Dharma Talks

Good morning, everybody!
I am glad to see you this morning.

Today, we shared the last Sunday service of the year. Did you know there are 52 Sundays in a year? The Sundays that we don't have service here at this temple are when we have the Buddha Day service and the Bodhi Day service both sponsored by the Hawaii Buddhist Council; and the Sunrise Service at the Halona Blow Hole. It means that we have forty nine (49) Sunday Morning Services a year. Regarding the 10:00 o'clock service, we don't have services on two (2) clean-up days and the 5th Sundays in addition to those three (3) Sundays mentioned earlier. It means that we have forty three (43) 10:00 o'clock services on Sunday. We also have the New Year's Day service, the Shin Bon Service, and the New Year's Eve Service on different days. If we add the Sunday morning services, 10:00 o'clock services, and other services held on different days, we host ninety two (92) services at this temple per year. Together, with the Buddha Day, Bodhi Day, and the Blow Hole service, this temple hosts a total of ninety five (95) services in a year. It means that we service our members and friends every three (3) to 4 four (4) days. In addition to the ninety five (95) services, there are funeral services, memorial services, Kito blessings, Weddings, nursing home visitations, hospital visitations, and newsletter mailings. I also host a daily morning service that you are always welcome to join. We sometimes welcome guests from Japan and other locations. Although it may be difficult to see what happens here, this is a super busy temple.

What I talked about are regularly scheduled events. We do them routinely and without hesitation. In 2013, we hosted many special events. In January, I was installed as the 14th head minister of this temple on the New Year's Day. In March, we welcomed Rev. Gakugyo Matsumoto and other kito ministers at our special kito blessing combined with our New Year's party on March 31st. In April, I was appointed the 14th Bishop of Hawaii district of Nichiren Shu on April 1st. The Children's Day Cultural Festival and the AED seminar sponsored by our Fujinkai were held on April 27th. In May, my installation ceremony was held with the help of Minobusan High School students on May 17th. In June, Seishoko Matsuri was resumed when we had memorial service for past Hawaii Nichiren Shu ministers on June 9th. In August, we had the 5th Annual Bon Dance on Aug. 25th. In September, we held the 1st Betsuin conference on Sept. 28th and 29th. In October, Rev. Eisei Ikenaga, Vice-Head minister of this temple, departed for California on Oct. 8th and became the General Manager of the Nichiren Buddhist International Center. We had the 2nd Betsuin Conference on Oct. 12th. All directors were elected on Oct. 13th. In November, a meeting of the steering committee, the governing body of the rainbow conference was resumed on Nov. 17th. The Fujinkai joined the Mayor's Fair and raised big fund on Nov. 23rd. In December, we finally elected our officers on Dec. 8th. Those were the important events for the year 2013 at our temple.

I could not concentrate on my duties in Hawaii until this past October since I had to travel back and forth between Hawaii and California. It was Oct. 5th when my wife came to Hawaii and we finished moving. The year 2012 was a year of business trips for me. I thought that I would never travel so many times again like the year 2012. However, the year 2013 was much busier than 2012. I worried little about myself, but I made it without major health problems. I really appreciate the Buddha, Nichiren Shonin, Ven. & Mrs Ogawa, President Nagai, all members, friends and my wife, Ritsuko.

During this service, I prayed to the Buddha and Nichiren Shonin for power and strength to concentrate on my duties at this temple in the year 2014.

How was the year 2013 for you? Was it a good year? Although it was a very busy year I was very fortunate to come back to Hawaii and see you all. I am very happy to share the last service of the year with you all. Let me express again my deep gratitude. Thank you very much.