Let’s think about our Kyodan future
Reverend Koho Takata
Since Hawaii Kyodan was organized, more than a hundred years passed. Although we simply say more than a hundred years passed, it certainly has a great history behind it. There are many persons that we no longer see at the temple who passed away. We welcome the opportunity to express our gratitude to them. At the same time, we need to reflect upon our Kyodan History and think about our Kyodan Future.
I guess the memberships of each temple and organization is decreasing. The membership of our Kapaa Hongwanji Mission also decreases. Although there were 211 members last year, it is 190 members now. More than 20 members decreased. Our members will decrease more by passing the time. Now is a time to rethink about our Kyodan for the future.
Last year, we observed the 500th memorial service for Rennyo Shonin who was the 8th chief abbot of Hongwanji. What did you learn and hear from Rennyo Shonin? Was it just a festival for you?
"We say that Faith prospers. But it does not mean that it prospers just because men gather in large numbers and because there are pomp and power. When people, be it even a single person, obtain Faith, only then can we say that it prospers. The flourishing of Jodo Shin Buddhism, which teaches single-minded Faith, depends upon deepening of Faith in the individual."
(The Words of Rennyo Shonin)
Although the time and the place are quite different from Rennyo Shonin’s time, I would like to keep holding his mind in my mind. I hope you also have this mind.
Now, Hawaii Kyodan has officers, directors, and advisors. Also, each temple has officers and directors. They are taking our leadership. They always attend meetings and think about Kyodan. However, I wonder how many of them attend services regularly, how many of them have a family altar, how many of them have a thanksgiving before and after meals.
Although you may say that I cannot attend services regularly because of my business is busy. However, we can hear or listen to the Buddha’s Teachings everywhere. The places which we receive the Teachings is not only a temple.
When we rethink about Kyodan, we tend to think about memberships, finances, and so forth. However, we should not think from those parts. Those parts are only appearances of Kyodan. Although we can see easily temple states with appearances, if we think more about the Buddha and His Teachings, it will naturally appear our memberships or appearance. Surely, we need to increase our memberships and finances such as appearances to maintain our Kyodan. However, your minds and feelings for the Buddha and His Teachings are more important.
What I want to say is the substance is the most important. It is more important than its appearances. As Rennyo Shonin mentioned, even though the number of memberships increases, it is no sense. Before we rethink about Kyodan, we should reflect upon ourselves as Nembutsu followers.
Namo-Amidabutsu