Puna Hongwanji: “The Temple of the Primal Vow”

By Karyn Chambers

Photos By Karyn Chambers and Courtesy of Puna Honwanji

“Namu-amida-Butsu: I entrust myself to the Amida Buddha”

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the exquisite Buddhist temple in Kea’au next to Long’s Drug Store? What do they teach? What brought them to Hawaii? As a retired world religions instructor, indeed, I was moved by the beautiful, striking architecture of the temple when I moved to the Big Island four and a half years ago. Despite studying Buddhism for thirty-five years, I had never heard the term “Hongwanji,” meaning “Temple of the Primal Vow.” Intrigued, I set out to discover which form of Buddhism they practice and was excited to learn it’s Pure Land Shin Buddhism. During my many years of college teaching, I have been exposed to numerous textbooks and countless hours of personal study on the four major branches of Buddhism–Theravada (Way of the Elders), Mahayana (Great Vehicle), Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle), and Zen. Each of these traditions provides elements of The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama’s teaching, philosophies, and vision for humanity. 

Theravada (formerly Hinayana “Lesser Vehicle”) “Way of the Elders” refers to a strict monastic discipline for male monks who completely devote their lives to individual liberation and attainment of Nirvana (extinction of the cycle of rebirth and personal passions). This path is for a select few who give up having a family or a career. Mahayana (Great Vehicle) is Buddhism for all beings, despite gender, economic or marital status, culture, or education. Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle), a form of Mahayana that includes Tantra, practiced mostly in Tibet and Mongolia, emphasizes union of male and female as well as other rituals designed to achieve Buddhahood and enlightenment. Zen, typically the Japanese practice of meditation “Zazen” and the study of “mindfulness,” is to quiet the mind through observation, moving beyond duality, and direct experience. 

So where does Pure Land Shin Buddhism fit into these traditions? It’s a form of Mahayana, open to everyone regardless of age, gender, socio-economic, or educational status.  What I didn’t know is that Pure Land is the largest and most significant branch with 500 million adherents in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam who chant six simple words “Namu Amida Butsu” (“I entrust myself to Amitabha Buddha”).  It does not focus on long hours of meditation and renunciation. Amitabha calls to all who have a sincere heart and accept adherents as they are. No personal improvement or stringent ethical practices. Everyone is welcomed.

Who is Amitabha Buddha?

According to the Sutra of Measureless Life and the Amitabha Sutra, Dharmakara, a bodhisattva monk, a former king, renounced his throne and became a monk after coming in contact with Buddhist teachings.  After meditating for five eons, Dharmakara became Amitabha (“Immeasureable light”) when he took 48 vows and engineered Pure Land, a place of ultimate compassion where all who enter are reborn and guaranteed enlightenment. Pure Land isn’t heaven, but rather a Cosmic University for rapid enlightenment and mastery of skills to assist other universes when departing. The goal is graduation and a genuine desire to assist others to awaken. Enlightenment is attained through grace rather than personal achievement by sincerely calling on Amitabha’s name, thus the chant “namu-amita-butsu” (Japanese). 

“O may I obtain supreme and perfect enlightenment, 

Promote the good of all beings, and establish them in 

the final and complete nirvana, and in the Buddha-

Knowledge.” ( the Bodhisattvabbhumi)

According to the Buddhist sutras (scriptures), those desiring to be born in Pureland must cultivate bodhicitta (“aspiration to enlightenment”) to bring all suffering to an end for all beings, through deep compassion and kindness. 

What I find striking about Pure Land Buddhism is that it welcomes all regardless of gender, status, culture, or age. The Japanese rice farmer can easily chant throughout the day while planting his seeds to experience ultimate states of enlightenment and deep peace.  The nursing mother chants while tenderly caring for her child. The grandmother evokes the name of Amitabha while praying for her family. One does not need to be a male monk who has renounced the material world and meditates long hours daily. Reciting the mantra purifies mental clutter, negative karma, and brings the blessings of peace. As I drove to class one day recently, I began chanting in my car and, surprisingly, immediately, my body and spirit softened, filling me with great compassion for myself and my students. 

