You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
July marks the halfway point of the year, and it is here already! I have been cautioned by a few of our elder members, "Sensei, don't get old". As much as I would like to heed their advice, it sure is difficult to slow things down. I am reminded of Fred and Barney of the Flintstones cartoon sticking out their feet to stop the car. The blur of life reflects the truth of impermanence...stability becomes the illusion. Is this what Shinran saw when he wrote, "The only thing true and real is the Nembutsu?"
In Shin Buddhism, we hear the teachings...we live the teachings...we hear the teachings...we live the teaching. When Japan Nite comes around, we set our own agenda aside for a day or two, so that the Obon Festival can take place. Even friends who don't consider themselves Buddhists come and help. What is required is effort and harmony. Those who come and help are awed at how much effort is put in and how much beauty, fun, and energy unfolds in such a short time. Some may see a good time and a fun event. Others may see the Pure Land. The Pure Land is not just some place to hope for at death. The Pure Land is the perfection of each moment before it is marred by ego. As we live the teachings of harmony, the Pure Land emerges.
July brings the conclusion, the gist, and the depth of the Obon Observance. This year, on July 30, we will hold the Obon/Hatsubon Family Service. The Obon/Hatsubon Service allows time for deeper reflection on the people and events that have left the karmic conditions that shape our lives. As we take time to reflect, we come to know more about ourselves. As we come to know more about ourselves, we are enabled to realize the Natural order of things. The Normal perspective is self-centered; where the self is the reality and the flow of life is diminished and secondary. As we move towards the Natural order of things, the perspective is other-centered; where the self is the illusion and the flow of life becomes primary. Even our own birth and death becomes irrelevant. it is with this perspective that we live life fully and freely. NamoAmidaButsu. Come to our Obon Service for this time of reflection and to support our Hatsubon families who have lost loved ones during this past year.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
What a sigh of relief that Japan Nite Obon Festival is over with. Hats off to our co-chair persons, Howard Matsumura and Sherrie Kitamura who did a fantastic job getting the job done. I noticed the outdoor stage, entrance gate, food booth got a fresh coat of paint so everything looked like new and fresh. Thanks to all of Howard's buddies who helped. Sherrie did a fine job of our special "60th Anniversary Obon T-Shirts". Tahnks to Kevin Kitamura who designed the logo, that was super nice looking...it was appealing to all ages. We had some special attractions that added for our celebration. Taekwon-do demonstrated, Western Idaho Judo Institute group gave a nice demonstration of their techniques, and IOBT Sangha Taiko group gave an outstanding performance. Despite the warm temperature, we all survived and thanks to everyone for help, donations, time, and to all of the Obon dancers, it was appreciated very much.
Fathers Day lunch was held at the Temple with Vale, Nyssa, Adrian and Caldwell ladies doing their Toban duties. It was no rest for younger fathers who had to tend to the chicken barbecue, rice balls and the ladies made salad and otehrs brought in side dishes. Raffle prizes were given to some of the lucky winners...the prizes were taken care of by Ann Nagaki and Tak Kuwahara, in charge of the Raffle tickets.
Temple Drain Disaster hit us during one of our Japan Nite workdays. It sure put a halt on all of us not being able to use the kitchen drains and restrooms for several, several hours. Yas Teramura came to try to unplug the line, but it took a commercial person to come with a larger rig to open the lines. What a sigh of relief when they got the sewer line open. We were glad that it happened when it did because it would have been a disaster had it happened later during the next day during our critical time of water usage.
Just a reminder Obon Services is rescheduled to July 30th. Payette, Fruitland, Parma ladies will be Tobans for this day. Group is small, so we may be asking for extra help. If you have extra veggies, bring them in early Saturday. If any surplus, we will use them for our Happy Bowls.
There will be no rest for us ladies as we will be going right into preparation for the Happy Bowl week of July 31st - August 5th. We will be needing most help on Wednesday - Friday.
Fujinkai Meeting will be held on July 9th after Adult Services.
We start serving the Chamber of Commerce lunch on July 31st. Then, the evening of August 1st, we are open for a few hours to accomodate the exhibitors. The actual start of the Malheur County Fair is August 2nd. We will be open from morning until late evening every day through August 5th. If you can help, please give Elynn Mizuta a call so she can schedule you. 473-3772. Also, if you plan on working more than one day, we can get a pass for $8.00 for the whole time rather than $5.00 per day. Call Mary Ann Shimojima 889-8691 for the pass. Theme of the fair: Stirrup Some Fun. Colors: Gold, Black, Khaki.
June Bulletin Helpers: Mae Nakano, Sanami Nakano, Jimmy Hondo, Kikue Hondo, Lorinda Hasegawa, Shiz Inouye, Hideo Harada, Ruth Harada, Mary Nakamura, Mary Kuwahara, Frances Nishimura, Mary Kameshige.
Church Cleaners for June: Sherrie Kitamura, Larry and Jean Kitamura, Rick Kitamura, Min Okuda, Toshiko Horiuchi, Roy Hasebe.
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2006. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2005, 3 year = 2004, 7 year = 2000, 13 year = 1994, 17 year = 1990, 25 year = 1982, 33 year = 1974 and 50 year = 1957.
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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