Aspiration Delivered at the 2022 Nagasaki Peace Bell Gathering Bishop Eric Matsumoto August 9, 2022 As we gather today, regardless of national origin, ethnicity and religious affiliation, let us reflect and rededicate ourselves to world peace and harmony, to a world that is free of nuclear weapons of destruction and there is deep respect for […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto (from the February 2022 Headquarters Update newsletter) Recently, an invitation from Murabbi (Missionary) Matiullah Joyia of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Hawaii was extended to the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii to participate in the 2nd World Religions’ Conference with the theme “Compassion of my Religion’s Founder.” At the conference, 6 world […]
New Year Message The New Year has always been a time of hope, renewal and new beginnings. I am hopeful that the year 2022 will be brighter and happier for you and your Ohana of family and friends, and all of us! Needless to say, the Pandemic has adversely affected all of our lives in […]
Photo by Martin Falbisoner – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0. source A Plea to Fellow Americans Bishop Eric Matsumoto January 7, 2021 Yesterday, on January 6, 2021, we witnessed a shocking and reprehensible attack on our democracy. The aggression and violence that was exhibited is a far cry from the ideals of our Nation. We […]
Nurtured by Amida Buddha’s Light of Wisdom and Compassion Our Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Theme & Slogan for 2021 is “Building Healthy Sanghas: Nurturing Empathy and Respect.” It is a timely slogan especially as we begin a new year. When we take a moment to reflect on the situation of our nation and our […]
Aspiration by Bishop Eric Matsumoto at “Remembering Pearl Harbor: Honoring Our WWII Heroes” presented on Zoom, December 7, 2020 RENE MANSHO: And please welcome a compassionate community leader, always promoting interfaith endeavors. Bishop Eric Matsumoto of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii will open our program with a special aspiration message. Bishop? BISHOP MATSUMOTO: Thank you, […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto “Bishop’s Corner” message from the October 2020 HQ Update Available in both video and text. Are you confused? In doubt? Feeling uncertain? If you are, do not despair. You are not alone. Have you heard of the Kalama Sutta (translation from Pali by the Venerable Soma Thera)? In Ancient India, during the […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto August 2020 “Bishop’s Corner” message from HQ Update As we slowly head towards the end of summer, it will soon be September when we observe the fall equinox. At the time of the autumn equinox, as with the spring equinox, balance and harmony is emphasized and closely associated with harmony is peace. […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto July 2020 Summer is here! However, it is unusually quiet this year. I wonder “Why?” I know. There’s no music in the air. I don’t hear “The beat of the taiko goes boom, boom, boom” for Bon Dance. Our circumstances this year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, prevents us from gathering at […]
Bishop Eric Matsumoto June 17, 2020 A further reflection on our troubled nation from a Jodo Shinshu perspective Today, further reflecting on the situation of racial discrimination and law enforcement in our nation which continue to, in some instances, involve violent acts and most tragically the continued loss of human life, may we go to […]