You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
It is hard to believe June is already here. My snow shovel is still in the way to get to my car. I left it out "just in case", but it might be safe to put it away. June brings us Japan Nite and the Obon Festival. Calls have been coming in to make certain of the date and times; a sign that people are already looking forward to our famous festivities.
In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, we sometimes refer to the Obon festival as a "Gathering of Joy". This is to differentiate it from the usual "race for happiness" to get what we want out of life. "Joy" is used as a statement of the profound depth we come to realize when we awaken TO true reality and FROM the usual mindless race for happiness.
During our Obon we "Dance in JOY" for awakening to a life that is deep, grounded, and connected. We "Dance in JOY" for escaping the ego-centered chase for satisfaction of material, spiritual and personal goals and accumulations.
One of the ways we do this is by recognizing loved ones who have passed on. These connections to family and friends who have gone before us pull us beyond our usual mode of scrambling to fulfill and satisfy the self at all cost. The unending efforts to complete the self and the extended self is stopped by those gone as we pause in reflection. Gratefully, we accept the break in the action as the proper perspective returns to us and centers us once again. These are the reasons that the efforts of each of us towards Japan Nite are valuable and worthwhile. I choose to be grounded and centered in life itself. I choose JOY that is deep and connected over HAPPINESS that is shallow and self-serving.
Due to changes in our temple scheduling, I would like to mention at this time effects to our early July scheduling. Our Obon Family Service (Urabon-e) will be July 5, 11:00 which is two weeks earlier than our original plan. Our cemetary visitations will take place July 7-9 and will follow the time schedule of last year. Specifics will be posted separately. Please call (208) 707-2021 with questions or concerns.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
What a change of weather - had a feeling this was going to happen - one day we have a jacket on and next day we have our shorts, tank tops and the air conditioning on. It's hard to get adjusted to.
We would like to thank the Sangha men folks for the best chicken BBQ made for Mother's Day Lunch at the Temple. Also, we appreciate the useful 5 pound sack of rice instead of the pot of geraniums. Bingo was played with proceeds going for coffee hour that Jeanne Ozawa prepares on Sundays. A thank you goes to Jeanne who takes the time to prepare all the goodies. If you happen to miss your breakfast - her fried rice sure hits the spot!
Have you noticed the different organ sount at the Temple on Sunday's? Thanks to the Suyematsu Family who donated their organ for Temple use - it's a beautiful piece of furniture.
We're getting ready for summer activities with the Obon Japan Night Festival on June 27th just around the corner. Chairpersons are Howard and Jerry Matsumura and co-chair person is Jeff Saito. They have had their first meeting and we're asking everyone to participate and help - if you have some grandchildren available we could use extra help. A donation of $10 per family for chicken expense will be asked.
Our Wednesday Activity Day group is still going strong - we even had Rev. Fujimoto volunteer to make some "Chihuahua Stew" which was enjoyed by all. We have been enjoying the extra salad mixes from Mother's Day.
We would like to acknowledge Murakami Produce for spraying the church yard for weeds. Thanks to Russell Murata for running the sprayer - we appreciate your helping hands.
Sandy Belknap learned about the Relay for Life event last year and she decided that's something that our Temple Sangha group could participate in so she got all the information that we needed. The name of our group will be the same name as the weekly walker's, which is "Pure Land Joggers & Striders". Sandy has put in a lot of time for this event, which is set for June 12th - 13th. The team registration fee is paid by the ABA, Dharma School and BWA. Donation towards this event will be accepted also. For more information, see Sandy or pick up papers at the Church. She will be needing lots of walkers, helpers and canned goods donations.
June 7th will be the IOBT BWA meeting after the adult services.
May 10th was a combined family service for Mother's Day. We had a very nice service followed by lunch and bingo.
May 17th was a combined family service for Gotan-ye and it was also the last day for Dharma School. We honored Mimi Kameshige for her graduation from Ontario HIgh School. Reverend Fujimoto presented her with a certificate from the BCA signed by Socho Ogui and a gift from the Dharma School. She was also awareded the Murakami Scholarship presented by Mitsuko Murakami. Congratulations for all your awards, Mimi, we are very proud of you!!!! After the service, the children, their parents, Rev. Dennis, and the teachers went to the Far East for a last-day Dharma School luncheon. Everyone please have a fun, but safe, summer and we'll see you at the Happy Bowl Booth in July/August and September for the start of another year.
