“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 1 -

FRIEND OF THE DHARMAWAILUKU HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE

1828 VINEYARD STREET, WAILUKU, HI 96793TELEPHONE: (808) 244-0406 – 244-9647

Website: www.wailukuhongwanji.org

VOL. LIV, No. 8 Email: whm@wailukuhongwanji.org August 2017Hatsu-Bon (First Obon) MemorialService to be held on Friday, August 4,and Saturday, August 5

AILUKU HONGWANJI WILL BE HOLDING ITSannual Obon Festival on Friday, August 4, andSaturday, August 5. Each evening, the Obon

event will begin with a Hatsubon service beginning at 6:45p.m. This service is intended to respect those 30 members ofWailuku Hongwanji who have passed on since the last Obonfestival. Reverend Shinkai Murakami, Resident Minister, willbe delivering the sermon at the services.

Friday, August 4, 2017Joyce Masue Apana (KEN SEI) July 21, 2016Kazue Teshima (KO SHIN) August 19, 2016Hisako Tamiya (MYO TOKU) August 30, 2016Sherri Mariye Nanilei Lau (SHIN SHO) September 10, 2016Milton Satoru Sugiki (KAKU SHO) September 23, 2016Toshio Takamiya (RI SHO) September 24, 2016Shizue Yonamine (SEI GAN) October 29, 2016Shizue Ageno (SEI KEN) November 6, 2016Kotoko Kawamura Kroesen (TO FUU) December 2, 2016Jiro Koja ( TE SSHO) December 14, 2016Chiyoko Nakamura (MYO KO) December 17, 2016Ethel Shizue Matsui (SEI NEN) January 6, 2017Hatsuichi Satoshige (HATSU GAN) January 19, 2017Joan Tomokiyo (SE GAN) March 30, 2017Kikuyo Suematsu (HO RAKU) June 7, 2017

Saturday, August 5, 2017Rose Tomie Ohashi (JO GYO) July 26, 2016Ruth Kazuyo Fukumoto (WA GEN) August 16, 2016Thomas Tsuneo Nomura (JO NEN) January 4, 2017Nobuo “Dyke” Tengan (SEI GAN) February 8, 2017Larry Shoji Honda (SHO GAN) March 14, 2017Mabel Matsushita (KO RAKU) March 16, 2017Jessie Murakami (HO SSHO) March 24, 2017Shigenobu Shibano (Han EI) March 28, 2017Kikuko Ganiko (JO GAN) May 17, 2017Edwin Ken Yokouchi (KEN RYU) May 24, 2017Harriet Eiko Miyamoto (EI KI) June 3, 2017Toshiko Hirose (JO KE) June 5, 2017William Mitsuo Hedani (SHO DO) June 12, 2017Elaine Yamagata (SHO DO) June 14, 2017Joyce Sumako Endo (JUN SHIN) June 15, 2017

The Bon dance will begin at approximately 8 p.m. In ad-dition to the festive and colorful dancing, there will be fooditems for sale prepared by STEM Scouting, Cub Pack 40,Scout Troop 40, Buddhist Women’s Association, and the

Judo Club. Games for children will be offered by the DharmaSchool. Those interested in visiting Wailuku Hongwanji’shistoric temple during the evening are welcomed to tour thetemple.

Handicapped parking available duringObon service and dance

ANDICAPPED PARKING WILL BEavailable in the back parking lot (en-trance on Mill Street) during Wailuku

Hongwanji’s Obon service and dance forindividuals with a handicap permit. Thepermit must be visible so the Boy Scouts may assist you inparking your car.

Japanese Language School to beginclasses on Monday, August 7

EVEREND SHINKAI MURAKAMI,JAPANESE Language SchoolCoordinator, reminds parents and students

that the first day of school for the 2017-2018school year will be Monday, August 7.

Reverend Murakami stressed that parentsneed to register their children before school startsso school material may be ordered. Registrationand order forms are available in the office.

Free bus transportation will be provided tostudents enrolled at Wailuku, Puu Kukui, Waihee,Kahului, Lihikai, and Pomaikai ElementarySchools, along with Maui Waena IntermediateSchool. He/She needs to have a photoidentification card. Bring a photo of your child tothe office as soon as possible so an ID card maybe prepared. No ID card—No bus ride.

W

R

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 2 -

Our Obon(Part 2)

Even though the service formats are different, all Budd-hist temples will hold its Obon services before the Obondance and all participants receive the Buddha Dharma(teachings) as they enjoy the Obon dance with the true mindof gratitude.

At Wailuku Hongwanji, after the Obon services on Fridayand Saturday, the minister climbs up onto the Yagura andoffers a short service which includes an aspiration. I don'tknow how and what the previous ministers did before thedance but in my case, I chant "Sanbujo" which is "Three res-pectful callings for Buddha" both in English and Japanese. Iscatter the fresh flowers so called "San-ge" and recite theObon aspiration which welcomes all the Buddhas to enterand join us at the Obon dance.

During Sanbujo (three respectful callings) and aspiration,everyone (members and participants) pay their respect to ourdeparted members and expresses their sincere gratitude andappreciation which they inherited from the departed. It is atthis time that we are able to reflect deeply upon ourselveseven if it is for a moment and really feel the great values andtreasures which we all received.

After the aspiration, we are clear-minded, and we re-joice in the happiness with others throughout the evening.What is the meaning of "Rejoice in the Happiness?” Youngand old are all together around the Yagura as they expresstheir joy of happiness with energy dancing to the Obon musicso called "Obon Ondo" with the beat of the Taiko and otherspecial musical instruments. They move their entire body toshow their joy of happiness.

