New Altar
Reverend Koho Takata
Kapaa Hongwanji Mission will be celebrating the Triple Celebration (New Altar Dedication, Kapaa Hongwanji 80th Anniversary, and Kapaa Hongwanji Women’s Association 90th Anniversary) on October 19 & 20, 2002. As one of commemoration subjects, Kapaa Hongwanji Mission welcomed a New Altar which have come to realize our long-awaited dream. Three craftsmen of Wakabayashi Company, Kyoto, Japan, installed it from June 13-16, 2002. Prior to the installation, President, Clyde Takekuma, Triple Celebration Committee Chairman, Dimples Kano, Board of Directors, Dennis Sunada and Milton Nakamura, and I had traveled to Japan to attend the ceremony at the Honzan (mother temple) in Kyoto, Japan to receive the certified new statue of Amida Buddha in April. It was the first occasion for overseas’ temple of Jodo Shinshu to receive the certified statue of Amida Buddha.
Kapaa Hongwanji Board of Directors started to discuss regarding the repairing the existing altar and purchasing the new altar in January 1999. Three of altar companies came from Japan to inspect the altar in February 1999. They inspected most of the temples in Hawaii and Kapaa Hongwanji’s altar was most damaged altar among them. All the metal parts have been rusted and changed the color from gold to green due to strong salt air from the ocean. Some ornaments were broken and already fallen down. There were termites in some ornaments including the statue of Amida Buddha which is the most important for us. Finally, Board of Directors decided to purchase the new altar in December 1999. We spent almost 1 year for discussion and took over 3 years for the installation of the new altar. I am very honor as your resident minister to share the joy, gratitude, and appreciation with you by welcoming the new altar.
Old altar was installed and dedicated on March 10-12, 1972. At that time, many members and friends donated for altar ornaments as they did for this new altar. Although many people have passed away since then, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to them. Because of their guidance, we could refurbish our temple altar. Some of old ornaments were sent to Waialua Hongwanji, Kona Hongwanji, and Japan. They will be repaired and placed in their temples to further enhance the listening of the teachings of the Buddha.
New altar is very simple and modern style. However, it is magnificence! All the ornaments were coated by special lacquers and gold leaf papers and most of them were made by wood to protect the salt air from the ocean. If you wish to view the altar or know the meaning and significance of the altar and ornaments, please feel free to call me!
Altar is the most important place in the temple. It represents nirvana which means the world of Amida Buddha, Pure Land. There is the statue of Amida Buddha in the center of the altar. It is one of three forms. They are 1) Statue of Amida Buddha, 2) Picture scroll of Amida Buddha, and 3) Six Chinese characters of Amida Buddha’s Name, Namo-Amidabutsu. Without them, it will not be called ‘altar’ in Jodo Shinshu.
It is said that Shinjin (faith) emerges from the proper arrangements of the Buddha’s altar. Disposition of an altar reflects individuals’ attitude toward the true entrusting mind and heart of the Buddha and the teachings. The new altar clearly shows your commitment to the future of the Kapaa Hongwanji Mission. By welcoming and dedicating the new altar, I hope all of you will further take on our pioneers’ Buddhist heritage as we move forth positively into a new history of the Kapaa Hongwanji Mission. I look forward to continue to work with you for the future of the Kapaa Hongwanji Mission and Jodo Shinshu and to keep the mind of oneness on the Nembutsu Teachings.Namo-Amidabutsu