Kawaikini is the highest peak on Kauai.  The elevation from sea level is 5,243 feet or 1,598m.  

It is located in almost center of the island and part of Mount Waialeale which is known as the wettest spot on Earth.  Because of the heavy rain during the night, the mountain showed us incredibly long waterfalls everywhere. 

These waterfalls are legendary falls because they last only for a few hours.  The was my second time I saw these falls after 2011.  Because the peak is often covered by clouds, its waterfalls are hardly seen.

Kawaikini literally means “the multitudinous water,” referring to plenty rainfalls throughout the year.  

Another article on Kawaikini:

Kawaikini - Koloa Jodo Mission- Buddhist Temple

We tend to think transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is amazing. But what is more amazing should be our transformation of our human being from birth to death. There are lots of changes physically, mentally and spiritually between birth and death. Without faith, we are quite powerless toward these incredible changes. With faith, however, we can be positive about our changes and we can change ourselves to accept these changes for better future. Did you find faith already? If not, shall we learn Buddhism? Although any religion is great but Buddhism shall be a great game changer of life. Namu Amida Butsu

Mahalo to our Dharma brothers and sisters who joined in the Zoom Nenbutsu yesterday. Wow, it was unbelievable that one hour passed so quickly!

Then I watched the video of this Zoom Nenbutsu by Rev. Tsuchiya. Oh my goodness….I now can see I was falling asleep from time to time. No wonder time passed incredibly fast! But as I looked myself, somehow I was continuing to chant Namu Amida Butsu.

This reminded me a famous episode of the Essay called “Tsurezuregusa.”

Tsurezure-gusa or “Essays in Idleness” is one of the best known medieval collections of essays written by a Buddhist monk, Yoshida Kenko (1283-1352).

Tsurezure means “to have nothing to do” or “to be bored.” Kenko Hoshi was a modest priest and his writings were not paid attention while he was living. At least 100 years after he passed away, his essays became popular. Because various historical figures and incidents were mentioned in his essays, this is very valuable document to know the history.

Among 243 passages, the author wrote about an interesting episode of our Maser Honen Shonin in the 39th passage. This is based on the question and answer between Master Honen and one of his students and we can tell the author’s deep respect toward Honen Shonin.

"One day, somebody asked Honen Shonin, “While reciting Namu Amida Butsu, I sometimes doze off. This may be very lazy. What will you suggest, Master.” Honen Shonin simply answered, “Just recite Nenbusu when you wake up. That’s it.” What a precious teaching!

Honen Shonin also said “It is for sure you can be born in the Pure Land if you surely think it's possible. It is not sure about the birth in the Pure Land if you are not sure about it.” This is also very valuable.

Then Honen Shonin continued, ”Yet you can attain Ojo by reciting Namu Amida Butsu even if you may have doubt.” Again, this is also very precious!" (from Tsurezuregusa, the 39 Dan or passage)

What a great episode and essay! I love this essay not because I dozed off while chanting Nenbutsu yesterday but because the author's respect toward our Master Honen Shonin from this passage. The author Kenko Hoshi must have regarded Honen Shonin as a master of masters!

I'm very proud to be a Honen Shonin's follower. The next Zoom Nenbutsu will be hosted by Jodo Shu South America (Brazil) on March 6 at 11：00 am (HST). Namu Amida Butsu.

It was truly a pleasure and privilege to work for two Bodhi Day Services this year.  This Virtual Bodhi Day Service is sponsored by Hawaii Buddhist Council which consists of 7 major Japanese Buddhist Sects' headquarters: Higashi Hongwanji, Honpa Hongwanji, Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Nichiran Mission of hawaii, Koyasan Shingon Mission of Hawaii, Soto Mission of Hawaii and Tendai Mission of Hawaii.  Our featured speaker is Dr./Rev. Kenneth Tanaka, Professor Emeritus of Musashino University.  

The service starts exactly same time as Kauai Buddhist Council's Bodhi Day Service.  So you can watch this later.  I'm sure you'll enjoy both services and Dharma talks!!!  Happy Bodhi Day!

Please click below for downloading a 2020 Bodhi Day Program.

"Half Tatami mat for waking up, one mat for sleeping."

This is the proverb used and loved by the people during late Edo period in Japan.  The author is unknown.  This impies no matter how you live in a huge mansion and no matter how gorgeous room you may have, the space you’d need is just half a Tatami mat for seating or standing and one mat for sleeping. 

This saying is usually quoted when you’d like to emphasize on importance of satisfaction and self content life but I understand it differently.  I see this saying as a great example of human equality and how we can see people equal. 

Needless to say, there are tremendously many types or variety of people and many races in this world.  Then how can we respect each other? And how can we be happy together? People during the Edo period must have sought for the positive understanding because people at that time were forced to live in the world of unequally. 

They must have thought about equality.  What was common between the samurai and the merchant?  What was common between the nobles and the common?  Thus they got this viewpoint that minimum space for people are almost same.  Namely they were able to reach the thought of equality by realizing the size of human being. They realized whether people are rich or poor, Samurai or farmer, merchant or priest, there are not much difference in sizes and in the minimum space for human being living. 

While there are still racial discrimination going on, we should all realize we are not essentially different.  Interestingly this proverb later got an additional phrase....even if you become a ruler of the world, you cannot eat more than two and a half cups of rice at a time.  This implies even if you get abundant of rice, the amount you could eat daily is very limited like ordinally people.

I like this short saying very much.  However I think the last part is not always correct......because I've eaten three cups of rice at a time by making Musubi.  

Fireworks or Hanabi which literally means "Flower of Fire (Hana=Flower, Bi/Hi=Fire)" were said to be invented in China during the Song Dynasty(960–1279).  Fireworks were used for various festivities and also they were used in order to get rid of evil sprits and bring good fortune to the people.  The custom to celebrate new year with fireworks was originated from this belief that fireworks could scare away evil spirits.

Amid of this coronavirus pandemic, I’ve heard fireworks in Japan were originally used to expel the outbreak of epidemic.  Thus I had some interests in the history of fireworks in Japan and made a video of brief history of Hanabi above.  It was quite interesting and I got the reason why people shout "Tamaya" toward fireworks in Japan.

One of the first documents which mentioned about the usage of the fireworks was a private diary called “Kennaiki” written by Madenokoji Tokifusa (1395-1457) .  There was an article dated March 21, 1447 says “After memorial service at Shojokein Temple which is a Jodo Shu temple, some kind of arts by fire was performed and because it was so splendid like a shooting star, Tokifusa praised and gave award to the people who seemed to be Chinese.    Since there were trade ships going back and forth between Japan and Ming Dynasty during Muromachi era (1336-1573), it is considered that fireworks were brought to Japan during this time.

In 1543, an epoch making event happened in Japan.  A Chinese  ship with Portuguese merchants on board drifted down and for the first time, guns were introduced to Japan.  Soon after this event, many more guns, arts of guns and the way how to make gun were also brought to Japan with Society of Jesus missionaries.  After that, more descriptions of fireworks were seen in the documents and in 1582, a Portuguese missionary used fireworks at the temple for the missionaries which was given by Otomo Sorin who was a well-known Christian feudal lord during Sengoku period in Japan.  Within less than 50 years, guns had become necessary weapon for the battles in Japan.

In the Edo period, when the peaceful era started especially after the big battle at Osaka Castle with Toyotomi Hideyori, guns became not important because of no battle.  As a result, a gunpowder shop specializing in fireworks appeared.  There exists an article to report the Shogunate banned fireworks outside the Sumida River in 1648.  Therefore, fireworks are assumed to have been popular since that time.   Of course, the fireworks at that time was small.   According to "Wakan Sansai Zukai" (written by Yoshiyasu Terashima, an encyclopedia of the Edo period) which was published in 1712, pinwheel called “Nezumi-Hanabi (Rat Fireworks)” which moves like a rat was introduced.

Fireworks bans were often issued in Edo since it could cause accident and fire which could ruin the city.   Therefore production of fireworks moved to the rural area gradually.

The oldest firework company in Japan which still exist is Kagiya.  In 1659, Kagiya started selling toy fireworks.  In 1810, one of the fireworks craft men of the Kagiya was allowed to be independent and started the company called “Tamaya.”   Since then, these two companies competed each other and brought much improvement for the fireworks.   

In Japan, when fireworks is launched to the sky, I remember people shout “Tamayaaaa” toward the fireworks over the sky.  I didn’t know why people shout “Tamaya” and sometimes “Kagiya” but now I understand it.  This was from the custom by the people of Edo during the fireworks festival that they used to shout either of the two major fireworks companies to express their love or support to one of their favorite fireworks company.   However Tamaya was ordered to close down as a penalty that they caused fire to burn houses in 1843. 

Interestingly after this coronavirus, the roots of Sumida River Fireworks Festival which is one of two major fireworks festivals in Tokyo has been spotlighted.  It is said this festival was started by the 8^th Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune who ordered to have a “Segaki Service by the river” in order to pray and console the souls who passed away by the famine and outbreak of Cholera in 1732.  It is said after the service, Yoshimune sponsored fireworks in order to get rid of the decease.   

Although this story may not be historically true, it is telling us the original important purpose of the fireworks which is to expel the evil spirits by making sound, fire and smoke.   This year many organizations cancelled the Forth of July fireworks in order to avoid crowds of the people, but it is good to know one of the purposes of fireworks is to get rid of the outbreak.

"Great ocean of Buddha-Dharma should be entered with "Shin (faith)" and cross it with "Chi (wisdom)."

by Nagarjuna (From the Treatise on the Great Parjnaparamita (Daichido-ron))

All Jodo Shu followers know Ichimai-Kishomon (One Sheet Testament) by our Master Honen but very little know about existence of various Ichimai-Kishomon by successors of Honen Shonin in the linage of Jodo Shu.

Because Ichimai-Kishomon is written on only one sheet, it is considered to be super essence of the teachings or the thoughts by the writer. However, as far as I know, there is no information at all, even in Japanese that have introduced various “Ichimai-Kishomon” except Honen's one through the internet.

Boat is rudder,
Fan is pivot
Then Ojo is what?
Namua Amida Butsu
And unshakable faith.
by Tokuhon Gypka (1745-1825)

In the beginning of Bunka period(1804-1818), there was a master of Kendo or Way of Sword, named Terada Goemon (also called Terada Muneari) (1745-1825) who founded “Tenshin Ittoryu Style” in the domain of the Lord Takasaki Clan. He was so impressed with a short poem above by Tokuhon Gyoja and encouraged his men to practice Nenbutsu.

One of his students named “Shirai Toru (1783-1843)” who later became an unparalleled sword master but when he was under training, he seemed to boasted his commandment of the sword after visiting many Dojos. Master Terada instantly saw his arrogance and ordered him to go to see Tokuhon.

Shirai Toru was unsatisfied with what his master ordered because he thought Tokuhon was not a sword master but just a priest.

At that time, Tokuhon was staying at Katsuo-ji Temple in Setsu (Osaka) and observing a special Nenbutsu practice. It was on the 15th when Shirai went to see Tokuhon, he was in the midst of preaching. Shirai instantly felt dignity and unusual inner power of Tokuhon and couldn’t do anything except leaving.

On the next day, Shrai Toru requested to see Tokuhon formally and introduced himself politely as follows; “I’m a student of Master Terada Goemon who ordered me to go to see you and hear your teaching. I’d very much appreciate if you could share good teaching about improving my way of sword.”

Then Tokuhon showed him smile and said, “I am just a Nenbutsu practitioner. I don’t know anything about way of sword. All I know is to practice Nenbtutsu and to attain the birth in the Pure Land. Why don’t you recite Nenbutsu for your own future.” As soon as Tokuhon said to Shirai, Tokuhon turned back to face Amida Buddha and started chanting Namu Amida Butsu by hitting a Sho-bell.

Shirai was so impressed by Tokuhon’s no doubt about his action. By staring at Tokuhon’s chanting of Nenbutsu, all of sudden, Shirai fully realized the depth of Kendo.

Later Shirai recalled this moment of awakening and told his men, “When I once saw Tokuhon chanting Nenbutsu with just a small hitting stick of the bell, his inner power so called “Ki” looked as if he was confronting thousands of enemies. Yet, he didn’t show any hesitation and carelessness in Chanting Nenbutsu.

This story reminds me of Nakajima Atsushi’s famous novel called “Meijin-den” or “The legend of the Master.” This is an amazing short story how a young man became a legend of master Archery by learning archery of no archery.

I think Shirai realized the existence of ultimate way of the sword that doesn’t require a sword. While having a sword, one is attached to the sword more or less and one cannot think out of the box. However by holding no sword or by leaving the sword, one can attain free mind that is far from the attachment. Just like the best words must be far from words, the best way of sword is that not used.

Detailed information and the full syllabus are available at http://bschawaii.org.   BSC was established in 1972 as a part of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

I'd like to express my deepest appreciation to the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and BSC for their generous gift of Dharma.  Also I'd like to thank Bishop Matsumoto for sharing this information with us.  

I think I have quite a few regrets in my life so far and one of the biggest regrets was I quit going to the piano lessons as I turned to be a teenager. It was difficult to persuade my father about quitting but he was finally convinced when I insisted I would keep practicing without a teacher.

After that I actually couldn't continue playing the piano any more and dedicated myself to more sports. It was after I came to Hawaii I restarted working to play some Gartha. Then many years have passed by and I completely forgot I could play some Garthas, too. Wow, even I was surprised that I didn't forget how to play the Vandana Ti-Sarana!!!

Every year I make "Aloha" at Koloa Jodo Mission to welcome Bon Festival. Though pandemic still continues this year, I want to offer Aloha to our members, friends, visitors and our beloved deceased during O-Bon. I took time-lapse photos for making Aloha yesterday on June 14, 2020.

As I make this video, I want to thank our President Alvin Akimoto for his donation of time and energy to maintain our temple ground. Especially I'm extra thankful for him this year because I can do more Bishop's job thanks to his support.

Also in this video, I am introducing a super light portable chair called "Karu-suke" from Japan!!! It weighs only 7 oz (200gram) and max load capacity is 260lbs (120kg). It costs about $7. (The cheapest one available online was 560yen or $6). It's also available at Amazon Japan. This can be very useful for weeding, gardening, outside events such as watching parade and also good for photo-shooting. This is one of good items to buy when you go to Japan.

This is really amazing but I have to be careful when I use this.....Because it's so light, I sometimes forget I have it on and go out.....Then I notice it because people look questioning!

JISHIN-GE (FULFILLMENT OF DEVOTION)

JI SHIN KYO NIN  SHIN

自  信   教  人   信　   

NAN  CHU TEN  KYO  NAN

難  中   轉   更   難

DAI  HI  DEN  BUTSU KE   

大  悲   傳  普   化　   

SHIN JO HO  BUT    TON

眞  成  報   仏   恩

To believe in the Buddha's Teaching and to enable others 

to believe in it, is a very difficult task.

If we could transmit His Teaching to others and enable them to rejoice in it, we would be paying our respect to His boundless mercy and truly fulfilling our obligation.

(Ojuo-Raisan by Master Shandao)

This short verse is called "Jishin-ge" which is written on "The Hymns in Praise of Birth in the Pure Land (Ojuo-Raisan)" by the Pure Land Buddhist Master Shandao (613-681).

This short verse could represent our difficult but most rewarding task to teach Buddha's teaching.  Therefore when we Jodo Shu ministers get together for the occasions such as workshops and lecturers, we recite this Jishin-ge together to realize our important mission.   Also we offer this verse to our Pure Land Masters during special services.

The word "Jishin" which literally means "to believe self"

is now understood as "confidence."  So this title of verse "Jishin-ge" could be translated as "Verse of Confidence."

Needless to say, it is impossible to make others to believe without your believing.  In other words, you cannot be confident if you cannot believe yourself.

So this verse is actually stressing the importance of "your believing" which can be called "Faith." As we have faith, we can be confident.   

To believe in Pure Land is actually not easy but it is definitely much more difficult to make people believe.  However if we are truly successful in our mission to transmit Buddha's great compassion, it is our great reward which could repay a deep obligation from the Buddha and our Buddhist masters.

Please enjoy Online Jodo Buddhist Sunday Service which will be premier on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 10:30a.m.

This could be my best online Sunday Service video and you can actually watch it anytime after tomorrow. 

The disadvantage of LIVE streaming video is nothing but a fact that I cannot edit the video. But I came to realize this can be a great advantage because I don't need to spend time for editing!

Honen Shonin pointed out two conditions that are not in accordance with the Essential Vow of Amida Buddha and also mentioned two conditions that are in accordance of the Essential Vow of Amida Buddha. What are two conditions?

Honen Shonin clearly showed us examples that disadvantage can be advantage depending on the viewpoint!

Yesterday, Governor Ige issued the supplementary proclamation and showed time-line for reopening of Hawaii. Although nothing is certain about this pandemic yet, it was at least good to know our current standing position toward the goal for Hawaii. Then I noticed an unusual word, “New Normal” which was quite different from what we meant before.

We all wish to be back to normal life but as Governor Ige showed our goal as New Normal which may not to go back to our normal life but we need to build new stand for living safely. This means we need to continue our efforts to protect ourselves and our community for both our safety and economy. We might need both social distancing and face mask for much longer period but we should not worry about future.

I like both dolphin and aquarium.  Also I like a dolphin show. It’s so amazing to watch their advanced performance and huge jumping. However as I am so used to watch wild dolphins swimming freely in the sea, I cannot help feeling sorry for dolphins about their pool where they do a show for us. Though there may be different sizes of pools but they are all tiny as compared to their natural living space called ocean.

Of course ocean is not always sweet.  Dolphins in nature are free to swim anywhere but they always have to keep searching for their food.  I understand they need lots of food of fish.  Also there exists enemies such as shark and killer whale for baby dolphins in the ocean. And in certain areas,  human being too could be their enemy, too.  But among all, the biggest enemy for all the dolphins is said to be the various virus and parasitic worm in the ocean.

What is Buddhism?  This is my eternal theme and I repeat asking myself what is Buddhism whenever I have a chance to talk.

Today I presented one of the simplest answers by comparing Chinese/Japanese and English.  Opening talk and ending talk after the service.

My father emailed me bunch of his favorite poems by both Ryokan and Tokuhon Shonin as I introduced their short poems in English. I never sent my thank-you yet but I was so glad to know so many amazing poems related to our Nenbutsu. I think I could enjoy translation of more poems in the future for longer time. One of great poems I was attracted this morning was Ryokan’s Tanka which is considered to be his another death poem or “Jisei no Ku.”

・良寛に 辞世あるかと 人問はば 南無阿弥陀仏と 言ふと答えよ

What if Ryokan has
Death poem leaving for us
(a death poem in his mind)
When one asks you
“Namu Amida Butsu”
Tell my simple answer

Showing front,
Showing back,
Maple leaves fall.

By Ryokan Shonin(1758-1831)
(Translated by Rev. Gyomay M. Kubose)
うらを見せ　おもてをみせて　散るもみぢ

This Haiku written by Ryokan(1758-1831) has been widely known in the world and quoted by various people for many years. Ryokan was a Soto Zen priest (1758–1831) during the late Edo period. Because Ryokan spent most of his life as hermit, living in a humble abode, he was not famous during his lifetime. But he left many great poems and calligraphies which made Ryokan well known, about 100 years later after his death.

Ryokan was born as a first son of rich landlord of Izumozaki, currently Niigata prefecture. But as he studied more about Chinese thoughts and Buddhism, he left his house to seek for the truth and became a priest. His Buddhist name was Ryokan Taigu which literally means “Good generous great fool” which was what Ryokan humbly wanted to be. He was also known as a priest who loved playing with kids.

Life of Ryokan and his great works were revealed and introduced through the writers of Taisho period such as Soma Gyofuu. Interestingly, Ryokan loved practicing Nenbutsu and left many poems related to Namu Amida Butsu while he was a Soto Zen priest.

This Haiku was one of Ryokan’s death poems called “Jisei no ku” or just “Jisei” in Japanese. “Ji” means to farewell and Sei means “this world.” So Jisei indicates a poem or short sentence to say good bye to this world through one of the forms of poetry. Jisei usually is written according to the author’s reflection of life. And in many cases, the essence of author's life is imparted in the short form of poem.

I have understood this Ryokan’s Haiku in two ways. The first understanding is to regard front as “vanity” which is one of our desires to show off our “goodness” to the people. If we did something good, we naturally want to tell people what we did. On the other hand, back is something that we don’t want to show to the public such as mistakes, shame and embarrassing things. So our life is, in a sense, to try to keep showing only front side and hiding back side.

However whenever there is light, there is shadow. There is no front side which does not have a back side. “Back” is our important part of life. You don’t need to make confession on your secrets or mistakes, but we cannot ignore “back” and need to face and work together. Back can be our suppressed desire or sometimes our feeling of hatred as opposed to love. By facing and working together with back and front, we can be tolerate and compassionate. Ryokan must have realized both our good and bad side of desires and lived harmoniously with both front and back.

Of course, whether it is front or back is just our temporary understanding depending on the viewpoint. It can be easily opposite. Front can be back and back can be front. Same is true to the idea of good or bad. Depending on the situation, good can be bad and bad can be good. Also another understanding that front and back as one is possible.

After all, Ryokan, wanted to express life as a falling maple leaf. Just like its showing both font and back, life is filled with duality such as good times and bad times, pleasure and suffering, happiness and unhappiness, peace and anger and so on. Ryokan saw this duality in life. (To be continued).

Amida’s Pure Land,                           (5 syllables)
Extremely far Buddha Land,              (7 syllables)
Before I had thought.                         (5 syllables)
Namu Amida Butsu                            (7 syllables)
Now it comes here at my feet            (7 syllables)

White-rumped Shama is known as one of the best songbirds in Hawaii. The voice is clear and beautiful especially loud around both sunrise and sunset time. It was introduced to Hawai’I from Malaysia in 1931 and again in 1940 and established on Kaua’I, Oahu, Molokai and possibly on Maui, according to “A photographic Guide to the Birds of Hawaii.”

This bird was named after its white rump while Japanese name, “Akahara Shikicho” was named after its brown part of the belly. It’s very interesting to know bird’s name in different languages since most birds were named after their characteristics according to their viewpoint of their culture. Japanese name, Akahara-shikicho can be divided into five words; Aka(Red)Hara(Belly) Shi(Four) Ki(Season) Cho(Bird).

When I was sorting photos of various ponds in Japanese gardens, I noticed color of water was pretty different depending on the location and time. Some ponds look very clear, some look brown and some look green. To my surprise, one of Eikando’s pond photos look blue. Then I noticed the existence of light. Color of the water in the pond looks all different because of the reflection of light. This simple realization of light led me to have new understanding and translation of our Master Honen’s short poem called “Pond Water Poem.”

What a good idea! As soon as I saws the news of Koinobori with social distancing in Japan, I couldn’t help setting up carp streamers again with social distancing here!

However when I showed this picture to my wife, she told me it was too much of a good thing. She continued, “Our human beings and maybe animals are necessary to do this. But isn’t it necessary for Koinobiri to practice social distancing? Let at least Koinobori do what we cannot do! Let Koi carps swim stick together!”

Water of the pond

A human mind

Very similar to each other

Whether it's muddy or clear,

Never settled but keep changing

By Honen Shonin (1133-1212)

池の水　人の心に　似たりけり　にごりすむこと　さだめなければ

(Translated by Kosen Ishikawa)

Short poem called Tanaka written by Honen Shonin are listed in “Honen Shonin Gyojou-ezu” (An Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin).  There are 17 poems listed in the chapter 30 and two more poems are written in the different chapters.    So total of 19 short poems are said to be written by Honen Shonin, according to Jodo Shu Daijiten.

At the beginning of the chapter 30-6, Shunjo(1255-1335) who was the author/editor of “Honen Shonin Gyojo-ezu” made comments that Honen Shonin was not a Tanka poet however because of our culture which express our thoughts through Tanka with a fixed form, Honen Shonin naturally made short poems from time to time.  There must be poems which were transmitted to his disciples and some poems must have been known after Honen Shonin passed away.

This short verse is known as “Pond Water Poem.”   The color of water in the pond is sometimes clear, sometimes yellow, sometimes red and muddy.  It is always changing and uncontrollable because of the huge amount of water.  By looking at the pond, Honen Shonin thought this was very similar to our mind. 

Our mind is sometimes clear but not always so.  Sometimes we are impatient and sometimes we are upset about something.  No matter how good deeds we have done in the past but there is no guarantee our mind can be kept pure and good in the future.  Just like water in the pond become muddy so easily right after raining hard, our mind can be easily impure if we are involved in the misfortune. 

Honen Shonin was known as the most wise priest of the age and saint yet he saw himself as an ordinary man who was more or less the same with other people who are sinful.

This short poem excellently tells us how Honen Shonin understands our human being.  Just like water in the pond, our human nature cannot be fixed.  However because of this realization, Honen Shonin was able to encounter the original vow of Amida Buddha and realized our mind is not an issue in order to attain birth in the Ultimate land of Amida Buddha.

We have heard

The Pure Land

Is far, far away,

Yet striving earnestly

We reach our destination

-By Kuya Shonin (903-972)

（Translated by Jonathan Watts & Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu)

極楽は　はるけきほどと　聞きしかど　つとめていたる　所なりけり

 ――空也上人　『千載和歌集』　（巻第十八）

It is said this short poem was written by Kuya Shonin(903-972) who was one of the first Japanese priests to spread Nenbutsu amongst people during the Heian Period. 

Kuya Shonin has been known as the founder of Odori Nenbutsu which is to recite Nenbutsu while dancing with musical rhysm but there is no proof that Kuya did odori Nenbutsu.   However he seemed to travel many places in Japan and left many legends and folklores such as building roads, digging wells for the welfare of the people.  Therefore with respect, he is called  “Ichino-Hijiri (The Saint or Holy Man in the market)” or “Amida Hijiri (The Saint of Amida).  

According to Amida Sutra, the Pure Land exists in the far west, as many as ten trillion Buddha-lands away.  From the viewpoint of common sense, it’s impossible to get to the far western Pure Land.   However, Kuya Shonin wrote this short verse to tell us the ways to reach there.  I may be wrong but I think this verse has double meanings.  

My first understanding of this verse is like a saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  By practicing diligently or constant efforts of practicing will lead us to the Pure Land.  This is the understanding based on the word “Tsutome te” as “by diligent practice” or “by “O-tsutome.”   This encourages us to continue to practice hard because if we keep working for the goal, we could get closer to the goal no matter how far the goal may be.

On the other hand, another understanding of the “Tsutome te” is “to be immediately”  or “to work quickly” based on the meaning of “Tsuto” as early or quickly.  

According to Jodo Shu, this verse is understood as importance of Tariki or other power.   We understand Jiriki or self power is very difficult to continue.  However as soon as we establish faith in the essential vow of Amida buddha, Amida Buddha comes to us quickly so that we can attain birth in the Pure Land which seemed too far away from us.

This verse was left at the Seiganji Temple in Kyoto, which is now known as the Head Temple of the Seizan Fukakusa Branch of Jodo Shu.  This temple was originally Hossou-shu or Yuishiki-shu which is East Asian Yogacara School but the head priest of this temple who listed to the teaching of Honen Shonin became a disciple of Honen and converted this temple to Jodo Shu.

Dew drops
Here, there and everywhere,
Evaporate,
Yet together our spirits
Will meet on the Lotus Pedestal.

By Honen Shonin(1133-1212)
(Translated by Jonathan Watts & Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu)

We always wish and try to save spending time as much as possible by practicing efficient and effective way of life. However, spending time is inevitable and utmost important for maintaining health. It sounds ironic but for the purpose of longer life, we shouldn’t save time but definitely need to spend much time for exercising.

Yes, I knew it but I’m having a hard time to use time just for walking since I have many things I’d like to do just in a day.

Ok....I got an idea during yard work with our President yesterday.  I put aside the idea of speediness and convenience but had an intention to walk more while cleaning the yard.

How?

I placed a trash box far in the distance and repeated walking back and forth by picking up cut lawn. This way I do both exercising and cleaning yard at the same time!!!

I was so satisfied with this kill-two-birds-with-one-stone solution but I was surely exhausted after working all day long.  

I'm sharing a trivial but true short story by using three continuous photos I took at the Koloa Jodo Mission.

I'm pretty sure I understood what Mejiro said!!!

However I'm afraid this story is what's called "all for the birds."

Bobby McFerrin's great song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" with my best photos of rainbow on Kauai.

Interestingly, the essential teaching of Buddhism can be found in this song...."Don't worry, Be Happy."
Yes, happiness is possible here at this very moment....if we can keep away "worry" in the future and "regret" in the past.

Today March 25th is the day when Reverend Taijo Matsuo who was 26yrs old from Nagano, arrived at Honolulu Harbor in 1894. He was one of the first two Jodo Shu ministers who started missionary in Hawaii in the 126 years of history of Hawaii Jodo Mission.

According to the Centennial History of Hawaii Jodo Shu, in November 1894, Rev. Matsuo moved to Kauai and visited Japanese workers at 9 plantation camps and had opportunities to teach Buddhist teachings and practice of Nenbutsu. Rev. Matsuo was planning to build a temple in Kapaa. However in July, 1898, Rev. Matsuo became severely ill due to malnutrition and overwork.

All names of Jodo Shu temples established in Hawaii are listed.  Also all names of ministers and their wives who served temples in Hawaii from 1894 to 1994 are engraved.

1. Hamakua Jodo Mission  (Hawaii) 1896

2. Laupahoehoe Jodo Mission (Hawaii)   1899 -1999  (closed)

3. Kurtistown Jodo Mission (Hawaii) 1902

4. Kohala Jodo Mission (Hawaii) 1902

5. Hakalau Jodo Mission (Hawaii)1904

6. Wainaku Jodo Mission (Hawaii) 1905- 2005 (closed)

7. Jodo Mission of Hawaii (Oahu) 1907

8. Hilo Meishoin (Hawaii)1908 

9. Hawi Jodo Mission (Hawaii) 1909

10. Koloa Jodo Mission (Kauai) 1910

11. Puunene Jodo Mission (Maui )1910

currently Kahului Jodo Mission

12. Kapaa Jodo Mission (Kauai) 1912

13. Haleiwa Jodo Mission (Oahu ) 1912

14. Lahaina Jodo Mission (Maui )1912

15. Wailuku Jodo Mission (Maui) 1914

16. Ewa Jodo Mission (Oahu) 1916 -1972 (closed)

Ookala Jodo Mission (Hawaii) 1920 -1941 (closed)

Here on this monument, there are 161 ministers names listed.  My assignment was 3 years after this Centennial Celebration and I think I'm the 163rd or 164th assigned minister in the history of Hawaii Jodo Shu.

First of all, I’d like to pray for those who have become victims of the coronavirus and recite Namu Amida Butsu.  Also, I am sorry for all those who had received severe impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.

As you know, National Emergency was declared by the US President and we have entered an unknown zone of the Pandemic.  French President Emmanuel Macron also declared the country to be “at war” and “the enemy is invisible but it’s surely there.  It requires our general mobilization.”   This global crisis is rapidly and widely spreading at each moment and Hawaii has now 26 positive cases across the state as of today.

However, this is the time we should be calm down and be strong with our faith in Amida Buddha.  It is known that our stress weakens our immune system and calm mind through the practice of Nenbutsu and meditation help a lot to strengthen us especially during the time of difficulties.   I know we can win this war with coronavirus.  But in order to end this crisis as soon as possible, we all need to work together by doing what we can do our part.  Doing our part is not a big deal but a simple action such as washing hands often, maintaining social distancing, avoiding shaking hands, touching eyes, nose, and mouth and so.  It is also important for us, especially the elderly, to stay home and not to go out unnecessary. 

After consulting with our members,  I’d like to let you know our decisions as follows;

1.     We suspend all activities at the temple effective immediately till April 30, 2020.  

          There will be no Sunday Service and no Calligraphy Class during the time.

2.     However please be assured that I will continue to officiate daily services and prayers without attendees and will share videos through my Youtube Channel.

3.    Also if you need immediate ministers’ assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. I’ll officiate services by following the official guidelines issued by CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/) and Hawaii Department of Health. https://hawaiicovid19.com/

4.     For scheduling a regular memorial service, please make an appointment after this crisis is over.

5.     Also if you have already appointment in April,  please consider changing schedule.  If you still want to observe a memorial service as scheduled, please limit 10 or less and follow the guidelines.

6.     Also both bedside and funeral service will be available but you also need to limit number of attendance.

7.     We update the latest information on our website at www.koloajodo.com

The pace of updating information on the virus is so breathtaking, we need to pay constant attention by checking the local news, official orders, CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) websites that provide updated information as it becomes available in addition to the updated guidelines.   Our top priority is your safety.   Let us all use our best judgment to protect ourselves.   

May we all be safe and secure as we work together overcoming the coronavirus.  May the light of Amida Buddha be with you.   Namu Amida Butsu

Gassho,

Bishop Kosen Ishikawa

From time to time, everyone needs laughter in our daily lives. Do you have a funny story from which you can always laugh out loud?   If none, here is a funny story which I recall from time to time especially when I am having a hard time.

This is a story with me and our beloved minister Rev. W.   When we had a group tour to Zojoji Temple in 2012, I stayed with Rev. W.  Rev. W is my senior minister whom I respect and consult with for many occasions. So when we had conventions, we shared a room for several times in the past.  

So did in Tokyo.  As soon as I woke up, I soon found out Rev. W gone out probably for walking. So I tried to change my clothes.  However I found out my pants was missing.   Oh my goodness, that's my only pants.  Without pants, I cannot go out, of course.  I tried to look for my pants everywhere again and again. 

Then Rev. W came back to the room from his morning walking.  All of sudden, I noticed he was wearing my pants! 

I shouted, “Sensei! That’s mine!!!”

“Oh, is this yours?  No wonder it’s too big-no" said, Rev. W.

I had to LOL although I was seriously look for my pants. 

Please imagine...the minister desperately looking for his pants with his underwear.   I can LOL anytime whenever I recalled this incident!

Have a great day!

No matter how busy I may be, there is something I try not to do. That’s to write my sermon or message. It is my belief just reading out written message is not inspirational. I’d like to deliver interesting sermon through my own experiences.  But the biggest reason why I don’t write down my Dharma talk is to save time.  Writings takes time. All the more so with good writings.  I'm very busy doing many things just in a day. Instead of taking time to write, I'd like to use time for something else.

So whether it’s funeral or special service, I seldom write down for my Dharma message.  It's true sometimes I regret I couldn't deliver my intentions with no manuscript.  However, even I make mistakes, there is always I can learn from the mistakes.  At the same time, I get great motivation to deliver message better.  Of course, sometimes (hopefully often) I do a good job to deliver sermon.  Especially when I did a great job, people come to me to commend my message without any written memo.  Then sometimes they will be additionally surprised to see what I made for our guests after the service. I call it “super-service” which shall be my specialty. Yes, instead of spending time for writing, I’d rather be joyful to make refreshments of Sushi or Cake, and once in a while, more than that.

