You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
The 2010 Northwest District convention is right around the corner!! The energy takes a while to get moving...but once it does, you can sure feel the momentum and speed picking up. Many have been working quietly in their separate corners to prepare their contributions to the convention. We had many of these faces show up at our recent planning meeting. Getting together face to face lets us know that we are a team and not separate entities.
The theme for our convention is the theme for the Shinran Shonin 750th Memorial, "Yono Naka Annon Nare - May Peace and Tranquility Prevail Throughout the World". It is a wonder that the life of one man in one part of Japan 800 years ago can affect so many of us here today and at such a distance. It is also a wonder that so many Buddhists are willing and able to come to Ontario to enjoy the Dharma and the sense of Sangha.
The Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are not labels and lessons, but a living entity that moves and breathes with wisdom, power, compassion and truth. They are the three aspects of Oneness that we are each a part of. We cling to the illusion of self because that is our boundary...our comfort zone...the wall that keeps us safe. Buddhism asks "What is that wall that separates self from other?" "What is the comfort zone?" "Why do we make arbitrary boundaries?" All these lines of demarcation are set up to define the self and to separate self from others. This is all accepted as normal, but what is natural is the world beyond lines.
We are to become aware that there is more than self and that separation is the illusion. To stay behind the arbitrary lines is fear, doubt, and the function of ego...the root of suffering. Buddhism points us to this awareness. We are not trying to become Buddhist...we are trying to awaken to what is real and to reach out fullest human capacity. Necessarily, we move beyond the lines and the walls and the comfort zones.
The convention effort gives us yet another opportunity to step beyond self and to realize Sangha. To work together and in harmony is to break the lines of self. To work alone and in separation is to keep the lines. To stay out is sad. We will have over 200 fellow Buddhists here as our guests for the weekend of February 12-14. Please do what you can to participate fully and enjoy the deep air of Buddhism. We will see you there.
The national BCA 750th will be held in San Jose February 27-28. We hope to hear about and share in those festivities as well. Please stay tuned!
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
Jan 10th was our HOONKO service followed by the ABA/Fujinkai new years party with lunch by Maty's and bingo. It was a nice get together to start off the new year.
Jan 24th will be a service conducted by the Dharma School Teachers. After service, the students, parents, and teachers will meet with Lynn Webster, art director at the College of Idaho, to find out what the art project will be for the upcoming convention. Lunch will be served by the teachers.
Feb. 7th will be the NIRVANA DAY service followed by our Valentines party at Wendy's.
Feb. 12-14 is the NORTHWEST BUDDHIST CONVENTION, hosted by IOBT. Everyone please come and listen to all the visiting Sensei's from teh Northwest. Thank you to all the committee members who have been working so hard to make this convention successful.
It's almost here! Your convention committee has been working hard to arrange a busy and meaningful convention. If you haven't registered yet, plase call Mary Ann (541.889.8691). If you can only make it to the banquet, that requires a reservation also. Again, please call Mary Ann ASAP as we are finalizing our registration numbers so we can get the food ordered Helpers, transporation people, etc., please register. Each of your support is greatly appreciated.
Socho Ogui will be on hand, as will Dr. Nobuo Haneda, our keynote speaker. Both will be participating in our workshops.
Roert Noguchi, chief fund raiser at the Jodo Shinshu Center, will be here with us this year. He will have a booth in the lobby at Four Rivers Cultural Center. If you're curious about the state of affairs with fundraising at JSC, we encourage you to talk with him. JSC is still seeking funds to satisfy their obligations. Donations and pledges are always welcome. If you'd like to discuss planned giving or charitable trusts, please take time to visit with Robert. It's a great opportunity to visit with him, facet o face.
Jeffrey Kimoto, BCA Bookstore Manager, will be with us. I think this is the first time Idaho-Oregon has had the presence of bookstore staff at an IOBT hosted convention. The inventory will be much, much larger than we have had in previous years. His presence and inventory will add new depth to what we have to offer. Plan to make time to visit the bookstore in the FRCC lobby. The selection has never been better!
Why should you come to the convention? Our own Jeanne Ozawa and friends will be performing with the chimes for the gatha, "Golden Chain". Dodgeball on Friday! Form your team and compete. No age limit! The ART PROJECT will be in the FRCC lobby. Be a part of the project and witness the unveiling! Rev. Dennis and MAP have created a great workshop schedule with the participation of our NW Ministers, Socho Ogui, and our guest Dr. Haneda. Visit old friends, and make new ones. This convention has something for you all!
Friday Night Hospitality at the temple: We will be prepping and preparing dinner on Thursday 9 a.m. and at Friday noon. Please come and help. The Friday night dinner is open to anybody registered for the convention. We start serving about 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. It will be fun to eat together adn greet all of your friends from around the Northwest district.
In the wake of the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake that struck the island of Haiti on January 12, 2010, the Buddhist Churches of America has initiated a fundraising drive. While it is true that IOBT, BCA, JSC, etc. have funding needs of their own that must be tended to, it is also true that disaster relief is desperately needed in Haiti.
If you would like to contribute to this fund, you may remit your check payable to Buddhist Churches of America, noted for HAITI RELIEF, to the Temple by February 22. The Temple will submit these donations as a group to BCA.
If you have questions regarding this effort, you may contact Rev. Dennis, Mike Iseri, or Rev. Michael Endo, Executive Assistant to the Bishop at 415.776.5600, ex. 22, or at shakuensho@aol.com.
Thank you very much for your cooperation with this important relief effort.
Thank you to Mary Nakamura, Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Joan Suyematsu, Kazuko Kuramoto, and Hideo and Ruth Harada for helping with the January 2010 bulletin!
Thank you to Mary Nakamura, Jimmy and Kiku Hondo, Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Yasuko Kino, Lordina Hasegawa, Bryce Jacqua and Hideo and Ruth Harada for helping with the December 2009 bulletin!
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2010. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2009, 3 year = 2008, 7 year = 2004, 13 year = 1998, 17 year = 1994, 25 year = 1986, 33 year = 1978 and 50 year = 1961.
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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