History of Palolo Kwannon Temple:

Palolo Kwannon Temple is located in Palolo Valley, Honolulu, Hawaii.

In June, 1935, the dedication of the founding of the Palolo Kwannon Temple was held at the present location.

The founder of the temple, Reverend Kokan Matsumoto and Reverend Myosei Matsumoto, both immigrants from Kumamoto, Japan, started the Palolo Kwannon Temple in a humble residence in Palolo Valley prior to 1935 but saw the need of a temple as membership grew in size. Thus, in 1935, the Palolo Kwannon Temple was dedicated.

In 1935, Rev. Kokan Matsumoto, through the kind guidance of Archbishop Kyojun Shimizudani of Asakusa Kwannon Temple, was introduced to Archbishop Kocho Chida of the Aira Kwannon Temple, Tendai Sect, in Kumamoto, Japan. Reverend Kokan Matsumoto received his religious training and ordination at Aira Kwannon Temple and returned to Hawaii. The following year Rev. Myosei Matsumoto received her training and ordination at Aira Kwannnon Temple.

After the death of Reverend Kokan Matsumoto in 1944, Rev. Myosei Matsumoto served the temple until the return of her son, Bishop Chiko Matsumoto in 1958. In 1959 Reverend Myosei Matsumoto passed away.

From 1958, Bishop Matsumoto had ministered to the elderly as well as to the young through his faith in Kwannon Bosatsu until his death in August 1986.

Reverend Eshin Matsumoto, Bishop Chiko Matsumoto’s wife, has succeeded as the fourth head priest of Palolo Kwannon Temple.

This transcription is extracted from “Tendai Mission Review”, published in March, 2000 by Tendai Buddhist Sect Overseas Charitable Foundation, with a subsidy for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Tendai Mission of Hawaii.

A bright vermillion colored Japanese style temple solemnly stands within the quiet and verdurous Manoa Valley in Honolulu. Koganji Temple, renovated in 1981, is situated on a two acre property and is within walking distance of the University of Hawaii.

Reverend Jikyu Rose, Head Priest of Manoa Koganji, was born in Japan. Since her parents were devoted Buddhists, she used to visit Koganji in Sugamo, Tokyo, the popular temple of Jizo Bodhisattva. She was introduced to her husband, Officer Lester J. Rose, by one of her former students. At the time, she was an instructor of the Japanese cultural arts, dressmaking and designing. They were married in Japan on May 25, 1953. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Long Island, New York where they resided for four years. Mr. Rose taught classes on missile construction at the military base and she continued teaching floral arrangement and the cultural arts to the officers’ wives. Because of Mr. Rose’s occupation in the military, they traveled extensively and resided for periods of six months or more in over 41 states throughout the U.S. Then in 1964, they visited Hawaii for the first time and fell in love with the islands. What captured the heart of Reverend Rose was the diversity of races and the unprejudiced acceptance of the various cultures all melted together on this island state. They made the island of Oahu their permanent home.

Reverend Rose owned and operated a tailor and dress designing shop in the Moanalua Shopping Center. She also taught pattern construction and provided services as a marriage counselor. During this period, the Tendai Mission of Nuuanu offered calligraphy classes to the public and being extremely interested in learning anything pertaining to Buddhism and finding great peace whenever she came in contact with the image of the Buddha, Reverend Rose enrolled in this class. After meeting Bishop Ryokan Ara, she eventually approached him regarding the possibility of obtaining a life-sized figure of the Jizo Bodhisattva. She explained that throughout her life she always wanted to pray to the Jizo Bodhisattva and now wished to do this in her own home. Bishop Jion Haba, Head Priest of Reisho-in Temple in Tokyo, upon hearing of this request questioned her on the need of such a large image. In response, Reverend Rose explained that she was deeply affected by the Jizo Bodhisattva’s vow to help all human beings who are in need. In her work as a counselor, she too felt this as being part of her own human nature and she wanted to offer her prayers to the Jizo Bodhisattva since her business and counseling brought her into contact with many people who sought her advice. Bishop Haba encouraged Reverend Rose to pursue her interest by studying and training at Mt. Hiei. In 1975, with hardly any preparation, she departed to complete her training. Blessed with a curious mind and continually seeking to expand her knowledge of every aspect of Buddhism, she decided to undertake this challenge. It was with the greatest of faith and determination that she successfully completed various traditional disciplines to be ordained as a Tendai Priest.

