August’s Newsletter

August Calendar

August 5 (Sun)

9:00 a.m. Fujinakai Meeting

10:00 a.m. Monthly Kito Service

Sunday School Activity

August 7 (Tue)

10:00 a.m. Avalon Care Center Visitation

August 12 (Sun)

10:00 a.m. Combined Service

11:00 a.m. Directors’ Meeting

August 19 (Sun)

10:00 a.m. Combined Service

August 21 (Tue)

10:00 a.m. Liliha Health Care Visitation

10:30 a.m. Island Nursing Home Visitation

August 26 (Sun)

9:00 a.m. Sudany School Meeting

10:00 a.m. Shodaigyo (Chanting odaimoku)

August 28 (Tue)

9:00 a.m. Newsletter mailing

*Morning Services will be held on

every Sunday from 6:30 a.m.

What is Kaji-Kito?

What is Kaji-Kito? ... Wait, wait. I was supposed to continue explaining why memorial services should be held on the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 23rd, 27th... years, wasn’t I? Yes, I was. In fact, I have read as many books and internet homepages as I could. However, I have still not found the certain answer. I even called my friend in Tokyo, who is teaching at Rissho University (Nichiren-shu’s college) and asked him about this. He told me that that was just tradition and the origin of the numbers are unknown. So, Japanese people have been holding memorial services on 3, 7, 13, 17... years for several hundred years upholding tradition. As long as I know, in Feng Shui (Fu-sui) of China, the number 3 means "live" and the number 7 means "together". If you find a better answer, please kindly let me know. I will also keep trying to find the answer. When I get the answer, I will convey it in this newsletter.

By the way, some members of this mission are holding memorial services for their ancestors every year. It sounds better to get together once a year to remember their ancestors and to make sure everyone is fine, rather than holding memorial services without knowing the origin of the numbers. This may be a nice tradition in Hawaii.

Now, I would like to explain what Ka-ji-Kito is. On the first Sunday of every month, this mission holds the "Monthly Kito Service" and ministers are performing "Kaji-Kito" which means "faith healing". "Kito" literaly means prayer. "Kaji" literaly means incantation. However, Buddhist ministers are not wizards. We do not do magic. Probably "faith healing" is a more appropriate way to express the meaning of "Kaji-Kito". The most important of the Nichiren-shu's Kaji-Kito is faith and compassion based on the Lotus Sutra. Kaji-Kito performers and receivers both must have strong faith to be united in one with the Eternal Buddha and guardians of the Buddha Dharma and must have great compassion to save whoever has problems and sufferings. Sometimes, Kaji-Kito is performed for a kind of exorcism. In that case, also, the Kaji-Kito should work not only for turning such dark souls out of the receiver's body and mind but for convincing such souls to go up to spiritually highter stages by the Buddha's compassion.

During the Kaji-Kito, ministers chant certain phrases of the Lotus Sutra selected by Nichiren Shonin, and write sacred letters in the air with a small wooden sword with juzu (Buddhist rosary). They have sutra scrolls hanging from their necks, which were written by them during 100 days asceticism.

We conduct Kaji-Kito once a month at the mission when we hold the Monthly Kito Service and also do it individually at the mission or at your home whenever requested. Especially, when you have problems, we would do counseling and would be very happy to help you solve the problems with the Buddha’s compassion based on the Lotus Sutra. Feel free to contact us anytime.

NOTICE BOARD

GENERAL MEETING

General meeting will be held on Sunday, July 29 and September 30, 2007 to hold discusssion about the future of the Nichiren Mission. Members are welcom to attend the meeting. If you have any suggestions, opinions, or something that you want to discuss with other members, please attend the meeting. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 29 through 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served.

NOTICE FROM FUJINKAI

The ladies of Nichiren-shu Fujinkai will participate in the City & County Mayor’s Cultural Fair on Saturday, November 10, 2007. Fujinkai is requesting your help and donations of handmade craft items, baked goods, patch work, small plants, and pickeled items. Due to the Board of Health restrictions, bentos and sushi will not be sold. Please see Mrs. Aoki with any questions. Thank you.

Regarding GYO-E

The original meaning of "GYO-E" is a costume of death called "Kyokatabira". Nichiren-shu Buddhists in Japan wear GYO-E when they do Buddhist practices and they feel happy with wearing it when they die.

It is recommended to wear the GYO-E on holy days of Nichiren-shu, which are Buddha’s Nirvana Day on Feb. 15, Nichiren Shonin’s Birthday on Feb. 16, Buddha Day on April 8, Kaishu-e on April 28 and Oeshiki on October 13.

The Editor’s Notes