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June 2020 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Mission Volume 43 Issue No. 6
Temple activities should be posted as soon as possible on the “MASTER CALENDAR” located on the bul-letin board for inclusion in the Dharma Connection calendar and for general temple planning.
All temple activities have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic until further notice. Bishop Eric Matsumoto of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii under revised Center for Disease Control (CDC) guide-lines, has asked temples to cancel all Sunday Services, Memorial Services, Temple Activities, Cultural and Com-munity Events. In lieu of in-person meetings, some meetings and special services may be conducted online. We will try to keep you informed by various means. These communication methods may be in the form of telephone, e-mail, Mililani Hongwanji Mission’s website, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. For more information contact Rev. David Fujimoto at 625-0925 or [email protected]. During these uncertain times, keep in touch with your family, friends and fellow Sangha members. Practice “physical distancing”, wash your hands often and wear your masks in public. Take care of yourself and each other. Namo Amida Butsu
* All Online Services can be accessed through Mililani Hongwanji and ‘Ewa Hongwanji's Facebook Pages and also through the Mililani & 'Ewa Hongwanji Facebook Channel
(Simply type: shorturl.at/evwCU in the web address space on your browser for YouTube) TBD (TO BE DETERMINED)
7 Sun *Online Family Dharma Service
14 Sun *Online Joint Memorial and Family Service
21 Sun *Online Family Dharma Service
28 Sun *Online Family Dharma Service
5 Sun TBD Family Dharma Service
12 Sun TBD Joint Memorial and Family Service
19 Sun TBD Family Dharma Service
26 Sun TBD Baccalaureate & Family Dharma Service
Luncheon to follow. (See insert flyer)
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Rev. David Fujimoto
As I am writing this article, I am listening to the latest from our government officials concerning the current pandemic. Like many of you, there is a feeling of uneasiness and confusion as I hear the lat-est reports and directives. As a child, our founder, Shinran Shōnin lived during a period in Japan that saw pandemics, famine, and natural disasters. I am sure for a young child, that must have been a very terrifying period to be living in. As we start to head into June, a lot has changed since we had to close the doors to the church. First off, I would like to thank all of you who have come to maintain the facilities and to help out in the basic es-sential needs of the church.
Currently, we are working on a plan to phase in, what we hope will start to be the open-ing of the churches. Currently, it is uncertain, when we will start to open up. For now, we will continue to have our virtual online services via our YouTube Channel. One of the things that we are open to are small in-person memorial and funeral services. Meaning services can be scheduled and held, if there are 9 or less people attending and social distancing practices followed. Your board of directors have been having meetings online and will continue this format
for the time being. I have come to realize is that although all of us are separated at this time, distance cannot overcome us, we are learning new challenges, and like the basic teachings of Buddhism, as we face the future, the impermanent nature of things will influence and change much of the things we were doing just three months ago. Things are changing very fast (who knows what the latest will be when this newsletter come out), so please follow our social media platforms, visit our website, or feel free to visit the church or give me a call. Throughout the lives of our ancestors and even for us, on many occasions we’ve had to get use to the “new norm.” This term has been used recently in the media; however, we have gone though many changes in our lives, many times without even us noticing. However, with the Dharma as our guide, we will continue to persevere though all of this, adapt our lives and live our lives deeply rooted in the Nembutsu.
Current Happenings Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic
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President’s Corner Aloha Mililani Hongwanji members and friends!
I hope you are well. You may be wondering when the temple will open for services, activities, meetings, and other gatherings. If you’ve been following the news and guidance from government agencies that have been circulating, faith-based (religious) groups fall in a category that have some challenges because many churches tend to have larger groups, involves singing, fellowship with social interactions including handshakes and hugs, and enjoying some refreshments together where mem-bers sit in close proximity to hear the latest gossip. The use of technology has bridged some gaps, and while it may not be the same as being at the temple, you could say that it was obvious that we needed to rely on technology to share the Dharma through online services, to conduct meetings to make decisions and to continue the business of the temple, and to just stay in touch as a sangha. Yet, it is important to note that we were able to call our temple members to check how our members are doing, especially considering that not all members use technology to communicate and instead they rely on phone calls and our print newsletter to communicate. Further, be-cause of guidance to stay at home and work from home, reaching out over the phone has been a good way to communicate to our members as it is more personal and the interaction is immediate (unlike using text and email). Through this experience I became closer to some of our members, some of which I haven’t spoke to in a while, and I begin to wonder if we rely or use technology so much because of our rapidly evolving world and trying to keep up with the latest and greatest that technology brings, sometimes good, sometimes bad, and sometimes frustrating.
While being able to continue services and having meetings are important to continue the mission of the temple, what I think we need to really watch out for, es-pecially now, is our sangha members. I will certainly need to rely on all of you, our members, because collec-tively you (we) are part of our sangha network and together we can find out if any of our members is in need of assistance.
