You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
We made it to January together. Ready or not, 2008 is here! Many have been saying how 2007 just blew by! Are the years really going faster or is it a temporary illusion for just some of us? One of the bonuses of being Buddhist, is that we gain the power to stop time...it's a pause button that comes in handy. Like anything, with practice we get good at it. Namo Amida Butsu.
At the temple, we are repeatedly reminded to reflect...to the point where some might feel, "Yeah, yeah, yeah...same old story." But when we get to this time of year, it really feels like it has been a long hike to the top of a mountain. We pause to catch our breath...we can look back at the climb just completed, and we can look ahead to what's coming up next.
During the holidays, some of us left town to spend time with family and others of us had family come home to share time here. We recognize and appreciate the people we share the time and space of life with. If reflection and appreciation is minimal, then the year was probably pretty good and easy. But most of us face ongoing battles to fight for even breath or movement. We put in the time to do what we can to help those dear to us. We fight every day and too often alone. Even a brief moment of shared concern or a timely pat on the shoulder can mean so much. It is at these times that life can get deep and thick. Reflection becomes a constant state, and appreciation is not an emerging result, but the motivation for our efforts. Namo Amida Butsu.
January brings another special Family Service. Hoonko is the memorial service for our founder, Shinran Shonin. It is a time to clarify our awareness of the Nembutsu teachings and to express our gratitude for the benefits of the Nembutsu life. We appreciate Amida Buddha for having awakened us to the meaning of life. In Japan, Hoonko is the most important Jodo Shinshu observance. At the mother temple, it is a week long observance. Our service will be January 13 at 11:00 a.m.
I would like to encourage everyone to come to our temple services this year. At the very least, try to come to our special family services. It is in this way that we can learn and share and hand down the beautiful traditions of our temple and Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Health and weather permitting, please make effort to come. Particularly those in official capacity, please resolve to make attendance regular. We look to everyone to make effort that is complete and whole.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
Names have been trickling into the office in response to our request to help identify our temple-related veterans. To date, our list consists of:
All of a sudden, 2007 is almost gone. Time just goes faster and faster and all I can say is that it was a wonderful year of fun, pleasures, trips, no garden or lawn to worry about and leaving the house whenever you please; guess I must be in full retirement. My most workload is volunteering at the Temple, which is fine; it gives me pleasure to help and do things to keep my mind stimulated.
We had a full load of December activities at the Temple - Fujinkai held their annual Year End Party with Matsy's doing catering which was enjoyed by all. Bingo ws played with cash prizes afterwards adn I wasn't one of the lucky ones. I want to mention that Erin Tanaka and Ashley Suyematsu helped cut and serve the desserts for all of us and it was appreciated very much.
Temple held their Year End Party with Santa coming to visit the Dharma School children and a few adults with presents. Nyssa and Vale ladies were the tobans for this event. We were surprised to have a Mexican dinner on the menu which was manhandled by Sharmon Sadamori and Michelle Sadamori. Those tamales and flour tacos were hand made along with the Spanish rice. It was something different and enjoyed by all.
We would like to thank everyone who donated towards the Food Bank Donation box. I'm sure those who are in dire need appreciate it very much.
New Years is coming soon and we would like to thank Mary Kameshige for making the Mochi O-SONAE for the New Year Services. For more details, read the schedules printed elsewhere.
We have about 40 people signed up for the NW Buddhist Convention sponsored by the Seattle Buddhist Temple for February 15-17th. If you are interested, see Mary Ann Shimojima - you may be required to pay the late registration fee.
Wishing everyone the best for the coming year!!!
Wow! It's the end of 2007 already. Where has this year gone? We have had a lot of changes...good changes with Rev. Dennis here. Our services are more cohesive with family services and co-operation with new service chairmans and Dharma School students' participation. Thank you Rev. Dennis, we appreciate all your new ideas!
December 16th was our year-end party with the visitation of Santa and a delicious Mexican luncheon prepared by the Nyssa/Vale toban. Thank you for all your work putting the luncheon together! This was the last Dharma School service for 2007. Here is wishing everyone a safe, happy holiday!
