You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
Welcome to the month of May! As you receive this newsletter, we will have recently concluded our very first Pet Memorial Service. Thanks to all who contributed and participated in this special service. Many of our members shared heartfelt and touching moments and stories about their pets as they brought their names into the office. It really can be amazing how the lives of our pets can become so interwoven into the fabric of our lives. Significant events and devastating losses can be marked by the animal friends that were there to share the time or to even lead the way.
At another level, they can be the gatekeepers that allow us to enter realms of existence other than those of human beings. They bring us to realms of loyalty and trust...realms of mutual respect...realms of shared silence and understanding. They take us away from the greed, anger, and ignorance that scar the human realm of our everyday existence.
Before having Kwiker (my dog here that most of you have met), our family pet was a beagle named Brain. Not Brian, Brain. She was named after the dog in my favorite cartoon show, Inspector Gadget. In this cartoon, Inspector Gadget was a detective trying to solve crimes and going up against devious criminals. He would always get himself into a mess, and his dog, Brain, would come to his rescue. Completely behind the scenes...unknown and unseen by Inspector Gadget, Brain would solve the case or capture the criminals. As the criminals were taken away, Inspector Gadget would stumble his way into getting the credit and Brain would just roll his eyes.
In Buddhism, we are repeatedly reminded of the myriad causes and conditions that allow us to live this one chance at life. Karmic conditions from the past affect our current situations. The people that surround us as well as the environment that we are in also influence our existence. The Buddhist Teachings urge us to look at our lives...closely and clearly. When we do, we are able to see that our own contributions are rather insignificant in comparison to all else that happens and has happened that allows us to live.
It is our ego-centered notion of self that has us believing that we did it all. Aren't we each a bit like Inspector Gadget as we take credit for the good fortune in our lives and pass blame for all the misfortune we face? All the while, it is others...whether known as Brain or Amida...that suport us and allow us to live. Coming from the ego-less realm, they feel no need to take credit or to call attention to themselves.
How fortunate we are to share the lives of our pets that allow us glimpses of that realm without ego. The Pure Land is not a Buddhist version of heaven, but a realm without ego. our pets can reveal us to that the Pure Land is not a concept, but a reality...if only we take the time to see the world through their eyes.
The month of May brings us two Family Services in a row. We will observe Mother's Day May 15, with a barbeque luncheon. This will be followed the next Sunday, May 21, by the observance of GotanE, the birth of Shinran Shonin.
Shinran Shonin is recognized as the founder of the Jodo Shinshu Sect of Buddhism. Up until his time, the Buddhist Teachings were available only to monks and royalty...those who walked away from this life, and those who could afford the luxury to meditate and study. Shinran was able to show that the Buddhist Teachings were available to everyone...to each of us. The religious establishment of that time felt threatened by this new form of Buddhism. Their positions of power and their exclusive teachings were exposed in their limitations. These other schools banded together and urged the government to send the leaders of this new form of Buddhism into exile. Even in these remove rural villages of Japan, the Jodo Shinshu teachings began to flourish into the major school of Buddhism that we are a part of today. For clarifying the essence of the Buddhist teachings, Shinran is viewed as a great teacher for all beings.
Please join us for both of these major services. The GotanE Service will also mark the end of the Dharma School year. We will also be recognizing the graduting seniors from our Sangha on that day. Your attendance is encouraged, as it is very important.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
Every Hanamatsuri we honor those members who have or will turn 80 or 90 during the year. This year, those who turn 80 are: Katherine HIrai 7-11, Jitsuo Imada 7-28, Shiz Inouye 1-4, Tom Kamimae 3039, Jim Mizuta 6-14, Min Okuda 9-2 and Kiyoko Terada 10-4. Those who turn 90 are: Matsue Haraguchi 6-10, George Matsuura 10-9 and Mas Yamashita 1-5.
Condolences and sympathy to the families of Kaz Hinatsu and Shig Kitamura.
My attendance at the Temple has been very poor lately, therefore this bulletin news is a little offbeat...just because I don't get all the update news.
Hanamatsuri Service was held on April 9th with Rev. Dennis Fujimoto giving the sermon. It had a different flavor this year; instead of the usual floral hanamido, everyone participated. The Dharma school children brought a stuffed toy of their choice and the adults brought in small potted flowers to be placed around the baby Buddha on a table. The flowers were later used on the dining tables and later were given away as door prizes. We would like to thank the Ontario Country for doing their Toban duties. A ham dinner with all of the trimmings was served.
Martha Mizuta, Ann Nagaki, and Sharmon and Michelle Sadamori attended the 100th Anniversary of the Oregon Buddhist Women's Association on April 14-15th. Their them was "Celebrating A Century, Honoring our Past, Stepping Stones to the Future" with Rev. Dr. Shoyo Taniguchi and Rev. Dr. Mary David of Hawaii as guest speakers as well on the Panel Discussions. Martha MIzuta's granddaughter, Kathy Ackerman, who was the youngest on the panel said "Bridget the Gap brings Unity". Others have said Socialize...get out and spread the religion, to give and share. Sharmon and Michelle said they wanted to give back to our elders, and to our Temple, because they were there when they were younger. Rev. Taniguchi says, "Good Work gives you Good Feeling", as positive thinking. Rev. David said her magic wish is to encourage and step forward for new ideas and thoughts and greet new people. Her senior group has silent auction bake sales and recycles items for money making. Seattle members said they have a potluck dinner for all new members. Ask Dharma School parents to join for craft to make and sell for Obon.
Activity Day is still going on strong. Shiz Inouye made sloppy joes, Ann Nagaki made barbecue chicken, Nan Nagasaka made oxtail soup, Yasuko Kino will do the last Wednesday. We will disband the cooking throughout the summer months, but there will be card playing and maybe some crafts.
This is a note for the temple men folks - Mothers Day is around the corner and mothers get to rest - no kitchen duties!
Fujinkai meeting will be held on May 7th after adult services.
April 2: Mary Ann Shimojima was chairman.
April 9: Hanamatsuri combined/family service. This year, Rev. Dennis wanted to try something a little different. Instead of our Hanamido, he wanted the children to bring their favorite stuffed animal and the adults bring small potted plants or flowers. He wanted to create our own Lumbini's garden. It turned out really nice. The potted plants/flowers were used for decoration for the tables and also given away as door prizes. The program turned out so nice and our MC was Connie Tanaka who did a great job. All in all, it was a beautiful day to celebrate the Buddha's birthday.
April 16: Karen Hata was chairman.
April 23: Lois Saito was chairman.
April 30: Combined/family service with a pet memorial. Everyone is to remember their deceased pets at this service.
May 21: Last day of Dharma School for this year.
Congratulations to Laurel Saito, Payton Aarestad and Brady Kameshige who will be graduating from Ontario High School on May 28th.
Payton Aarestad, son of Patty and Randy Aarestad and grandson of Dick Harada.
Laurel Saito is the daughter of Jeff and Lois Saito and granddaughter of George and Kaoru Murakami of Sumner, Washington, and Shiz Saito of Weiser.
Brady Kameshige is the son of Randy and Jayne Kameshige and the grandson of Isao and Mary Kameshige, Ontario, and Tom and Kay Hiramatsu of Anaheim, Ca.
We will be honoring them at our last Dharma school service on May 21st. The best of luck in your future endeavors.
Our Dharma School trip this year will be to Salt Lake City, Utah. A tentative date is set for July 7th - 10th. I hope that this is a good date for everyone.
Remember that the Happy Bowl Booth starts on August 2-5th, with July 31st noon, feeding the Chamber of Commerce and August 1 opening for the exhibitors. Everyone please help as much as you can. We will be having a sign up sheet or calling on you for your help! Have a great, safe, summer and see you in September.
Temple Maintenance Acknowledgements: Yas Teramura for fixing the men's restroom floor. Randy Kameshige and his crew for tree removal and pruning the trees during the winter. Ken Ozawa for accepting the "contract" to take care of the Temple and parsonage lawns. To Kame and Kameshige Farms for scraping the weeds on the Temple back lot. To Hideo Harada for spraying the weeds on the Temple and parsonage grounds.
April 06 IOBT Bulletin: Mary Kameshige, Isao Kameshige, Lorinda Hasegawa, Kiku Hondo, Mae Nakano, Sanami Nakano, Mary Nakamura, Rev. Fujimoto, Shiz Inouye, HIdeo Harada and Ruth Harada.
March Temple Cleanup: Gary and Sandy Belknap, Mary Nakamura, Mary Ann Shimojima, Mae Nakano, Karen, Kayle and Eric Makabe, Ken and Jeanne Ozawa and Yone Kariya (donation in lieu of help).
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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