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.