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June 2003 Bulletin

Minister's Message by Reverend Kasao Kodani

"All things are entirely empty, nonsense, and not true, the Nembutsu alone is true." Shinran Shonin

The above statement by Shinran Shonin is one of the grand affirmations of Jodo Shinshu teachings. Contrary to popular belief, it is the grand, positive, affirmative statement of human life, it is calling a spade a spade. Most importantly in regards to ourselves, we are now made able to move freely in an old world made new. Buddhism teaches us that this world is in a constant state of change. Nothing in it exists forever, and each thing can be seen from at least two other points of view, equally valid and equally real. This being the case, nothing in this world is absolutely true in and of itself, but is only true relative to something else. Hence all things are entirely empty, nonsense, and not true. Reality is going from one point of view, and one truth to another in an unbroken stream. Ignoring this fact constitutes in unending suffering. The object is not to reject this world of change, but rather to see it for what it is, enjoy it, and die.

When I was in High School, I learned the following ditty: "Fools name and fools' faces are often seen in public places." Shinran warned us against the deceptive allure of fame and power. Fame and power is heady stuff to which all people succumb in varying places. Denying that this is so is to be a salve to fame and power without knowing it. Knowing that one is susceptible to fame and power is, paradoxically, being able for the first time of minimizing it. The allure of fame and power is all pervasive - parents taking out on their chidren their sense of powerlessness in the adult world, using devious means to make known one's "good work," buying love and respect with gifts and donations, making up one's own religion so that the pointed barbs of the Dharma cannot jolt us into awareness, donation lists, koden gaeshi "musts," volunteering vs. waiting to be asked (begged), the types and varieties are endless. Shinran, Shakespeare, the Preacher were all right: "All things are entirely empty, nonsense, and not true...", "what fools these mortals be...", "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity and starving after wind...". Only this and the all-encompassing reality of Amida's is true - only the Nembutsu is true and real.

How wonderful! Now I can be imperfect and sail toward perfection, I can be greedy and self-centered and struggle to be otherwise without fanaticism or fatalism, I can speak without going to war, I can object without crusading, I can fail and stand up again or fail and leave it behind, I can succeed and enjoy it for what it is and leave it, and all the while the world and people in it get better and better, more beauty to notice, more attachments to notice, savor, and have taken away from me. Namuamidabutsu.

News Around the Temple by Ann Nagaki

Is everyone enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather? Maybe we got rid of the wind and rain for awhile. Now it is time for those veggies to grow in the gardens. The warm weather sure zaps the moisture out of the ground in a hurry - all of a sudden it's time to water!

Earlier our Temple helped with the Meals on Wheels - they sure appreciate our volunteers helping with this program. Thanks to those who helped.

The NW Convention committee have met several times with Kathy Chatterton and Roy Hasebe conducting the meeting. We finally got a theme for the convention, "Everyone and Everything; My Teacher". There will be several meetings yet, so think about the Theme and come up with some ideas - it will be appreciated very much.

Obon Chairperson's Mark Suyematsu and Bob Mizuta will be having their first meeting on May 22nd. Once again, we will be needing your input and appreciate the attendance of all of the committee memebers.

The Temple ladies and guests appreciated the Barbecue Chicken Lunch that was prepared by the men on Mother's Day. Along with the chicken, they made up the salad and rice balls, too. Some of the rice balls had the lucky "Ume" in them. Those who found one received $1.00. Bingo was played, and the proceeds went for the "Coffee Hour." Each lady that attended received a geranium flower plant to take home. "Thanks Guys!" Ladies, it will be our turn to treat the guys for Father's day. I think we heard we will be holding the lunch at the church, as it is too much work to take everything to the park.

Those who are planning on attending the National BCA Women's Conference in Los Angeles on October 10-12th need to declare soon as we will have to send in our registration. If interested, call Mae or Joan.

Next Fujinkai meeting is scheduled for June 1st at 1:00 P.M.

June Monthly Memorial Service (Shotsuki Hoyo) June 8th, 2003 at 11:00 a.m.

6/1 Shigeko Matsubu
6/1 Yoshiko Kanetomie
6/1 Walter Yamada
6/2 Roy Yutaka Kaneyama
6/2 Karie Nakamura
6/2 Steven Isamu Morishige
6/3 Haruko Hori
6/3 Chiyono Yamaguchi
6/3 Yonezo Morinaga
6/5 Yukichi Tomoda
6/5 Itsuyuki Murakami
6/5 Kiyono Nakao
6/7 Kazuo Kuwahara
6/7 Toichiro Kuga
6/8 Kane Itami
6/9 Ryu Kitamura
6/9 Azami Demise (1996)
6/10 Chosuke Nakahara
6/10 Itsu Nishikawa
6/10 Tomoye Uyeki
6/12 Midori Sugai
6/13 Waichi Nakamura
6/13 Dennis Nakagawa
6/13 Tomoyo Kido
6/14 Yakichi Saito
6/15 Kameichiro Doi
6/18 Takeo Hasebe
6/18 Koichi Shigeno
6/18 Shizuye Amano
6/19 Nick Edward Kuwahara
6/19 Shizuye Abe
6/21 Jim Kuga (1996)
6/21 Miyoko Asakura
6/24 Manhachi Ichida
6/24 Chohachi Murakami
6/24 Frank Umeta
6/25 Kelli Suemi Kameshige
6/26 Wataru Demise
6/28 Kohide Nishihara
6/28 Kaz Yamaguchi
6/29 Koyuki Hashimoto
6/30 Shizumo Goshi
6/8 Yoso Kuramoto

Dharma School News

Sunday, May 18th was the last day of Dharma School. The children were given magnetic "Noble Eightfold Path" sayings, wallet size "Gassho To Amida" and the "Golden Chain". We all went to McDonalds for lunch and then on to bowling at Sunset Lanes. The children had a great time and there were some very good scores. This was a nice ending for the last day of Dharma School.

Temple Cleaning Group

The Temple Cleaning Group for the month of June is Group #11. Take and Mary Kuwahara, Hideo and Ruth Harada, Jim and Martha Mizuta, Kay Yamaguchi, Steve and Janet Koda, Ron Kuwahara, Glenn Kuwahara, Janis Sutton, and Bob and Elynn Mizuata.