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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…
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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…
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Mahalo, Butterfly!
“Why am I here?” is answered by pausing to reflect on the wonder of life right in front of you in this moment of your unrepeatable life. NamoAmidaButsu!
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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…
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“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…
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To Vaccine or Not to Vaccine, that is the Question
“To vaccine or not to vaccine, that is the question.” From a Buddhist perspective, there is no question: get the vaccine! Based on the Buddhist principle of ahimsa “non-harm,” protecting oneself and others from infection by receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is intuitively obvious. The Dharma of the Buddha’s Teachings consistently emphasizes causality, empiricism, and logical…
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“A Great Torch in the Dark Night of Ignorance”
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Online Dharma Message on November 1, 2020: “A Great Torch in the Dark Night of Ignorance”. Grateful for the opportunity to give an Online Dharma Message today—because it means I woke up not dead! In reflection, everything in my life has led me to this moment, every person I encountered…
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The Kids Who Said Thank You Too Much
Once upon a time in a magical place called Maui, a beautiful island in the middle of the big blue sea, there lived a little girl and a little boy. Maui was filled with kind and gentle people who always said, “aloha!” with a big smile and gave big friendly hugs. One day, the little…
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It’s not about ME
When a person realizes the mind of non-discrimination, That attainment is the “state of regarding each being as one’s only child” This is none other than Buddha-Nature; We will awaken to it on reaching the land of peace. Shinran Shōnin Hymns of the Pure Land, Verse 97 The…
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SHINJIN IS A VERB, NOT A NOUN: Arigatai, Mottainai, Namo Amida Butsu
Today, I would like to talk about … the “F” word. No, not that “F” word! I would like to talk about “Faith” — which is one of the ways the expression “Shinjin” is translated into English. “Shinjin” is the key doctrinal tenant of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, the core of Shinran’s thinking, and often described…
JUST SAY MAHALO® 