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May 2014 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Volume 37 Issue No 5

3--4 Sat-Sun

12th BWA State Membership Conference (Kona)

4 Sun 9:00 AM

Joint Memorial & Family Service; DSTO Songfest at Waipahu Hong.

4 Sun

Jr. YBA Meeting at Waipahu Hongwanji after Songfest

6 Tue 8:00--12:00 N

Flower Arrangement Class

11 Sun 9:00 AM

GOTAN-E & HATSUMAIRI SERVICE (SPEAKER: REV. MIDORI KONDO)

BWA Meeting Following the Service

13 Tue 8:00-12:00 N

Flower Arrangement Class

14 Wed 7:30 PM

Kyodan Board Meeting

17 Sat 8:30/10:00 AM

BWA Hosha Group 5; Wahiawa Hospital Visitation

17-18 Sa t-Sun

Oahu Youth Retreat at Aiea—see April DC

18 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service -- Last Day of Dharma School, Guest Speaker: Laurie Rubin

24 Sat 7:00 AM

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

25 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service (OFFICIANT & SPEAKER: REV. SHIGEAKI FUJITANI)

27 Tue 7:30 PM

Bon Dance Meeting # 2 (Temple)

28 Wed 7:30 PM

40th Anniversary Committee Meeting (Temple)

29 Thu 9:00 AM

Lotus Connection (Temple)

1 Sun 9:00 AM

Joint Memorial & Family Service (Officiant & Speaker: Rev. Toshima)

BWA Meeting Following the Service, Ki-Aikido Car Wash Fundraiser

1 Sun 11:30 AM

Jr. YBA District Convention Meeting at Aiea Hongwanji

8 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service (Officiant & Speaker: Rev. Toshima)

8 Sun 1:00 PM

Oahu District Council (Rengo) Meeting at Mililani Hongwanji

11 Wed 7:30 PM

Kyodan Board Meeting

14 Sat 4:00 PM

Oahu District Obon service and Bon Dance at Plantation Village

15 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service

15 Sun 1:00-3 PM

Hanafuda Sunday—Lessons and practice

16 Mon 7:30 PM

Bon Dance Food Committee Meeting #1 (Temple)

21 Sat 8:30 AM

BWA Hosha Group 6

22 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service (Project DANA DAY)

22 Sun 1:00-3 PM

Hanafuda Sunday – Lessons and Practice

26 Thu 9:00 AM

Lotus Connection (Temple)

27-29 Fri-Sun

Jr. YBA Convention on Kauai

28 Sat 7:00 AM

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

29 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service

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O-Baachan’s Buddhism Our recent services gave me opportunities to engage with members of other Japanese Buddhist traditions. Through short greetings and even shorter snippets of conversation, I had a chance to take another look at some of the attitudes, reasonings, and generalizations that I have come to accept as ‘correct’ and ‘true’. In the process of re-examination, I remembered a discussion among ministerial students and diverse Buddhist scholars that centered on how members engage with the teachings and teachers. The question, "Who is a Buddhist and how would you know” brought forth a conversation drawn from diverse personal experiences. Most of us identified ourselves as Buddhist because we followed in our family traditions. Some identified themselves as Buddhists because they studied and could abide with what they learned. And some identified themselves as Buddhist because of their ethnicity. A shared theme emerged through the discussions on patterns in expressions of faith differed between generations. In contrasting the distinctions between the generations, contemporary followers seek knowledge on several levels; historical, political, and biographical while O-baachan devoted time in worship at the family altar with less time being devoted to analyzing information of the tradition. Today, followers seek information and affirmation from a variety of sources. They feel a deep kinship when the teachings have a personal significance and reference. For Obaachan, worship was an expression of her deep gratitude for all that surrounded the “o-tera’, the people, the activities, and even the work. O-baachan experienced dharma. She lived it. She didn’t study or analyze it or worry about believing. For O-baachan, it was pure joy. Rev. Jan Youth

