You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
December. The faintest whispers of snowfall have already arrived to remind us of more to come. The hats and gloves have been out for some time now. We all look bigger with the five extra pairs of pants and shirts we have on underneath the winter coat. I love the winter season as it can be hard and tough while at the same time appearing to be so soft and beautiful.
Pretty much every Sunday, we recite the Three Treasures of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. In Japanese, we recite Namo Kie Butus, Namo Kie Ho, Namo Kie So. With this recitation, I am reminded of Rev. Jerry Hirano's winter story of the Dharma being all around us. Even Santa Claus shouting Ho, Ho, Ho is calling out to all that it is Dharma, Dharma, Dharma! surrounding us and urging us to awaken to the reality that is here! So, with every Christmas card sent to you showing Ho, Ho, Ho...with every Santa you pass by shouting Ho, Ho, Ho...with every storefront window painted in holiday colors with the words Ho, Ho, Ho...remind yourselves that they are all telling us in Japanese that everywhere we look...always surrounding us...and constantly calling...there is Dharma, Dharma, Dharma! This is probably the single most important lesson that Jesus brought to everyone in the world...of course I might be biased. Little bit.
Last month, Rev. Peter from Sacramento also shared stories of the Dharma being everywhere and all around us. He told the story and showed photos of his good friend in the military who played football for Army. He later lost both legs during service in Afghanistan. With two prosthetic legs, he was still upbeat, positive, and inspiring. When the NY Giants football team lost its first two games a few years back, they were looking for ways to turn things around before it was too late. Rev. Peter's friend was asked to come in to give an inspirational speech to the team. He told them how fortunate they were to have this opportunity to play at such a high level. He encouraged them to appreciate their situation and to make the most of it. They went on to win their next 14 games and then continued on to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. He brought the Dharma to the team with his message of living a life of gratitude and awareness. The Dharma IS everywhere....even in a football locker room with the son of a Baptist minister with two prosthetic legs!
Highlight of this month is Bodhi Day on Dec. 18. This is when we commemorate the awakening of the historical Buddha and his attainment of Enlightenment. That day will also be our annual Year End Party and Luncheon. Please join us for both these special events on the 18th. You will help to cultivate our Sangha and to promote the Dharma just by being there.
Ho, Ho, Ho...Happy Bodhi Day!!!
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, to all of you who came to the bazaar, helped with the bazaar, made donations and solicited donations. Because of all of your hard work and efforts, we had another successful bazaar.
As Chairmen for this year's bazaar, Debbie and I really learned of all the preparation and work that goes into the bazaar. I didn't realize that the bazaar actually starts in September at that first meeting. That's when the brainstorming starts and the list of food items to get ordered and coordinated for delivery.
As a fact of reality, the number of people on the worker list diminishes and the same names get put on more committees. It is really appreciated that people work on more than one committee. This year we were fortunate to have some outside help with the kakimochi making. We had friends and relatives recruited to help out, and it made a noticeable difference. We had members from the Ontario High School Band and Music Boosters helping out. Every additional person has a positive effect on the workload. We decided to make one more batch of kakimochi this year and it paid off. We did not run out of kakimochi in the first 20 minutes that it went on sale. We had enough of it so everyone had the opportunity to purchase it until the bazaar ended.
Roy Hasebe has graciously volunteered to be the Bazaar chairman for 2012. We all need to assist Roy so we can make next years Bazaar even more successful than this year.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Connie and Debbie Tanaka
Dear BCA Temple Members and Friends:
You are invited to attend a 5th Year Anniversary Commemorative event at the Jodo Shinshu Center on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
The first five years of operation was challenging for all of the Jodo Shinshu Center staff. We've come a long ways in establishing our respective department programs, and we are prepared to meet today and tomorrow's fellow travelers and fellow seekers.
We realize the distance and time may not make your attendance possible but we wanted to thank you all for your past and present support.
The Jodo Shinshu Center 5th Anniversary Commemorative Event. Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 11 - 3.
Gassho, Glenn Kameda Facility Manager
Pop Cans and Plastic Bottles - You have probably noticed that the many bags of pop can/plastic bottles are now gone from the furnace room. Thank you to Connie, Debbie and Erin Tanaka who spent many early mornings/days at Red Apple recycling them. You are all really appreciated by the IOBT Sangha. Thank you very much!!!
Thank you to all of you for bringing food items for the food bank. We have such a giving Sangha. Thank you very much!!!
Kiku Hondo, Jimmy Hondo, Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Kazuko Kuramoto, Hideo Harada, Ruth Harada, Suzie Nishihara, and Yasuko Kino
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2011. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2010, 3 year = 2009, 7 year = 2005, 13 year = 1999, 17 year = 1995, 25 year = 1987, 33 year = 1979 and 50 year = 1962.
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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