January 6th: Sandy Belknap Chairman
January 13th: Family Hoonko Service at 11:00 a.m.
January 20th: Lois Saito Chairman
January 27th: Mary Ann Shimojima Chairman, with the general meeting and lunchon
George is an early riser with his alarm set for seven o'clock. He enjoys easy listening and is a fan of three major genres of music: rock, sopan and cist. He has been to an extensive number of temples, both in the Northwest, California and Canada. He enjoys the Jusege chant, and owns about ten onenju.
George joined the Lions Club back in 1960 and was honored this year for being a member for 47 continuous years. He has worked hard to fulfill his greatest challenge, earning the respect of the community. He was thrust upon the huge responsibility of managing the farm at a young age. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and has traveled to Canada to further pursue his hobbies. His childhood pet was a happy dog named Nikkie, together they hunted pheasant, duck, and a variety of other game animals.
George enjoyed traveling with his late wife, Nellie, experiencing a broad spectrum of cultures. Two of the most interesting places that he visited were Australia and New Zealand. He saw many wonderful sights on these islands. In Australia, he stayed next to an active volcano and observed the natives using hot boxes to trap the geothermal heat and use it for cooking. In New Zealand, he visited the tropics and saw snow on the southern tip of the island.
He has thoroughly enjoyed sashimi from when he was very young. He has worked in a variety of fields incuding the orchard and a regular farm. He has had the ambition to be successful since he was a wee lad and wished not only to become successful in life, but also in his dealings with the community. Thank you, George, I enjoyed talking to you and learning more about you.
The results of the recent election for the 2008-2010 term are as follows:
2008-2010 Board of Directors: Sandy Belknap, Mae Nakano, Mike Iseri, Howard Matsumura, Russell Tanaka, Murray Nishihara, Les Ito, Joe Kino and Melody Smit
2008-2010 Board of Trustees: Kay Teramura, Anna Nagaki
Item of Note: Melody Smit was the write in candidate with the most votes. She graciously consented to serve on the board. Thanks to all of you who serve the Temple. Your participation is appreciated!
We have a very full schedule for this meeting:
Installation (after service): Reverend Fujimoto will have an installation ceremony for those newly elected board members that are present.
General Meeting (after installation): We proceed to the basement for the annual general meeting. Please sign the sign in form and take a seat.
Luncheon/ABA Party (after General Meeting): Due to conflicting schedules and our wish to have a daylight event, the annual ABA Party will be after the General Meeting. Reservations are required for this luncheon! Please call Mike Iseri or Mary Ann Shimojima at 889-8691 for reservations. Cost is $10 per person, $5 for children 6-12, and under 6 are free. Matsy's will be catering. Please make your reservation no later than January 23rd. We are also planning on playing bingo after lunch.
Application forms are now available for the Murakami Scholarship. Please contact Mike Iseri for an application.
Qualifications include membership in IOBT by a parent AND a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications must be submitted no later than April 15, 2008. Good luck, Seniors!
Have you signed up yet? Hurry, because the final deadline is fast approaching. We currently have over 40 people signed up to go! IOBT is making a very good showing this year.
The temple would like to thank Mitsie Tanaka for her donation of pictures and photo album for the church's 60th anniversary. She is always taking pictures at different events and not only making albums, but also gives prints to the people she takes pictures of. So, THANK YOU Mitsie!
Thank you to Ken and Jeanne Ozawa for the donation of a walker!
Thank you to Roy Hasebe and his crew for clearing away the snow from the Temple lot!
Thank you to Mary Nakamura, Mary Kameshige, Kiku and Jimmy Hondo, Sanami Nakano, Mae Nakano, Hideo and Ruth Harada, Lordina Hasegawa and Jacque DuBois for helping with the bulletin!
Thank you to Yas and Midge Teramura, Les Ito, Murray Nishihara, Elaine Kuwahara and Sagie and Tomie Nishihara for December 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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