Posted on: Saturday, December 7, 2002

Buddhist fest to grace new temple

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

The new Nichiren temple will welcome seven Buddhist denominations for a Bodhi Day service tomorrow. Photo courtesy Nichiren Temple

Prince Siddhartha Gautama lived in India around 5 B.C.

At age 29, he left his home and family to discover the meaning of life. He abandoned all his material possessions and embarked on a journey in which he knew struggles awaited.

For six years, he lived a rigorously disciplined life, with few material comforts. But even with a series of spiritual teachers, Siddhartha Gautama hadn't found what he was looking for.

So one day, while traveling with a small group of fellow seekers, he went off by himself.

Breaking his fast, he sat down under a pipal (Bodhi) tree and vowed not to rise until he understood. He sat through seven days, 24 hours a day.

On the eighth morning, enlightenment came to Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Sama Samadhi, the Buddha, the Fully Awakened One.

Buddhists observe Bodhi Day on Dec. 8. And tomorrow, seven denominations will gather for a service at the newly completed Nichiren Mission's temple, 33 Puleleua Way in Nu'uanu, with a joint Bodhi Day service at 9 a.m.

It was fortune that allowed the Nichiren Mission to open its 15,000-square-foot temple, awash in gleaming golds and reds, just in time for the celebration. About 300 people attended last year's Bodhi Day celebration at a different venue, said the Rev. Chishin Hirai, the vice-head minister who lives in a structure near the new temple, and he expects this year to draw a few more observers.

"Our dream has finally come true," he said, bowing his head in the direction of the temple, some 30-plus years in the making.

Though the official dedication doesn't occur until next year, when more than 1,000 people — including a contingent from Japan — will be on hand, Sunday services have been going on since September.

The history of the joint Bodhi Day service among the denominations dates to World War II, he said, when the internment of many Buddhist leaders led to a shortage of ministers leading services.

Bodhi Day is a time for somber reflection, Hirai added.

"We Buddhists are very calm people," he said. "We Buddhists never fight against enemies under the name of Buddha."

With the construction of the $4.5 million structure, the Nichiren mission will be able to start a dharma course and have fellowship opportunities in the new social hall downstairs.

This year marks the 750th anniversary of the sect's founding in Japan and 100 years of Nichiren Buddhism in Hawai'i. Though the first Buddhist temple of this sect was built in the Big Island, its betsuin (headquarters) is the Nu'uanu temple.