Notice from the Board of Directors
Dear Dharma Members and Friends:
We are continuing our Sunday Dharma gatherings at Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji with a monthly format which will include: interpersonal exchanges; Question and Answer sessions on Buddhist concepts; guest speakers; and discussions on Shin Buddhism literature. We also ask for your inputs and areas of interest so we may better serve you.
Looking forward to your active support and participation.
All are welcome!
In gassho,
Mary Matsuda, Co-Chair
CharlAnn Nakamoto, Co-Chair & Treasurer
Near term, tentative plans for temple activities:
November
10 Betsuin Hoonko Service, 10:00am, 1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu
17 Hoonko Service, 9:00am, by Rev. Steven Toyoshima & Rev. Akiko Okada, Kaneohe temple
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Here is a tribute to the late Reverend Nobuo Matsumoto, to whom we dedicate the centennial celebration along with all who have been part of Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji’s long journey:
October 19, 2024
The Reverend Nobuo Matsumoto came to America as the eldest and heir apparent to his family temple in Fukushima, Japan. The opportunity to send one of his four sons to minister in America presented itself to his father in the late 1930’s. Nobuo, being the eldest of four sons was sent to America to learn and experience our great country. After five years, he was to return to Fukushima where he was to become the head minister of the family temple whose history spanned more than ten generations.
Shortly after being assigned to the Berkeley Higashi Hongwanji, Pearl Harbor was bombed and all people of Japanese ancestry, immigrant and citizens, were forced into incarceration in what was first called, Concentration Camps. That terminology was eventually “softened” and called Relocation Centers. Reverend Matsumoto, as a single male with a work visa and no local family, was sent to Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming.
One of the main church leaders of the temple was Maruo Fujii and his family. His entire family was relocated to Poston, California. Though details are sketchy as to what agreement existed between Maruo Fujii and Reverend Matsumoto, Nobuo implored government officials to have him reunited with his fiancé. They were both transferred to Gila River Relocation Camp where they married.
In Fall of 1945 Reverend Matsumoto, his wife, Tomoko and two little girls were released and allowed to make their way back home to Berkeley. Although he was supposed to have returned to Japan at that time, his father advised Nobuo to stay in Hawaii as Japan was devastated and his father felt that Nobuo would be able to help the family and the home temple in Fukushima better by remaining in America.
In 1947 or 1948, Reverend Matsumoto and his family of five by then was transferred to Hawaii; his mission, to help reopen Higashi Hongwanji temples in Hawaii which were forced to close during the war years. After spending two years in Palama, he was assigned to the Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission where he was to spend and dedicate his entire ministerial career and life.
He loved the people of Kaneohe and being part of their lives as everyone struggled through the difficult time of post-war Hawaii. He and his wife, Tomoko, played a vital part in the development of the young children’s identity and education. Reverend Matsumoto considered the temple community an extension of his own family until his death in December 1985.
A major pivot point in his life was the great decision of whether to return to Fukushima and the family temple after both nations somewhat healed after the war. It was a very difficult decision as Reverend Matsumoto felt the responsibility to the family lineage and temple history but his love for the people of Kaneohe made it impossible to leave. Therefore, when he became a US citizen, he knew that he had chosen with his heart and not simply by tradition.
NamuAmidaButsu
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Suggested reading:
River of Fire, River of Water: An introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism
Taitetsu Unno, a prominent scholar and authority on Shin or Pure Land Buddhism, delves into the profound teachings of this spiritual tradition in his book titled "River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism." Exploring the essence of this work, Dr. Unno introduces readers to Pure Land Buddhism, a most popular form of Buddhism in Japan, practiced by common people, making it harmonious with daily life. Its goal, like other Buddhist schools, is the awakening of the true self. Dr. Unno’s spiritual insight and scholarship contribute to the growing practice of Buddhism in the United States. This work stands alongside other influential books in the field of Buddhism, such as Three Pillars of Zen, The Miracle of Mindfulness, and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind1. If you’re curious about the path of awakening and the interplay of spirituality with everyday life, this book offers valuable insights.
For those interested, you can explore the book on platforms such as The Maida Center (link in right margin), Amazon, Rakuten Kobo, and eBooks.com.
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Select Sunday Service videos are on YouTube, Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, click here.
For an archive of past services, click archive.
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The Maida Center of Buddhism (link in right margin)
The Maida Center is an excellent resource for Shin Buddhism. Their website includes articles by the Center's Director, Dr. Nobuo Haneda; their newsletter, THE DHARMA BREEZE; and the availability of books and lecture videos on Shin Buddhism.
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{Please note that temple services and activities listed are subject to governmental directives for public health.}
We are grateful for your DANA donations so this temple may continue to serve as your DOJO (place to learn). Remember, we request your suggestions on areas you find of interest. Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, 45-520 Keaahala Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744
About Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
The Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji temple was established in 1924 to serve the residents of Kaneohe and continues to serve a broader community. While the Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji temple is located on the Windward side of Oahu, its membership includes residents of other parts of the island, California, Nevada, and Washington state.
Buddha's teachings, by virtue of its transcendental nature, were for a long time limited only to the educated and the elite and therefore beyond the comprehension of the common masses. Shinran Shonin, the founder of our sect (Jodo Shinshu or Shin Buddhism) of Pure Land Buddhism, made Buddha's teachings understandable to the masses and showed us how the teachings are relevant to our daily lives.
While many people think of Buddhism only as it is related to death, on the contrary, Jodo Shinshu emphasizes how each of us can make the best of our lives here and now.
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