Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple Serving Ontario Oregon and Western Idaho Buddhism Church Temple

"Intro to American Buddhism" sessions will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ church in Boise (2201 Woodlawn Ave.), starting on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Sessions will be held on the second and fourth Tuesday eveningn from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. in the Fireside Room and are open to the public through February. Sessions will also be held in Ontario at the temple each Wednesday evening starting November 9, 2011 from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. for six weeks in the Hondo and classroom #1. Our practice is very simple and entirely compatible with daily American life. Come join us for an introduction to our teachings and practices. Children are welcome. No charge, but donations accepted. Facilitating these sessions will be the resident minister of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple in Ontario, OR, Rev. Joshin Dennis Fujimoto, and minister's assistants (Kathy Chatterton, Anne Spencer, Sharmon Fujimoto). For more information, please call 208-707-2021.

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief

As you know, on March 11, 2011 (local time) Japan was struck by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a catastrophic tsunami. The Buddhist Churches of America is currently collecting donations in the name of the Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief for this disaster.

We ask you for your donations to this fund. Donations for the Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Fund may be made in the following manner:

Donations should be made to the local temples (checks should be made payable to your local temple). After the funds have been collected at the temple, one check will be made payable to the BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA. Please note JAPAN EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI RELIEF in the memo section of your check.

We thank you in advance for your support and dana.

JODO-SHINSHU CENTER FUND RAISING REPORT FROM NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING by Rev. Joshin Dennis Fujimoto

I looked at my reports from the 2009 National Council meetings and at that time we owed $7 million on the JSC debt. That was down from the $30 million we originally owed. We still owe about $6.8 million. That means the money collected over the past two years just went to making mortgage payments on the JSC building. Contributions are dwindling. If we get to a point where we can’t make our payments to California Bank and Trust, there is a very real possibility that we could still lose the building, the BCA Headquarters building, the Bishop’s residence, and whatever else has been put up as collateral. We have made a great effort to get $30 million down under $7 million. The Building is first class. The programs are excellent. The JSC is a success story. But we need to get rid of this debt that is draining money away from us.

One idea on the agenda was an Annual Giving program that was outlined and presented by Charlene Grinolds of White River. There were a lot of question marks and concerns about this program so it wasn’t accepted. But overall, everyone at the NC meeting was intent on making a decision and not put off finding a way to end the debt to California Bank and Trust. $3.175 million is owed to them. If we pay this off, the JSC will be secure. We will still owe about $3.5 million to the BCA Endowment Foundation, but this is money borrowed from ourselves.

So, one idea was to ask all of the BCA members for $420 or $35 per month for one year and with 100% participation both loans would be paid off. I was in favor of this motion. I thought if we were going to ask each member for their help, I would rather go for all of it rather than part of it. Another idea was to ask for $199 or $17 per month for one year. With 100% participation the more critical California Bank and Trust portion of the loan could be paid off. People thought this motion would be more easy to accept. This motion was passed. The motion reads: that the BCA National Council make an urgent plea to each and every BCA member to make contribution of $199 per member or $17 per member per month for one year, and one year only, to pay off the debt on the California Bank and Trust loan on the Jodo Shinshu Center in the approximate sum of $3,175,000. Members are encouraged to donate more than the recommended amount of $199. Any excess amounts will be used to pay off the loans to the Endowment Foundation. The plea for donations will begin with a sincere apology.

So the idea we have come up with is to send in a part of this money, almost $29,000 in the name of each of our members. We would be sending a list of every IOBT member as having contributed their $199 towards the JSC debt. If we do this, we will probably be the first temple to fulfill our obligation in full. We would be a shining example for all the other temples to follow suit. It would be a shot in the arm for this new effort to get rid of the debt. The Northwest District would look good. IOBT would look good. We will have done our part to protect the JSC and all its programs from foreclosure.

During the course of our meetings, Rev. Umezu, Director of the Center for Buddhist Education stood up to tell a story. This past year he took a one-day trip to Japan. An old family friend, Mr. Seguchi, had passed away. Rev. Umezu is very busy at the Center and it is hard to get away. He flew to Japan, attended Mr. Seguchi’s funeral … spent one day in Japan, and came right back to Berkeley. Umezu Sensei said that when he was growing up in Japan, he was the second son. His older brother would take over for the family, and the second son was like a spare tire. He didn’t know what he was going to do for his life. Mr. Seguchi came over to the house one day and brought cash … a lot of cash … enough for one year of college education for Umezu Sensei and encouraged him to make something of his life. He also made him promise to attend his funeral. Because of Mr. Seguchi’s encouragement, Umezu Sensei was able to find his way in life.

Umezu Sensei was saying that each one of us is Mr. Seguchi. Who knows how others will benefit in years to come from our contributions and efforts we make today. Who knows who will come to be touched by the JSC and all it’s programs. Please consider this and please read the letters and articles that will be coming about this new effort to protect the JSC. You are the ones who know first of what we will try to do. Thank you.

Tokudo Ordination

Warmest Congratulations to Kathy Chatterton and Anne Spencer, who received their Tokudo Ordination at the Hongwanji Temple in Kyoto on October 15, 2010! Tokudo is the ordination for a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist priest in which participants pledge to carry out the duties of a minister, to follow the Gomonshu, and to study and propagate the Teachings.

Campaign Update - November 2010

Thanks to your generous gifts and pledges, the campaign has raised over $350,000 in 2010! As of 9/30/2010, the campaign has raised $18,611,669 since its inception in March 2003. Not only has this gone towards funding for the Jodo Shinshu Center, but also the wonderful programs being run there.

Rev. Fujimoto Walking Meditation Video

To view Rev. Fujimoto's Nembutsu Walking Meditation Primer, please click here.

