On April 5th, 2015 the Shingon Shu Hawaii Temple celebrated its 100th anniversary with a Saito Goma service (fire purification) performed by monks from Kyoto, Japan.
This sacred and monumental event gave me the opportunity to reflect on my experiences with the temple over the years. The one thing that immediately jumps at me is how long the temple has been home to my dojo (15 years at the time of the event). Not only have we been a part of numerous events, I’ve met such wonderful people and have made lifelong friends. For this I am truly grateful.
Being that the temple has been an instrumental part of my personal development, it was an honor to be able to contribute to this special event. Prior to the event, my students and I were part of the restoration team for the hand carved statues that sit at the entrance of the temple. At the event, we were the support staff for the service. It was also an honor to have the monks use my personal swords for the purification ceremony.
As the event took place, I felt a deep sense of purpose and pride when I saw my life’s work subtly integrated into the festivities for the service of the community. What a healthy serving of humble pie and inspiration to keep going. I am looking forward to the next 100 years!
Special thanks to all my students for their support and efforts.