Having Obon services and dance may be similar to otherBuddhist temples but our acceptance of the Obon servicesand dances are much different from other Buddhist temples.In reference to our Jodo Shinshu teachings, the services arenot only for the deceased members, but it is also for all of usto meet Buddha Dharma through the memories of our de-ceased members and be aware of many important thingswhich they left to help guide us in our lives.

Buddha said, "Life is suffering and it is impermanent.”Someday we will experience separation from our loved ones.It is the fact of our lives and we are not able to escape fromthis truth. When we are faced with this kind of difficult fact, itwill really hit our hearts and we will become sad. But in ourJodo Shinshu teachings, it is said that, "We all are able to bereborn into the land of Amida (Pure Land) and become aBuddha. Once we become a Buddha, we will return to this

human world and guide all sentient beings on the path oftruth."

We will meet our loved ones again through the greatguidance of the Nembutsu and be able to realize that "Evenif their human life has expired, their spiritual lives will neverfade away from our hearts. Our loved ones will always returnto us and guide us through the path of truth.

This means we are meeting them again just like whenMoggallana saw his mother. "So, we Jodo Shinshu followers,call this Obon services as "Kangi-e" which translates in Eng-lish as "Joy of Gathering." Through the listening of BuddhaDharma we are able to meet the spirits, wisdom, and greatcompassion of our loved ones and be able to receive a feel-ing of peace and serenity in our hearts.

If this is true, the Obon dance will become more mea-ningful for all of us and we will be able to rejoice in the greatjoy and happiness with our loved ones and other Buddhistfollowers.

The Collected Works of Shinran is the greatest core ofthe Jodo Shinshu teachings that Shinran Shonin left for eachof us. If you read his book, you will get sleepy and may notbe able to fully understand. But if you start reading a fewpages each day, check volume 2. Little by little you will un-derstand what Shinran Shonin left for each one of us, andonce you understand the heart of Shinran Shonin, you will beable to understand the true heart of our loved one's greatwisdom and compassion which is always coming into ourhearts. We would surely want to follow their great footsteps.Shinran Shonin adopted one of his 7 masters, Tao Cho ofChina, and it is said; "Those who have been born first guidethose who come later, and those who are born later jointhose who were born before."

The Jodo Shinshu way of accepting Obon services anddances is not just to enjoy eating the special foods and danc-ing at the temples, but also for us to realize the meaning ofMoggallana's story as it reminds us that Obon services anddances are truly our spiritual "Joy of happiness" through theguidance of the Nembutsu. We are a;; embraced by our HolyBuddha's great wisdom and compassion.Namo Amida Butsu

A message from Reverend Shinkai MurakamiResident Minister – Wailuku Hongwanji Mission

Friend of the DharmaDeadline for submitting information for publication is the 15

thof the month

prior to the publication date.The Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, 1828 Vineyard Street, Wailuku, HI

96793, publishes the newsletter monthly. Phone: 244-0406. The opinionswritten by individual contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflectthose of the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission.

STAFFJoan Tamori ...................................................................... Rev. Shinkai MurakamiFranklin Hamasaki ...............................................................................Meiji HiroseItsuyo Kusuda ................................................................................. Richard OuchiMae Omuro ....................................................................................... Stella Kuwae

Contributing Reporters

Buddhist Women’s Association ................................................. Ms. Janet KubotaBoy Scouts ........................................................................ Mrs. Shelley PellegrinoCub Scouts.................................................................................... Mrs. Erin FerrerDharma School ........................................................................Mrs. Sandra HirataJudo Club ......................................................................... Mr. Ronald HiyakumotoPreschool ................................................................................Mrs. Karen YoshidaSTEM Scouting ...................................................................Mrs. Courtnie Morihiro

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 3 -

Gomonshu Ko-jun Ohtani

Help needed to hang chochins andother decorations on August 3

ELP IS NEEDED TO HANG CHOCHINS (lanterns)and other decorations on Thursday, August 3,beginning at 4:30 p.m. Chairperson Sandy Matsuda

stated that the work should last about an hour. Please comeif you are available to help!

Dismantling of Yagura tower anddecorations are planned for August 5

CTIVITY CHAIRPERSON SANDY MATSUDA needshelp in dismantling the Yagura and decorations onSaturday, August 5, immediately after the Obon

dance. Work begins at approximately 10:30 p.m. Yourassistance will be appreciated.Limited clean up planned for Sunday, August 6

On Sunday, August 6, limited cleanup of the templegrounds and storing of supplies will begin at 8:00 a.m.Refreshment will be served after the work is completed.

Hongwanji Ohana Banquet honoringMonshu Ohtani set for September 6

EMBERS AND FRIENDSare invited to attend theHongwanji Ohana

Banquet with His EminenceGomonshu Kojun Ohtani onWednesday, September 6, at theWailuku Hongwanji BuddhistTemple social hall beginning at 6:30p.m. Cost to attend the banquet is$25 per person. A Hongwanjimember’s child who is 18 years oldor younger is FREE but the ticket isnon-transferable.

Prior to the banquet, His Eminence Gomonshu KojunOhtani will participate in the “Kikyoshiki” ConfirmationCeremony in the temple beginning at 5:30 p.m. Participantsin the ceremony should report to the temple by 5:00 p.m. forfinal instructions. Suggested dress for the ceremony andbanquet is “aloha attire” with shoes.

The “Kikyoshiki” ceremony and banquet are beingsponsored by the Maui Hongwanji Council.

