakamoto

Mail to: P.O. Box 893308, Mililani, HI 96789

Location: 95-257 Kaloapau Street

Mililani, HI 96789

Phone: 808.625.0925

Email: 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 Dennis Kawamoto and

June Asato and Bob Asato at

dharma.connection@gmail.com

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 “New Look” Dharma Connection by email, contact dharma.connection@gmail.com Spread the news to your family members

For additional information check out our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mililani-Hongwanji-Buddhist-Temple/114271522485

Visit us at mililanihongwanji.org

Mililani Hale

ADULT CARE AT MILILANI HONGWANI Providing services that enable families

to care for loved ones at home.

Operated by Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Information: (808) 542-9073