O'daimoku Healing (Universal Energy of the O'Daimoku)

June 2022

SACRED WORDS

The definition of money changes according to its use. The Lotus Sutra is also the same. In darkness it becomes a lamp, when crossing a river, it becomes a boat or turns into water or fire. Thus, the Lotus Sutra teaches, “They will become peaceful in their present lives. In their future lives, they will have rebirths in good places, enjoy pleasures by practicing the (Bodhisattva’s) Way, and hear these teachings again.”

(Ch. 5) Nichiren at the age of 53 Yagenta Dono Gohenji

聖語

ぜに（銭）と云うものは用にしたがって変ずるなり。法華経も亦復是の如し。やみ（闇）には燈（ともしび）となり、渡りには舟となり、或いは水ともなり、或いは火ともなり給うなり。しからば（そうなると）法華経は現世安穏後生善処の御経なり。　　

日蓮「弥源太殿御返事」聖寿５３歳

O’DAIMOKU HEALING

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Hoping for people all over the world to be able to be healed, I will broadcast a YouTube video, "Rev. Kanai’s O’Daimoku Healing" soon. After reciting “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” for about 15 minutes, I will read “May we and all other living beings attain Buddhahood” as revealed in Chapter 7 of the Lotus Sutra.

Through YouTube, not only the people who chant or listen to my video but, also the people around them will be able to utilize the power of the O’Daimoku, just as money can be utilized for whatever he or she needs. Our chanting will heal all living creatures, and at the same time is for the deceased to help them attain the Enlightenment of the Buddha.

Please feel free to access the video 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you can't sleep, you can listen while in bed. Listen repeatedly. More details to follow.

I hope to have the YouTube video ready for broadcast sometime in June.

The reason why I am going to have this video message is to save the good and the bad, so world peace will be here. As Buddhists you may already know the origin of Obon. This is the story of Maudgalyayana, who was well-known for his supernatural powers among Buddha's ten disciples who was searching for where and how his late mother could be in the afterlife. As a result of her karma, she could not consume either food or water. Surprised to see her suffering in the Hungry Ghost Realm, he tried to feed her but, to no avail. The dutiful son followed the advice of Sakyamuni Buddha to have 500 monks read the Lotus Sutra for his suffering late mother and offered delicious food and drinks to the monks. As a result, she received their blessings and is said to have ascended to the Heavenly Realm. Therefore, during the Obon Memorial Services, various foods are offered.

Now, why did the mother who raised her son to become one of the Buddha's ten great disciples, fall into the Realm of Hungry Ghost? The reason was the selfish attitude of the mother. She pushed her own child to be number one at the detriment of other children and did not care what happened to the other people. That was the way she lived.

The teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the slogan of Minobusan Kuonji Temple is "Co-existence and Co-prosperity." The Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms of our minds represents this slogan. If we want to make this world a heavenly world of good alone, we must eliminate evils and devils that oppose good.

World peace is never possible if your attitude is, “Just for me, not for them,” or “Kill all of them who are obstacles to me or who do not please me.” Instead, it is important to say, “May we and all other living beings attain Buddhahood” as revealed in Chapter 7 of the Lotus Sutra.

My video is also aimed for those who are deceased from COVID-19, the war dead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and all our ancestors so that they may all attain the Enlightenment of the Buddha.

「お題目ヒーリング」

金井勝海

「自分だけ良ければ、他はどうなっても良い」という自己愛では、世界平和は決して実現しません。法華経の化城喩品に「願わくばこの功徳を以て、普く一切に及ぼし、我等と衆生と皆共に仏道を成ぜん」という言葉を語り続ける事が大事だと私は思います。その事を世界中の人々が気軽に唱える事が出来るように「Rev. Kanai’s O’DAIMOKU HEALING」のユーチューブを近々世界中に配信します。お題目を約１５分間唱えた後に、先の経文を読みます。お題目を唱えると唱えた人だけでなく回りの人やすべての生き物、そして同時に死者も成仏する癒やしのユーチューブです。今月の聖語にある通り、お題目はお金と同じで必要に応じて役目が変わり望みの効果が現れます。２４時間いつでも気軽にアクセスできます。

