You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
Signs of Spring are beginning to show...welcome to March. As I write this article, we are just getting settled from our bus ride adventure to the NW District Convention. A lot happens at the convention between Friday evening and Sunday morning...time really gets compressed. We had a bus load from IOBT, from first time goer Melody Smit to never missed one Connie Shimojima. We were met by Laurel Saito and Brady Kameshige as we pulled up to the hotel. They were there along with most of the past youth retreat participants. Along with Grant Saito, they had their own presentations, workshops, meetings, and service responsibilities to attend to. Congratulations to Grant, who was voted VP for teh District Youth Group.
Keynote Speaker was Rev. Kango Sakamoto of the San Jose Betsuin. From BCA were Sochi Ogui, Rev. Kengu Kobata, and Rev. Kodo Umezu. Their presentations and workshops were inspiring. The highlight of the convention was to see Mr. Connie Shimojima recognized along with Mr. Mas Wada of Yakima as honorary Minister's Assistants by Socho Ogui. At the Closing Service, they received certificates and MA robes and Okesa for all they have done to support and maintain our temple traditions througout so many years. We were all very proud and very moved. Also very moving was the chanting of Juseige and the singing of Ondokusan by 500 people...WOW!
Our members were everywhere from the swimming pool and exercise room to the entertainment stage to the banquet, workshops, and services. We were singing, dancing, playing Taiko, and meeting relatives and old friends. We even had a stealth-jet-like appearance by one of our Presidents! We had a great time...I wish we all could have gone.
Coming up in March, we have our Spring Ohigan Family Service. Our Guest Speaker will be Rev. Shinjun Fukuma of the Tacoma Buddhist Temple. Ohigan refers to the "other shore" of Nirvana as opposed to "this shore" where we now exist. The time of the equinox is a time when the days and nights are of equal length. It is a time whne we can observe the harmony of the Universe around us. It is a time when we can open our lives to that of harmony. In our Shin Buddhist Tradition, it is that harmony of the Universe that is recognized as Amida Buddha.
Particularly by coming to observe our Major Services, we are able to learn and share our Shin Buddhist Traditions. It is through participation that we express the depths of the teachings...their value and their meaning...that need to be passed along to the younger and the next. I encourage you all to come. We'll see you there.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
We (35 members) just got back last weekend from the NW Buddhist Convention held at the Double Tree Guest Suites at the Seattle-South Center. It was hosted by the White River Buddhist Temple. It was a very well planned convention where the young and old enjoyed all the workshops and discussions. The Theme, "What is a Buddhist" was carried throughout the Convention. At the closing service, Rev. Fujimoto was given his "Kaikyoshi" title. This title was given to him being that he finished and passed his internship as a minister. Connie Shimojima also was honored with a short black robe for all his assistance to the minister. Like to mention that Grant Saito was nominated to the NW YBA Board. Congratulations to Rev. Dennis, Connie and Grant!
Our Temple did our share in bringing some talents for the banquet entertainment. The Choir sang a couple of songs under the direction of Jeanne Ozawa. Seiko Go performed a beautiful Japanese Odori and Sangha Taiko performed several numbers. We would like to thank the Temple for providing the chartered bus and the Fujinkai for taking care of all of the Fujinkai members convention registrations. It was appreciated very much.
The chartered bus was a wondrful way for the group to go...we all had a good start as soon as we started down the road...Rev. Dennis led the group by chanting the Juseige. It wasn't too long after that the "snack goodies" started to pass around. Some card players were soon playing "Shanghai" for a past time; others were reading, chit chatting, doing some hand work, and some were catching up on their sleep. We would all like to say Thanks to Yasu who was always willing to help with handling some of the baggage and taking care of the Bento's while we were in meetings and closing services.
The Adult Discussion group appreciated Sharmon Sadamori's talk on "Breath In and Breath Out" sessions and Ann Spencers talk on "Family Health History". Both sessions were very interesting and helpful. Thanks ladies, for taking time to present these important topics to the Sr. Adult Group.
