The first statewide Dharma School Parents & Students Conference (Isshoni-Nembutsu Family) was held on April 27 and 28 at Radisson Kauai Resort, hosted by Kauai Hongwanji Dharma School Teachers’ Association and supported by the Office of Buddhist Education. First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to members of Dharma School PTA for their selfless contributions and untiring efforts to realize the conference and all the participants for their attendance. Also, I would like to thank members of Jr. YBA & Sr. Buddhists Association for their help and support during the conference. After observing the conference, it is my general impression that the first statewide Dharma School Parents & Students Conference was hugely succeed.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Goishi’s presentations were excellent. His presentations were on "motivation" by practicing appreciation for each other through the "gratitude stone" and breaking into small groups to share ideas, experiences, and thoughts. I think "motivation" was a key idea for the objectives of our conference. The objectives were to increase family participation in temple activities, to attract future leaders of the Kyodan, and to relating Buddhist Education in the family unit. Motivations for those objectives will help to communicate between parents and students and reflect upon the importance and significance of attending temple activities and listen to the teachings in our daily lives. It will also help to remind parents that how teachings are indispensable in our own lives and how important the awareness of the parents’ role in sustaining the Nembutsu Family concept.

After the opening service till lunch time (during Dr. Goishi’s sessions and panel discussion) on Saturday, April 27, students age under 10 had an another activity at next room. Parents could attend the sessions and panel discussion freely. I was very impressed with our teachers for their hard works. I received lots of positive comments from kids and their parents. It was excellent.

Four panellists (2 students & 2 parents) shared their experiences, thoughts, and ideas under the topic of "how many ways can you come together as a family to express the Nembutsu". It was an attempt to initiate the opportunity to express the new ideas of new family standards in a changing society with strong values at its foundations. It was excellent sharing.

All the fun activities (water balloon fighting, dressing baby Buddha, and scavenger hunt) were relate to the teachings. From younger kids to older kids, and adults, all the participants could come together as one big Nembutsu Family through the fun activities. They were excellent activities.

Each family wrote a postcard to Amida, "How you appreciate our real parent, Amida Buddha as well as our father and mother in our daily lives". The postcard will be sent back to each family on April 2003, 1 year later from the conference. All participants will be able to reflect upon their appreciation and gratitude to Amida with their family members. It is another opportunity to initiate comfortably to discuss Buddhist concepts with family members at each home.

The goal of the conference was to strengthen Buddhist Education in the family unit. Through this Dharma School Parents and Students Conference, many families made their commitments to initiate bringing Buddhist teachings into the family activities. For example, they are words of thanksgiving at each meals; Three Treasurers recitation every morning; morning service in front of the family altar; daily rice offering & incense to the Buddha; keep encouraging the family to participate in as many temple activities as possible; read the children stories which include the Buddha’s teachings, etc. It is truly grateful.

If you are interested in this conference, Kauai Hongwanji Dharma School Teachers’ Association created a video tape which include Dr. Goishi’s sessions, panel discussion, workshop, etc. It is available at my office.