Happy New Year! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and in good spirits as we look forward to the New Year, 2025!

As we enter the new year, it is natural to look back at the past year. As I look back at the year 2024, I have many warm and happy memories of family and friends. Wonderful family trips to the mainland USA and Japan. An “epic” hiking trip to Korea. Quiet reflection during temple service on Sunday mornings followed by fellowship and delicious lunches! And for myself, one of the highlights of the year was the memorable weekend we spent at the Triple Celebration (850th/800th/135th) in September, held at the Ala Moana Hotel. There were sad occasions as well, with loss of family and close friends. Reliving memories from the past year, I feel fortunate and I am so grateful for all of the events of the past year. Ichigo ichie. I hope that you feel the same way.

Looking forward to the New Year, I do not know what the future holds for us – as individuals, as a community and as a Buddhist organization. Just think, five years ago no one thought that we would need to survive a pandemic or experience a Maui wildfire. However, in the face of hardship, we persevered. We met the challenges placed before us by caring for each other and by working together. I believe we are stronger as a Buddhist organization because of how we, each one of us, responded to adversity.

Our five year theme which begins in 2025, “Nurturing Nembutsu” reminds us that the Nembutsu is the “core” of our existence. The Nembutsu, expressed as “Namo Amida Butsu” is our expression of gratitude in awareness of Amida’s Compassion. Nembutsu is not just our gratitude, it is our response to Amida’s voice which is calling out to each one of us. “Nurturing Nembutsu” reminds us that we nurture the Nembutsu when we share it with others, and in turn we are nurtured by Amida’s love for us. Let us be mindful of the all-embracing Amida and continue on this journey together.

Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are;
it solely relies on what you think. – Buddha

With Gassho,

Warren Tamamoto MD
President, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

See Also
2025 New Year’s Greetings from His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani
2025 New Year’s Message from Bishop Eric Matsumoto