The monthly newsletter of the Jodo Mission of Hawaii.

1. Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Bulletin - FEBRUARY 2013
(#1195-0213)
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
1429 Makiki St.
Honolulu HI 96814
Address Service Requested
DEN DEN MUSHI
Welcome to Hawaii
Each year Shukutoku University Panel
Theatre Group called Den Den Mushi comes
to Hawaii to perform a musical picture story
show visiting care homes, schools, and Jodo
Missions.
This year five students from Shukutoku
University Panel Theatre Group Den Den
Mushi will be in Hawaii in February, arriving
on February 11 and departing February 22.
On Sunday, February 17, at 10:00 a.m.
(after Sunday Service), Den Den Mushi will
perform their musical picture story show.
Please come and enjoy their performance.
After their performance here on Oahu,
Den Den Mushi will travel to Maui and will
spend some time at the Lahaina Jodo 2012 photo of Den Den Mushi
Mission, Kahului Jodo Mission and Wailuku
Jodo Mission.
Hope you enjoy your stay in Hawaii!

2. Buddha’s Memorial Day Service (Nehan-e)
Sunday, February 10th at 10 a.m.
Nehan-e is the Memorial Day Service of Shakyamuni Buddha. He is the founder of
Buddhism. He passed away at the age of 80 about 2500 years ago on February 15.
“Nehan” is “Nirvana” in Sanskrit. “Nirvana” means the state of things after a fire has
been put out. In other words, it means that Shakyamuni Buddha put out the fire of bad things
human beings have in their minds; such as, anger, confusion, sorrow and so on. Then, he
completely reached Enlightenment on that day.
Shakyamuni Buddha taught us how to live our daily lives and actually find meaning in our
lives.
Thanks to Shakyamuni Buddha, we can live with this wonderful teaching. Shall we express
our great appreciation to Shakyamuni Buddha on this Nehan-e
Service. The service will be held on Sunday, February 10th at
10:00 am. We look forward to your attendance.
This picture, the image of the passing of Shakyamuni Buddha, was
drawn by Rev. Shokei Sasawaki (Osaka, Japan)
Check out her web site! http://www009.upp.so-net.ne.jp/Moon-6
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
New Year’s Day Offerings / Blessings
On New Year’s Day, Rev.
Narashiba performed
blessings to whoever
came to the New Year’s
Day service on January
1st. Photo at right shows
long time member Mrs.
Tsuruko Yamamoto being
blessed. Photo at left
shows offerings made to
Buddha.
Right photos:
Husband & wife
were blessed: Mr.
& Mrs. Toshiyaki
Hibi and
Mother and
daughter were
blessed: Yukari
and Sophie Ozoni soup (mochi soup to
Narashiba start the New Year)
Page 2

3. Bits of Knowledge of Buddhism
Vol. 22 St. Honen’s Exile from Kyoto (Part 3) (Feb. 2013)
By Rev. Yasushiro Watanabe
St. Honen was sentenced to exile on Shikoku Island far from Kyoto at
the age of 75. Now, I will continue the story with two events that happened on
his way to Shikoku Island. These events remind us that Nembutsu brought
much joy to many people.
[1: Fishermen at Takasago Beach]
On his journey to Shikoku, St. Honen passed by Takasago Beach. There,
some fishermen and their families were waiting for him. The fishermen made
their living by catching fish and shellfish. “Do not kill living things” is the first
of the basic Five Precepts for a Buddhist. That’s why people looked down on
their job. And fishermen were afraid that they would fall into hell because of
their sinful lives. They really wanted to know if there was any way that they
could attain liberation.
St. Honen assured them that there was something that they could do:
Simply chant Nembutsu. They were both astonished and comforted by his an-
swer. They thanked him for his message to them, and they immediately began
to chant Nembutsu.
[2: Ladies at Muro Port]
When St. Honen arrived at the Port of Muro, a small boat approached.
Muro was once known as a town where prostitutes sang and danced at gather-
ings. Honen’s followers said that the passengers in the small boat seemed to
be prostitutes. “Do not be immoral” is the third of the basic Five Precepts for a
Buddhist. So, like the fishermen, the women explained that they were leading
sinful lives. They, too, wanted to know if there was any way that they could at-
tain liberation. The women were worried that they would live more miserable
lives in the afterlife than in their present lives.
St. Honen told them not to worry. They could be reborn in the Pure
Land. He advised them to choose another way to live, but if that was not pos-
sible, then they should go on as they are. However, they should chant Nem-
butsu. St. Honen said to them gently, “Amida Buddha has shown the way to
liberation for people in your situation. The compassion of Amida Buddha was
quite just for you.” The women said, “Just as we are? You mean that even low-
ly women like us can attain liberation by relying on Amida Buddha?” And St.
Honen replied clearly, “Of course.” These wonderful words made the women in
the small boat very happy, and they, too, began to chant Nembutsu right
away.
Page 3

