2. O-Bon Service Schedule
O-Bon Services will be held as follows:
Friday, July 12 - 10:00 am (Hatsubon Families Only)
2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Saturday, July 13 - 10:00 am (Hatsubon Families Only)
2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sunday, July 14 - 10:00 am
Sign up for O-Bon Service will begin 1 hour before 2 pm and 7 pm services.
This is on a first come first serve basis. NO phone orders will be taken.
Closing Service will be on Sunday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. followed by releasing of rain-
bow pigeons to lead our ancestors’ spirits to the Pure Land. Cleanup will begin shortly
thereafter.
Parking Attendants Needed: We are in need of at least 6 parking attendants for each 2
pm and 7 pm service. Please call Jodo Mission at 949-3995 if you are able to help direct
cars to parking spaces. We appreciate your help.
O-Toba Service Appointments: If you wish to have prayers offered in
front of your O-Toba, appointments will be accepted from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
from Wednesday July 3 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2013.
Offering of Rice: During O-Bon Services it is customary to offer a bag of
rice. However, monetary donations in lieu of rice are acceptable. “Rice” en-
velopes are available in the office. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sr. YBA O-Bon Flower Sale: Please help the Sr. YBA by purchasing a beautiful potted
chrysanthemum ($2.00 each). NO phone orders will be taken. Thank you for your support.
Friday, July 12: 9:00 am to 7:30 pm Saturday, July 13: 9:00 am until supply runs out
Rainbow Pigeons to the Pure Land: For the safety of our members
and ministers, we will release rainbow pigeons to lead our ancestors'
spirits to the Pure Land instead of going out to sea at night for three
miles by boat. This is the finale of our O-Bon services and on Sunday,
July 14 at 11:00 a.m. in the front yard of our temple. Everybody is
welcome. Come and join us in this beautiful ceremony!
Offerings at your O-Toba: The space allowed for each O-Toba is approximately 5.5
inches width and 7 inches in depth. SEE page 1 for sample offerings. Most people will offer
foods that the deceased liked, i.e. flowers, fruits, mochi, candies, somen for long generation
life, cucumber and eggplant . [SEE also pages 3 and 4 for more info.]
Page 2
3. O-BON—Additional Information
Without our ancestors we would not be here today. Thus, we honor them during O-Bon.
With our sincere prayer, our beloved ones who have departed from us can have peaceful re-
pose of their souls. Also, we can spend thankful and harmonious moment with our ancestors
who have done so much for us.
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Page 3
Cucumber & Eggplant Dolls During O-Bon
Please do not be surprised if you see some form of the Cucum-
ber Horse and the Eggplant Cow around O-Bon season [right
photo from internet]. With a Cucumber, add legs with sticks to
make a horse for your ancestors to return quickly from the Pure
Land. Make a cow with an Eggplant using sticks for your an-
cestors to slowly return to the Pure Land. In some places in
Japan, these Cucumber and Eggplant dolls are made and placed at the front door to welcome your
ancestors on the first day of O-Bon and on the second day placed at the family altar. On the last
day, the dolls are taken to the river to carry the ancestors back to the Pure Land. But they are nev-
er thrown in the river.
Parking Lot Repaving: July 22 to August 1
There will be no services held at Jodo Mission due to
the repaving of our parking lot.
As you can see, we have done a lot of patch work here
and there to cover holes due to rain. We are finally going to
repave our entire parking lot. Anyone needing to
have memorial services held during this period will
be asked to schedule them either before or after
these dates.
We apologize for this inconvenience but we do
want to complete this job before our next big event which is the Bon
Dance in August and before more rain comes in winter. Thank you very
much for your patience!
4. Bits of Knowledge of Buddhism
Vol. 27 A Story of Family Ties (July 2013)
By Rev. Yasushiro Watanabe
Beginning in May ministers write O-Toba almost every day. The Bon
service and Bon dance are the most familiar events to us. Today, I’d like to
talk about the origin of the Bon service. It is coming soon!
This is the story. St. Mokuren was one of the greatest students of Sakyamuni
Buddha. Mokuren developed a special ability to see through everything everywhere.
One day he looked for his late mother and found her in the hungry ghosts’ world. She
was reduced to skin and bones. What happened to her? Mokuren was very upset. He
tried to feed her, but he couldn’t. The food changed into ash just before she ate it.
How could he save his mother? He rushed to Buddha asking for his instruction.
Buddha said to Mokuren, “The monks have finished 90 days of training and will
hold a meeting on July 15. If you entertain them with a delicious meal, I’m sure that
your mother’s sins will be taken away and she will be rescued from the hungry ghosts’
world.” Mokuren followed Buddha’s teaching and served food to the monks. As ex-
pected, his mother was released from her suffering. Buddha also said, “On the same
day, you should offer food and drink to your ancestors and your family. If you do so,
I’m sure that your ancestors will be saved and your present family will enjoy a healthy
and long life.” This is the original story of the Bon Service. According to Buddha’s
words, every summer we hold the Bon service to show our respect and thanks for our
family and ancestors.
