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Happy New Year! Welcome to 2007. Unbelievably...ready or not...another year begins to unfold before us. As I put away last year's date-book, I went through it one last time. We went through a lot of things together at the Temple. Many of our families were faced with painful losses. We pull toether to face the difficulties and work through them. It takes time and it's not easy. We also were able to achieve hard-earned success in our activities. Services were well attended. New groups were started. Fundraisers were successful. So many contributed through both effort and attendance. Thank you for your contributions in keeping this Temple the heartbeat of the Sangha.
This month, we look forward to Hoonko. This is the most important Jodo Shinshu observance. This is the observance to commemorate the passing of Shinran Shonin. The Hoonko Family Service will be held January 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Come participate in this chance to Hear the Light as it shines through Dharma talks, ritual and Sangha fellowship.
This year's Northwest Convention hosted by the White River Buddhist Temple will be February 16, 17, 18. In preparation, all the district ministers were asked to respond to the question, "What is a Buddhist?" This is the theme to this year's Convention. Here is how I answered the question.
"What is a Buddhist?...a Buddhist is "soft". "Soft" in the best and most positive sense of the word. "Soft" as caring, considerate, comforting, thoughtful, understandnig and patient. A Buddhist is diligent adn generous in these qualities." If you had a choice as to what kind of people you would like to be, or be around, wouldn't it be this type of people? Everyone should be Buddhist. And everyone should marry one. What do you think about that?
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAIRev. Dennis
Is everyone ready for the holidays? I just can't believe how time has passed by so fast. Before I forget I wish everyone the "Best of Holidays" and hope for a "Healthy New Year".
We observed Bodhi Day on December 10th as a family service, which was very nice. Grant Saito started the service with ringing of the gong and opening of the service by Michelle Kameshige. She recited the Golden Chain. It's just nice to see the Dharma School students participate.
We are all in envy of Kathy Chatterton and her husband going to the Fiesta Bowl to watch their favorite football team play and then staying for several months in Arizona for the winter. As you all know, Kathy and her husband are retired and deserve the break. We'll miss Kathy's adult classes but she has arranged with Sharman Sadamori and Anne Spencer to fill in her absence. Have fun Kathy!
We would like to thank Mae Nakano for arranging the making of some mochi for the New Year moring "ozoni." We would like to thank the Kameshige's and Nagaki's for the use of their mochi machine. Also, Thanks to Akiko Rucker for making the special layered mochi for the altar for the New Years Day service.
The Year End Party was held on December 17th, with the Weiser, Caldwell and Nampa ladies doing their toban duties. Spaghetti, French Break, salad, jello and dessert were served. Thanks ladies! After lunch, Santa Claus appeared with his bag of goodies for all the Dharma School students, plus serveral adults and Rev. Fujimoto.
We all would like to thank Thuan Merritt for the 2007 monthly-daily planners. It was so nice of Thuan to remember all of us with such a useful booklet planner; sure comes in handy. Since most of us are well in our senior age group, we all need whatever help we can get.
Wednesday's Activity Days are still going on strong. After January 1st, we should have a regular Toban from each area, but in the meantime we have been having lunch at the Temple made by volunteers. It's always a surprise to see what is on the menu and awfully good. If you would like to join us for lunch, you are most welcome.
Fujinkai meeting will be held on January 7th after the adult services with our newly elected co-chairpersons, Lorinda Hasegawa and Michelle Sadamori. We would like to congratulate you both for accepting the job of a co-president. Let's all give them the support they will need.
A cheery Hello to all of our Shut-Ins.
Church Cleaners for December: Russ Tanaka, Seiko Go, Dorothy Yamaguchi, Delores Wood, Howard Matsumura, June Morinaga, Toshie Takami, Ruth Hirano and Mike Iseri.
Bulletin Helpers for December: Shiz Inouye, Mae Nakano, Sanami Nakano, Jimmy Hondo, Kiku Hondo, Mary Nakamura, Lorinda Hasegawa, Hideo Harada, Ruth Harada, Mary Kameshige and Isao Kameshige.
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.
Dr. Alfred Bloom writes in Shoshinge: The Heart of Shin Buddhism (page 7), "In the ordinary experience of everyday life we are enabled to do things because of the nature of the world in which we live."