4. The Introduction of Buddhism into Japan (5)
Heian Buddhism (794 - 1192)
In 784, the imperial capital was transferred frown Nara to Nagaoka and in 794 from there to Heian, the
present-day Kyoto, where it was to remain nominally at least, until
1868. It is not entirely clear why the capital was removed to Heian.
Possibly the growing influence of the Nara school and their hold on
the court had something to do with it. There is no doubt that as the
power of Buddhism grew, its interest in secular matters increased and
it is probably true that Emperor Kanmu (782-805) decided to remove
from Nara at least partly in order not to be troubled with Buddhist bu-
reaucracy. Thus the transfer of the capital to Kyoto marked a turning
point not only in government affairs but also in the history of Bud-
dhism.
In the early part of this period two extraordinary men Saicho
(767- 822, generally known by his posthumous title Dengyo Daishi)
and Kukai (774-853, commonly referred to as Kobo Daishi), sepa-
rately established in the vicinity of the capital two new schools,
Tendai and Shingon. The leaders of these schools were both men
who went to China *(at this tome under the T’ang dynasty) to ac-
quaint themselves directly with the latest theoretical and practical
developments in the world of Buddhism. A prominent feature of
both school is their comprehensive and harmonizing character. In
Saicho (767 - 822) Kukai (774 - 853)
accordance with this orientation both sought to work out a system
of thought in which every point of view, Buddhist and non-
Buddhist, could be assigned a place in an all embracing synthesis. As these school grew in strength and influ-
ence, the structures of thought they created served as the theoretical foundation for the syncretism of Shinto
and Buddhism that later took place.
The tone of the later Heian period is quite different from that of the beginning. The vigorous enthusiasm
of earlier times gave way to certain disillusionment. By the eleventh century, the idea of Mappo or the end
of the Dharma had chaptered the popular imagination. Mappo is used to express certain Buddhist eschatolo-
gy. Immediately after the Buddha’s decease, the Right Dharma is considered to last for one thousand years,
followed by the simulated Dharma lasting for another one thousand years, and
finally by the End of the Dharma, which marks the end of civilized order. That
such an end seemed to be approaching was evidenced by growing strife and dis-
order, weak rulers, greedy clergy, and in general, the flagrant disintegration of
morals that characterized the late Heian Period. The aristocratic Tendai and Shin-
gon School were preoccupied with materialistic matters, while the older Nara
school ware at most obsolescent. What was needed was a revival of faith by
popular methods. Such a revival was led by men like Kuya, who taught in a sim- Kuya
Six Buddhas are coming out
ple way the invocation of the Buddha’s name and its saving power. The move- of his mouth.
ment was crystallized by Genshin (942-1017), a Tendai priest, who in his Essen-
tials of Salvation urged the worship of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Life and
Light. His teachings, easily understood by the common people, promised help from outside, that is, from
Amida himself. This was obviously a religion which attracted people weary of troubled times and in need of a
simple, more intuitive belief. (To be continued)
From Understanding Japanese Buddhism -Published by The Japan Buddhist Federation
Page 4

5. All in One Ajitsuke Kogai Rice
Ingredients:
2 c rice
2 c water
1 can ajitsuke kogai (do not drain)
2 T shoyu
1 T sake
1/4 tsp ajinomoto (optional)
1 c frozen carrots and peas
1/2 gobo, slivered
1 tsp salt
Preparing the rice:
1. Having washed and drained 2 c of rice,
add all other ingredients to the rice pot
and set the rice cooker to cook.
2. When done, mix rice gently
and arrange in serving dishes.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Gochiso-sama
Page 5

