Diamond Sangha will mark 50th anniversary
On July 12, the Diamond Sangha will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Palolo Zen Center, 2747 Wai'oma'o Road, with a day of events honoring both the organization and Aitken Roshi, 91, of the Big Island, among the foremost Island zen teachers, writers and practitioners. Also as guests will be some 25 Diamond Sangha teachers from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America and elsewhere in Hawai'i.
Events include a ceremony from 9 to 11:30 a.m., potluck lunch at noon, activities and storytelling from 2 to 4 p.m. and music and fun from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Information: Roland Sugimoto at info@diamondsangha.org or Kathy Ratliffe, ratliffe@hawaii.edu.
The Diamond Sangha has made arrangements for special rates at the ParkShore Hotel in Waikiki; call 923-0411 and ask for the Diamond Sangha group rate.
SWAMI BHASKARANANDA TO GIVE SERIES OF TALKS
Swami Bhaskarananda, a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order and spiritual guide of the Vedanta Society of Hawaii, will give a series of talks on "The Way to Fearless-ness and Freedom" on four Sundays, beginning tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at 1040 Richards St., Rm. 309. The series is free and open to the public. The talks concern Hinduism's ancient methods for overcoming stress.
Upcoming talks:
Information: devrafreedman@gmail.com.
HEAR TALK ON PRESERVING HAWAIIAN BIBLE DIGITALLY
Preservation of the Hawaiian Bible, Baibala Hemolele (Holy Bible), by online digitization — and present efforts to republish it in modern form with appropriate diacritical markings — will be discussed by Hawaiian Bible expert Helen Kaowili Thursday at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Kaowili is the daughter of kahu (minister) David Kaupu, and is schooled in Hawaiian, Greek and Hebrew. She brings a unique perspective to translated biblical works of 19th-century Hawai'i.
Translation of the original Bible into Hawaiian placed an important focus on the written word, which helped make the Kingdom of Hawai'i one of the most literate nations in the world. Modern efforts to computerize the work is seen as another important step.
Kaowili will speak at the continuing series of weekly discussions, Thursdays at St. Andrew's, scheduled for 5:45 p.m. in the cathedral's Von Holt Room.
The discussion is free and open to the public.
Information: 524-2822, ext. 214.
LANTERN FLOATING HAWAI'I EXHIBIT AT KAHALA MALL
A photo exhibit featuring lanterns and images of the annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i ceremony by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly is on display through May 26 at Kahala Mall, near Longs.
The exhibit will preview the 10th Anniversary Lantern Floating Hawai'i ceremony that is expected to draw more than 40,000 people to Ala Moana Beach Park on Memorial Day.
The annual ceremony is sponsored by the nonprofit Na Lei Aloha Foundation, and Shinnyo-en Hawaii, a Buddhist order established in Japan in 1936.
Traditionally known as toro nagashi, or "lantern offerings on the water," the ceremony involves candlelit rice paper and wood lanterns set afloat on the ocean, ferrying deceased ancestors back home after Obon remembrance.
Rather than holding the event during Obon — early August — as it is traditionally done in Japan, organizers here host it on Memorial Day to transcend religions, cultures and generations. The first such ceremony was held at Ke'ehi Lagoon on Memorial Day 1999.
Organizers accept public requests of remembrance — names of dead loved ones written on paper and included with the lanterns — along with prayers for victims of wars, water-related accidents, natural disasters, famine and disease, and prayers for a future of harmony among all people.
The Kahala Mall exhibit will also feature two "parent" lanterns that carry the prayers — and smaller lanterns for individuals.
On May 25, more than 2,000 candlelit lanterns will illuminate the ocean off Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park.
Information: Mari Takamura, 523-8802.
Staff from Shinnyo-en and Na Lei Aloha will also be on hand to answer questions about the lantern ceremony at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center.
A taiko performance and gift-making craft activity for children and adults will be part of the event.
A portion of store profits made during the free event will be made to Kids Hurt Too organization, if you mention "Lantern Floating Hawai'i" during check-out.
Kids Hurt Too works with orphans, foster children and children separated from one or both parents due to death, divorce, incarceration or other cause.
Information: www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com.
