Today, April 8, is when we commemorate the Buddha’s birth. Typically we hold a special service called Hanamatsuri on this day, or a Sunday closest to this date. It’s usually our most festive service of the year. Unfortunately because of the Covid-19 pandemic, services have been cancelled or limited to online participation only. Continue reading “April 8: the Buddha’s Birthday”
Up Next: Year End Service
Don’t call it New Year’s Eve, call it “Joya-E,” our year-end observance. Continue reading “Up Next: Year End Service”
Up Next: Hoonko, Shinran’s Memorial
This Fall our Higashi Honganji temples will commemorate the life of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, with a special service called Hoonko. This is our most important service of the year. Continue reading “Up Next: Hoonko, Shinran’s Memorial”
Celebration of Death
By Rev. Ken Yamada
It seemed surreal: disco music, balloons, dinner buffet and cocktails aplenty. It was a “Celebration of Life” for a recently departed friend. Continue reading “Celebration of Death”
WWII internment in Hawaii
By Rev. Steven Toyoshima
I bid farewell
To the faces of my sleeping children
As I am taken prisoner
Into the cold night rain.
-Otokichi Ozaki, Honouliuli internee
We traveled to a place long lost to history: the site where Honouliuli Internment Camp once stood. Continue reading “WWII internment in Hawaii”