6. HAWAII STATE JODO SHU FUJINKAI SCHOLARSHIP
Namiye Nakamura Scholarship
The Hawaii State Jodo Shu Fujinkai offers a $750 Namiye Nakamura Scholarship to
a Hawaii high school graduate or a member of the temple who wishes
to further his/her education toward a degree or advanced degree in
an accredited college or university.
The applicant for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:
1. Priority will be given to a student graduating from a high school in
Hawaii.
2. If there are no graduating students applying, any applicant continu-
ing their education may receive the scholarship.
3. Be accepted at an accredited university or institution of higher
learning.
4. Possess good moral character and leadership potential
5. Be an active member of his/her respective Jodo Mission
6. Submit an application by April 15th.
The family or legal guardian of the applicant must currently be a member of his/her
respective Jodo Mission. Financial need will be considered. Determination of the
scholarship recipient will be made by a Scholarship Committee.
If there are any questions about the scholarship, please consult Rev. Yubun Na-
rashiba at 949-3995.
Fujinkai
♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ (women’s association)
Feb. 3 at 8:30 a.m.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Ikoi Hall
Children’s Choir “Malama” Sunday School
Our Children’s Choir will meet on We welcome children
to join our Sunday
Sewing Circle
Sunday, February 17, at 9:30 a.m. Any Feb 9 and 23
child ages 5 to 8 years old can join. School. Let’s enjoy
studying Onembutsu by 8:30—11 a.m.
Children will sing mainly Japanese Ikoi Hall
songs and Buddhist gathas. Practice doing various activities.
Any person interested
will be in Japanese. 2/17 @ 10 am in sewing is welcome
Also will join Den Den Moshi pro- will join Den Den Moshi
Program
gram. YBA
♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ No Meeting in
February
Page 6

7. Did You Know!
The YMCA has a Seniors’ program called the “90 Something Club” at
the Kaimuki YMCA. To be in this club, you must be 90 years old and older.
One of our members Yoshiko Kitagawa belongs to this club. Recently, the
Star-Advertiser ran an article entitled “Nonagenarians pursue physical, social
health”. If you have not read the article (it appeared in the Tuesday, Decem-
ber 18, 2012 newspaper), you must read it! It is a very interesting article. Mrs. Kitagawa had
two knee replacements, lost mobility and was required to use a walker, but she wasn’t about to
give up hope of getting her old life back. By joining the 90 Something Club she has been able
to walk without the assistance of a walker or a cane. But this did not come overnight. She
goes to the YMCA regularly to work out doing aqua exercise classes five times a week and
works out on the weight machines. At 93, she is one of the younger ladies. The article men-
tions Cecilia Blackfield who is 97 years old and who informally organized this 90 Something
Club. This club really makes you feel so happy to be here on earth! They had a Christmas party
and celebrated Cecila Blackfield’s 97th birthday by serenading her with “Happy Birthday”.
So if you are in your 90’s or even if you are younger, check out the YMCA and see if you
can get into shape as well as keep healthy!
THANK YOU GENE IKEDA: Did you know that Gene retired from the
Nokotsudo gang. Gene is in his mid-nineties and was coming to the temple
to clean the Nokotsudo and he also used to come on other days to do
some yard work or during O-Bon time, he even painted the entrance to the
temple yard so it would look nice. THANK YOU GENE for your help for the
past many years.
HELP NEEDED
For Nokutsudo/Columbarium
Our Nokutsudo or Columbarium has grown and is still growing.
We need more help with cleanup.
What type of help is needed you might ask? Clean up would in-
clude throwing out old flowers, carefully washing vases and putting them back onto the
shelf, changing water in vases if flowers are still good, etc. It does not mean this is for
only women to do. Men are most welcome to help. Gene Ikeda recently retired from
the Nokutsudo (he is in his nineties).
If you are able to help and/or if you have a friend or friends who would be willing to
help, please contact the temple office at 949-3995 with possible times you and your
friend or friends are able to help. If you can only help sometimes, that would be most ap-
preciated. Please contact the office. Any help is most appreciated. Thank you.
A R I G ATO !
Page 7