May, 2014 (President’s Corner) Aloha and Namaste, I would like to update you on some of the recent actions that were approved by our Board of Directors and on-going/upcoming initiatives. Mililani Hongwanji’s Vision and Mission statements were approved as follows: Vision – Mililani Hongwanji is a vibrant Buddhist temple that actively reaches out to its members and

to the community, where people can embrace the Jodo Shinshu teachings in their daily lives with gratitude, in peace and harmony, with respect and compassion towards others. Mission - To share the gift of Jodo Shinshu teachings. To provide a location where everyone can come to listen to the dharma, participate in activities, and gather for fellowship. To support the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Our official temple logo (shown above) has been approved and you will begin to see and recognize our logo in various uses. We are planning to design and order new logo wear shirts and more information will be provided when available. Also, our 40th Anniversary Committee chaired by Rene Mansho has kicked-off and I humbly ask for your support and encourage our members and affiliate organizations to participate in the planning of this special event. Dean Sakamoto, Mililani Hongwanji Kyodan President

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Gotan-E and Hatsumairi on Sunday, May 11

Come join us on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 9:00 am when we celebrate the birthday of Shinran Shonin. We are pleased to have retired minister, Rev. Midori Kondo, share a Gotan-E message. Rev. Kondo entered the ministry with tokudo ordination in 1987 and kaikyoshi in 1999. Rev. Kondo served in a rich variety of roles throughout the state with our Hongwanji. A Native of Pasadena, she has been a resident in Hawaii since 1961. Rev. Kondo makes her home on the island of Hawaii after serving as Hawaii Kyodan minister at Hilo Betsuin and Lihue Hongwanji. During her tenure, she served in leadership roles with the dharma school and interfaith organizations. Come join us for this special service on May 11, 2014 at 9:00 am.

Hatsumairi-Welcome to New Born

At Mililani Hongwanji, we offer a Hatsumairi service for families who wish to have their child begin their life journey in the Hongwanji. This service is held in conjunction with Gotan E, birthday observance of Shinran Shonin. Please let us know if you wish to have your child be introduced to Miliani Honganji or if you know of someone who has new born who are part of our temple community. Please call us. We would be so happy to have your family join us.

We Thank You So Much

On behalf of the Mililani Hongwanji Board of Directors, we thank the affiliate groups for coming together to hold another successful bazaar. We are pleased that this event was fruitful for your organization to promote your programs and activities. A great mahalo for the great support and help that all participants provided to assure that everyone succeeded in this endeavor.

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The Dharma School students under the direction of Cari Taira Lee performed a wonderful Hanamatsuri play on "The Value of Friends", teaching us that encouragement and support from others can help us through our path in life. Carrie Kawamoto, accompanied by the Ladies of Mililani playing ukulele and Tyler Oshiro on saxophone, led us all in singing a number of traditional songs for Hanamatsuri.

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Mililani Sangha members joined the Hawaii Buddhist Council Buddha Day event at Jodo Mission of Hawaii and enjoyed a picnic under the spreading Hitachi Tree at beautiful and relaxing Moanalua Gardens.

Hanafuda Sundays are back—

Hanafuda lessons and practice for adults and children. The sensei of the Mililani BWA will offer lessons on the history of the game, how to play and friendly competition for all who come by. We will be teaching Hanafuda Hawaii Style and the new extra large cards as well as the traditional sized cards will be available.

Sunday, June 15, 1:00 to 3:00 PM Sunday, June 22, 1:00 to 3:00 PM

At Mililani Hongwanji

Free! Invite your friends and neighbors!

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BWA News for May by Lyn

Several of our members will be attending the 12th Hawaii State Federation of BWA State Membership Conference to be held at the Sheraton Keauhou Resort and Spa on May 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday). Because of the conference, the regular monthly meeting will be held on May 11, the second Sunday of the month.

