Autumn Equinox Higan Service

Rev. Eric Tatsuo Matsumoto -Shaku Horaku

Good evening. Welcome to our Autumn Equinox Higan Service. First, I want to thank these Rennyo Shonin who attended Rennyo Shonin Godoza Service at Hilo Betsuin last night. I believe we had a wonderful celebration. The Japanese were so impressed with the service - the chanting of the complete Shoshinge & Wasan. The combination of the English & Japanese recitation of the Gobunsho I for one, almost choked with tears when we were singing Ondokusan and Nembutsu because everyone was singing so loud with pride and you could feel the sincerity.

Overall , the service including the procession led by a Hawaiian Chanter was very unique. This year is the first time that know of that we incorporated local a Hawaiian element into the service portion. We had a combination of English for Shinshu Pledge, Hawaiian-chant, Chinese-Shoshinge, Japanese for Wasan -poems, Gobunsho, Indian Sanskrit & Pali for chant , Vandana-Tisarana, Service including last night -very unique, very cosmopolitan after you think about it. What else is happening in this area? Papaaloa Hongwanji Fujinkai is learning a Buddhist Hula, Honokaa Hongwanji is in the process of making the first Hawaiian Quilt Uchishiki (this triangular cloth) for its altar to name a few. Buddhism started in India, went on to China, Korea, Japan. But it doesn't have to stop at Japan. We are now in Hawaii, America and Buddhism, our religion, must move forward, If we stand still we will die /disappear. And furthermore, we are newer too old or too young. Shinran Shonin lived to be 90 years old. Even at age 87, he was still writing things. Rennyo Shonin too lived to be 85 years old. Until the day he dead was very active. But geeing back to last night's activities, the Rennyo Shonin Display , by our 4 Temples Paauilo, Honokaa, Kamuela & Kohala was a success. We received so many comments about it. In fact, I have requested from like Hilo Betsuin, Puna Hongwanji that they would like to use it at their temples on a special occasion so more of their members can see it and learn about Rennyo Shonin. I have to thank you for leeing me work on it. As I told some other, its only with the understanding of the members like you - that its important to have something like the display that the minister can put in the time and effort tot create something that many people can benefit from, If you were to say, "No Sensei, waste time making a display, nobody will look at it". -I wouldn't be able to make it. But with your support and encouragement, I can make something like the display - so I asked them, please don't thank only me, please thank the 4 temple- we are trying to practice our slogan "Work Together, Grow Together -In the spirit of Rennyo Shonin"

Then, there was the food & the entertainment prepared and planned by Hilo Betsuin. Rev. Kuniyuki's 4 temples were in charge of hospitality- greeting the Japanese goroup that brought the 500 year old statue of Rennyo Shonin. Kona Hongwanji was in charge of the transportation and that 2 buses came from Kona through Waimea and Hamakua. Except for Kona, because of us, b lly. I'm very happy to say from our 4 temples Kohala, Kamuela, Honokaa, & Paauilo we had over 50 people attending the service including Dharma School students from Paauilo & Honokaa, I'm very proud to be your minister and to see increasing participation by our 4 temples. And you know what people form the other temples are noticing, it as I explained to Kohala Hongwanji, I think what happens is you become like a stimulus. For many years, Kohala was not too involved in Island wide activities, but recently they hosted j the Big Island lay convention k participated in the Gatha Fest last year l Dharma School & Boy Scout study class going on, m their Bon -Dance too is growing every year. And n They are the first temple in the state to complete their BSC Project Fund.

They may not fully realize it, but after people are getting excited, go kind of excited our what is happening and that way others will feel like they need to do more.

In this way, what we do in our own local area really can help, motivate other people, and to other areas. The Big Island, to me, is a very unique place - in that religion is very strong here. You can see the proof when we have activities including services - the people come out and are willing to help and donate. Even and on Oahu in general many of the very act we member were born on the Big Island. In the min circlue we have 3 ministers here on this Island, Rev. Hatta, Rev. Nagao and Rev. Tsuge. We have 3 active ministers state wide who are from Big Island, Rev. Nakamura, Rev. Urasaki and myself and 3 other ministers although not born here have very strong ties with Big Island. Rev. Kuniyuki, soon the Rev. Reynolds Fujikawa, and Rev. Midori Kondo. I think this all says something. Big Island, we can make a difference We have made a difference! And it doesn't have to stop. I know we are getting older and smaller but now this 500th anniversary of Rennyo Shonin is the opportunity for us to grow once again, to move forward. In 10-20 years it will definitely be too late, but right now we can do it and Rennyo Shonin, I think, would encourage us and that would be the best way to remember him - more so then just having a memorial service for him.

And as Rennyo Shonin stressed let me quote him. The prosperity of greatness of our Jodo Shinshu is membership count or how grand an appearance we can make, but whether even if it there is one person who realizes Shinjin that is the true well-being of Shin Buddhism. When we look at Rennyo Shannon's life and all the people the touched we see what can happen when even a few people attain Shinjin. Rennyo Shonin there his own example was able to inspire so many people. He turned Hongwanji from a fewly hardly anybody know about to an organization that even the emperor, the Shogun, the daimyo's - the whole country couldn't ignore. What we have in the case of Rennyo Shonin is both quality and quantity. And he congteanly stressed the quality of life. Simply put the meaning of "the quality of life" is that he emphasized we have to know our religion. In order to share our religion, in order live / pro our religion, we have to know our religion, - this comes out over and over in his writings- his Gobunsho and memo.

Having said this, I want to slowly close by saying - especially to the Dharma

Some of you are coming because you want to, because you are beginning realize that the Teachings of the Buddha are important and can really help us in our life.

Since, this is the stating new year, I want tot tell you my wish for the year I want everybody her to see the Buddha Teachings anywhere you go or in any place you are at. Of course, when you come here to the Temple or Dharma School you listen to a Dharma Message, you see the a harbut I want you to be able to see the Buddha, hear the Buddha's Teachings even when you are not physically here at church.

Rev. Eric Matsumoto is the Resident minister at Honokaa Hongwanji, also in charge of Kamuela, Kohala & Paauilo Hongwanji. He was born and raised in Kona, Hawaii, graduated from University of Hawaii at Hilo and Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan with Master's degree of Shin Buddhism. He is a member of Hawaii International Buddhist, a board member of North Hawaii Hospice and a board member of North Hawaii Community Hospital.

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