Once again, I have to mention our handyman, Yasu Teramura, for installing curtain rods for the basement windows. It was not an easy job because of the cement walls and tight quarters. Ann Nagaki decided it was time to improve the looks on the downstairs windows so she made up the curtains.
Wednesday Activity Day is drawing more people now that the weather is getting warmer. We have been having some wonderful lunches being served by our volunteer group. Thanks to our volunteers!
Hanamatsuri is around the corner so Ontario Town will be Tobans for this service. Your group needs to get together for plans for serving Otoki.
Next Fujinkai meeting is scheduled for March 11th after the adult services. Everyone take care!!!
Feb 11th: Reverend took the children on an onaijin field trip, explaining the various things on the alter. We also had a wonderful Valentines party with the teachers making the famour "BINGO" sandwiches. Thanks to Jeanne Ozawa for her meat ball soup, chicken noodle soup and cake. Also thanks to Sanami for donating the bread and Mary Ann for the finger jello. The children had a great time giving and receiving their Valentines cards and goodies.
Mar 04th: Chairman - Sandy Belknap, theme - School Days.
Mar 11th: Chairman - Mary Ann Shimojima, theme - Animal Days
Mar 18th: Combined Family Ohigan Service at 11:00 a.m. Guest Minister: Rev. Shinjun Fukuma.
Mar 25th: Chairman - Lois Saito, theme - Temple Day
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2007. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2006, 3 year = 2005, 7 year = 2001, 13 year = 1995, 17 year = 1991, 25 year = 1983, 33 year = 1975 and 50 year = 1958.
Thank you to Isao and Mary Kameshige, Brian Kameshige, Randy Kameshige, Ben Kaneyama, Ron Tsubota, and Frances Nishimura for temple clean-up.
The Sangha Taiko would like to thank the IOBT and the IOBWA for their generous donations. We are in the process of finding a drum maker and hope to have new drums soon.
On Jan. 26, Carrie, Elynn and Michelle went down to Twin Falls to perform for CSI's Asian Lunar New Year Celebration. We were asked to start the entertainment program in order to get people's attention. That really works! Then we were the finale. We had a lot of fun and met some very nice people. Boy, does it get cold at night in Twin Falls.
Sensei, Elynn, Hannah, Sharmon and Michelle performed at the White River convention. Hannah did a great job, even though she hasn't played in over 1 1/2 years! Sharmon was able to participate even with her shoulder immobilizer. Thank you to all the Sangha that stayed up so late to support us. Come and play taiko with us!!
The MAP members would like to thank the Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple and Sangha for their support in this program. This program teaches us Dharma and we learn how to better assist Sensei Fujimoto and the Sangha through his classes and attendance at the various Northwest MAP trainings.
The Idaho Oregon Temple will host the MAP training in April. Hopefully, Northwest Ministers and MAP members will be able to attend the training and also participate in our Sunday Hanamatsuri Services.
To begin each class we remembered to breathe deeply several times before we all recited the Nembutsu together.
Each week we explored one of the four gates: Old Agen, Illness, Death and the Path of the Sages. We have had experiences through our own bodies or a loved one the process of impermanence and attachment. Each gate was examined as to what it felt like emotionally: anger, sadness, depression and what was joyful in our lives. Each gate affects us physically, mentally and we discussed how we can get to a place we are truly grateful and compassionate with ourselves and others.
We shared individual experiences of old age, illness and injuries. During our January classes our Sangha shared the losses of Mr. Imada and Mr. Harry Okita. We can be supportive to each other during times of loss. We can take time to be grateful, to thank those people who have been a part of our lives. When we are compassionate to ourselves, the struggle with the lessons of attachment and impermanence are old friends again and again. We are able to thank our bodies for where we are now in our lives. We are able to listen inward through visualization and relaxation. We learn to be grateful each and every moment from tears, hurt and pain to finding joy and laughter. Hopefully, everyone was able to experience and acknowledge the journey with the four gates and find ways to be more compassionate to themselves and grateful for their personal journey they are on.
Sharmon Sadamori. Gassho.
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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