Chow Fun booth construction set forSaturday, September 9

HE CHOW FUN COMMITTEE HAS SET THE DATEof Saturday, September 9, for the construction of thechow fun food booth at the Maui Fair. Workers are

to meet at the fairground at 7:00 a.m. and begin separatingthe building material into two groups—concession booth andcooking booth. The five sets of pallets were transported to

the fairground by Tri-Isle Trucking. The booth should becompleted by noon, if all goes well.

Lay Convention to be held on Septem-ber 9-10 on Oahu

HE 54TH ANNUAL LAY CONVENTION WILL BE HELDat the Aiea Hongwanji Mission in Aiea on September9-10. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and concludes on

Sunday at noon. The theme for the convention is“Buddhists in Action!” State President Warren Tamamotoextend to temple members to participate in a gathering offellow Jodo Shinshu practitioners. Registration fee from July1 to August 15 is $80. Contact President Michael Munekiyoif you are interested in participating in the convention.

Matsuda says “With gratitude, thankyou for your help!”

ANDY MATSUDA, DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES,would like to express her deepest gratitude toeveryone who participated in this year’s general

clean up. She said, “I would like to express my appreciationto the affiliated organization members, along with Kyodanmembers, who volunteered their time and effort to get thesocial hall, classrooms, and temple ready for the obonfestivities. Thank you!” She would like to recognize theDharma School parents for their help in preparing the foodfor the cleanup. Thank you, everyone.

Project Dana to prepare bento forhomebound on September 16

ROJECT DANA WILL BE PREPARING BENTOlunches for distribution to the homebound, the elderlyseniors, and handicapped individuals on Saturday,

September 16. Lunches will be delivered to homes or maybe picked up at the Wailuku Hongwanji kitchen at 10:00 a.m.

Please call the temple office at 244-0406 if you wish toreceive a bento. Because an elderly, homebound, or handi-capped individual may be hesitant to call or may not knowabout this project, we ask that family members or friends call.Deadline to sign up for the bento is Friday, September 8.

Maui Buddhist Council2017 Obon Schedule

Day Date Temple Service DanceFriday August 4

Wailuku Hongwanji 6:45 p.m. 8:00 p.m.Saturday August 5Friday August 11

Lahaina Hongwanji 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.Saturday August 12Saturday August 26 Kula Shofukuji 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

H

A

M

T

T

S

P

Buddha’s Quote“There is no path to happiness.

Happiness is the path!”

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 4 -

Buddhist Women’s NewsJanet Kubota, Reporter

BWA to hold fundraiser duringObon

WA MEMBERS WILL BE SELLING NISHIME,PICKLED peaches, mango chutney, goodie goodie icecake and other snack items in the social hall during

the Obon festival. On Thursday, August 3, members areneeded to prepare ingredients for the sale. Please visit thebooth and purchase some delicious home-made treats.

No BWA meeting scheduled for Au-gust

HERE WILL BE NO BUDDHIST WOMEN’S ASSO-CIATION meeting in August. The next BWA meetingwill be held on Sunday, September 3, following Sun-

day Service. On the agenda will be planning for the upcom-ing Autumn Food and Craft Fair, which will be held on Octo-ber 28, and Ohigan Service, which will be held on Sunday,September 17, with resident minister Reverend Masuda ofthe Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple as guest speaker.

Obon hospitality chair seeks helpfrom BWA members

BON HOSPITALITY CHAIR SANDYMATSUDA would like the assistance ofBWA members in providing desserts

and side dishes for the hospitality room at theannual Obon festival on Friday, August 4 andSaturday, August 5.

The purpose of the hospitality room is to say“mahalo” to the supporters of our templeactivities, “arigato” to our special guests, and toexpress our appreciation to the dancers for theirparticipation in the festivities. Please contactJanet Kubota if you are able to contributedesserts.

Obon dance dates at Hale Makua an-nounced

EMBERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THEOBON dances at Hale Makua—Kahuluion Friday, August 18, at 6:30 p.m. and

at Hale Makua—Wailuku on Friday, August 25, at6:00 p.m. The dances are co-sponsored by MauiMinyo Kai, Maui Taiko, and Maui United BWA,with the assistance of Maui Jr. YBA. Come outand join the residents of Hale Makua as they cel-ebrate the Obon season!

Hosha for August and SeptemberAugust 3, 2017 Groups 2 and 4

August 17, 2017 Groups 1 and 6

September 7, 2017 Groups 3 and 5

September 21, 2017 Groups 2 and 4

Ohigan Refreshment Assignment (09/10/17)

Irene Arakaki Helen TanakaEthel Fujii Rhonda FosbinderSandy Hirata

Dharma School NewsSandra Hirata, Reporter

No Dharma School on August 6HERE WILL BE NO DHARMA SCHOOL SERVICEon August 6, because temple members will becleaning the temple grounds and storing materials

after the Obon festivities. Students may assist in the clean-ing of the grounds. Clean up begins at 8:00 a.m.

Dharma School registration to be heldon August 13

EGISTRATION FOR THE 2017-2018 DHARMASchool program will be held on Sunday, August13, immediately after the 8 a.m. service. Anna

Fosbinder will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for theservice. Donavan Ikeuchi will ring the kansho bell and AceShuster will read the aspiration. Evan Fenton and BeeShuster will welcome members and visitors to the serviceand do the collection of offerings. Mr. Dale Sugiki will be theorganist.

Director Joan Tamori invites all students, fromkindergarten to grade 12, to become a part of the Buddhisteducational program at Wailuku Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.Coke floats will be served during registration. Co-directorSandra Hirata encourages parents to register their childreninto the program. She reported that a year-long plan ofactivities have been prepared for the students.

