Programs

Participation in activities island-to-island is as varied as the people in each district but through the Federation, the following programs are a part of each unit:

Dana, one of the Six Paramitas means "unselfish giving" in Buddhism. Dana not only means monetary donations, but may include volunteer work, gentle words, gentle minds and even a smile to others. February is designated as Dana month and funds are collected and distributed to worthwhile organizations in the community. Project Dana is a special program which has attained national recognition. Click here for more information.

Student Exchange Program: Since we are a worldwide organization, an exchange program exists between Hawaii and Japan. This popular program allows Hawaii high school and college students to compete through applications and interviews for a chance to spend two weeks in Japan every other year. The selection is done a year before the departure year which is usually during the summer. For alternating years, Japan students get to spend time in Hawaii, exchanging fellowship and goodwill.

Educational Programs: The Education Committee oversees the funding aspect for District Education Workshops, Dharma School Teacher's Conference, Pacific Buddhist Academy, Ministerial Scholarship Grants, etc.

Buddhist teachings and traditions, altar arrangements, music, peace, health care, women's issues and even sexual harassment are some of the topics covered at our district education workshops to help bring us up-to-date with the world we live in.

Ministerial Training Fund: Part of our members' dues are sent to the Federation, which has been an ongoing project since 1967. This is our way to help train ministers locally and abroad. Presently, we have four women ministers actively serving Hawaii Kyodan, some of them have been former BWA members.

Newsletter: A biannual publication which includes news from all the districts is distributed to every member and other organizations throughout the world. Compilation of this publication involves the cooperation from all districts. A Japanese section is included for our issei (first generation) and Japanese readers. Please view current and past issues of the newsletter.

Unit Programs

Fujinkai is not just an affiliate organization of the temples, but an integral part of the day-to-day operations of each temple.

Traditionally, women's roles are kitchen chores, temple cleanup, home and hospital visitations, but we have been involved:

Cultural Programs: such as flower arrangement, cooking, sewing including happis & aprons, hula, line-dancing, bon dancing, bonsai.

Fund Raising: Members participate in temple fund raisers which includes traditionally suchi, bentos (Japanese box lunch), mochi, microwave manju, home-made pies, cakes and cookies, oriental antique sales, garage sales, plant sales, quilting, Japanese pickles (tsukemono), pickled fruits and vegetables, local jams and jellies, fresh vegetable, fruits from their backyards and numerous other items. Members also do oriental food demonstrations at the local markets for which they are paid.

Members of the temple's Kyodan More and more members are actively participating in the district's Lay Conventions and the state Legislative Assembly, heading important committees or as a committee person at their own temples, district wide and statewide.

Community participation by our members include volunteering at the hospitals, Hospices, schools, long term care facilities, etc.

Arts & Crafts-Also, our members are very skillful in making crafts such as crochet, knitting, lei-making, Hawaiian quilt-making, etc. Come join us.

Propagation/Dharma Talk Tapes -The propagation committee keeps recorded messages by various speakers. Any member can borrow these tapes.

Home & Home-There are 12 units on this island. The purpose of this program is to foster friendship and fellowship between temple units by inviting and hosting another unit. Usually once a year.

Eshinni Day Service-Lady Eshinni is our founder Shinran Shonin ‘s wife. On this day, we hold a special Eshin-ni Kakushin-ni religious service in her honor and a contribution is made to a youth organization of the temple.

Community Service-Donations of blankets, flowers, etc. are made to the hospitals, nursing homes, etc. We also participate in community events.