The Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms (Explanations of the Ten Realms)

December 2019

SACRED WORDS

There is no difference between the Buddha-Land and Saha-World (this world). It is called in different term depending on our mind, either good or bad. It can be said in the same way with ordinary person and a Buddha. When we are confused, we are ordinary people while when we are enlightened, we are Buddhas. A good example is a mirror. When a mirror is polished well, it looks a jewel, while a dusty mirror looks like our confused mind. If you shine the dirty mirror of your mind, you will obtain a supreme mind. How to shine your mind? Just chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

Nichiren Shonin, “Issho Jobutsu Sho”

聖語

浄土と言い穢土（エド）と言っても土地に二つの違いがあるのではなく、ただ、我々の心が善か悪かによるのです。衆生というのも仏というのも同じで、迷う時は衆生と名付け、悟った時を仏と名付けるのです。譬えば曇った鏡を磨けば玉となります。一念無明の迷う心は汚れた鏡です。これを磨けば必ず法性真如の明鏡と成ります。深く信心をおこして、朝夕、日夜怠らす磨きなさい。どのようにして心を磨くかと言うと、ただ南無妙法蓮華経と唱えれば良いのです。

日蓮聖人「一生成仏鈔」

The Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms

Rev. Shokai Kanai

When we look inward, we have at least ten emotions such as anger, laughter, hate, love, want, giving, bullying, helping, learning, and enlightening Dharma. Mandala is a symbol of the world of Buddha's Enlightenment. As an object of faith, the main image (Gohonzon) is placed in the most respectable place of a temple or home. In other words, "Ten Realms of Mandala Gohonzon" is the same as this page photograph and is the object of the most precious faith that should be enshrined in the center and the upper part of the Buddhist altar of your house. In the center of the main image is written in large letters as Na-Mu Myo-Ho Ren-Ge Kyo. The letter of this subject is written in a special typeface, and the line extends from each character. These lines represent rays of the Odaimoku. In other words, the world of enlightenment of the Lotus Sutra is the way that all people and the whole world are saved from the Hell realm to the Buddha realm.

The names of the ten realms are Buddha, Bodhisattva, Self-Attainment, Dharma Listener, Heavenly Beings, Human Beings, Fighting Spirits, Animal, Hungry Ghost, and Hell. The names representing each realm are written on this scroll. The Realm of Buddha is a world of enlightened people, the Realm of Bodhisattva is the world of people helping others. "Do you help others?” If your answer is “Yes!” you are a Bodhisattva. The realm of Self-Attainment are the people who are studying or meditating on their own. The realm of Dharma-Listener is the people who attend Sunday services, funerals, and memorial services. The Heavenly Beings is the world of the people who enjoy doing what they want to do for the most part. Human Beings is the world of a normal person who suffer but also enjoy life. The realm of Fighting Spirit is a world where people enjoy by defeating the other party, by playing sports, and watching them. Many people are happy when their favorite team wins the game. The Animal realm is a world that the people behave like an animal. The Hungry Ghost realm is the world where the people who are unbearable and want more than necessary. The Hell realm is the world where the people are always angry and hateful. Did you notice that all of us have these ten realms of emotion? Thus, the Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms is the mirror of your mind.

Nichiren Dai’ Shonin says, "When you suffer you can be called an ordinary man like a dusty mirror. When you attain Enlightenment, you can call yourself a Buddha. If you ask me how to shine the mirror? Just chant Odaimoku, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.”

If you can say, "My faith is Nichiren Sect. When I die, I would like to have my funeral service in the Nichiren Sect tradition." If you can commit to that, please be sure to have the Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms and hold an eye-opening ceremony by a Nichiren Sect priest. If you don't have a Buddhist altar, you can put the Gohonzon on a wall of the most respectable place in your house. Please prepare a table or shelf placing a candle, an incense burner, flowers and water under the Gohonzon. The person who gets up first every morning offers new water, offers incense and chant the Odaimoku at least three times, and pray "Thank you for watching us again today.” At night, you may drink the water before going to bed, or give it to your plants, or put it in your pet’s drinking bowl. The dog and cat that drink the water will become a Buddha, too. Please say before sleeping, "Thank you for your patronage today!" If each member of the family has the habit of chanting and thanking each other in front of the Gohonzon, then everyone will be blessed, and your family will always be happy at home.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

十界マンダラご本尊

金井勝海

　私たちの心を内観してみると、怒る、笑う、憎む、愛する、欲しがる、施す、いじめる、助ける、学ぶ、悟るなど少なくとも十の感情をもっています。マンダラとは仏様の悟りの世界を象徴した姿です。本尊とは信仰の対象として、お寺や自宅の一番尊いとこに安置するものです。つまり「十界マンダラご本尊」とは、1ペイジの写真と同じで、日蓮宗のお寺と信徒の家の仏壇の中央、上部におまつりしてある一番尊い信仰の対象です。ご本尊の中央に大きな字で南無妙法蓮華経と書かれています。このお題目の字は特別の書体で書かれ各文字から線が伸びてぃます。この線は光明をあらわしています。すなわち、お題目で地獄界から仏界まで全ての人々と世界中が救われる姿が法華経の悟りの世界です。

このご本尊には先ほど述べた十の感情を持つ仏界、菩薩界、縁覚界、声聞界、天上界、人間界、修羅界、畜生界、餓鬼界、地獄界の代表者の名前が書かれています。仏界は悟りを開いた人びとの世界、菩薩界は人助けをする人びとの世界、あなたは人助けをしていますか？「はい！」と答えた人は菩薩です。縁覚は自分で勉強したり、瞑想したりしている時の心です。声聞界は日曜礼拝や葬式、法事に参列して聞法している時の心です。この法話を読んで下さっている皆さんは今声聞界に居るのです。天上界とは自分が一番したいことをして楽しんでいる時の心です。人間界とは、悩み苦しみ、また楽しみもある通常の人の心です。修羅界とはスポーツをしたり観戦したりして相手を負かして楽しむ心です。畜生界とは人間でありながら動物のように逃げ隠れして理性が利かなくなっている心です。餓鬼界とは必要以上に欲しくてたまらない時の心です。地獄界とは、顔を赤くしたり、青くして怒り、憎しんでいる時の心です。人間はこれらの十の心を皆がそなえている事に気づきましたか。

日蓮大聖人は「迷う時は凡夫と名付け、悟る時をば仏と名付けたり。いかようにして迷う心を磨いたらよいかと尋ねれば、南無妙法蓮華経と唱え奉るを磨くと申すなり」とおっしゃっておられます。

　「私の信仰は日蓮宗です。死んだら日蓮宗でお葬式をして頂きたいと思っています」と言える人は、一家に十界マンダラご本尊をおまつりして下さい。ご本尊は必ず日蓮宗僧侶から開眼供養をしていただいてからおまつりして下さい。仏壇がなければ、家の一番尊い場所の壁に貼っても良いでしょう。ご本尊の下にはローソクと線香とお花とお水をお供えするテーブルか棚を用意して下さい。お水は毎朝一番先に起きる人が新水（うみず）をお供えして、お線香をあげ、最低でもお題目を３偏となえて、「今日も１日よろしくお願いいたします。」とお願いして１日の仕事にとりかかり、夜は寝る前に水を飲むなり植木にあげるなり、愛犬愛猫の水飲みの入れ物にいれるとその水を飲んだ犬猫は成仏するでしょう。「今日１日お守り頂き有難うごさいました！」とご本尊の前で家族の各自がそれぞれ唱えて感謝をしてから睡眠する習慣をつけて下されば、熟睡する事ができ、いつも家庭円満になります。　　　　　　

南無妙法蓮華経

Buddha Land

September 2019

SACRED WORDS 聖語 

我此土安穏　天人常充満　園林諸堂閣　種種宝荘厳

宝樹多花果　衆生所遊楽　諸天撃天鼓　常作衆伎楽

雨曼荼羅華　散仏及大衆

Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra

BUDDHA LAND

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Washing my face every morning for the last ten years, I say the above phrase from JIGA-GE and say “Oh the Eternal Buddha! I thank you for being able to help me materialize the Buddha Land.” 