Memorial service at ReverendKunisaki’s gravesite set for August 20

HARMA SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BEvisiting the gravesite of Reverend HojunKunisaki, our temple’s first minister, on

Sunday, August 20, immediately after the SundayService. Donavan Ikeuchi will serve as Master ofCeremonies for the service. Tom Shuster will ringthe kansho bell and Takashi Lea will read theaspiration. Erik Tsai and Logan Tamori willwelcome members and visitors to the service anddo the collection of offerings. Mr. Dale Sugiki willbe the organist.

B

T

M

T

D

Affiliate organizations

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 5 -

Islandwide “Kick-off Picnic” to beheld on Sunday, August 27

N ISLAND-WIDE “KICK-OFF PICNIC” willbegin the 2017-2018 Dharma Schoolprogram at the Lahaina Jodo Mission in

Lahaina on Sunday, August 27, beginning at 9:00a.m. Students are encouraged to invite theirfriends to the picnic with games, food, andswimming! Counts will be taken about two weeksprior to the picnic. If transportation is needed,please contact J. Tamori at (808) 276-5083.

A

Buddha was asked, “What have you gainedfrom meditation?” He replied, “Nothing!

However, Buddha said, let me tell you whatI lost: Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Inse-

curity, Fear of Old Age and Death.”

Maui Hongwanji Council

Invites You

to Join His

Eminence

Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani

at the

Hongwanji Ohana Banquet

at Wailuku Hongwanji

Buddhist Temple

On Wednesday,

September 6, 2017

Beginning at 6:30 p.m.Kikyoshiki Ceremony – 5:30 p.m.

Cost: $25 AdultsHongwanji Temple Member’s Children

Free – Age 18 and under

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 6 -

Boy Scouts NewsShelley Pellegrino, Reporter

Scouts attend summercamp at Camp Maluhiaon July 2 - 8Reported by Stephen Gima

Wow, what a great week it's been! From the first haul outto the last haul back, I just wanted to thank everyone whohelped to make this past week a success for our boys:• Kurt Tsukiyama and Ty Takeno: hauling out troop equip-

ment to camp.• Adult Leader Shifts (special thanks to those who went way

beyond 2 shifts!)o Kurt and Kris Tsukiyamao Peter and Jenn Konohiao Ty Takenoo Jason Kuraokao Denise Gimao Keoni and Veanne Matsono Rey and Tricia Vergel de Dios

• Special thanks to Tricia, Keoni, and Jason whohiked/camped at our Outpost activity.

• Ty Takeno: camping merit badge instructor who also hikedup to help setup our Outpost campsite

• Jason, Peter, and Ty: hauling our troop equipment backfrom camp

• Tricia: smores items for our inter-troop activity with Troop782 from San Diego, CAPlease join me in congratulating the boys for earning the

Troop Spirit Award! Thank you to SPL Michael Vergel de Dios,ASPLs Derek Takeno and Cody Gima for taking care of ourtroop! Since we were one of the youngest troops there, I thinkall of our scouts learned quite a bit about everything, includingthe patrol method, washing mess kits, flag raising, merit badgeclasses, swimming, shooting sports, tarp-tenting, tomahawk,etc., etc., etc.

All merit badge handbooks have been returned andchecked in, thank you scouts for taking care of them! (Thanksto Troop Librarian Dylan Pena for having them organized andready)!

I have the merit badge blue cards for Troop 40. Please giveme a few days to process them. One of the things I'll do is enterthem into scoutbook.com. Parents of new scouts, I'll give youaccess to the site and a tutorial soon. Then I'll give the bluecards for completed merit badges to Lynn Araki-Regan, ourTroop Advancement Chair, for final processing, so your scoutswill be awarded their merit badges at a future troop meeting.

Thank you to our Troop Treasurer, Kelly Martin, whoprocessed all of our camp fees (including several last-minutesignups) and snack fees.Thank you to Michelle Hillen for getting our Class B t-shirt or-ders (including a last-minute order) to us in time! Thanks toanyone else who I forgot to recognize.

Scouts attend Camp Parson in Washington

Scouts from Troop 40 visited the Pike Place Market in Seattle beforeheading to Camp Parsons for Summer Camp.

Troop 40 scouts are shown taking part in the Kayaking Merit Badge atCamp Parsons.

On a walking tour of Seattle, the boy scouts had their picture taken infront of the infamous “gum wall.”

William, Adam, and D’Marco taking the light rail train from SeaTacAirport to downtown Seattle.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 7 -

OMG! The look on Skye face shows that he’s happy we don’t havesnakes in Hawaii!

Cooking hot dogs over a campfire is fun and the taste is sooo good!

Matthew has a new buddy. Don’t worry, it’s just a garter snake, not arattler!

Drake, Noah, and Riley settling in for the long flight to Seattle forSummer Camp.

Scouts and scout leaders is shown arriving at Camp Parsons, ready to have fun for the week. Scouts commented that the camp was fun and educa-tional. They enjoyed earning merit badges and making new friends.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 8 -

Joyce Baker and Sylvia Ishikawa look forward to participating in theBoard of Directors’ Sunday Service.

Machiko Moriyasu and Tomiko Yamagata look like “well behaved child-ren” waiting for the Sunday Service to begin.

DIRECTORS’ SERVICE

Jackie Murai, Sandy Matsuda, and Emiko Sakagawa prepare refresh-ments at the Board of Directors’ Sunday Service.

Donna and Donavan support the Kyodan Board by attending its serviceon July 9.

Susumu Taketa and Meiji Hirose were early attendees at the SundayService on Sunday, July 9.

