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Good Morning! OHIOGOZAIMASU! TADAIMA, I’m home. It really is nice to be back at our own temple.
Please join me in Gassho: Even through myriad ages of kalpas hard is it to hear such an excellent, profound, and wonderful doctrine. Now, we are able to hear and receive it. Let us thoroughly understand the true meaning of Tathagata’s Teachings.
These are the final lines of the Three Treasures that we often use in service. It is a statement in recognition of how fortunate we are to have come across the Dharma. Some of us may have heard the description to imagine a wooden ring floating along in the waters of the vast ocean. Then think of a sea turtle swimming along in this vast ocean, and then coming up for air, and sticking his head up in the middle of this ring.
What would be the odds of this happening? Even greater odds is our good fortune to come across the Dharma. We are so fortunate to have the Buddhist teachings to guide and broaden our lives. Some might think, “What’s the big deal...I’ve been coming to the temple since I was a kid.” Maybe it was because of grandparents...or parents...or a friend...or a book...or a chance visit here...that we continue to come here today. The Buddhist teachings had to travel from India all the way to Eastern Oregon...through 2500 years. Enough of us had to be here...moved enough to build a temple...determined enough to stay and maintain it...dedicated enough and interested enough to gather together here today. Hitting that jackpot last Friday was easy in comparison. Against incredible odds, we are able to come here to listen to the Dharma and to learn about the Nembutsu teachings.
On top of that, last week a few of us were able to go to the Northwest Convention. It takes a big effort...and good fortune...and time and money...and it was worth it. A ten hour bus ride is tough. But there was good food, games, and good times shared worth remembering. When we pulled in, Laurel Saito and Brady Kameshige were already at the hotel, greeting us all. Just to see members so young sparked with their own interest in the Dharma was inspiring to see. They are not even one year out of high school. We got checked into our rooms, settled in, met friends and relatives, and found dinner on our own. I don’t know what else happened because I had meetings.
Things really started with Opening Service Saturday morning. Our temple was well represented in all aspects. Mr. Joe Kino sat in a special designated area for temple and group representatives. He was our representative for the offering of incense. Another section was set aside for participants of the Minister’s Assistants Program. Mr. Connie Shimojima was asked to sit there for both the Opening and Closing Services. Behind them were seats for the participants of the past youth retreats. Grant Saito joined Brady and Laurel to sit with that group. We were everywhere. During the service, I was able to read the Three Treasures, and later, I was honored to receive my Kaikyoshi Okesa in a special presentation by Socho Ogui and BCA. I am wearing my Kaikyoshi Okesa today. It is stamped with the Hongwanji seal, and imprinted with my name. It was an honor to receive it, especially at our own convention with so many of our members there.
During the day, there were various workshops to choose from, depending on age, language, and interest. Socho Ogui, Umezu Sensei, and Kobata Sensei were there from BCA. Sakamoto Sensei from the San Jose Betsuin was also there. They each shared their own understanding and experience with the Nembutsu teachings. When we go to these conventions, we have opportunity to hear excellent teachers. We are able to become immersed in the Dharma. You don’t have to take notes and study...it is more like sitting down to a good meal...you just enjoy it and walk out happy.
Rennyo Shonin wrote, In order to attain the entrusting heart, you do not need wisdom or learning; it is not a question of whether you are rich and noble or poor and destitute, whether you are good or evil, male or female. The essential point is to give up various practices and take refuge in the right practice, that is, the Nembutsu. (Letters of Rennyo, 2-7)
We go to listen to the Dharma...aware of our good fortune, we recite the Nembutsu...and we share time with others who do the same.
A very nice meal was served at the dinner banquet. What was most impressive was that there were over 50 tables with ten people each...over 500 people...over 500 sea turtles swimming up to poke their heads through 500 wooden rings. That is a lot of good fortune!
The entertainment after dinner did not start until 9:30 and ran until 11:30 PM. Members of each temple contribute and participate in the entertainment. What we want to recognize is that these are acts of Dana...the practice of selfless giving...sharing our time and energy and abilities to better enjoy the time we have together. In our Shin Buddhist tradition, Buddhist practice takes place in everyday life...not away from it. Our temple had Jeanne’s choir singing and the dance team of Harada and Harada stepping out. Seiko put on a beautiful Japanese dance performance. Our Sangha Taiko group performed, where Hannah Mizuta was probably the youngest performer of the evening. She must be eight.
One part of the evening I enjoyed was Umezu Sensei singing songs about the life of Shinran Shonin. These songs depict Shinran’s life from childhood through each of his important stages. Sensei stopped after two of the songs. Most of us would not have known that they even had such songs if he wasn’t there to sing them. It’s the rarity that made it cool!
The Sangha members from Canada sang a song. If you remember, I came back from the opening of the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley in November and told you about a singing workshop led by Dii Lewis. We used to take chanting classes together at the Institute of Buddhist Studies. He belongs to the Berkeley Temple. He plays the guitar, and arranged new words to the tune of a Harry Belafonte song. His song traveled all the way to Canada, where the Canadian Sangha members learned it, and brought it back to the NW Convention to share with us. Circles of sharing...the movement of Dana...the flow of compassion. It is not just a matter of studying doctrine, but a matter of recognizing and realizing the truths right in front of us that make our lives richer and deeper. The flow of compassion is a reality that we benefit from. Recognizing this, awareness and appreciation grows. Namo Amida Butsu. Simple.
Sunday morning was Closing Service. Again, there seemed to be over 500 people...the place was packed. The highlight of the Closing Service and probably of the whole Convention was having Mr. Connie Shimojima presented with an honorary MAP certification by Socho Ogui. He was given a MAP robe, Okesa, and certificate to honor all he has done for our temple and for Buddhism in the Northwest District. Connie and Mr. Mas Wada of Wapato were both honored, standing side by side. Each of them have done so much for so many years to maintain the comforting traditions of Nembutsu. In the absence of ministers, they have maintained the service format...they have comforted families through last rites and funeral services...they have done whatever was necessary to tend to the needs of the Sangha...for years. We were all very touched to be witness to the presentation. It was well deserved.
Finally, we all sang Ondokusan...500 voices...500 turtles...
The debt of gratitude I owe to Amida’s great Compassion, I will proclaim until My life disintegrates into dust. The debt of gratitude I owe to my Dharma teachers, I will express until My bodily form is finally shattered.
........GASSHO..........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
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
10:30 am - Dharma School Service
11:00 am - Adult Service
11:00 am - Dharma School Class
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