The translation of the same phrases from our service book, the DHARMA on page 42 says,

“The jeweled tress has many flowers and fruits: the living beings are enjoying themselves; and the gods are beating heavenly drums, making various kinds of music, and raining mandarava-flowers on the great multitude and me.”

Where is such a Buddha Land? Please look at the picture of the altar of the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. I took this picture without any electric light but under the natural sun light. The altar is full of energy with beautiful Hawaiian flowers, golden ornaments symbolizing the Mandarava-flower petals raining down from heaven. That flower is said to bloom only once in 3,000 years. This means it is very rare to meet the Lotus Sutra. Two Buddhas sit side by side. Between them, the characters NAMU-MYOHO RENGE KYO with rays of Odaimoku lights the Buddha Land. Our founder, Nichiren Shonin is sitting and watching over us. Behind the statues, the Manadala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms is also enshrined. This Gohonzon also symbolizes the Buddha Land. I will talk about the Gohonzon some other time. We, ministers, offer chanting of the Lotus Sutra that was revealed by the Eternal Buddha and Odaimoku revealed by Nichiren Dai’Shonin every morning and evening.

The Buddha Land is the ideal peaceful and happy place for everyone. The Buddhas and Nichiren Shonin are always preaching the Lotus Sutra. Not only that, we the followers of the Lotus Sutra are trying to establish this peaceful and happy place here where we live. 

We will celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of Nichiren Shonin on May 2021 in Honolulu together with ministers and lay-members from all over Japan. We must keep our temple building and mansion neat, clean, and beautiful as if the Buddha Land is here right now.

This is your temple where your ancestors dwell and eventually you will dwell here! From this place to the surrounding area to the Hawaiian Islands to the world, let us strive to establish the Buddha Land!

仏様の国

金井勝海

　私は毎朝洗顔の後、鏡に向かって「南無久遠実成本師釈迦牟尼、我此土安穏天人常充満．．.散仏及大衆の仏国土顕現のお手伝いをさせて頂き、ありがとうございます」と呪文を１０年以上も唱えています。 

　上記の聖語を正木晃著「現代日本語訳法華経」をそのまま引用させていただきます。「わたしがいる世界は安穏なのです。天人が舞い踊り、緑したたる樹林がありいろいろな宝石で飾られた絢爛豪華な建物があまたにあるのです。宝石でできた樹木や、花や実をつけた樹木が、たくさんあって、生きとし生けるものはみな、楽しく暮らしているのです。空のうえでは、つねに神々が太鼓を打ち鳴らし、さまざまな楽器をかなで、たとえようもなく美しい花が、雨のように、仏やその弟子たちの頭上に、降り注いているのです。」 

　どこにこのような理想郷があるのでしょうか。ハワイ日蓮宗別院の内陣をご覧ください。この写真は電気の明かりを全部消して、日中太陽の光（大宇宙のエネルギー）が注いでいる御宝前です。天井からは金色の花びらが常に降り注いでおり、須弥壇には釈尊と多宝如来が並座されその前には日蓮大聖人が鎮座されております。いつも果物や乾物がお供えしてあり、ハワイの花が供えられています。 

仏像のうしろ中央には「十界曼荼羅ご本尊」が奉られています。このご本尊も日蓮宗の理想郷である「仏国土」を象徴しております。曼荼羅ご本尊については、別の機会に説明させて頂きます。

　つまり、「仏国土」とは仏様や日蓮聖人やご先祖様が居られる所です。と同時に日蓮宗ではその仏国土をこの現実の世に創造しようとしているのです。日蓮聖人ご降誕８００年を２０２１年５月に迎えます。それまでには、別院の内外を綺麗に致しましょう。別院は皆さまのご先祖が住む所であり、皆様もいずれはこの仏国に住む事になります。 

　さらには、世界が平和になり、全人類が幸せになる所が仏国土です。それを現実化させるのが私達の使命です。 

Study Class on the Lotus Sutra

July 2019

SACRED WORDS

The Lotus Sutra is called, “Zui-ji-I 随自意“namely it expounds the true mind of the Buddha. Since the Buddha’s minds is so great, even if one does not understand the profound meaning of the sutra, one can gain innumerable merits by just reading it. Just as a mug-wort among the hemp plants grows straight and a snake in a tube straighten itself, if one become friendly with good people, one’s mind, behavior and words become naturally gentle. Likewise, the Buddha thinks that those who believe in the Lotus Sutra become naturally virtuous.

“Zui-ji-i Gosho” by Nichiren Dai’Shonin

聖語

良き心なるゆえに、たとい知らざる人もこの経を読みたてまつれば利益はかりなし。麻の中のよもぎ、筒の中の蛇、良き人に睦ぶ者、なにとなけれども心も振舞いも言葉も直しくなるなり。法華経もかくの如し。なにとなけれども、この経を信じる人をは仏の良きものとおぼすなり。

日蓮大聖人「随自意御書」より

STUDY CLASS on THE LOTUS SUTRA

Bishop Shokai Kanai

The Study Class on the Lotus Sutra will start on Thursday, July 11th. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. every Thursday. The textbooks will include The Lotus Sutra for Children by Rev. Koge Matsumoto translated by Rev. Shokai Kanai, The Introduction to the Lotus Sutra by Shinjo Suguro, The Lotus Sutra for You by Rev. Shokai Kanai, and The Lotus Sutra, third edition by Senchu Murano. Please purchase only Introduction to the Lotus Sutra ($20), the rest of the materials will be provided in the class for free. The class is open to public.

I have started the Study Class on Nichiren Dai’Shonin on April 4th. The class ended on June 24th. We usually have six to eight adults attending the class every week. They appreciate gaining a better understanding of Buddhism, which leads to many great questions that spur on interesting discussions.

It is very important to know what the sutra teaches us. The Lotus Sutra is the most popular and best known amongst the 1,487 sutras that the Buddha revealed during his almost 50 years of propagation after His Enlightenment. Why are there so many sutras? It is because the Buddha revealed the teachings to the level of understanding of the listeners. He talked to all types of people at different levels of understanding at each place where He visited. Some of them had no education at all, some of them were children, women, merchants, farmers, peasants, and noble people like kings of big and small countries. Others were seekers of the truth, Buddha’s disciples (long term and short term), and monks in different faiths like ascetics, epicureans, and yogis.

