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September 2013 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Volume 36 Issue No 9

NOTICE: YESS Reunion for September 1 has been cancelled!

1 Sun 9:00 AM

Joint Memorial & Family Service (BWA Meeting After Service)

6-8 Fri-Sun

State Lay Convention at Aiea Hongwanji

8 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Dharma School

8 Sun 11:00 AM

Jr. YBA Meeting

11 Wed 7:30 PM

Kyodan Board Meeting

15 Sun 9:00 AM

Fall Higan Service & Dharma School w/Rev. David Fujimoto

15 Sun

Kyodan Appreciation Brunch by BWA (After Service)—ALL INVITED!

Pinwheel Planting at Mililani Front Lawn--Sunday to Friday--See page 3 for details

21 Sat 8:30 AM

BWA Hosha Grp. 3 (No Hospital Visitation)

20-22

Peace Day Events: see pages 3,4,5

22 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service

22 Sun 9:00 AM

Oahu District Peace Concert at Wahiawa Hongwanji (page5)

24 Tue 7:00 PM

Oahu Hongwanji Council Meeting at Mililani

26 Thu 9:00 AM

Lotus Connection

28 Sat 7:00 AM

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

28 Sat 8:30--2 PM

Seminar on Twilight Years (page 8)

29 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Dharma School

6 Sun 9:00 AM

Joint Memorial & Family Service (BWA Meeting After Service)

6 Sun

Aikido Car Wash Fundraiser After Service

9 Wed 7:30 PM

Kyodan Board Meeting

13 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Dharma School; YBA Penny Carnival/Can Food Drive

19 Sat 8:30 AM

BWA Hosha Grp. 4 (No Hospital Visitation)

20 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Dharma School

26 Sat

Oahu United BWA Convention, Waipahu Hongwanji

27 Sun 9:00 AM

Family Service & Patch of Madness at Ewa Hongwanji

31 Thu 9:00 AM

Lotus Connection

Fall Ohigan Service on Sunday, September 15: Guest Speaker is Rev. David Fujimoto from Puna Hongwanji

Both the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes mark the Japanese Buddhist holiday of Ohigan(お彼岸), which literally

means “The Other Shore”, or rather the crossing of the other shore. The notion of the “other shore” is a very common metaphor in Buddhism to refer to the reaching of Enlightenment by leaving behind ignorance and craving (i.e. this shore we stand on) and crossing over, one way or another. So, in Japan, when the weather is more mild in Spring and Fall devout Buddhists make a renewed commitment toward the Buddhist path, and particularly the Six Paramitas. Everyone is encouraged to come to the temple to observe Ohigan on September 15.

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Prez’s Corner – Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! It was a festive weekend – Thank you EVERYONE for making another great bon dance festivities, and to the Mililani community, friends and family who came out and provided the manpower. From our humble beginnings 36-years ago, dancing indoors at Rec Center I to the Mililani High School cafeteria around a small hand-built and decorated yagura by 2-persons, thanks to you, we have grown and matured into one of the best and one of the largest bon dances in the State. And, of course, no one has an extensive delicious menu like we do. Today, we construct a sturdy tall music tower (yagura) strung with the lights and lanterns (cho-chins) to brighten up the entire circle of happy dancers. Today, a large segment of the greater Mililani community and beyond, support and participate in our bon festivities. The children of our temple and the community opened the bon dance with the colorful Lantern Parade on Friday (16th); the Ewa Fukushima Dance Club and the Nidaime Teishin Kai Hawaii Shibu, and the Pacific Buddhist Academy students were impressive – pounding on their taikos, and of course, our dancers, all made for a memorable enjoyable weekend. And, the long lines – as always, the food, andagi, shave ice, etc. was great and the crowd patiently waited. Who asked when is the next one? It’s always over the Statehood or Admissions Day weekend. \(~~)/

BWA News for September The BWA will be hosting a light Kyodan Appreciation Brunch after the Higan service on Sunday, September 15, in appreciation for everyone’s support of our activities. Jean Sanehira and her committee are coordinating this event. Hosha Group 3 will be preparing the temple for Sunday service on Saturday, September 21 at 8:30 am. Please contact Sharon Kaneko, coordinator, if you are unable to help on that day and contact someone to take your place. Mahalo to Group 2 for their help in August! There will be no Wahiawa Hospital visit in September. The next meeting will be held on Sunday, September 1, following the 9:00 am service. Thank you to the following members who have come through to serve as officers of the Mililani BWA in 2014. Officers for 2014:

President: Joyce Ogawa Immediate Past President: June Asato Vice President: Doreen Sakamoto Secretary: Diane Yoza Assistant Secretary: Lyn Watanabe Treasurer: Twila Castellucci Assistant Treasurer: Theodine Hirai Auditors: Ethel Yamashige Nancy Tanaka

Rev. Dr. Mary David as been

on extended sick live since emergency eye surgery last month. Please contact kyodan president Bob Asato at 623-0082 for assistance. The Bishop’s office and the ministers of the Oahu Hongwanji council are available to help us while she recuperates.