To tell you the truth, there is a secret about so-called “super service”.  Although I seldom spend my time for sitting down to write, but I do spend time to think about what I deliver and interesting stories through my self-reflection. It is true no good sermon cannot be delivered without spending time to think. My secret is, I spend time thinking about my message while I’m doing cooking, washing dishes, mowinig and even when I make Sushi! For me, writing is an art which requires so much time and concentration in addition to the knowledge and techniques.

On the other hand, just talking doesn’t need concentration and time.  Also I don’t need to think about spellings and grammar. Even if I make mistake grammar and omit some words, they can guess the meaning.  As for writing, I need to be careful about what I write, spellings and grammar.  However most important thing about sermon is not grammar nor elaborate expressions but a content of the message.  If the content is good, very simple words, even childish words could touch people. So all I need to do is to think about a core experience of the message while working.

This morning, I finally got time to do mowing and some yardwork. Instead of sitting down in the office to write sermon for Nirvana day service tomorrow, I happily chose to spend time for working. Then I got an idea of this writing about this....my secret of delivering sermon without writing down. Because this was such a good content, I needed to stop working for a minute to take memo on this thought. I said I don’t spend time for writing but I often take memo whenever I got a good idea.

Another interesting idea is when is the best time for mowing? Yes, I got this question and answer while mowing this morning, just right now. The answer is right after light raining like shower. If rain is too hard, you’ll be wet and you cannot work. Then if it’s too hot, you’ll get sunburned. If it’s too windy, cut grass will fly all over the place. My answer for the best time for mowing is right after light raining, cut grass become perfectly stick together and they won’t fly away. Instead, they can be picked up so easily. But if it’s too much rain, grass become so heavy.

I always enjoy new discoveries whatever I do from my daily life. There are always wisdom found in our daily life. The other day, I had visitors of a couple from Minnesota. They found my website and called me to ask for the temple tour. I shared some interesting facts about Buddhism and they really enjoyed my explanation. When they are leaving, a gentleman told me every time he comes to the temple, the wiser he becomes. I strongly agreed and proudly mentioned this event to my wife. Then she immediately said, “NO, Sensei, you are not becoming wiser but just “wider” day by day! “What!?” I thought my wife was wiser than me. LOL.

For your information, we'll have a "Super Service" for Nirvana Day tomorrow at 10:30 am at Koloa Jodo Mission. All are welcome!

Aloha and Happy New Year!

First of all, I have to apologize for your inconvenience and much less service this year at Koloa Jodo Mission since I have to serve more temples as Bishop of Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions. 

Pease don't miss the 2020 major services here.  Everyone welcome!  We look forward to seeing you here!

As of March 25, 2020, our temple is temporarily closed until further notice, in accordance with the County of Kaua'i's "Stay-at-home" order.

Therefore all of our services and events in the future are suspended.  Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.  

For your information, we'll continue Live streaming Buddhist Service through YouTube.   Please check Kosen Ishikawa's YouTube Channel.

Also we can do a memorial service and funeral through Live streaming.

Please let me know.                                   Gassho, Kosen Ishikawa

2020 Koloa & Kapaa Jodo Mission Schedule

*Service at Kapaa Jodo starts at 10:00am

*Service at Koloa Jodo starts at 10:30 am

Sun., January 5       10:30 am     New Year Service and Gyoki at Koloa

Sun., January 12      *Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sun., February 2     10:30 am      Nirvana Day Service at Koloa Jodo

Sat., February 15      5:30 pm    General Membership Meeting at Koloa

                               6:00 pm       New Year's Party at Koloa Jodo

Sun. February 23      *Service at Kapaa Jodo

                                Guest Speaker: Rev. Myoko Takano, Jodo Mission

Sun., March 8           10:30 am     Higan Service at Koloa Jodo

Sun., March 15         *Service at Kapaa Jodo

                                Guest speaker: Rev. Koji Ezaki of Haleiwa Jodo

Sun., April 5             9:30 am       KBC Buddha Day Service (Tentative)

Sun., April 19            *Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sun., May 3             10:30 am       Mother's Day Service at Koloa Jodo

Sun., June 21          10:30 am      Bon Service at Koloa Jodo

Friday, June 26          7:30 pm      Bon Dance at Koloa Jodo

Sat., June 27             7:30 pm      Bon Dance at Koloa Jodo

Sun., July 26           *Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sun., August 8         *Kapaa Jodo Mission Toro Nagashi at Wailua River

Sun., August 30        *Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sun. September 6    10:30 am      Higan Service at Koloa Jodo

September 18-20                         Laypersons' Convention on Maui

Sun., September 30  *Service at Kapaa JOdo

October 19-26                              2020 HCJM Japan Trip

Sun., November 1    *Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sun., November 22  10:30 am      Ojuya Service at Koloa

                               *Virtual Service

Sun. December 6        9:30 am      KBC Bodhi Day Service (Tentative)

                                *Virtual Service

Sun., December 13   *Virtual Service

Sun., December 31      5:30 pm     New Year's Eve Service at Koloa

On October 9, 2019, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that Dr. Akira Yoshino and two other scientists, John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 

Their research that has “laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society” were highly evaluated.  Dr. Yoshino created the first safe, production-visible lithium-ion battery which became used widely in cellular phones and notebook computers.

I didn’t Dr. Yoshino at all until I encountered this news but as soon as I read some articles on his interviews, I became so interested in him and his accomplishments. 

His answer for the reasons of success was very impressive.  Dr. Yoshino said, “Researchers must be flexible.  At the same time, they have to be stubborn to persistently never give up.  It is difficult to balance two opposite elements such as flexibility and rigidity but both flexibility and attachment are so important.  If you are just stubborn, you won’t be able to go forward when you hit the wall.  I think flexible mind to believe “it will work out” will be also necessary for the success.”

“Another important thing is” he continued,” to foresee whether desired future will come or not.  To proceed research and to foresee the future must be done simultaneously.  In other words, if you believe “goal” is surely right there, you can accomplish a goal no matter how hard efforts  you make.”

Congratulations to Dr. Yoshino and all the prize winners!  It's always great to learn secrets of success from people who are really successful.  

Would you like to hear my success story?   Well, let me be successful first and till then, please continue to check my blog!

Pitaya known as dragon fruit usually bloom its several flowers together at a time. Three flowers, six flowers and sometimes over 10 flowers bloom at a time. Instead of blooming individually one by one, they bloom as a group which gives us deeper impression.

As you know, fruit flowers need pollination in order to be a fruit. Of course, pollination could be done naturally by the wind and rain but most pollination are done by so-called pollinating agents such as insects and birds. And it is fragrance of the flower which invites insects to do pollination.

The fragrance of one pitaya flower is sweet but fragrance of more flowers is just amazing.  More flowers as a group possibly attract more insects and as a result many of them could turn into the dragon fruits. 

I'm truly impressed by the instinct of preserving species.  At the same time, I understood....this is like a teaching of teamwork.  Everyone is great individually but we can be greater if we work together as a group.

Happy 130th Anniversary to all the members and ministers of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii!

In commemoration of this anniversary, Kauai Hongwanji Council will sponsor a seminar, titled "Manifestation of Peace, Various Perspectives" at West Kauai Hongwanji Hanapepe Temple on Sunday, October 6 from 1:00pm.  

Mahalo nui loa to Senseis(Rev. Hojo, Rev.Majima & Rev. Shaku Kaufumann) of Kauai Hongwanji Council for inviting me as a Panel Discussion Speaker.  It will be my greatest pleasure to share peaceful teaching of Jodoshu and my personal thoughts on peace.  

This will be a public seminar and registration starts at 12:30pm tomorrow on Sunday, October 6.  I hope to see you there!

*I've heard a moderator of the seminar will be Rev. Majima because Rev. Kaufumann's health condition.  I pray for his quick recovery and get-well.  

In Japan, there are islands which are called “Oshima.”  Here in Hawaii, “Oshima” island of Yamguchi Prefecture, so-called “Suo-Oshima” is the most popular island since many immigrants came from there.  But there are actually 56 more islands are called “Oshima” , too, according to my research.   It sounds so confusing therefore depending on the location of the island, “area name” is added to the island name “Oshima.”  Among them, Amami-Oshima of Kagoshima Prefecture, Izu-Oshima of Tokyo, and Suo-Oshima of Yamaguchi Prefecture are well-known.

 As you may know, “Oshima” literally means “Big Island.”  “O” is abbreviation of “Ookii (big)” and “Shima” means “island.”   The name “Oshima” indicates…this is a big island but what it really means, I found out, very interesting.  The one called “Oshima” is not simply big, but it is the biggest among small islands near by.  In order to make a distinction of the biggest island, “Oshima (Big Island)” is named.

Interestingly “Suo-Oshima” of Yamaguchi has a formal name which is “Yashiro-jima” and its nick name is “Big Island.”   I haven’t researched when and who named a nick name “Big Island” to the island of Hawaii but I’m getting to believe people from “Suo-Oshima” probably named Hawaii as Big Island since this is the biggest among islands.

I regret to inform you of cancellation of our 2020 Bon Dance Season on Kauai because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Everybody please be safe and secure and we look forward to the next Bon Dance Season after this crisis is over.

Kauai Buddhist Council General Meeting was held today at Lihue Hongwanji Mission and 2020 Kauai Bon Dance Schedule was approved as follows;

June 12-13 Kapaa Hongwanji Mission

June 19-20 Kauai Soto Zen Temple

June 26-27 Koloa Jodo Mission

July 3-4  No Bon Dance

July 10-11 WKH Hanapepe Temple

July 17-18 Lihue Hongwanji Mission

July 24-25 Waimea Shingon Mission

July 31-August 1 Kapaa Jodo Mission

August 7-8 Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission

To our members and friends, please start planning to come to help our Bon Dance on June 26-27, 2020.  Thank you very much!

A roman saying “A rolling stone gathers no moss” has been well-known over the past centuries.   It was used and quoted in many countries and was also translated into Japanese.  The meaning of this saying is very simple however depending on the countries, the meaning of this saying can be quite different. 

In Japan, for most Japanese, moss is a symbol of natural beauty especially found in the Japanese garden.  The dark green of the moss in the garden gives us strong impression of the depth of the beauty and Japanese garden without moss cannot be good.  And because moss can be increasing a lot, it also represents fortune. Therefore, a rolling stone which brings no moss is regarded as something bad.  An example of rolling stone can be “to change jobs” and moving.   If you are changing jobs a lot or moving places in Japan, you will be told “a rolling stone gathers no moss” which means you won’t get fortune.  So traditionally Japanese people don’t move places from here to there.  Also they try not to change jobs. 

On the other hand, here in the united states, “moss” is usually understood as “unnecessary thing” or “something dirty.”  Therefore a rolling stone which brings no moss is actually very good.  Especially because USA consists of so many immigrants from so many foreign countries and also development of the West was made by moving, “moving” is considered to be great.  Also changing jobs in the US, is quite common to seek for the better life. 

Is moving good or bad?  I’ve been thinking this question because I’ve been here on Kauai for 20 years while many other Buddhist ministers moved to serve other temples in the past 20 years. 

Good thing about staying here for a long time is definitely a bond with our members, friends and community.   I feel Kauai is my hometown and members are Ohana or family.  At the same time, I believe I’ve gotten their trust.  In a sense, to stay one place for a longer time makes it possible to deepen the relationship.   Also no-moving saves money and energy.   Staying in one place is very stable but there are of course bad things about no-moving for a long time.   At the same time, Just like American understanding of “A rolling stone gathers no moss”  there are also good things about moving.  That’s why other Buddhist schools move ministers from time to time.   Moving costs much more but ministers get more stimulations and become motivated by moving.  And members are maybe also happier to have a different minister every certain years.  

I haven’t had an answer yet whether I should continue my life here or move but at least I decided to challenge to seek for a change when I was nominated to be next Bishop of Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions.  Fortunately, officers and members of Jodo Mission are very supportive and flexible.   Their kind words made me accept a nomination and will serve as a Bishop of Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions for the next two years.   I will be going back and forth to Oahu for the time being.

Honestly speaking, I wished Rev. Koji Ezaki to continue to be Bishop since he has done excellent jobs for Hawaii Jodo shu including 125^th Anniversary Celebration after Bishop Narashiba’s passing.   This was the most sad and difficult time in the history of Hawaii Jodo Shu but Rev. Ezaki fulfilled unfinished projects which Bishop Narashiba wanted to do.   Since my first arrival at Jodo Mission in 1997, Rev. Ezaki has been such a hard working minister and I’ve learned a lot from him.  I asked him to be Bishop again and again but his thinking was rigid because of Mrs. Ezaki’s health.  

As I take new position, I’d like to express my deepest appreciation to all the past Bishops, ministers and members for everything they have done for Jodo Shu.  Without them all, I wouldn’t be what I am today.  

Last but not least, I have a favor to ask you.   Please continue to call me “Sensei” or “Kosen” or whatever you currently call me.   Please try not to call me “Bishop.”   I’m a newly elected Bishop but “Bishop Ishikawa” sounds very strange!    Anyway, your continued support will be greatly appreciated.  

Alooooha!

I'm sorry I've been so lazy about updating my blog but I've just kept working and working till today and realized it's already Bon Dance tomorrow on Friday, June 7!  On behalf of Koloa Jodo Mission, I'd like to express my sincerest Aloha and Mahalo to you!

On Friday, June 7 at 7:00pm, we'll have a Shakuhachi master, Rev. Shikuu Yano of Aichi Prefrecture, Japan and four Koto players to perform some songs before the opening prayer.  Then they will perform some songs with a surprise dance during the intermission.

On Saturday, June 8 around 8:45pm, we'll have Taiko Kauai during our intermission.  Although we don't have enough parking but we do appreciate your participation in our festival.

The following will be the schedule.

Friday, June 7

6:00 pm   Food booth opens

7:00 pm   performance by Koto playe, Satsuki Urasawa and with her students.

8:45 pm    

9:00 pm    Intermission 

10:30 pm  Dance ends

Saturday, June 8

6:00 pm   Food booth opens

7:30 pm   Opening prayer

8:45 pm    

9:00 pm    Intermission / Taiko Kauai

10:30 pm  Dance ends

Once again, thank you very much for your support and hope to see you here at Koloa Jodo Mission.

P.S.

Please do not hesitate to follow my facebook or Twitter since I often update FB.

Yesterday, I saw an unusual bird flying elegantly near the Poipu Beach Park.  As I watched it carefully, I found out it was a Barn Owl which looked like human face.  The reason why it was named as "Barn owl" is said to be because this owl could make a nest in the barn where people live near by. 

On the other hand, Japanese call it "Men-fukurou" which literally means "Mask Owl."  "Men" or "O-Men" in Japanese means "Mask" and "Fukurou" means "Owl."  I thought Japanese naming sounded better description of this owl but there are actually so many other common names listed in the Wikipedia and all names seem to have good descriptions and good reason.

Common names for Barn Owl are silent flight, white owl, silver owl, demon owl, ghost owl, death owl, night owl, rat owl, church owl, cave owl, stone owl, monkey-faced owl, hissing owl, hobgoblin owl, hobby owl, dobby owl, white-breasted owl, golden owl, scratch owl, straw owl, barnyard owl, and delicate owl.  

According to the book titled "A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Hawai'i,"  Barn Owls were introduced in the late 1950s in the efforts to control rats in the plantation fields.  Just like a word "night owl", they are usually night predator and very active at night but occasionally it can be seen hunting during daylight hours.   They are good at catching rodents but they also prey on small birds.  I don't know if this owl comes to the same place again, but I will probably go there again to photograph this barn owl with my bigger lens.

Interestingly, owl in general is said to be wise creature of the forest and it represents "wisdom" in western countries while some countries including Japan regarded owl as bad omen.  However, nowadays owl is getting to be known as good luck in Japan because a Japanese word "Fukurou(owl)" can be read as "Fu (Never)Kurou(Hardship)."   Also it can be understood as "Fuku(happy)rou(man)."  Therefore some items related to "owl" such as key folder or good luck charm, can be found in many products in Japan.

In Hawaii, Hawaiian native owl called "Pueo" has been regarded as a sacred spiritual bird which is one of the various physical forms assumed by 'aumakua (ancestor spirits) in its culture.  I've seen Pueo one time during Bon Dance at West Kauai Hongwanji Hanapepe Temple.  Is it just happening?   Pueo showed up there during Bon Dance where many spirits of ancestors get together!

Kauai Buddhist Council General Meeting was recently held at Lihue Hongwanji Mission and 2019 Bon Dance Schedule on Kauai was updated and set.  Those who have seen the outdated information, please be aware of this important change.  West Kauai Hongwanji Mission Waimea Temple announced that they wouldn't host a Bon Dance this year and Waimea Higashi took their dates.  As of February 2nd 2019, the following schedule is correct updated schedule.  

Kauai Buddhist Council 

2019 Bon Dance Schedule 

May 31-June 1             Kauai Soto Zen          

June 7-8                     Koloa Jodo                  

June 14-15                 WKH Hanapepe          

June 21-22                 Lihue Hongwanji

June 28-29                 Waimea Shingon

July 5-6                      No Bon Dance

July 12-13                  Kapaa Jodo

July 19-20                  Waimea Higashi

July 26-27                  Kapaa Hongwanji

Please allow us to reschedule our Toro Nagashi as Bon Dance Schedule was changed.  

Lately I happened to turn on the TV and saw familiar people.  The program was already started but soon I recognized aunty Myra who looked so young.  Without knowing the title, immediately I understood the value of the film and started recording on DVR. 

To my surprise, it was a 1982 documentary film on the late Mrs. Asao Fukumoto of Koloa who had 11 children and over 100 family members.  Did you watch it?  If not, you might thank me for having this opportunity to watch it here.....This film is so precious not only for the family members but also for the people who know Koloa and plantation life.

