You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
We run full speed into the month of May...everyone seems busy...busy is good. Last month, we had many people in attendance at our Hanamatsuri Service. Our guest speaker, Rev. William Masuda of the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple and the 9 MAP Symposium participants joined our service and helped to lead the changing of the Sanbujo. The Sanbujo is translated "The Three Respectful Callings". The verses were written by Zendo (Shantao, 613-681 AD), Fifth Patriarch of Shin Buddhism. In this piece, we call upon the Buddhas Amida, Sakyamuni, and all the Buddhas of the Ten Directions to enter our Dojo. In a sense, it is inviting the harmony of the universe to include this location and this particular gathering of people. Each respectful request is followed by the words, "San Ge Raku", which means, "As we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome." This is the chorus line that we are each learning to chant better and better during the monthly Shotsuki Memorial Services. This is when paper flower petals are thrown into the air, signaling a beautiful welcome to the Buddhas. We rarely have the opportunity to lead the Sanbujo with a large group and partake in the scattering of flowers. I hope everyone enjoyed it.
This month, we will have 2 Family Services. First is Mother's Day, May 13. The last Sunday of the month brings Gotanye, May 27. Mother's Day will honor all the mothers of our Sangha with a special service and a delicious lunch. We will also include a theme shared by all the Dharma School groups of the Northwest District. This is part of a district-wide Dharma School effort that was started last year. What's going to make the service so special? I guess you will have to come and find out.
Gotanye marks the birth of our founder, Shinran Shonin. This year, the Gotanye Service will include our first Hatsumairi in years. Hatsumairi means "First Going". This is a special service at which an infant is presented for the first time to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha at a temple. Parents bring their infant child to teh temple for the first time to present them before the image of the Buddha Amida and to the members of the Sangha, expressing their desire to expose them to the Buddhadharma, the teachings of the Buddha. Who are these young families? I guess you will have to come and find out.
Our traditional joint Memorial Day Service will be held May 28. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, and at 8:00 p.m. at the Temple. We'll see you there.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
Hanamatsuri was celebrated on April 15th with Rev. Masuda of Palo Alto, CA as our guest speaker and the MAP workshp hosted by IOBT on April 14th. It was a busy weekend for our Temple, but we were pleased with the turnout. We welcome some of the NW MAP members who stayed long to join us with the welcome dinner for Rev. W. Masuda at the Far East Restaurant. Several MAP members stayed for the Hanamatsuri celebration. Our Hanamatsuri was a family affair with many members bringing in stuffed animals, bouquets of flowers or potted plants for the table in front of the altar. It was like a Lumbini Garden with the baby Buddha surrounded by the animals and the Spring Flowers. It was beautiful! Randy Kameshige was the Chairperson for the service. Special awards were give to the "80" and "90" year olds for the coming year. The 80 year olds were: Tomie Nishihara, Shiz Hata, Kazuko Kuramoto, Mary Kuwahara and Ann Nagaki, and 90 year olds were: Taka Okita, Dixie Iseri and Frances Nishimura. Congratulations! After services, the Ontario Town ladies prepared a delicious lunch for everyone. After lunch, an entertainment program followed with Connie Tanaka as the master of ceremonies (might add he did a super job!) It was entertaining with a variety of Dharma participants, including Hannah Mizuta doing a Japanese Dance, a special song with students and some parents, a line dance number by the students and some parents, a Japanese Dance from Seiko Go, and a special Japanese song by the IOBT Choir. The final number was the Sangha Taiko, with the Adult group participating and Sharmon Sadamori directing. (Not too bad with only two practices). Finally, the IOBT Taiko gave their performance, which ended the program. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Would like to thank a few of the ladies who helped make "Bento" for the MAP members during their workshop - it was appreciated very much.
Don't forget to mark June 9-10th on your calendar for the IOBT 60th Anniversary celebration. Pamela Suyematsu, Debbie Tanaka, Susan Inouye, Rev. Fujimoto and advisor, Ann Nagaki had several meetings to finalize the celebration.
National BCA of BWA Conference will be October 12-14, 2007. Our registration needs to be done by June 30th and hotel registration deadline is July 31st. Our transportation will depend on how many are interested. Let our co-presidents Lorinda Hasegawa and Michelle Sadamori know as soon as possible.
The next Fujinkai meeting is scheduled for May 6th after the adult services. See you there.
Don't forget guys, Mother's Day is coming up - it's your turn to cook!!!
Activity Day is still every Wednesday starting at 10:00 a.m. Volunteers have been making lunch for those who come in the morning. A nice lunch, I might add!
April 1st: Chairman - Karen Hata, theme - Family Day.
April 8th: Chairman - Mary Ann Shimojima, theme - School Days. Reverend talked about a soccer net and how we are all interconnected.
