A bright vermillion colored Japanese style temple solemnly stands within the quiet and verdurous Manoa Valley in Honolulu. Koganji Temple, renovated in 1981, is situated on a two acre property and is within walking distance of the University of Hawaii.

Reverend Jikyu Rose, Head Priest of Manoa Koganji, was born in Japan. Since her parents were devoted Buddhists, she used to visit Koganji in Sugamo, Tokyo, the popular temple of Jizo Bodhisattva. She was introduced to her husband, Officer Lester J. Rose, by one of her former students. At the time, she was an instructor of the Japanese cultural arts, dressmaking and design. They were married in Japan on May 25, 1953. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Long Island, New York where they resided for four years. Mr. Rose taught classes on missile construction at the military base and she continued teaching floral arrangement and the cultural arts to the officers’ wives. Because of Mr. Rose’s occupation in the military, they traveled extensively and resided for periods of six months or more in over 41 states throughout the U.S. Then in 1964, they visited Hawaii for the first time and fell in love with the islands. What captured the heart of Reverend Rose was the diversity of races and the unprejudiced acceptance of the various cultures all melted together on this island state. They made the island of Oahu their permanent home.

Reverend Rose owned and operated a tailor and dress design shop in the Moanalua Shopping Center. She also taught pattern construction and provided services as a marriage counselor. During this period, the Tendai Mission of Nauru offered calligraphy classes to the public and, being extremely interested in learning anything pertaining to Buddhism and finding great peace whenever she came in contact with the image of the Buddha, Reverend Rose enrolled in this class. After meeting Bishop Ryokan Ara, she eventually approached him regarding the possibility of obtaining a life-sized figure of the Jizo Bodhisattva. She explained that throughout her life she always wanted to pray to the Jizo Bodhisattva and now wished to do this in her own home. Bishop Join Haba, Head Priest of Reisho-in Temple in Tokyo, upon hearing of this request questioned her on the need of such a large image. In response, Reverend Rose explained that she was deeply affected by the Jizo Bodhisattva’s vow to help all human beings who are in need. In her work as a counselor, she too felt this as being part of her own human nature and she wanted to offer her prayers to the Jizo Bodhisattva since her business and counseling brought her into contact with many people who sought her advice. Bishop Haba encouraged Reverend Rose to pursue her interest by studying and training at Mt. Hiei. In 1975, with hardly any preparation, she departed to complete her training. Blessed with a curious mind and continually seeking to expand her knowledge of every aspect of Buddhism, she decided to undertake this challenge. It was with the greatest of faith and determination that she successfully completed various traditional disciplines to be ordained as a Tendai Priest.

Upon her return, she founded her own temple at her residence in Moanalua. She named the temple, Koganji Jizo-in, in which she enshrined a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, the Buddha image she believed in from her childhood. As a Tendai priest, she worked devotedly for the congregation through long hours of praying, counseling, and all other possible means necessary to help people in need. Then in August 1976, with the encouragement and unselfish support of Mr. Rose, they used their own savings to purchase the two-acre property in Manoa Valley, the home of the present Koganji Jizo-in. Their real estate holdings were sold to build the temple structure to receive the enlarged numbers of the congregation. In the beginning, with just a handful of clients and members, one by one, working hand in hand with hardly a machine in sight, the land was slowly cleared and the stone walls were built. Every weekend for several years, everyone labored and shared meals together to accomplish an almost impossible task. Today, visitors continually comment on the spiritual and almost mystical aura that emanates throughout this peaceful place of worship. Here at this particular place in the universe, faith in the Jizo Bodhisattva and hard work has created Gokuraku Jodo, a heavenly place on earth.

In March 1981, more than five hundred members celebrated the dedication of the new main hall of Koganji Temple. The ceremony was led by the late most honorable and Venerable Etai Yamada, Head priest of the Tendai sect from Mt. Hiei.

In this most serene and spiritual setting, Reverend Rose has dedicated her life to Koganji and its members. Her role is sometimes that of a trustworthy and loving mother of a large family, where she works tirelessly to serve the members in a casual, friendly manner. At the same time, she plays the role of the spiritual teacher to encourage the congregation to learn the profound Buddhist truths. The congregation as a whole is young and the members may not be rich financially because of their youth. However, they continue to share their feelings and compassion with each other. The members mainly consist of the local Japanese, Caucasians, Filipinos, Koreans, and Chinese. Among them are a large number of women, teenagers and young children.

Reverend Rose's greatest acknowledgement is to the most Honorable and Venerable Etai Yamada who taught her to open her heart and to practice true compassion with every human being. He embodied a truly generous spirit and compassionate nature and practiced his faith so diligently that, for Reverend Rose, he made all aspects of being a priest worthwhile. He did not teach by words alone but by his action taught her about life’s deepest meaning. Although she does not feel that she is especially intelligent, she realizes that in order to reach her goals, she must continue to practice. She teaches her congregation to practice true Buddhism and to always share with and respect each other. She says, "The purpose is to overcome one’s desires, ignorance and anger. Do your best and practice to wash away bad karma to reach a peaceful, happier life."