I was so amazed by the film because there were many familiar people and places of Kauai back in 1982!  I was also touched by the life of Mrs. Fukumoto who overcame many hardships and difficulties with her many children who also sacrificed so much to support the family.  But Mrs. Fukumoto and children were pleasant, humorous and positive in life.  

It was truly an honor and pleasure for me to get to know Mrs. Fukumoto and family through my job at Koloa Jodo Mission.  She attended various temples but seemed to choose to be a member of Jodo Mission which was also her parents' temple.  When I was assigned to Koloa Jodo Mission in 1999, she was already 99 years old and retired from all temple activities but I remember I've visited to pray her family Butsudan at home.  Mrs. Fukumoto passed away in 2002 when she was 101 years old.  The funeral service was private but I was so surprised to see many family members which was much larger than our temple membership. 

Well, they say seeing is believing...you will be amazed by this documentary film of the big family.

2019 Jodo Mission Schedule on Kauai

January

January 1             Kapaa    10:30 am             New Year’s Day Service

January 6             Koloa     10:30 am             New Year Service at Koloa

January 13           Kapaa    10:00 am             Gyoki Service

                                                1:00 pm            Bon Dance committee Mtg

                                                                            at Kauai Soto Zen Temple

January 20           Koloa     10:30 am             Calligraphy Class at Koloa

January 21           Lihue     7:00 pm               KBC General Meeting (Monday)

January 26           Kapaa    6:30 pm               Shinenkai – New Year’s Party 

January 27           Koloa     10:30 am             Gyoki Service at Koloa

February

February 3           Kapaa   10:00 am               Nirvana Day Service at Kapaa

February 9           Koloa     5:15 pm               General Membership Meeting

      6:30 pm               Shinenkai – New Year’s Party

February 10        Koloa                                     No Service/ Cleanup

February 17        Koloa     10:30 am              Nirvana Day Service at Koloa                                                                                 (No Refreshments)

                                                                            Fukuoka Kenjinkai

February 24        Koloa     10:30 am               Calligraphy Class at Koloa

March

March 3                                                              TBD

March 10             Kapaa    10:00 am              Higan Service at Kapaa

March 17             Koloa     10:30 am              Higan Service at Koloa

March 24                                                            TBD

March 31             Kolloa    10:30 am              Calligraphy Class at Koloa

April

April 7                   Lihue     9:30 am                KBC Buddha Day Service

                                                                            at Lihue Hongwanji Mission

April 14                 Kapaa    10:00 am             Kapaa Jodo Hanamatsuri

                                                                            at Kapaa Jodo Mission

April 21                 Koloa     10:30 am             Sunday Service at Koloa Jodo

April 28                 Koloa     10:30 am             Calligraphy Class

May

May 5                                                                 TBD

May 12                 Koloa     10:30 am             Mother’s Day Service

May 19                 Koloa     10:30 am             Calligraphy Class at Koloa

May 26                 Koloa                                   Preparation for Bon Dance

June

June 2                   Koloa     10:30 am               Bon Service

June 7 & 8            Koloa                                     Bon Dance

June 9                   Koloa                                     Clean-up after Bon Dance

June 16                                                                TBD

June 23                 Kapaa                                    Preparation for Bon

June 29                 Kapaa    8:00 am                 Preparation for Bon 

June 30                                                                TBD

July

July 6(Sat.)           Kapaa    8:00 am                Preparation for Bon

                                                                            (O-Toba/Yagura Set-Up)

July 7                     Kapaa    10:00 am              Bon Service at Kapaa

July 12 & 13         Kapaa                                   Bon Dance

July 14                   Kapaa    8:30 am                Clean-up

July 20                                                                 Bon Graveyard Services

                                              1:00 pm                Anahola Cemetery

                                              1:45 pm                Kapaa-Kealia

                                              2:30 pm                Wailua 

                                              3:15 pm                Kauai Memorial

                                              4:00 pm                Lihue 

July 21                   Wailua  7:30 pm                Kapaa Jodo Toro Nagashi 

July 28              Koloa     10:30 am              Sunday Service at Koloa Jodo

                         Toro Nagashi Ceremony at Kukuiula at 7:30pm.

August

August 4           Koloa  10:30 am              Sunday Service at Koloa Jodo

August 11 & 18                                                  No Service

August 25            Kapaa 10:00 am                  Jizo Bon at Kapaa Jodo

September

September 1                                                      TBD

September 8      Koloa     10:30 am                Higan Service    

September 15    Kapaa    10:00 am                Higan Service

September 22                                                    HCJM Kyoku Conference

September 29    Koloa     10:30 am                Calligraphy Class

October

October 6                                                            TBD

October 13                                                          TBD

October 20          Koloa     10:00 am               Sunday Service at Koloa

October 27          Koloa     10:30 am               Calligraphy at Koloa

November

November 3                                                        TBD

November 10     Kapaa    10:00 am                  Ojuya Service at Kapaa

November 17     Koloa     10:30 am                  Ojuya Service at Koloa

November 24     Koloa     10:30 am                  Calligraphy Class at Koloa

November 30     Kapaa    8:00 am                    General Clean-up/Omigaki

December

December 1        Kapaa    10:00 am                  Kapaa Bodhi Day Service 

December 8        Kapaa    9:30 am                    KBC Bodhi Day Service

December 15     Koloa      Sunday Service at Koloa

Sorry No Sunday Service at Koloa

December 22                                                       TBD

December 29     Koloa     10:30 am                   Calligraphy Class at Koloa

December 31     Koloa     5:30 pm                     New Year’s Eve Service

                              Kapaa    11:00 pm                  New year’s Eve Service

In commemoration of 150th year of the first Japanese group immigrants to Hawaii, "Kabuki in Hawaii" will be held at the Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from March 2 to March 6, 2019.

March 2 from 6:30 pm

March 3 from 2:00 pm & from 6:30 pm

March 4 from 6:30 pm

March 5 from 6:30 pm

March 6 from 11:00 am

Jodo-shu Foreign Ministry Association is supporting this historic event and offered 80 free tickets to the Jodo mission members who are paying dues to the any Jodo Mission temple in Hawaii.  If you are a member of Koloa Jodo Mission and interested in this Kabuki, please let me know as soon as possible.  The tickets will be provided on the first-come, first served basis.  

“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. “

-　Dolly Parton

State of Hawaii is sometimes called “Rainbow State” and rainbow can be seen quite often anywhere in Hawaii.  Especially when it is now rainy season, rainbow appears almost everyday here and there.  Interestingly, no matter how many times I’ve seen rainbow, it always impresses and makes me try to photograph the rainbow. I think many people feel the same way. Rainbow has a special power to attract people maybe because beauty of the rainbow is so fragile and momentary.  

I have taken many photos of rainbow for many years and I found two important facts about the rainbow from my experiences.

One fact is that “you will surely get wet when you’ve seen a clear rainbow. The clearer it becomes, the harder rain will hit you.” Therefore you cannot take a good photo of the rainbow without getting wet.

I’ve been to “Ke Ahu a Laka” which is one of the most sacred Hawaiian Heiau temples on Kauai with Kumu Leina’ala and her students including many dancers from Japan. The weather was good in the beginning when we got there, but as Kumu started chanting, it started raining. It was more like sprinkling but we were very lucky to see the rainbow over the Na Pali coast in the western sky.

Then as soon as I noticed the color of rainbow got clearer and darker, sprinkle rain changed into heavy rain to make everybody be wet to the skin. However Kumu Leina'ala never stopped her powerful chanting and dancers continued inspirational dancing. The sacred site, beautiful hula, amazing chanting and rainbow got together as one and I felt this was a miracle moment that cannot be happened again….

I completely forgot worrying about my camera getting drenched and I just kept taking photos of this miracle moments. I had never gotten my camera so wet in my life but it was definitely worth doing it. After checking what I got, I was truly relieved to know my camera was ok. Rather it did a great job in the heavy rain.

I can recall what Kumu Leina’ala told us before going to the heiau. They were forming a circle and Oli or ancient poem for entering the sacred site was led by Kumu. Then she told us to get ready for our senses open. Look at carefully what’s in front of us, listen to the sound of wind, to smell the nature….Everything you’ll see, hear or feel is a gift from Laka. In fact, this became so meaningful because of the sudden appearance of rainbow and incredible sunshine after the rainbow. This happened in June 2014 and this was the best rainbow I've ever encountered.

Another fact on rainbow is very interesting but I'm not so ready to complete writing it.   Maybe  I will continue to write it after Christmas.   Everyone, please be safe and Merry Christmas!

The guy who has used our temple ground as his toilet was finally caught.  It took us two days to catch him but I have picked up his huge poops for at least 7 days!!!  The reason why our temple gate was closed lately was because we tried to catch the guy. 

At first, I had no idea why so many poops were here on the ground.  Every morning and evening, I saw big poops which were so stink.   Then on Wednesday, unbelievably I saw the guy who was about to poop just in front of me! 

I almost forgot I was a priest.   “Hey you!” I didn’t shout it, but I said in my heart loudly.   I’m sorry I had to admit I became angry.   At the same time, I was glad to see his face.  It was not a man but a dog!  My anger went to a dog who left another brand-new poop.

But of course, a dog was innocent.  I was actually upset more to the unknown owner of the dog who were not with the dog.   Slowly I walked to the dog, but he scared my approaching.  Maybe he knew I was upset.  He ran away to the next door and I chased him ….then I lost sight of him.

I went back to the temple and closed the gate….so that a dog cannot get in anymore.  No more poops on the ground!  However just in one hour or less, he came back to the temple again and rested under the Plumeria tree.  Why did he come back?  I didn’t realized it but it looked like he had lived here!    Soon I noticed there was a big puka or hole on the fence and so I filled it with some palm leaves on the fence.  Then I texted our President uncle Kuni to ask contacting human society to get it.  

My original intention to close the gate was to prevent the guy to come in but now quite opposite.   I hoped gates would prevent him to run away from here….I waited human society to come immediately to catch him but they didn't come at all.   I didn’t want to waste time just for waiting so I started gardening in order to multiple plants such as water lilies and ground orchids….Anyway, they finally came in the evening to set a trap to catch a dog. 

Although I was able to work gardening while waiting human society but my mind was so occupied with a dog if he might escape by the time they arrive here.

Then I realized this was not good.   I should be always a master of myself but after seeing a dog, my master of mind is not myself but a dog.   I have been so attached to the dog!  I didn’t like picking up dog’s poop but I didn’t like more such an attachment.   I actually needed to forget it and let it go….

Picking up a poop takes only a few second.  It’s just stink maybe for just seconds, not more than 10 seconds.   But preoccupied thoughts or attachment could take much more time.  I can be easily a slave of the attachment.   I took a very easy solution to let it go by just going to the ocean….

Naturally I became calm and peaceful.  I didn’t upset even though I found poop on the next morning.  I didn’t mind it because my attachment of the stink poop was now gone.  A trap set by human society didn’t work yesterday but worked today.  I feel more sorry for the dog who may be abandoned by the owner.

May all living beings be always happy and kind....

I realized an importance of Buddhist practice of loving-kindness each moment and each day.   Buddhist practice is never ending.  Maybe that's why life cannot be bored....but I renewed my vow to practice Buddhist practice of Mettā bhāvanā or Meditation of loving kindness every day every moment...especially today is a memorable day of "Pearl Harbor."   I'd like to recite Metta Sutra...

Mettā bhāvanā or Meditation of loving kindness

Let myself be always happy and kind.

Let myself be free from disease and mental worries.

Let myself be always successful in righteous and reasonable endeavors.

Let the wisdom of light shine upon myself.

Let myself be always be always happy and kind. (3 times.)

Let my intimates be always happy and kind.

Let my intimates be free from disease and mental worries.

Let my intimates be always successful in righteous and reasonable endeavors.

Let the wisdom of light shine upon my intimates.

Let my intimates be always happy and kind. ( 3 times)

Let all living beings be always happy and kind.

Let all living beings be from disease and mental worries.

Let all living beings be always successful in righteous and reasonbale endeavors.

Let the wisdom of light shine upon all living beings.

Let all living beings be always happy and kind. (3 times.)

Let all living beings irritable to me be always happy and kind.

Let all living beings irritable to me be free from disease and mental worries.

Let all living beings irritable to me be always successful in righteous and reasonable endeavors.

let the wisdom of light shine upon all living beings irritable to me.

Let all living beings irritable to me be always happy and kind. (3 times.)

Let all living beings not happy with me be always happy and kind.

Let all living beings not happy with me be free from disease and mental worries.

Let all living beings not happy with me be always successful in righteous and reasonable endeavors.

Let the wisdom of light shine upon all living beings not happy with me.

Let all living beings not happy with me be always happy and kind. (3 times.)

Let all living beings be always happy and kind.

Let all living beings be always happy and kind.

Let all living beings be always happy and kind.

Whale season has come around here!  Since I saw eyewitness news of humpback whales from Captain Andy's in early October, I’ve been looking forward to the opportunities to go out to the shore for photography.  And finally came a chance!  Yes, a group of whales were there at Makahuena Point.

For me, winter is very exciting season to be able to watch whales but at the same time it’s very annoying season because I’m so crazy spending much time for whales out of my busy schedule.   

As you may know, whales are not always swimming on the surface of the ocean but only once in a while come up to the surface to breathe.  Therefore a chance to photograph whales are not often and actually rare especially in the very beginning of the season.  Therefore lots of time and patience are needed in order to take photos of whales and I guess a kind of “love” is also needed to do so.    

In order to express my love for whales, I made a short poem which is a parody of famous waka poem by Ariwara No Narihira.

If, in this world of ours,

All the humpback whales

Never existed,

My heart in the winter,

Must be calm and peaceful….

Actually, original poem is not about whales but Sakura or Cherry blossom which has represented beauty of Japan.  An original poem in Japanese is written as;

世の中にたえて桜のなかりせば

春の心はのどけからまし.

If, in this world                                 (Yono Naka ni)

All the Cherry blossom                    (Taete Sakura no )

Did not existed                                 (Nakariseba)

My heart in the spring                     (Haru no Kokoro wa)    

Must be clam and peaceful            (Nodokekaramashi)

The author is Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) who was a Japanese courtier and outstanding poet in Heian Period.  According to the Tales of Ise, Ariwara no Narihira left this well-known waka poem when he saw beautiful Sakura at Nagisa Palace (currently, Hirakata City in Osaka).  It’s about his unusual love toward Sakura. 

Needless to say, spring is supposed to be a peaceful season.  It’s an ending of winter and climate is very comfortable to stay.  It’s not too cold and not too hot.  And it’s a great season of cherry blossom which attracts many people for many days.  People get excited and long for Sakura to bloom at the same time they worry about weather if rain might ruin the blossom.   Then after full blooming, people feel sad about scattering of the flowers. 

Ariwara no Narihira realized  Sakura could make people happy at the same time Sakura could cause people to be sad or worry, stating that people cannot be calm because of Sakura.  

It is true if there were no Sakura in this world, we might find peace in spring and if there were no Kujira (Whales) I might find peace in winter.  But without Sakura, we might be boring.  Without Kujira (Whales), I might be boring…..What is important is non-attachment and a good balanced life far from the attachment. 

For this season, I want to spend time wisely for whales….not too close, not too far….and yet I seek for the better photograph.

Is it possible?

Well, please continue to check my blog.  

My Past Articles about Humpback Whales:

Humpback Whale

Never Give UP

What is photography?

The 29^th general conference of WFB was mainly held at the Marroad International Hotel Narita near Narita Airport.  Although I’ve been to Narita Airport so many times, this was my very first time to stay in Narita.  For me, Narita has been always a passing point to go abroad or to go home in Niigata since my first travel abroad in 1992.  I never did sightseeing around the Airport and I never walked around Narita City.   So this conference gave me a good opportunity to stop to see Narita.

The hotel was a mammoth hotel which holds 800 rooms with huge banquet rooms.  It’s so close to the Narita airport and from its top floor (13F) restaurant, a panoramic view of the airport was visible clearly and impressive especially at night.   Although there was nothing but airport nearby, hotel has a convenience store and restaurants.  Therefore I didn’t need to go out from the hotel.

The word “Marroad" which is a name of this hotel sounded like an English word but later found out “Marroad” was an old Japanese word to mean “visitor” or “guest.”   The Kanji for Marroad is written as “客人“ and "Marroad" indicates to give a person to hospitality.   After hearing the meaning of Marroad from the hotel staff, I felt very ashamed because I recalled I learned its meaning a long time ago.  No wonder the word was so familiar.

Registration fee for the conference was unbelievably inexpensive….It was about $300 which included room charge for 4 nights , meals three times a day for 4 days, transportation between Narita and Yokohama, and convention souvenirs with some publications.  It was way much cheaper than any other conventions I’ve ever attended in Hawaii. But later I knew that Japan Buddhist Federation paid a lot to reduce the necessary cost for the delegates from the world and registration fee for observers was actually over $1,000 per person.

From airport, free shuttle bus goes back and forth to hotel at least twice per hour and while waiting for the bus at the airport, I met a group of four from Sri Lanka who came to ask me if I was going to attend a WFB conference.  They were very friendly and talkative.   Because our former Bishop Rev. Wajira Wansa of Big Island is from Sri Lanka, they were so familiar…and soon we became friends.   Generally speaking, names except Japanese names are very difficult to remember but their names sounded like Japanese names and soon I memorized their names.

As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I saw many staffs were working near reception desks.   Obviously there were two tables and two groups; one group is JTB which supports and helps to check in and they also provide various useful information for the participants to stay in Japan.   Another table was for the group of volunteers to help this entire conference.  They were all ministers from different Buddhist sects.   Among them, I saw Rev. Yuken Kikuchi who used to work for the Jodoshu International Affair and she now serves International Affair of the Japan Buddhist Federation.  She introduced me some of her co-workers and led me to check in the room.

