Eshinni Day honors the wife of Shinran Shonin and her dedication to Shinran. The observance was established at the 1978 World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with donations collected on the day to help youth activities. Eshinni and Kakushinni images before that altar at Hawaii Betsuin Subsequent World...

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, and is now celebrated in at least 193 countries. At the 2016 Hongwanji Legislative Assembly (Giseikai), delegates voted to approve the Green Hongwanji Initiative to encourage environmental consciousness and actions consistent with the expression of our Buddhist values. Temples sometimes...

The Buddhist Study Center is hosting a Spring Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The theme is “Appreciating Our Ohana,” with intergenerational workshops, local favorite snacks, appreciation activities, “old school” games, and much more. Bring your whole family! BSC Spring Festival Location: Buddhist Study...

Buddha Day (Hanamatsuri / Flower Festival) is held to commemorate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini Garden. He became the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, and was the manifestation of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Wisdom and Compassion. Temples hold Buddha Day services on or near this date. Services often feature...

You are invited to the Hawaii Buddhist Council Buddha Day Service with Dr. George Tanabe Sunday, April 5, at 9:30 a.m. Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin & live on YouTube Enter parking at 1742 Lusitana St, Honolulu, HI 96813 (official temple address is 1727 Pali Highway) About Buddha Day Buddha Day...

YESS Camp builds bonds among youth from around the state as they interact and learn about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. (YESS = Young Enthusiastic Shinshu Seekers) This year’s camp is April 3–5, 2026, at Kona Hongwanji. (This flyer is also available as a PDF.) For more information, please see: YESS Camp...

Statewide membership conference for the Hawaii Buddhist Women’s Associations. For more information, see https://hawaiibwa.org/.

“Higan” means “the other shore.” It is an abbreviation for “to-higan,” meaning “reaching the other shore (of Nirvana).” During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes when days and nights are of equal length, temples conduct Higan services that encourage us to meditate on the harmony of nature and devote ourselves to...