Sheylie and Taelyn assist in the cooking of scrambled eggs at theBoard of Directors’ service.

Tony Arakaki supports the Board‘sSunday Service on July 9.

Board member Eric Ikeuchi wel-comes members to the service.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 9 -

Kawika, Kaden, Kara, and Krystle Beauchamp attend the Board ofDirectors Sunday Service.

Attending Board of Directors Sunday Service were Kris Shishido withdaughters Karsten and Jeneyn.

Kaden is being held by his mother Krystle, and sister of Krystle, LezleyOkamoto, holds Kara as her daughter, Malia, looks on.

Kazuo and Toshiko Sugiki greet attendees to the Sunday Service onJuly 9.

Rebecca Lea brings Onawa and Takashi to Sunday Service.

Wesley Jr. and Marie Wong join granddaughter Sam Marie Quipotla atthe Sunday Service.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 10 -

After enjoying a delicious brunch, BWA members are happy to beserved 5-stars-hotel desserts at the Grand Wailea Hotel.

Helen Ohigashi, Yoshiko Fujiwara, Sandy Matsuda, and Stella Kuwaeexpress their pleasure at the BWA brunch at the Grand Wailea.

Board members Shelley Quipotla and Janet Kubota arrive “just in time”after helping the Refreshment Committee in the social hall.

Having a good time at the BWA outing are Sylvia Ishikawa, ReverendMurakami, Hifumi Taguchi, Toshiko Oki, and Jane Shinoda.

Margaret Honda, Grace Hamasaki, Sylvia Ishikawa, and ReverendMurakami enjoy the BWA outing at the Grand Wailea Hotel.

From the looksof the table, these BWA ladies were treated with a first-rate brunch at the Grand Wailea.

Gail Kushiyama, Machiko Moriyasu, Frances Teshima, Florence Tanaka, Barbara Parr, Sharon Sueda, June Toma-Rose, and Nancy Shimoda at-tended the BWA outing at the Grand Wailea to end a half year of service to the temple.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 11 -

Preschool NewsKaren Yoshida, Reporter

Time to perform! Trevor, Kaiehu, Ramsey Lee, Temana, Kiyomi andthe rest of the Fall 5 Class perform using Hawaiian implements.

The children enjoy their Hawaiian plate lunches that Aunty Mili cateredfor us.

On July 3rd, we welcomed new children to our school. Welcome to Ko-dy, Jevin, Xoe, Kira, Juliann, Xanna, Nakoa, Cain, Liam. (not pictured)Camille, Keina, and Kaden.

Kenzie, Risa, and Finn make their pizza using English muffin, pizzasauce, and cheese. The children ate their pizza at snack time.

9th Annual Ho`olaule`a“Children are the Flowers of Hawaii”

The theme for our 9th Annual Ho`olaule`a was “Children are the Flow-ers of Hawaii.” The children performed many dances and sang songsfor their families.

Gracelyn does the Aloha Hop!

Gracelyn plays the ALOHA HOP game after our Ho`olaule`a perfor-mance. Great Job, Gracelyn!

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 12 -

Dis-n-Dat NewsBoard changes office hours

T ITS LAST KYODAN BOARD MEETING, THEdirectors were informed that very little temple busi-ness was being conducted after 3 p.m. The board

would like to inform members that effective Tuesday, August1, the temple office will open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alltelephone calls will be forwarded to Reverend Murakami af-ter 3:00 p.m.

Memorial DayGood morning, I am Danny Topp and for today's dharma

talk, I would like to discuss the theme for this month: REMEM-BRANCE. And since tomorrow is also Memorial Day, I wouldlike you to specifically reflect upon those who have served ourcountry.

For this talk, I will be using the terms, memorialize, re-member or pay homage interchangeably. I think they all arepart of the theme REMEMBRANCE.

So, how do we memorialize or remember those we ad-mire? In the case of our service men and women who lost theirlives serving our country, we will have a ceremony at the Ma-kawao Veteran's Cemetery tomorrow. That is important, but thistalk is about more than those servicemen and women. It isabout all the people in our lives who support us, or sacrifice forus, who teach us or who are good examples who we can learnfrom. One way we can pay homage to these people in our livesis to try to emulate the positive aspects of their lives. As youmay have heard before, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flat-tery." I think we have all heard that before, and I would go fur-ther and say imitation is the best form of REMEMBRANCE.These next few lines should sound familiar.

Everybody is somebody we can learn from. When wesee the virtues of others, we should adopt them as ourown. When we see the wrongs of others, we should reflectupon ourselves for the same faults.

I have heard this quote many times during Sunday servic-es. I like it, because it is something I have believed for a longtime. By following this advice, we could all improve ourselvesand keeping positive virtues going in this world. I think it is alsovery helpful when you are starting a new chapter in your life orfind yourself in a situation you are unfamiliar with.

For me, that new chapter, was when I was 17, and I en-listed in the Air Force. There were many things I didn't knowabout life when I enlisted, and frankly, boot camp is designed torattle new recruits, so I felt like I was on another planet. But Ikept my head down, paid attention and tried out different waysto do things that seemed to work well for others that had beenin the Air Force longer than I had been. This wasn't a form of

REMEMBRANCE, Instead, I was trying to stay out of trouble. Idid this for my entire Air Force career and I continue the prac-tice today.

I am proud of my time in uniform, or more accurately, be-cause pride sometimes has a negative connotation, I have asense of accomplishment and satisfaction from the time that Iserved. With this same sense of accomplishment, I am alsoproud of other things I have done. I was a paperboy and a dis-hwasher before I joined the Air Force. Those jobs gave me asense of accomplishment when I was in high school. I am alsoa father, a son, a brother, a student and a husband. I am notperfect in all of these roles, but every day, I can look aroundand find people I can learn from and pick up a good habit as Itry to improve in those roles.

