Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin is pleased to present its 23rd annual Bloom-Futaba Memorial Lectures the evening of Friday, October 7 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This year’s featured lecturer is Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi in a program entitled, “Meditation, Mindfulness, & Gratitude: The Natural Path to Awakening and Joy.”

The lectures will be offered in Hawaii Betsuin’s Annex Temple for in-person attendees (1727 Pali Highway, entry to parking is from Lusitana Street), and there will also be an option to attend online via Zoom. Advance registration is available at https://forms.gle/kjSAZ3bCugc29ih97 and is required to receive the Zoom link. In-person registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the event. There are no fees, but donations are welcome.

The event consists of two lectures by Rev. Akahoshi, each of which is followed by a response by Dr. George Tanabe and discussion with attendees. There will be a break in the middle. The statement in the event brochure reads, in part, “America is waking up to the Shin Buddhist path of gratitude. Sixty years ago, meditation and mindfulness were considered exotic practices of a foreign religion. Today, stripped of their spiritual origins, they are accepted as effective means of emotional and health benefits. Shin Buddhism has been neglected because of the perceived similarity to some Western religions. We will clarify this misunderstanding.”

Rev. Akahoshi’s unique style of presenting the Shin Dharma comes from his background in Transpersonal (spiritual) psychology and other mind/body/spirit disciplines. He graduated from UCSF Dental School (DDS), Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (MATP), and the Institute of Buddhist Studies (MBS). Rev. Akahoshi’s retreats and workshops use innovative methods that he learned from leading philosophers, psychologists, and Buddhist teachers. Using these interactive methods, he will share an effective, simple practice of gratitude, which guided the thoughts and conduct of our Issei Buddhist pioneers through lives filled with hardships.

Respondent: Dr. George Tanabe

Dr. Tanabe, the respondent, is a professor emeritus in the Department of Religion at the University of Hawai‘i and president of BDK America. Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai, the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism, promotes an understanding of Buddhist wisdom through sponsoring activities and programs around the world.

The Futaba Lecture Series is endowed by Dr. Alfred & Ms. Dorothy N. Bloom to honor the memory of friend and mentor, Professor Kenko Futaba. Dr. Futaba, a noted Shin Buddhist scholar, served as President of Kyoto’s Ryukoku University from 1983 to 1995 and then became Chancellor of Kyoto Women’s University. A pioneer in what today is called “engaged” Buddhism, Kenko Futaba campaigned passionately for the rights of minorities and was a prolific writer.

Sponsors of the Bloom-Futaba Memorial Lectures are the Futaba Memorial Lecture Fund; UH Foundation, Milander Fund; and Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. Hawaii Betsuin thanks all who contribute to making this annual event possible.

For more background information, please see the event brochure.