Upon her return, she founded her own temple at her residence in Moanalua. She named the temple, Koganji Jizo-in, in which she enshrined a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, the Buddha image she believed in from her childhood. As a Tendai priest, she worked devotedly for the congregation through long hours of praying, counseling, and all other possible means necessary to help people in need. Then in August 1976, with the encouragement and unselfish support of Mr. Rose, they used their own savings to purchase the two-acre property in Manoa Valley, the home of the present Koganji Jizo-in. Their real estate holdings were sold to build the temple structure to receive the enlarged numbers of the congregation. In the beginning, with just a handful of clients and members, one by one, working hand in hand with hardly a machine in sight, the land was slowly cleared and the stone walls were built. Every weekend for several years, everyone labored and shared meals together to accomplish an almost impossible task. Today, visitors continually comment on the spiritual and almost mystical aura that emanates throughout this peaceful place of worship. Here at this particular place in the universe, faith in the Jizo Bodhisattva and hard work has created Gokuraku Jodo, a heavenly place on earth.

In March 1981, more than five hundred members celebrated the dedication of the new main hall of Koganji Temple. The ceremony was led by the late most honorable and Venerable Etai Yamada, Head priest of the Tendai sect from Mt. Hiei.

In this most serene and spiritual setting, Reverend Rose has dedicated her life to Koganji and its members. Her role is sometimes that of a trustworthy and loving mother of a large family, where she works tirelessly to serve the members in a casual, friendly manner. At the same time, she plays the role of a spiritual teacher to encourage the congregation to learn the profound Buddhist truths. The congregation as a whole is young and the members may not be rich financially because of their youth. However, they continue to share their feelings and compassion with each other. The members mainly consist of the local Japanese, Caucasians, Filipinos, Koreans, and Chinese. Among them are a large number of women, teenagers and young children.

For Reverend Rose, her greatest acknowledgement is to the most Honorable and Venerable Etai Yamada who taught her to open her heart and to practice true compassion with every human being. He embodied a truly generous spirit and compassionate nature and practiced his faith so diligently that, for Reverend Rose, he made all aspects of being a priest worthwhile. He did not teach by words alone but by his action taught her about life’s deepest meaning. Although she does not feel that she is especially intelligent, she realizes that in order to reach her goals, she must continue to practice. She teaches her congregation to practice true Buddhism and to always share with and respect each other. She says, “The purpose is to overcome one’s desires, ignorance and anger. Do your best and practice to wash away bad karma to reach a peaceful, happier life.”

This transcription is extracted from “Tendai Mission Review”, published in March, 2000 by Tendai Buddhist Sect Overseas Charitable Foundation, with a subsidy for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Tendai Mission of Hawaii.

History of Makaha Kannon-in:

Reverend Ryosei Akase was born in 1915. She established the Leeward Nursing home in Makaha, Oahu in 1979. Makaha Kannon-in is within the site of the Leeward Nursing Home.

In 1997, Mrs. Akase was ordained at Myoho-in in Kyoto, Japan, as Ryosei Akase. She has founded a small hall in the nursing home and enshrined the “Fureai Kannon,” the Friendship Kannon Bodhisattva. The Kannon Bodhisattva has the essential role of ensuring the spiritual well being of the residents. She has also dedicated a standing statue of the sacred Kannon Bodhisattva on the ground of the nursing home.

Makaha Kannon-in is one of the four Tendai Buddhist temples in Oahu, Hawaii, U.S.A.

This transcription is extracted from “Tendai Mission Review”, published in March, 2000 by Tendai Buddhist Sect Overseas Charitable Foundation, with a subsidy for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Tendai Mission of Hawaii.

Profile of Reverend Monshin Paul Naamon:

Karuna Tendai Dharma Center is Located on the border of the New York and Massachusetts on 32 acres in the Berkshire Mountains, 50 km from Albany, NY.

From 1989 Reverend Naamon lived in Tokyo as a research scholar with the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine. Monshin had studied Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture in the U.S. for almost 20 years, being in Japan provided him with the opportunity to practice and study Buddhism more intensely.

He started his Japanese Buddhist studies under the guidance of Reverend Shoshin Ichishima in 1989, and eventually received ordination from him in 1992 at Tamon-in, Chiba Prefecture. Therefore, Reverend Monshin Naamon practiced as a priest for two and a half years at Tamon-in. During the years living in the worked with Ichishima-sensei in translating a number of Tendai text into English and directing Buddhist retreats (gyo) for both Japanese and international visitors.

In the fall of 1994, he returned the United States with his Japanese wife to establish Karuna Tendai Dharma Center to propagate the Tendai School. In 1995, Reverend Naamon began regular meditations meetings and lectures on Buddhism and directed Buddhist meditaion retreats. The Buddhist Sangha at KTDC has been developing step by step in accordance with the needs of the community.

To cope with the growing membership, the Center members renovated a 175 year old farmhouse and burn into the main hall and the meditation hall. The zendo includes a specially made altar, Butsudan, from Japan where the main image of Shakyamuni Buddha is enshrined. A Segaki platform was made by sangha members.

The program of the weekly meetings consists of a lecture of Buddha’s teachings, history and philosophy, Shikan meditations, followed by a Dharma talk, and lastly the sangha dines together. The weekly participants are 20-25.

Since 1998, Reverend Naamon established Higashi Sangha in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and Nishi Sangha in Albany, New York, where they conduct weekly lectures and mediations. Many other activities are offered by the Dharma Center, such as studies of Lotus Sutra and other sutras, esoteric Buddhist art class, Segaki service, Higan ceremonies, Buddhist retreats that last from one day to a week, and many more. Reverend Naamon has a busy speaking schedule on Buddhism and ethics with many community groups as well as to Christian, Jewish and interfaith groups. Reverend Naamon performs funerals, wedding ceremonies, purification, blessings of newly born babies, etc. He is also a dedicated chaplain of the hospice program in the local area and with the University at Albany.

This transcription is extracted from “Tendai Mission Review”, published in March, 2000 by Tendai Buddhist Sect Overseas Charitable Foundation, with a subsidy for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Tendai Mission of Hawaii.

Profile of the Head Priest:

Sangharatna Hoten Manake founded Zenjorin India in 1987.

Sangharatna was born in 1962 in Nagpur, India. With his father and his Buddhist community’s strong desire to revitalize Buddhism in India, they sent Sangharatna to Japan to receive his education in Buddhism. He was their hope to realize the people’s dream to revitalize Buddhism.

From 1971, Reverend Somon Horisawa of Mt. Hiei was Sangharatna’s guardian at Enryakuji. He graduated from elementary, middle and high school in Japan under the guardianship of Reverend Horisawa. In July 1985 he completed the ascetic practice of the one hundred day mountain walking meditation practice. After studying for fifteen years in Japan, he returned to India in 1985.

Prior to his return the Buddhist members of the community had bought the vast area to build a Buddhist practice center. The center was completed in 1989 and named “Zenjorin.” For the dedication of the center’s grand opening ceremony with one hundred thousand local community people participating, many priests from Japan were invited.

Since that time on, Sangharatna successfully expanded his plan and has built various facilities, such as children’s house, “pannyametta”, orphanage, kindergarten, library, English language school, etc, at the site of Zenjorin, Hence, he has developed widely his activities to benefit Nagpur’s local people. Through these services he has been committed to propagating the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, that he had learned in Japan.

