April Calendar

10:00 a.m. Buddha Day Service

1:00 p.m. KUMIHIMO Class

at Ala Moana Park Pavilion

11:00 a.m. Directors’ Meeting

(Service to commemorate establishment of Nichiren-shu Denomination)

10:00 a.m. KUMIHIMO Class

*Morning Services will be held every Sunday from 6:30 a.m. except April 13 and 27.

Questions & Answers on Buddhism (2)

- Ask anything about Buddhism and Nichiren-shu -

Q: Tell me about the history of the Aragyo (100 days’ rigorous ascetic exercises of Buddhism).

A: This month’s question is big. The Aragyo begins from November 1st and ends on February 10th every year. This schedule was set in the month of May in 1876.

The origin of the Aragyo was that Nichizo Shonin (1269-1342) chanted the Lotus Sutra Chapter XVI at the Yuigahama Beach in Kamakura for 100 days during the winter to recomfirm his decision to spread the daimoku (Namu-Myohorengekyo) in Kyoto, which was the capital city of Japan at the time.

Nichizo Shonin first became a disciple of Nichiro Shonin, who was one of Nichiren Shonin’s six important disciples. Right before Nichiren Shonin passed away at Ikegami in Tokyo, Nichizo Shonin was a boy and was given a mission to spread the daimoku in Kyoto in the future by Nichiren Shonin himself. So, Nichizo Shonin also became a disciple of Nichiren Shonin after that.

During the Aragyo, priests wake up at 2:45 a.m. and pour cold water on themselves while chanting the sutra seven times a day (3:00 a.m., 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.). Between the water purification ceremonies, they chant the Lotus Sutra in the very cold temple building. Of course they eat, but only twice a day and a simple bowl of rice porridge, a bowl of miso soup and a few slices of pickles are served at 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. According to my experience, it takes only 30 seconds to finish the meal...

NOTICE BOARD

Change on Newsletter

From this month on, we will send you our newsletter only in English. It is because there are only a few Japanese readers and we will be able to save postal costs. The Japanese version of our newsletter is only sent to Japanese readers and also is available for anyone who asks for their interest, study or reference.

Eighth Dharma Circle

The Eighth Dharma Circle will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. We are planning to hold a short Shodaigyo practice, English chanting of the Lotus Sutra and the Lotus Sutra study class with refreshments. This month, we would like to start sharing with you the study class of the Lotus Sutra. This month, we will study the second chapter of the sutra. Please feel free to attend the Dharma Circle. You are always welcome.

KUMIHIMO Class

A KUMIHIMO Classes will be held on Sunday, April 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 29 after the newsletter mailing. Mrs. Carol Nagano, who studied the KUMIHIMO in Japan, will instruct the class.

The KUMIHIMO has a lot of potential to develop itself in Hawaii and U. S.. It is also good chance for people to learn a Japanese cultural art.

The number of attendees will be limited because of the limited number of tools. If you are interested in attending the class, please let Rev. Imai know.

Invitationfor Buddha Day Service

Hawaii Buddhist Council would like to invite you to the Buddha Day Service as written in the enclosed letter from HBC.

We, Nichiren Mission, will be attending the service and also after the service, we have decided to sing songs on the Pavilion’s stage to celebrate Buddha’s birthday.

Whoever wants to participate in the singing, please let Rev. Imai know. Your volunteer and cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Kaishu-e (Sunrise Service)

We annually hold the Kaishu-e Service (service to commemorate establishment of Nichiren-shu denomination), which is called the Sunrise Service, at Halona Blowhole on the last Sunday of April with ministers and members of Honolulu Myohoji Temple and Wahiawa Nichiren Mission. However, Halona Blowhole will closed from April 14 through September this year. Therefore, we have to change the place to hold this year’s service.

Please contact Rev. Imai if you are planning to attend the service to make sure where the service will be held.

Appreciation for Higan help

We had a great UDON noodle luncheon after the Spring Higan Service held on March 23, 2008. Nichiren Mission would like to thank all helpers of UDON noodle preparation.

Ohagi was also prepared by Mr. Keith Nagai and offered for the altar. Thank you.

Especially, we are happy to see all of Fujinkai members enjoying the UDON noodles. They did a great deed for the Buddha and Nichiren Shonin for a long time. Thank you very much.

Children, pay attention!!