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Category: dharma talks

  • BAT IN A BIRD NEST

    In the Children’s Dharma Story Time on October 24, 2021, Barkley the Dog and Lucy the Lady Bug shared the classic book, Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon, a book I fondly remember reading to our son. Stellaluna teaches a profound lesson about harmony: living together despite our differences.   Stellaluna is a fruit bat, who is…

  • The Masks We Wear: Halloween 2021

    (Minister Message, Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Newsletter, October 2021) Twelve months have passed since the Makawao Buddhist Temple hosted its first (and supposed to be only) “in-person distanced trick-or-treat” Halloween Fun Day in October 2020. This was first time in months we were able to welcome back on temple grounds our precious keiki, Dharma School…

  • The Relativity of Happiness

    https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js Dharma Talk at Makawao Hongwanji on September 12, 2021 To realize shinjin oneself and to guide others to shinjin Is among difficult things yet even more difficult. To awaken beings everywhere to great compassion Is truly to respond in gratitude to the Buddha’s benevolence. —Shinran Shōnin, Chapter on True Shinjin in the Pure Land…

  • Living the Life of Ingratitude

    Living the Life of Ingratitude Lacking even small love and small compassion, I cannot hope to benefit sentient beings. Were it not for the ship of Amida’s Vow, How could I cross the ocean of painful existence? —Shinran Shōnin, Gutoku’s Hymns of Lament and Reflection, CWS I, page  In today’s Dharma Story Time, the wonderful…

  • Happy Sons & Daughters Day!

    In reflection, a father is a father only because of his sons and daughters. Rev. Kerry shares how he truly came to appreciate just how hard his father worked when he was brought to see his own son work so hard to provide for his children. Happy Sons & Daughters Day! Mahalo for allowing me…

  • Put on your Amida Face!

    Dharma Talk at Makawao Hongwanji, Maui, Hawaiʻi, on June 13, 2021. 「和諺愛語」”Wa Gen Ai Go” is an excerpt from the Sutra of the Tathagata of Immeasurable Life that refers the “peaceful countenance” and “gentleness in speech” of Amida Buddha with all people regardless of wealth, power, or education. Rev. Kerry shares a story about how…

  • “A Mother’s Tears” Memorial Day Dharma Talk 2021

    Rev. Kerry reflects upon the Dharma reality-as-it-is that Memorial Day begins and ends with “A Mother’s Tears”. Full text of the Dharma Talk is below the video. This Dharma Talk was recorded LIVE FROM MAKAWAO! at Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on Maui on May 30, 2021. Let us live happily then, hating none while in…

  • Nembutsu Smiles

    Let us begin by reflecting upon the wisdom, the Dharma, of Shinran Shōnin, founder of Jodo Shin Buddhism and the Hongwanji tradition. Persons who truly realize shinjinas they say Amida’s NameBeing mindful of Buddha always,Wish to respond in gratitude to the great benevolence. Shinran ShōninHymns of the Dharma Ages, verse 30The Collected Works of Shinran,…

  • Baby Buddha’s Birthday Party: The Story of Hanamatsuri

    Dharma Talk for Children at Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Historic Makawao Town on the beautiful island of Maui in the great State of Hawaiʻi. Ever wonder why we pour “sweet tea” over a statue of the Baby Buddha in a “flower palace” for “Hanamatsuri” every year? Rev. Kerry explains the meaning and significance of…

  • The Pain is ME: You’re Only Human

    Aloha kakou! Aloha everyone! Ohayo gozaimasu! Good morning! Let’s begin with wisdom of Shinran Shōnin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu. My fervent wish is this: Whether monk or layperson, when on board the ship of the great compassionate Vow, let pure shinjin be the favorable wind, and in the dark night of ignorance, let the…