I actually didn’t mind sharing a room with another Buddhist monk but because my family always complain I snore so loudly and terribly in addition to talking in my sleep, I requested a single room which cost $80 more.  My application was kind of last minutes and I wasn’t sure if I could get a single room or not.  But when I opened the door, I was so glad to see one bed which was wide enough for a big man to sleep.   As compared to the standard business hotel, the room was pretty spacious and comfortable.  To my surprise, the room number was “457” which was exactly same number of our mail box of Koloa Jodo Mission. 

The door of conference was finally opened......   ( To be continued)

It was truly an honor and blessing that I was able to participate in the 29th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) in Japan from November 6th to November 9th.  In the history of WFB, this was the 4th time for Japan to host the general conference and theme was "Compassion in action."

The conference was the biggest meeting I've ever attended and over 1,000 people got together for the prayer ceremony for World Peace at Sojiji Temple which is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen School.  Officers from WFB, Chief priests and VIPs from 59 major Buddhist schools in Japan, the most Reverends, Venerables, Professors from nearly 200 centers in 41 countries, politicians, members of the National Diet and some business representatives attended the ceremony.

The ceremony was the most interesting and impressive service I've never seen before and I regretted I didn't bring a camera and a tripod with me.  But I did my best to take photos and a few short videos with my new phone and hope to share them with you in the near future.

This is an official commemorative photo of the 29th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the World Fellowship of Buddhists Youth, and the World Buddhist University.  Can you find me?(LOL)  Once again, I'm very lucky I was there in the picture but there were tremendously many people working behind the scenes. 

This is a photo when a group photo was about to be taken.  As you see, many priests were not included in the group photo.  The staffs wearing yellow jackets are the ones who can speak English and the staffs in white jackets are volunteers from the Japan Buddhist Federation who supported this entire conference in Japan.  Some more people, maybe a few more hundreds, were working at different sites to welcome us. 

Kudos goes to all volunteers and priests who hosted the conference.   Many of them may not be appeared in the photos but I'm very fortunate to know they were unsung heroes of the conference.

Last but not least, I'd like to thank our Bishop Rev. Koji Jeff Ezaki who gave me a chance to attend this conference.  Also I cannot thank you enough...to Rev. Shodo Kobayashi and Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu who financially supported my participation.

LINK:

My past article about Sojiji Temple

Sojiji Temple by Wikipedia

Yesterday around noon time, TSA security gate at the Lihue Airport was full of people waiting to check in the boarding zoon.  I was not in a hurry but I assumed it would take more than 15 minutes to go through the gate.   

In the meantime, a TSA worker came to us to reduce a long line.  She addressed us that another security gate was available for the Alaska Airlines customers.  She told us, "If you fly with Alaska, you can go to another gate.  There is no line."  A few people moved but majority of the line didn't move.  I thought it might be faster to use another gate even though I had to walk more but I wasn't sure if Hawaiian customers are OK to use.  So I stayed in a line without asking.

A little by little, people moved toward the security checkpoint and my turn seemed to be coming soon. 25 minutes had already passed.  Then I saw a TSA worker came to say again "Another gate is available for Alaska and United passengers."   This time more people moved to the other gate and then I saw a young couple made a question to her.  He asked "Is another gate for only Alaska and United?  Hawaiian passengers can use?"  I thought this was a great question because this was what I wanted to know.   Surprisingly, she said "YES" and continued, "Any airlines can go but you have to walk to the far end of the terminal."  I saw a young couple moved as soon as they got an answer. 

Soon after, finally my turn came and I was able to catch a plane.  To my surprise, a young couple who asked if they could use another gate, got on board right after my boarding.  This means another gate was much more faster.

On the way to HNL, I was thinking about this event. ....If I asked a TSA worker if I could use another gate, most probably I wouldn't need to wait for 30 minutes even though I would walk more...but probably not more than 5 minutes because Lihue airport is not big.   And it seemed obvious that more and more people would try another gate if a TSA worker told us "any passenger" can use another gate.  I fully realized importance of the question since information is always limited but it can be unlimited if we make more questions!

Shakespeare left a great line in his play Hamlet,  "To be or not to be:that is the question" but I realized at this case for me "To ask or not to ask" was a question.   The man who didn't ask...waited 30 minutes and the man who asked...didn't need to wait!   

Kawaikini is the highest peak of Mount Waialeale which is known as the wettest spot on Earth.  As you know, it is located almost in the center of the Island and it is often covered by clouds.  Therefore it is said it's difficult to view this summit throughout the year.  

However it is often visible from Koloa in the early morning and after 9:00 am, more and more clouds rapidly appear to make this summit invisible. 

Every morning, without fail, before going to the temple, I look at this mountain to check today's weather.  When it's not raining, the summit can be clearly seen way before sunrise.  And just like the meaning of Kawaikini (the multitudinous water),  once in a while after the heavy rain, the mountain gets several rainfalls which disappear so soon in an hour.   Without knowing, this mountain has been a part of my Kauai life and I always feel great if I see no clouds on this mountain.

By the way, I recently found out the photo of Kawaikini at Wikipedia was not Kawaikini, but Kahili Mountain.  Elevation of Kawaikini is 5,243 feet (1,598 m)  while Kahili mountain is about 3,000 feet (914m).  What a big difference and mistake!   However I think this mistake is pretty understandable because....

from Koloa, Kahili Mountain looks higher than Kawaikini! Once again, Kahili in elevation is about 3,000 feet while Kawaikini is the highest peak of the island which is 5,243 feet (1,598 m) .  However because of the laws of perspective, the mountain in far distance looks smaller and the mountain closer to us looks much bigger.  I don't want to embarrass the person who contributed the photo to Wikipedia but I think this is a wonderful mistake that make us realize that..........truth can be easily misunderstood if we are too close!  At the same time, this is a wonderful example that you cannot always trust Wikipedia 100%!!!   

A Japanese term “Sanpitsu（三筆）” which literally means “three brushes” refers to the three greatest calligraphers in the Heian Period (794-1185) in Japan.   They are;

1.       Emperor Saga ( 786-842)

2.       Tachibana no Hayanari (782-842)

3.       Kukai / Kobo Daishi (774-835).

Among them, Kukai is probably the most popular calligrapher and his posthouse priest title “Kobo Daishi” is also well-known and appeared in Japanese sayings regarding calligraphy.

One of them is “Kobo Fude wo Erabazu.”  This saying is about proficiency of the calligraphy.  It literally means “Master Kobo doesn’t need to choose a brush.”  Because he was so proficient in calligraphy, he was believed to do a great job of calligraphy with any brush.  Therefore, this saying is usually used as a meaning of English saying ““cunning mason works with any stone.” 

However this saying is not just making boast of Master Kobo’s proficiency.  Nor it does not encourage us not to choose a brush or not to choose tools or materials.  The truth is, I think, opposite.  In order for us to be proficient, it’s very important to choose which tools to use.  And it is actually professional people who carefully choose its own tools to use.

Generally speaking, Saying is not for the people who are called “master” but for the people in general to become better or to lead a good life.  Therefore, true message of “Kobo Fude wo Erabazu” must be omitted and hidden.  It’s not to work with any brush but we need to choose a brush for calligraphy.

What a discovery.  I got this hidden message after thinking about levels of proficiency starting from utmost level.

1. Utmost master level….  No need to choose a tool. 

2.  Master level……............Master can choose an appropriate tool and tell if this tool is good or not. 

3. Ordinally people level……We just blame tools. 

Once again, Master Kobo’s level of calligraphy is beyond our reach.  It’s an ideal proficiency but not realistic.   We cannot be like Master Kobo who didn’t need to choose a brush but we ordinally people need to choose a brush. 

They say “a bad carpenter blames its tools.”  But at our Calligraphy Class at Koloa Jodo Mission, it’s not shame to blame a brush.  It’s ok to complain it but what is more important is to try to use a different brush.  After all, we hardly realize whether it’s good or bad until we experience both good and bad brushes.

Our next Calligraphy Class will be on Sunday, November 25th.  Please let me know if you are interested in the Japanese Calligraphy.

P.S. 
I'm sorry there will be no Sunday Service at Koloa Jodo Mission on Sunday, November 4th since I'll be off the island.

When I was staying in my family temple in Japan in August,  I had opportunities to talk to the temple members.  Just like here, one of the common topics of the conversation was about weather.  Surprisingly most of them know exact temperature of today's weather and they often asked me …......how many degrees is the temperature in Hawaii?  This was a very difficult question because I didn’t have a thermometer here and I was not interested in the exact temperature. 

In fact, my own scale of temperature has only 5 levels based upon how I feel.  They are….Very hot, hot, ok, cool, cold.   Those are all I needed to express the temperature.  Of course, I knew it was about 90 degree in Hawaii during daytime, but I never thought of the Celsius temperature.   So whenever I was asked about temperature, I couldn't answer the exact number.  Instead, I explained like this, “It’s hot but we never have an air conditioner.”    This is how I bought thermometers and finally I started to look at the temperature here at Koloa.

To check thermometer was interesting.  I can get both Celsius and Fahrenheit at a glance.   Before I had this thermometer, I just felt it was “very hot” inside the house.  But now “very hot” has an objective number.  I was surprised it was 35 °C or 95 °F.  I thought Hawaii was much cooler than Japan in Summer time, but now I knew it was almost as hot as Japan!  This thermometer surely made me interested in the temperature both in Celsius and Fahrenheit.

My understanding of the fundamental difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius is an object of the temperature.   In Fahrenheit, it’s based on the temperature of Europe where Gabriel Fahrenheit spent.   They made the coldest temperature as zero and the hottest temperature as 100.   On the other hand, Celsius is based on the temperature of water, which I think more "scientific."  They made the freezing point of water as zero and the boiling point of water as 100 °C.   Interestingly -40 degree in Celsius is exactly -40 degree in Fahrenheit.  On the other hand, average human body temperature is 37 degree C and 98.6 degree F. 

I definitely think Celsius is much easier and convenient but as long as living in the US, I'd better to know Fahrenheit scale, too.

I've been quite interested in names of the plants both in English and in Japanese.  Before I came to Kauai, I didn't care even if I didn't know the name of the plant but now I cannot leave it unknown.  Especially after I started working as a tour guide for Japanese tourists, knowledge on plants are very useful and well-received by tourists.  As soon as I encounter the plant I've never seen before, I take a photo and look for the name. 

As you know, every plant has its binomial name which is usually Latin and also each language has its own common names.  I feel so interesting how plant was named.  Usually there are more than one common names and they are named after what it looks like or the characteristics of the plant.  Therefore the more common names I know, the deeper I get to know the plant.

The photo above is a plant called "Jatropha podagrica."  It was at the parking of Kaua'i Kookie Factory in Hanapepe when I first saw this plant.  At that time I didn't know the name but soon I had a chance to find out the name because Botanical Garden was selling this plant for their fundraiser during their Cinco De Mayo.  Then I was lucky to know this common name as "Buddha Belly" and started growing it.

The binomial name "Jatropha podagrica" in Latin literally means "Jatropha (iatros +trophe) =physic nut", "poda=foot" and "grica=gouty."  It seems that the name of podagrica was named after the puffy swollen stalk or stem which is very distinguished.

Therefore, other common names such as "gout plant", "goutystalk" , "bottleplant" are considered to be named after this distinguished stalk, too. 

Another common name "Buddha Belly" is same thing.  Puffy stalk of the plant evokes typical image of "Happy Fat Buddha" whose belly is puffy.

People call this image as "Buddha" however the model of this fat laughing person is not Buddha but a Chinese monk called "Budai" or "Hotei" in Japanese.

Budai (布袋) which literally means "Cloth sack", allegedly lived around the 10th century in China.  His name refers to the bag that he is conventionally depicted as carrying as he wanders aimlessly.  His jolly nat”ure, humorous personality ,and eccentric lifestyle distinguishes him from most Buddhist masters or figures.   Chinese nickname "笑佛” which means "smiling Buddha" must be source to call it "Buddha Belly." 

On the other hand, Japanese name of this plant "Sango-aburagiri" came from the red flower, not fat stalk.   "Sango" means "Coral" and "Aburagiri" means "Vernicia" or "tung-oil tree."   Because red flower looks like Sango or Coral, "Sango-aburagiri" was named.   All common names represent characteristic of this plant.   But common name "Buddha Belly" sounds most positive and happy.  I'm very happy to see my blooming "Buddha Belly" and look forward to getting seeds in the future.

The State of Hawaii, Department of Health changed its regulation for the food safety and as of September 2018, a new mandate for Food Handlers Education certificate requires at least one employee present at every food establishment during normal hours to have a formal food handlers training level certification.   

Of course we are not a restaurant but because we do have Bon Dance to prepare/provide food at the temple kitchen, our temple 

President made arrangement for me and himself to take a free 2.5 hour certification class on safe food handler’s class last Wednesday.  Before going to this class, I was a little nervous to take a test which requires 70% to pass.  But at the beginning of the class, I was so relieved to hear what our instructor said.   You can retake test two more times if you didn’t pass the test!

The class was actually very interesting with lots of important facts and knowledge on safety of the food, virus, pests, and the appropriate way to prepare, handle and store food.  At first, I was trying to take memo for everything which was projected on the screen.  But soon I gave up writing all.  Instead I started taking photos of the slides projected on the screen.

There were exactly 40 multiple-choices questions and no time limit for the test.  Questions were easy, but I took more time to make it sure for the correct answers.  Because I passed the test, I should not have complaints but for the future better education, I think to check answers at the site right after the test, will be more beneficial and useful to know what was wrong. 

Needless to say, improvement is always possible if you can notice you made a mistake and without realizing your mistake, it hardly gets better.   In fact, I had two questions that I was not sure the answers and I thought it would be nice to have time to get the right answers at the site, rather than just to know “pass or not pass.” 

The certificate I got will be good for three years and will meet the 2017 requirement** of the Hawaii Administrate Rules, Chaper 11-50 Food Safety Code.  Also I'm glad my card is good not only at Koloa Jodo but also at another facility such as Kapaa Jodo Mission.  

* 11-50-20(c) Food Protection Certification

(1) The person-in-charge shall demonstrate knowledge of basic food safety by successfully completing a food safety course that is part of a department food safety program or other program approved by the department.

A Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard left an interesting saying about regret. 

“Marry, and you will regret it; don’t marry, you will also regret it either way.”

Of course, this is not always true since we can find both happy couples and happy singles.   However, at least one thing is true about this saying.  There are only two kinds of “regret” in this world; one is a regret on what you did.  Another one is a regret on what you didn’t do.    “Marry” and “don’t marry” or “Did” and “Didn’t do” are completely different choice and different way.  But once we choose it, there is always possibility of regret because of the two choices we have every moment … whether we do it or not to do it.   In other words, two kinds of regrets are nothing but two kinds of actions we do every moment.

In our daily life, there are many actions or things we do….such as wake up, pray, eat, walk, read newspaper, work, study, talk, watch TV and so on…yes, we do many things in a day.  However, all actions we do can be divided into two types of actions.  They are “to do” and “not to do.”   That’s all.  This means whatever we do something, we always have a choice “to do it” or “not to do it.”    Then once we chose it out of two choices or two ways, another choice you didn’t take could be the source of regret.  

Of course, some daily actions such as eating, walking, reading or watching hardly produce regret since we can always redo it or do it later even if you chose “not to do.”   But most actions which require to choose “to do” or “not to do” at this moment cannot be redone.   Once we choose it, we cannot take it back and this is the very reason we regret.

Probably in the past, you’ve experienced you were thinking whether you should buy it or not.  In many cases, you buy it because it’s necessary but sometimes you buy it because it’s cheap.   And sometimes the one you bought was quite useless and you regret on what you bought it.   The more expensive it was, the more you regret it.  On the other hand, you sometimes regret on what you didn’t buy, especially when you are travelling.   So both shopping and no shopping can be the very source of regret.  

However, I found out there was an exception!   I noticed there was one “regret-free” action.   That’s the shopping in USA, especially at Walmart. 

In Japan, as you may know, returning policy is very limited.  You cannot return all items at all stores.   Only certain stores accept returning if the product has defects.  You need an appropriate reason to return the item. However, returning policy is guaranteed here in the US.  For me, it was amazing that you can return items with no special reasons.   This means you are “regret-free” when you shop in US.   You might regret it if you didn’t buy it, but you won’t regret it even if you bought it because of this returning policy.  

As you know, Black Friday is coming soon next month.   If you are thinking whether you should buy it or not at Walmart, you should buy it because if you didn’t buy it on sale, that’s it.  There is little chance to buy it with that price and there is high possibility that you may regret on what you didn’t buy.   And if you bought it, there should be no regret because of the return policy.   If you think you don’t need it, you can return it within 90 days.

It may be ashamed but I’m a repeat customer who often use customer service for returning.  No special reason for returning is actually necessary but they always ask me, “What’s wrong?”  My conventional phrase to answer it is “Nothing’s wrong. My wife just didn’t like it.”   Then they accept returning.  

Publilius Syrus (85BC- 43 BC) was a Syrian poet and comic dramatist in ancient Rome around the last century BC.   I had never read his writings in Japan but nowadays I enjoy reading his writings through internet.  You may not be familiar with his name but you must be familiar with his sayings such as, 

“No one knows he can do until he tries.”

“It is not every question that deserves an answer.”

"It is better to learn late than never.”