Shakyamuni Buddha said that, during the forty or so years since He became the Buddha, He had expounded the Dharma in various ways but had never revealed the most precious Truth. Now, as He approached his final years, He was ready at last to reveal the Universal Truth, which is the Lotus Sutra.

By attending the study class, you will realize why you were born, why you become sick, how you can slow down becoming old, why you love a person while you hate someone else, and most importantly, how the universe and us are all related.

［法華経］の勉強会

金井勝海

　［法華経］の勉強会が７月１１日（木）から始まります。毎週木曜日午後7時に行います。教科書は松本光華著「民話風法華経童話」の英訳版・勝呂信静著「法華経講義」・金井勝海出版予定「The Lotus Sutra for You」そして村野宣忠英訳「The Lotus Sutra」第3版です。その内「法華経の紹介」は20ドルで購入して下さい。他の書物はクラスでその都度無料配布致します。勉強会は一般公開ですのでどなたでも参加できます。

　今年４月に開始した日蓮聖人伝は６月２４日で終了しました。毎週６名から８名の参加があり、各自から質問と答えが出て、さらにお互いの意見交換の場となりました。

　法華経を理解する事は大変重要です。何故なら法華経は釈尊が成道されてから涅槃に入られるまでの約50年間に説かれた１４８７巻の経典の内で一番ポピュラーで一般によく知られたお経だからです。何故そんなにたくさんの経典があるのでしょう。それは隋他意と言って、聞き手の理解度にあわせて多種多様にまたその土地風土に合わせて説かれたからです。聴衆の中には無学な人や子供・男性・女性・若者・老人・商人・農夫・大国や小国の高貴な王や妃・真実を求め歩く声聞・縁覚、更には禁欲主義や快楽主義やヨガの行者もいた事でしょう。

　釈尊は「４０余年の間まだ真実の教えを説いていない。これからは覚りの真髄を説く」と宣言され、説かれた経典が隋自意の「妙法蓮華経」なのです。

　法華経の勉強会を通して、人は何故この世に生まれてきたのか、何故病気になるのか、どうしたら高齢になっても元気でいられるか、ある人達には好意を示しても、ある人には憎しみをもつのは何故でしょうか。宇宙と私たちとはどんな結びつきがあるのでしょうか、等などの疑問を法華経で解き明かしてもらえます。

　是非勉強会に参加してみて下さい。また日本語の勉強会を希望の方は申し出て下されば、日の明るいうちに勉強会を開くこともできます。

Lotus Flower (Symbol of Purity, Cause and Effect and Eternity)

June 2019

SACRED WORDS

The Lotus Sutra is called, “Zui-ji-I 随自意“namely it expounds the true mind of the Buddha. Since the Buddha’s minds is so great, even if one does not understand the profound meaning of the sutra, one can gain innumerable merits by just reading it. Just as a mug-wort among the hemp plants grows straight and a snake in a tube straighten itself, if one become friendly with good people, one’s mind, behavior and words become naturally gentle. Likewise, the Buddha thinks that those who believe in the Lotus Sutra become naturally virtuous.

“Zui-ji-i Gosho” by Nichiren Dai’Shonin

聖語

法華経と申すは「隋自意」と申して仏の御心を説かせ給う。仏の御心は良き心なるゆえに、たとい知らざる人もこの経を読みたてまつれば利益はかりなし。麻の中のよもぎ、筒の中の蛇、良き人に睦ぶ者、なにとなけれども心も振舞いも言葉も直しくなるなり。法華経もかくの如し。なにとなけれども、この経を信じる人をは仏の良きものとおぼすなり。 日蓮大聖人「随自意御書」より

STUDY CLASS on THE LOTUS SUTRA

Bishop Shokai Kanai

The Study Class on the Lotus Sutra will start on Thursday, July 11th. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. every Thursday. The textbooks will include The Lotus Sutra for Children by Rev. Koge Matsumoto translated by Rev. Shokai Kanai, The Introduction to the Lotus Sutra by Shinjo Suguro, The Lotus Sutra for You by Rev. Shokai Kanai, and The Lotus Sutra, third edition by Senchu Murano. Please purchase only Introduction to the Lotus Sutra ($20), the rest of the materials will be provided in the class for free. The class is open to public.

I have started the Study Class on Nichiren Dai’Shonin on April 4th. The class ended on June 24th. We usually have six to eight adults attending the class every week. They appreciate gaining a better understanding of Buddhism, which leads to many great questions that spur on interesting discussions.

It is very important to know what the sutra teaches us. The Lotus Sutra is the most popular and best known amongst the 1,487 sutras that the Buddha revealed during his almost 50 years of propagation after His Enlightenment. Why are there so many sutras? It is because the Buddha revealed the teachings to the level of understanding of the listeners. He talked to all types of people at different levels of understanding at each place where He visited. Some of them had no education at all, some of them were children, women, merchants, farmers, peasants, and noble people like kings of big and small countries. Others were seekers of the truth, Buddha’s disciples (long term and short term), and monks in different faiths like ascetics, epicureans, and yogis.

Shakyamuni Buddha said that, during the forty or so years since He became the Buddha, He had expounded the Dharma in various ways but had never revealed the most precious Truth. Now, as He approached his final years, He was ready at last to reveal the Universal Truth, which is the Lotus Sutra.

By attending the study class, you will realize why you were born, why you become sick, how you can slow down becoming old, why you love a person while you hate someone else, and most importantly, how the universe and us are all related.

［法華経］の勉強会

金井勝海

　［法華経］の勉強会が７月１１日（木）から始まります。毎週木曜日午後7時に行います。教科書は松本光華著「民話風法華経童話」の英訳版・勝呂信静著「法華経講義」・金井勝海出版予定「The Lotus Sutra for You」そして村野宣忠英訳「The Lotus Sutra」第3版です。その内「法華経の紹介」は20ドルで購入して下さい。他の書物はクラスでその都度無料配布致します。勉強会は一般公開ですのでどなたでも参加できます。

　今年４月に開始した日蓮聖人伝は６月２４日で終了しました。毎週６名から８名の参加があり、各自から質問と答えが出て、さらにお互いの意見交換の場となりました。

　法華経を理解する事は大変重要です。何故なら法華経は釈尊が成道されてから涅槃に入られるまでの約50年間に説かれた１４８７巻の経典の内で一番ポピュラーで一般によく知られたお経だからです。何故そんなにたくさんの経典があるのでしょう。それは隋他意と言って、聞き手の理解度にあわせて多種多様にまたその土地風土に合わせて説かれたからです。聴衆の中には無学な人や子供・男性・女性・若者・老人・商人・農夫・大国や小国の高貴な王や妃・真実を求め歩く声聞・縁覚、更には禁欲主義や快楽主義やヨガの行者もいた事でしょう。

　釈尊は「４０余年の間まだ真実の教えを説いていない。これからは覚りの真髄を説く」と宣言され、説かれた経典が隋自意の「妙法蓮華経」なのです。

　法華経の勉強会を通して、人は何故この世に生まれてきたのか、何故病気になるのか、どうしたら高齢になっても元気でいられるか、ある人達には好意を示しても、ある人には憎しみをもつのは何故でしょうか。宇宙と私たちとはどんな結びつきがあるのでしょうか、等などの疑問を法華経で解き明かしてもらえます。

　是非勉強会に参加してみて下さい。また日本語の勉強会を希望の方は申し出て下されば、日の明るいうちに勉強会を開くこともできます。

Mount Sacred Eagle (My task as the priest of NMH is to lead souls to Mt Sacred Eagle)

May 2019

SACRED WORDS

This world of mine is peaceful. It is filled with gods and men. The gardens, forest and stately building are adorned with various treasurers; the jeweled trees have many flowers and fruits. The living beings are enjoying themselves. And the gods are beating heavenly drums making various kinds of music and raining mandarava-flowers on the great multitude and me.

Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra

聖語

我此土安穏　天人常充満　園林諸堂閣　種々宝荘厳　宝樹多華果　衆生所遊楽　常作衆伎楽　憂曼陀羅華　散佛及大衆　　　

「妙法蓮華経寿量品」

MOUNT SACRED EAGLE

Rev. Shokai Kanai

It has been five months since I was installed as a head priest at Nichiren Sect Mission of Hawaii. I already held nine funeral services for the members of this temple. My task as a Nichiren Sect priest is to lead these souls to the spiritual realm where the Eternal Buddha and Saint Nichiren are preaching the Lotus Sutra in the past, present and future. It is called Mt. Sacred Eagle.

Where is this mountain? It is in India where Shakyamuni Buddha had revealed the Lotus Sutra during his last nine years before his death. Nichiren Dai’Shonin expounded the sutra at Mount Minobu for nine years before his Nirvana. The saint said that Mount Minobu might be equal value or more important than that sacred mountain in India. Therefore, many followers of Nichiren Buddhists had been, were, and will be buried or placed their urns at Kuonji Temple in Mount Minobu physically.

However, spiritually Mount Sacred Eagle is not only in India or Minobu, Japan. Please image how our temple altar is decorated and honored. A big stupa written “NA-MU-MYO-HO-REN-GE-KYO” sits on the center of the high altar. At both sides of the Odaimoku stupa two Buddha statues sit side by side. They are Shakyamuni (on your left side facing the statues) and Many Treasurers Buddha on the right. Nichiren Dai’Shonin sits in front of them at the center. The Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms is enshrined behind the statues. The Gohonzon and the statues symbolize Mount Sacred Eagle. As the sacred words above described the altar of our temple adorned with golden ornaments hanging from the ceiling, as if many golden flower petals of mandalava raining down on the stage. Fruits, dry food, beautiful flowers are always offered at the altar. Priests play many musical instruments such as a gong, a bell, a mokushi for rhythm of chanting. The priests and congregation are enjoying themselves.

Thus, our temple must be Mount Sacred Eagle. When we hold services at the Betsuin, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Nichiren Dai’Shonin, deities, and your ancestors are gathered there and join us to recite the Lotus Sutra and O’Daimoku. Therefore, the place the souls come after their death is Mount Sacred Eagle, the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. It is not heaven or Buddha-Land in the West. You may chant “Jigage,” the gatha of Chapter 16 at your home every morning and/or night. There are two places you read “Mt. Sacred Eagle,” please give attention to the words from now on. Although we cannot see the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Nichiren Shonin and your ancestors, they are with us just as you cannot see the electric waves of your cell phones, but when you punch in the numbers on the phone, you will be able to communicate with someone just as he or she is here.

Please remember this in your mind and chant the Sacred Words of the Lotus Sutra, O’Daimoku, at your home and temple. You always be protected by them. This is our faith.

霊 鷲 山

金井勝海

　ハワイ日蓮宗別院の主任に就任してから、はや半年が経過しようとしています。すでに9人の方の葬儀を厳修しました。その方々の魂を確かに釈尊と日蓮大聖人が居られる霊鷲山に逝かれるようにするのがの私の役目です。

　霊鷲山とはその昔、インドでお釈迦様が晩年８年間「妙法蓮華経」を説かれた小高い山で、今でも存在しています。日蓮大聖人は身延山で９年間法華経を後世の人々の為に説かれ「この身延山はインドの霊鷲山に勝るとも劣らぬ霊山である」と申されました。この所を「霊鷲浄土」と申します。

　ですから、信仰熱心な方は遺骨を身延山に納骨される方が大勢おられます。しかし、精神面での「霊鷲浄土」は何も身延山に逝くというわけではありません。ハワイ日蓮宗別院のご宝前を目に浮かべて下さい。一塔両尊と申して真ん中に「南無妙法蓮華経」と書かれた塔があり、正面向かって左側は釈迦牟尼仏様、右側が多宝如来様、その手前正面には日蓮聖人様が鎮座されておられます。それらの仏像の背後には「十界曼荼羅ご本尊」が祀られています。この姿はお釈迦様が霊鷲山で法華経を説かれた様子を表わしています。

　天井からは金箔の瓔珞が下がり曼荼羅華という花びらが空から注がれている様子を表現しており、内陣には太鼓や鐘や木しょう、木魚やその他の楽器があり、祭壇には美しい沢山の花や果物や乾物がお供えされています。読経中にはそこに諸仏・諸天善神やご先祖様がいつもお経を一緒に唱えに来られています。これは正に霊鷲山です。

　私達が法事、彼岸、お盆法要等を行う時には、この場に諸仏・日蓮大聖人・諸菩薩・諸天・ご先祖様が皆いらしていつも一緒にお経を読み、お題目を唱えておられるのです。

　ですから、日蓮宗のメンバーが死後逝かれる処は[霊鷲山]です。天国でも西方浄土ではありません。私たちと同じ所にご先祖様もおられるのです。ただ私共には見えないだけです。霊は電波のような存在です。電波はみえませんが、携帯電話をかけると電波が相手にに通じて話ができるようになります。ご家庭でもご本尊の前にぬかずき、ご先祖様の名前を読み、その場に来られるように祈り、お経を読み、お題目を唱えて下さい。

　諸仏・日蓮聖人・ご先祖様がいつもお護りして下さっていると信じれば、救われます。

Why Was Shakyamuni Buddha Born

April 2019

SACRED WORDS

The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, appear in the worlds in order to cause all living beings to open the gate to the insight of the Buddha and to cause them to purify themselves. They appear in the worlds in order to show the insight of the Buddha to all living beings. They appear in the world in order to obtain the insight of the Buddha. They appear in the world in order to cause all living beings to enter the Way to the insight of the Buddha. This is the one great purpose for which the Buddha appear in the worlds.　 (Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra)

聖語

諸仏世尊は衆生に仏智見を開かしめ、清浄なる事を得せしめと欲するが故に、衆生に仏智見を示さんと欲するがゆえに、衆生をして仏智見を悟らしめんと欲するがゆえに、衆生をして仏智見の道に入らしめんと欲するが故に世に出現したもう。これを諸仏はただ一大事の因縁をもっの故に、世に出現してもうとなづく。

『妙法蓮華経方便品』

WHY WAS SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA BORN?

Rev. Shokai Kanai

December 9th was the day I was installed as the head priest of Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. It was about two weeks before the winter solstice (the longest night). It was very dark when I opened the curtains of the mansion building and walked to the Hondo, main hall, for the morning service. So, I always used a flash light as I made my way to the Hondo.