Collections made at our Eshinni/Kakushinni Service will be presented to a youth organization at the May 11th Sunday Service. See photo below with Megan Pascual and BWA members with portraits of the mothers of Jodo Shinshu.

The BWA Hawaii Federation has registered to participate in the Pan-Pacific Festival parade on June 15, 2014, from 5-7pm. More details to follow. Mililani BWA has also signed up to participate in volunteer work for the Hawaii State Library Summer program. There will be a visitation to the Long Term Facility at Wahiawa Hospital this month. All sangha members invited to join In on these and other projects coordinated by the BWA.

The next BWA Hosha is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at 8:30am. Group 5, coordinated by Doreen Sakamoto, will clean/prepare the temple for Sunday service. If you are unable to help, please find someone to fill in for you and contact Doreen.

Aiea Hongwanji BWA hosted the 41st Annual Seminar “Path of Entrusting:Share Peace” on Saturday, April 19. Mililani members who attended enjoyed listening to the Dharma message given by Rev. Mariko Nishiyama and the general education topic “Organizing and Creating a Safe Home” presented by Cynthia Arnold, vice president of Senior Move Managers and De-Clutter Hawaii.

(More bazaar pictures on page 3) Message from Theo Hirai, BWA Fundraising Committee Chair:

I want to thank everyone who helped to make this bazaar a success! The persons in charge were: Twila Castellucci (Rummage Sale and Treasurer), Amy Nishimoto, Diane Yoza and Claire Doi (Country Store), Nora Hahn (Takuan), Joyce Nishioka (Barazushi), Ethel Kawahara and her sisters (Andagi), June Asato (Hanafuda sales), and Joyce Ogawa (Man Power).

Thank you to all the people who donated items for the rummage sale and baked/craft goodies for the Country Store, to everyone who worked hard preparing the takuan for several days, to the barazushi workers who had to work from the wee hours of the morning, and to those who accepted, sorted, and priced the rummage donations, and to everyone who helped to set up/sell/clean up on Bazaar day!!

Another big thank you to all the other Temple members who stepped in to help us!

Message from Claire Doi and Frances Saito, Community Service-Toiletries Project: Thank you to everyone for donating all of the toiletries! The BWA Toiletries Committee was able to supply two organizations in need, Lighthouse Outreach Shelter and The Institute of Human Services Women and Family Shelter whose mission is to provide support to the homeless.

Our next donation is coming up in June and the committee would like to include a Back-to-School drive to help children of Waialua Elementary School in need of school supplies. Here are some of the items that the children can use: new/gently used backpacks, pencils, erasers (cap and block), small size Elmer’s white glue, filler paper, black composition books, colored pencils, and wipe tip colored marker pens.

Please continue to bring your toiletry items! We are very appreciative of your support and donations for these worthy causes.

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Meditation For Everyone by Mel Is your life unbalanced? Are you neglecting those around you? Are you anxious? Can’t sleep? Want more purpose and happiness in your life? Some forms of meditation can help you cope better with these issues. Are you interested in practicing some form of mediation, particularly in an informal group setting? Mililani Hongwanji would like to resume some form of meditation practice, offered to its members and the community. There are a variety of meditation practices in the Buddhist tradition; namely, Zazen, Mindfulness, Vipassana, etc. Member, Molly Gluek Polanski, led a Mindfulness Meditation group at our temple a couple years ago until she moved to the Midwest. While meditation has not been a significant practice in the Hongwanji tradition, it is nevertheless an important Buddhist practice to help you understand yourself better so that you can become more peaceful and compassionate with yourself and your surroundings. It is not an end in itself. It is a practice to help you on your journey in life. Please contact Mel Hayase at 258-6192 or email dharma.connection@gmail.com if you are interested or know someone who might be and we will inform you of start details.