In Gassho
Dean Sakamoto
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The Honpa Hongwanji Mis-sion of Hawaii’s Choralfest 2020, which was scheduled for September 26-27, 2020
at Hawaii Betsuin, has been postponed as a result of current public health uncertain-ties. Registration fees received will be re-funded. Determination of a future date for the event will be made at a later time. Your understanding and interest are appreciat-ed.
CHORALFEST 2020 POSTPONED
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BWA 40th Anniversary Luncheon
• The Mililani Hongwanji Board of Directors met online on May 8 with a quorum present and President Dean Sakamoto pre-siding.
• Rev. Fujimoto and President Sakamoto shared latest guidelines as the work at home orders have been extended through June. Funerals and memorial services may be held at the temple. However, observing social distancing and facemasks are required, and our temple can only accommodate approximately 20 people at this time.
• Weekly services and messages continue to be shared on social media by Rev. Fujimoto, the Sate Ministers’ Association, and various temples and ministers statewide and throughout the world. Details are on the temple website and Facebook pages.
• Mililani Hongwanji has acquired a GoToMeeting account, and any Mililani Hongwanji committee, organization, or class wishing to use this service should contact Rev. Fujimoto or Dean Sakamoto to schedule an online event.
• The financial condition of Mililani Hongwanji is stable although donations, service offertory, and fundraising have been re-duced, but many of our expenses continue.
• Mililani Hongwanji is now in the process to establish the capability to accept donations and payments electronically.
• Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii has received payroll protection assistance through the SBA as part of the Federal Gov-ernment CARES Act which takes care of all Hawaii Hongwanji ministers’ salaries and benefits for a few pay periods.
From Your Kyodan Board, Summary of May 13, 2020 Meeting
2020 Baccalaureate Service and Luncheon Rescheduled to Sunday, July 26th!
Mark your calendars as the planning committee has rescheduled this year’s Baccalaureate Service and Luncheon for Sunday, July 26, 2020 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. As the status of the Coronavirus situation changes daily, it is hoped that we can hold this event as rescheduled. But please know that the health and safety of our Sangha is our main concern and we may need to postpone/cancel if deemed necessary. We hope however, that all will go as planned and we can recognize Xander Babcock on his graduation from Mililani High School. If you would like to sign up to attend the luncheon, please fill in the form below and mail in with your check payment. Or you may sign-up at the temple when we re-sume in-person services and give payment to Susan Oshiro. If we do have to cancel, your check payment will be returned to you. We hope you will join us for this special day to honor Xander! If you have any questions, please contact Committee Chair, Susan Oshiro at [email protected] or at 626-6755. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------%---------------------------------------------------------------
2020 Baccalaureate Luncheon Reservation Form – Due: July 10, 2020
Name(s): ______________________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________ Email: ______________________________________ # of Attendees: _____ x $15/person (5 and under free) Total $: ________
Please make checks payable to: Mililani Hongwanji Mail to: Mililani Hongwanji
Attn: Baccalaureate Committee P.O. Box 893309
Mililani, HI 96789
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Mililani Hongwanji A Shin Buddhist Temple
Minister: Rev. David Fujimoto Kyodan President: Dean Sakamoto Mail to: P.O. Box 893308 Mililani, HI 96789 Location: 95-257 Kaloapau Street Mililani, HI 96789 Phone: 808.625.0925 Email: [email protected]
Weekly Services on Sundays, 9:00 am
Visit us at mililanihongwanji.org
Monthly Joint Memorial Service Change Mililani Hongwanji’s monthly joint memorial service is on
the SECOND Sunday of each month. There will be a small change in the format of the monthly joint memorial service. Mililani Hongwan-ji will continue to publish the names of the members and friends that will be honored in the monthly me-morial services.
For families attend- ing the
joint memorial ser-vice, please sign in on the memorial
ser- vice tablet on the counter, which will be made available every Sunday leading up the service.
Adult Day Center at Mililani Hongwanji Aloha! We would like to let everyone know that we are accepting applications for Adult Day Center enrollment. Do you know anyone caring for a loved one that needs respite or help caring for their loved one throughout the day? We are welcom-ing new clients in our air conditioned facility. For any interested new applicants, we are offering tuition assistance. Please contact our ADC Director Trece White for more information at (808) 561-2147. We are OPEN 5 Days a week Monday thru Fridays from 8am-5pm; with early drop off available as early as 7am. Some Saturdays upon availability.