The Puna Hongwanji

The Pure Land Shin Buddhist temple located in Kea’au was founded in 1902 on land subleased from Olaa Sugar Company. It offered spiritual support for our Japanese immigrants as well as a Japanese school and Buddhist services. The current temple, built in 1937 and after WWII in 1957, was renamed Puna Hongwanji Mission, suggested by Herbert Shipman, the lessor of the Olaa Hongwanji, as it served the entire Puna District.  Out back at the end of the parking lot is an actual Bodhi Tree, a seedling from the original tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment in India.  It’s quite a massive, beautiful tree, pictured below, planted by Herbert Shipman. According to the minister, they have three Bodhi trees on their property. Many services are offered, such as Sunday service, memorial ceremonies, weddings, funerals, counseling, infant blessings, and Buddhist Education classes.  Check out their website to see all of the options provided.  punahongwanji.org

After reading several books like River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism, and watching YouTube videos: Amitabha Buddha–Infinite Life and Light on Buddha Weekly, I felt inspired to attend a Sunday service; in fact, I attended two. The first happened on an auspicious day, April 12th, Hanamatsuri, Birthday of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakamuni Buddha), a flower festival, and a ritual of pouring sweet tea over the baby Buddha, symbolizing the sweet rain that fell at his birth. I witnessed a lovely display of flowers, attendees bowing to each other, and a giant, beautiful gold altar with a large Buddha at the front of the temple.

 The service began with Kansho–ringing of the temple bell–the calling bell to encourage practitioners to quiet their minds and take their seats. An eloquent young boy was the MC, introducing various participants and aspects of the service, including a story for the children, “Tara and Tofu.” A cute story about a boy going to the store for his mother to buy tofu, and discovers partway home that he was given too much change. So he decides to go all the way back to return the money, resisting the temptation to keep the money for a sweet treat, but rather he chose to be honest and do the right thing. Great lesson for young people.

The minister, Rev. Satoshi Kai’imipono Tomioka, born in Shimane, Japan, ordained in 2010, was assigned to Hawaii in 2013. He gave a dharma teaching about how Buddhism provides a mirror to see through the eyes of compassion for another’s situation, then chanting namo-amita-butsu– “come into my embrace” and “May peace prevail.” I loved the message “I will liberate you just as you are.”

The service ended by playing Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” while participants lined up to pour their sweet tea over the baby Buddha. 

After the service, I was struck by the format of the meeting with many of the familiar elements of a Christian worship service–the ringing of the temple bell, singing with hymnals, a children’s story, a teaching from the minister, and a ritual. Overall, the service was well-structured and broken into several parts to keep attendees, young and old, attentive with an encouraging message. 

Conclusion

Throughout my years of studying world religions, I resonate with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama and Buddhism, regarding the inner journey to resolve subconscious traumas and wounds.  Its practicality and simplicity offer techniques to liberate oneself from suffering. As a young college student in an Eastern Religions course, I was moved by the many similarities of Lord Buddha’s story and Jesus ‘–prophecies, miracle birth, going out to the forest/desert to become tested, then enlightened, preaching and gathering disciples, as well as performing miracles. Both sought to reform the traditions they were born into, calling out priests who became focused on money and lost the path of true spirituality.  Truly, both have been great examples/role models for those of us seeking truth, peace, serenity, and liberation from suffering. Pure Land Shin Buddhism provides a welcoming invitation/calling for all to enter and find sanctuary. Amitabha Buddha calls to everyone to enter the blissful realm of compassion and bodhisattva training to serve as beacons for those who are suffering, vowing to stay in the world to help others rather than seeking personal liberation. Chanting nembutsu–Namu Amida Butsu– “I entrust myself to the Amida Buddha” equals answering the call of Amita to enter Pure Land–“Land of Bliss”–the transcendent realm where wisdom and compassion are found in the wind, trees, birds, and lotus ponds. 

All are welcome to attend services on Sunday mornings, 9 am-10 am, 16-492 Old Volcano Rd, Kea’au, at the Hongwanji. For more information, check out their website, punahongwanji.org, to see scheduled activities including Buddhist education classes, bon dances, karate, body fitness, and yoga.  Membership isn’t required to attend. You can simply go as an observer and see for yourself how others worship and gather in community. Learning about other spiritual traditions is a grand opportunity to see we’re all connected as one humanity seeking Truth and Grace. Malama Pono. Gassho (hands together in reverence and entrusting heart).