Mililani Hongwanji 40th Anniversary in 2017 Thanks to President Dean Sakamoto’s energy, we are very excited to embark on a 3 year plan to commemorate and celebrate our 40 years of Jodo Shinshu outreach in the Mililani community. Please save the date. Preliminary plans are: “Mililani Hongwanji 40th Anniversary Ohana Day”--March 11, 2017 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Check out the 40th Anniversary bulletin board at the temple to get info and/or sign up to kokua. One

highlight is our plan to build and dedicate a new columbarium adjacent to the temple. We will start fundraising for the columbarium ASAP. Look for our “Leis by Ron” fundraiser tickets. If you are interested in helping in any way, please call Rene at 291-6151 or email: renemansho@hawaii.rr.com. In Gassho, Rene Mansho, Committee Chair

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

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.

Mililani Hongwanji Office Hours 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.

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News from Headquarters—see the entire Hawaii Kyodan Newsletter at http://mililanihongwanji.org/uploads/3/2/7/7/3277781/2014-04_hq_update.pdf Includes a report from YESS Camp 31 held for youth in February. NUMATA CONFERENCE - “Violence, Nonviolence, and Japanese Religions” The Numata Conference in Buddhist Studies was held on March 20 to 21, 2014. Besides bringing together twenty scholars of various disciplines together from around the world to discuss the causes of violence and the conditions for nonviolence it also fulfilled some other important functions:

1. Honored the theme of Peace for the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s 125th Anniversary;

2. Engaged young people from UH and PBA; 3. With the help of Janet Honda, the BWA

Federation president we involved its members in a community outreach project;

4. Explore the concept of creating an opportunity for the larger community to interact with scholars of mixed disciplines to address ways in improving community and society;

5. Created a venue for discussions on causes of violence and possible steps to nonviolence bringing in scholars from throughout the world.

6. Gave scholars from Ryukoku University this additional opportunity to interact with scholars they would not regularly interact with opening up the possibility of expanding their horizons and perspectives.

The concept and vision was created by Dr. Michel Mohr, chairperson of the UH Religion Department and the BSC and the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii served as

the implementer of the vision. Dr. Mohr was able to secure major funding from the Numata Foundation-BDK so that all major expenses like airfare, lodgings and book publication would be paid for. Working with the BSC we also received support from the Henry R. Milander Fund and the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Social Concerns Committee. The East-West Center served as the venue for the conference. The primary planner and mover for the conference was Glenn Hamamura, Vice-President of the Hawaii Kyodan and the Master of Ceremonies was Pieper Toyama, President of the Hawaii Kyodan. Special guests to the opening reception were Governor Neil Abercrombie and Japan Counsel General Toyoei Shigeeda and his wife Michiko Shigeeda. During the two-day proceedings an average of about one hundred people attended the conference with attendance varying for specific presentations from about twenty-five to over one hundred. Dr. Loy’s talk on” Why Buddhism and the West Need Each Other”, at Mililani Hongwanji provided many ideas for all of us. If you missed the conference or one of Dr. Loy’s talks, set your dvr for the following. -Olelo Broadcast 53- Keynote Address by Dr. David Loy on "The Interdependence of Violence: A Buddhist Perspective" Date & Time: May 14 (7pm), May 18 (10am), May 19 (5pm), May 20 (10am) Session A includes talks covering Psychological and Applied Dimensions: Date & Time: May 28 (6pm), June 23 (1pm), June 29 (12pm), June 30 (3pm) Session B includes talks covering The Premodern Roots of Violence: Date & Time: June 9 (2pm), June 16 (2pm), June 23 (4pm), June 29 (8pm)

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Joint Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014

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.

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 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

“Path of Entrusting – Share Peace” Fold origami cranes (3 inch to 7 inch squars), leave folded and packaged to add to the Honokaa Peace Parade 199,000 cranes to be folded in memory of the 199,000 victims of the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1946. Use any kind of paper and bring to temple to add to the box we will send to Honokaa!

Goal: 199,000 cranes by September 21, 2014

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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