Thanks to everyone who has been saving pop can tabs for the Dharma School. We save the tabs for the RONALD MCDONALD house and I turned in 6 large boxes in April. We received a nice letter and certificate from the lady in charges of the tabs...we turned in 106 pounds of tabs!!! Great going everyone. Your DANA can help a seriously ill child's family stay at the Ronald McDonald House without the worry of where to stay or where to eat while their child is in the hospital. So...THANK YOU and keep saving those tabs!!!
July 5th - Obon Family Service/Shotsuki - David Mizuta
July 12th - Regular Service - Lois Saito
July 19th - Regular Service - Mary Ann Shimojima
July 26th - Regular Service - Jayne Kameshige
August 2nd - Shotsuki Service - Melody Smit
August 9th - Regular Service - Sachi Sakoi
August 16th - Regular Service - Mimi Kameshige
August 23rd - Regular Service - Joan Suyematsu
August 30th - Regular Service - Sue Uyeki
Rotation List: Lois Saito, Susan Inouye, Sachi Sakoi, Sandy Belknap, Carrie Mori, Sue Uyeki, Connie Tanaka, Terry Fukuda, Nan Nagasaka, Mary Ann Shimojima, Joan Suyematsu, Kathy Chatterton, Jayne Kameshige, Jeff Saito, Bob Mizuta, Melody Smit, Debbie Tanaka, Sharmon Sadamori, Michelle Sadamori, Anne Spencer, Michelle Rucker and Elynn Mizuta
The Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple is extending this survey to find out the degree of interest of those from our Sangha Membership who would like to participate in the affirmation ceremony during the visit of Socho Ogui on September 20, 2009. Participants will receive HOMYO, or Buddhist Name to confirm their entry onto the Path of Nembutsu and to be a follower of the Buddha. If you have interest to be a participnt, please notify the offices so that schedules and arrangements can be made. Procedure and forms will be made available as arrangements are confirmed.
The Kikyoshiki is a simple ceremony in which the basic ritual is the symbolic shaving of the head, recalling the act of Siddhartha when he resolved to enter the spiritual path of life. A Buddhist name is received. The participant should be of an age to make a responsible decision to become a follower of the Buddha.
Please call Rev. Fujimoto at 208-707-2021.
July 7th - Vale (10 a.m.), Payette (6 p.m.) and Weiser
July 8th - Nyssa (9 a.m.), Parma (10 a.m.), Wilder (10:30), Marsing (12:00), Emmett (2:00), and New Plymouth (2:30)
July 9th - La Grande (9:30 a.m. PST), Baker (11:00 a.m. PST), Boise (6:30 p.m.), Nampa (7:30 p.m.), Hillcrest (8:00 p.m.), and Caldwell (8:30 p.m.)
The IOBT Scholarship Fund has received a donation in the amount of $1000.00 from our own Sangha Taiko. We are very happy to receive such a generous donation from without our Temple organizatoins. This will bolster our efforts to help fund the educational pursuits of our temple MAP participants as well as our YBA retreat participation. In this day and age, it is of great benefit to find ways to expand the impact of our Temple dollars. The Scholarship Fund is supporting a very important part of our temple efforts. A special thank you goes to Sangha Taiko for their thoughtful consideration of the whole.
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity and is the largest community fundraiser in the world. It is a unique event that offers everyone in a community the opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.
Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
Relay for Life is an overnight event, where teams of 8 to 15 people camp out and take turns walking around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.
Because Relay for Life is a community gathering, rather than an athletic event, anyone and everyone can participate. Teams form from businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations. These individuals all share a common purpose - their support of the American Cancer Society's mission.
IOBT has a team in the Relay for Life Ontario event to be held on June 12 and 13, 2009 at the Ontario High School track. Our team name is Pure Land Joggers and Striders. GO PLJS TEAM!!!! IOBT has had many Sangha members, friends and loved ones who are survivors of cancer and who have lost to cancer.
If you haven't noticed the table in the basement with Relay for Life information, please take time to read some of the material and perhaps join the team. You dont have to walk the entire event. If walking is not your thing, then maybe you can contribute to the canned goods needed for the Luminaria bags that will be lining the entire track later in the evening of the relay. Or decorate a Luminaria bag "in support of" or "in memory of" members or friends that have surved or lost. If nothing else, please come to the track and just experience the Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 12th at 6:30 p.m. and the Luminaria ceremony at 9:15 p.m.
I hope IOBT will continue to participate and have a team in the years to come.
Thank you for everyone's support.
Sandy Belknap
Thank you to Mary Nakamura, Shiz Inouye, Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Mary Kameshige, Lordina Hasegawa, and Hideo and Ruth Harada for helping with the May Bulletin!
Thnak you to Murakami Produce and Russell Murata for spraying the weeds on the Temple lot.
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 and 50 year = 1960.
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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