ABOUT THE CHURCH
Aiea Hongwanji Mission is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. The Temple is located at 99-186 Puakala Street in Aiea, Hawaii, USA. The goal of the mission is the propagation of Jodo Shinshu (Mahayana - Pure Land tradition) Buddhism in the Aiea area. Aiea Hongwanji was established in 1902, and has been serving the Aiea community for over a century. In 2002, Aiea Hongwanji celebrated its centennial with education programs and commemoration services.
Jodo Shinshu (Shin) Buddhism
Teaching
Through deep reflective listening of Dharma Messages, attaining the Endowed Awakened Mind of True Entrusting through the working of the Buddha's Primal Vow, we walk the path of life reciting Amida Buddha's Name, Namo Amida Butsu, in joy and gratitude. At the end of life, we are assured of birth in the Pure Land of Enlightenment and thus instantaneous attainment of Buddahood, motivated to return at once to this world of suffering to guide other to awakening.
Way of Life
Guided by the teaching of Shinran Shonin, we listen to the compassionate calling of Amida Buddha (the Buddha Amitabha-Amitayus) and recite "Namo Amida Butsu" the Nembutsu. Always reflecting on ourselves, amidst our feelings of regret and joy, we live expressing our gratitude without depending upon petitionary prayer and superstition.
PurposeThe Hongwanji Sangha is a community of people joined together in revering the Teaching of Shinran Shonin. We seek to share the All-Inclusive Wisdom and All-Embracing Compassion of Amida Buddha. By doing so, we work toward the realization of a world society in which everyone, every being, is able to live a life of spiritual fulfillment.
Message to Members
Annual Dues
Dues for 2019 have increased to $125 for Regular members. Associate members continue to pay only $50 for the year.
If you have moved and/or no longer wish to remain a member, please inform the temple office at 487-2626.
If you are not a member but would like to become one, please contact the temple office at 487-2626.
Annual Obon Dance
Aiea Hongwanji Mission's Bon Dance will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Obon Service will be at 6:00pm
Bon Dance will start at 7:00pm
Minister's Message
Difference between Gojikai Dues and Orei
This is a frequent question. In terms of financial support for a temple, what is the difference between Gojikai membership dues and the traditional system of Orei? If you don't care to read further; the answer to this question is - attitude.
The character rei (礼) was originally a pictograph of a man kneeling and placing an offering on a table. It is a word of many meanings; propriety, good manners, ceremony, politeness, thanks, acknowledgement, etc. It is one of the many translations of the Sanskrit term dana. When an honorific prefix is added to the word, it becomes Orei. Orei then is an expression of gratitude and appreciation. Quite different in attitude is the payment of dues or fees. When one pays dues or fees, the natural question to ask is "What do I get for this?" It is an agreement between giver and receiver, almost contractual in attitude. Orei, on the other hand, is giving as an expression of thanks and appreciation. There are no conditions placed on this giving. In Japan, orei is further divided into more specific terms of giving:
Gobutsuzen – 御仏前 – honorific Buddha-before: Gobutsuzen means placed before the Buddha, and is an offering of money or goods placed on a table in front of the altar of a temple. When visiting other temple, it is customary to make an offering with the word Gobutsuzen on the envelope or goods.
Oiwai –御祝 – honorific celebrate: This is written on the envelope or gift to a person celebrating an anniversary, special occasion, a debut performance, etc.
Orei –御礼 – honorific gratitude: A more general term of thanks for a wide variety of occasions where one wishes to express his appreciation and gratitude. Given the nature of the intent or attitude of giving, there are no set amounts. Since it represents the expression of the giver's feelings, the amount varies with the circumstances of the relationship between the giver and recipient.
In Jodo Shinshu, gratitude is given the status of a religious experience. In the same way that humility is the result of deep self-reflection, it is the same with gratitude. You can not will oneself to be grateful, or humble - no more than you can will oneself to be happy. Gratitude and humility are results of deep self-reflection. Our temples, therefore are not run as a business and those that have tried, have never been successful.
Our unique form of Buddhism depends on the harmony of the Sangha, which we define as the community of fellow-travelers in the Dharma. In the same way that you cannot run your extended family like a business with a managerial hierarchy, wages, job specs, etc., the same goes for a temple sangha. Fundraising, therefore is of the Dana-giving kind. The attitude of Dana, of appreciative giving, has sustain our Sangha for over two thousand years.
Your dues, generous donations and Orei are supporting our Temple, Hawaii Kyodan, Jodo Shinshu and Buddhism. Thank you for your continued support, kindness and spirit of Dana.
Namo Amida Butsu
Rev. Shawn K Yagi
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