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It's January. It's 2012! It's the year of the Dragon! I would like to welcome everyone to this new year at the temple. It is hard to believe that another year is beginning. As I sat down to write this article, I thought of my father returning from a high school reunion with the comment, "Boy did they get old!" I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Inside, we feel the same, but outside things are changing. I usually feel better than the guy in the mirror looks. In fact, I feel VERY good....except for my knees, my shoulder, my wrist, my eyes and my teeth. The Buddhist truths of causation and impermanence seem to get louder and louder with each year. If we do not realize the Truth in this life, when will it be realized?
I have much more respect and appreciation for the Dharma now than when I came to the temple 7 years ago. It comes from the sharing of the difficulties and the process of life with the members of the Sangha. We all go through so many situations in this sharing of life. The temple becomes the heart of the Sangha and the Nembutsu becomes the heartbeat. The life and vitality of the temple takes place in the sharing of time, effort, service and meals. Certainly, limitations of health cause a major reason to limit our interaction. But other limitations are usually self-imposed. We could only imagine the growth and well-being of the temple if these self-imposed restrictions were replaced with desire to participate and effort to be here. We each have the power and influence to cause the temple and the teachings to thrive or not. Please consider the value of your attendance and participation.
The highlight of the month is the Ho-On-Ko service, when we observe the annual memorial of our founder, Shinran Shonin. As you all probably know, our mother temple of Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan has been observing the 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin through most of 2011 and ending this month. We have received notice that the banner announcing the theme "Yononaka Annon Nare - May Peace and Tranquility Prevail Throughout the World", that began here at IOBT, still hangs in Japan. It is taking part in one more event. It will hang during a symposium on the theme of "International Propagation of Jodo Shinshu" being put on by the Jodo Shinshu Study and Research Center in Kyoto.
The banner has taken on a life of its own, having moved throughout the Northwest District, then on through BCA events, then on to the Western and Eastern parts of Canada and finally to Japan. It has become a reflection of the overseas propagation work of Hongwanji as well as the continuing spread of Shin Buddhism by the Buddhist Churches of America. We can be very happy that the journey of the Annon Banner began here at IOBT with our Meditation Marathon back in 2008. Please come to the Ho-On-Ko Service January 15th at 11:00 a.m. to learn about our rich tradition and the teachings of Shin Buddhism that provide grounding stability through the sharing of everyday life. See you at the temple.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
Board of Directors: Karen Hata, Michelle Sadamori, Hideo Harada and Carrie Mori
Board of Trustees: Roy Hasebe and Yas Teramura
Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Jim and Kiku Hondo, Kazuko Kuramoto, Yasuko Kino, Midge Teramura and Mary Nakamura
Please come to this year's Ho-Onko Service! For most of us, this will be the first major service of the year (except for those of you who went to the New Years Day Service).
After service, otoki will also serve as the annual BWA/ABA New Year Luncheon. Lunch will be catered by Matsy's, $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 5-12. Reservations must be made by calling Mike or Mary Ann at 541-889-8691 or via email at mikeiseri@fmtc.come. Deadline for reservations is January 11.
BWA members will be paid by BWA
And, BINGO! Pay - to - play. 50 cents per card, $1.00 for three
Make your reservations today! We'll see you there!
Installation of our newly elected board members will occur after service. Please come out to congratulate (and thank) our incoming board members for the 2012-2014 term.
After service, the annual general meeting will be held in the Temple basement. This is generally a fairly quick meeting which concentrates on financial results and corporate housekeeping issues.
If you have issues that are appropriate to be brought up at this general meeting, you are invited to submit your request to Mike Iseri to be placed on the agenda.
Luncheon will follow! Chicken and rice is provided by the Temple. We ask that members bring potluck salad and dessert. For members who have a last name starting with A through N, please bring a salad. For those starting with O through Z, please bring a dessert.
Thank you for your attendance and participation
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2012. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2011, 3 year = 2010, 7 year = 2006, 13 year = 2000, 17 year = 1996, 25 year = 1988, 33 year = 1980 and 50 year = 1963.
Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple
286 SE 4th Directions
PO Box 397 (mailing address)
Ontario, Oregon 97914
541-889-8562 (office)
541-889-8662 (fax)
10:00 am - IOBT Choir Practice
10:30 am - Adult Study
11:00 am - Family Service
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