You might have a question about this story. How come Mokuren’s mother fell
into the world of hungry ghosts? It is a hell of starvation. A hungry ghost is punished
for his/her bad deeds. Was his mother bad? I don’t think so. She must have been a
good mother. However, Buddha teaches us that our destiny depends on our deeds in
this world. If so, what did she do in her life?
She raised her son to be successful. I guess, paradoxically, that’s why she fell
into the world of hungry ghosts. As every parent knows, raising children is not always
easy. The mother gave lots of love to Mokuren. A life in those days was more difficult
than today. She was sometimes too strict with her son. She sometimes committed a
sin to protect her son. I’m afraid that she devoted all of her energy to raising Mokuren
and happened to break a Buddhist rule in her hard life.
St. Mokuren realized the truth about his mother’s terrible situation. He remem-
bered that his mother had worked hard to raise him. He was living a peaceful life be-
cause of his mother’s devotion. So, Mokuren thought that he was responsible for his
mother’s suffering and he should do everything to save her.
In this way, the story of the Bon service tells us how much our mothers love us.
This is a good opportunity to show thanks for our parents and grandparents. It’s also a
good chance to give love to our children and grandchildren. During the Bon season, I
hope that you remember the link between your family members and have a wonderful
time with your family.
Page 4
5. HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES
for Your Loved Ones’ Date of Passing
In Buddhism, memorial services are
observed on the date of passing, which comes
every year, and at the anniversaries, which
come every 4-6 years (please refer to the chart
of anniversaries as posted on the right).
At the memorial services, the family offers
flowers, food and incense to Amida Buddha
and their loved ones. Of course these offer-
ings are meritorious, but it is most required
that the family willingly recite “Namu Amida
Butsu (I take refuge in Amida Buddha)” bear-
ing sincerity toward the deceased person. It is
an opportunity for the family not only to
honor the deceased person but also to clarify
the meaning of their lives, by learning the im-
permanent nature of life and appreciating the
link of lives of their ancestors. Service can be
observed at Jodo Mission of Hawaii or at your
home altar.
ANNIVERSARIES –2013
Anniversaries Year of Passing
1st year 2012
3rd 2011
7th 2007
13th 2001
17th 1997
23rd 1991
25th 1989
27th 1987
33rd 1981
37th 1977
43rd 1971
47th 1967
50th 1964
100th 1914
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PHOTOS: YBA CONVENTION HELD ON MAUI
June 7, 8, 9, 2013
Members at Lahaina Jodo Mission prepar-
ing for barbeque banquet!
Maui was the host island for the recent YBA Convention.
Above is a group photo at the Wailuku Jodo Mission. Oahu
YBA members: Jo Ann Matsuo, Akiko Nishiyama, Peggy and
Clifford Miyamoto attended with Rev. Yubun Narashiba.
Everyone enjoyed themselves and renewed old friendships
among the Jodo Shu members! Page 5
6. Obituaries
The Jodo Mission of Hawaii extends its sincere
condolences to the family members and loved ones of
the following members who have recently left this
world for the Pure Land.
Mitsuko Takemoto 97
Misao Sumi 92
Minoru “Mino” Sanemitsu 87
Rose Kikue Hata 96
Jodo Mission Office Hours:
Monday to Saturday
8am—5pm
Sunday & Holidays
8am—3pm
Phone: 949-3995
Website: www.jodo.us
Rev. Yubun Narashiba
Head Minister
Rev. Kanjun Nakano
Resident Minister
Rev. Dwight
Nakamura
Retired MinisterPage 6