For more info go to: Mililaniadc.com
June Memorials Those who have passed during the month of June. There will be no In-Person Joint Memorial Service
for this month. Service will be online. Robert Asato Chiyoko Chinen Masue Goto Miyuki Guerrera Tadayoshi Hamasaki Nobuko Harada Matsukata Hayashi Akira Hayashida Shugeno Hironaka Matsue Honda Yone Honda Isaburo Iida Peggy Imamura Toshio Ishihara Miyuki Iwamoto Susumi Iwamoto Toshio Iwamoto Katsuji Kushimi Gary Matsumoto
Please call the minister at 625-0925 and/or email [email protected] if there are corrections or additions to the published list. Families may call the minister to schedule special family memorial services for their loved ones. For 2020, special memorial years are observed for loved ones who passed away in:
2019 1st Year 2004 17th Year 1988 33rd year
2018 3rd Year 1998 23rd Year 1971 50th year
2014 7th Year 1996 25th year 1921 100th year
2008 13th Year
Memorial Services Mililani Hongwanji conducts memorial services in honor of those who have passed away. The Shotsuki Memorial Service is a gen-eral memorial service which are held monthly to remember members and friends who passed away during the month in which the memori-al service is held. These services are held primarily for those individu-als that do not fall in the yearly service interval cycle. Nenki Hoyo Memorial Services are memorial services which are held separate from the monthly memorial services in yearly inter-vals. These separate private services can be held before, on or after the memorial dates. It is a personal opportunity to gather as a family to encounter and listen to the Buddha Dharma and remember your family members and friends who have passed on and through these services, we are able to reflect on all that we have received from them in our daily lives. It also gives families the opportunity to recon-nect with members they otherwise would not see during the course of the year.
Minister’s Private Visitation Are you unable to come to the temple? Please call Rev. David Fujimoto at 808.625.0925 to request a private visit. The minister would love to reach out to you and be the bridge between you, the temple and the sangha!
Matao Matsumura Ryoichi Nakamura Shizue Nakamura Tsutsumu Nakauchi Elsie Nunotani Walter Nunotani Satoru Ota Shoji Saito Kikue Sakado Kim Say Ume Tashima Fae Togo Tsune Ueki Kimi Watanabe Miyuki Watanabe Asayo Yamashita Beatrice Young James Young Noboru Yoza
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(April 21, 2020 to May 18, 2020 )
Building Fund Tony & Bebe Kearney (2) BWA Eshinni & Kakushinni Day Warren & Nora Hahn Gordon & Lyn Watanabe Ethel Yamashige General Donation Sharon Freitas Theodine Hirai Gloria Okada IMO Usuke & Umeno Okada Gotan-E Janet Abe Dean & Doreen Sakamoto Hiroyoshi & Satoko Terao Gordon & Lyn Watanabe Hanamatsuri Janet Abe (2) June Asato Harley & Martha Ishii Patrick & Susan Oshiro Higan Spring June Asato Joint Memorial Service Michie Ando IMO George Ando & Susumu Ando June Asato IMO Tsuruko Asato (13th Yr) Howard & Mae Okumura IMO Garrick Okumura Carol Saito IMO Chester Saito Bert & Rene Saito & Family IMO Chester Saito
Please Note: If you wish to make service donations during our period of online services, please mail your donations to Mililani Hongwanji, P.O. Box 893308, Mililani, HI 96789.
In Gratitude. Namo Amida Butsu Namo Amida Butsu Namo Amida Butsu
N E W S L E T T E R
91-1133 Renton Road Ewa, Hawaii Mail: P.O. Box 60549, Ewa, HI 96706
June 2020
EWA HONGWANJI MISSION
Contact us: Ernest Wakimura: home: 681-3229 Rev. David Fujimoto: 625-0925 office
Rev. Fujimoto will be available to anyone needing assistance on most Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm at Ewa Hongwanji. Please call Rev. Fujimoto to confirm his schedule or to make an appointment.
Calendar No services scheduled for June, but please view the virtual services on Mililani & Ewa Hongwanji’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTGBk1wB6JRp2R7HQuLHTMQ Or, search for “youtube Ewa Hongwanji channel” and click on the saved services to view.
For Honpa Hongwanji’s virtual Sunday services, search for “youtube Honpa Hongwanji channel” and view either live on Sundays at 10:00 am, or view the saved video(s).
MAHALO for your Donat ionsGeneral Wayne & Raynette Itamoto ~ Visitation for Mrs. Florence Heacock Ofuse Brian R. Date ~ 33rd year memorial service for Mr. Montaro Teraoka
The Ewa Hongwanji Mission expresses sincere sympathy to the family of the late Mrs. Patsy Okawa who passed away on May 1, 2020. Mrs. Okawa was a member of the Ewa Hongwanji Kyodan.
In Memor iam
If you are able, please submit your 2020 pledge to Ewa Hongwanji Mission, P. O. Box 60549, Ewa HI 96706. Thank you for your continued support of Ewa Hongwanji Mission.
For those who previously turned in your pledges, mahalo for your membership and continued support.
2020 P ledge s
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