You are cordially invited to attend the Hawaii Betsuin’s 2017 Spring Higan Services scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM (Japanese language service) and at 9:30 AM (English service).

Higan means “other shore” whereas the word Shigan means “this shore.” In the present world, everything is so fast and busy. Sometimes, we only focus on the problems in front of us and forget that we will not live forever. Therefore, on Higan, let us calm our mind and reflect on our life. Through doing this, we can re-realize our ego, blind passion, and suffering, and feel the joy of being embraced by Amida Buddha’s Compassion which means never to be abandoned.

Our speaker will be Bishop Eric Matsumoto of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Bishop Matsumoto was born in Kona, Hawaii and graduated from Konawaena High School. He is also a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, majoring in History and Liberal Studies-Japanese Language & Culture. After graduating from UH Hilo, he entered Ryukoku University Graduate School and majored in Shin Buddhism Studies. Bishop Matsumoto was also a recipient of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship.

After completing his studies in Japan, Bishop Matsumoto’s first assignment was the Hawaii Betsuin. He has also served at the Honoka’a, Kamuela, Kohala, Paauilo Hongwanji temples on the Big Island, and Moiliili Hongwanji Mission in Honolulu. He has served as the Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii since March 2011.

This article comes from the March 2017 Goji newsletter.