Speakers and Rimban at Mary Foster Appreciation Service 2019:
Bishop Eric Matsumoto, Venerable Dhammamuni Mahathero, Venerable Ayya M. Vimala, Rimban Toyokazu Hagio, and temple president Dexter Mar. Photo courtesy of Rev. Kazunori Takahashi.

On Sunday, Decemeber 15, Hawaii Betsuin and Maha Bodhi Hawaii presented a service at Hawaii Betsuin to remember and appreciate the contributions of Mary Elizabeth Mikahala Robinson Foster to Buddhism in Hawaii, Sri Lanka, and India.

Chanting the Vandana and Ti-Sarana, led by PBA Head of School and students, at the Mary Foster Remembrance and Appreciation Service.

The service opened with a welcome and introductory remarks by emcee Dexter Mar, president of the Hawaii Betsuin Board of Directors. Following an oli offered by kumu hula Lehua Matsuoka, a Bodhi tree sapling was unveiled on the temple altar. The tree was a gift of the Venerable Dhammamuni Mahathero of Wat Dhammavihar of Waianae, who offered a chant in Pali. Pacific Buddhist Academy Head of School, Josh Hernandez Morse, and two PBA students led the sangha in the Vandana and Ti-Sarana.

Bishop Eric Matsumoto and the Venerable Ayya M. Vimala each offered remarks from the podium. The Bishop’s message emphasized the many ways Mary Foster provided support and assistance to Buddhists and Honpa Hongwanji in Hawaii, beginning as early as 1899. The text of Bishop Matsumoto’s remarks is available on the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii website. Ayya M. Vimala, founder of Maha Bodhi Hawaii, spoke about Mary Foster’s friendship with Anagarika Dharmapala and support for his projects. Ayya Vimala also described her own efforts to make known Mary Foster’s contributions to Buddhism.

The service closed with the singing of “The Bodhi Tree” gatha and the Nembutsu.

Mary Foster died in 1930. Bishop Matsumoto noted that sources indicate Mary Foster requested a Buddhist funeral before she died, which, had it occurred, would likely have been conducted by the Rev. Ernest Hunt at Hawaii Betsuin. Such a funeral did not occur as Mary Foster did not put her request into writing. Bishop said,

It is, now, today, 90 memorial years later, that… Mary Elizabeth Mikahala Robinson Foster’s wish has come true as we hold this Remembrance Service to honor and express our gratitude to her. Today is long overdue, but it is finally here! Thank you to all of you, for being here today.

– Bishop Eric Matsumoto (see full message)