Shin Buddhism: Namo Amida Butsu

Article recently publised in the Argus Observer about IOBT can be found here at: Buddhist Religion.
Learn more about Buddhism.

Lifelong Learners explore religions

Article recently publised in the Argus Observer about IOBT can be found here at: Lifelong Learners.
Learn more about how a local group found out more about Buddhism.

Help Save a Life

Dear Ministers and Temple Presidents:

I hope this letter finds you and your Sangha cherishing the light of Amida's guiding compassion. recently, I was contacted by temple members Fred and Nancy Nakatani regarding their 8 year old granddaughter Natalie, who is battling leukemia.

With the urgency immediate, the Buddhist Temple of San Diego held a Bone Marrow registry and screening on February 7 in hopes to find a bone marrow match for Natalie. The event was very successful. Now I am urging your temple and Sangha members to help SAVE A LIFE.

The San Diego temple acted very quickly to setup the screening event. The screening was administered by the San Diego Blood Bank. If your temple sets up a screening, please check with your local blood bank or similar agency on procedural setup.

Natalie is of Japanese-Chinese ethnicity. The family lives in Pleasant Hill, CA. Natalie is currently receiving chemo treatments in San Francisco. Unfortunately, with the agressiveness of the disease, her doctors say the best option is receiving bone marrow from a donor match.

Although we were aiming for an ethnic match, the turnout of various ethnic groups was wide-spread. It was very encouraging to see the number of people of various ethnic groups, not knowing who Natalie is, stepping forward to help save a life.

Understanding the urgent need to outreach the public and knowing that bone marrow candidates must be between the ages of 18-61, the screening process is fast and simple: fill out necessary paperwork, swab the inside of both cheeks for samples and then personnel will explain the procedure moving forward if you are asked to return as a viable candidate for donating bone marrow.

If your temple has conducted a Bone Marrow Screening, then individuals are automatically registered in the Bone Marrow registry. In the event a candidate has moved and has not updated their contact information with the registry, it may be likely that their name has been removed. Please have your members check with the agency on current contact information. A candidate will also be removed from the list when they reach the age of 60.

A web site is now available online introducing Natalie and others who face the similar disease. The facebook page is: Save Natalie

I would like to thank Socho Ogui and Michael Endo for allowing me to share this information with you. If you need further assistance or would like more information, I will be happy to offer much support. Please get the word out and participate in the Bone Marrow Screening.

Every bit is a big boost in helping save not only Natalie's life, but the lives of others.

With deepest appreciation in Gassho,

Ralph Honda, Buddhist Temple of San Diego, rkhayh@aol.com

Haiti Relief Program sponsored by the Buddhist Churches of America

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.

BCA Center for Buddhist Education

Greetings! Happy Hanamatsuri (Buddha's Birthday, April 8th)! It's been an exciting time here at the BCA Center for Buddhist Education. In March, the first official Tokudo Shurai (preparation for the first step in the BCA/Hongwanji ministerial ordination ritual) began here at the Jodo Shinshu Center. This time-honored tradition has historically taken place in Kyoto, Japan and is now taking place, in part, here in the U.S., at the Jodo Shinshu Center. We are honored to help in this important process!

CBE's first workshop on Caregiving, Funeral and Memorial Rituals was a rare opportunity for addressing the dharma and the practical aspects of these Jodo Shinshu rites of passage. We hope to make video excerpts available online in the coming months.

At the same time, we have an overflowing assortment of programs for the BCA community and friends. We thank you for your ongoing support and welcome your suggestions and comments. Please go to: Center for Buddhist Education
to find out more.

BCA 21st Century Campaign

The BCA 21st Century Campaign continues to go forward in an attempt to secure the future of Jodo Shinshu in America.

Since moving to the Jodo Shinshu Center, the IBS has enjoyed a growth in the number of students. At the August 15th Trustee Meeting, it was announced that in the fall 2008 Semester, there are 14 IBS students and 29 students from the Graduate Theological Union attending Buddhist classes. There is the establishment of a chaplaincy program at IBS through association with two Buddhist Chaplain Centers. A major step has been taken to work toward the accreditation with the Western Association of Colleges and Universities.

The Center for Buddhist Education continues to develop strong programs for BCA members. In a month, four or five programs are presented with great response from the BCA membership at large. Programs for youth, Dharma School students and teachers, young adults, temple leaders are being conducted.

There is activity and growth because the BCA has a campus which focuses and enhances the programs being conducted.

The members of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple have always supported the educational programs of the BCA. Our temple members have been strong supporters of the BCA 21st Century Campaign. Some members continue to donate over and above their original pledge. We are grateful to all members who have contributed to the great cause of educational programs at the Jodo Shinshu Center.

The campaign continues. We ask all of our IOBT members to participate in the great endeavor of securing the future of our Buddhist Teaching in the United States. Please support the campaign.

Rev. Joshin Dennis Fujimoto

Pure Land Joggers and Striders

Pure Land Joggers and Striders (PLJS) is a club for runners, walkers, and anyone else who might stretch and exert a muscle or two during the course of the week. The IOBT Chapter of the Pure Land Joggers and Striders will be starting up this spring. Stay tuned for further information in the next few months, or contact Rev. Fujimoto at 208.707.2021

Meditation Sessions

Meditation Sessions (Shin Buddhist Seiza) Sitting and Walking Meditation, are being offered at IOBT on Thursday Evenings from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday Mornings from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. The fee is $30.00 per month for non members.

Members of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple practice Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, which originated in twelfth century Japan. The Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple was dedicated in 1947. The public is also invited to visit and join Sunday Services. Children's Dharma School Service is at 10:30 a.m.; Adult Service is at 11:00 a.m.