For me, it is easier to pick out one thing, good or bad to fo-cus on. When I find that one thing, I adopt it. It is an evolutio-nary process, because if I tried to radically change and doevery "good" thing that I saw in others, I would probably failbecause it would be too much at once. It also seems likepeople who have their act together are doing many things welland I have limited capacity for change, so for me, gradualchange, one step at a time works, better.

Sometimes, people are not being the best person theycould be, and I try to avoid acting like them. To reflect on thesame fault in me. This may seem counter intuitive, but I actual-ly learn more from bad examples than from good examples.When I see the wrongs in others, there is usually one bad habitor trait that stands out. I find it easy to identify that less-than-noble thing, such as laziness, arrogance or a quickness to an-ger, and I try not to do that one thing. Over time, I think I have apretty good list of things not to do, and on balance, I hope Ihave a few more virtues than faults.

To give you a recent example, in March I attended theShigemi Okamoto Memorial Lecture Series here at the temple.In one of the lectures by Bishop Aoki, he said that when hegives a dharma talk, he normally won't talk for longer thantwelve minutes. Now that is something that I can put on my listof virtues. I am new to giving dharma talks so I may not be ableto clearly deliver a dharma talk as well as Reverend Murakamidoes, but I will try to talk for no more than 12 minutes. I willkeep it short and to the point.

Now let’s talk about those who give of themselves for all ofour benefit. People both in and out of uniform, public servantsand people we run into every day that help us get through life.This could be a parent, sibling or a teacher. First of all, if theyare still in our lives, we need to let them know how much theymean to us and thank them. We also need to be aware thatthose we hold in high esteem are not perfect.

Let me tell you about my second-grade teacher. SisterMary Anastasia. I was raised catholic and until third grade, Iattended catholic school. I loved Sister Mary Anastasia andapparently, she loved me back. So much so, that I got straight"A"s in her class. By the way, did I mention that my uncle wasthe parish priest, and I would always tell Sister Mary Anastasiathat I was going to be a priest like my uncle. She liked that.

A

Editor’s Note: The following Dharma Talk was given by DannyTopp on May 28. A number of members ask that we share it with ourmembers. We’re glad to do it. We’re sorry that it could not beplaced in the June or July issues because the topic was so timely.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 13 -

So anyway, even as a second grader, I could sense that Iwasn't a straight "A" student. For example, in math, I couldnever keep straight the "Greater Than," and "Less Than" sym-bols. So, on one assignment, I intentionally used only one ofthe symbols. It was so long ago, I don't remember which one,but for the sake of this story let's say it was the "Greater Than"symbol. My plan was to mark all of the problems with the"Greater Than" symbol and then see which ones were markedwrong. I would then know for sure how they worked, i.e. doesthe "Greater Than" symbol point at the bigger number or thesmaller number. Guess what! They were all marked correct!That experiment failed, but I got an "A" on the assignment.

As you can tell, this had quite an impression on me, be-cause I still remember it vividly today. I also remember my third-grade teacher, Sister Mary Caroline, who was not impressedwith my plans to become a priest. My grades were terrible. Sheactually made me do extra work. Third grade kind of sucked.

Do you know what else Sister Mary Caroline did? Shewould actually call my parents to discuss my progress. I wasmortified. As it turned out, because of Sister Mary Caroline, Ihad to go through some additional testing and I was diagnosedwith dyslexia.

So, what did I learn from that? First, Sister Mary Anastasiahad a big heart. I have fond memories of her, and I love tellingthis story. I want to be like Sister Mary Anastasia and have thatmuch love in my heart. Now, I don't want to be like her and givefalse praise or good grades because at the end of the day, itwill do more harm than good.

What about Sister Mary Caroline? My third-grade teacher. Ialso have fond memories of her too. She was nice but firm andit wasn't until I was much older that I realized what a great giftshe gave me. From her, I learned to deal with problemspromptly but with a touch of kindness.

Here is a second story. I had a commanding officer in theAir Force who would always be a buddy to his subordinates.More like a friend, than a boss. But let him get in a bad moodand suddenly, he was Mister By-The-Book and a very unplea-sant person to work for or to be around. I don't ever want to belike that. I respected him because he served his country, but hecould have been a better commander. There were a couple ofhis bad habits, or wrongs, that I was able to reflect upon, butthe most important for me was to not let my emotions, or innerturmoil, affect the way I treat other people.

I look back on the people in these stories and I can payhomage to all of them, whether I learned good things or bad.From my teachers, I have fond memories, but it is a mixed bagof lessons. From my commanding officer, I have unpleasantmemories, but I learned an important lesson. I still rememberhim positively. First of all, I don't know his struggles and maybeI only saw him on his bad days. Also, good or bad, he servedhis country and tried to be the best officer he could be. For thatI pay him homage.

So, let us remember those in our lives that support us, sa-crifice for us and who teach us. Let's be more like them andpass positive virtues down to the next generation. We remem-

ber them for all the good they have done, but temper that RE-MEMBRANCE by knowing that no one is perfect.

So, my final thought is this; we have a lot to learn fromthose we honor. Sometimes we may dismiss some people whoare less than perfect. We can learn from all people and weshould expand our REMEMBRANCES to those that have fallenshort of our standards and the best way to remember them is tomake sure the good virtues of the world continue and grow.

