VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 2 • June 2026

From Protection to Presence: BWA Conference on Nembutsu

Participants reflect on gratitude, leadership and their role in today’s Hongwanji

BY CLAIRE TAMAMOTO
PRESIDENT, FEDERATION OF BWAS

Energy, excitement and gratitude are some of the words that describe the 15th Buddhist Women’s Associations State Membership Conference of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi Federation. Held on March 28-29, it centered on the theme “Nurturing Nembutsu: Sharing Gratitude.”

Participants were welcomed to Ala Moana Hotel by friendly faces, received a souvenir convention bag with goodies and a hope that the two days would produce a meaningful experience.

The impressive altar, beautiful floral offerings and reflective services set a positive tone for the business part of the conference. For a few, this was their first experience of being a part of services and seeing how the BWA conducts business.

Keynote speaker Michiko Miyaji Inanaga of Buddhist Churches of America challenged attendees to consider the important role we have in growing the Hongwanji. Instinctively we want to see the Nembutsu flourish and grow. Michiko posed a different perspective:

“The Nembutsu is not fragile, surprisingly it doesn’t need our protection… you are held, you are not alone, come as you are.

“What the Nembutsu needs in this moment is not our protection, what it needs is our presence,” she said.

She offered three principles that have become anchors in her life.

The first, “Exposure in Environment” exemplified her being raised in an environment immersed in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha as the daughter of Reverend Nobuo Miyaji and granddaughter of the late Rev. Kakue Miyaji, the only Kangaku or highest ranking priest in the United States.

Her second principle, “taking things out of the oven at the right time” recognizes that life, individuals and the circumstances we encounter are all different. Each situation has a different “right time to be taken out of the oven.” We must recognize the need to be flexible.

The third principle is “wisdom in what we cannot control.” Where shall I spend my energy, if I cannot control everything? The Nembutsu does not ask us to build faith, to spread the awakening, rather to create conditions and remove obstacles and then let go, even if we don’t get the results we want.

Michiko asked a question of each participant to answer for themselves: “What does the Nembutsu need from me, in this moment and in this community?” Her response was to “Spend your time on presence… IRL (in real life).”

“How do I nurture the Nembutsu? By letting it nurture me!”

She shared profound and thought-provoking insights.

A choice of workshops explored topics ranging from temple archiving and gratitude practices to music therapy, positive living and financial sustainability for Buddhist organizations.

A rehearsal session for the upcoming 18th World Buddhist Women’s Convention also brought participants together through dance and music.

Sunday featured a panel discussion featuring four notable women: Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, Acting Supreme Court Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna, Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kehaulani Lum and Lori Teranishi, CEO and Founder of iQ 360.

They shared some of their life experiences and what they see as women’s roles going forward in 2026, challenging the audience not to be afraid of what the future brings, but to embrace changes in relationships, careers and technology with a can-do attitude.

Coordinated by 2025 Hawai’i BWA Exchange student Chad Okawa, Saturday evening’s entertainment was a display of talents including performances on taiko, violin, shinobue (Japanese flute), flute, koto and vocal numbers.

As Federation president, my heartfelt gratitude goes to the United of O’ahu BWA for organizing the conference.