Buddhism described the world as very dark before Shakyamuni Buddha attained Enlightenment. During the era when Siddhartha Gautama was born, there were wars here and there. He was a very sensitive boy crying to see a bird descending to the ground and carried off a small worm which had been turned up by a farmer’s plough. Then a big bird caught the small bird in the sky. The prince who had lost his mother soon after his birth was deeply affected by the tragedy of these little creatures. “Alas! Do all living creatures kill each other?”

A world where the stronger prey upon the weaker has not changed even today such as sexual and power harassments and “My country is number one!” It is the world of self-centeredness.

Suppose we are in a dark room, a sage appeared and said, “Open the window and look outside!” He show beautiful flowers and birds singing outside. He continued to say, “Let’s go out! Feel the fresh air of spring!” And he led them out. Then, he told them to cultivate the soil and plant flowers and vegetables. “Experience and enjoy Spring!”

The Eternal Buddha who attained Buddhahood in the eternal past appeared in this world in the form of a human being in India just like us. He attained Enlightenment and became a Buddha. He opened the window of the dark room and showed what the reality of all things are. Let us obtain the reality and enter the way to the insight of the Buddha. This is the one great purpose for which Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in this world.

Have you ever thought why you were born? I enjoy being a minister of Nichiren Mission of Hawaii now and teach Dharma to all members of the temples in the Islands of Hawaii and pray for all people.

釈尊はなぜこの世に生まれたの？

金井勝海

　ハワイ日蓮宗別院に赴任したのは１２月９日でした。夜が一番長い冬至の約２週間前でしたので、午前６時過ぎにマンションのカーテンを開けて、朝勤の為本堂に行く外の通路はまだ真っ暗で、懐中電灯を照らしながら本堂へ向かいました。今ではお彼岸（夜と日中の長さが同じ）も過ぎ明るくなりましたので、日の出前でも懐中電灯なしで歩けるようになりました。

　仏教では、釈尊が覚りを開かれる前の世の中を暗闇であったと表現します。ゴータマ・シッダールタがお生まれになられた時代は弱肉強食の戦国時代でした。王子は生まれて数日後に母を亡くし、とても繊細な感情の方でした。ある春の日、農夫が耕す畑から出てくるミミズを小鳥がついばみ、その小鳥を大きな鷲が鋭い口ばしでとらえ、飛び去って行く様子に王子は涙を流し悲しみました。なぜ生き物は弱いものを餌食にしてころしあるのだろう？当時、インドは戦国時代でもありました。

　今の時代でも同じです。現代的にいうとパワハラ・セクシャルハラスメント・自国第一主義の経済戦争の時代で、怒りと貪欲と無知の世相はまさに暗闇の部屋です。

　その部屋に１人の聖者が現れ「ほら、窓を開けてごらん！」と言われました。「外は明るく、何でも良く見えるでしょう！」と窓の外を示されました。「さあ！外へ出て春の新鮮な空気を吸って、草花を見てみましょう！」と外へ誘い出し、春とはどういう感じがするか悟らせます。「春を感じるだけでなく、畑をたがやして花や野菜を植えて楽しんでみましょうよ！」と言って、春を体験するよう導いて下さったのです。

　久遠実成本師釈迦牟尼仏（釈尊は久遠の昔から実際に成仏されていた）は私たちに釈尊と同じように成仏するという事を目覚めさせるために、人間の姿でこの世に誕生され、この世の真理を悟り、人間仏陀となられました。同じ肉体を持つ我々に諸法実相（すべての事物の真の様相）を開き、示し、悟らせ、真実一路の道を歩むよう導く為にこの世にお生まれになられたのです、と法華経方便品に説かれています。

　皆様も「私は、何故この世に生まれ、今生きているのだろうか？」と考えてみてはいかがでしょうか。私は今、ハワイ日蓮宗別院の主任としてハワイ諸島の信徒とサポーターに妙法を説きハワイ全島の人々の平和と幸せを祈る事を使命と思い、日々楽しく暮らしています。

Middle Way (Avoiding extremes one way or the other. The shore and other shore)

March 2019

SACRED WORDS

“I (Shakyamuni Buddha) will cause all living beings to cross the ocean of birth and death if they have not yet done so. I (the Buddha) will cause them to emancipate themselves from suffering if they have not done so. I will cause them to have peace of mind if they have not yet done so.

I will cause them to attain Nirvana if they have not yet done so.

(Chapter 5 of the Lotus Sutra)

聖語

「未だ度せざる者は度せしめ、未だ解せざる者は解せしめ、未だ安ぜざる者は安ぜしめ、未だ涅槃せざる者は涅槃を得せしむ。」

（妙法蓮華経薬草諭品第５）

MIDDLE WAY

Bishop Shokai Kanai

Shakyamuni Buddha could not attain Enlightenment even after the six-years ascetic practices. However, he did not return to his luxurious life in his native palace. How did he attain Enlightenment? He washed his dirty body in a river after the ascetic practices, he received a girl’s offering of milky mushed rice, gained strength, sat under a Bodhi tree and meditated. He attained the Universal Truth seeing the morning star shinning in the eastern sky.

One of the Universal Truth was to avoid extreme one way or the other. Why is it wrong? Because it is egoistic. The ascetic practice often leads to becoming a person who is a selfish saint while extreme pleasure leads to selfish satisfaction and not to caring about others.

The Middle Way of Shakyamuni Buddha is to avoid extremes and to obtain an easy and quiet mind. The universe also practices the Middle Way. It says that hot or cold lasts till the time of equinox in Spring and Autumn. The equinox day is usually 21st day of March and September when the sun rises exact east and sets exact west. So, the distance from this shore to the other shore is the closest during the year. Three days before and after the equinox day is called Hi-gan. During the time of the seven days, please visit your temple or cemetery and pray for your ancestors. Please recite the Lotus Sutra and chant the sacred title of the sutra, O’Daimoku, and send the merits you have obtained to your ancestors.

Please read the above Sacred Words from the Lotus Sutra again, the Buddha continued to say, “Having heard these teachings, they became peaceful in their present lives, they will have rebirths in good places. Enjoy pleasures by practicing the Way and hear these teachings.”

中 道

金井勝海

　お釈迦様は６年間の難行苦行をされましたが覚りに至ることはできませんでした。しかし、生まれ育った快楽の王宮には戻りませんでした。何をされて覚者となられたのでしょう？苦行で汚れた体を洗い、道行く娘さんからミルク粥を頂き肉体に力がよみがえり、菩提樹の下に座り瞑想の後、翌朝東の空にキラキラと輝く明けの明星を見て宇宙の真理を覚られました。

　その真理の一つは極端な道を歩まないということです。苦行と楽行の両極端を避けることです。なぜいけないかというと、エゴイズムだからです。苦行すれば自分が聖者なればいいのだと考えがちになり、楽行は自分さえ楽しければ他人はどうなっても良いと思ってしまいます。

　釈尊の説かれた「中道」とは極端をさけてゆったりした心持になる事です。大宇宙も中道を実践しています。それは「暑さ寒さも彼岸まで！」と言われるように春と秋の「彼岸の中日」の時期が一番覚りへの道が開けてきます。太陽が真東から登り真西に沈む彼岸の中日は３月と９月の２１日です。中日を挟んで前後７日間を「彼岸」と言います。この時期がこちら（此）の岸とあちら（彼）の岸が一番近いのです。どうぞこの時期にお寺参りやお墓参りをしてお経を読みお題目を唱えて、その功徳をご先祖様に回し向けましょう。これが「回向」の本当の意味です。

　上記の聖語をもう一度読み直して下さい。このお言葉に続いて、釈尊は「人々がお寺にお参りして、法話を喜んで聞き終わった時、現世安穏にして後に善処に生まれる」と説かれておられます。

Do You Want Your Funeral Service To Be Held in Nichiren-Shu?