There are plenty more of his sayings but probably the most famous Publilius’s saying can be “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”  I knew this was originally Latin, but I never knew this was credited to the writer of the first century BC.  This was how I became interested in Publilius Syrus and bought a book called "The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus: A Roman Slave."  

To my surprise, Publilius Syrus was once a Syrian slave and taken to the provincial Rome when he was 12 years old.  However, he was good at wit and mimicking people and gradually won the favour of his master, who eventually freed and educated Publilius.   According to the Wikipedia, Publilius was perhaps even more famous as an improviser, and received from Caesar himself the prize in a contest in which he vanquished all his competitors, including Decimus Laberius.  Now his fame is worldwide beyond times.... more than 2,000 years.   

He left a saying “If you wish to reach the highest, begin with the lowest” and it sounds true because of his real experience from being a slave to the Roman celebrity.   I think this saying indicates importance of positive attitude no matter how miserable you may be experiencing.   Realizing your situation as the lowest means you cannot be lower anymore.  Once you experience being the lowest, anything you do can be higher and positive. 

This understanding is actually very similar to the basic teaching of Buddhism which regards life as suffering.  Connotation of suffering may lead you to misunderstand Buddhism as a negative religion.  But realization of suffering is actually positive attitude to accept current situation.   This is just like common phrase, “Prepare for the worst” when we receive news of approaching hurricane.

As Kaua’i experienced hurricanes in the past, you know hurricanes are very scary.  It could take our lives and houses away.   However it’s inevitable and not only hurricane but other disasters could happen anytime in the future.  No one can stop nature.   Then what can we do?   There are not many things we can do but the best we can do is to prepare for the worst…. Preparing extra food, water and all the necessities…The more you do, the less we worry.  Yet we cannot get rid of all worries.  But that’s all we can do.

On the other hand, if you don’t’ prepare anything for hurricane, smaller damages can be really something and critical.  Life is same thing.  If we are not preparing for suffering, we might feel so much suffering when misfortune comes to us.  But if we can prepare for the worst suffering, we can always feel less suffering and more blessing because of the preparation.  Buddhist understanding of life as suffering is the first step to prepare to work with suffering which is surely coming to us, just like hurricane.

Once again, we cannot stop natural disasters.  We cannot change nature.   And it’s hard to change people’s ideas and even one’s spouse’s thoughts.  But Publilius’s saying tell us…what is important is not to change the situation but to change our understanding to accept the situation.   How?  He says nothing difficult…“begin with the lowest."

2018 Matsuri Kauai, presented by the Kauai Japanese Cultural Society, will be held tomorrow on Saturday, September 22nd from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue.   There will be various cultural exhibits and performances such as Taiko drumming, Mochi pounding, Japanese dances all day long. There will be some food sales, too.   

This event is free and open to public!!!

The biggest defeat of my life was a fact I started smoking.                  The biggest victory of my life was a fact I quit smoking.                                 - Kosen Ishikawa - 

It’s been almost 10 years since I quit smoking.  Now I almost forgot about pleasure of smoking and I never want cigarette again but it was actually very hard for me to quit smoking. 

 I started smoking when I was 20 years old.  I was a college student in Yokohama but found little meaning to study various “unnecessary” subjects.    Of course, I was wrong but young.  I ran away from taking some exams and I started travelling the Pacific side of the Honshu, Japan with my brand-new backpack.  At that time, I was so inspired by the life of Kobou Daishi who spent youth time as travelling and I regarded this backpack trip as a wild training to know the world.

I visited many temples, shrines and famous sightseeing sites during the day time and at night, I slept on the benches at the train stations.   At that time, there was no smart phone or tablet with me.   While spending lonely nights at the benches of the stations, I started missing “something.”  If I were a beer-drinker, I probably wouldn’t need a cigarette, but I first bought a cigarette from the vending machine at Toyohashi station in Aichi prefecture. I remember I was looking at the cigarette package for a few hours , thinking whether I should stop starting cigarette.   But I defeated.  I bought a lighter at the convenience store at midnight and started smoking.  My first impression of smoking was “NOOOOO Good!!!  It was nothing but smoky.  However, I assumed if I continued smoking, sooner or later, I should feel good.   So I smoked cigarette again and again till I felt good.  After all, I didn’t feel good on that night but  on the next day, I found myself addicted to the cigarette.  This was my biggest regret and the biggest defeat of my life since I spent over 17 years and plenty money for the habits of smoking cigarettes even after I came to Kauai.

Because of this biggest defeat, however, I felt supreme sense of victory when I was successful to quit smoking.   Quitting smoking brought me more time, more saving money, more hobbies and better heath and of course more weight but the most important fact to quit smoking was to deepen my understanding of Buddhism.  In addition, this success gave me lots of confidence to deliver the Buddhist teachings because of the triumph over the most difficult and tough battle. 

The secret to quit smoking for me was actually to get back to the basics of the Buddhism which regards life as suffering.   Smoking was same thing.  It is not pleasure but more suffering is caused by the smoking.   It’s very simple but this simple discovery of “suffering” in smoking actually made me wish to be free of suffering.   At the same time, I did more Nenbutsu to get rid of the desires of smoking.  Of course, I’m thankful to my wife, too, who gave me good food.

Once again, the biggest defeat of my life was a fact I started smoking and the biggest victory of my life so far was a fact I quit smoking cigarette….Life is not always fun, pleasant and happy rather more mistakes and sufferings are always happening around us.  But if we rightly realize our sufferings and mistakes around us, there should be always ways to get out of suffering.   

                                                                         Namu Amida Butsu

What is Niigata Ondo?  I was very curious when I first heard it at Zenshuji a few years ago.  I actually came from Niigata, but I had never heard it before.  Then I got it when I saw them dancing at the very end of Bon Dance.   It was not a newly introduced song but a very traditional song which is usually played at the end of Bon Dance here on Kauai.  It’s been known as “Betcho.”

However, Kauai Soto Zen Temple renamed this song as “Niigata Ondo” since their president Mr. Gerald Hirata found out the meaning of “Betcho” after some researches.  It’s an argot or secret Japanese language to mean female’s genital organ or intercourse.   I’m sure people must be shocked to know its meaning.   Therefore it was kind of natural reaction to avoid to use this word of “Betcho” since Bon Dances are held at temples.   This is how “Betcho” was renamed.

However, I want to continue to use the word “Betcho” because this is the name of beloved song we have inherited from the predecessors on Kauai.  In addition, there seems to be already “Niigata Ondo” in Japan which is completely different song/dance from the one played on Kauai.  I don’t think it’s a good idea to use “Niigata Ondo” just because they say…the song was transmitted from Niigata.   

What we need is not to change the name but to change how to understand the name.   Why female genital organ is used as a name of the song?   And what is the meaning of intercourse in the song of “Betcho”?  

I regard one of the important meanings to hold Bon dance is to renew our appreciation to our ancestors.  Then how we honor our ancestors?

Of course, prayers and chanting sutras are important but one of the best ways to honor ancestors may be to show family’s property.   Traditionally family’s prosperity means more children.   The more children we get, the happier our ancestors must be.   If this understanding is true, “betcho” plays a significant role for the family’s prosperity.   Needless to say, without "Betcho", no children is born.

Interestingly, in the song of traditional Betcho, there are two ways of dancing are used by the two groups of dancers.  They are dancing in the completely different direction in the circle.  One group is dancing clockwise and another group is dancing anti-clockwise.  If you look these two different dances as a whole, I always see “Betcho” as boys meeting girls.   Therefore, I could understand the meaning of “Betcho” as “man and woman.”

Some years ago, there was a popular song called “Hokkai Bon Uta” was played at Bon Dances on Kauai.  This was a song from Hokkaido and Bon towel or Tenugui is used for the song.  I don’t know when it was taken out from the Bon Dance numbers but it’s been a while since I danced this song last time.

 Then I was so happy to find this dancing from the old Digital videotapes I took in 2003!  when I looked at the dancing carefully, I became excited because I found so much similarity to the song called “Betcho.”   Then I got a right keywords of “Betcho and Hokkai Bon Uta.”

I found out “Hokkai Bon Uta” was actually created from the song called “Betcho-bushi” after the World War II.   It’s even introduced in the Wikpedia article, stating  “Hokkai Bon Uta” originated to the song called “Betcho” which were full of dirty slang lyrics.   This was mainly danced by the workers at coal mines in Hokkaido but after revising lyrics and tune, it was renamed as “Hokkai Bon Uta.”   Especially after Mihashi Michiya sang this “Hokkai Bon Uta” it became a hit and well known throughout Japan.

Now I’m definitely opposed to rename the song of “Betcho” as Niigata Ondo.   Rather I’m in favor to keep using “Betcho.”    Meaning?    Instead of explaining it by words, it will be great if we all can show its dancing.  

We are so saddened to hear the loss of our Bishop Yubun Narashiba of Jodo Mission of Hawaii,  who once served Koloa Jodo Mission from 1987 to 1997.   We started praying for him when we received a news that he was taken to the Queens Hospital on July 19 and hoped his earliest recovery but passed away on July 20th.  It was a heart attack.

We, family and members of Koloa Jodo Mission express our deepest sympathy and condolence to Mrs. Narashiba and family.  We cannot but pray...Namu Amida Bu.  

Our prayer, Nenbutsu or Namu Amida Bu, is not a magical word to cure disease but is a miracle word to lead us to the ultimate bliss of Amida Buddha.  

Mahalo and Aloha to Bishop Narashiba.  Namu Amida Butsu.

The grabber tool to pick up things without bending knees is so useful!   It's now on sale at Costco and its price just went down to $8.99!!!

I'm not sales person at Costco but I just fell in love at first sight.  Now I cannot help commending this tool after using it for a month.   There are two grabbers as a set.

Why do they sell two as a set?  All of sudden, the question came up to my mind.  And if you get two, how do you use it? and what is the meaning of two for you?   It may be a trifle matter but I just thought of the meanings of two....

One grabber is for you and another one is for your spouse?  One is to use now and another one is to use for later.  One is to pick up trash and one is to pick up non-trash?  One is for me and one is for you?  There could be many meanings of "Two."

For me, two grabbers mean....one is for inside and one is for outside.  I do use it in many occasions but the best use of this grabber so far is when I pick up fallen Ti leaves.  It's hard to pick up with broom but with this grabber, I can get fall ti leaves so easily. 

Anyway, two grabbers from Costco is so good just like a Chinese saying "good thing comes in a pair."   

Jumble of good and bad is expressed as “玉石混淆(Gyoku-seki Konkou)” in Kanji, which literally means “mixture of ball (jewel) and stone.”    In English, it may be called “mixture of wheat and chaff” or “thread and thrum.”   They both indicate “good and bad coexists together.”

Here at Koloa Jodo Mission, my favorite jade-color bowels are exactly “玉石混淆(Gyoku-seki Konkou)” or "thread and thrum"!  Plastic bowels are actually second-handed from Koloa Elementary School and they have been here for over 30 years!

On the other hand, jade color glass bowel is…OMG….a popular antique ware of the “Fire King Ware!”  which must be made before 1976!    Good and bad, precious and common things are naturally here....and  we are proud to keep using  old junks and treasures together.

Bon Dance was not prepared in a day but cleaned up in a day.

Mahalo nui loa to those who helped us celebrating our 2018 Bon Dance.   I’ve made a video to thank you very much!  At the ending part, I put my message.

During Bon Dance, I was surprised to receive a paycheck.  Wow, I got a big raise.  Working for two temples, two Bon Dances and two Toro Nagashi….finally I got a high evaluation!  However I soon realized this was not a raise but just a regular salary for the past three months.  During the past months, we have been so busy that our President forgot to pay me and I forgot to request it.  I thought this was a blessing since I didn’t need to think of money for what I worked.  In addition, now I feel….I got a surprise bonus! (LOL)   

But at the same time, I feel sorry….I’m the only one who receive a paycheck from our temple.   Our president has worked almost full time for our temple for the past months but that was all volunteer jobs.  Besides he brought his entire family, relatives and friends together to work for Bon Dance.   And of course, there are some more members who brought their families and relatives to here.   

What a dedication we have received during Bon Dance!!!  Bon Dance always make me realize my life is deeply supported by people's unselfish dedication and kindness.   And I even feel for their sacrifices to help our temple.  But because I can feel "sorry,"  I want to return "kindness" to people.   I want to be useful and helpful not only in the temple but also in the community and society in the near future.

Once again, thank you so very much! 

This is a shorter version of my message.

Longer version....This may be boring for non-helpers.

Kapaa Jodo Mission will sponsor 2018 Toro Nagashi Ceremony on this Sunday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Wailua River State Park (photos above.)   All are invited and welcome at the park.  A few more lanterns may be available to purchase.   Please contact me as soon as possible if you'd like to dedicate a lantern for your beloved one.   

For your information, Koloa Jodo Mission just started accepting orders for another lantern ceremony which will be held at Kukuiula Boat Harbor on Sunday, August 5, 2018.   

Some time ago, uncle Dick of Anahola taught me the first Japanese immigrant rest in the graveyard of Koolau Protestant Church.  Then he continued to tell me he remembered one of Japanese Royal princes visited the site when the prince came to Kauai a few decades ago.  This was very interesting because I knew the year of 2018 would be the 150th Anniversary since the first Japanese group called "Gannenmono" arrived in Hawaii.  I never knew there was Gannenmono rest here on this island.  I wanted to find out the exact location of gravestone and wanted to offer my prayer.

Uncle Dick actually offered to take me to the site next time when I go to have a graveyard service at Anahola.  But I couldn't wait "next time" in June and whenever I went to the North, I stopped by at the graveyard to look for the stone.   The graveyard was not so big and I thought I could find it easily.  However some characters were hard to tell because of the green moss stick to the stones.   I took time to look at all gravestones at least three times but couldn't find it until uncle Dick led me to the site yesterday.

Because of my experiences I couldn't find it by myself, I was super curious about the location I missed to reach.  As soon as Uncle Dick and family arrived at the parking space of the grave, I saw uncle walked to the direction I never expected.  That was completely opposite direction of the Japanese gravestones.  The area was for the Christians.  Then he stopped at the stone which contained the sign of Holy Cross!  

What?  I knew I was familiar with this stone.  I remember I passed this stone but the stone was for Christian.  Uncle Dick told me, "Sensei, this is the stone.  When I first visited here, the stone was laid down.  But now it looks somebody fixed it."

The stone says "Beloved Grandfather Arai Bunto - 1844- Sept.19, 1925 - The First Japanese Immigrant to Hawaii Arrived 1868."  You cannot imagine how I was happy to reach this stone finally.   Because I looked at all stones at least three times, I remember this stone as "Beloved Grandfather" with Holy Cross.   But I was so preoccupied with a thought that the first Japanese immigrant was Buddhist, my consciousness couldn't read all the characters of the stone.  At a glance of holy cross, I never thought this was for the first Japanese immigrant to Hawaii.

Needless to say, nobody actually told me the first Japanese group were Buddhists.  I just had a bias or preconceived idea from the beginning.  I just imagined the first Japanese immigrant should have a Japanese style gravestone and he must be a Buddhist.  But these wall of my prejudices actually prevented me to find a stone.  Because I had such a strong preconceived image of the first Japanese immigrant, I missed to look at the truth.

This became another great experience for me to realize how open mind is important to see the truth.   We think we always see the truth.  But the truth is not always visible if we have prejudices or bias or preconceived ideas.  Of course, sometimes knowledge can be helpful to find the truth but at the same time, knowledge can be obstacle too if we depend on it too much.  So if we seek for the truth, we should be away from any prejudices, biases and preconceived ideas.  Need to open toward the truth because the truth is beyond any judgment. 

2018 Bon Dance Season has just started on Kauai.

Did you miss it?  But please don't worry...Bon Dance continues to

the following temples during Summer.   Also I will follow up with videos!

Can you believe it?   It's already Bon Dance Season!!!

This year, the first Bon Dance of nine bon dances hosted by the Kauai Buddhist council will launch at Kapaa Jodo Mission on this Friday and Saturday, June 8 & 9 from 7:30 p.m to 10:30 p.m.  

Bon Dance is a part of Buddhist Festival known as “O-bon” which honors the spirits of ancestors who are believed to come back to this world during summer time.  In order to welcome the spirits, families get together to have a service, pray and dance together with a big feast.  

This year, Kauai Buddhist council temples celebrate and honor the 150^th Anniversary of the first arrival of the group of Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii since 1868.  Because 1868 was called “Meiji Gannen” meaning “The First Year of the Meiji Era”, those who reached Hawaii in 1868 have been called "Gannen-mono” meaning "First Year Folks.”   Special prayer will be offered at each temple and some temples will have special features celebrating “Gannenmono.”

At the first bon dance at Kapaa Jodo Mission,  there will be Taiko Drumming Performance by Sensei Aki Conquest and Joyful Noise at the intermission on Friday, June 8 and Okinawan Eisa Dance will be performed on Saturday, June 9.   

Local food such as Kauai's unique "Flying Saucer" will be available from 6:00 p.m.   All are invited and welcome.   For more information, please call 635-8530.

Aloha!

It's already May and Bon Dance is coming soon on Kauai.  Koloa Jodo Mission will start Bon Dance Practice here from Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.   As you know, this year, we get a new song, "Dai Tokyo Ondo" and the following video will be helpful to learn this song.

For your information, Bon Dance Practice are held at the following temples. 

Kapaa Hongwanji       Mondays @7:00 p.m. 

Koloa Jodo                  Tuesdays @6:30 p.m. from May 8

WKH Hanapepe         Thursdays @6:00 p.m.  

Lihue Hongwanji        Fridays @ 7:30 p.m. from May

Honestly, I wished to take a vacation after Hanamatsuri but as soon as I came back to temple, I had to start working for the tax since its due date was coming so soon. 

