Talks cover healing through prayer

Retired Army chaplain Ryder Stevens will speak on “;Spiritual Healing Through Prayer”; in a free lecture series next week.

As a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship in Phoenix, Stevens is an international speaker on prayer-based healing. While stationed with the U.S. Joint Military Command in Europe, he taught the concept of religious freedom as a human right to military personnel from countries in the former Soviet bloc. He worked with military organizations in sub-Saharan Africa to found a humanitarian peacekeeping force.

The annual lecture series is sponsored by the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Honolulu and the Christian Science Societies of Kailua and Wahiawa. The talks are open to the public:

» Friday, noon, Oahu YWCA, 1040 Richards St.

» Next Saturday, noon, Christian Science Society, 55 N. Kainalu St., Kailua

» Next Saturday, 4 p.m., Christian Science Society, 1637 California Ave., Wahiawa

Service celebrates the birth of Buddha

Island Buddhists will celebrate the birth of the Buddha more than 2,500 years ago with a Buddha Day service April 5 at the Soto Mission of Hawaii, 1708 Nuuanu Ave.

The program at 9 a.m. will include a religious service and entertainment by Somei Taiko and Hawaii Matsuri Taiko drummers. The Rev. Jiko Nakade of the Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission will be guest speaker. It is open to the public.

The Hawaii Buddhist Council has sponsored the service for more than 50 years. It marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gotama in Lumbini Garden, India. At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.

Buddhism in Hawaii has been changing for the past 20 years, said Bishop Shugen Komagata, of Soto Mission. Japanese immigrants brought the religion to Hawaii in the late 19th century, and most temples here were founded by Japanese denominations. Today, island Buddhists include people of multicultural and multiethnic backgrounds, Komagata said.

Buddhists strive “;to be in touch with our own true self or nature and to go beyond oneself,”; he said. “;To go beyond oneself is to be enlightened by all things. To be enlightened by all things is to free one's body and mind, and to free the bodies and minds of others.”;

Pastor to discuss his work in China

The Rev. Lin Qiu, a pastor who trains Christian leaders in China, will talk about his work in April 5 appearances at Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church, 5339 Kalanianaole Highway.

Qiu, formerly of Honolulu, now works through the international China Service Ventures mission. He has led several Bible training sessions in China, according to a church announcement.

He will speak at a noon buffet lunch April 5 at the church's Ohana Lanai. The cost is $10. For reservations call 377-5477.

Qiu will also speak to a 9 a.m. adult forum between worship services.

His talks are open to the public.

Teacher to lead sutra workshops

A Buddhist teacher widely known for explaining Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and meditation to people in the Western world will return to Hawaii next month to lead workshops.

Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche will speak on “;The Heart Sutra”; in the seminars April 11 and 12 at the Buddhist Study Center, 1436 University Ave. The sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The cost is $60 in advance, $35 for students or $75 at the door. To register call Kaohulani McGuire, 348-2980, or write to her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Khentrul travels throughout the world to lecture. He is the abbot of Katog Mardo Tashi Choling monastery in eastern Tibet and is building a retreat center for practice and study in Arkansas.