Namo Amida Butsu

The Essence of Temple ManagementBy Mike Nishimoto

This is a revised version of a talk I gave at another temple.Through my visits among the Maui Hongwanji temples, Ilearned that some board members are not certain what itmeans to be on the board. Many sources say this is commonin the nonprofit world. I think most temple members are alsounsure about the business side of their temples. We often don’tthink how the board, office staff and minister work together torun a temple. I believe most members also don’t know the rela-tionship between Honpa Hongwanji Mission Hawaii and thedistrict temples. We don’t have an orientation program likethose offered by some companies and agencies to help volun-teers and employees learn about their organizations.

In Hawaii Kyodan President Pieper Toyama’s introductionto the 2017 slogan “Action (Open Communication),” he said ourtemples’ success in serving its members requires us to makeopen communications happen efficiently and effectively(Headquarters Update Jan. 2017 page 3). He went on to saythat members should not only know about upcoming events,but also how our temples are doing. There should be full trans-parency of temple operations. By making temple operationstransparent, we open pathways for input and involvement. Myintent is to share a brief orientation to temple management. Iwill rely mostly on accessible temple documents and notes frommy nonprofit management class.

First, let us look at the relationship between affiliate tem-ples and Hawaii Kyodan. Wailuku Hongwanji and other districttemples are incorporated as affiliate temples of the Hawaii Kyo-dan. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission Hawaii Bylaws state thataffiliate temples shall plan, organize, develop, maintain, coordi-nate and keep Hawaii Kyodan informed of its activities and beconsistent with all incorporation documents. This is essentiallythe official district temple/Hawaii Kyodan relationship, but theactual working relationship is sometimes confusing. I onceasked a minister to describe this relationship, but his responsewas that it was too difficult to explain. We also need to under-stand that ministers are actually Hawaii Kyodan employees andnot district temple employees. They are under contract withHawaii Kyodan and are salaried employees. Their conditions ofemployment fall under the policies of Honpa Hongwanji MissionHawaii Employee Handbook.

Editor’s Note: The following article was written by Mike Nishimoto.A number of members asked that we share it with our members.We’re glad to do it.

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 14 -

The closing of the last sugar company in Hawaii puts anexclamation point to the end of our plantation days. Templemanagement may need to move into the 21st century too. Wai-luku Hongwanji has done quite well with donations and fun-draisers, but as active membership decline so will those incomesources. To remain sustainable, the management of the tem-ple may need to be more business-like and sometimes makedifficult decisions. Nonprofit organizations are actually busi-nesses. The income they earn should help the organizationprovide services for the good of the community. There aremany reasons why members join a temple, but Hongwanji tem-ples exist to share the teachings of Jodo Shinshu.

Nonprofits are governed by three main documents: 1) Ar-ticles of Incorporation which established Honpa Hongwanji Mis-sion Hawaii, 2) Bylaws which sets up the organizational struc-ture and 3) Mission Statement which explains the purpose forHawaii Kyodan. Progressive organizations also use otherguidance manuals/plans like administrative manuals, employeehandbooks, policy manuals, annual work plans, performanceappraisal plans, individual training plans, strategic plans and soon.

The Wailuku Hongwanji board of directors is responsiblefor the secular affairs of the temple. In his 2017 LegislativeAssembly address, Bishop Matsumoto describes the relation-ship between the board and minister this way: “. . . ministersprovide the Dana of providing the Dharma to lay people and laypeople provide the Dana of physically caring for the well-beingof the clergy (Zai-se).” The board has three areas of responsi-bility: governance, policy and accountability. Whether theyknow it or not, the board of directors have three fiduciary re-sponsibilities. Duty of Care. Use good judgement in makingdecisions for the entire membership. Protect and understandthe temple’s financial responsibilities and documents. Duty ofLoyalty. Avoid conflict of interest. Keep difference of opinionimpersonal. Accept decisions made by the majority. Supportthe business office staff and other board members. Duty ofObedience. Make decisions consistent with the temple’s Mis-sion Statement, Bylaws and policies. Understand the govern-ing documents.

A manager/director and staff typically handle the day to daymanagement of a nonprofit organization. Wailuku Hongwanji isbeginning to transition into this model with two half-time officeemployees led by an administrative manager. It is this manag-er who is responsible for implementing board policies. My classnotes (Nonprofit Management) say the board may poke its nosein the manager’s business, but not its fingers. A classmateasked: can the president of the board of directors also be theorganization’s director (manager)? The response was it wouldbe a conflict of interest. There is a basic principle of supervi-sion that employees report to one boss. When board membersget involved into the day to day management of the office, theyweaken the authority of the manager. Board members involvedin day to day office work may also compromise their board re-sponsibilities. This is the preferred model, but temples with

limited or no office staffs need to make compromises that workfor them.

Although it is not too hard to see the primary responsibilitiesof ministers, boards, office staff and the general membership,there are gray areas that require collaboration. Sometimes ourbonbu nature gets in the way of what ought to be. In recent yearsthere has been an effort to appreciate a temple’s interdependentrelationship through a “Temple Effectiveness Model and MinisterEvaluation.” This process is a work in progress to promote a teamperspective (March Headquarters Update page-6). We used asimilar process where I worked. For many years, we had tradi-tional performance standards, but the reviews were solutionoriented conversations to improve the wildlife refuge.

Through our interdependent relationships we make the templewhat it is today. Everyone assists the temple in their own way.Temple leaders and volunteers often do more than we realize. Weare also unaware of the work of many members because theyprefer anonymity. Affiliate organizations and all of us benefit fromour relationships with the temple and we do what we can to giveback. We all contribute to the management of the temple so wecan share the Jodo Shinshu teachings.