April 15th: Hanamatsuri Family Service. Reverend William Masuda, guest speaker. The children had been practicing the song "Children in Japan" and line dancing to "Wild, Wild West" taught by Jeanne Ozawa. (Thanks Jeanne!).
April 22nd: Chairman - Sandy Belknap, theme - Animal Day
April 29th: Pet Memorial Family Service. The children practiced for Hanamatsuri and now are making favors for the 60th Anniversary of the church, which is held June 9th and 10th.
May 6th: Chairman - Lois Saito, theme - Temple Day.
May 13th: Mothers Day Family Service
May 20th: Chairman - Karen Hata. This is the last day of Dharma School until fall, so I hope that everyone will try to attend. The teachers will take you and your parents to lunch.
May 27th: Family Gotanye Service
The summer outing this year is to the Oregon Coast, July 20, 21, 22 and 23rd. We will be staying in Newport and going to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport Bay front, to Florence to ride the giant dune buggy on the sand dunes, and enjoy the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Also mark your calendars as the Malheur County Fair is right around the corner...starting July 30th through August 4th. We need lots of help, and this funds our trips, so come out and help as much as you can.
Have a fun, safe summer and see you in September. Attend church this summer at 11:00 a.m. when you can...surprise Rev. Dennis by attending!
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.
Golfing on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the Ontario Shadow Butte Golf Course. Please contact Joan Suyematsu or Isao Kameshige. Joan's number is either at Iseri's 889-8691 or at home 889-8932. Kame's is 889-6761. Golfing fees/social separate fee.
There will be a Temple Breakfast and Photograhy from the Reverend Shibata collection from 8:30 - 10:45 on June 10th, 2007. There will be a service from 11:00 - 12:00 p.m., and then a Banquet at 1:00 p.m. at the Four Rivers Cultural Center. A buffet lunch and ceremony with Reverend Marvin Harada as the Guest Speaker and entertainment by Temple groups. Current Photography exhibit.
The cost is $25 for Adults and $10 for Children 12 and under for the Banquet and program booklet. Please contact Mary Ann or Mike at 889-8691 to register by June 1, 2007.
On April 13 and 14th, nine ministers' assistants/assistants in training gathered at IOBT for a two day training workshop. We were honored to have four knowledgeable senseis to guide us: Reverend William Kenshin Masuda of Palo Alto Buddhist Temple, Rev. Kakei Nakagawa of White River Buddhist Temple, Reverend Jundo Gregory Gibbs of Oregon Buddhist Church and Reverend Joshin Dennis Fujimoto of IOBT.
In the course of the weekend, participants led four services, giving the ministers' assistants practical opportunities to lead changing (Shoshinge, Wasan, Sanbujo and Juseige), ring the kansho, and give dharma talks. Perhaps more important than the practice itself was the chance these services gave us to feel surrounded by the rich traditions of Jodo Shinshu ritual.
Between the services we met for group discussions. Rev. Masuda led a lively discussion of Jodo Shinshu doctrine and how Shinran's ideas and terminology can make sense to 21st century English speaking Americans. Rev. Nakagawa shared some of his extensive knowledge of Buddhist history and ritual, with an emphasis on the history of chanting - how it began and how it has changed over the centuries. After both of these programs, we felt both grateful for how much we had learned and awed by how much more there is to learn.
We shared several meals together, including a "pizza party" on Friday night and a bountiful bento lunch prepared by the Fujinkai. Each of the meals provided an opportunity to talk informally and deepen our friendships. Discussions over meals covered topics such as religion, politics, history, linguistics and cooking.
The MAP participants were Teresa Keishi Soto de Roman, Brenda Fugate, Etsuko Osaki, Tammy L. Herold, and David Wright from Oregon Buddhist Temple and George Gledhill, Kathy Chatterton, Sharmon Sadamori and I from IOBT.
We are grateful to the IOBT Sangha for their hospitality, the Fujinkai for the excellent lunch, the ministers for taking time from their busy schedles to work with us, and the Northwest Ministers Association for their support of the MAP training programs.
Ray Tameno, Tom Nishihara, June Nishihara, Kikue & Jim Hondo, Yosh Suyematsu, Mark, Pam, Ashley and Matthew Suyematsu and Gerry Suyematsu.
Thanks to Murakami Produce for the use of their sprayer to spray the backyard weeds. Thanks to Kameshige Farms for spraying weeds. Thanks to Hideo Harada for spraying weeds by the Temple and parsonage yard early in the Spring. Thanks to Ken Ozawa for taking care of the Temple lawn.
America's Global Village Festival is on Saturday, June 2, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lions Park in Ontario. Join us for this fun filled family event with Live Entertainment, a Cultural Parade, Authentic Cultural Food, Kids Activities, and Passport Prizes. Please support the Japanese Village.
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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