VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 3 • September 2026

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A Nembutsu Change of Heart

As we are often reminded, impermanence is a foundational theme of our Jodo Shinshu teachings. The circumstances and signals of change in our lives are countless.

In our physical world, rising and receding tides of the ocean; the lengthening and shortening of daylight hours. Reminders of impermanence are everywhere to be found.

Perhaps more subtly, we find impermanence in how we perceive our daily encounters. In everyday living, those perceptions, rooted in our biases, can swing from one side of the pendulum to the other.

A simple example. I am a loyal New York Yankees fan. When they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 American League Division Series, I suddenly became a fan of any team that played the Blue Jays.

In my mind, having the Blue Jays defeated was the sporting objective. Alas, the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in the World Series … a momentary joy.

How is it that my negative feelings for one team became so dominant just because the New York Yankees lost to that team?

Simply, the Yankees were MY team. MY and its buddy, ME, followed each game of the baseball playoffs. MY and ME created a very personal perception of the critical importance of each game day.

Interestingly, a couple of days after the final World Series game, my respect for the Blue Jays returned to pre-playoff conditions.

While our personal biases easily skew our views of the world around us, reflection and awareness of the changing course of those views help define for us, the world of impermanence.

Such is the case with my continuing journey as Hawaiʻi Kyodan President. I came into the position with a view of what the challenges of the job might entail. I have been exposed to years of discussions and debates on issues of finances, assessments, membership aging and decline, and ministerial shortages.

The challenges of governing looked like a “plateful” of … hmm… unsavory dishes. I was primed to encounter more of the same.

Contrary to expectations, however, my perspective of who we are as an organization has changed. Make no mistake; the issues noted above have not disappeared. It is my perception and understanding of how we approach our organizational challenges which has.

After a few months in the position, I see with much more clarity, the true personality of our Hawaiʻi Kyodan. We are, in fact, a highly energetic and vibrant organization, taking on challenges with passion and a genuine sense of shared vision.

So what has contributed to my changing view of who we are as an organization? I’ve attended committee and related meetings too numerous to count. This is not a complaint; it is the source of perspective change for me.

A common denominator I’ve encountered through these meetings is this — committee leaders and members fully engaged in getting to outcomes for which their committees are accountable. In many instances, this requires thoughtful deliberation, and the sharing of diverse points of view in how we get to where we want to be.

Underlying each discussion, whether consensus-based or fully deliberative, committee chairs and members recognize that their input is meant to make the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi and our temples well-functioning and thriving organizations.

How invigorating to find our committees and their respective lay members, ministers, Headquarters staff and our Bishop managing issues, all aligned with forward-thinking passion.

Beyond our committees, Hawaiʻi Kyodan’s energy and vibrancy is conveyed through events sponsored by our sub-organizations. While too many to name, here is just a sampling.

• The Hawaiʻi Federation of Buddhist Women’s Associations 15th BWA State Membership Conference in March, 2026. A gathering well-organized with impressive speakers, motivating workshops and importantly, participants who wholeheartedly believe in the mission of the BWA. This was more than a conference. It was a wonderful example of what a joyful sangha looks like.
• The Buddhist Study Center’s Spring Festival in April, 2026. Entertainment, workshops, games, displays, food and conversations, all making for a joyful day. Children, teens, young adults, seniors, all convened in a single venue and program. In the midst of multi-generational joy, laughter and listening, I was refreshed.
• The Commission on Buddhist Education’s Dharma Educators’ Retreat in May, 2026. Dharma messages, active participation, strategic thinking, thoughtful reflection … all elements of an integrated program for sharpening skill sets of Hawaiʻi Kyodan’s Dharma educators. Conversations with new people and observations of collaboration, conveyed the indescribable energy and commitment our Dharma School leaders hold for our youth. A takeaway that brightens the prospects of Jodo Shinshu’s potential for our generation ahead.

My view of who we are as an organization has flipped from one that is full of challenges to one that is full of promise. Facts and circumstances have not changed.

I was simply reminded that impermanence applies to how we choose to perceive the world around us.