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Hanamatsuri - The Flower Festival - is the centerpiece of April for our Buddhist Sangha. We retell the story of the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha and we recreate his birthplace, Lumbini Garden, in our temple Hondo. Queen Maya was ready to give birth to her son the prince, and even the animals and plants were happy to welcome the Buddha-to-be into this world! This auspicious occasion has grown to become a swirl of fact and embellishment. People now and then become compelled to express and share their happiness and appreciation that such a man and such a teaching has come to touch each of our lives. It's a festival! It's a birthday party!
I can recall the birth of my own first son, Shingo, who many of you have met. It was such a memorable occasion. There was anticipation for what loomed ahead and also fear of being responsible for someone so small and fresh and new! I remember feeling both proud and humble at the same time. This can cause very awkward posture. Preparing to drive home from the hospital for a short break, I climbed into my drivers seat. I was so proud that my chest was touching the steering wheel! I was so humbled that my forehead was also touching the steering wheel! I immediately hit the parked car in front of me. The car alarms quickly brought me back to reality. It was a good thing I wasn't on the streets!
We each have high hopes for our children and grandchildren. As they grow up, they may reach certain goals and achievements. However, many of these accomplishments take place as much due to circumstance as to ability. We all share something in common in that what we each really want for those around us is for them to be HAPPY and WELL. In the Metta (Loving Kindness) Meditation, the first and last verse state: May all beings be happy and well, May no harm or difficulties come to them, May they lvie in peace and harmony.
In this meditation, the hope of being HAPPY and WELL is extended first to all beings, then to "I", and then to my family, to my teachers, to my friends, to strangers, to enemies, and then to all beings again. Our circle of hope for others to be HAPPY and WELL expands wider and wider beyond our usual limitations. This deepest and most primal wish is inherent in each of us and is the foundation of Shin Buddhism. The beauty, the depth, and the continued relevance of Shin Buddhism is that this primal wish to be HAPPY and WELL is renewed with the birth of each new life. To be HAPPY and WELL is to be Enlightened, and it is available to everyone throughout the Nembutsu practice.
Please join us April 12th for our Hanamatsuri Family Service at 11:00 a.m. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dean Myosei Koyama of the Mtn. View Buddhist Temple. He will also lead an informal discussion on Saturday, April 11, at 3:00 for all who are interested.
Don't forget to bring your favorite stuffed animal or a small potted plant or flower to help decorate Lumbini Garden! We will see you there.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
A sign that spring is coming or has come is the spring flowers - I see crocus, tulips and many other low profile flowers budding and ready to burst with flowers. It gives us an uplifting feeling after a long winter. Also, it tells us that its Hanamatsuri time; time to celebrate the birth of our Buddha. We will be celebrating on April 12th with Rev. Dean Koyama as our guest speaker. There will be a welcome dinner planned with Joan Suyematsu or Mary Nakamura taking reservations. Weiser ladies are planning lunch to be served after the services and a short program is being planned afterward.
Time is getting shorter and shorter for the 2010 NW Convention which will be hosted by IOBT. Mike Iseri called a special convention planning meeting. Most of the committees will be taken care of by the Sansei's. There will be many pre-convention meetings to follow. If any of you have any good ideas for whatever reasons, have a talk with Mike early enough so he can bring it up at the meetings.
The puzzle has finally been solved - for several months we have been wondering why the black beans layered on the table, then the fruits hanging around some of them, shriveled. This went on all throughout the winter months. Finally, at the Ohigan services, we got the answer and results. To our amazement we saw the results were the Dharma School children made up the designs using the fruits, irregular wire and twine wreath laid on bed of black beans as background. From there a photo picture was taken. These photos were mounted on a chalkboard. There were no two photos alike. I hope that these photos will be on display so we can take a good look. I found out this Dharma School Art Project was under the direction of Rev. Fujimoto. Nice job!
We should be proud of our MAP helpers for doing a super job assisting Rev. Fujimoto during sutra chantings - sounds beautiful. During Rev. Fujimoto's absence, the MAP helpers take over, which is a relief ofr Sensei.
Don't forget, the BWA meeting is April 5th after Adult services.
We had a taiko session with the Sangha Taiko on March 15th. Family Ohigan service on March 22nd. This has been a quiet month with spring break and all.
Hanamatsuri will be April 12th, with Rev. Dean Koyama from Mt. View Buddhist Temple as our guest speaker. Please bring your little flower pots and your favorite stuffed animal for our Lumbini's garden. On April 19th, we will have a Northwest District-Wide Dharma message to coincide with Earth Day - "Think Green".
