You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
This year in March, IOBT is going to host a special event to commemorate the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin. This event will be hosted by the temple and by the IOBT YBA. We will host a Meditation Marathon of 26.2 hours from March 15-16 to conclude during our Ohigan Family Service on the 16th. This will be a Nembutsu recitation circumambulation walking meditation relay. Participants will be primarily IOBT members and friends, but will include open invitation to the general public. All temple groups and members will be invited and encouraged to participate and help.
This is a Meditation Relay, where we take turns in walking meditation while reciting the Nembutsu. A Meditation Marathon for 26.2 hours. We will begin Saturday morning, and end Sunday morning during Ohigan service. At the beginning of Ohigan Service, everyone will walk the final 15 minutes of the Meditation Marathon.
During 2008, each temple has been encouraged to hold a special program or service for the 750th Memorial. In 2009, each district is to hold special events. In 2010, the national level of BCA will host special events. In 2011 and 2012, events will be held in Japan.
The purpose of the IOBT event is three-fold:
1. To commemorate the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin through recognition of the theme of "Yononaka Annon Nare", "May Peace and Tranquility Prevail Throughout the World".
2. To activate recognition of our own connectedness by dedicating our participation to family members and friends that we have lost. For example, we can dedicate 20 minutes or one hour of walking meditation to a spouse or relative that we have lost.
3. To utilize this event as a vehicle to educate about the life of Shinran, the efforts and struggles he endured, and through this to gain insight into the Jodo Shinshu teachings.
A. YBA and Dharma School - to personalize the life of Shinran Shonin.
B. Overall Sangha - although most adults might like to think this effort is for others, many of us really don't know much of the teachings and would benefit from the experience ourselves and to fill in gaps in our own understanding.
C. Promotion to outside visitors and guests...public invitation to participate, and open house to visitors.
During the course of this event, there will be 5 services; 8:30 Opening Service Saturday morning, 5:00 Evening Service, 10:00 Night Service, 5:00 Early Morning Service and 11:00 Ohigan Family Service. There will be educational workshops during the day Saturday. No one is expected to participate in everything. There will be signup sheets to participate, and everyone comes when their schedule permits. Signups will be to participate in the meditation.
A Meditation Marathon of Walking Nembutsu recitation has never been done in the history of BCA. Upon completion, we will set precedence...we will set a record...and we will be National Champions of Nembutsu Meditation! Start asking questions so that you will have answers for others.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
How about this weather; each morning I get up to see if it had snowed, which tells me if I have to clear the snow on the front walkway and sidewalks. Just once when it snowed over 3 inches, our landscaper comes and clears the sidewalks, driveway, and the roads. My neighbor says its good excercise.
Hoonko Family Service was held on January 13th with Mike Iseri as chairperson. It was nice to see Aliea and Hannah Mizuta recite the Golden Chain for the opening of the service. Thanks to the Weiser and Caldwell, Nampa ladies for doing their Toban duties. It was a very nice lunch that was served. Following the lunch, the Ontario High School Japanese Club hosted the fundraiser Bingo game with prizes given to the winners.
Thanks to IOBT MAP people for taking over the services during Rev. Fujimoto's absence; he was the guest Hoonko speaker at Mountain View Buddhist Temple in California. Ann Spencer gave the Howa talk with Sharman Sadamori and George Gledhill assisting with the opening and closing of the service.
Fujinkai had a meeting on January 6th. President Michelle stated that we will be observing "Dana" for the month of February with all the donations received will be our way of "Dana" to our community. This year it was decided to help out the Payette Senior Citizens, who are in dire need of help with their Meals on Wheels program and their building expenses. Last summer, they had water flood in their kitchen and their main hardwood floors had to be gutted out completely and replaced. They serve a dinner and luncheon three times to the public each week, plus deliver Meals on Wheels, plus two frozen dinners for the weekend. Make checks out to IOBT BWA or Payette Senior Center. BWA will be spearheading this project with others who may want to donate.
The NW Buddhist Convention is February 15-17, 2008 and is hosted by the Seattle Betsuin. The theme is "Come Home to the Nembutsu". Be sure to wear your wrist band that was handed out at last years convention.
This year, the ABA New Years Party will be combined with the Temple New Years Party and it will be held after the Adult Services on January 27th with Matsy's catering. A Bingo party will be held after lunch. It was decided to have a lunch to accommodate people who dont want to drive after dark.
Fujinkai meeting will be held February 3rd after adult services. Don't forget your 2008 Dues.
January 13th: Family Hoonko Service with Hannah and Alia Mizuta leading The Golden Chain. The Dharma School children, parents, and teachers participated in the Sanbujo.
February 3rd: Karen Hata chairman.
February 10th: Sandy Belknap chairman with the Valentines party for the children and their parents.
February 17th: NW Buddhist Convention hosted by the Seattle Betsuin. Those Dharma School children attending are Grant and Laurel Saito, Alia and Hannah Mizuta, Quinn Spencer and Brady and Mimi Kameshige.
February 24th: Lois Saito chairman.
Thank you to Lorinda Hasegawa, Jacque DuBois, Mary Nakamura, Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Sanami Nakano, Mae Nakano, and Hideo and Ruth Harada for helping with the bulletin!
Thank you to Mary Nakamura, Ken and Jeanne Ozawa, Gary and Sandy Belknap, Melody Smit and Mary Ann Shimojima for Temple Clean-Up!
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2008. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2007, 3 year = 2006, 7 year = 2002, 13 year = 1996, 17 year = 1992, 25 year = 1984, 33 year = 1976 and 50 year = 1959.
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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