Posts by Donna Higashi

Aloha Reunion Tea (BWA Student Exchange Alumnae)

Posted on by Donna Higashi

At the 3rd World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii in June 1967, a resolution to adopt the Student Exchange program was passed.  In 1971 the first two young women, Jan Aratani and Gail Mamura were sponsored by the Hawaii Federation of BWAs and selected to go to Japan .  Since then until 2019, 42 others have traveled to Japan.  The most recent young women were Chloe Oshiro of Mililani Hongwanji and Katelyn Otani of Pearl City Hongwanji.  Their reflections can be found in the most recent HI Federation Newsletter Fall 2019.

On Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Jikoen Hongwanji an “Aloha Reunion Tea” is being planned from 1:00 – 3:00.  It will be a time to reconnect with these young women.  We’ll have tea and signature goodies from each island. (event follows the Spring Rep Mtg.).  It’ll be a wonderful talk story time, since some of them might be traveling from places beyond Honolulu, Hawaii where they are now working or residing.

Assisting President Lois Toyama are Irene Nakamoto, Barbara Brennan, Caroline Otani (Class of ’87), Wendie Yumori and Carol Valentine.

Susan Kakuda (Class of ’93) first row (left)            Katelyn Ohtani and Chloe Oshiro (Class of 2019)

Eshin-ni and Kakushin-ni Chair for Jodo Shinshu Studies

Posted on by Donna Higashi

A primary purpose of the BWA is to support the propagation of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism throughout the world.  To implement this purpose, our  World Federation of BWAs is proposing to establish a Jodo Shinshu teaching position at the BCA’s Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkely, California.  IBS has been vital in spreading Jodo Shinshu not only in the Americas (North and South), but also in Hawaii, Canada, Europe, and Japan, etc.

The GOAL is to raise three (3) million dollars with the interest earned yearly to be used to fund the teaching position of an instructor.  This position will be named for two individuals close to our hearts – The Eshin-ni and Kakushin-ni Endowed Chair for Jodo Shinshu Studies.

Each Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple worldwide is being asked to support this project and the Hawaii Federation of BWAs is in favor of it.  Each temple’s goal is approximately $300.   The BWAs in Hawaii will spearhead this fundraising effort with all donations earmarked as coming from the entire temple membership.  Deadline is December 31, 2018.

Thanks to the hard work of many individuals, we have met Hawaii’s goal of $11,000.  As of January 15, 2019, we have raised $14,631 from 21 Temple and BWA groups.  Additional thanks goes to the Dharma School Teachers of Oahu and the Hawaii District Ministers Association.  If your temple/BWA missed the deadline and would still like to participate in this worthwhile project, contact your United BWA President for more information.

framed images of Kakushinni, left, and Eshinni, right, before the altar at Hawaii Betsuin
Images of Kakushinni, left, and Eshinni, right, at Hawaii Betsuin.

Facebook

Posted on by Donna Higashi

Hawaii Buddhist Women’s Associations has a new Facebook page.  Look for it on our website’s homepage.  Click the “f” icon in the upper right portion of the screen.  We welcome current articles, photos, news, events.  Send information to the following for posting:  Federation (Tamayo Matsumoto, Lois Toyama); Honolulu United (Lois Toyama); Kauai United (Rev. Tomo Hojo); Big Island United (K.T. Cannon-Eger)