Temple Information

What sect of Buddhism do we practice?

The Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple practices the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. More specifically the Hongwanji-ha or Nishi Hongwanji sub-sect.

More Info

How are we organized?

Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is organized into several sub-sects. The Hongwanji-ha or Nishi Hongwanji sub sect which we are a part of is organized at multiple levels.


International

The Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha is the religious organization that governs our sub sect throughout the world.


Regional

Each region where Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temples are established has its own regional organization that directly governs the temples in that region. In Hawaii's case, the regional organization is the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. The Buddhist Churches of America is the regional organization for the U.S. mainland.


The Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple is a temple under the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

District

All temples are further organized into regional districts and councils (rengo). The five districts/councils for the state of Hawaii are Honolulu, Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii. Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple is part of the Oahu district.  

Temple


Each temple has its own temple board. While some temples have resident ministers, others share ministers with another temple.

The 3 types of temples are a betsuin, branch temple, and a sangha/fellowship. A betsuin is "a direct branch temple of the original Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan." (Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin). A branch temple is a regular temple. A sangha/fellowship is a group of Jodo Shinshu Buddhists who do not have an established temple.


American Values

Democracy plays a key part in our sub sect's administration. 

Legislative assemblies make decisions at both the international and regional level. Various boards and organizations (including youth organizations) participate in deciding how our religious organization works. 

Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Temple Name:
Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Resident Minister:
Rev. David Fujimoto

District and Council:
Oahu

Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
(regional)

Headquarters: 
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, Honolulu, HI

Current Bishop:
Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani

Size:
30+ temples
4,000+ members

Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha
(international)

Head Temple:
Ryukoku‐zan Hongwanji (Nishi Hongwanji), Kyoto, Japan

Current Religious Head:
25th Monshu Shaku Sennyo, Ohtani Kojun

Size:
10,000+ temples, ~30,000 ministers

(Picture - Tsukiji Hongwanji)