WHO/WHAT: The Hawaii Buddhist Council will celebrate Bodhi Day in tandem with an observation of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The event will feature keynote speaker Edwin Hawkins, president emeritus of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii and a retired Air Force colonel.
Ohana Arts Festival & School will perform selections from “Peace on Your Wings,” a musical tribute to Sadako Sasaki, a victim of the World War II Hiroshima bombing, who inspired the folding of 1,000 cranes to symbolize the desire for peace. Donations of canned/packaged food will be collected for Hawai‘i food banks.
Bodhi Day, Dec. 8, commemorates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, who was “born” as Sakyamuni Buddha while meditating under a pippala tree, known also as the “Bodhi tree.” “Enlightenment” is known as “bodhi” in Sanskrit.
WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m. at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy.The Buddhist council is composed of seven Japanese Buddhist denominations, headquartered on O‘ahu. For more information, email Hqs@honpahi.org or call (808) 522-9200.
