An Obon Love Story
by Rev. Blayne Higa
At the heart of Obon is a story. A timeless story of love, devotion, and memory. We reflect on this story each year at the height of Summer when we celebrate the fullness of life in all its glory. We dance in endless circles to the rhythmic…
Gratitude for Shinran and the Pure Land Way, Part 2
by Rev. Blayne Higa
What is remarkable about the Pure Land Path that Shinran Shōnin shared is that the practice of Nembutsu is grounded in the midst of our everyday lives. After leaving Mt. Hiei where he had trained as a monk for twenty years,…
by Rev. Blayne Higa
2023 marks the 850th birthday of Shinran Shōnin. Born on May 21, 1173, Shinran was a revolutionary thinker who shared the liberating teaching of Amida Buddha’s Compassionate Vow. However, Shinran is revered not just as a great religious teacher but as a remarkable human being who lived a life of critical…
Rev. Blayne Higa
Turning on the news or doomscrolling through social media, we are inundated with numerous stories of war, political violence, and acts of hate. It often feels like there is even more darkness creeping into our world these days. As we quickly approach the darkest season of the year, we naturally yearn…
Rev. Blayne Higa Recently there has been so much chaos in the world. From devastating natural disasters to violent conflict in Israel and Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and our everyday personal tragedies, we have sometimes struggled to discover hope in the face of all this darkness. However, by taking refuge in the Three…
Rev. Blayne Higa
We have watched in disbelief the devastation caused by the wildfires on Maui. Our hearts go out to the Sangha of Lahaina Hongwanji and to everyone who has been affected by this disaster. The loss of life, livelihood, and property has been immense and the journey to recovery will be long…
Rev. Blayne Higa
The beginning of the year is a sacred time for reflection and renewal. We pause to consider all that we have experienced and seek to renew our spirit as we step into an unpredictable future filled with challenges and opportunities. The dynamic life of awakening that the Buddha shared is one of…
by Rev. Blayne Higa
As we welcome Spring with its promise of renewal and new beginnings, we celebrate the birth of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, for sharing with us the life-giving path of liberation and peace. For over 2,500 years, the Dharma he shared continues to offer hope for personal and societal transformation and change. …