Rev. Yasuhiro
Watanabe
2013 BON DANCE SCHEDULE
OF JODO SHU TEMPLES
Island Temple Phone No. Dates Times
Oahu Betsuin 949-3995 Aug 16 to 17 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Haleiwa 637-4382 July 26 to 27 7/26: 8 pm – 10 pm
7/27: 8 pm – 11 pm
Big Island
[Hawaii]
Kurtistown
Call Rev. Miyazaki
(808) 935-6996
August 3 8:00 pm
Hilo July 12 to 13 7/12: 7:30 pm
7/13: 8:00 pm
Hakalau August 17 8:00 pm
Hamakua
Call Rev. Wansa
(808) 775-0965
August 10 6:30 pm
Kohala July 13 6:30 pm
Hawi August 3 6:30 pm
Maui Kahului Call Rev. John Hara
(808) 244-0066
August 10 7:00 pm
Wailuku June 28 7:00 pm
Lahaina (808) 661-4304 July 6 7:00 pm
Kapaa (808) 822-4319 August 2 to 3 7:30 pmKauai
Koloa (808) 742-6735 July 5 to 6 7:30 pm
7. 1 Kichi Yanagisawa
The Yanagisawa Family
Yone Ishida
Yoshikazu Kakimoto
2 Toyo Tojo
The Tojo Family
Tsune Uchiumi
Minoru Shigeta
Kikuyo Gonhata]
Ellen Kimiko Hedani
3 Tamayo Yanagihara
Robert Yoshimura
4 Setsuyo Sugihara
The Sugihara Family
Sumiyo Yamanaka
Kajo Teruya
Isami Yoshikawa
The Yoshikawa Family
Kajo Teruya
The Yamanaka Family
Masaru Taira
5 Asao Takara
Shige Ikeda
Fred Yutaka Sakuda
Donna Haruko Furutani
6 Takaichi Hamada
The Hamada Family
Miki Ajimura
The Ajimura Family
Takezo Ishida
Yosuke Mitsutani
7 Hisa Akimoto
Taki Ishimoto
Seiji Ogawa
Kenneth Sugio Ito
8 Yoshio Furumoto
Kamado Takara
Hiroshi Arakawa
Sueko Kiyama
Shigeko Shimamoto
9 Kameichi Okamura
Matsuyo Kamioka
Kumataro Gonhata
Masashi Kimura
10 Tatsu Yanagihara
The Yanagihara Family
Shina Kaya
The Kaya & Shimazaki
Family
Keizo Nagata
The Nagata Family
Yojiro Yamashina
Ukichi Nakano
Fuji Kitagawa
11 Toyo Nanbu
The Nanbu Family
Fusa Murakami (2)
The Murakami Family
The Yamamoto Family
Shigeyo Ipponsugi
Iwao Asaumi
12 Hideo Higashi
Kamesaburo Gushiken
Akiyo Yano
Morio Yanagihara
Toshiji Oka
13 Kazuichi Akimoto
Bunji Aoki
The Aoki Family
Toki Yamamoto
The Yamamoto Family
Setsuyo Nitta
Yai Ouchi Watanabe
Sadako Asaumi
14 Takao Amano
Kanichi Morita
Fukutaro Nagata
Haya Kamimura
Kazuo Kamimura
Kanichi Morita
15 The Nakagawa Family
The Koike Family
The Fujisue Family
Doris Chiyoko Hayashi
Florence Satoko Law
16 The Juichi Yamada
Family
The Fujii Family
The Shikata Family
The Nishii Family
The Okazaki Family
Haruo Okahara
The Okahara Family
R. Toyoji Tominaga
Tetsuichi Umemoto
17 Ito Tanimura
The Tanimura Family
Kome Nishiguchi
The Nishiguchi Family
Takiko Amakawa
Yumei Uyehara
Tomoe Yoshioka
18 Hisako Fujihana
The Fujihana Family
Seiji Nakagawa
Miyoji Aoki
Masutaro Kunihisa
Tokiyo Masaki
Masaaki Maruichi
Okiyo Matsumoto
Matsu Sadoyama
19 Misae Higashihara
Thomas Tamotsu
Hamada
20 Gonshichi Shintaku
Fukuji Ikeda
Katsumi Imada
Ayako Hibi
21 Shigeru Nakata
Usuke Oda
Kamekichi Toyofuku
22 Keisuke Kimura
The Kimura Family
Takeo Matsunaga
Motohiro Tanimura
Matsuyo Miyagi
23 June Junko Yamashita
Keizo Oda
Sadako Kishimoto
24 Masako Narahara
25 Matsuno Mishina
The Mishina Family
Masuo Yanagihara
The Yanagihara Family
The Kimura Family
The Weiss Family
(Stillborn)
26 Naosuke Nakamoto
The Nakamoto &
Sakagawa Family
Toshio Fujimoto
The Fujimoto Family
27 Sakutaro Koyama
The Koyama Family
Sayoko Takaoka
Hatsu Maruichi
Yoichiro Watanabe
Yone Tarumoto
28 Koichi Ogi
Sadamu Iwamoto
Miyoko Ohara
Darin Sueo Furutani
Fumiko Iwamoto
29 Kansuke Yano
The Yano, Konaka &
Hayashi Family
Mitsuo Sakakibara
Chiya Wada
Pauine Aiko Nakamura
30 Noriaki Masuda
The Masuda & Asamura
Family
Kinosuke Kitamura
The Kitamura Family
Toshisuke Iwamoto
Noriaki Masuda
Matsuo Hirayasu
Bishop Shutesu
Miyamoto
31 Haruo Nakano
Kameyo Hayashi
Usano Yamane
Katsumi Yano
Evelyn Chieko Fujita
EITAIKYO (Perpetual Memorial Service) for July