November 2019

SACRED WORDS

As I Contemplate my own life, I, Nichiren, have studied Buddhism ever since I was a child. One’s life is uncertain, as exhaling one’s breath one moment does not guarantee drawing it the next; it is as transient as dew before the wind and its end occurs suddenly to everyone, the wise and the ignorant, the aged and the young. I thought I should study the matter of the last moment of life first, before studying anything else.

　Nichiren – Myoho Ama Gozen Gohenji (DHARMA, P.81)

聖語

日蓮幼少の時より仏法を学び候しが念願すらく、人の寿命は無常也。出る息は入る息を待つことなし。風の前の露、尚譬にあらず。かしこきもはかなきも、老いたるも若きも定め無き習い也。されば、まず臨終の事を習て後に他事を習べし。　　　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　日蓮「妙法尼御前御返事」

Do You Want Your Funeral Service

To Be Held in Nichiren-Shu?

Rev. Shokai Kanai

As you read and understand the above Sacred Word, when Nichiren Shonin was alive, one’s life was very uncertain because all kinds of natural disasters happened year after year. Besides, there were no medical doctors or hospitals.

Since I was installed as the head priest of the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii, I have held 22 funeral services already. Most of them were elderly like 90s and over 100. Therefore, the deceased and their families were ready to accept their passing for many years before their actual death.

I also noticed that the funeral services are more like celebrations to be born in the next spiritual realms. While I was in Los Angeles, I normally held a funeral service once a month. While I was in Las Vegas, I held only a few over ten years. The ages of the death are much younger or soon after their birth or sudden death such as in an accident or heart attack. The deceased and the families were not ready to accept the loved ones’ death in several cases. Their deaths were sudden and shocking to the survivors and friends.

I will conduct a funeral service for anyone by a family’s request. My position as a Nichiren Shu priest is to make the deceased attain Buddhahood and send their souls to Mount Sacred Eagle where the Eternal

Buddha and Nichiren Shonin are preaching the Lotus Sutra. So, I pray for the deceased every morning from the day I was informed until the 49th memorial day.

I am not a magician for the deceased to attain Buddhahood. If you or your loved ones wish for me to conduct a funeral service, I request that you or the loved ones to chant Odaimoku, NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO, for the family to enshrine the Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten realms at home and to become a paid member to support this temple by means of physical and financial contribution if possible.

The reason for these requests is necessary for his or her Buddha Name to be given at the time of the funeral. The Buddha Name will be given according to what kinds of person he or she was and how much the person contributed to the temple and to society. It symbolizes not only his or her character but also how much contribution the deceased’s endeavored to help other people. After one’s death, ministers and family members chanting Lotus Sutra and Odaimoku will help the deceased to attain Buddhahood.

I would like to share a nice story about a Nichiren Shu member knew her death was imminent; dressed up and was ready to go! The following eulogy was given by her daughter: “I went to her house to give mom bath and wash her hair. I helped her set her hair because she was so tired and couldn’t do it independently. She insisted on going under the hair dryer. I helped walk her to her beauty shop where she dried her hair. I then walk her to her bedroom where she applied make-up and styled her hair with care. She was sitting at her dresser looking into the mirror. She looked absolutely gorgeous. I told her she looked beautiful. She turned, smiled at me took a deep breath and said, “Now I am ready.” I asked what she meant by saying now she is ready. Ready for what? She never answered. She stood up and started walking out of the room. Then next day, right before I was supposed to pick her up for dinner, I got a call from the home stating that mom was unresponsive. Unexpectedly, Mom passed away a short time later at the medical center.

My personal thought “Now I am ready” meant for her to go to meet her late husband, Nichiren Shonin and the Buddha at the Eternal Buddha Land, Mt. Sacred Eagle.

あなたのお葬式は日蓮宗でして欲しいですか

金井勝海

　上記の聖語で読み取れるように、日蓮大聖人が居られた鎌倉時代は、人の寿命はとても不確かなものでした。それは度重なる大自然の災害はもとより、医者も病院もない時代だったからです。

　昨年１２月に日蓮宗別院の主任に就任してから、私はすでに22件のお葬式を司りました。故人のほとんどの方はご高齢で90歳代か１００歳以上の方でした。それ故、故人と遺族は何年も前から最後の別れを覚っており、葬儀は次の世に生まれ変わるお祝いの行事とも受け取られました。ロスアンゼルス日蓮宗別院に赴任中でも平均年間で１２件前後の葬儀の数でした。ラスベガス観音寺では10年以上の間でも２・３件の葬儀しかありませんでした。亡くなられた故人の年齢も若く生まれたばかりとか事故や心臓発作で急に亡くなる等、故人も遺族も死の準備が何もできていないケースが数件ありました。その様な方の葬儀は故人にとっても遺族や友人にとっても大変ショックでした。

　私は頼まれればどなたの葬儀でも行います。日蓮宗僧侶として亡き方の霊を久遠本佛様と日蓮大聖人が今でも法華経を説いて居られて霊鷲山へ赴くように、葬儀の依頼を受けた翌日の朝から４９日忌の朝まで、読経をささげています。

　でも、私に葬儀をして欲しい方は、お題目を日頃から唱えて下さい。家庭には十界曼荼羅ご本尊を勧請する事を勧めます。そして、できればハワイ日蓮宗別院に会費を納め、ご奉仕をして下さればもっと有難いです。

　何故そんなリクエストをするかと言うと、葬儀の時に授与する法名（別名戒名）には、故人の性格やお寺や社会にどのように貢献してかを示すようにしているからです。法名を見れば、故人が生前中どのような方であったかがおおむね理解できます。

　日蓮大聖人が申された「されば、まず臨終の事を習て後に他事を習べし」のお言葉を皆さんはどのように解釈しますか？

Thank You For 6 Months as Traineee

October 2019

SACRED WORDS

When all the people under heaven and the various schools of Buddhism are converted to the one vehicle teaching the Lotus Sutra, when only the Lotus Sutra flourishes and all the people recite “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” in unison, the howling wind will not blow on the branch-es, falling rain will not erode the soil, and the world will become as ideal as during the reigns of Emperors Fu-hsi and Shen-nung of ancient China. A time is coming when calamities cease to exist, people live long, people and the land they live in become eternal. There should be no doubt about the peaceful life in this world as promised in the Lotus Sutra.

