View from the Pew
A look inside Hawaii's houses of worshipBy Mary Adamski
Saturday, January 5, 2002
It was a common occurrence during the holiday season: the young adults and their children attending a service with Grandma and Grandpa. It was as much a confirmation of family and culture as it was a nod to any belief system. One family’s New Year’s
pilgrimage strengthens
bonds to past, presentFamiliar as the scenario may be to the Christmas celebrators -- jokes about once-a-year visitors can be heard from pulpits of all denominations -- this particular scene played out again and again at Buddhist temples this week as families made the New Year pilgrimage in the footsteps of past generations.
By the time Charles and Mildred Okimura's clan of 12 reassembled at midday Tuesday at the top of the stairway of the imposing Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin Hawaii on Pali Highway, it was Step Three in a day steeped in tradition.
First, they had gathered at the Okimura home for the first meal of the New Year -- "ozoni" soup, which contains mochi, newly made rice cake, a key ingredient in the Japanese celebration of the changing year. Mildred Okimura's soup recipe includes chicken broth, fish eggs and black beans.
Step Two was a stop at the Shingon Mission on Sheridan Street. Mildred continues to attend that shrine because her parents did, and because of its reputation as a center of healing.
There they all observed rituals of rinsing hands, lighting incense, sipping sake, buying omadori (good-luck amulets) and getting a blessing from the bishop.
Mildred Okimura has brought grandson Reeve, 17, on bimonthly visits for eight years, since he was first diagnosed with leukemia -- now in remission. "Just look at him now," Mildred says proudly of the husky teenager who will graduate from high school this year.
Next stop, Honpa Hongwanji, was a visit to Charles Okimura's roots.
The grandchildren joined Grandpa in the columbarium, peering behind a small door to see photographs of his parents. Father Kensuke immigrated from Japan and was a plantation worker and saimin shop operator. He died 50 years ago, and his wife, Sue, died five years ago at age 99.
The Okimuras waited in line to offer incense at a small altar surrounded by dozens of small bouquets.
Then each unit stepped forward for a brief moment with bowed heads: son Dwight, his girlfriend Alison Miki and his son Reeve. Then son Grant with his wife, Cyrenne -- an Episcopalian -- and their son Chazz, 5. Next, daughter April with her husband, Brett Hill, and Brittany, 9, and Hunter, 4.
"I like the ritual of going to the temple," said Brett Hill, who was born in Ohio and raised a Presbyterian.
A sign beside the altar recognizes the occasional nature of many visitors. It advises that the appropriate phrase to chant is "Namo amida butsu."
Verbalizing the name of the Buddha of infinite light and of infinite life is the way to come to know an abstract thing, explained temple minister Jan Youth.
"We come for respect," said Brittany. "We were praying for my grandparents. At the other church we got blessed. We come because it's New Year's and it's for good luck."
That answer to a question pleased Mildred Okimura. "That's why we do this at least once in a year."
Everyone complied with the expectation of good behavior during the brief visit to the columbarium, but it was not a particularly sad or somber moment.
"I'm hungry," commented Hunter as they emerged. As he well knew, the next and final step of the day's journey would be lunch at the Willows.
But before they all headed down the temple steps, Mildred Okimura pulled out a handful of red paper-wrapped "lee see," gifts of money for adults and children. Not a Japanese tradition at all, it's a Chinese custom which the generous Grandma adopted.
"It's a reward," she said as her brood thanked her one by one. "Good luck. Happy New Year."
RELIGION CALENDAR
Mary Adamski covers religion for the Star-Bulletin.
Email her at madamski@starbulletin.com.
