Author: bigwave

Please Click Here to view the Paia Rinzai Zen Mission 2013 Hanamatsuri Photo Gallery
Please Click Here to view the Paia Rinzai Zen Mission May-June 2013 Newsletter

In 2011, we could not have the entertainment or bingo game to enjoy like every other year because of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. So, we really enjoyed this year’s Hanamatsuri at our Mission with our guests from Japan. The Secretary General of Myoshinji, The Most Reverend Matsui with his wife Akemi became very familiar faces on Maui at this time of year, just like our old friends Rev. Hoshi and Rev. Kajiro. Because of the big repair project in Japan, Rev. Chisaka was absent from our activity for the last two years but this year graced us with his beautiful chanting voice at our altar. The gifts they brought from Japan were so overwhelming at our dinner the night before Hanamatsuri. Our president Alan Nago and his family brought their big BBQ equipment and fed us very well. The Rev. Chisaka’s report of our donation to Miyagi was very detailed and it was truly meaningful for us to know of the recovery of Tohoku.

Without question, the Secretary General’s Dharma talk was the highlight of the Hanamatsuri service. The interpreter had a hard time because of his own tears and could see many attendees’ as well.

Everyone got three omamori (good luck charms) from Hoshi Sensei and one of them was 24k gold plated. Someone came to return it later in the day, saying “I do not deserve one.” We just say thank you to our old friends. The Rev. Kajiro carried so many furikake in his suitcase that he was questioned at the airport. So was Rev. Chisaka who carried one hundred gold plated omamori. (So heavy!)

Because of President Alan Nago’s generosity and Mantokuji members’ two days of cooking, we had a wonderful lunch. Thanks also to Maui Ryukyu Culture Group’s entertainment. Our Hanamatsuri was an impressive one to remember. We hope that Paia Hanamatsuri will keep going like this for years to come and keep our Buddhist community together. Thank you to everyone who helped make this Hanamatsuri a successful one.

The birth of Shakyamuni Buddha was the very first step toward the beginnings of Buddhism. It was said in the old Indian tale that the sweet and fragrant warm water poured gently over the newborn baby in the flower garden of Lumbini in northern India (now Nepal), suggested that he would be the Buddha in later years.

It has been over 2,500 years since the Honored One, from whom so many people in the world have received teachings, was born. Presently, we still continue to celebrate “Hanamatsuri,” Shakyamuni Buddha’s birthday, here on Maui far away from India.

This year we celebrate our annual Paia Hanamatsuri at Rinzai Zen Mission on Sunday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. with members of the Mantokuji Mission and our guests from Japan, Rev. and Mrs. Matsui, Rev. Hoshi, Rev. Kajiro, and Rev. Chisaka.

We will have a dinner for our guests on Saturday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. We are going to decorate the Hanamido that evening too. Please join with our honored guests for dinner, which will be provided, and with flowers for the Buddha.

Dear Friends,

We wish to express our sincere appreciation for your donation to our rummage and bake sale and the food concession held recently. Your generosity helped make our sale a huge success! It was wonderful to see so many of you working together to help with this first-time fundraiser for our temple.

We are truly grateful for your support. Your donations and hard work will allow us to continue to maintain our temple and its facilities.

Thank you again for your kindness.

In Gassho,
Reverend Ryozo Yamaguchi, Abbott
Alan Nago, President
Elaine Fujita, Secretary
Janet Miyahira, Treasurer

Don’t forget our Rummage/Baked Goods/Craft Sale which will be held on Sunday, November 11th, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the church grounds.

We’re gladly accepting donations of any used items in good condition such as clothing, household items, etc. Also any baked goods, plants, or craft items you’d care to donate would be greatly appreciated. If you’d like to donate items for the rummage sale and need help getting your items to the church, please call Alan Nago at 281-7181 or Reverend Yamaguchi at 268-2209, and they will gladly pick up your donations and deliver them to the church.

If you’d care to contribute to our bake sale, please drop off your labeled baked goods to the church on Saturday morning (November 10th). Remember, this is a fundraiser for our church so get busy and clean out those cupboards and closets; it’s going for a good cause! And don’t forget to come join us that day and check out the sale. You’ll be surprised by what you might find!

In April, we purchased a refrigerator for $1,617.70 for the Minister’s residence. It was paid for with $1768.50 received from your donations of Maui Stamps (blue ones and gold ones)!

Everyone please continue to turn in your stamps which you receive when you shop at Ah Fook’s. You would need to ask for your stamps. You can keep the blue stamps for yourself for discounts on items purchased at Ah Fook’s. Turn in the gold stamps to Rinzai Zen Mission and we redeem it at Maui Stamps for cash. Thank you everyone for your help. Sc

Whatever your reasons to learn Okinawan style Bon dances, the best time and place is here. Our Bon dance practice starts July 17th and ends August 9th. We practice every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m. No experience necessary. And mistakes are part of the fun! It is open to everyone from beginner to seasoned master dancer.

Please come to Paia, and enjoy the evenings.