District or United Level
Every district in the state holds its membership meeting or BWA convention annually. It is usually hosted by BWA unit(s) on a rotating basis. These events are well attended since all members are invited to participate and much camaraderie is evident. The format is quite similar — a religious service, general membership meeting with a guest speaker and luncheon followed by a program. The afternoon program vary depending on the host unit(s), i.e. entertainment by representatives of each unit or a special program selected by the host.
See the calendar for dates of district membership meetings/conventions.
State Level
Every four years, the Hawaii Federation of Buddhist Women’s Associations holds a State Membership Conference. This is held the year preceding a World Convention. Since it is hosted by different districts in turn, in 2014, the Hawaii Island United BWA hosted the 12th State Membership Conference at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. The program consisted of services, Dharma speakers, workshops, and resolutions. New business items by Uniteds, Units, or even individuals are highly encouraged.
World Level
The first Buddhist Women’s World Convention was held in March 21-22, 1961 in Kyoto, Japan and is held once every four years at one of the five World districts (Japan, Hawaii, Buddhist Churches of America, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada, and South America). Members in these Districts attend this Convention to share information, to unite in spirit and purpose, to strengthen our beliefs in Jodo Shinshu, and to promote world peace.
18th World Convention
Host: Hawaii
September 11-12, 2025
Honolulu, Hawaii
Live Peace, Live Aloha, Live as One in the Nembutsu
Host: Japan
May 11-12, 2023
Kyoto International Conference Center, Japan
Life of Nembutsu enables us to appreciate every encounter
850th birthday of Shinran Shonin and the 800th anniversary of the Hongwanji
16th World Convention
Host: Buddhist Churches of America
August 30 – September 1, 2019
San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel, San Francisco, California
Attendance: 1700
Live the Nembutsu
Live the Nembutsu
A video invitation
16th World Convention (San Francisco, 2019)
“Live the Nembutsu” talk by Carol Valentine
A few performance videos on the Videos page
15th World Convention
Host: Buddhist Churches of Canada
May 30-31, 2015
Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, Alberta
Attendance: 2000
Embraced by the Oneness of Life
14th World Convention
Host: Japan
May 15-17, 2011
Kyoto Pulse Plaza, Kyoto
Attendance: 4,000
May Peace and Tranquility Prevail Throughout the World
photo gallery »
13th World Convention
Host: Hawaii
Sept. 1-3, 2006
Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu
Attendance: 3500
Buddha’s Vow, My Aspiration:
May There Be Peace in the World and May the Buddha’s Teaching Spread
photo gallery »
12th World Convention
Host: South America
Oct. 8-10, 2002
Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Attendance: 2300
Awake to oneself being nurtured by compassion of Amida Buddha.
Be Grateful — In Gassho Together with My Child and Grandchild
11th World Convention
Host: Japan
April 8-11, 1998
Convention Center, Osaka
Attendance: 8654
A Life of Inspirational Gratitude — Pass it On; My Innovation
10th World Convention
Host: Buddhist Churches of America
Sept. 2-4, 1994
Hilton/Marriott Hotel Anaheim, CA
Attendance: 3432
Namu Amida Butsu, In Gassho the World is One
9th World Convention
Host: Buddhist Churches of Canada
May 31-June 2, 1990
Convention Center Vancouver, British Columbia
Attendance: 3000
Spread the Sound of the Nembutsu to the World, to Our Children and Grandchildren
8th World Convention
Host: Japan
Oct. 7-9, 1986
International Hall, Kyoto
Attendance: 3800
The Joy of Being Sustained Through the Nembutsu
7th World Convention
Host: Hawaii
July 23-25, 1982
Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Honolulu
Attendance: 2200
Joining Hands with Others, Rejoice in the Nembutsu
6th World Convention
Host: Sao Paulo, South America
June 24-25, 1978
Anhembi Convention Hall Sao Paulo, Brazil, South America
Attendance: 2500-4000
Theme: Heart to Heart; Slogan: To Be Given Life by the Nembutsu, Together in Harmony, Enlarge the Circle of Nembutsu
5th World Convention
Host: Buddhist Churches of America
Aug. 29-31, 1974
Civic Center San Francisco, CA
Attendance: 3000
Slogan: Discovering New Horizons
4th World Convention
Host: Japan
April 17-19, 1970
Kyoto International Hall, Kyoto, Japan (Goeido)
Attendance: 2000
Theme: Monpo; Slogan: Listen Together, Build Together, a Peaceful World
3rd World Convention
Host: Hawaii
June 16-18, 1967
Hawaii Betsuin, Honolulu
Attendance: 1200
Theme: Gratitude (Hosha)
Slogan: Grateful Service for a Better World
2nd World Convention
Host: Buddhist Churches of America
May 14-16, 1965
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City, N.Y.
Slogan: World Peace Through Compassion
Attendance: 600
1st World Convention
Host: Japan
March 21-22, 1961 | Kyoto, Japan (Goeido)
Attendance: 2500-3700
Theme: Offering the Nembutsu to Societies Everywhere; Let the Nembutsu Vitalize in our Society