You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
We are off and running into 2007 and are ready to look at the month of February. On top of our regular and busy Temple schedule, February brings us the Nirvana Day Service on February 11, and the 2007 Northwest Convention hosted by the White River Buddhist Temple.
Nirvana Day is a minor-major service, in which we observe the death of Shakyamuni Buddha. Shakyamuni attained Enlightenment on Bodhi Day and this was his crowning achievement. However, as he continued to live, he was still bound to this world by the needs of his human form. Like all of us, he still needed food, water, and warmth in order to live. It is for this reason that we hold the perspective that we cannot fully enter Nirvana (the Pure Land) until we die and leave the constraints of our human form. His Enlightenment on Bodhi Day is likened to the Shin Buddhist experience of Shinjin, and his physical death on Nirvana Day that finally released him of his ties and attachments to this world is likened to the same death faced by each of us.
The Northwest Convention hosted by the White River Buddhist Temple, will be February 16-18. This is a wonderful opportunity to get reacquainted with friends from other areas of our Northwest District. It is an opportunity to once again meet the other ministers of our district. It is also a good chance to listen to guest speakers from out of the district. This year, Socho Ogui will be at the Convention as he was last year. Also, Rev. Kodo Umezu from the new Jodo Shinshu Center and Rev. Ron Kengu Kobata from The BCA Headquarters will be there. Rev. Kango Sakamoto from the San Jose Betsuin will also be there. As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, our primary practice is to listen to the Dharma. We are to seek opportunities to hear the teachings adn to share time with others who do the same. Practice is done as it is enjoyable and beneficial as well as deepening and comforting. If you are not signed up for this year, consider it for next year. Our crowds are growing...take a number so you don't get left behind. We'll see you there.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
Is everyone keeping up with your New Year resolutions? I guess I wont worry about them because I didn't think to make any because I was so busy with the holidays. As most of you know by now, I do have a small or tiny kitchen in comparison to others, but I still can put out the food for my family and the grandchildren. We had a nice get together so it was worth all of it. Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.
Congratulations to our Fujinkai co-chairpersons, Michelle Sadamori and Lorinda Hasegawa. It's nice for both of them to accept the position which may change some ideas that we older members have been doing for years and we need to accept that or at least try it. Let's all give our support to Lorinda and Michelle.
Hoonko Family Service was held on January 14th with David Mizuta being Chairperson. It was nice to have the Dharma School participating in the program with Erin Tanaka recigin the "Golden Chain." Have to mention that Jeanne Ozawa, our choir director, had the choir make their debut by singing the "Ondokusan". I admire the patience that Jeanne has trying to get all of us to hit our pitch! Had anyone notice that most of the Choir consists of members who are in their 90/80/70 years and we havea few younger ones. Thank Goodness! Thanks to the Caldwell/Nampa/Weiser/Oregon Slope ladies for making lunch for everyone. It was delicious!
We had "Mochi Making Day" on January 13th with Mae Nakano being Chairperson. We had all sizes and shapes for the first few batches and got better when we almost finished. Thanks to all of those who brought in their Mochi making machines. It was interesting to see all the different styles of machines. This was a trial run to see if we would like to do this as a money making project.
The Northwest Convention is around the corner on February 16-18, hosted by the White River Buddhist Temple. If you're planning on going, see or call MaryAnn Shimojima, information is available at the Temple.
Thanks to Yas Teramura for overseeing the Temple furnace repairs recently. Yas is so talented about figuring out how to get a job done and we all appreciate it very much. We all dont realize how much time he puts in as the maintenance person. Maybe he should be punching the time clock!
ABA New Years dinner was well attended. Those who didn't come missed a good dinner catered by Matsy's. For entertainment, Bingo was played with Yas Teramura doing the calling and Hideo Harada taking care of the money cash prizes./p>
Have you noticed the stage hardwood floor looks clean and shiny? Thanks to our men folks for doing a fine job of sanding and finishing. Helpers were George Yanagawa, Randy Kameshige, Sagie Nishihara, Leslie Ito, Yas Teramura, Brian Kameshige, Mark Suyematsu and Matthew and Glenn Kuwahara.
Our casual Wednesday Activity Days are still going strong. There will be no Toban, but we do expect others to volunteer to help with the lunch time. If anyone has better ideas, we're open for suggestions. Everyone is welcome to come for day or just for lunch.
Next Fujinkai meeting is scheduled for February 4th after the adult services. Everyone take care!!!
Jan. 7th: Lois Saito chairman. Theme = school days.
Jan. 14th: Hoonko Family Service. Erin Tanaka led the Golden Chain.
Jan. 21st: Karen Hata chairman. In Reverend's absence, Anne Spencer, MAP, rang the kansho, led the chanting and gave the Howa. Akiko Rucker taught the children to write their name in Japanese and also taught them to count in Japanese. Thank you, Akiko, the children really enjoyed it.
Jan. 28th: Sandy Belknap chairman. Theme = animal days. Installation of Board Members, general meeting and lunch.
Feb. 11th: Valentines party for the children and their parents.
Feb. 16-18: Northwest Buddhist Convention, hosted by White River Buddhist Temple at the Double Tree Guest Suites. Dharma School students attending: Grant and Laurel Saito, Alia and Hannah Mizuta, Quinn Spencer and Brady Kameshige. No church on the 18th due to convention.
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2007. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2006, 3 year = 2005, 7 year = 2001, 13 year = 1995, 17 year = 1991, 25 year = 1983, 33 year = 1975 and 50 year = 1958.
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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