Bishop Eric Matsumoto July 2020 Summer is here! However, it is unusually quiet this year. I wonder “Why?” I know. There’s no music in the air. I don’t hear “The beat of the taiko goes boom, boom, boom” for Bon Dance. Our circumstances this year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, prevents us from gathering at […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto June 17, 2020 A further reflection on our troubled nation from a Jodo Shinshu perspective Today, further reflecting on the situation of racial discrimination and law enforcement in our nation which continue to, in some instances, involve violent acts and most tragically the continued loss of human life, may we go to […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto June 1, 2020 A reflection on our troubled nation For the past several days, as I confront the feelings, some of which I am feeling too, of frustration, lament, sadness, and anger being felt by many in our country over the senseless death of George Floyd and others, my heart aches for […]
Rev. Eric Matsumoto, Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, pays respects to our fallen veterans and their families on behalf of HHMH, its member temples, and the Office of the Bishop. The text below is a transcript of a 2-minute video that includes photos from past Memorial Day observances, as well as a […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto delivers a video message entitled “You Are Not Alone.” In this time of the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home requirements, the bishop shares teachings from the Buddha that can help change the way we feel by changing the way we look at things. This is the first in a planned series of monthly […]
The following statement by Chiko Iwagami, Governor General, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha was released April 14, 2020. The statement is available in English below and in Japanese as a PDF file. The Covid19 pandemic has spread throughout the world and shows little sign of ending. Here in Japan, we have entered a new stage with […]
A dharma talk by Bishop Eric Matsumoto at the March 22, 2020 online service coordinated by the State Ministers Association and livestreamed from Hawaii Betsuin (our first online-only service during the coronavirus outbreak). Guided by Wisdom and Compassion; a Balanced Perspective Aloha Kakou and welcome to this virtual Hawaii Betsuin Spring Higan Service. My deepest […]
Do not be overwhelmed by fear and isolation! Go to the Buddha-Dharma for guidance and assurance! As we, as individuals, our families, our local communities, our nation, and the world grapple with COVID-19, let us, affirmatively and positively, do what we can to help curb its spread and the suffering caused by it. Please keep […]
The Gomonshu is the spiritual head of our denomination based in Kyoto, Japan. The current Gomonshu is His Eminence Monshu Kojun Ohtani, the 25th-generation descendant of Shinran Shonin to head the Hongwanji. Here is his New Year’s message.
“NAMO AMIDA BUTSU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!” At the start of the New Year, let me begin by expressing my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the entire Sangha and Friends of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii who have supported our Organization for over 130 years in Hawaii. It is because of Amida Buddha’s Great Wisdom […]