This Sunday is also Food Basket donation day for the congregation, said the Rev. Bruce Nakamura.
The Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin — a Shin Pure Land Buddhist community — will host the Founder’s 750th Memorial/Shinran Shonin Hoonko Program and Services on Saturday and Sunday.
Special events begin with a public lecture from 2-5 p.m on Saturday in the main temple. There is no registration fee.
The guest speaker will be retired head minister (rimban) the Rev. Ryoso Toshima, a veteran minister who has served the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for more than 41 years. The focus will be on the five-year theme and 2012 slogan: “The Path of True-Entrusting: Recite the Nembutsu.”
The public is invited to these sessions hosted by the spiritual board. Toshima is bilingual in Japanese and English. Elevator access is available for the two-day event.
The community also is invited to the Hoonko Dharma Services on Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Toshima will speak at both services. Brunch packs prepared by the Buddhist Women’s Association will be served to all service participants between the two services in the YBA Hall.
This Sunday is also Food Basket donation day for the congregation, said the Rev. Bruce Nakamura.