You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
Greetings to everyone, and Happy New Year! As I write this, I think of all those people in California who don't have the opportunity to shovel snow. How grateful I am to have been given this opportunity! Even when I lose my shoe in the snow bank....Namandab. Even when my snow shovel breaks off at the end of the handle...Namandab. We just love it!
By the time this article is received, many of us have already participated in the Joya-E or Year End Service and the Shusho-E or New Year Day Service. Both of these services are a wonderful way to recognize the end of one year and the beginning of another. The Joya-E is an evening service when we take turns to hit the Kansho 108 times. Doing this together, we acknowledge the importance of Sangha. The 108 strikes to the Kansho is a symbolic recognition of the 108 Bonno (passions or attachments) we each have as conditions of being human. As we recognize human condition and the attachments that go along with it, we come to a deeper understanding of our own lives. The positive aspects of life are deeper and more rewarding. The negative aspects validate the completeness of the whole. Even these two aspects are not opopsite ends of the spectrum, but parts of the cycles of Oneness that we can awaken to. The total picture is as natural as the cycles of the seasons.
Shusho-E is the first service of the year, and marks another cycle of the Buddhist observances held during the year. As we attend and participate in these special services, we learn about our own lives. Our own actions and efforts become deeper and more meaningful. At the same time, we are able to learn about the Buddhist traditions that move us to a life worth living. Not only do we benefit, but the family and friends that surround us benefit from what we learn and from how we live. The Buddha and the Dharma is completed in the Sangha. Again, the Three Treasures complete the Oneness that surrounds us.
The major service in January is Hoonko, the death memorial of Shinran Shonin. This year we will observe the Hoonko Family Service on January 11 at 11:00 a.m. In Japan, Hoonko is the most important Jodo Shinshu observance. Here, we ask whether this observance and the teachings of Shinran and Shakyamuni and Amida have any relevance or value for us today. We are encouraged to ask the tough questions. With each individual, the questions are new and fresh and real. The questions are answered in endless progression. Come and be part of the process. We will see you there.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
Anna Nagaki is currently residing in Boise at the Idaho Elks rehab. Working on getting back the use of her "gaming" right hand and right foot to all coordinate. She should be back home mid-January. Thanks for your kind words and concern.
So, groups and invidiuals who want a "bit of say" into the Temple News - please forward them to the editor who will put them under the "Temple News" column...
Such as...News from Michelle Sadamori wanting to let Fujinkai Members know...
We are trying something new this year. We are combining the ABA and IOBWA New Year's parties. It will be after the Hoonko service on January 11th. The price will be $10 per person, $5 for children ages 5-12 years. The IOBWA will be paying for their members. Please make your reservations with Mike Iseri or Mary Ann Shimojima, 541-889-8691, before January 7th. The lunch will be catered by Matsy's.
On IOBWA News: The Payette/Fruitland Toban is combining with the Nyssa/Vale Toban.
So, Choir, MAP, Tobans, IOBWA, Taiko, YBA, ABA, etc...I am just an email away!!! Let us know what you are doing...do not wait for others to report in your projects, thoughts, plans...Thanks! Susan Inouye, Editor.
The Dharma School Students participated in the Bodhi Day Service, presenting their Bodhi leaves on the Bodhi tree.
In conjunction with our theme "DANA", the children have been busy making lap blankets for our member shut-ins. We made a visitation on December 14th, with Mike Iseri as our chauffer in a 15 passenger van and also Karen Hata driving her car for the rest of the group. We went to Nyssa Gardens visiting Cora Morinaka and Archie Atagi, to Royal Villa in Payette, visiting Fred Mizuta and Kendo Yasuda, to Dorian in Ontario, visiting Kay and Dorothy Teramura, and Tom Hiramatsu, to Meadowbrook visiting Mae Nakano and George Mizuta and to Masumi Hayashi at her home. After our visitation, we all went to the Far East for lunch. It was a very rewarding day for all.
Our year end party was a special event as the "Buddha" appeared (aka Rev. Dennis) under the Bodhi tree and gave out the gifts to the children. Then Elynn Mizuta and Sandy Belknap set up a "musical chairs" game with lots of prizes. It was a befitting end to the 2008 year.