This transcription is extracted from “Tendai Mission Review”, published in March, 2000 by Tendai Buddhist Sect Overseas Charitable Foundation, with a subsidy for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Tendai Mission of Hawaii.

History of the Tendai Mission of Hawaii:

Since there are not many sources left regarding the pre-war propagating activities of the Tendai sect in Hawaii, the details are unknown. In the 1940 Japan-Hawaii Almanac, the following was recorded: “The Tendai Fudo-son temple located at 834 South Hotel Street in Honolulu was established on April 15, 1918. It was officially designated as a center for the propagation of Tendai Buddhism on September 29, 1930 and was raised to the position of head temple, the Tendai Mission of Hawaii Betsuin, by the Abbot of the Tendai sect, Koei Umetani, on August 10, 1933. Until January 1, 1936, it was managed by its founder, the Reverend Sengaku Tanaka, and on June 19, 1935, the missionary Reverend Tetsushun Sakamoto, who is currently the head priest of the Hawaii Betsuin, was sent by Abbot Koei Umetani.”

The first head minister, the Reverend Sengaku Tanaka, was born in Shiga Prefecture. The letter which he later in his life sent to the Religious Affairs Section requesting that more ministers be sent to Hawaii since he could not hold up under the burden of propagating activities remains in the Religious Affairs Section. In response to this letter, Rev. Tetsushun Sakamoto, the head of Yokokura-ji in Gifu Prefecture, was sent together with his wife. Although he was well educated and had a favorable reputation as a progressive missionary, he returned to Japan in 1939 due to poor health.

After that, lay members, particularly Suekichi Murashima and Shigenori Omokawa, maintained the Fudo Hall, but World War II broke out and the temple was forced to close when it became difficult to maintain in 1950.

In 1972 the Overseas Missionary Society was established with the Rev. Jion Haba, the former chairman of the Religious Affairs Section, as its central figure. The Reverend Toko Kon became its first president. In May 1973, the Castle Family’s land and house were purchased with the help of L.T. Kagawa and Takeo Suemura and the Tendai Mission of Hawaii Betsuin founded. In November of the same year, the head Tendai priest, the Reverend Eikai Sugawara, led 350 delegates consisting of ministers and lay members to Hawaii to officially celebrate the opening of the Hawaii Betsuin and dedicated the principle object of worship, Yakushi Nyorai. Reverend Ryokan Ara was assigned as the first Bishop.

Although propagating activities had been going on before the war, those who had been involved were no longer around so it was necessary to literally start from zero. In addition, because the Tendai sect of Buddhism was the oldest in Japan, its propagation in a different cultural context in a foreign land was extremely difficult. However, the temple gradually increased its membership by means of cultural activities and continued such religious activities as the Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha) services, Fudo (Immovable Buddha) services, and Amida Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Life and Light) services.

Meanwhile, it had been decided that “Ichigu Undo” (Illuminate your Corner Movement) in Japan also be carried out in Hawaii. In 1975 the Hawaii chapter of the “One Corner Association” was established by inviting Archbishop of the Shoren-in Monzeki, Jiko Higashifushimi as its honorary president. Since then, many of the leaders of Hawaii’s Japanese-American Community have joined this organization and have been carrying on such wide-ranged social activities as the “A little Kindness Movement” and the “Research Society of the History of Hawaii’s Immigrants.”

In 1978 what had until that time been the Tendai Cultural Classrooms was expanded into the Hawaii Institute of Arts, where instruction in such arts as Japanese painting, dyeing and calligraphy has been offered to the American artists of Japanese ancestry. Presently this is the sole Institute of Arts of its kind in Hawaii.

In 1982 the management of the Waikiki-Kapahulu Japanese Language School was entrusted to the Tendai Mission and the school was established as the Hawaii Institute which, as a cultural center for youth, has provided education in such subjects as an ancient Japanese martial arts and the Japanese language.

This transcription is extracted from “Tendai Mission Review”, published in March, 2000 by Tendai Buddhist Sect Overseas Charitable Foundation, with a subsidy for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Tendai Mission of Hawaii.