With Kobe as the hosting district, the opening ceremony, which included the Omachiuke service (special service in anticipation for the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin), was conducted at Kobe Betsuin. Following the service, delegates dispersed into small groups for a walking tour and scavenger hunt around Kobe city. In visiting the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Monument and memorial flame, “1.17 Light of Hope” a delegate commented “in reading the inscription on the monument, “The limitations of man, unable to predict even just a second into the future, it made me think.” During the group discussion that was conducted later in the day, delegates exchanged thoughts and comments about the discussion theme of inochi (life).
Next year, the conference will be held at Hongwanji in conjuction with the year-observance of the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin. The conference will be held on August 6 with a memorial observance designated for YBA delegates to be conducted the following day on August 7.
(Excerpt from Hongwanji Journal, September 1, 2010)

(Excerpt from Hongwanji Journal, September 10, 2010)

As explained by Mrs. Machiko Kitamura, president of the Buddhist Women’s Federation (fujinkai) of Japan, in working with Hawaii District and Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) district fujinkais, the annual fujinkai exchange program is conducted hoping to nurture future fujinkai members. Each year, two girls are received from Hawaii or BCA on a rotation basis and two girls are dispatched from Japan alternating between Hawaii and BCA for a two-week stay which includes a homestay program. During the program, the 4 delegates also take part in several joint activities at Hongwanji including a study session where they learn about the activities of the fujinkai, an audience with Lady Ohtani, and also participate in the All-Japan YBA convention. This year, Tamaye Otsuka (18) and Aya Matsuzawa (22) were dispatched from Japan to Hawaii, and Kailey-Claire Stewart (18) and Kathryn Ida (22) were received from BCA. In visiting Hawaii, Otsuka and Matsuzawa shared, “Differences in countries and languages does not matter. We all share in the appreciation of the Nembutsu, and that’s what matters. We were able to get a firsthand look at the perseverance of those who have been transmitting the Nembutsu and also realize a sense of closeness to the temple. After returning to Japan, I hope to share with my peers about how the temple can be a place where we can enjoyably exchange words.”
Stewart and Ida had the opportunity to visit Hiroshima as part of the program’s peace study before going on to their homestay at Shinjoji temple in Hyogo prefecture where they met with the temple fujinkai ladies who taught them Japanese flower arrangement and also interacted with the children attending the temple nursery school. They commented, “Staying at a temple was all a new experience to us and beyond what we had expected that we were just fascinated with everything. We met many people and were received with a warm welcome everywhere we went. We are grateful for having received such a valuable experience.”
(Excerpt from Hongwanji Journal, September 10, 2010)

 

(Excerpt from Hongwanji Journal, September 1, 2010)