Bishop Eric Matsumoto, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
In 2018, with our hearts and minds illuminated and nurtured by the Light of Buddha’s Wisdom and Compassion, may the virtues of humility, self-reflection, mutual respect, non-violence, and equality arise…
A note from the web editor:
We are pleased to share Bishop Matsumoto’s New Year’s message delivered at Hawaii Betsuin’s on January 1, 2018.
In the message, Bishop Matsumoto notes the 2018 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii theme and slogan, “Embrace Change: Harmony (Accept Differences)” and explores how understanding the truth of interdependence can be a key to realizing harmony. He uses quotations from Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani, Prince Shotoku, Shinran Shonin, and more to help make his points. The bishop also includes a recommendation for a recently released film. The message begins,
Interdependency and Harmony
As we start the New Year, on behalf of the entire Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, please allow me to express my warmest Aloha and Best Wishes to you for a joyous and harmonious 2018. A very Happy New Year to one and all!
Today, along with my best wishes, I also want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to so many of you for your support, dedication and commitment which enables the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii to continue sharing the Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha, the Dharma in general, and to be an integral part of the larger community all across the State of Hawaii and even beyond Hawaii as our Hawaii efforts are making an impact even on the mainland and in Japan. To the membership, please have pride in the positive sense of the word that our tiny organization in the middle of the Pacific Ocean seems to be making a difference. May we continue to respond in gratitude to Amida Buddha’s Wisdom and Compassion!
The 2018 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Theme and Slogan is “Embrace Change: Harmony (Accept Differences).” It encourages us to accept differences and live in harmony with each other, but when I deeply reflect this is most challenging, due to our self-centered tendencies whether as an individual, one ethnic race, nation, religion and even as humankind. However…