Message from the Bishop: “Awakening to Compassion in Turbulent Times” Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani February 2, 2026 Dear Dharma Friends, Today, I write to you with a heavy heart. Mourning the tragic events in Minnesota caused by state-sanctioned violence and fear, I grieve the lives lost and the pain families and communities are experiencing, and I […]

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. See Also 2026 New Year’s Message from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani 2026 New Year’s Message from President Warren […]

See Also 2026 New Year’s Greetings from His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani 2026 New Year’s Message from President Warren Tamamoto

Happy New Year! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Hauoli Makahiki Hou! Aloha kākou! I hope that you and your loved ones are in good spirits as we enter the New Year – 2026! Yes, another year has gone by quickly. I can look back at the past year and I’m happy that the year has gone well […]

Hawaii State Lay Association 2025 Convention Theme: “Let’s Be the Authors of Our Future!” Bishop’s Message via Zoom from Japan Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani September 13, 2025 Good morning, everyone. It is truly a joy to be with you at this Lay Convention, and I thank you for giving me this opportunity to share a message. […]

On August 14, 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, members of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and community members gathered at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin for a special Commemoration Service titled “In Remembrance and Reflection: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of World War II.” During […]

VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 2 • June 2025 Bishop’s Corner: “The Back We Follow” Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani This May marks the 20th year since my mother passed away. At the time, I was serving at Makawao Hongwanji on the island of Maui when I received a phone call from my uncle informing me of her […]

Message from the Bishop: “Reflection on the 80th Anniversary of the Kamikaze Attack and Burial on the USS Missouri” Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani April 2025 Headquarters Update newsletter On April 11, 2025, I had the honor of attending and offering the Invocation and Benediction at the 80th Anniversary of the Kamikaze Attack and Burial on the […]

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. See Also 2025 New Year’s Message from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani 2025 New Year’s Message from President Warren […]

As we stand at the threshold of 2025, I am filled with profound gratitude for the Sangha of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and the spiritual journey we continue to share. The theme for this year, “Nurturing Nembutsu: Cultivating Awareness,” reflects not only our collective aspiration but also our personal commitment to deepening our […]