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We need your help. Remember the goals and values for nurturing Peace at Mililani Hongwanji shared over the past two months at Sunday services and through the Dharma Connection. This is what we value:

Peaceful resolutions to all conflicts

Strength of diversity in our community

The potential of youth and our

communities

Inclusion, teamwork and respect for all

points of view.

Responsible stewardship of the

environment and community resources

How you can help: Fill up the Peace Wall in our temple! Join the pinwheel

patrol and bring your pinwheel blades on Sundays, help assemble pinwheels right up until we start planting the pinwheels on Sunday, September 15. Help plant the 1000 pinwheels before the United Nations International Day of Peace on Saturday, September 21. Fold origami cranes and bring them to the Concert for Peace. Invite

your friends and neighbors to help make pinwheels and they may plant them with us in our front lawn. Come by and see them whirling and sending our aspirations into the air spreading throughout the world. Paint peace rocks for our front garden and take them home to those you want to share peace with. Sunday, September 1,8 and 15: Make pinwheels and paint rocks. We have all materials needed. We need adult help in crimping the pins with pliers.

Saturday, September 14: Help prepare the front lawn for the pinwheel planting. Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 3-5 pm—Planting the 1000 pinwheels until done! Come by if you have time or call 623-0082 to see if we are still planting. Saturday, September 21—Unveiling of Sadako Crane Exhibit at Pearl Harbor (see page 5) Sunday, September 22—A Concert for Peace at Wahiawa Hongwanji (see pages 4-5)

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"A Concert for Peace" September 22, 2013 Wahiawa Hongwanji

The Oahu Hongwanji Council presents “A Concert for Peace” to celebrate peace. Sangha members and friends are invited to come out for a day of music and fellowship. The general community is invited. Our Dharma School students are preparing to present a special song for peace, so come on out for the rehearsals this month—see your dharma school teachers for schedule. The Oahu Hongwanji Dharma Schools and the ministers’ group will be performing selected numbers, and they will also perform as a mass choir. Yuji Sasaki, popular recording artist from Japan will be among the guest performers in the Community concert following the Dharma concert. Yuji and the Sasaki family including Sadako Sasaki’s brother will be there too! Lunch cost is $6.00 per person—sign up at temple by September 3 and pay Lester Ogawa using the coupon below if you plan to stay for lunch. Special guests at the Lunch will be concert performer Yuji Sasaki and members of the Sasaki family. Email dharma.connection@gmail.com if you havr questions. Please arrange your own transportation.

The schedule for the day is: • 8:30 registration • 9:00 service • 9:30 concert (Oahu District Dharma groups) • 10:30 break/book sale • 11:00 Community concert featuring guest performers& community groups) • 12:00 lunch/book sale: • 1:00 clean-up

We are also collecting folded paper cranes made out of 6" square paper for display and as a gift for Yuji Sasaki to take back to Hiroshima. Bring folded cranes to dharma school on or before September 8!

Dharma School Teachers of Oahu will also be conducting a service project for the Resource Family Support Services to help foster children. Please bring new backpacks and school supplies on Sunday, September 22.

Lunch cost is $6.00 per person—sign up at temple by September 3.(Walk-in guests will pay $10 so be sure to sign up and pay Lester Ogawa using the coupon below if you plan to stay for lunch. Special guests at the Lunch will be concert performer Yuji Sasaki and members of the Sasaki family. Email dharma.connection@gmail.com if you have questions. ---------------------------------------------------------cut here ------------------------------------------------------------ Name __________________________________________________ email/phone: ____________________________ The following will attend the Concert for Peace on Sunday, September 22.

Name Child or Adult Having Lunch? $6

Write in more names ok. # of Lunches X $6 = ______________________

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2013 Peace Day Interfaith Service An interfaith celebration will be held on Friday, September 20, 2013 beginning at 7:00pm at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin at 1727 Pali Highway. This annual event is sponsored by the Pacific Buddhist Academy, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin and other community organizations. The service will feature speakers and musical performances from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions. The event will be a moving and memorable celebration of peace. Mr. Masahiro Sasaki will be a featured speaker at the celebration. Mr. Sasaki is the brother of Sadako Sasaki, whose extraordinary life was recounted in the children’s book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes”. Mr. Sasaki will be accompanied by his son Yuji Sasaki who will perform a musical number. The Sasaki family has long been advocates for cultivating peace in our world. Contact Rev. Blayne Higa for more information. 532-2649. Blayne.higa@pbahi.org.

The 7th Annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace Parade and Festival -- Saturday, September 21, 2013, 4 p.m. Honokaa, Big Island of Hawaii hosts the premiere Peace Day event in the State of Hawaii, and the only event of its kind worldwide, a parade and festival demonstrating unity in support of peace, compassion and awareness of interdependence. New this year, parade steps off at 4 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Hundreds of participants from over 30 groups will perform or exhibit in a unique parade, described as a “moving stage.” The festival which follows will include entertainment and over 40 vendors and exhibitors including an appearance by Mr. Masahiro Sasaki, brother of Sadako Sasaki, and Mr. Yuji Sasaki, nephew of Sadako.

