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So far as spiritual nurturance goes, I find everything I need in the Nembutsu. Even so, I practice Tai Chi Chuan, use a treadmill and brush my teeth at least three times a day. The Buddha will not see to it that (what are left of) my teeth do not decay if I don't do the work of brushing them. If, in addition to occassionally saying or thinking upon the Nembutsu, I changed the sacred phrase of Nichiren-based Buddhism (Namu Myo Ho Renge Kyo) or prayed to Jesus, it would be like wearing a belt and suspenders at the same time. A needless duplication of effort. After a certain age, suspenders are preferable to a belt, but a belt is fine too. Wearing both at the same time would seem to indicate a serious lack of confidence.
Some kinds of meditation are designed to do something that already takes place through the Nembutsu. The analysis of Vipassana meditation, for instance, is geared toward a sort of self reflection which occurs naturally in the context of saying "Namo Amida Butsu". To me, doing Vipassana meditation when I already rely upon the Nembutsu would be like wearing suspenders and a belt at the same time.
Very simple visualization meditation, on the other hand, seems to re-charge the immune system somehow. I would recommend such meditation to anyone who is experiencing health problems. This is a case where somthing that gets classified as meditation is directed to an objective totally different from what the Nembutsu is geared to do for us. There are hundreds of activities called "meditation" and dozens of reasons why someone might engage in them. There are only two purposes which might be associated with meditation that a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist would not want to be party to. We would not mediate to achive Shinjin (the heart and mind of sincere entrusting) or to quality for the Pure Land. Meditating for those reasons would be like wearing a belt when you are already using suspenders. Meditating to assist your body in returning to health is more like wearing shoes. Just because you have a belt on, doesn't mean you might not want to also wear shoes. If you have any questions about what benefits some sorts of meditation product, you are welcome to ask me about them. Whether you meditate or not, I hope you will occasionally say the Buddhas name. These days, we usually say the Nembutsu silently in our own reflection. But, on a nice day, when no one is about, we can still go for a walk and say aloud, "Namo Amida Butus, Namanda Butus, Namanda..." If you are going for a walk outside, though, you might want to wear shoes.
Oh what a beautiful spring we are having lately - it sure feels good to stir around outdoors after the long winter we had. It's spring when you see the beauty of the spring flowers in bloom. Also, it reminds us that Hanamatsuri celebration is around the corner. We are very fortunate that we have a guest speaker, retired Rev. Laverne Sassaki to speak on Sunday, April 11th, at 11:00 a.m. A welcome dinner is planned at 6:00 p.m. at Far East.
Activity Days are gonig on strong. Forgot to mention that Diane Yamasaki and her mother, Mary Kuwahara demonstrated an "Enchilada Casserole", "Mexican Layered Dip", & "Pickled Vegetables". Ann Nagaki made "Kraut Burgers", Yasuko Kino made "Tori No Mizu Taki" (chicken in a pot). Patty Young made her delicious "Patty's Cake", Margaret Morishita demonstrated her "Sticky Rice", "Tofu Lasagna", and Dorothy Iida shared her recipe and sample of "Mochiko An Cupcakes". Shiz Inouye made a "Bana Split Cake" and "Crunchy Oven Fried Crappies". We will continue the activity day demonstrations for another month and discontinue for the summer months. Lots of good recipes are being shared - we like to thank all the ladies for doing their part. Month of April will be Weiser-Caldwell, Nampa ladies toban.
Mary Nakamura and Sanami Nakano did care center visitation's. We appreciate their time to bring cheer to the shut-in's.
The Fujinkai planned a "Fun Bus" to Jackpot, Nevada on April 1st; amazing howmany were interested to go to have a little fun. Should be a lot of fun because we have 35 people signed up so far. Enjoy everyone!
Don't give up. You may not know success if you stop trying one attempt too soon. Try to get better in some way, each and every day. They say that room for improvement is always our biggest room.
I apologize for last months newsletter; didn't get in early enough to meet the press. Yes, we were running around the country for three long weekends in a row. At times, I wondered if it was important for me to have a monthly newsletter, but after hearing how many missed seeing the newsletter, it makes me feel that it is important to get some kind of messages to those who are homebound and to our members.
Hanamatsuri was celebrated with a perfect day and having a guest speaker, Rev. Laverne Sasaki from California come. Rev. Sasaki stated he was to be a guest speaker, but in reality he was our "minister of the day", which means he took care of altar necessities, ringing of bell, etc. Rev. Sasaki led the congregation in "Gassho to Amida" in memory of the former Bishop Rev. Tsuji who had passed several months ago. Since our Temple is without a minister it was a very nice tribute, and at this time, Rev. Sasaki offered encouragement to our Sangha. Thanks to Nancy Gledhill for being the Chairperson for the Hanamatsuri Service. Also, thanks for the Payette and Fruitland ladies and all the helpers for the delicious lunch that was prepared. Thanks to all of you who donated items for the lunch, also.
A welcome dinner was held for Rev. Sasaki at Far East with Sanami Nakano and Joan Suyematsu handling the arrangements. Afterwards, they had a discussion period at the Temple - everyone enjoyed it very much because Rev. Sasaki held everyone's attention! Fujinkai ladies served refreshments later.
Special Awards were given to our latest Fujinkai members for the past few years and were presented by co-president's, Mae Nakano and Joan Suyematsu. Each member received a bracelet ojuzu.
This month Activity Day Toban's are Weiser and Caldwell-Nampa ladies. Sharon Wada demonstrated "Wild Rice Ala Rose", Sachi Sakoi & Aiko Imada made flowered "Maki Sushi", Setsuko Morishige made her "Candied Sweet Potato's", Nori Oyama, "Barbeque Ribs", "Spinach and Strawberries Salad" & "Special Treat Dessert". All these wonderful dishes have been served as part of our lunch - oh, what a treat!
Bishop Ogui will be visiting our Temple on Monday, May 10th. Since this is special for our Temple, a Potluck dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m. Temple will be furnishing "sashimi & veggie chowmein" - let's show our appreciation and greet the new BCA Bishop. Don't forget Fujinkai meeting will be held Sunday, May 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
April 4th: Grant Saito was chairman. He read the story "The Tiny Seed" and he also had the children plant flower seeds for the lesson. Thanks again, Grant, you do a great job!.
April 11th: Combined service for Hanamatsuri with Rev. LaVerne Sasaki as our guest minister.
April 18th: Mary Ann Shimojima was chairman and gave the Dharma talk.
April 25th: Karen Hata is chairman and Rev. Gibbs will give the Dharma talk.
April 30th, May 1st and 2nd is the Federation of Dharma School Teachers League (FDSTL) conference in San Jose. Karen Hata, Sandy Belknap and Jeanne Ozawa will be attending. There is NO Dharma school on May 2nd. The last day of Dharma School is May 23rd.
Congratulations to Michael Eldred, son of Robert and Terry Fukuda, who will be graduating from Fruitland High School, and Michelle Rucker, daughter of Jay and Akiko Rucker, who will be graduating from Ontario High School. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
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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