Pure Land Joggers and Striders is a club for runners, walkers, and anyone else who might stretch and exert a muscle or two during the course of the week. During workouts, we engage in vigorous discussion on what we will eat next, temple life, Buddhism, and more of what we will eat next. The IOBT Chapter of the Pure Land Joggers and Striders will be meeting again starting April 9, 2009. We meet at the Ontario High School track 10:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month, Weiser High School track 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Thursday. The 4th Thursday is available upon request. Annual membership is still only $10.00!! Forms are available at the office. Please contact Rev. Fujimoto at 208-707-2021.
The Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple is extending this survey to find out the degree of interest of those from our Sangha Membership who would like to participate in the affirmation ceremony during the visit of Socho Ogui on September 20, 2009. Participants will receive HOMYO, or Buddhist Name to confirm their entry onto the Path of Nembutsu and to be a follower of the Buddha. If you have interest to be a participnt, please notify the offices so that schedules and arrangements can be made. Procedure and forms will be made available as arrangements are confirmed.
The Kikyoshiki is a simple ceremony in which the basic ritual is the symbolic shaving of the head, recalling the act of Siddhartha when he resolved to enter the spiritual path of life. A Buddhist name is received. The participant should be of an age to make a responsible decision to become a follower of the Buddha.
Please call Rev. Fujimoto at 208-707-2021.
This past fall, the Special Olympics International Games committee in Boise contacted Weiser to host a delegation of Special Olympians the week prior to the beginning of the Olympics. A committee was formed and since the area surrounding Weiser has a large contingency of Japanese Americans, it was decided to take the team from Japan, which was the second largest delegation.
For their stay in Weiser, the committee planned four days of fun and a quick look at rural life in Weiser. The team of 85 athletes, two coaches and an interpreter were housed in local homes. Their week consisted of visiting the museum, local candy store and the lambing sheds north of Weiser. By the end of their stay they had become members of their host families and the community of Weiser took them in heart and soul.
I would like to give a great big thanks to the members and organizations of the Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple who contributed a monetary donation and to the members who came and helped put on a great feast for our new friends. A group of Japanese American ladies helped make Bento boxes for the team for their trip to Weiser after their long plane trip. Then they were back to help prepare a wonderful Japanese meal the next day. The athletes were excited to see food they were familiar with, especially the sushi.
Thanks to the Sangha Taiko drummers for coming and entertaining after the dinner. I am so grateful for Reverend Fujimoto, Michelle Sadamori, Sharmon Sadamori and Carrie Mori for taking time to come and entertain.
A special thanks goes to Russell Tanaka who volunteered to videotape Team Japan's stay in Weiser. From the airport on Tuesday to the farewell on Saturday, he was there with his video camera creating a remembrance of their stay here.
Thank you so much for all of your help. Without your support the week would not have been the success that it was.
Thanks, Sarah Imada.
As time and energy permits, varying groups of Sangha members try to improve different parts of the temple facilities. The parsonage living room has become a very comfortable meditation hall. The parsonage basement has been transformed from storage shed to Taiko Dojo. Sometimes all we need to begin is a few key pieces to be removed and/or added to change temple space from a little used area to a friendly, attractive and productive addition to our facility. A few of us have considered what some of our rooms might need to improve them.
The library could use comfortable workstations with proper lighting. This might take a little more than throwing some used furniture into the room, but the library could actually become a destination. Members could actually read some of our many books. Students could study and get some work done as they wait for their familiies.
The cry room could use smaller furniture. A two-way mirrored window rather than the current curtain would make usage much more appealing for those on either side of the window. An air conditioner to bear the warmer months is a must have. What else would you think we might need to make that room into an area where a young family would be comfortable and feel like they are a part of the service and part of the Sangha?
We can focus on the library and the cry room to begin. Please come forward with your own ideas, contributions, creativity and efforts to improve our temple assets. Bring your thoughts and offerings to the office.
From Yukie Hoshide: Thank you very much for sharing my surprise 80th birthday party with me. I have said many times that I was not going to celebrate any more birthdays, but this one was a real surprise. I was really speechless. Thank you all for the lovely cards and taking the time to visit with me. I didn't realize I had so many wonderful friends. Thank you so much.
From Kathy Chatterton: I would like to add my own thank you to Rev. Fujimoto and the IOBT Sangha for making this 80th birthday special for my mom. You did so well to keep this all a secret! Special thanks to Hid and Ruth Harada for taking care of the catering arrangements and making rice; to Sandy Belknap, Lois Saito, Mary Ann Shimojima and Quinn Spencer for setting up and cleaning up; to Yas Teramura for calling the bingo games and Hid for running around checking the cards; to Anne Spencer for the idea to have bingo after lunch; and to Mitsie Tanaka and Sandy for taking pictures.
From Susan Inouye: Thanks to both of you for giving us a time to celebrate and have a great lunch and some fun BINGO!!!
Guided by Wisdom and Compassion...Fully recognizing the Principals of Impermanence and Interdependence...We strive for Peace within and Harmony with others.
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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