Centennial Service Message
by Hawaii Betsuin President Dexter Mar
delivered at the July 22, 2018 Sunday Service

In July 1918, this landmark Hawaii Betsuin temple building was dedicated for its members, and members-to-be.   For 100 years it has served as a place of refuge for generations of our members as well as the headquarters of the entire Hawaii Mission.

As we move into the second century of our Betsuin temple building, Bishop Yemyo Imamura’s landmark expression of his dream of a universal Indian-Japanese-American Buddhism guides us forward.  In 1918, Rev. Imamura wrote two revealing essays (Available in the Main Temple Reading Rack):

1. History of the Hongwanji Mission in Hawaii (January 28, 1918)
2. Democracy According to the Buddhist Viewpoint (May 1, 1918)

In the first, he reminisces about his first 20 years in Hawaii and the development of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission in Hawaii.  He describes his first priority as the teaching of English to the Japanese.  Second was to provide spiritual support for the “forlorn minds” of plantation workers through establishment of stable communities and families.  Third, as families grew, proper education for children evolved into the “Educational Home” model. 

This model was adopted by all Hongwanji Japanese schools with the goal of “Americanizing the Japanese laborers” by serving as a bridge to connect first generation Japanese parents with their AJA (Americans of Japanese Ancestry) children.  He writes:
“I take here the liberty of announcing in no ambiguous terms that our mission as a whole advocates Americanizing the people of this territory in every possible way.”

By 1918, there were 31 Educational Homes (elementary & intermediate) and 2 Advanced (high school) EHs with 4,700 and 500 students respectively.

“Educational Homes” were, and I quote:
“…a place where the [Hongwanji] teachers will act as well-educated parents do towards their children.  They will take the little ones to the English public schools, insure attendance and observance of school regulations.  Whenever the public school needs the co-operation of the parents, these teachers will always be ready to assist in every way in their power.  The teachers will act as mediators between the public schools and the homes.”

“Unfamiliarity with American life on the part of Japanese parents on the one hand and their isolation in the camp on the other, have made the co-operation of the public school teachers and families almost hopeless.  The Hongwanji Educational Home supplements the work of the department of public instruction in the training of Japanese children.”

Little did Bishop Imamura know his influence to Americanize the Nisei generation would have a huge impact 10 years after his death, as thousands of AJA’s would express their patriotism to America by enlisting in the United States military. 

Rev. Imamura’s vision of educating Hongwanji families must continue as a foundation of the Hawaii Betsuin today.  Children of our Hongwanji Mission School, Pacific Buddhist Academy and Scout programs have extraordinarily complicated, fast-paced, high-expectation lives.  They no longer need to learn to be Americans, but to live as resilient Americans.

In the second essay, Bishop Imamura ponders the issues of WWI, which included Allies:  US, Japan, Britain, France, Italy and Russia versus the Central Powers: Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Poland.  He writes:

“The ultimate motive of the war is the contention of democracy and liberalism against militarism and autocracy.”

He was especially concerned by the relation of American Democracy and Japanese Imperialism and addressed it head-on by writing:

“If Japan favors autocracy, there is a reason for it, social, historical, or otherwise: if American claims to be Democratic, it is perhaps inevitable.  There is no necessity to quarrel over these things.  Let us open our eyes to a far greater aspect of life.   Let us never lose sight of this unifying principle, which is known in Buddhism as Dharma, or the Law. 
Let us, believing in the Love and Mercy of Amita, build our kingdom upon this basis and ignore all the nonessentials that may obstruct our expansive view of unity and permanent peace.”

Bishop Imamura invoked the lesson of the two-headed bird, Pure Land story in which, though holding differing opinions, the bird has no option but to work together, or die together.

Bishop Imamura also has a message for us today to help deal with the current divisive situation in the United States and the World.  He writes:

“Do we not see, even among those priding themselves to be emphatic supporters of democracy, many men of high ideals who are in fact strongly supporting imperialistic militarism with all its heinous practices?  
Falsified democracy is a most dangerous practice.”

He cautions us to understand the true nature of Democracy and not allow it to be manipulated for selfish purposes.   Maintaining a strong and supportive community is our duty to our children and future generations.

From his essays, Bishop Imamura clearly set his priorities in Education of Families and Building a Strong Community for our children.

The legacy of Bishop Imamura’s 33 years of service has endured, like this beautiful building, by providing refuge in the Wisdom & Compassion of Amida Buddha.  Rev. Imamura’s guidance and the work of generations of  “fellow travelers” has made it possible for us to have this place of Perfect Peace to share.  Can we depend on the inspiration of Bishop Imamura for another 100 years?  That is OUR challenge, NOW.

What is OUR legacy?  Whether our children can take refuge here in another 100, or even 20 years, is up to US.  I’ve often heard that “the children are the future of Hongwanji” seemingly with the expectation that by osmosis they will grow up to be devoted Shin Buddhists.  How’s this been working for the past 50 years?  Might we re-think our way, as “WE are the future of our children in Hongwanji” and take more responsibility for their spiritual fitness?

Can we “go back to the future”, by embracing Bishop Imamura’s legacy of:

Education of Families and
Building a Strong Community for our children?

Since the beginning of 2018, the Betsuin Board of Directors leadership team has been developing programs to repair and maintain the temple buildings, raise funds for renovations, and reach out to our Betsuin community.  We plan to launch the “Second Century” Capital Campaign at our October 13 Celebration.  Please mark your calendars and join us!

For us to have a successful Capital Campaign for our beautiful temple buildings, we must also pay attention to what happens INSIDE of these buildings.  Since the beginning of the year, your temple leadership has also been looking into RENEWING our commitment to HMS, Scout, and PBA families.  They are a precious treasure of the Betsuin and we need to be more welcoming to these families for the future of the Betsuin.

• Please be kind and welcoming to School & Scout families.
• Let the HO’O (Phoenix) be our mascot into our “new era” – Second Century – and serve as a reminder of the Imamura Nembutsu Spirit.
• Let the Gumyocho (Two-headed bird) remind us to do all we can to build a community in which our children can live and thrive.
• For those who love our temple and want to give back in volunteering, leadership and/or donations, please let us know by leaving a note at the Office, or telling us in person.
• For those who are curious to learn more about the legacy of Bishop Yemyo Imamura, the 19th Bloom-Futaba Memorial Lectures will “Revisit Yemyo Imamura’s Legacy” on Saturday, September 15, here at Hawaii Betsuin.

Mahalo & Namo Amida Butsu.