Business Manager’s MessageBy Franklin Hamasaki

Please support the Maui HongwanjiCouncil by attending the banquet

N WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, THE MAUI HongwanjiCouncil will be hosting a banquet for His Eminence Gomon-shu Kojun Ohtani at the Wailuku Hongwanji Buddhist Tem-

ple social hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. What an opportune time tosee the head of our temple. I liken it to seeing and meeting PopeFrancis, head of the Catholic Church. This may be the only time inyour lifetime that you will have the opportunity to see him in per-son.

At 5:30 p.m., he will be conducting a “Kikyoshiki” ConfirmationCeremony for about 17 Hongwanji members from the four templeson Maui. In the ceremony, participants will be receiving theirBuddhist name.

There is no cost to attend the Confirmation Ceremony. Ban-quet tickets are being sold in the temple office at $25 each. Child-ren, 18 and under, are free to attend the banquet if their parentsare Hongwanji members.

O

acknowledgments

Wish List(Items our temple could use)

• Forever Postage Stamps

• Ziploc Bags (sandwich, quart, gallon size)

• 33 Gal. Trash Bags

• Paper Towels

• Forks, Heavy Wt. plastic; Hashi (chop sticks)

• 6” and 7” Dessert Plates; 12 oz. Bowls

• Tawashi (small and large)

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 15 -

KYODAN

Hiranaga, Tom – In memory of Miyoko HiranagaLugo, Sergio A.Sodetani, Lloyd & Sharon – In memory of Toshiko HiroseTasaki, Cora S.Yoshino, Harriet – In memory of Douglas Yamada

NOKOTSUDO

Kodani, June – In memory of Matsue KanekoKodani, June – In memory of Mitsue KonnoKuwata, Clive – In memory of Helen Haruyo MatsushimaTanaka, Florence – In memory of Ralph & Hatsumi TanakaTanaka, Florence – In memory of Gen & Tomie HiroseTanaka, Florence – In memory of The Hashi FamilyTanaka, Florence – In memory of Shinichi & Patsy SuzukiTanaka, Florence – In memory of Manual & Nancy Oishi

HŌ ONKŌ

Kunimitsu, Lester

SPECIAL PROJECT

Sugiki, Shigemi – Temple Restroom

OFFICE SUPPLIES

Hamasaki, Franklin & Elaine

NEW YEAR’S ACTIVITIES

Kunimitsu, Lester

WISH LIST DONATIONS

Saiki, Renard & Noreen – Chopsticks, Forks & Spoons,Snacks

Sato, Phyllis – Chopsticks, Paper Towels, Foam Bowls

OFFERTORY

Godfrey, Matthew & LeaKomine, Shane & Jodi (2)Wong, Jr. Wesley & Marie (3)

OFUSE

Amimoto, Ronald – In memory of Elaine YamagataIshikawa, Ronald & Sylvia – In memory of Annette YodaMiyamoto, Richard – In memory of Harriette MiyamotoYoda, Kiyoshi – In memory of Annette Yoda

SOCIAL HALL

Saito, Shirley

OBON DONATION

Aguinaldo, KarenAkai, Gerald & JoanCardoza, BetsyEndo, Calvin & Kayoko – In memory of Masato & Dorothy EndoEndo, Calvin & Kayoko – In memory of Tom NomuraFujii, Ethel – Refreshment

Furomoto, HarryHamasaki, Kazuichi & GraceHanada, Itsue & NarueIshikawa, Ronald & Sylvia – In memory of Larry HondaJorgensen, Ellen & Flemming – In memory of Tom NomuraKawahara, Hideo & Joyce – RefreshmentKunimitsu, LesterMende, Barbara – In memory of the Niimi FamilyMende, Barbara – In memory of Lorraine NashiwaMiyamoto, Richard & HarrietteMurai, Gary – In memory of Sherri Mariye Nanilei LauMurai, Gary – In memory of Mabel MatsushitaOhigashi, Helen – RefreshmentOuchi, Ronald M.Saiki, NoreenSakotani, MasakoShibano, LindaShimizu, EriShimoda, Nancy – RefreshmentShinoda, Jane – RefreshmentTakemoto, HowardTomimoto, NancyUnemori, AileenUnemori, Alan & Linda AnnUno, GraceYanagi, EleanorYoshizawa, Kenji - Refreshment

Hoji Memorial Services (August)Date Name

1st Year – 2016Aug. 16 Fukumoto, Ruth Kazuyo (WA GEN)Aug. 19 Teshima, Kazue (KO SHIN)Aug. 30 Tamiya, Hisako (MYO TOKU)

3rd Year – 2015Aug. 10 Nakao, Noboru (SHO DOAug. 27 Beppu, Fumiko Kagoshima (CHI DO)

7th Year – 2011Aug. 1 Tamayose, Masanobu (SHO JO)Aug. 2 Koyanagi, Yoshio (RYO SHO)Aug. 18 Hirata, George Kenichi (KEN GAN)

17th Year – 2001Aug. 20 Yoda, Takayo (WA JO)Aug. 31 Araki, Stanley (JYO DO)

25th Year – 1993Aug. 13 Matsumoto, Gerald (JUN TOKU)Aug. 20 Sone, Kei (AN JAKU)Aug. 23 Suma, Shizuo Sam (SHIN TOKU)

33rd Year – 1985Aug. 9 Matsui, Tsuruo (KAKU RYO)

50th Year – 1968Aug. 24 Taguchi, Yasu (JO AN)Aug. 29 Nitta, Zengoro (JO NEN)

“A WELCOMING SPIRIT GROWS OUR COMMUNITY TEMPLE” - 16 -