Maui Wildfires - Lahaina Hongwanji Mission
Dear Dharma friends,
I sincerely hope this finds you well and safe in the Infinite Light and Life of the Buddha.
I am very saddened to hear about the recent tragedy on the island of Maui, the historic town of Lahaina. Many building structures including our sister temple, Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, were burned down by the wildfires.
Right after the disaster, I had an opportunity to communicate with Rev. Ai Hironaka who is the resident minister of the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission and was our guest speaker for our fall Ohigan service and seminar in March 2022. He and his family could evacuate to Kahului and stay safe. He is currently busy contacting the temple members to ensure their safety.
Our minds and hearts are bound together with our mutual love and concern for the victims and go out to those who lost their loved ones, their building structures, and treasured historic towns.
We are not directly affected by the disaster at this time, but we do not know when we will be in the same situation in the future. I was truly aware of the limitations of humans toward the great power of nature through this disaster. Knowing about our powerlessness, Amida Buddha established the Primal Vow to save all sentient beings to be free from suffering and afflictions.
Let us turn our minds to the great compassionate mind of the Buddha and entrust ourselves to the compassionate working of the Buddha, Namo Amidabutsu.
Burning Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, photo received from Rev. Hironaka on August 9
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii State Headquarters established the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund. There are three ways to help to support Lahaina Hongwanji Mission and relief efforts on Maui.
1. Paypal
2. GoFundMe
3. Mail check to State HQ of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Please visit their website at https://hongwanjihawaii.com/blog/2023/08/09/fire-updates/for the details of the fund and the direction to help them out.
Buddhist Churches of America also established a relief fund to help our sister organization in their efforts. There are two ways to help them out.
1. Donations can be made online at: https://bca.kindful.com/
2. Donations can also be made by check. Please make check payable to: BCA Endowment Foundation (Please note on memo line: MAUI RELIEF)
Mail checks to BCA Endowment Foundation - 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
Please share all of this information with your family members and friends. Your help will be greatly appreciated by Maui Ohana.
In Gassho, Koho Takata, Resident Minister
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
Dharma Center
2003 Corinth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tel: (310) 477-7274
Web: www.wlabt.org
Help Support Rev.Hironaka and Family
Rev. Ai Hironaka is the resident minister of the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission and was our guest speaker for our fall Ohigan service and seminar 2022.
Sensei and his family were able to evacuate the fire safely with 2 days worth of clothes, but, as they lived on the temple grounds, their all their other belongings have burned along with the temple.
They are currently sleeping on the floor of a Lahaina member's home and we would like to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible. And with the school year starting, they need to replace their supplies and clothes.
A local member on Maui has set up a GoFundMe to help the Hironaka Family.
Donations can be made to the GoFundMe at here.
Thank you for the dana of your time and generosity.
In addition, here is an interview Rev. Hironaka gave to regarding Lahaina Hongwanji.