Many people ask me why Buddhist people chant something, such as Namu-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo, Namu-Amidabutsu, Namu-Daishi-Henjokongo, etc. Not only Japanese Buddhist but also Korean, Chinese, Tibetan, South East Asians and Indian people chant names of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and gurdian deities.

In Buddhism, to call the name of the worshiped object is very important. There are always three types of practice in Buddhism, which are the body, the mouth and the mind. These are called in Japanese "Shin (body=?), Ku (mouth=?), I (mind=?) no Sango (three practices =??)". If you think of the Buddha and his Dharma, say it with your voice and do it with your body. That's the meaning of the "Shin-Ku-I no Sango"

We chant Namu-myohorengekyo. "Namu" means "I devote myself to...". "Myohorengekyo" means "the Wonderful-Dharma Lotus-flower Sutra". So, the meaning of Namu-myohorengekyo is that I devote myself to the teacings of the Lotus Sutra. It is said that the Lotus Sutra is the highest teaching of the Buddha. Therefore, whenever we think of the Buddha and his highest teaching, we say the name of it and we practice the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.

Foster Garden

The Nichiren Mission of Hawaii received an invitation to Mary Foster Birthday Festival from the Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens which is a non-profit organization supporting these gardens for 46 years. We asked Ms. Carol Adams, a member of the Mission, to attend the festival, and after her attendance, she wrote an article of Foster Garden. We would like to introduce her article here.

On September 22, 2007, I attended the Mary Foster Birthday Festival. The celebration of Mary Foster’s life was held under the Bodhi tree or ficus religiosa located at the Foster Botanical Garden. The program included Taiko drummers, speakers and Hawaiian, Indian and Thai dancers.

This was my first visit to Foster Garden. I was very curious about the Bodhi tree after reading an article about the upcoming festival and Mary Foster’s interest in Buddhism.

The Foster Garden Bo tree is more than 90 years old. It was propagated from a Bo tree planted in 288 B.C. in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Anagarika Dharmapala, a famous Ceylonese Buddhist teacher, presented the cutting to Mary Foster in 1913.

Mary Mikahala Robinson Foster’s interest in Buddhism developed after her first meeting with Dharmapala in 1893. She was very troubled after her husband died and found comfort in Buddhism. She made donations to the Ceylonese Bodhi Society, the temple at Bodh Gaya in India and funded the Foster-Robinson Hospital for the Poor, which today is part of Colombo General Hospital in Sri Lanka. In Hawaii, Foster funded a small Buddhist temple on Fort Lane and gave land on Pali Highway to the Honpa Hongwanji Mission.

When I first saw the Bo tree, I was disappointed. At a glance, the tree did not look healthy because its tall and twisted large trunk looked very dry. The tree is growing unevenly and is leaning to the right. The left side of the tree seems to be missing altogether. However, as I sat under this Bo tree for the two-hour program, its beauty suddenly struck me. The Bo tree stands tall and its green leaves are very distinctive with its heart-shape and extended tip. I found myself feeling at peace and very relaxed as the leaves fluttered in the gentle breeze. The leaves made its own melodic sounds.

There are three other Bo trees in Honolulu. They are located at Honolulu Myohoji Mission on Nuuanu Avenue, on the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus and at Jodo Mission on Makiki Street.

Third Dharma Circle

The Third Dharma Circle will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. We are planning to hold a short Shodaigyo practice, English chanting of the Lotus Sutra and discussion with coffee, tea and refreshment.

At this time, we are planing to share how Buddha Shakyamuni could leave his castle to pursue the truth of life at the discussion. Why do you think he left his casle and family? It’s going to be an interesting discussion. Please feel free to attend the Dharma Circle. You are alway welcom.

Eitaikyo Service

Eitaikyo means "perpetal memorial service". The service is held for the deceased persons who have been registered on our perpetual memorial list. The name of each deceased person will be called and prayers given to rest in peace. If you have any questions about the Eitaikyo, please feel free to contact the temple office.

Notice From Fujinkai

Schedule of the Mayor’s Craft Fair, which our Fujinkai was planning to participate, has been changed from Sat. Nov. 10 to Sat. Nov. 17, 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.

Address Change

To assure that all of our mailings reach you properly, please notify us if our address labels need changes. Corrections and updates are appreciated.

Donation for flowers and fruits

We, Nichiren Mission of Hawaii, would like to ask members to make monetary donation for flowers and fruits on the temple’s altar. Although Fujinkai has been making monthly donation for fruits on the altar for a long time, the price of fruits has been much higher than before and so are flowers.

If you could put your little effort to do the practice of charity, which is one of the bodhisattva’s six practices, we would sincerely appreciate it.

$50.00 for fruits on the altar for two weeks

We issue the receipt for the donation which is tax deductible.

Special New Year’s Basket (Fund Raiser)