8. Announcements
ARIGATO!! ARIGATO (cont’d)
Did you enjoy the mochi you picked up on Younger members Ian Kitajima and Her-
Saturday, December 29? Wasn’t it delicious? It bert Fujikawa and their friends and relatives
was the efforts of all those who came out to help were also instrumental in steaming the rice!
on December 28 and 29 that you were able to As you can see from the photos on this
eat such delicious mochi!! page and the next page, everyone also had fun;
THANK YOU to all who came out to help on especially those who for the first time got to
December 28 and 29 with the mochitsuki and pound mochi!
preparation. It takes many, many people THANK YOU also to the late Martha Miura,
(Temple members, friends, relatives) to prepare Gene Ikeda and Jo Ann Matsuo who come
mochi for all the orders the Temple members and every Saturday to clean the Nokotsudo. For
friends ordered. May we see you again next year! 2013, Gene is unable to come to help in the
Thank you for your time and hope you had FUN Nokotsudo and we appreciate all his help for
and enjoyed fellowship! the past many years. THANK YOU GENE!
Oldtimers like Masa Kitajima, Teruto Soma, THANK YOU Jo Ann for also taking care of
Richard Murashige, Doris Soma, Aki Nishiyama, the recycling of cans, bottles, plastics and she
and others who have all the knowledge of the ins purchases things for the Temple with what is
and outs of mochi preparation and mochi mak-
made from the recycled products.
ing. Everyone of these dedicated Temple mem-
bers have their own unique specialty in mochi
making and with their knowledge we were able to
handle the huge amount of orders.
MOCHITSUKI PHOTOS
Boys are having fun pounding mocha and
everyone enjoying the fun!
Takeru and Joshua taking turns
pounding mochi
Katie and Alex Ogawa take
turns pounding mochi
Pankai and Lynn Bhanot, hus-
band and wife taking turns
pounding mochi
Page 8

9. PHOTOS TAKEN AT MOCHITSUKI DAY: 12/29/12
Mochi rice steaming
Steamed rice taken off heat Cooked rice taken out of pot
Richard, Rocky and Ian pushing Cooked mochi rice in grinder. Beautiful mochi Mochi rice is then put in cutter
steamed rice through the grinder. rice coming out of grinder so the rice can be shaped
Shaping okasane
Sophie is shaping mochi while
Debbie & Ryan look on
Allison, Aki and Mia are dusting
extra powder off the mochi.
Left photo: rows of mochi cooling.
Mochi are weighed
and packaged
Jo Ann and Amy making juice
out of oranges Yukari and Anne making spam
musubi for workers
Rev. Narashiba and Burt work on
the gigantic Okasane for the altar
Page 9

10. What is “Perpetual Memorial
Service?” (Eitaikyo)
Obituaries
This record of a perpetual memorial service and
is called Eitaikyo in Japanese. When the date of The Jodo Mission of Hawaii extends
death occurs for a person listed on this record, the its sincere condolences to the family
ministers pray for that individual during the morn- members and loved ones of the following
ing service. The prayers will continue each year for members who have recently left this
as long as Jodo Mission exists.
world for the Pure Land.
Anyone can be included in it. You may put your
own name on the list, too. This also helps when it
is difficult to have memorial services. We also wel- Seiichi Takara 85
come you to attend the morning service at 8:30am. Mutsuko Reed 80
Yoshio Okamura 89
How to apply May Aiko Takenishi 88
Stop by the office, and fill out the application Shizuo Yoshikane 90
form. Each name costs $200. After the application William Yasumichi Rothenberger 59
is accepted, the name will be listed on the record.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Jodo Mission Office Hours: Website
Monday to Saturday For those with computers, please visit
8am—5pm our website:
Sunday & Holidays www.jodo.us
8am—3pm to learn more about us. Thank you.
Phone: 949-3995
Rev. Yubun Narashiba Rev. Kanjun Nakano Rev. Dwight
Head Minister Rev. Yasuhiro Nakamura
Resident Minister
Watanabe Retired Minister
Page 10 Resident Minister

