It's been awhile

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I was waiting for my Transcripts to post to American Military University so that I could see exactly how far I was from my BA, and then report. However, the date kept getting pushed back. As of now, I still don't know what my transcripts will yield. But since I have other information, I will post that.

My involvement in the Tokudo program is getting more formalized and more involved. First, I become increasingly more involved with the weekly services. I am going to start attending the Japanese service every week before the English service. My responsibilities include setting up the altar, ringing the kansho bell, keeping the incense burning, and then closing down the altar and temple after service is over.

Another bit of news: the Minister's Assistant currently assigned to my temple, Reverend David Nakamoto, is being relocated to Kailua. The Bishop said that we will not be getting another assistants because they have ME! In other words, increased responsibility and presence. Also, if Reverend Kevin ever needs to leave for whatever reason, then it will be my responsibility to lead service! I won't be able to do that from up on the Altar, as I'm still a lay person, but it's still a big deal, and I'm really nervous!

So here are some more technical details. Pasted below is a summary of my entrance into the Tokudo Training Program. Please forgive any spelling, grammatical, or formatting errors, as these pages were just scanned in.

MINISTERIAL TRAINING OUTLINE TOKUDO TRAINING

PRELIMINARY INFORMATIONAL SESSION (Conducted by State Ministerial Training Committee):

What: A half day session for people interested in Tokudo to learn about Tokudo and the commitments, sacrifices, and rewards.

Who: Aspirants who are actively involved in the Hongwanji for not less than a year during which time the membership has accepted the aspirant as a part of the congregation. (Recommended by Minister)

Why: Provide individuals interested in Tokudo with an opportunity to learn about the process and procedures.

PRE-ORDINATION TRAINING PROGRAM (POTP) (for those interested in going for Tokudo)

1. Candidate submits application to the Office of the Bishop

a) One page double-spaced essay to address the question "Why do I want to enroll in the Pre- T okudo Program?

b) One page recommendation by a minister.

c) Interview with the following questions:

How does your education relate to the pre-tokudo program?

What do you plan to do with this pre-tokudo program?

What qualities do you think a good temple minister has?

What is your understanding of Buddhism?

What is the role of religion in life?

As a minister, how can you contribute to the Jodo Shinshu movement?

How have you participated in the J odo Shinshu movement?

How do you relate to, work with people?

2. Office of the Bishop will give written acknowledgement of receipt of application, and will forward the application to the Ministerial Training Committee for disposition.

a) Bishop sends out copies of the application, recommendation and essay to the committee members before the Interview session.

Minister's Recommendation Form Application for Pre- T okudo Session

1. Applications and the attachment received by the Bishop will be reviewed by Ministerial Training Committee for recommendation. The Bishop will inform the applicants and temple ministers of the final decision.

Pre-Ordination Program - Local Training Program Pre-Ordination Program (at temple, district, or state level)

Stage A - OBSERVATION AND PARTICIPATION

1. DAILY ROUTINE

Morning and Evening Service

Flower Arrangement

Altar Clean Up

Offering

Temple Situation and Ministers Life

2. SERVICES AND CEREMONIES

Infant Initiatory Rites

Dedication Service

Wedding Ceremony (Temple & outside)

English Language Service

Japanese Language Service

Major Service

Special Service

Pre-school Service

Interfaith Service

Bedside Service (Makuragyo)

Service before cremation

Funeral Service at Temple

Funeral Service outside

Appreciation Service (Reimairi)

First 7-day Service

49-day Service

100-day Service

One-year Service

Inurnment (Burial) Service

3. MINISTERIAL ACTIVITIES

Staff Meeting

Pastoral Counseling

(Wedding Counseling, Crisis Center counseling, Religious Counseling (Jidan)

Hospital Visitation and Home Visitation

Study Class & Workshop

Community Services

Ministers' Meeting (Kyogakkai)

4. TEMPLE ACTIVITIES

Radio Broadcasting Program and related activities

Newsletter and related activities

Pre-school and related activities

Dharma School and related activities

Jr. YBA and related activities

Adult Group and related activities

Fujinkai and related activities

Martial Arts group and related activities

Scouting and related activities

Choir and related activities

Cultural and Fellowship activities

Various Temple Committees

Temple Board Meeting

Temple Kyodan activities

5. Familiarization and Memorization

1. Sutras, Chants, Sayings:

(Shinshu Pledge, Homages (Kikyomon), Vandana Ti­Sarana, Creeds (Ryogemon), Shoshinge, Wasan and others)

2. Excerpts from letters of Rennyo Shonin

Matsudaimucm-sho

Shinjin gyakutoku-sho

Shonin ichiryu-sho

Hakkotsusho

6. Proper Manner of Handling Sutras and Religious Texts

Triple Sutra

Wasan

Gobunsho

Raihai-seiten

Stage B - Overview of Total Scope of Services

1.Rites of Passage (pages 61-78)

2. Altar Arrangements (See Traditions oft Jodoshinshu Hongwanji­Ha, pages 45-48)

3. Etiquette and Liturgy (See Traditions of Jodoshinshu Hongwanji-Ha, pages 45-48)

4. Protocol for ministers (Reigi-Saho)

a) Sitting in Naijin

b) Entering Temple

c) Funeral Service

5. Clergy Attire on Appropriate Occasions (See Traditions of JOOoshinshu Hongwanji-Ha, pages 33-38)

6. Chanting of Shoshin-ge, other sermon and Gobunsho training (refer to service book) (See Traditions of Jodoshinshu Hongwanji-Ha, pages 61-78)

Stage C

1. FAMILIAR WITH BASIC SHINSHU TEACHING, HISTORY, AND TEXTS (OSHOGYO)

a Brief history of Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhist Handbook, pages 51-61)

b Outline of Jodo Shinshu Teachings

c Basic Texts of Jodo Shinshu

2. JAPANESE TERMS FOR ROMANIZATION AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION (See Jodo Shinshu Primer)

Stage D

1. Minister's role in temple finances

ELIGIBILITY:

1. Verification of a college degree (copy of diploma) or proof of pursuing a college degree (copy of current transcript).

2. Person with serious willingness and reasonable intent to assist the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

3. A letter of Intent

4. Prerequisites submitted to the Office of the Bishop. The Bishop must approve the applicant's entry into the Pre-Ordination State Training Program.

5. Pre-Tokudo candidate must agree to participate in:

a. Statewide Training Program sponsored by the Ministerial Training Committee which will take up to (3) three full (not necessarily consecutive) weekends.

Thanks everyone! I'll post again when I know more.

In Gassho,

-Hank