My tax preparation is supposed to be easy however I have much more outgo for the temple.  As a result, I needed to review all the receipts which have been here and there in the office.  So it took me about 1.5 days to clean up office first and then I can face reviewing receipts. 

I'm so glad I didn't lose all the necessary receipts and documents.  However a big problem was...it's sometimes very hard to identify the items on the receipt!  

For example...in the picture above, a receipt from Walmart says "10CT 2 EXP."  What is this?

I can tell "CT" means "count" but I don't know about "EXP."  For me this was like a code!!!  Can you tell what is this? 

Of course, because receipts have date and time you shopped, I'd better try to recall it with a hint of date/time and other shopping items.   But I competely forgot it because the date was way back to February last year.  if you don't remember what you bought, how do you identify the item?

This time I took a look at the receipt carefully and noticed numbers next to the item.  

I guessed it could be ID number for the item throughout Walmart stores and wanted to check it at their website.

Then I visited the home page and I entered the numbers of the item in the search, and then press it.........

Very glad to get Bingo!  The numbers showed the item I bought and now I remember I bought this for teaching Japanese language....

This way to identify the item on the receipt worked at the HomeDepot, too but didn't work at Costco.  Now I need to think about a way to identify the items....  Better directly to Costco?  

I've just changed a front page design for the Buddha Day Service tomorrow. Instead of using photos of the Buddhist council temples, I decided to use some front page designs in the past.  I thought this looked more like "Book fair?"

After looking at programs in the past, I noticed one thing.  

Front page is usually the best description of its contents.  And usually, less explanation and more pictures are used to imply what is this event like?   In other words, all the past designs of the Buddha Day programs could be the best answer toward the question "what is Buddha day?" without using much words!  

So my idea is very simple.  I just collected and used the best answers of what is Buddha Day?  I thought collected best answers should be better than "the best" in the past. 

Just for fun, I've made an Equation...

Best + Best + Best = Better than the best.

Tonight Candle night will be held at Hoffgard Park in Waimea Town, hosted by Waimea Buddhist temples and ministers, after memorial service for the beloved pets and animals from 6:00 pm.

Have you ever visited all the Buddhist temples which host Bon Dance on Kauai?  If so, have you visited their Hondo (Main Altar Hall), too?  Then can you tell which (altar) is which (temple)?

Well, let me post the following photos of all Bon Dance hosting temples on Kauai.  I hope this could be a good opportunity to check if you remember characteristics of the altars.  The answer follows photos.

I wonder....did you notice the order of this listing temples?

The order of listing photos here is actually the order of 2018 Bon Dance on Kauai Schedule!!!

So the first photo here is, 

1. Kapaa Jodo Mission (June 8-9)

The second photo is,

2. West Kauai Hongwanji Mission Hanapepe Temple (June 15-16)

3. Lihue Hongwanji Mission (June 22-23) 

4. Waimea Shingon Mission (June 29-30) 

5. Koloa Jodo Mission (July 6-7)

6. West Kauai Hongwanji Mission Waimea Temple (July 13-14)

7. Kapaa Hongwanji Mission (July 20-21)

8. Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission (July 27-28)

9. Kauai Soto Zen Temple  (August 3-4) 

So when you go to the temples next time, please check my information is correct!  It'll be nice to check out the differences of the altars and of course, nice to offer prayer there at the Hondos.

Tonight Candle Night will be at Hanapepe.  Both Kauai Soto Zen and West Kauai Hongwanji Hanapepe Temple will host the open house from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.   

_{Some time ago, when I was about to leave Koloa to pick up my daughter at Lawai, I mistakenly locked myself out. I definitely knew I shouldn’t have locked the door yet, but it was too late.  Unintentionally, I locked the door with all of my keys inside the house…House Key, keys for the temple, and car key were all inside.  But that was not all.  My smart phone and wallet were also in the house!  I was totally locked out and I couldn’t do anything but shout myself “Oh, NOOOO!(Baka-tare).”   I wonder have you experienced this kind of lockout.}

_{Fortunately, our social hall door was unlocked and I could use a phone.   Soon I realized, however, I’ve relied so much to my smart phone and I didn’t memorize my wife’s phone number.  What can I do?  Of course, if I waited some time, eventually my wife would be back to open the house.  But the problem was I didn’t know how soon or late she would be back.   And I needed to pick up my daughter at 5:00 pm at Lawai Warehouse where she was attending afterschool program.   Time was running quickly but all the contact numbers was in my smart phone in the locked house.   I even tried to sneak in the house by using ladder but I found myself too big for the window to enter.}

_{In the meantime, it was already 5:40pm.  My last choice was to call our temple President Alvin Akimoto for help.   This was actually my first easy choice I thought of…because his phone number was one of four phone numbers I remember.   The numbers I know here are, 1. Kapaa Jodo Mission, Jodo Mission of Hawaii (Betsuin) where I worked for 3 years, 911 and Akimoto residence.   That’s all.  But I had a big hesitation to call him on that day because he was working all day long at the temple for preparing for our New Year’s Party.   But I started to worry my daughter, too, who must be waiting at Lawai alone and all I could do was to ask him to come here to open the house with a spare key.  I was sure he was so tired but as soon as I asked for help, he came to the house and opened house in no time.}

_{As I reflected my 18 years here at Koloa Jodo Mission, this experience of “locked out” was my first time but I actually called our President for help so many times.   That’s why I never forget his phone number and I was so grateful for his time, generosity and talents as a engineer to fix almost anything.   He has indeed fixed my car many times, repaired toilet, shower, kitchen, house and he continues to fix something at the temple with uncle Edwin and Jimmy as our temple buildings get older.  Our membership dues of Koloa Jodo Mission has been $50 for nearly 50 years while other prices have gone up dramatically.   This was definitely possible thanks to our President and our members and friends.   Of course, this means I didn’t get a raise for many years.  But I’m rather thankful and proud of this fact since I’ve received something more precious than money.} 

_{Last but not least, I’d like to thank the lady who kindly waited with my daughter at Lawai for nearly one hour till she is picked up by my wife.   I didn’t have a chance to thank her in person but I am still grateful for her time and true kindness.}

I've just made a front page for the upcoming Kauai Buddhist Council 2018 Buddha Day Service Program.  It took only a few minutes to combine all photos of the temples on one page but I had to spend a few days to try to find a picture of Moloaa Stupa from my collections of photos/video hard drives.  There were about total of 27.5TB!!!  No wonder it took days to go through all photos.  I was so preoccupied with a thought I had some pictures of stupa but after all, I realized it would be much easier to go to Moloaa to take photos.   Yes, a roundtrip to Moloaa was just a few hours, not for a few days.

At the last Sunday Service, I talked about a famous saying "You cannot see the wood for the trees."  This experience became another good lesson that we should not stick to the old idea.  It's better to be open to try new idea.

Yes, instead of looking for the past photos I took, I can always take another new photos.  After going to Molaa, I gave up looking for other temples' photos from my hard drives.  I just went to the temples and took some photos.  They were actually better than old photos!

"Sweetest Pineapple" article was originally written for the Kapaa Jodo Mission Bulletin last November.  Then I received a comment via internet.  I had no idea who sent me an email because there was no name on it.  But as soon as I read it, at least I knew the person was very knowledgeable both Pineapple and Kauai.  Let me share the following email message I received from that person.  

_{“I read and enjoyed your message about the pineapple.  Most people will remember Kapaa the pineapple town.  Kapaa and Up canary helped us in a big way.  We earned money to go to school, etc.  The best pineapple to me was always from the third crop.  The first crop was large and ok.  The second crop was smaller and usually sweeter.  The third crop was small and sweetest and used for juice.   However, today it’s different because of low acid pineapple and white pineapple.  Frankie’s Nursery has the best white pineapple.  Since pineapple doesn’t ripen only ferments after it is picked it is best to look at the stem and see if is freshly picked.  Secondly smell the area.   You can smell the sugar or fermentation. Frankie’s pineapple is called meli kalima (honey cream).  The Brix is 28. Maui gold pineapple is about 18 and honey is 32.  Aloha.”}

It was so interesting that I naturally asked if I could share this email with our members.  At the same time, I asked the name.  Then he replied to me in no time.   It was Mr. Herbert Nishida whom I knew only name through donations for O-Toba prayer.

_{“My name is Herbert Nishida and you can share my novice information. Very few people will recognize my name.  I left Kapaa in 1958 but like most people I keep interest in my hometown. Now I’m a visitor. The real experts in selecting the sweetest pineapple are your members who will remain silent until asked a direct question.  Perhaps your sweetest pineapple article will create a new common bond and so on. ...how do you pick out the best papaya. ...again the stem of the mostly green firm fruit must be fresh not old. ...smell the mostly green fruit and you should smell sugar.  If you don’t select another one.  Be sure the is not yellow because it will be smashed by the people’s hands. Unlike pineapple papaya will ripen.  People may laugh when you ask them to smell a papaya that’s green.  That’s okay because their method of selecting may be better.   Aloha”}

A big Mahalo to Mr. Nishida who allowed me to share his interesting comments on the pineapple.  Especially, I agreed...the real experts will remain silent until asked a direct question.   This reminded me of the Lao Tsu's famous saying, "Those who know do not speak.   Those who speak do not know."   And now I had an idea to add his saying, "Those who answer know!"   It is my hope that I get more opportunities to hear from our members and friends about your experiences.  

When I used to work for Sushi bar in the glossary store,  there was a table for pineapples to sell just in front of my workplace.  As a result, I often saw customers choosing a pineapple and actually I was often asked by customers, “How do you choose a sweet pineapple?”   They were mostly tourists.

My answer had been “I’m sorry I don’t know” or sometimes “Who knows?” but because I often received questions, I became so curious about answers and found some possible answers from websites later.

One website says “choose a pineapple that is heavy.”  It also says “choose darker green leaf of pineapple.”   Then another website says “smell the butt of the pineapple!  If it doesn’t smell pineapple juice, it doesn’t contain much sugar.”   Another opinion which I thought interesting was “upside down pineapple for a while before you eat.”

I still don’t know whether they are correct or not, but because of a question I had, I stay curious which pineapple would be sweet.   Then last summer, I happened to find a way to make pineapple sweeter.

That was so simple...just to wait.   I know everybody wait for a ripe pineapple.  But did you wait enough time?  Is it really ready?   How many days do you wait?

Well let me share my experience.  Last summer, I bought a pineapple as a offering at our altar during O-Bon service at Koloa Jodo Mission in the end of July. Then right after O-Bon, I went to Japan and completely forgot this Pineapple.   After I came back here on August 18, I saw pineapple looked so dry and yellow and realized I forgot to tell my family to eat it.   I honestly thought I waisted a pineapple. 

However, it smelled so good that I tried it. 

"Oh my gosh, so sweet!!!"  To my surprise, that was the sweetest pineapple I've ever had.

Before I ate this pineapple, I used to wait only for a few days for the pineapple to ripe.  But after this experience, I wait at least a few weeks to eat Pineapple after I bought it......It's so simple but I realized "Waiting " can be the best answer for the sweetest pineapple.                                                                                    

In Japan, April 8 has been known as the day when Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, Nepal about 2600 years ago.  Siddhartha was a prince of the kingdom of Kapilavastu (Northern India).  He had all the material wealth that anyone could wish for but when he was 29 years old, he was truly shocked to know people in the world were suffering from illness, poverty, and various dissatisfaction.  He then renounced all these things to go out into the world to seek a way of salvation for all the people.  After six years of hard trainings and deep meditation, he became enlightened under the Bodhi tree when he was 35 years old.  Siddhartha was then called “Buddha” which literally means “Awakened One.”   For the sake of sharing the way to happiness, Buddha traveled to preach his teachings for nearly 45 years.  His teachings were gradually transmitted from people to people, countries to countries and from generations to generations which have formed what we call “Buddhism” today.

The tradition to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in April 8 has been brought to Hawaii with Japanese Immigrants and April 8 was officially recognized as a Buddha Day by the State Legislature of 1963. Since Buddha’s birthplace was a flower garden in Lumbini and also April in Japan is a beautiful season of Sakura flowers, Buddha’s Birthday is also called “Hanamatsuri” meaning “Flower(Hana) Festival(Matsuri)”   

In celebration of Hanamatsuri this year, Kauai Buddhist Council will offer for a full week of celebrations festivities.  From April 2^nd to April 6^th, “Candle Night-open house” at temple will be held at the Buddhist temples.  This open house is to offer extra time and place for prayer and meditation with candle lights to anyone, both residents and visitors of Kauai.   There will be time for meditation, prayer, Q & A, and talk-stories with Sensei.   Each temple will welcome you in a different way.

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, Buddha Day Service and Buddhist Book Fair will be observed at Lihue Hongwanji Mission from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.   The guest speaker will be Mr. Mark Daniel Seiler whose first novel, “Sighing Woman Tea” won at the Pacific Rim Book Festival 2015 and his second novel “River’s Child” was recently awarded the Landmark Prize for fiction.”  He is a poet, musician, master carpenter, and currently serving as a board member of Koloa Jodo Mission, Kauai Buddhist Council, and Lawai International Center.

Kauai Buddhist council which consists of Kapaa Jodo Mission, Kapaa Hongwanji Mission, Kauai Dharma Center, Lihue Hongwanji Mission, Koloa Jodo Mission, Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji, Waimea Shingon Mission, Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission and West Kauai Hongwanji Mission (WKHM Hanapepe & Waimea Temple) will proudly display their best selections of the Buddhist books during this Buddhist Book Fair.   At the same time, we will have some books both for sale and for free available to the participants.  Temples will bring and present some free “old new book” which was supposed to be new but never read by members for many years.

There will be refreshments and lucky number follow the service.  All are invited and welcome.  For more information, please call Rev. Kosen Ishikawa at 635-8530.  Hanamasturi week Schedule as follows;

Monday, April 2                6:00 pm-8:00 pm  

Candle Night          Kapaa Jodo Mission (635-8530)

Tuesday, April 3                 6:00 pm-8:00 pm  

Candle Night           Waimea Shingon Mission (338-1854)  Wednesday, April 4          6:00 pm-8:00 pm  

Candle Night           Koloa Jodo Mission (742-6735)

Thursday, April 5                6:00 pm-8:00 pm  

Candle Night           Kapaa Hongwanji Mission (822-4667)

Friday, April 6                     6:00 pm-8:00 pm  

Candle Night           Kauai Soto Zen Temple (335-3521)

Friday, April 6                     6:00 pm-8:00 pm  

Candle Night           WKHM Hanapepe Temple (335-3195)               

  (*Hanapepe Art Night is held on Fridays.  So it’s nice to visit both temples on the same day.)

Sunday, April 8   9:30 am -12:00 noon  Buddha Day Service & Buddhist Book Fair at Lihue Hongwanji Mission.

Our neighbor island, Oahu was visible clearly yesterday and today from the top of Lawai cemetery.  I've lived here at Koloa for 18 years but this was my 2nd and 3rd time to see Oahu from Kauai. 

The first time I saw Oahu from Koloa road was way back in 2011 and I was so moved that I took and sent my photograph to the Garden Island Paper.  Since then, whenever I looked at the ocean, I always tried to find an Oahu.  So I was very glad to see Oahu again with my naked eyes after such a long time.

By the way, did you know how far from Oahu to Kauai?  20 minutes flight away?  Yes, it's true.  But how many miles away from Oahu to Kauai?   I was very curious and found an interesting website called
"Distance Calculator" which tells distance between two places.  If that is correct, the distance between Oahu and Kauai in a straight line is 95 miles or 152.86 km.   Interestingly, it explained more....such as a possible gasoline cost from Oahu to Kauai.

Let me quote...

"Gas cost estimates for this Oahu to Kauai trip If you were travelling in a vehicle that averaged 35 MPG and were paying $3.09 per gallon for your gas then the cost for a trip based upon an "estimated distance" of 114 drive miles from Oahu to Kauai * in gas would be in the region of $10.06 USD.

If you were driving a bigger vehicle that averaged 20 miles per gallon and were paying 3.09 per gallon for your gas then the cost for a road trip from Oahu to Kauai in gas would be around $17.61 USD.

If you were travelling in a super efficient car that averaged 60 miles per gallon and were paying 3.09 per gallon for your gas then the cost for this based on this estimate from Oahu to Kauai in gas would be around $5.87 USD.

If you averaged 50 mph, it would take around 2.32 hours to do the journey . Do bear in mind that this is based on an average speed!
(Info source:Distance from Oahu, Hawaii to Kauai, Hawaii USA in Miles or Kilometers
https://www.distances-calculator.com/usa-distance-oahu-to-kauai.htm )

Anyway, that's the distance between Oahu and Kauai. 

They say "Things come in three's!"   So tomorrow might be another chance to see Oahu from here!  

Happy New Year!  The following 2018 Bon Dance Schedule on Kauai was approved at the Kauai Buddhist Council General Meeting yesterday.  2018 Bon Dance will be kicked off at Kapaa Jodo Mission on Friday June 8!  

2018 Kauai Buddhist Council

Bon Dance Schedule

June 8 - 9    Kapaa Jodo Mission  

June 15-16  West Kauai Hongwanji – Hanapepe

June 22-23  Lihue Hongwanji

June 29-30  Waimea Shingon

July 6-7       Koloa Jodo 

July 13-14   West Kauai Hongwanji Waimea

July 20-21   Kapaa Hongwanji

July 27-28  Waimea Higashi Hongwanji

Aug. 3-4     Kauai Soto Zen Temple

Also at the meeting, Bon Dance Committee proposed 18 songs for 2018 Bon Dance on Kauai.  They were almost same as last year's songs but there were two changes.   Furustato Ondo was replaced with Dai Tokyo Ondo and order of Beautiful Sunday moved to the 2nd from 8th.