  何故これを始めようと思ったかと言いますと、仏教徒の方は既にご承知のように、お盆の由来は釈尊のお弟子で神通力第一と言われた目連尊者が亡き母がどこで・どうして居られるかと探し求めた結果、食べ物も水も喉を通らない餓鬼界で苦しんでいる姿を見て驚き、釈尊の助言に従い５００人の修行僧に「法華経」を読んでもらい、そのお礼に食事を接待した事により、母親が餓鬼界から天上界に上昇したと伝えられています。ですからお盆法要ではいろいろな食物をお供えします。

ここで、一つ質問ですが、釈尊の十大弟子の一人にもなられた目連尊者の母が何故地獄界に落ちたかということです。その理由は母親の自己愛でした。「自分の子供が一番となる為に、他人の子供達を邪魔者にしたからです。「目連さえ良ければ他はどうなっても構わなかった」のです。それが母親の生き様でもありました。

　 法華経の教えは身延山久遠寺のスローガンである「共生共栄」です。その姿を表したのが十界曼荼羅ご本尊です。この世を善だけの天上界にしようと思うと、善に対立する悪を除かなければなりません。曼荼羅ご本尊は善も悪も共に共生している姿です。これが現実世界です。

「自分さえよければ、他人はどうなっても良い」とか「自分の意見に従わなければ殺しても構わない」という考えでは世界平和は実現しません。「我らと共に皆仏道を成ぜん！」は善人も悪人も共に成仏するという法華経のおしえです。

Remembering - Wahiawa Nichiren Mission (by Sally Matsumoto and Shizuyo Kikuta)

May 2022

Remembering - Wahiawa Nichiren Mission

By Sally Matsumoto

In commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Wahiawa Nichiren Mission, it is necessary to trace the steps from its origin. The following information has been provided by their descendants and members of the Mission.

The origin of the Mission can be traced to the home of Reverend Nun Myoryu Aniya, in a Waipahu Cane Plantation called Camp 12. Rev. Aniya was not from a priestly background. As a fervent Nichiren Buddhist, she became the leader of a group of fellow workers chanting the “odaimoku” earnestly. In 1938, when the plantation quarters became too small for her membership, she purchased a lot in Wahiawa Heights, built a home and continued her ministry at Kilea Place.

Meanwhile, a piece of property was donated at Puu Place, a block away from Reverend Aniya’s residence. The members purchased two military buildings which were combined skillfully to form a Buddhist Temple and living quarters. In February 1948, there emerged a Lotus temple in the town of Wahiawa named WAHIAWA NICHIREN MISSION. This temple became the branch of NICHIREN MISSION OF HAWAII. The original building of the Wahiawa Nichiren Mission has been in existence since its establishment.

Reverend Nun Myoryu Aniya (1948-1979) was the first resident minister of this Mission. She was given the Buddhist name Myoryu by Bishop Mochizuki of the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. She did not receive any compensation from the temple and was sustained by the offerings received from members and others. At Bishop Mochizuki’s advisement, Reverend Aniya was able to collect social security compensation, according to her daughter, which was a big help.

Due to her keen psychic perception and telepathy, enabled Rev. Aniya to heal people who suffered from numerous ailments. Reverend Aniya was able to build a large membership. She raised anthuriums and had her own vegetable garden on the temple grounds. The anthuriums she raised kept an ample supply of flowers for the altar. Although the temple grounds currently may not have anthuriums, her son, Mr. Sosei Aniya, continually supplies the temple’s altar with his beautiful anthuriums.

Reverend Aniya was later joined by her daughter-in-law, Ayako Aniya. Ayako did all the errands and the cleaning of the temple. She also prepared meals for visitors from afar. Reverend Aniya retired from the temple in 1979 at age eighty-seven and lived in retirement until age ninety-three.

