Support for Rev. Ai Hironaka and Family

The San Mateo Buddhist Temple Sangha offers its support and heartfelt wishes for Lahaina Hongwanji Temple Minister Rev. Ai Hironaka and his family. 

The Lahaina Hongwanji Temple in Lahaina has burned down due to the disastrous fires that struck Maui on August 8.

The minister and his family managed to escape however with only 2 days worth of clothes. All their other belongings have burned along with the temple, so the Sangha leaders in Maui have started a GoFundMe campaign to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

Please use the link below to donate in support of Rev. Hironaka and his family:
https://gofund.me/6019ca1b

Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund

PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Thayer / The Maui News / Associated Press

Donate here to benefit members of the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission and relief efforts on Maui in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires of August 2023. Lahaina Honganji Mission is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, and any donation will have an immediate impact.

Donate through the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

  • Online at www.hongwanjihawaii.com by clicking on the “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief”
    button under the “Donate” tab.
  • Donate by check payable to: HHMH (Please note on memo line: “Maui Wildfire Disaster
    Relief”)  

Mail checks to: Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813

Donate through the BCA Social Welfare Committee

  • Donate by check payable to: BCA Endowment Foundation (Please note on memo line: MAUI RELIEF)  

Mail checks to: BCA Endowment Foundation – 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA  94704

Sangha Speaker Juliet Bost Yokoe (September 17)

This Sunday our service will be led by our Sangha members featuring a Dharma Talk by San Mateo Buddhist Temple Minister’s Assistant Juliet Bost Yokoe.

Schedule
(Shoshinge chanting will resume on September 24)

9:00 a.m. Mindfulness Meditation with David Crampton

9:30 a.m. Dharma Service with talk by Juliet Bost Yokoe

10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion led by Juliet Bost

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

The Purpose of Our Temple (September 10)

As we begin our new Dharma School year with our Fall Sangha Clean Up Day, we will look to Rennyo Shonin’s “Letter on Construction at Ozaka,” in which he reminds us that the purpose of our temples is to be a place where all people feel welcome to gather and find guidance for their lives from the Buddha’s teachings.

. . . the fundamental reason for living in this place is not to spend a relaxed life here or enjoy a life of luxury and glory or a life of seclusion appreciating flowers, birds, breezes and the moon. My sincere hope is only to see an increase in number of the practicers who have attained the entrusting heart and of those who recite the nembutsu - all for the sake of attaining the supreme enlightenment.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Fall Sangha Clean Up

We welcome you to join us in person!

To join us online via Zoom , CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Special Guest Dharma Speaker: Rev. Giei Sasaki (August 27)

On Sunday, August 27, we are honored to welcome Rev. Giei Sasaki from the International Minister’s Orientation Program (IMOP) as our Special Guest Dharma Speaker.

Schedule
(Shoshinge chanting will resume on September 3)
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service with talk by Rev. Giei Sasaki
10:30 a.m. Japanese Service with talk by Rev. Giei Sasaki 日本語法要 ご講師 佐々木義英先生
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

You may also join us via Zoom for this Dharma Service. To receive the link, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Treasure this Human Life (August 20)

Rev. Adams will share a Dharma Talk about why birth into human life, despite all its difficulties and disappointments, provides the most precious opportunity for attaining awakening and is considered to be even more ideal than birth in a heavenly realm of pleasure and satisfied desire.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Mindfulness Meditation with David Crampton
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

We welcome you to join us in person!

To join us online via Zoom , CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Visits to Hongwanji and Kinkakuji (July 23)

Rev. Adams will share some impressions and reflections from recent rainy day in Kyoto when he visited our mother temple the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto as well as the iconic Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji). Both temples have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but the experience of visiting them is quite different and the contrast can help us to appreciate how the Nembutsu is alive and well in our world.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Language Service 日本語法座
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

We welcome you to join us in person!

To join us online via Zoom , CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Sangha Speaker Juliet Bost (July 16)

This Sunday our service will be led by our Sangha members featuring a Dharma Talk by San Mateo Buddhist Women’s Association Corresponding Secretary and Minister’s Assistant Juliet Bost.

Schedule
(Shoshinge chanting will resume on July 23)

9:00 a.m. Mindfulness Meditation with David Crampton

9:30 a.m. Dharma Service with talk by Juliet Bost

10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion led by Juliet Bost

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Maya Togashi’s Pilgrimage Trip to India (July 9)

SMBT Sangha Member Maya Togashi will share memories and reflections from her recent pilgrimage trip to Buddhist sites in India.

Schedule
(Shoshinge chanting will resume on July 23)
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service with presentation by Maya Togashi
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion with Maya Togashi

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Reflections on Father’s Day and Juneteenth (June 18)

On this occasion of Father’s Day and Juneteenth Weekend, Rev. Adams will share reflections on the Buddha’s wish for all beings to realize lives of peace and equality.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Mindfulness Meditation
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Language Service 日本語法要
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.