11. Perpetual Memorial Service (Eitaikyo)
For February 2013
1. Itaro Yanagihara 11 Minekichi Taniguchi Eijiro Murakami
The Yanagihara Family The Taniguchi Family The Murakami & Yamamoto Family
Kisaburo Teraoka Tsuneko Nago Ishi Matsuda
The Teraoka Family The Nag & Kunimoto Families The Murakami Family
The Mitani Family Rev. Shuen Inoue Eijiro Murakami
Sumako Kishii Sue Nishimoto 20 Ryozo Hamada
Noboru Yamasaki The Hamada Family
2 Kuma Kawamura Kameyo Fujita Magoichi Mineishi
The Kawamura Family Hisae Yamato The Mineishi Family
Robert Hiroshi Yamanaka Sue Nishimoto Taro Takara
Dorothy Mieko Oshita Tomoyo Takara
12 Sumie Kanoyama Kimie Matsuda
3 Rymond Hisashi Narahara The Kanoyama Family Sue Takabayashi
Ayame kano Bishop Shinkyo Tachikawa Natsuko Aoki
Doris Umeno Nojima
4 Kii Hirohama Yoshihiro Hata 21 Tamotsu Kuniyuki
The Hirohama Family
Kiyoe Soma 13 Torajiro Kusunoki 22 Yoshi Hayashi
Robert Takashi Maehara The Kusunoki Family The Yano, Konaka & Hayashi Families
Ichiro Yasumoto Kinu Nishimura (2)
5 Hatsu Konaka Fusakichi Kawanishi
The Yano, Konaka & Hayashi Families Haruyo Tarumoto 23 Taichi Sato
Gorokichi Ishida Seijiro Takabayashi
The Ishida and AimotoFamilies 24 Kame Akamine
Misao Mitsuyasu 14 Hajime Nishimoto The Akamine Family
The Mitsuyasu Family The Nishimoto Family Kikuno Hisamura
Masaharu Kotake Kensuke Hironaka Kamesuke Nakahama
Tsugio Hayase The Hironaka & Ishimoto Families Takiko Yanagihara
Shigeyo Kawano Sae Tachikawa
Hiroshi Sato 25 Sue Maeda
6 Matsuemon Tanimura (2) Raymond Shizuo Asaumi The Maeda Family
The Tanimura Family (2) Shigeyo Otani Shinichi Takao
Sawaichi Nakagawa Family Takeji Gushikuma The Takao Family
Kimi Higashi Matsu Kiyuna Takayo Matsuo
Misae Ichida George Sotoshi Tarumoto The Matsuo Family
Bunji Kishii (2) Kikuye Homareda Shigeki Umemoto
Umeyo Yamamoto The Yoza Family
Dr. Yasuhiko Hayashi 15 Kiyoshi Tsukiyama The Shimabukuro Family
Patrick Seiji Yamamoto Otake Takara Tamotsu Nakamura
Florence Kimie Karimoto
7 Namie Nakamura 16 Shigeru Asaumi
Tsugi Hifumi The Asaumi Family 26 Jirosaku Otani
Yoshizo Muramoto Yukio Nakagawa The Otani & Yanagihara Family
Motoo Muramoto Shiro Fukuda
8 Toshio Higa
The Higa Family 17 Masuyo Shimokawa 27 Taichi Wakagi
Yukie Higashi The Shimokawa Family The Wakagi Family
Tame Ito Kinzaburo Makino Keiko Hanano
The Makino Family Noboru Hirano
9 Haruyo Yanagihara Kazuyo Hashimoto Shigeru Takata
The Yanagihara Family Choshiro Ikuta
Minoru Okawa Tsuchiyo Fujimoto 28 Fukuichi Fukuda
The Okawa Family Reiko Hata Mitsuyo GladysYoshihara
Kishichi Yoshikawa Alfred Akira Tanaka The Goichi Kawamura Family
Kimie Tanaka Tsuru Kuniyuki
Yoshiteru Sakaguchi 18 Reiji Yamane
The Yamane & Harada Families 29 Nobue Kochi
10 Satomi Yamamoto Tsutako Yamanaka
The Yamamoto Family The Yamanaka Family
Kame Uyehara Matsuyo Machida
The Uyehara Family Otome Takara
Michie Watanabe Tomiko “Ruth” Inouye
Jimmy Nestegard Cory Ikuta
Chiyo Tanaka
19 Chozo Kawano
The Kawano Family

12. 8:30am Morning Service Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Everyday February 2013 Phone: 949-3995
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 8:30am Fujinkai Mtg. 4 5 6 7 8 9
10:00am Obetsuji Service 8:30-am Sewing Circle
10:45 am Sunday School
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
10am Nehan-e Family
Service
11:45 am Board Meeting
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
10:00am Sunday Service
8:30 am Sewing Circle
10:45 am Malama Children’s
Choir
24 25 26 27 28
10:30am Fujinkai General
Membership Mtg &
New Year’s Party
10:45 Malama Children’s
Choir
COMING EVENTS: Deadline for O-Toba Orders: April 1
Deadline for Hawaii State Jodo Shu Fujinkin Scholarship:
Spring Higan Service March 24
April 15