Remembering - Wahiawa Nichiren Mission

The Hidden Lotus Jewel in a Place Called Wahiawa

By Shizuyo Kikuta

In 1948, Reverend Nun Myoryu Aniya established Wahiawa Nichiren Mission. She was an amazing reverend who had an extraordinary ability to heal people’s physical and spiritual problems. It was said that Reverend Aniya could foresee a person’s future and could save many people. According to one long time member, Reverend Aniya was able to make a blind person see. Because of Reverend Aniya’s ability, the increment of membership was remarkable.

After retirement of Reverend Aniya, Nun Myocho Shinkai succeeded her at Wahiawa Nichiren Mission with strong recommendation from Arch. Bishop and Mrs. Fujii. Also, then Bishop Senchu Murano and members of Wahiawa temple convinced her because Reverend Shinkai was a local Nisei and fluent in English and Japanese.

After Reverend Shinkai’s passing, Reverend Giryu Kijima resided for a short time. Then Reverend Eiyu Yoshiki became the head minister for 4 years. The last minister assigned was Reverend Junsei Nagayoshi.

After the departure of Rev. Yoshiki and Rev. Nagayoshi, Reverend Eijo Ikenaga from Honolulu Myohoji visited the temple every other Sunday to conduct a service for the Wahiawa congregation for 8 years.

From 2012 to 2020, former Bishop Shingyo Imai, former Bishop Chishin Hirai and current Bishop Shokai Kanai from the Betsuin; and Reverend Josho Yamamura from Myohoji took turns holding services at Wahiawa Nichiren Mission once a month. During the last 2 years of Pandemic, we couldn’t get together, so Reverend Yamamura kindly visited to chant the Lotus Sutra and Odaimoku for our enshrined ancestors and Buddha by himself every month.

Our sincere appreciation to all Reverends and Bishops who supported, guided, and showed us how to deepen our faith to become devout Nichiren-shu believers.

We will remember forever a small Nichiren-shu temple that shines like a jewel in a hidden place in Wahiawa.

Daily Service Book (Newly published book to practice chanting at home)

March 2022

SACRED WORDS

“I accepted your offertory for the 13th Year Memorial service for your father. For acknowledgement I copied Hoben-pon and send it to you. Please read it with Jigage that I sent before. Each character of the Lotus Surra is a living Buddha. For example, the ordinary people can only see it as a letter, blind people cannot see it at all, Shōmon and Engaku people see it as “Empty-ness”, Bodhisattvas see it a Buddha Dharma, and Buddhas see it as a Golden colored living Buddha.”

Nichiren, Letter to Soya Nyudo (March, Bun’ei 1275)

聖語

貴殿の父の１３回忌追善供養のお礼を受け取りかたじけない。よって方便品の初めの段を写経して差し上げます。以前送った自我偈と一緒に読む事を勧めます。この法華経は一字一句が皆生きた仏様の御体です。しかし、我々普通の人間には文字としか見えません。例えば、盲目の人には全然見えません。声聞・縁覚の人には「空」と見え、菩薩には大切な仏様の教えと見え、釈尊には一つづつの文字が金色に光る仏様としてご覧になられるのです。

「曽谷入道殿御返事」

DAILY SERVICE BOOK

Rev. Shokai Kanai

I hope all subscribers of our monthly newsletter have received the newly published service book called “Daily Service Book”. If you have not received it yet, please let us know especially, those who subscribe to the newsletter only via email.

This booklet was created for you to practice chanting at home every day and/or evening. If you are not familiar with chanting, please join our Monday 7PM Chanting Class via ZOOM.* Each class is about 30 minutes. It is aimed for beginners. We practice reading each chapter of the Lotus Sutra slowly, so everyone can join and have fun chanting together. When you chant it every day, you will realize that you are always protected by divine beings.

This service book was published to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of Nichiren Shonin. The original idea was to publish a GATHA book revising the green book, HASU NO OSHIE. We used that book in the 1960s when I was an assistant minister at the Los Angeles Nichiren Shu Betsuin. I know almost all ministers in Hawaii and the mainland listed on page 94 of that book. During my six years there, the L.A. temple held four Sunday school classes every week for different age groups like pre-school, elementary lower grade, upper grade, and Jr. YBA levels. There were 60 to 70 Sunday school children at that time. Therefore, I was one of two drivers who picked up and dropped off the children every Sunday.