聖語

天下万民諸乗一仏乗となって妙法獨り繁昌せん時、萬民一同に南無妙法蓮華経と唱え奉らば、吹く風枝をならさず、雨土塊を砕かず、代は義農の世となりて、今生には不詳の災難を払い、長生の術を得、人法共に不老不死の理顕れん時をご覧ぜよ、現世安穏の証文疑いある可らざるものなり。

Thank you for 6 months as trainee

Rev. Jinshi Sasabe

There are two reasons why I wanted to come to Hawaii as an oversea missionary trainee for six months.

First, my cousins live in Vancouver, Canada. So, I visited them many times since I was little and went to various countries such as India with my father. That made me inter-ested in foreign culture.

Next, I trained at Ikegami Honmonji temple in Tokyo, which is one of the major temples in the Nichiren sect, for a year after graduating from university. Many foreigners came to the temple and they asked me a lot of questions about Buddhism. I couldn’t answer their questions with suf-ficient detail in English. I was very frustrated.

That’s why I came to Hawaii as an overseas missionary trainee. The training term is almost over. I had many valuable experiences that I never would have experienced in Japan. After spending almost six months here, I learned three important lessons for my future.

First, it’s important to tell my own opinion to others firmly. Second, it’s necessary to communicate with each member every time. Lastly, Bishop Kanai taught me that it’s very important to have a lot of questions about various things and always have some excitement in whatever I do.

In May 2021, we will celebrate in Hawaii the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s birth. My training is almost over, but fortunately I will stay to help with preparation for the commemorative service in Hawaii as an assistant minister for Nichiren Mission of Hawaii.

I really appreciate all members because they are very kind to me no matter and always support the temple. I think that the role of priests is to convey the teachings of the Buddha and deliver the power of the Buddha to the people who need it. So, I will try my best to tell the merits of “Odaimoku” to as many people as possible in Hawaii.

Mr. Eric Kawatani, who is working hard for obtaining my special visa called R-1, told me that I must go back to Japan and receive the visa at the American Embassy in Tokyo. So, I must temporarily return to Japan on October 14. I will certainly come back to Nichiren Mis-sion of Hawaii after my visa is granted.

Thank you for 6 months as trainee

笹部 仁史

私がなぜ国際布教師に興味を持ったのかと申しますと、大きな理由が2つあります。

1つ目は、私のいとこがカナダのバンクーバーに住んでいるということもあり、小さい頃からよくバンクーバーや様々な国に遊びに行かせて頂きました。その影響で海外の文化、考え方などを知り、海外の国に対してとても興味を持ちました。

2つ目は、東京にある池上本門寺でご給仕させて頂いていた時、観光でいらっしゃった外国人の対応をさせて頂くことが多くありました。その方々から様々な質問を受ける中で答えてあげられること、反対にうまく英語で説明できないことも度々ありとてももどかしい思いを致しました。

そのような理由からこの度、国際布教師となるための研修を受けさせて頂くこととなり、ハワイへ来てまもなく６ヶ月の研修期間を終えようとしております。

こちらのお寺に来させて頂き、日々を過ごしていく中で日本では出来なかったたくさんの貴重な経験をさせて頂きました。様々な月行事、多宗派との交流などこれまでの常識、考え方など良い意味での変化を感じております。このような生活の中で、海外のお寺に来させて頂いたからこそ、経験できたことは、これからの私にとって大切な「学び」が3つありました。

まず１つ目は、自分の意見をしっかり持ち発言することの大切さです。２つ目は、お寺のメンバーとの交流、コミュニケーションをとることの大切さ。そして3つ目は、金井上人からご指導頂いた、常に物事に対して疑問を持ち日々何かを発見、感じることの大切さです。

再来年の5月に、日蓮大聖人ご降誕800年記念法要がハワイで行われる予定になっております。私は6ヵ月間の研修期間がもうじき過ぎようとしておりますが、その法要のお手伝いをするということで、有難いことにここハワイ別院に金井上人のアシスタントとして残らせて頂くことになりました。

私が4月にこちらに来たときから今日まで、メンバー1人ひとりの方が温かく私に接して下さり、いつもお寺をサポートして頂いていることにとても感謝をしております。私達僧侶の役目は、仏様の教え、パワーを必要な人達に届けることだと思っております。1人でも多くの方にお題目の功徳をお伝えできるよう日々精進致します。

最後に私事ですが、これからまたハワイに滞在させて頂くにあたり

R１visaを日本大使館に直接取りに行くこととなり、10月14日から一時日本に戻らせて頂くことになりました。研修生としての６ヵ月が終わり、戻ってくる際は正式な国際布教師として切り替え、皆様

のサポートにより一層精進致しますので、今後ともよろしくお願い致します。

Restoration and Safekeeping for the Betsuin Treasures

August 2019

By Professor Shoshi Annaka, Rissho University

It was December, 2014 when our team began to research the treasures in the Nichiren Sect Mission of Hawaii. Since then, we visited the Betsuin and found many old but precious articles such as the statues, gohonzons and pictures that were not preserved well and damaged. They were not in good condition at all.

Rev. Gyoun Takagi started propagation in October, 1899. There were many questions about how he did it. We had understood only a few things about him. We found a diary dated April, 1912 when he moved to Honolulu. It was a diary written by ministers after he moved to Honolulu. It has been kept at the Betsuin since.

This diary was one of the most important documents to understand the history of the mission. On the first page, its title was the “Reason for Establishing a Temporary Propagation Home.” It explained in detail how he moved to Honolulu. The third page was dated April 2, 1912 and followed thereafter. The cover page was made of leather but was removed. However, it was not in too bad of condition - like pages coming off. A few data were written on paper that were inserted into the diary. These inserted pages are also important to know the history of this mission; therefore, we need to keep them properly in a special box.

Many Gohonzons were kept in the Betsuin. A few of them were mounted and framed, but most of them were kept in the open and with stains on the paper or cloth, torn, bended, or worm-eaten.

The most valuable Mandala-Gohonzon is the one that Abbot Niccho Ichikawa, the eightieth Abbot of the Minobusan Kuon-ji Temple wrote for the Nichiren Sect Mission of Hawaii dated May, 1924. We can see that it was created for the Betsuin and praying for member’s harmony, increasing their faith and materialization of their prayers. Another Gohonzon was also created by the 83rd Abbot of Minobusan Kuon-ji Temple, Nichiken Mochizuki. It was written for the Myo-ho-ko-fu Kai that was organized by Nichiren Shu members in Hawaii. The Myo-ho-ko-fu Kai means the Association to propagate the wonderful law.

Two other Manadala-Gohonzon were probably written to the members who used to live in Japan and came to Hawaii. One of them was written by the 70th Abbot Nissho of Minobusan Kuon-ji Temple in June, 1868; while the other was written by the 73rd Abbot Nissatsu Arai of Minobusan Kuon-ji Temple in July, 1885. Nissatsu Arai was the First Kancho of Nichiren Shu Icchiha. Other Gohonzons kept in the Betsuin were written by the head priests of Major Nichiren Temples and also by the head minister of the Betsuin.

In Japan, the Mandala-Gohonzon are kept in hanging scroll form. In Hawaii, it seems popular to keep it framed due to circumstances. However, the framed Gohonzo was originally the hanging scroll style. By changing the style from scrolled to the framed, runs the risk of damage from ultraviolet rays and moisture. So I suggest that these framed gohonzons should be changed to scroll style and kept in a special box in the appropriate environment if possible.

