Hongwanji to mark Bodhi Day

The Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin is holding a special Bodhi Day service at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow to commemorate the Enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha.

Barry Brennan will be the guest speaker.

According to the Betsuin’s Goji December newsletter, Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment while meditating under a bodhi tree on Dec. 8, 566 B.C. At age 35 he became Sakyamuni Buddha, the Buddha, the Awakened One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, according to the Mahayana tradition.

The Betsuin’s New Year’s Eve service will be held Dec. 31 at 11 p.m. The English Dharma message will be given by Fuku Rimban, the Rev. Yukiko Motoyoshi; and the Japanese message by Rimban, the Rev. Ryoso Toshima.

New Year’s Day service starts at 10 a.m. Jan. 1, with English and Japanese messages. Refreshments will be served after both services.