2015 WEHOPE Dharmathon Message by Rev. Hata
The WEHOPE gathering was a five-day meeting of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Kaikyoshi ministers from around the world reflecting on their common mission to freely share the truth of the Buddhadharma in a way that speaks to the immediate concerns of the communities they serve. On April 15 and 16, 2015, a total of 18 ministers shared the Dharma messages which are presented here.
WEHOPE stands for West and East Hongwanji Overseas Propagation Exchange. The two mother temples are in Kyoto, Japan: Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha – Nishi Honganji (West) and Shinshu Otani-ha – Higashi Honganji (East).
Wednesday, April 15
Japanese Message
・Rev. Miki Nakura (New York Sangha, Shinshu Otani-ha) 「これ、仏の手だぞ。」(Eng. “This is Buddha’s Hand”)
English Messages
・Rev. Shinji Kawagoe (Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “The Way of Looking at Things”
・Rev. Patti Nakai (Buddhist Temple of Chicago, Shinshu Otani-ha) “The Liberation Theology of Shinran Shonin”
・Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki (Buddhist Church of Lodi, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Peace”
・Rev. Marcos Sawada (Hilo Higashi Honganji, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Your Happiness is My Happiness”
・Rev. Kosho Yaki (Aiea Hongwanji, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Arigatou, Gomen Nasai”
・Rev. Ryoko Osa (North America District Office, Shinshu Otani-ha) “To Be Saved”
・Rev. Ronald Kobata (Buddhist Church of San Francisco, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Coming A.L.I.V.E.”
・Rev. Tomoyuki Hasegawa (North America District Office, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Beams of Light Shining Brilliantly from Each Flower”
Thursday, April 16
Japanese Message
・Rev. Ryuta Furumoto (Senshin Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) 「浄土真宗を語る」
・Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi (West Covina Higashi Honganji, Shinshu Otani-ha) 「本願力:願いが私を動かす」
English Messages
・Rev. David Fujimoto (Puna Hongwanji, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “The Dharma Lū’au: Everything the Dharma Has Taught Me”
・Rev. Mauricio Ghigonetto (Nambei Honganji Brasil Betsuin, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Shin Buddhism is Really Buddhism”
・Rev. Diana Thompson (Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Language”
・Rev. Peter Hata (Higashi Honganji Los Angeles Betsuin, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Betsuin Tour Guide”
・Rev. Cristina Sato (Hongwanji Brasilia, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Are You Buddhist?”
・Rev. Ken Yamada (Berkeley Higashi Honganji, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Seeing is Believing”
・Rev. Jerry Hirano (Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Is the Dalai Lama Your Boss?”