Welcome to November! Significant calendar events for the month of November are the Temple Cleanup on November 5th, and the Fujinkai Memorial Service on the 27th of November. Your presence is welcome and needed on both dates.

I was recently reflecting upon my trip to Japan during the hot and humid summer months of 2004. While sightseeing in the Arashiyama area north of Kyoto, I entered a small shop of fabrics and gift items. A mother and daughter team were attending the shop. They were telling me how spectacular that area was in the month of November. The trees change to brilliant yellows and reds, turning that already beautiful area into a magical and enchanting world. Encouraging me to return to that part of Japan, I was told, "See you in November!" Although I have not made it back, I know that some of you have been to Japan at this time of year. Most of us usually remain closer to home and enjoy the changing colors here in our own area. I drive to the temple every day, and see the leaves of the ginko tree turn to yellow and fall. Ginko leaves are heavy and remain leathery longer than most leaves. They fall to the ground and stay....hiding the lawn and walkway...like a golden carpet...inviting and welcoming us to the Temple. The changing colors signal impermanence and show us the way to the Buddhist truths that surround our everyday lives. The statement, "I love the changing colors!"...becomes "I am the changing colors!"...becomes "The changing colors are!"...becomes "Namo Amida Butsu!" Each statement takes us a step deeper into the realm of Oneness....

November also brings the Fujinkai Memorial Service. This service is in recognition of the members of the Fujinkai who have passed on before us in the previous years. The Fujinkai in this temple and in every temple is such an important organization. The Fujinkai is often considered to be the backbone of the temples, tireless providing supporting to its own members, the Sangha, as well as to the community at large. This year the Fujinkai Memorial Service is a family service. We would like to encourage the youngsters and their families to attend this service and help us to recognize the efforts of the Fujinkai, both past and present. They are truly one of our Temple Treasures, and are deserving of recognition from each of us. See you there.

Rev. Dennis

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It must be fall time - I notice all the tree leaves have turned to all colors of rust, reds, and gold's. Imagine the trees do this every year and our bodies gradually changes in our lifetime. Most of us at one time had vim and vigor and now it's turning to the "ugh or da" stage. Whatever stage you're in, make the best of it.

We certainly had a busy month of October - no sooner you finish with one weekend and we had another just as busy. By now we're pleading for a break! Like to thank everyone who helped with the Bazaar. It's so nice to have everyone to help with the Kakimochi - we cut a few batches out so we could finish earlier - it boils down to enough is enough without having members stay 12 hours or more. We certainly appreciated everyone's help and all the generous donations. Our Co-Chairpersons, Sandy Belknap and Patty Aarestad deserve a round of thanks too.

We had a surprise guest come to our Temple on Oct. 23rd. I'd like to call her "Super Mom" - her name is Mrs. Fujimoto; she's Rev. Dennis' mom. Anyhow, she has many names depending on where she is - she has Grand Master title when she does Ikebana or Tea Ceremony and also she is an ordained minister. She was our guest speaker - she spoke in Japanese so it was a treat for some of our members who prefer speaking in Japanese (even I understood). It was decided to welcome her with an IOBT potluck lunch after services. The potluck was wonderful with no two dishes alike - amazing!

Fujinkai sponsored a charter bus with 13 members, 2 spouses and Rev. Fujimoto going along to attend the BWA Conference in Fresno, CA on Oct. 7-9th. We started out days by changing the Ju Se Ge led by Rev. Fujimoto. We all had a wonderful time on the bus with a "Spiritual Retreat" overnighter in Reno. We would like to thank everyone who had a part of the potluck lunch and treats on the bus and to Jeanne Ozawa, who brought some of her famous cinnamon rolls and apple turnovers for an early breakfast on the bus because we had to rise so early to leave for Fresno. Ann brought her thermoses of hot water for tea and the next morning we had coffee and hot water and some of her zucchini bread. All the former ministers and wives send their regards to everyone. IOBT sent down some kakimochi to all of our former ministers and wives. Rev. Fujimoto's mom sent back home each member with a bag of chocolate covered raisins. Tamiko Tada brought back some dorayaki and chocolate covered macadamia from Hawaii for some treats on the bus. Thanks for all the treats!

Care center visitation was done on October 17th with Mae Nakano and Ann Nagaki accompanying Rev. Fujimoto. Those visited were: Yoshiko Okano, Kaz Morinaga, Ginger Sakano, Toshiko Takahashi, Harry Okita, Haru Harada, Masumi Hayashi and Frank and Alice Tsukamaki and Yoshi HIronaka.

Don't forget Fujinkai Meeting after adult services Nov. 6th. Lots to talk about!

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The Dharma School would like to welcome a new student, Erin Tanaka, daughter of Connie and Debbie Tanaka, and granddaughter of Mitsie and Russ Tanaka and Shig and Frieda Fujikawa (Beaverton, OR). We are glad that you moved back to Ontario and are coming to Dharma School.

We had kakimochi making on October 2nd. Thank you to all the kids that helped, your young legs makes a lot of difference taking the trays back and forth. In Reverend Dennis' absence on October 9th, Sandy Belknap was chairman, gave the Dharma talk, and gave the lesson. Thank you Sandy. The bazaar was held on October 16th and was a big success. Karen Hata will be chairman on October 23rd when we get to meet Mrs. Fujimoto, Dennis' mother. Then on October 28th, we will have our Halloween party. Since we have a service before dinner and activities, there isn't Dharma school service on October 30th.

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The "I am Thankful" article is printed in the new book by Rev. Seigen H. Yamaoka, The Transmission of Shin Buddhism in the West. The article is on page 95, in a segment written by Mr. Ed Sheppard, a lay member of the Oakland Buddhist Church.

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As you may have heard, a last minute project has been put together to make more kakimochi. Why, you ask? It's a good opportunity to try new and different ideas. It's an opportunity to capitalize on the great demand that we had for kakimochi by making more. It helps the profitability of the Temple. It's good fellowship to join together for the common good.

When? Wednesday, November 30 at 10:00 a.m. at Four Rivers Cultural Center. Although this isn't the best of days for our working members, it was a day when the FRCC kitchen and Larry Matsumura were available. The FRCC kitchen has better ventilation for woks than the IOBT kitchen does, and, it's too cold to run the woks outdoors.

This was the brainchild of several "middle aged" members who are hoping to have lots of help from the middle-age/young bunch.

To the younger, less experienced, please come out and enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the process of making kakimochi. To the older, more experienced, your participation would be greatly appreciated to help continue training the rest of us the tricks of making top notch kakimochi.

To everyone, it's an opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of working together towards a common goal. And, please, don't exhaust yourselves as we give this project a try. We hope to have the good fortune of having lots of participatoin so that no one is overworked. Thank you for your faithful support. We appreciate it very much.

We'll provide lunch...not sure exactly what at this point...you'll have to come and see.

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