Check out their facebook page for a week of special events!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=596203647085649&set=a.127977157241636.12249.126153147424037&type=1&theater

Bus from Mililani Hongwanji for the unveiling of the Sadako Crane Exhibit leaves at 8:00 am—sign up immediately if you have not yet signed up. We will RSVP for all on the Bus as of September 3, so contact dharma.connection@gmail.com if wish to reserve a seat on the bus.

BAG RESTRIC TIONS for admission to Visitor Center: For security reasons, NO Purses, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, large camera bags, luggage or other items that provide concealment are allowed in the Visitor Center. Valuables should not be left in your vehicles. Bag storage is available at the entrance to the Visitor Center for a fee of $3 a bag. (We recommend that visitors bring in their wallets, id, water, cameras and telephones).

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BON Dance 2013-- Because of you, it was another great one!

To all our members, friends and neighbors - “Thank you very much”. The live music of the Ewa Fukushima Dance Club and the Nidaime Teishin Kai had all the dancers jumping and shouting in orderly unison. The Lantern parade on Friday brought many happy smiling faces and with the proud parents and grandparent watching or walking with them. The exciting taiko performance by the students of the Pacific Buddhist Academy And, of course, the great menu, the shave ice, and the andagi for which the lines kept on going and continued growing and going. But, let us not forget the members/volunteers/friends of Mililani who shopped, ordered and picked all the stuff, and washed, then chopped, cut, all the chicken, the veggies. Before and after the scene - who picked up the 100 cases of water and juice, etc? Traffic cones. Shave ice machine and freezer, syrup? The yagura setup and breakdown and cleanup? That was a lot of sweat for sure, but the tired smiling faces made it worthwhile – because we are proud to be Mililani Hongwanji. Now, we go back to our regular committees and our religious services, progrms and activities going many times daily, week after week, month after month until 2014 bon. Did you hear? The planning for 2014 has begun already? Mahalo, In gassho, Co-chairs – Roger Babcock, Bob Asato Mahalo from the Country Store Chairpersons! Claire Doi and Diane Yoza extend loads of thanks to those who donated the many baked goods, rice dishes, energy bars, pizzelles, trail mixes, mochi, manju and many more. They all looked so delicious and were bought by the numerous people that came to the Country Store. We appreciate the time you spent preparing the goodies and pricing them, too. Thank you also to those that made scrubbies and other craft items. Mahalo to those who donated plants. We were overwhelmed by your generosity! Mahalo to all the people who volunteered to work at the Country Store. It was very busy, especially during the first shift with a line of people trying to get to our tables! Thanks also to those who came to clean-up on Sunday after the bon dance.

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Food Lovers’ Paradise Mililani Hongwanji members were awed by the tremendous crowd that gathered on our temple grounds for our 2013 annual bon dance fair. As usual, the food lines were long as the food crew worked feverishly to cook and serve the food to the hungry crowd. This is the first year that no one went away hungry. While we did run out of chicken curry and chicken hekka, creative dishes (mini-plates of noodles/fried chicken and hot dog dinner plates) appeared “magically” to take their places. If you wanted to lose weight in a hurry and gain some muscle mass, the food booth was the place to be. Stirring the noodles and chicken hekka, tearing/shredding the kalua pork, scooping the food into the plates and carrying the heavy pans of cooked food to the serving line all helped us to become more physically fit. Of course, the mental anguish of preparing all the food was surely offset by the end result: everyone that wanted to eat got to eat. The food booth may have looked like “hell’s kitchen” with all the hustle and bustle, but if you looked closely, there were smiles and laughter mixed in with the frowns and groans. All in all, the hard-working food booth volunteers were one happy family. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!

SEPTEMBER IS FOODLAND GIVE ALOHA MONTH The Foodland Give Aloha Program honors its founder, Maurice J. Sullivan, and his generosity in giving back to the

community. Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match donations up to a total of $350,000 for all participating non-profit organizations. This program allows you to leverage your precious donations into an even greater donation. As an example, last year’s participants received approximately 24% in “matching” contributions. In other words for every $100 donated, an additional $24 went to the organization. Mililani Hongwanji, the Honpa Hongwanji Ministerial Training Program and the Pacific Buddhist Academy are some programs that you may want to participate in.

HEAR MY CONCERNS AS I ENTER THE TWILIGHT OF MY LIFE …” An Intergenerational retreat sponsored by the End-of-Life Committee, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for family and friends to listen and reflect on our elder’s wishes and concerns ~ Health, religious, cultural ~ to support them as they enter the twilight of their lives. Date: Saturday, September 28, 2013 Time: 8:30am – 2:00pm Place: Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission (1067 California Avenue, Wahiawa) Cost: $20 / $10 for students … includes refreshments and lunch Applications available at temple.