Through our four research visits in the past years, some of them hardly kept its original form because of damage from bugs, stains on the material of the Gohonzon and other reasons. Thus, I repeat - to do restoration works is to properly handle these precious treasures.

Currently, we tried not to advance the damage on these valuable treasures. It is just a temporary fix and not satisfactory. Thus, I wish to continue my research in order to preserve these precious treasures; to carry on to the next generation through suitable restoration works.

Study Class on Nichiren Commemorating The 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Dai’Shonin

February 2019

SACRED WORDS

“Strive to carry out the two ways of practice and learning. Without practice and learning Buddhism will cease to exist. Endeavor yourself and cause others to practice these two ways of practice and learning, which stem from faith. If possible, please spread even a word or a phrase of the sutra to others. “

Shoho Jisso Sho, NICHIREN

聖語

「行学の二道を励み候べし。行学たえなば仏法はあるべからず。我もいたし人をも教化候え。行学は信心よりおこるべく候。力あらば一文一句なりとも語らせ給うべし。」　

日蓮大聖人『諸法実相鈔』

Study Class on NICHIREN commemorating

The 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Dai’Shonin

Bishop Shokai Kanai

Our faith founder, Nichiren Dai’Shonin was born in Awa, Kominato (present Chiba Prefecture), Japan on February 16, 1222.

Nichiren Shu Shumunin (Headquarters) has been conducting many ceremonial events in all districts in Japan and overseas starting with the 100th Anniversary of Nichiren Order of North America in Los Angeles in 2014. The second to the last event will be held in Hawaii on May 16, 2021.

As you may already know, Bishop Hirai, along with the board members of Nichiren Mission of Hawaii, has planned many events and is still trying to raise funds in order to have a successful commemoration. However, in the middle of the process he and his wife returned to Japan. The committee representatives from each temple in the Hawaii district must continue to work towards this event. Time is short, even though we still have a couple years to go. Even if Headquarters want us to host one of the major events in Hawaii, if we do not know who Nichiren is and what he did for us, we cannot aim for it.

As the first step, I would like to start a study class on NICHIREN every Thursday starting on February 14th at 7 p.m. held in the library in the mansion. We will use a text book called NICHIREN by Jack Christensen who was a member of the Salt Lake Nichiren Buddhist Temple during the time I was a head minister in the 1970s. He was a high school English teacher and wrote and published a few textbooks for high school students. His way of writing was very clear, as you can imagine a beautiful scenery as you read. Although he had not been to Japan, he researched the historical background of the time Nichiren propagated the Lotus Sutra and O’Daimoku very well. Our mission has ordered ten books, so one can be purchased for $20 donation. (Nichiren Buddhist International Center also has the book for sale). The class is free. I would highly recommend everyone learn about our founder in order to strengthen our faith.

If you are interested in the class, please inform me.

 日蓮大聖人降誕８００年

金井勝海

　日蓮大聖人が千葉県小湊で誕生されたのは１２２２年２月１６日でした。日蓮宗では２０１４年に行われた北米開教百周年の折り、ご降誕８００年のお祝い行事をロスアンゼルスでキックオフした後、マレーシアでも盛大な祝賀法要を行いました。現在、日本国内の各教区で盛大に祝賀大法要をおこなっています。ハワイでは２０２１年５月１３日に同じように祝賀行事を行う事が宗務院で企画されています。　

　平井先生はこの行事を成功させる為、早くから８０万ドルの予算を立て、ハワイ教区各ミッションの代表が集まり「ご降誕８００年委員会」を設置し、いろいろと計画を立てられたようですが、急に帰国されてしまいました。いくら宗務院からハワイで祝賀行事の日程を決められても、ホストする側の我々が日蓮大聖人からどのような恩恵を受けているか知らなければ、お祝い行事への参加者は少ないでしょう。

　いかに日蓮大聖人が素晴らしい方であったかを学ぶために毎週㈬夜7時からマンションの図書室にて勉強会を行います。

　第1回は2月１４日です。教科書はJack Christensen著NICHIRENを使います。国際布教センターからすでに１０冊届いています。１冊２０ドルです。講義は英語で行います。授業は無料です。一人でも多くの信徒が勉強会に参加される事を望みます。興味のある方は金井上人までご連絡下さい。

Installation Ceremony Message

January 2019

Bishop Shokai Kanai

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF NICHIREN MISSION OF HAWAII!

I was installed as the 15th head minister of this temple on Sunday, December 9, 2018. The following is a part of the message given to the congregation.

Aloha! At the beginning of the ceremony, past Bishop Chishin Hirai handed me this HOS-SU, the symbol of the head priest of this temple. This horse tail-like Hos-su was originally used to chase away flies, mosquitos and other insects at the time of Sakyamuni Buddha, but it is now used for purification of the sanctuary. This Hos-su is inherited from the former Bishop Joyo Ogawa. You know him very well better than me. But I will tell you how we are related. Of course, he was my senior overseas minister and several years older than me. I often followed after him. He was trained as an overseas minister at the Los Angeles Nichiren Buddhist Temple in early 1960s under Bishop Ryobo Fujiwara, the head priest of the temple.

I was also trained under him at the same temple for six years from 1964 to 1970. Rev. Ogawa had been already transferred to the Salt Lake Nichiren Buddhist Temple in Utah. My first temple as a head priest was the same temple in Salt Lake City after Rev. Ogawa who had transferred to the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Temple in California. As you already know he was assigned as Bishop of Nichiren Mission of Hawaii District in 1989. Now I am HERE following after Bishop Joyo Ogawa.

Therefore, this Hos-su is very meaningful to me and to YOU!

By the way, if my memory is correct, Bishop Ogawa at the banquet of the 110th Anniversary of Nichiren Mission of Hawaii mentioned, “this temple will send the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Shonin around the world!” I was very excited to see what he was going to do. Since then many years have passed, and he became sick and passed away. I respect him very much.

Although I do not know what he intended to do, I somehow figured out what he meant. So, I will try to accomplish his and my wish.

My goal at this temple is to educate and raise Dharma teachers, lay-leaders, substitutes of Nichiren-shu priest, part-time ministers and full-time ministers. These Dharma teachers should be American-born especially people born and raised in HAWAII. What I mean of the part-time ministers will be someone who has a steady job and steady income. So, he or she does not have to depend on pay from a temple or mission. These good candidates are senior citizens who are in or near retirement. When I talk about a full-time minister, it may take five to six years at least and cost a lot of money for his or her education and travelling expenses to Japan several times before completing Shin-gyo Dojo. In order to materialize Bishop Ogawa’s and my WISH, I must educate and train all of you little by little. If you are interested in or have some idea on this program, please let me know.

The future of Nichiren temples in Hawaii relies on THEM! Great Bodhisattva Nichiren Dai’Shonin said in Shoho Jisso Sho, “Strive to carry out the two ways of practice and learning. Without practice and learning Buddhism will cease to exist. Endeavor yourself and cause others to practice these two ways of practice and learning which stem from faith. If possible, please spread even a word or a phrase of the Lotus Sutra to others.”

This message if from our founder, the Great Bodhisattva Nichiren Dai’Shonin.

Thank you very much for listening. MAHALO!

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo