Hongwanji-ha Sets Up Recovery Fundraiser Featuring Food, Products From Tohoku, Noto, Hawaii
A disaster recovery fundraiser booth was set up by the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Relief Efforts Department with the cooperation of the International Department during Goshoki Ho-onko at Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, from Jan. 9-16.
This year, food and products from Tohoku, Noto and Hawaii were on sale in support of recovery efforts in the respective regions.
Goshoki Ho-onko is a weeklong annual service culminating on Shinran Shonin's memorial day on Jan.16. Ho-onko is the most important among annual Hongwanji observances. Jodo Shinshu followers from throughout Japan and overseas visit Hongwanji during this time to pay respects to the beloved founder of Shin Buddhism.
Through the generous cooperation of Kenneth Komo and his son Patrick Komo (Kona Hongwanji) of Komo Estate Coffee, we were able to sell bags of authentic Kona coffee, an extravagant rarity in Japan.
Also, a big arigato goes out to Edythe Vassall (Hilo Betsuin), who safely delivered the coffee to Japan in addition to contributing a variety of Hawaiian print items, Rev. Masako Sugimoto (Hongwanji International Department) who donated macadamia nut chocolates and handbags, and Rev. Gene Sekiya (Hongwanji International Department), who hand-crafted nenjus using kukui nuts and beads for the occasion.
And we must thank the many supporters who came by the booth in support of Lahaina’s recovery. Many expressed their fondness for Hawaii, among whom were a few former Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii ministers and families.
Kona coffee was also brewed for those wishing to enjoy a hot cup at the Hongwanji in the heart of winter. Rev. and Mrs. Joshin Inada, who served at Wailuku and Lanai temples in Maui in the 1970s, and Rev. Osamu Ōzai, head priest of Chokōji Temple in Ōita, Kyushu, were among the customers.
At first, I was apologizing when serving coffee because of how much each cup cost. However, I began to sense that they were purchasing the coffee as a way to show their support. As each customer would make their way back to the tent to return their empty cups, their words of gratitude were very encouraging.
In addition to the food and products table was a panel exhibit updating the situation in Lahaina over the past year. A beautiful photo of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission shared by photographer Alan Kubota was a stark reminder that nothing is permanent; how something we thought would be around for ages can vanish in a fleeting moment. Also invaluable was the prompt assistance from Kehau Cerizo (Communications Officer, County of Maui Office of Recovery), Duane Sparkman (Founder and President, Treecovery Hawaii), and Gerry Anderson (Maui News) in providing images and captions for the exhibit. Their warm kokua (help) and open-heartedness reminded me of just how truly special Maui is to me.
While in the Hongwanji courtyard during the Goshoki Ho-onko observance, as intermittent flurries of snow whirled around me, the warmth of the coffee and the words of kindness and encouragement from the customers brought to mind words from a dharma message by Rev. Giei Sasaki (Fukudenji resident priest):
“A single recitation of the Nembutsu is like a warm cup of tea …. The way of serving tea is a reflection of one’s sincerity toward a guest. Therefore, you should serve with gentleness and grace in accordance with your caring heart. In terms of tea ceremony, it is believed that the host’s demeanor is a reflection of one’s true self. When the host's hospitality is properly conveyed, a sense of gratitude naturally arises in the heart of the guest.
“Imagine the Nembutsu as a cup of tea. The Nembutsu tea is the pure compassionate heart and mind of Amida Buddha. In addition, this tea includes the salvific working that arises from the Buddha’s genuine compassion. Therefore, when reciting the Nembutsu, we should imagine Amida Buddha serving us a cup of warm tea and remind ourselves to be thankful to Amida Buddha, who never ceases to guide us through the stormy weather of life.”
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