I feel very fortunate to have been enabled to attend the dedication of our Jodo Shinshu Center on October 21-22, 2006. As I witnessed and participated in the many events surrounding this dedication, I was reminded of the different causes and conditions that made this weekend possible. Rather than recounting the schedule of events and trying to summarize the weekend, I will try to provide you with some snapshots of these causes and conditions.
*First of all, I was able to attend this event because I have retired from full-time elementary school teaching. Teaching, and all the responsibilties that go along with it, has consumed my time for 32 years. I woudl never have considered taking two school days and the weekend, "losing" time for correcting papers and planning lessons along with preparing lesson plans for a substitute teacher.
*Because of the temple board and Rev. Fujimoto, I was given this opportunity to attend the dedication as a representative of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple. I am very grateful for this privilege, and I hope to keep the Sangha current on news about the Center.*The Center for Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Studies is a beautiful and functional building in downtown Berkeley. It began its life in 1930 as a grand showroom for Charles Howard's Buick franchise. He was the owner of the famous racehorse, Seabiscuit. The work of dedicated BCA ministers and members began in 2003 with the acquisition of this property and continued with pledges and gifts from individuals, temples, and other groups. This work and money will benefit countless ministers and lay members and will enable the Buddhist Churches of America to spread the Buddha Dharma through education, translation, and scholarly research. As was often said during the weekend, "This is YOUR Jodo Shinshu Center."
*I was "blown away" by the hospitality of countless individuals in planning this event with services, symposiums, discussions, meals, etc. I was allowed to nourish my mind and spirit during the weekend. The cooperation between the Jodo Shinshu Center and the Berkeley Buddhist Temple allowed for a schedule that flowed along effortlessly. Rev. Fujimoto and I were also very grateful to Ken Tanimoto for transportation to the Oakland Airport. All these many cauess and conditions added to the positive experience.
*It is always enlightening to learn from my fellow Buddhists and hear their insights. I felt very lucky listening to learned and dedicated scholars, ministers, and lay members. This enriches my understanding of the Buddha Dharma which I can then share with others. I appreciated Dr. Robert Thurman's talk on the essence of Buddhism. Dr. Thurman is a Tibetan Buddhist and scholar. He provided energy and laughter on Saturday evening with his insight that Buddhism teaches us that Nirvana is our reality, and that reality is happiness. The unenlightened life is suffering so we should not feel miserable. We must enjoy our present life. I also enjoyed Rev. David Matsumoto's Dharma talk during the family day service on Sunday. He illustrated that living Buddhism is supported by the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. He was able to build a model to demonstrate this fact to the Dharma School students and their families. My goal now is to be able to inject the communication of the Buddha Dharma with as much energy and humor as Dr. Thurman and to use concrete models to aid understanding of the teaching like Rev. Matsumoto.
*The Dharma-Friendship service on Saturday involved Buddhists of various schools and sects. I was in awe of the universality of the Dharma as it flowed through each of these individuals. The Buddha Dharma ties us all together, and we should embrace this reality rather than point out the differences between us and between Buddhism and other religions. All Buddhists need to model the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha Dharma.
*Of course, you cannot mention causes and conditions without mentioning people. I was humbled to see Shinmon Kojun Ohtani and Ruzumi Ohtani. It was uplifting to see the smiling face of Socho Ogui. I enjoyed renewing friendships with Rev. Marvin, Rev. Charles, Rev. Yamaoka, Bhanta Seelawimala, Rev. Kusada and Rev. Gibbs. I enjoyed traveling and talking with Rev. Fujimoto and George and Dixie Iseri. So many people have provided so much in my life.
*My last impression comes from the view from my window at the Berkeley City Club where we stayed. Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge in a variety of settings of blue sky, sunset, clouds, and fog was a powerful reminder of the causes and conditions in nature. It was a marvelous experience. Namo Amida Butsu.
Postscript: I would like to remind each of you that it is imperative that the Center for Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Studies continue its work. It is your educational center. It is a center where new ministers will receive training, where Minister's Assistants will learn, where the Buddhist Bookstore will reach the public, where the Buddha Dharma can be disseminated. Pledges and gifts are still needed for the Center and for the Campaign BCA - The 21st Century.
Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple
286 SE 4th Directions
PO Box 397 (mailing address)
Ontario, Oregon 97914
541-889-8562 (office)
541-889-8662 (fax)
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