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5:00 A.M. It's a running day. It seems to take more of an effort to get going these days. Muscles are achy....joints are creaking. I don't feel any younger. Initial steps are short and choppy......slowly, they lengthen and become more fluid. Breathing is shallow and labored at first, but gradually become deeper and more relaxed. With a fist pumped into the air, I exalt as I reach my first goal of the morning. YES!!!! Now, let's see if I can find my other shoe............
Some of you may have thought I was a mile or two into my run. Instead I was making my way down a darkened hallway looking for my shoes.............
In taking on all the various aspects of daily life, diligence and perseverance of effort is required. This diligence and perseverance can be phrased Kanazuchi Kikon in Japanese, and literally means "hammer and perseverance". It refers to the effort required to successfully complete a task, such as pounding a nail with a hammer.
Diligence, or Shojin, was emphasized by the Buddha. What was meant was to exert the proper effort. Right effort is one of the Buddhist Eight Fold Path, which lead to the attainment of Enlightenment. As described in the book "108 meditations" published by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (page 78), "SHO means 'concentration' and JIN means 'unceasingly'". Sho means that once a decision is made, then one should concentrate on maintaining it. JIN as "unceasing" means to continue a thing without change. Shojin, therefore, means to continue to do a thing diligently without any changes of mind.
Know that diligence and perseverance, beneficial in daily life, have long been recognized as essential Buddhist practice.
Gassho......Raihai.....
With all the rain that we had, it certainly helped the farmers with their Spring plantings and of course, the homeowners' lawn just loved it...just ask Sensei Fujimoto! Can't decide whether to put in a big or small garden, all I know is that it will be more than two people can consume.
Hanamatsuri was celebrated with a Family Service with Rev. Dennis Fujimoto giving a delightful sermon that everyone enjoyed listening to. Ann Nagaki was the chairperson for the service. Randy Kameshige presented gifts to the following members who celebrated their 80th birthdays: Kenji Arima, Isao Kameshige, Katie Shigeno, Sagie Nishihara and Max Takasugi. Hisako Yamamoto was presented a 90th gift. Sue Uyeki announced our new Fujinkai members and Rev. Fujimoto presented Lois Saito, Ann Spencer, Midori Koyama and Jayne Kameshige. Congratulations to all. Thanks to the Ontario Country Ladies for doing their Toban duties by making lunch for everyone. Hanamatsuri program followed after lunch. Have to tell you that some of you went home on the early side and missed a nice program of Odori, musical numbers, choir singing with the Dharma School and Line Dancing (I think Kegan Mizuta, almost 4 years old, stole the show with his stick horse and line dancing).
We had a special guest come to our Temple several Sunday's ago. After introducing himself, we found out it was Doug Iwamoto, National BCA President from Salinas, California. His goal was to visit as many Temples as time allowed. He came to explain the new BCA Campaign for the Center for Jodo Shinshu Studies in Berkley, California. He was impressed at what a beautiful alter we had at our temple.
Wednesday Activity Day is still going on. We will disband the food demonstration after April for the summer and resume back in December. Those who wish to continue playing cards, we will be doing that. Correction: Keiko Terada demonstrated instead of Kikue Terada. Keiko made mochi cake and Negi Nuta. We had some nice demonstrations this past month from Sachi Sakoi (chicken enchilada), Sue Uyeki (taco soup), Mae Nakano (scones, beef barley soup and rolls), Toshiko Horiuchi (chow mein), Maryann Shimojima (beef taco's and spanish rice) and Joan Suyematsu (breakfast casserole).
Mother's Day is coming up - it's just a hint for the guys. Assuming it will be celebrated like in the past years with a chicken barbeque.
Fujinkai meeting will be held after adult services on May 1st.
A big Thank You to Seiko Go for all the cute knitted zori's you gave to all the children and teachers as a Hanamatsuri gift. It was much appreciated. Thank you to all who participated in the Hanamatsuri program....it was great!!
April 3rd: Grant Saito chairman
April 10th: Hanamatsuri with a combined family service
April 17th: Karen Hata chairman
April 24th: Sandy Belknap chairman
We don't have anyone graduating from High School this year.
The last day of Dharma School is May 22nd. We will be taking the children to lunch and bowling. More information will be sent to the students.
The Dharma School outing this year is to Portland, Oregon, the 3rd week-end of July. Please let Mary Ann know if you are interested in going.
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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