On December 7, we join with other Japanese-origin Buddhist denominations for the…

2025 Hawaii Buddhist Council Bodhi Day Service

Guest Speaker:
Bishop/Rinban Takami Inoue
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu, HI 96817

See the full-size event flyer.

About the Guest Speaker

Bishop/Rlnban Takami Inoue was born and raised In Nagano Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Kyoto University in 1984 with a B.A. In Buddhist Studies and went on to receive an M.A. in Buddhist Studies from Otani University in 1991, followed by an M.A. In Religious Studies at UC Santa Barbara in 1994. From 1995 to 1999, he worked on his doctoral dissertation in Berkeley, CA while also serving part-time with the Higashi Honganji North American District. In 1999. he returned to Japan and began his career as Secretary of the Eastern Buddhist Society in Kyoto. In 2003, he started teaching Shin Buddhist Studies as a lecturer at Otani University. In 2010, he earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at UC Santa Barbara. He became a Professor of Shin Buddhist Studies at Otani Unlversity in 2016.

After retiring from Otani University in June 202S, he was appointed as Rinban (head minister) of Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and Bishop of Higashi Honganji Hawaii District in September 2025.

About Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day is the date of the attainment of perfect awakening by Shakyamuni Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhist tradition, it is said that he attained the awakening at the age of 35 under a Bodhi tree on December 8th. The attainment of his awakening took place about 2500 years ago, and his teachings continue to lead us to the life of true peace and happiness.

The Hawaii Buddhist Council consists of seven Buddhist denominations: Higashi Hongwanji, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Koyasan Shingon Mission, Nichiren Mission, Soto Mission, and Tendai Mission.

For More Information
Contact the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii (808) 595-3517 or the Soto Mission of Hawaii (808) 537-9409.