Fostering a quiet culture of encounter and dialogue
By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Unassuming, kind.
A gentle, quiet person;
Teacher, mentor, bridge.
Peace meeting over ramen…
The beauty of interfaith.
As we live in an increasingly globalized world, Pope Francis reminds us, “It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace” (Sept. 1, 2013, Angelus message)
Over 30 years ago, in his pursuit to lessen the suffering of the world through interfaith dialogue, the unassuming Buddhist Bishop Yoshiaki Fujitani found a partner in Chaminade University of Honolulu, a Roman Catholic institution founded by the Society of Mary (Marianists). This interreligious lei of aloha is the legacy he leaves behind — the Buddkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) Yoshiaki Fujitani Interfaith Program at Chaminade.
“The BDK-Yoshiaki Interfaith Program brings together the Buddhist community with all other religious communities in Hawaii to promote interfaith dialogue and provide opportunities for understanding and action for peace and justice in our community” (Mission Statement)
Rev. Fujitani was the 11th bishop of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. He was born in Pauwela, Maui, the second of eight children. He graduated from McKinley High School in Honolulu and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa until World War II broke out.
A few years ago, while waiting for his ride following an interfaith program at Mystical Rose Oratory at Chaminade, Bishop Fujitani asked me with a smile if I wanted to hear the story of how he was inspired to become a better Buddhist after meeting a good Catholic. Last week, I sought out the daughter of that Catholic to hear the story again. Here’s what Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Roselani Enomoto told me:
“My father, Toshi Enomoto, was 36 years old; Yoshiaki was about 21. In 1944, they were training in the same barracks in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Some went on to the 442nd Go For Broke Battalion; others to the 100th Infantry Battalion or to the Military Intelligence Services.
“It was wintertime. Yoshi (as he liked to be called) noticed my dad getting dressed in the dark and carrying his boots outside while others were yet sleeping. Wherever he went, Toshi was always back in time for roll call. One day Yoshi asked, ‘Toshi, where do you go in the morning?’ My dad said, ‘Come and see.’ The next morning, bundled up against the freezing cold, they crossed Mendota bridge to reach a small Catholic church on the other side.
“My father said, ‘Do what I do.’ Yoshi said, ‘Okay,’ as he splashed the holy water on his face and knelt on two knees before entering the pew. My father was able to find a Latin-English missal for him to follow. At Communion time, my father told him ‘This time, do not follow me. Stay here.’
“Thus began the conversation and teaching of Yoshi about a religious tradition different from his own. Yoshi was so impressed by my father’s actions that he made a personal vow that, if he returned home from the war, he would devote himself to becoming a practicing Buddhist, his own religion.”
Patience and kindness
Chaminade professor David Coleman recalls his first meeting with the Buddhist bishop. “I met Yoshiaki Fujitani in the eighties at a Buddhist-Christian conference in California. We met one evening for a beer and sushi and an enlightening conversation that changed me forever. Our long relationship began that evening, with his patience and kindness guiding me through my life.
“Working with two of his local collaborators, Marianist Father Robert Mackey, founder and past president of Chaminade, and Doctor Julius Nodel, former rabbi at Temple Emmanu-El, we were able to overhaul Chaminade University’s religious studies program. The new curriculum embodied interreligious dialogue among Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism.
“The Yoshiaki Fujitani Lecture Series was eventually created to bring in Buddhist and Christian scholars interested in the dialogue between the two traditions. With its emphasis on religious principles and practices in the daily lives of believers, the interfaith lectures sought to ensure a more sustainable life of peace and justice for all within our society and across the planet.
“However, Yoshi (as he asked me to call him) was always a bit uncomfortable with having his name attached to the program, thinking it somewhat pretentious.”
George Tanabe, professor emeritus of religion at the University of Hawaii, and president of the Buddhist non-profit Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (The Society for the Promotion of Buddhism) Hawaii recounts some of the bishop’s efforts.
“One of the programs that Yoshiaki started was an interfaith one funded by BDK and administered by Chaminade. The program has sponsored a wide variety of public lectures, workshops, symposia and performances involving perspectives from Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Native Hawaiian and Buddhist traditions. Most recently, programs have addressed suicide prevention, stress management especially in these pandemic times, and creative expressions of wellness.
“When we reorganized the program a few years ago, we renamed it the BDK-Yoshiaki Fujitani Interfaith Program, thus ensuring that Yoshiaki will always be remembered for his many contributions. Yoshiaki understood that good relationships do not happen by themselves but by the deliberate efforts of people of goodwill.”
Chaminade is honored to continue the program, as confirmed by the following thoughts of some of the program’s board members.
“Rev. Fujitani roped us all into his interfaith dream and vision. He was instrumental in bringing together the diverse Buddhist communities in the islands together with other religious groups. In a quiet unassuming style, he developed relationships toward peace and social justice.” (Ernestine Enomoto, Honolulu Mindfulness Community)
“Rev. Fujitani was not only a gift to his Buddhist community but also to all people seeking peace and compassion in this world. He transcends all fences and boundaries that divide, opening up the possibility of wholeness with all the world and cosmos.” (Regina Pfeiffer, former program director, Chaminade University)
“I was highly honored when I was invited in 2006 to become a member of the Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani Lecture Series at Chaminade University as a representative of the Jewish community in our state. It has been a joy and a privilege.” (Alice Tucker, Oahu Jewish Ohana)
“Fujitani Sensei boldly participated in the new legislative and human needs committee called the Hawaii Council of Churches (later the Interfaith Alliance Hawaii). Through his quiet personality and purposeful character, he was welcomed, giving Hongwanji and Shin Buddhism a place at the interfaith table. He also participated in organizing the Samaritan Counseling Center of Hawaii.” (Alan Goto, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin)
Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani served at the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, Maui, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, and as bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii from 1975 to 1987. He died on May 17 at Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu. He was 97.
Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP, DMin, is on the faculty of Chaminade University and the program director of the BDK-Yoshiaki Fujitani Interfaith Program.