1.      Tanko Bushi                           3:16    

2.      Beautiful Sunday                  4:13 (8^th to 2^nd)

3.      Nippon Daiko                         4:10

4.      Zunpa Ondo                            3:49

5.      Hana no Bon Odori                 4:00

6.      Shiawase Samba                      3:24

7.      Bamba Odori                           4:00

8.      Kokoro Taihei                         3:58

9.      Dai Tokyo Ondo                    3:13  (New)

10.  Asatoya Yunta                         3:27

11.  Fukushima Bon Uta                 3:38

12.  Ashibina                                   3:06

13.  Sakura Ondo                             3:16

14.  Nippon Zenkoku Ohayashi Ondo      3:26    

15.  Gokigen Song                           3:55

16.  Heisei Ondo                              3:47

17.  Kawaichi Otoko Bushi              4:20

18.  Hana no Tebyoshi Odori           3:45

     "Dai Tokyo Ondo" is a new song this year however it used to be one of the popular Bon Dance Songs on Kauai till 1999. 

     If you are interested in dancing Bon Dance, you will be very welcome at the Bon Dance Practices at the following temples.   It will be good exercise with fun.  And it's free too.   If you have any question, please feel free to contact me, Kosen Ishikawa,  who happen to be President of Kauai Buddhist Council this year.

Kapaa Hongwanji       Mondays @7:00 p.m. from March 

Lihue Hongwanji        Fridays @ 7:30 p.m. from May

Koloa Jodo                  Tuesdays @6:30 p.m. from May

WKH Hanapepe         Thursdays @6:00 p.m.  ＊Beginners’ Class from February 15^th

Koloa Jodo Mission & Kapaa Jodo Mission

2018 Schedule

*Please notice Sunday Service is sometimes held at Kapaa Jodo Mission.

Sunday, January 7                   10:30 a.m.       New Year Service at Koloa

Sunday, January 14                 10:00 a.m.       Gyoki Service at Kapaa

Sunday, January 21                 10:30 a.m.       Gyoki Service at Koloa

                                                    1:00 p.m.         Bon Dance Committee

Monday, January 22               7:00 p.m.         Kauai Buddhist Council 

Sunday, January 28                 10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class

Sunday, February 4                 10:30 a.m.       Nehan-ye Service at Koloa Jodo

Sunday, February 11               Special Service & Gagaku Concert at Betsuin

                                                            (No Service at both Koloa and Kapaa)

Saturday, February 17            New Year’s Party at Koloa

Sunday, February 25               10:00 a.m.       Nehan-ye Service at Kapaa

Sunday, March 4                     10:30 a.m.       Higan Service at Koloa

Sunday, March 11                   10:00 a.m.       Higan Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sunday, March 18                    1:00 p.m.        Bon Dance Committee Mtg.

Sunday, March 25                   10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa Jodo

Sunday, April 1                        10:30 a.m.       Sunday Service at Koloa Jodo

Sunday, April 8                        9:30 a.m.         Kauai Buddhist Council Hanamatsuri Buddha Day

Sunday, April 15                      10:00 a.m.       Buddha Day Service at Kapaa

Sunday, April 22                      10:30 a.m.       Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, April 29                      10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, May 6                        10:30 a.m.       Mother’s Day Service at Koloa

Sunday, May 13                      10:00 a.m.       Mother’s Day Service at Kapaa

Sunday, May 20                      10:30 a.m.       Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, May 27                      10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa Jodo

Sunday, June 3                        10:00 a.m.       Bon Service at Kapaa

Friday, June 8                                                     Bon Dance at Kapaa

Saturday, June 9                                                Bon Dance at Kapaa

Sunday, June 10                                                 Clean-up after Bon Dance

Sunday, June 17                      10:30 a.m.       Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, June 24                      7:30 p.m.         Kapaa Toro Nagashi at Wailua River State Park

Sunday, July 1                          10:30 a.m.       Bon Service at Koloa Jodo

Friday, July 6                                                      Bon Dance at Koloa

Saturday, July 7                                                 Bon Dance at Koloa

Sunday, August 5                           Koloa Toro Nagashi at  Kukuiula Boat Harbor

Sunday, August 26                   10:00 a.m.       Jizo Bon Service at Kapaa

Sunday, September 2              10:30 a.m.       Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, September 9              10:00 a.m.       Higan Service at Kapaa Jodo

September 14-16                                               Laypersons’ Convention

Sunday, September 23            10:30 a.m.       Higan Service at Koloa

Sunday, September 30            10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, October 7                                              Picnic

Sunday, October 14                10:30 a.m.        Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, October 21                10:30 a.m.        Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, October 28                10:30 a.m.        Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, November 4               10:30 a.m.       Ojuya Service at Koloa

No Service on November 4.  

Sunday, November 11             10:00 a.m.       Ojuya Service at Kapaa

Sunday, November 18             10:30 a.m.       Sunday Service at Koloa

(Ojuya Service)

Sunday, November 25             10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, December 2                9:30 a.m.          Kauai Buddhist Council Bodhi Day Service

Saturday, December 8                                      General Clean Up at Kapaa

Sunday, December 9               10:00 a.m.       Kapaa Bodhi Day Service

Sunday, December 16             10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class

Sunday, December 30               10:30 a.m.  

                                                      Calligraphy Class for Beginners

Monday , December 31             5:30 p.m.         New Year’s Eve Service

                                                                                 at Koloa (Ph:742-6735)

11:00 p.m.       New Year’s Eve Service at Kapaa Jodo Mission (4524 Hauaala Road, Kapaa Ph:(808)822-4319

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

10:30 a.m.  New Year's Day Service at Kapaa Jodo Mission(4524 Hauaala Road, Kapaa Ph:822-4319

Koloa Jodo Mission

3480 Waikomo Road

Koloa, HI 96756-0457

Phone:1 (808) 742-6735

www.koloajodo.com

Website since December 2012

Blog

Blog Archive

2019 Bon Dance Schedule on Kauai

2018

January 1st (Mon.)

10:30 a.m.

New Year's Day Service

at Kapaa Jodo Mission

Sunday, January 7                  10:30 a.m.      

New Year Service at Koloa

Sunday, January 14                 10:00 a.m.      

Gyoki Service at Kapaa

Sunday, January 21                 10:30 a.m.      

Gyoki Service at Koloa

                                                1:00 p.m.        

Bon Dance Committee Meeting at Koloa

Monday, January 22               7:00 p.m.        

Kauai Buddhist Council Meeting at Koloa

Sun., January 28                

10:30 a.m.      

Calligraphy Class

Wed. January 31

9:30 a.m.

Kauai Care Center

Thursday, February 1

10:00 a.m.

Private Memorial Service at Hanapepe Cemetery

Sunday, February 4                 10:30 a.m.      

Nehan-ye Service

at Koloa Jodo

Wed., February 7

12:00 noon

Private Memorial Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sat. February 10

5:00 p.m.

Private Memorial Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sunday, February 11               Special Service & Gagaku Concert at Betsuin

(No Service at both Koloa and Kapaa)

Saturday, February 17            New Year’s Party at Koloa

Sunday, February 25               10:00 a.m.      

Nehan-ye Service at Kapaa

Sunday, March 4                     10:30 a.m.      

Higan Service at Koloa

Shukutoku University

Panel Theater "Dendenmushi" on Kauai

 - March 7

Monday, March 5

Visitation & Entertainment at Regency at Puakea 

4:00 p.m.

Kauai Care Center

Tuesday, March 6

9:00 a.m.

Visitation & Entertainment

at Koloa Early School

10:30 a.m.

Koloa Headstart

Wednesday, March 7

10:00 a.m.

Mahelona Hospital

Friday, March 9

3:00 p.m.

Private Memorial Service at Koloa

Saturday, March 10

4:00 p.m.

Private Memorial Service at Lawai

Sunday, March 11                   10:00 a.m.      

Higan Service at Kapaa Jodo

Sunday, March 18                  

1:00 p.m.

Bon Dance Committee Mtg.

Saturday, March 24

9:00 a.m.

Visitation & Entertainment at Regency at Puakea 

Sunday, March 25                   10:30 a.m.      

Calligraphy Class at Koloa Jodo

1:00 p.m.

Private Memorial Service

Wed., March 28

9:45 am  

Visitation & Entertainment at Kauai Care Center

12:00 noon

Presentation of Proclamation of Hanamatsuri Week & Buddha Day Commemoration from Mayor Carvalho at Lihue Civic Center 

Sunday, April 1                        10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa Jodo

Kauai Buddhist Council

Hanamatsuri Week

in celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha's Birth

Monday, April 2

6:00pm-8:00pm

Candle Night-Open House at Kapaa Jodo Mission

Tuesday, April 3

6:00pm-8:00pm

Candle Night-Open House at Waimea Shingon Mission

Wednesday, April 4

6:00pm-8:00pm

Candle Night-Open House

at Koloa Jodo Mission

Thursday, April 5

6:00pm-8:00pm

Candle Night-Open House 

at Kapaa Hongwanji Mission

Friday, April 6

6:00pm-8:00pm

Candle Night-Open House at Kauai Soto Zen Temple & WKH Hanapepe Temple

Saturday, April 7

6:00pm- 

Memorial Service for Pet & Annimal, followed by Candle Night at Hoffgard Park (Hosted by Buddhist Temples in Waimea)

Sunday, April 8                        9:30 a.m.        

Kauai Buddhist Council Hanamatsuri Buddha Day

Service & Buddhist Book Fair at Lihue Hongwanji Mission

Guest Speaker:

Mr. Mark Daniel Seiler,

Award Winning Writer

Saturday, April 14

9:00 a.m.

Clean-up at Kapaa Jodo Mission

Sunday, April 15                      10:00 a.m.      

Buddha Day Service at Kapaa Jodo

12:30 p.m.  Board Meeting at Kapaa Jodo

2:00 p.m.

Private Memorial Service

at Kapaa Jodo

Tuesday, April 17

7:00 p.m.

HCJM Ministers' Meeting

via Skype

Sunday, April 22                      10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

Tuesday, April 24

5:00 p.m.

Wedding Ceremony

Sunday, April 29                      10:30 a.m.      

Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Saturday, May 5th

1:00 p.m.

Private Blessing Service

Sunday, May 6                        10:30 a.m.       Mother’s Day Service at Koloa

Tuesday, May 8

6:30 p.m.

Bon Dance Practice at Koloa Jodo Mission

Friday, May 11

7:00 p.m.

at Koloa Jodo Mission

Live from Koloa Jodo

24-hour Continuous Nenbutsu Relay

Sunday, May 13                      

NO SERVICE

Happy Mother's Day!

Tuesday, May 15

10:00 a.m.

Private Memorial Service

6:30 p.m.

Bon Dance Practice at Koloa Jodo Mission

Sunday, May 20                      10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

Tuesday, May 22

6:30 p.m. Bon Dance Practice at Koloa Jodo Mission

Sunday, May 27                      10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa Jodo

Tuesday, May 29

6:30 p.m. Bon Dance Practice at Koloa Jodo Mission

Sunday, June 3           

10:00 a.m.      

Bon Service at Kapaa Jodo

Friday, June 8                          Bon Dance at Kapaa Jodo

Saturday, June9                       Bon Dance at Kapaa Jodo

Sunday, June 10                     Clean-up after Bon Dance

Saturday, June 16

Graveyard Service

1:00 p.m. Anahola

1:50 p.m. Kapaa kealia

3:00 p.m. Wailua 

4:00 p.m. Kauai Garden Memorial

4:30 p.m. Lihue Cemetery

Sunday, June 17                      10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, June 24                      7:30 p.m.         Kapaa Toro Nagashi at Wailua River State Park

Sunday, July 1                          10:30 a.m.      

Bon Service at Koloa Jodo

Friday, July 6                            Bon Dance at Koloa Jodo

Saturday, July 7                      Bon Dance at Koloa

Saturday, July 14

8:00 a.m.

Take down O-Toba at

Kapaa Jodo Mission

Sunday, July 15

Bon Graveyard Service at 

Koloa Cemetery

Saturday, July 21

9:00 a.m.

Private Memorial Service at Kapaa Jodo

11:00 

Funeral Service at Garden Island Mortuary

Sunday, July 22

2:00 p.m.

Private memorial Service at Kapaa Jodo Mission

Inurnment Service at Kapaa-Kealia Cemetery

Wed. July 25

9:45 a.m.

Visitation & Service at 

Kauai Care Center

Thursday, July 26

1:00 p.m.

Private Memorial Service at Kapaa Jodo Mission

Sunday, July 29

1:30 p.m.

Private Memorial Service at Kapaa Jodo Mission

Saturday, August 4

10:00 a.m.

Visitation & Entertainment

at Regency at Puakea

Sunday, August 5                   Koloa Toro Nagashi at Kukuiula Boat Harbor

Saturday, August 25

11:00 a.m.

Private Memorial Service at Koloa Jodo Mission

Sunday, August 26                  10:00 a.m.      

Jizo Bon Service at Kapaa

Saturday, September 1

Private Memorial Service 

Sunday, September 2            

10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

No Service at Koloa Jodo

*Funeral Service for the late Bishop Yubun Narashiba will be held at Jodo Mission of Hawaii

Sunday, September 9             10:00 a.m.      

Higan Service at Kapaa Jodo

Guest Speaker: 

Rev. Mieko Majima

Kapaa Hongwanji Mission

Sunday, September 16

9:00 a.m.

Kapaa Hongwanji Mission

Higan Service:

Speaker: Rev. Ishikawa

Sunday, September 23           10:30 a.m.      

Higan Service at Koloa

Friday, September 28

7:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.

Nenbutsu Practice Relay

24hrs LIVE from Shojokein

Temple, Kyoto JAPAN

Sunday, September 30

10:30 a.m.   Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, October 7                 

10:30 am

Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, October 14                10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, October 21                10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

Sunday, October 28                10:30 a.m.       Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, November 4             

10:30 a.m.      

Ojuya Service at Koloa

No Service 

Sunday, November 11            10:00 a.m.      

Ojuya Service at Kapaa

Sunday, November 18            10:30 a.m.      

Sunday Service at Koloa

-Ojuya Service -

13:30

Calligraphy Workshop at Lawai International Center

Sunday, November 25            10:30 a.m.      

Calligraphy Class at Koloa

Sunday, December 2              9:30 a.m.        

Kauai Buddhist Council Bodhi Day Service at 

Kauai Soto Zen Temple

Zenshuji (Hanapepe)

Guest Speaker: Dr. Thao Le,

Associate Professor

Dr. Thao Le 

Saturday, December 8           General Clean Up at Kapaa Jodo

Sunday, December 9              10:00 a.m.      

Kapaa Bodhi Day Service

Sunday, December 16            10:30 a.m.  

Calligraphy Class

Sunday, December 30

No Service 

10:30 am

Calligraphy Class for workshop

It's been a long time since I saw lovelocks at Waimea Canyon lookout last May.  I know "Love is sometimes blind" but I cannot understand people who attached lovelocks in front of breathtaking views.

Leaving lovelock in front of great nature is something like throwing away rubbish in a super clean place.  We normally cannot do this.  But the truth is there are always people who do this. So I'm sure those who did install lovelocks at the lookout were not normal.  They were blinded by love.

What a delicious chocolate!  I went to Seven-Eleven to buy water and I happened to realize they sell some Japanese products.  One of them was this Crisp and Moist Chocolate.  I didn't intend to buy any snack but I couldn't resist buying it after seeing this product.  Just like this explanation, chocolate was so mild, crisp and moist and I felt harmony of the universe in my mouth.  So good! 

As you know, persons who have opposite characters are hard to get along.  However, if they can understand very well each other, they can be best friends.  In like manner, two opposite elements in one product are not good combinations.  But if opposites can be mixed very well, there is harmony in the combination.  I felt harmony of the universe from the combination of crisp and moist.  

...Sorry if I am exaggerating, but this is very good.

What is Buddhism?  Dharma Talk by Rev. William Masuda during KBC Bodhi Day service last month was so interesting.  Although I forgot many parts of the talk but this simple question of "what is Buddhism in short or by using a few words" still lingers on me.  And I still remember most answers from the floor. 

I thought this question was excellent because

1. Simple and short, 2. Many answers, 3. No wrong answers

In addition, no matter how you may know Buddhism, knowledge doesn't help much to answer this question.  Rather knowledge can be an obstacle to answer since you have to choose one out of many possible answers.  Anyway, I enjoyed listening to the answers from members of the different temples..  They were "Compassion", "Impermanence and Permanence", "Non-attachment" and "Living in the present moment."  Yes, they were all correct and I was thinking my answer as "middle path" or later "Teaching of Buddha to become a Buddha."  The more I think, the more better answers I get.

Interestingly, Rev. Masuda introduced traditional passage of Buddhism as one of the answers for "What is Buddhism."  Buddhism is, "1. Refrain from Various Evils, 2. Cultivate the Various Good, 3. Purify the mind, 4. That's the teaching of Buddhas (Dharmapada)."

There is a famous episode about this phrase.  A Chinese famous poet, Bai Juyi(772-846), asked his Zen Master "What is Buddhism in essence"  Then his master replied by quoting this passage above "Refrain from Various Evils..."  However, Bai Juyi was disappointed to hear it and complained "Is that so simple?  3yrs old child could know this answer."   Then his master told Bai Juyi "3 years old child may know it yet nobody can do it even though they become 80 years old."

Our Master Honen (1133-1212), on the other hand, also thought about the same question of "What is Buddhism."  Then he pointed out the word "San-gaku (lit. three studies)"as the very essence of Buddhism,  which can be translated into "Three-fold Discipline" in English.  Master Honen said,