During my over three years of missionary work in Hawaii, I met several Sansei and Yonsei members who did not understand Japanese but held daily services at their homes using a Japanese book written in HIRA-GANA. They remember their parents or grandparents practicing chanting at their homes. Although their loved ones passed away, these descendants continue to copy their ancestors by chanting daily the sutra and Odaimoku. Isn’t it wonderful?

So, I thought. “wouldn’t it be great if we made a chanting book in English and Japanese ROMAJI to be used at their home daily?”

I believe due to COVID, we cannot expect near full capacity of attendees at our Sunday services but, the peo-ple can still attend the service through the internet on ZOOM and practice the daily service at their homes even after the pandemic. I think Sunday service style at temples will change in the near future.

If you would like to learn how to use the book or how to hold a daily service at home, please join the 7pm Chanting Class every Monday evening through Zoom, “ID: 722 0124 8932. Password: 4V35nU”, or by phone, call: +1-408-638-0968, Meeting ID: 722-0124-8932# and Password:836819#. To mute or to unmute your phone: press *6.

As you read the above Nichiren Shonin’s letter to Soya Nyudo, I recommend you read Chapter 2 (HO BEN PON), Chapter 16 (JIGA-GE), and chant Odaimoku daily.

デイリー・サービス・ブックの使い方

金井勝海

ハワイ日蓮宗別院の毎月の寺報のすべての購読者は「DAILY SERVICE BOOK」と呼ばれる新しく出版された小冊子を受け取った事と思います。 まだ受け取っていない方は別院までお知らせ下さい、すぐに郵送します。特にEmailで購読する方で受け取っていない方はお知らせください。

この小冊子は、毎朝夕に自宅で読経するためのものです。 このお経本をどのように使うのか、わからない方は、月曜日の午後７時のチャンティング・クラスにZOOM* INして下さい。毎回約30分で終わります。 初心者向けです。法華経を

ゆっくり読む練習をしているので、どなたでも楽しく参加できます。

本書は、日蓮大聖人ご生誕800年を記念して出版されました。当初のアイデアは、半世紀以上前に出版された緑色の表紙のHASU NO OSHIEを改訂出版する計画でした。私がロサンゼルス日蓮宗別院で主任補佐をしていた1960年代に同じ本を使っていましたから、この本の94ページに記載されているハワイと米国本土のほとんどの開教師を知っています。ロス別院の日曜学校には、当時幼稚園児、小学年下級生、上級生、中学生、Jr.YBA等レベルの異なる年齢層のクラスが４組ありました。日曜学校の子どもは60~70人いましたので、私は毎週日曜日に何人かの子供を迎えに行く2人の運転手のうちの1人でした 。

3年以上ハワイで布教活動をしていますが、日本語が分からない三世と四世のメンバーに会い、ひらがなと日本語の経本を使って毎日自宅で読経している信徒がいる事に気が付きました。 両親や祖父母が家で唱える姿を見ていてそれを続けています。祖父母、父母はずっと前に亡くなっていますが、子孫が真似て自らお経をあげています。 なんと素晴らしい事でしょう。

ですから、毎日自宅で使えるように英語とローマ字のお経本を出版して全メンバーに配布することを理事会で決議しました。仏教では信ずる前に行を大切にします。ですから毎日読誦行を勧めます。お経を読んでいると、いつもご守護神様に守られている事に気づくはずです。

コロナ禍が終息しても、日曜礼拝出席者でお堂が満員に近い人数は期待できないと思います。これからは、パンデミックが終わっても、インターネットを通じてサービスに参加し、自宅で読経する人が増え、将来日曜礼拝に参加する方法も変わってくることでしょう。

本の使い方や自宅で毎日のサービスを行う方法を学びたい場合は、＊ズームミーティング「ID:722 0124 8932、Pass Word:4V35nU 」を通じて、毎週月曜日の夕方午後7時の読経練習にご参加ください。電話で参加の場合は（ +1-408-638-0968, ID: 722-0124-8932# と Passowrd:836819#.を押すとつながります。電話をミュートまたはミュート解除するには:*6。

今月の聖語にあるように、日蓮聖人は方便品と自我偈を読むよう曾谷入道殿にアドバイスされておられます。

Archbishop Nissho Kanno's Goshinkyo (Dharma Talk) (800th Anniversary)

February 2022

Archbishop Nissho Kanno’s GOSHINKYO (Dharma Talk)

In 2021 Nichiren Shu celebrated the 800th Birth Anniversary of our founder Nichiren Shonin. Many grand ceremonial events were held across Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, marking the occasion. Overseas events were held in South America and Southeast Asia, all to express gratitude to our founder and to reaffirm our faith in which priests and devotees as one, made an oath to convey the heart of Nichiren Shonin in this chaotic world.

The Nichiren Missions of Hawaii made plans to hold a grand ceremony celebration that would bring together leaders of Nichiren Shu, Shomyoshi and Shuhoshi priests for Nichiren Shu members and followers in Hawaii. Due to current conditions however, the ceremony was held at Ikegami Honmonji Temple. A video recording is used by Kokusai Fukyoshi and Nichiren Shu members at their grand ceremony in Hawaii.

800 years ago, our founder Nichiren Shonin was born in Kominato area of Chiba Prefecture in a world full of natural disasters and inequality, where the nobility and samurai ruled society. Nichiren Shonin took his Buddhist vows and studied at Seichoji Temple, Kamakura, Kyoto and Nara but realized, the Buddhism of that time could not save people. After spending 20 years studying all the sutras to find the one teaching that could help people and address the turmoil of society, he reached the conclusion that the Lotus Sutra contained the Buddha’s true intention.

The teachings of the Lotus Sutra with Odaimoku chanting were the “good medicine” and precious treasure to help the people of Japan and the world. Nichiren Shonin stood and declared, “I will never break my vow to become the pillar of Japan, to become the eyes of Japan, and to become a great vessel for Japan” and will work to spread peace through the country by establishing the true dharma.

The grand ceremony celebrating the 800th birth anniversary is not just celebrating a birthday. Each one of us, priests, members, and devotees must accept Nichiren Shonin’s vow as our own in face of the continuous natural calamities and wars on a global scale and confusion in our hearts here at home. Now is the time for us to be resolute and choose a world of peace powered by our faith in the Lotus Sutra and Odaimoku.

To all temples, sangha event places and followers participating today, kindly take the precious opportunity of this grand ceremony to come together and realize the great peaceful world shown to us by Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Shonin. I look forward to our future devotement.

In closing, I would like to mention the 2003 Grand Ceremony commemorating the centennial of propagation in Hawaii conducted by the Venerable Rev. Nikko Fujii, 49th Archbishop of Nichiren Shu and Chief Abbot of Minobusan Kuonji Temple. I took part as the Propagations Department Manager and it left a deep impression on me. I also can never forget the ecstasy of keeping a promise to teach Shodaigyo to the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii members shortly after my installment at Ikegami Honmonji Temple and practicing the Odaimoku with them for three days. I was especially looking forward to coming to Hawaii for a third time to participate in the ceremony but, due to the COVID pandemic it was not to be. And so, I kindly ask the members of the Hawaii Mission Community to understand that it is with these thoughts and feelings in my heart that I conduct this ceremony, dedicated along with this address in gratitude.

GREAT SUCCESS of the 800th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR NICHIREN DAI’SHONIN!

By: Bishop Shokai Kanai

I deeply appreciate all of you, locally and overseas, who contributed to the success of the YouTube broadcast, “The Commemorative Ceremony of the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s Birth – Live from Hawaii,” this past Sunday, January 23, 2022.

The temple building was newly painted, the floors were shiny and waxed, the ten red and white Odaimoku banners representing each of the five Nichiren Missions in Hawaii were waving in the breeze and the Hawaiian and chrysanthemum flowers decorated the altar beautifully and in amazing colors. Twenty-five members from the local missions who attended in person with over one hundred people from around the world on YouTube, participated as the ceremony at the Nichiren Sect Mission of Hawaii was broadcasted side by side with the service conducted in Japan.

The distinguished Archbishop of our order, his Holiness, Benevolent Nissho Kanno, officiated the Grand Ceremony from his temple at Ikegami Honmon-ji in Tokyo Japan. Locally, Reverend Yamamura and I assisted him together with three Shamis and the members who attended in person. We recited the Lotus Sutra and chanted the Odaimoku in unison with the Archbishop Kanno.

Even with the COVID restrictions, through the technology of YouTube, we were all able to be of one mind praying and chanting as Nichiren Dai’Shonin would have wished.

If you have not watched it, you can still see this amazing and heartfelt celebration on YouTube by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ag80tR4nkU

OR search YouTube for #nichiren800hawaii

The 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin's Birth on January 23, 2022

January 2022

Sacred Words

May the New Year, 2022

Bless you with Health, Wealth, and Happiness

In the Chinese calendar, this is the Year of the Tiger denoting: the Fifth Star and Element of the Central Soil. The universal energy is just before sunrise, so be patient in this year. Try to realize your own character and talent by birth. Harmony with others is the best for your good fortune in this year.

新年あけましておめでとうございます。

今年は壬寅で五黄土星中宮の年です。この暦が暗示している事は、今年はやがて来る春の為に草木の根や種が土の中でタイミングを待っている状態です。ですから、大きな繁栄はあまり望めませんが、自分の本当の性格と才能に気づき、自分を鍛え上げる力を養うよう努力する年回りと私は思います。そうすれば来年は必ず春が来て朝日が出て運気が好転します。

　皆様のご多幸と健康を祈り、新年の挨拶とさせていただきます

JANUARY 23, 2022

Rev Shokai Kanai

Finally, the day is coming soon.

I found an article about the 800th Anniversary by Bishop Chishin Hirai on our temple newsletter dated March 2016. He listed the following seven events decided at the January 2016 board meeting:

1. Fix Hondo and mansion,

2. Graveyard for pet’s ashes scattered,

3. Grand Ceremony of the anniversary,

4. Commemorative Tour to Japan,

5. Publication a revised Gatha book,

6. Fundraising campaign for $800,000,

7. Other related activities.

I would like to explain how much we have accomplished for each of the plans listed above:

1. Hirai Shonin wrote, “there are some bubbles on the roof.” It was fixed in July this year. He also wrote, “Outside walls of the hondo and roof are dirty and have many marks.” We hired painters who are working on that now. Please see the pictures on page one of this newsletter. “There are trees just outside of the building. They are so tall, and the fallen leaves are stuck in the rain gutter and weeds are growing.” Yes, they were. A neighbor told me that weeds are growing in the gutters of the resident minister’s house. We took care by installing new gutters; two big trees were cut at their trunks. Regarding the mansion, the Board started to repair the leaking sewer pipes from the 2nd floor bathtub and toilet, but the cost was too much. So, we decided to suspend further repairs on the mansion. However, if Historic Hawaii Foundation grants some support, we may restart and renovate the mansion. A decision to move ahead will be made by the end of this year.

2. The Pet Monument was placed near the pond last May. Two families already scatted ashes of their pets.

3. Publication of a revised Gatha Book. The current Gatha book, HASU NO OSHIE, is still good as a song book, Gatha. Instead, the board decided to publish a DAILY SERVICE BOOK for all members and Dharma friends to practice chanting at their homes in English or Japanese. It will be distributed to all subscribers to our newsletter in time for the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii commemorating the 800 Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s birth.

4. Pilgrimage to Nichiren Shonin’s memorial sites will be held later.

5. We replaced the fence around the stream and Pulelehua Way.

6. The Fundraising amount has reached to $155,981 as of November 21, 2021.

7. Grand Ceremony will be held as scheduled on January 23rd, 2022.

Brief Service Order is as followed:

7:30 AM All participants assemble

9:00 AM SHODAI-GYO (Please sit by 8:55 AM)

9:30 AM First Bell

9:50 AM Second Bell (Two new shamis purify the stage followed by Entering 10 ODAIMOKU banners of each mission carried in by their representatives. (Odaimoku chanting ).

ShodoTaiko followed by Minister’s entry to the stage.)

10:00 AM MC OPENING ADDRESS: (DOJO-GE, INVOCATION, HOBEN-PON-offering flower by children, SYMBOLS, JIGAGE-Incense Offering by each mission), ITAI-DOSHIN-JI, ODAIMOKU chanting, PRAYER, SHISEI, OKYO-CHODAI, DHARMA MESSAGE, BUSO, WORDS OF APPRECIATION.

11:00 AM MC CLOSING ADDRESS (Ministers retired)

ARCHBISHOP’S VIDEO MESSAGE

11:15 AM OKAJI BLESSING by 4 Shuhhoshis

11:50 AM GROUP PICTURE taking

12:30 PM LUNCH (Please let us know how many people in your family attending in person by January 20. )

1:30 PM SHODAI ANGYA procession on foot from Betsuin to Honolulu Myohoji

2:30 PM PANEL DISCUSSION by ministers from mainland.

The YouTube broadcasting will be from 10 AM to the end of the archbishop’s message.

We will let you know the name of the YouTube URL later.

NOTE:

We will have rehearsal at 1 PM on Saturday, January 22nd.

We request the following people to attend the rehearsal: Two volunteers to carry the Odaimoku banner, one representative for offering incense from each mission, and several youths to offer flowers (Bishop Kanai is looking for any boys and girls who could volunteer to offer flowers during HOBEN-PON chanting. Please let him know by the end of this year).

Guardian Deity or Shugo-Jin

April 2022

SACRED WORDS

(Kegon Sutra says): When everyone is born, there are two heavenly divine messengers named, DOSHO and DOMYO TENS OR Gods of THE SAME BIRTH and SAME NAME with you. As your shadow always follows you, the two messengers will follow you at every moment. They take turns reporting all of your behavior, good or bad to the higher heavenly beings. Thus, your warm-hearted conducts are well known among the heavenly beings. I am very proud of you.

Nichiren "Dosho Domyo Gosho" at Ichinosawa, Sado

聖語

華厳経というお経に「全ての人が産まれる時には、同生同名という二人の天の使いがついていて、影がいつもついて回る如く、寸時も離れず、あなたの大罪・小罪・大功徳・小功徳も細大もらさず、かわるがわる天に昇って報告する」と釈尊が説かれておられます。あなた方のご厚志は諸天もすべてご承知のことですから頼もしく存じます。　

　　　　　　日蓮『同生同名御書』於：佐渡一の谷

Guardian deity or SHUGO-JIN

Rev. Shokai Kanai

This month's Sacred Word is a letter addressed to the wife of Kingo Shijo, who sent her husband to visit their exiled master, Nichiren Dai’Shonin on Sado Island in April 1272. It was very difficult for everyone to believe in the Lotus Sutra during the Mappo Era, but the couple continued to have their strong faith towards Nichiren and supported him from the bottom of their hearts. The saint showed his appreciation to Kingo’s wife for sending her husband on a difficult journey to Sado Island. Because the heavenly beings know all of their behaviors, Nichiren encouraged them to continue their devotion to the Lotus Sutra and Odaimoku.

By the way, the United States was founded in part by the Puritans, who incorporated their omniscient and omnipotent God as the guardian deity of the nation. We recite the Pledge of Allegiance before we start an important event and praise God and the nation. With monotheism, God of the region and the individual is the same. However, Buddhism teaches the Law of Cause and Effect, that all things appear and disappear because of their conditions. There are many gods who protect our country, region, buildings, families, and individuals. In Nichiren sect, gods who protect the followers of the Lotus Sutra and the practitioners of the sutra are called SHUGO-JIN or guardian deities.

