Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple Serving Ontario Oregon and Western Idaho Buddhism Church Temple

Download the Registration form for the 2014 NW Convention

The 2012 Obon Festival was a great success. It was attended by many church members, and non-church members, alike. The dancing was great fun to watch! The food was fantastic. It was wonderful to see so many people having a great time and supporting the temple.

Please have a look at some of the happy, smiling faces in the Obon Photo Gallery.

Rev. Fujimoto Walking Meditation Video

To view Rev. Fujimoto's Nembutsu Walking Meditation Primer, please click here.

Shin Buddhism: Namo Amida Butsu

Article recently publised in the Argus Observer about IOBT can be found here at: Buddhist Religion.
Learn more about Buddhism.

Lifelong Learners explore religions

Article recently publised in the Argus Observer about IOBT can be found here at: Lifelong Learners.
Learn more about how a local group found out more about Buddhism.

Help Save a Life

Dear Ministers and Temple Presidents:

I hope this letter finds you and your Sangha cherishing the light of Amida's guiding compassion. recently, I was contacted by temple members Fred and Nancy Nakatani regarding their 8 year old granddaughter Natalie, who is battling leukemia.

With the urgency immediate, the Buddhist Temple of San Diego held a Bone Marrow registry and screening on February 7 in hopes to find a bone marrow match for Natalie. The event was very successful. Now I am urging your temple and Sangha members to help SAVE A LIFE.

The San Diego temple acted very quickly to setup the screening event. The screening was administered by the San Diego Blood Bank. If your temple sets up a screening, please check with your local blood bank or similar agency on procedural setup.

Natalie is of Japanese-Chinese ethnicity. The family lives in Pleasant Hill, CA. Natalie is currently receiving chemo treatments in San Francisco. Unfortunately, with the agressiveness of the disease, her doctors say the best option is receiving bone marrow from a donor match.

Although we were aiming for an ethnic match, the turnout of various ethnic groups was wide-spread. It was very encouraging to see the number of people of various ethnic groups, not knowing who Natalie is, stepping forward to help save a life.

Understanding the urgent need to outreach the public and knowing that bone marrow candidates must be between the ages of 18-61, the screening process is fast and simple: fill out necessary paperwork, swab the inside of both cheeks for samples and then personnel will explain the procedure moving forward if you are asked to return as a viable candidate for donating bone marrow.

If your temple has conducted a Bone Marrow Screening, then individuals are automatically registered in the Bone Marrow registry. In the event a candidate has moved and has not updated their contact information with the registry, it may be likely that their name has been removed. Please have your members check with the agency on current contact information. A candidate will also be removed from the list when they reach the age of 60.

A web site is now available online introducing Natalie and others who face the similar disease. The facebook page is: Save Natalie

I would like to thank Socho Ogui and Michael Endo for allowing me to share this information with you. If you need further assistance or would like more information, I will be happy to offer much support. Please get the word out and participate in the Bone Marrow Screening.

Every bit is a big boost in helping save not only Natalie's life, but the lives of others.

With deepest appreciation in Gassho,

Ralph Honda, Buddhist Temple of San Diego, rkhayh@aol.com

Haiti Relief Program sponsored by the Buddhist Churches of America

In the wake of the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake that struck the island of Haiti on January 12, 2010, the Buddhist Churches of America has initiated a fundraising drive. While it is true that IOBT, BCA, JSC, etc. have funding needs of their own that must be tended to, it is also true that disaster relief is desperately needed in Haiti.

If you would like to contribute to this fund, you may remit your check payable to Buddhist Churches of America, noted for HAITI RELIEF, to the Temple by February 22. The Temple will submit these donations as a group to BCA.

If you have questions regarding this effort, you may contact Rev. Dennis, Mike Iseri, or Rev. Michael Endo, Executive Assistant to the Bishop at 415.776.5600, ex. 22, or at shakuensho@aol.com.

Thank you very much for your cooperation with this important relief effort.

BCA Center for Buddhist Education

Greetings! Happy Hanamatsuri (Buddha's Birthday, April 8th)! It's been an exciting time here at the BCA Center for Buddhist Education. In March, the first official Tokudo Shurai (preparation for the first step in the BCA/Hongwanji ministerial ordination ritual) began here at the Jodo Shinshu Center. This time-honored tradition has historically taken place in Kyoto, Japan and is now taking place, in part, here in the U.S., at the Jodo Shinshu Center. We are honored to help in this important process!

CBE's first workshop on Caregiving, Funeral and Memorial Rituals was a rare opportunity for addressing the dharma and the practical aspects of these Jodo Shinshu rites of passage. We hope to make video excerpts available online in the coming months.

At the same time, we have an overflowing assortment of programs for the BCA community and friends. We thank you for your ongoing support and welcome your suggestions and comments. Please go to: Center for Buddhist Education
to find out more.

BCA 21st Century Campaign

The BCA 21st Century Campaign continues to go forward in an attempt to secure the future of Jodo Shinshu in America.

Since moving to the Jodo Shinshu Center, the IBS has enjoyed a growth in the number of students. At the August 15th Trustee Meeting, it was announced that in the fall 2008 Semester, there are 14 IBS students and 29 students from the Graduate Theological Union attending Buddhist classes. There is the establishment of a chaplaincy program at IBS through association with two Buddhist Chaplain Centers. A major step has been taken to work toward the accreditation with the Western Association of Colleges and Universities.

The Center for Buddhist Education continues to develop strong programs for BCA members. In a month, four or five programs are presented with great response from the BCA membership at large. Programs for youth, Dharma School students and teachers, young adults, temple leaders are being conducted.

There is activity and growth because the BCA has a campus which focuses and enhances the programs being conducted.

The members of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple have always supported the educational programs of the BCA. Our temple members have been strong supporters of the BCA 21st Century Campaign. Some members continue to donate over and above their original pledge. We are grateful to all members who have contributed to the great cause of educational programs at the Jodo Shinshu Center.

The campaign continues. We ask all of our IOBT members to participate in the great endeavor of securing the future of our Buddhist Teaching in the United States. Please support the campaign.

Rev. Joshin Dennis Fujimoto

Pure Land Joggers and Striders

Pure Land Joggers and Striders (PLJS) is a club for runners, walkers, and anyone else who might stretch and exert a muscle or two during the course of the week. The IOBT Chapter of the Pure Land Joggers and Striders will be starting up this spring. Stay tuned for further information in the next few months, or contact Rev. Fujimoto at 208.707.2021

Meditation Sessions

Meditation Sessions (Shin Buddhist Seiza) Sitting and Walking Meditation, are being offered at IOBT on Thursday Evenings from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday Mornings from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. The fee is $30.00 per month for non members.

Members of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple practice Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, which originated in twelfth century Japan. The Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple was dedicated in 1947. The public is also invited to visit and join Sunday Services. Children's Dharma School Service is at 10:30 a.m.; Adult Service is at 11:00 a.m.