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 for my family. At the same time, I am aware that we are all a year older. I am sure that each one of us can recall losing a dear friend, colleague or family member this past year. Let us take a moment to be grateful for the connection that we enjoyed and still do enjoy with that person or persons.

It has occurred to me more than once in the past year that I won’t be here forever. This realization often happens when I first get up in the morning. I think to myself, “Hey, I’m over 70!” Maybe it is because I must stretch out the stiffness in my fingers in the morning (“welcome to the land of osteoarthritis” says my friend the rheumatologist). I stretch muscles in my low back and legs before I can “bounce” out of bed. Realizing the truth of the impermanence of life makes me try to make the most of every day.

Our theme and slogan for 2026 is, “Nurturing Nembutsu: Sharing Gratitude.” Shinran Shonin taught that the Nembutsu, the name of Amida Buddha, verbalized as Namo Amida Butsu is an expression of gratitude. The Nembutsu, Namo Amida Butsu, is our grateful response to Amida Buddhaʻs Calling Voice. Nurturing Nembutsu: Sharing Gratitude reminds us that every moment of our lives, Amida Buddha embraces us with immeasurable Wisdom and Compassion. We respond to Amidaʻs compassionate calling voice with profound gratitude.

This is my last New Yearʻs Greeting to you as President of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Our Hawaii Kyodan Bylaws specifies term limits for the office of President and the last of my three terms will end with the close of our Legislative Assembly in February 2026. I plan to remain active on the HK Board of Directors as Immediate Past President and I look forward to seeing many of you in the future via Zoom or in person at various activities.

Serving as your president has been a wonderful life experience for me. I have made Dharma friends across our state, nationally and internationally. I have experienced many “Nembutsu Moments” learning about and living Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all of you for assisting in our mission to “share the living teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism so that all people can have lives of harmony, peace and gratitude”. Your dedication, creativity and determination in sharing the Nembutsu teachings makes a difference in our world.

I hope that you will enjoy peace and happiness in the New Year!

“As one little candle lights another, so the light of Buddha’s compassion will pass from one mind to another mind endlessly.”  (The Teaching of Buddha)

With Gassho,

Warren Tamamoto
President, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

See Also
2026 New Year’s Greetings from His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani
2026 New Year’s Message from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani