Early Fall 2020 Rinzai Maui Zen Mission Newsletter

Aloha Everyone I hope you are as well as can be during these challenging times. Ordinarily, we would be very busy planning our Obon Festival. Unfortunately, with the presence of the coronavirus, this will not be a reality.

Thank you to those who have already generously donated during this Obon season. Many nonprofits are facing difficulties in their fundraising efforts. Words can not sufficiently express our appreciation of your dedication and continued support of our Temple as we look forward to beGer times to come.

As the virus pandemic evolves, please continue with due diligence. Be flexible and strictly adhere to the recommended safety protocols to assure that our community becomes healthy and achieves some type of normalcy again. Stay safe and take care of each other.

In Gassho,
Alan Nago,
President, Board of Directors

“Give Aloha” Program

Because of COVID-19, Rinzai Zen Mission will not be having our annual Obon Festival. We are asking for your help by making a donation through the Foodland/Sack N Save “Give Aloha” program. Foodland and Western Union Foundation will match your donation up to $249 per person per organization. You may go to any Foodland or Sack N Save on Maui, Oahu, Kauai, or the Big Island. This program will run through the whole month of September.

You must use your Maika’i Card to make a donation for matching funds. If you do not have a Maika’i Card, you may easily apply for one; it’s free. No purchase is required.

Keep your receipt for your tax records. Please request a duplicate receipt to send to Rinzai Zen Mission, since we do not get a list of contributors. Be sure your receipt shows our organization name – #78980 Rinzai Zen Mission. Thank you.

Your donation will help towards promotion of the Zen religion, maintenance of our facili5es, and continuation of the Paia “plantation” style of Okinawan Obon music and dance.

Obon Service

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, we had a full Obon Service on August 15th without our congregation. All hatsubon, (the first Obon Service after death) and toba were made and individually prayed for, along with a special Obon chant and offerings for all of our members’ ancestors.

Beautiful flowers, sweet manju, fresh vegetables and fruits were on the altar. Sadly no chairs were needed in an incense-filled temple and no music to be heard outside.

The shoreline creeps closer to our boundary line. The pandemic is not our only problem for life at Rinzai Zen Mission. However, we are ready for the big waves to come with our newly built embankment. Pet dog Umi is our best security system who works all night as our surrounding areas become more tense.

Trees fronting the Temple Park Pavilion succumbing to beach erosion

Thank You

Thanks to Mr. Kenneth Kihata’s watchful eye, our big bell was brought down for repairs before any disastrous accidents could take place. The bell is waiting to be put up on the beam again.

During this pandemic time, Mr. Alan Nago is helping the temple single handedly. Thank you very much Mr. Nago. We are so lucky to have you as our president.

Future schedules cannot be put in this Newsletter. We will be in contact with individuals who were active in the past when the time arises and we are able to gather once again.

Stay safe and in good health!

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