There are many Shugo-jin in Buddhism, but there are differences in power of protection such as low, middle, and high levels. There is also a superior level, too. In Chapter 26 of the Lotus Sutra the five guardian deities gave us dharani spells to the expounder of the Dharma to protect him or her. They are Medicine-King Bodhisattva, Brave-In-Giving Bodhisattva, Vaisravana Heavenly King, World-Holding Heavenly-King, and Ten Rakasais with the Mother-Of-Devil (Kishimo-jin). All of them vowed to Sakyamuni Buddha to protect the good men or women who keep, read, or recited even a single gatha of the Lotus Sutra, understood the meaning of it or acted according to it.

In all Nichiren Missions of Hawaii and the Honolulu Myohoji, they enshrine Kishimo-jin and Deity Seisho-ko. Besides them, the Deity Daikoku and Deity Shichimen are also enshrined in the Hilo Nichiren Mission.

Well, who are your guardian deity besides DOSHO and DOMYO TEN? You do not need to know their names, but you are surely protected by your Shugo-jin day and night just like Mr. & Mrs. Kingo Shijo. Please realize that they and you are also blessed with the Source of the Universal Energy called “Myoho” 妙法 day and night.

All Nichiren Shu members often hold memorial services. Do you remember which ancestor took care of you the most? I believe these ancestors are also taking care of you from the spiritual realm. Show appreciation towards them, although you may never notice their presence just as you do not realize that your life is sustained by air (oxygen) and water.

守　護　神

金井勝海

　上記の聖語は文永９年（１2７２年）４月に四条金吾が鎌倉から佐渡に流罪中の大聖人を訪れ、その折四条氏にたくして、夫人に送られたお手紙です。濁悪の末法に法華経を信仰する事は難事ですが、夫妻が心を併せて強盛の信心をつづけ、はるか佐渡ケ島

まで夫を遣はされた妻の志の厚きを感謝し、諸天善神様が貴女方を見守っておられるから尚一層の精進をするよう勧められています。

　一般的には国家や地域や個人を護る神を守護神と言います。ピューリタンによって築きあげられたアメリカ合衆国の守護神は全知全能の神です。ですから、大事な行事を始める前には、必ず国歌を唄い神を讃えます。一神教ですから地域や個人の神も同じThe GODです。仏教は、全ての物は「縁により生じ、縁によって滅す」という因果応報の法則を説きますので、創造主としてのＧＯＤは信じませんが、私達の国や地域や建物や家族・個人を護る神々様の存在は信じています。また複数の神々がいますから、守護神も大勢います。日蓮宗では特に法華経と法華経信者を守護する諸天善神を守護神としています。

　法華経陀羅尼品第２６に説かれている薬王菩薩・勇施菩薩・毘沙門天・持国天・鬼子母神・十羅刹女等の守護神が法華経を持ち・読み・諳んじ・理解し・写経し・南無妙法蓮華経と唱える者を守護し、安穏にすると誓願を立てておられます。ハワイ日蓮宗別院には鬼子母神と清正公様が祀られており、ヒロ・ミッションでは、大黒様・七面大明神様も祀られています。これらのご守護神にはそれぞれ役目が違い、下級・中級・上級の違いもあります。最上級のご守護神がおられます。皆様方には、宇宙の根源の恩恵（妙法）のお陰で生かされている事に気づいて頂きたいです。

　さて、皆様のご守護神はどなたですか。あなたにもあなたと同じ誕生日であなたと同じ名前の同生同名天が毎朝晩お護りして下さっている事に感謝しましょう。それと、ご先祖様の中で、生前あなたを一番可愛がって下さっていた方はどなたですか。その方に今でも感謝していますか。その方は今でもあなたを見守っておられるのです。しかし、普段の私たちは空気や水のお陰で生かされている事に感謝する事を忘れています。それと同じように、ご先祖のご守護に感謝すると、守護の力がさらに強く感じるようになります。