On behalf of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple, I would like to thank the Scholarship Committee for their efforts to formulate the guidelines and procedures for the Educational Grants now available for those who want to further their Buddhist education. I would also like to thank all those who made the Spaghetti Luncheon fundraiser a successful event. Our efforts netted $1200 to be added to our Scholarship Funds!!!
Special acknowledgement should go to Mrs. Sue Uyeki for a $500 donation and to Murakami Produce for a $100 donation towards the Scholarship fund. Many others were generous in the purchase of tickets and attendance. Special thanks also to the YBA members and to the Sangha Taiko members for their plans and preparations. In 2009, we will try to hold the Spaghetti Luncheon again. Plans are to hold it in conjunction with our Fall Ohigan Service. We would also like to make this an annual event. Please look for it and try to continue your support for this fun and beneficial event.
ABA party is being combined with the Fujinkai Party and the otoki for the Ho On Ko service on January 11. Ho On Ko, ABA Party and Fujinkai Party all January 11th after service!!! Reservations must be made by January 7th by calling Mary Ann Shimojima or Mike Iseri.
Election Results for 2009-2011 term:
Board of Trustees: Roy Hasebe, Yasu Teramura
Board of Directors: Grant Kitamura, Larry Matsumura, Karen Hata, Michelle Sadamori, Lorinda Hasegawa, Dyke Nagasaka, Ruth Harada, Hideo Harada, Carrie Mori.
Installation, General Meeting and Luncheon, Sunday, January 25
Installation of newly elected board members will occur Sunday, January 25 following service. All newly elected, please attend for this installation ceremony. The General Meeting will follow in the Temple basement. The Luncheon will follow after the general meeting.
Rice, tea, and chicken are being provided by the Temple with help from the Fujinkai. Desserts and salads are potluck as follows: Salad - if your last name starts with A-N, Dessert - if your last name starts with O-Z. Thank you for your attendance and participation!
I feel very honored and humble to be asked by Sue to say a few words at this annual Fujinkai Memorial Service today. My mother and grandmother were both members of the Temple and of the Fujinkai.
If I may...I would like to tell you of my concept of you ladies...I wish to liken the Fujinkai as the hardworking, busy hands of the Temple...active in the many functions of the Temple, striving to complete and be successful in the tasks asked of you. But...you are also the lovely, compassionate hands of the Temple...extending out your greetings to others, the social niceties you perform, and it is in this contribution you make that I am most familiar with...your visitations to the shut-ins.
And so...on behalf of the Hoashi family, I extend my deepest gratitude to Sensei and the Fujinkai ladies for the many visits you made to see my mother the past 4 years, both at home and then the care center. Sensei would make extra visits, bringing flowers, or just to say "hello" because he was in the neighborhood. He also brought his mother to see her twice, which was extra, extra special.
Mother looked forward to these visitations as it was the only link to the Temple for her and deepened her faith in Amida Buddha. She was grateful of the thoughtfulness of the ladies who brought food, flowers, special gifts of the season. One Christmas, it was this Christmas cactus, I think 3 years ago, which brightened her room and gave her the knowledge she was remembered and loved...a nice, warm feeling for anyone. Last year it had 2 blooms, but this year it promises a lot more.
I know it can be a little hard in these hectic days we live to make efforts towards visitations, but it is definitely needed and appreciated. I urge you ladies for its continuance as it does mean a lot to the shut-ins.
My congratulations to the Fujinkai for this memorial service and I wish you success in any endeavor you may undertake in the coming year.
Thank you, in gassho.
Thank you to Jimmy and Kiku Hondo, Mary Nakamura, Shiz Inouye, Delores Wood and Hideo and Ruth Harada for helping with the December Bulletin!
Thank you to Roy Hasebe Farms and Kameshige Farms for snow removal of Temple parking lot and grounds!
Thank you for December Temple Clean-Up to Gary and Sandy Belknap, Jeanne and Ken Ozawa, Mary Nakamura, Michelle Sadamori, Melody Smit and Mary Ann Shimojima. Thank you to all of you for your help.
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2009. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2008, 3 year = 2007, 7 year = 2003, 13 year = 1997, 17 year = 1993, 25 year = 1985, 33 year = 1977, 50 year = 1960 and 100 year = 1910.
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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