Special service today at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin
The Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association will hold its annual Eshinni/Kakushinni Day service this morning starting at 9 a.m. in the main temple at 398 Kilauea Avenue.
Lady Eshinni was the wife of Shinran Shonin, founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. She was born in Niigata Prefecture and married Shinran in 1210. She is revered for her dedication to Shinran, whose life’s work was to propagate this religion throughout Japan during a time of religious persecution.
ADVERTISING
Little was known about Lady Eshinni until the discovery of 10 letters that she wrote to her daughter, Kakushinni, during her later years. In 1921, these letters were discovered in the archives of the mother temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect in Kyoto, Japan. They told of the many hardships she endured as a wife and mother while supporting Shinran.
She passed away in Niigata prefecture at the age of 89.
Lady Eshinni’s daughter, Kakushinni, is known for being her father’s caregiver in his final years, until his death at age 90. Ten years after his death, she built a memorial hall for his remains and established the means for ensuring the hall and the property it was built on would belong to the Jodo Shinshu Sangha for all future generations.
A monument stands in front of the Butsudan (Altar) of the Otani Mausoleum to pay tribute to Kakushinni’s many contributions.
Hilo Betsuin BWA is privileged to have Linda Nagai, current Hawaii Federation BWA president as guest speaker.
Nagai has worn several different hats during her many years of dedicated service with the Buddhist Women’s Associations in Hawaii, Kona Hongwanji Mission and the greater community. The title of her dharma message will be “Walking the Path: A Woman’s Journey in Shin Buddhism.”
While working as a travel agent, school PCNC, Kona Hongwanji’s Kyodan and BWA President, she studied very hard to attain her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After an arduous journey of training and studying at the mother temple (Honzan) in Japan, her “35-year-long dream” was finally realized when she received her Tokudo ordination (ceremony through which a layperson is initiated into Buddhism).
She is currently a full-time music teacher and Parent Community Network coordinator at Kealakehe High School, and a minister’s assistant at Kona Hongwanji Mission. Members and friends, please join us at the temple for an interesting message about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and these remarkable women.
Refreshments will be served following the service.
