Hilo Betsuin to host Nembutsu seminars

“Live the Teachings!” will be the topic of discussion at two free Nembutsu seminars to be held on Saturday at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall.

The first seminar runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Speakers will include the Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki, director of the Buddhist Study Center on Oahu, and the Rev. Blayne Higa, director of development and community relations for the Pacific Buddhist Academy on Oahu.

“The Shin Buddhist path to awakening is found in how we live our everyday lives in our community for the welfare of all beings. The seminar will explore ways how the Dharma can and should be lived through direct social engagement to deeply understand the suffering of others as well as ourselves,” said a spokesman for Hilo Betsuin.

The second seminar is for youths from eighth grade on up. It runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and will be led by Higa. Refreshments will be served. The seminar will explore the Dharma and how it applies to everyday life, how it teaches us to live in the world with compassion for ourselves and others.

Kuniyuki was born in Honolulu, graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and was an instructor at both UH-Manoa and UH-Hilo. He graduated from Chuo Buddhist Seminary and has served as resident minister at Honomu, Honohina, Papaaloa and Papaikou Temples on Hawaii Island, as well as at Wahiawa Hongwanji on Oahu.

Higa was born and raised in Hilo and graduated from Waiakea High School. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree, a Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning from UH-Manoa and a B.A. from Willamette University in Oregon. He received his Tokudo ordination in 2012.

For more information, please call the temple office at 961-6677.