Sunday, October 22, 2023 Eitaikyo (Sangha Memorial Service) and Puna Hongwanji Distinguished Sangha Service Award Honorees

I am GrootEITAIKYO – SANGHA MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 9:00 am we will have our Eitaikyo Sangha Family Memorial Service and our Puna Hongwanji Distinguished Sangha Service Award (DSSA).  All are welcome to join us in person or online via Zoom.  The Dharma Message by Rev. Satoshi Kaʻimipono Tomioka will be “I am Groot”.  To receive the Zoom link, please email us at mpunahongwanji@twc.com
Eitaikyo is a contraction of the more formal term, Ei-tai-dokkyo.  Ei means eternal.  Tai means generations.  Dokkyo means chanting of Sutra.  The meaning of Eitaikyo is to eternally chant the sutras for generations and generations to come so that we can listen to the teachings of Amida Buddha.  Eitaikyo is called Sangha Memorial Service.
Eitaikyo is a time to remember our past members who made contributions to our Puna Hongwanji.  Puna Hongwanji is a gift from our ancestors who found refuge, hope, and spiritual guidance since 1902.  Eitaikyo is the opportunity and occasion for all to come together and reflect and reaffirm our dedication to the Sangha in mutual support of this precious gift through remembering our loves ones.  This service is dedicated to the memory of those beloved family members who have passed away.  We also show our gratitude for past members who made great contributions to Puna Hongwanji.

PUNA HONGWANJI DISTINGUISHED SANGHA SERVICE AWARD (DSSA)

In 2017 we started the Puna Hongwanji Distinguished Sangha Service Award (DSSA). This was all thanks to Past President Jason Hashimoto and Rev. Satoshi Ka’imipono Tomioka’s brainstorm. During the Giseikai meetings there is a portion of the meeting where temples submit resolutions in condolence and appreciation for their members that have contributed to the temple and the Hongwanji as a whole. They felt how sad we share our appreciation when the person has passed on. Thus the Puna Hongwanji DSSA was created to share our appreciation to our members while they are able to receive the recognition. We appreciate every members, but there are some members that go above and beyond to qualify them to be nominated for this award.
Our honorees for 2023 include:  DSSA 2023 Recipients
  • ANN TOMA
  • CRAIG SHIMODA
  • CAROL TSUNEZUMI
Please come to support our recipients and congratulate them for this great honor.
Past DSSA recipients include:
2017: Mr. Kazumasa Okamoto, Ms. Hatsume Tanaka, Mrs. Kiyoko Imada, Mr. Stanley Oishi
2018: Mr. Earl Mukai, Mrs. Dora Hashimoto, Ms. Helen Yamada, Mrs. Lei Kakugawa & the late Sadaichi Kakugawa
2019: Mrs. Masako Sanehira, Mrs. Mieko Nagao, Mrs. Yukiko Uchida, Mr. Mitsuo Miyatake
2020: Mrs. Kiyo Sumi, Mr. Roy Toma, Mr. Glenn Watarida
2021: Mrs. Satsuyo Taira, Mrs. Jean Tanaka, Ms. Nancy Yamada, Mr. Donald Shintaku
2022: Mrs. Mitsuye Toma, Mrs. Kay Kawazoe, Mrs. Florence Nishimura