You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
Hello! November is upon us. The fall season is recognizable around here by all the onions in the street. The other ay, I hit one as big as a pumpkin and almost flipped the van. Whew!
Last month was the National BWA Conference held at the San Francisco Airport Marriott. Here, we might feel like we are sending fewer and fewer members to these events. However, many folks from the other temples were impressed that we sent so many. Our numbers stood out. Lay leaders and ministers, including Socho Ogui, recognized our spirit and effort to get there. Another pat on the back goes to IOBT...Way To Go!
I am mentioning the BWA Conference because an important resolution was passed this year. This may be mentioned elsewhere in the bulletin, but more information is better than less. In a nutshell, the BWA has voted that each temple AND district BWA are to give 5 to 10% of their unrestricted funds for the next three years to be used as part of the operational budget for the Center for Buddhist Education (CBE). Unrestricted funds means funds not previously earmarked for ongoing projects.
The CBE is one of the tenants of the new Jodo Shinshu Center. The CBE coordinates and runs the national MAP program that we have sent participants to. The CBE sets the High School and College retreats and seminars that we have sent participants to. The CBE runs continuing educational programs for our ministers as well as Dharma School progreams and family programs. The CBE hosts public lecture series that are ongoing. These are all educational programs separate from the IBS Graduate Course Programs.
Currently all these programs are being coordinated by Rev. Kodo Umezu with minimal assistance or funding. The BWA groups of each distrct nation-wide have voted to step up to help fund these efforts by freeing up some of their savings at a crucial time in history. These efforts are separate from the Campaign BCA efforts to pay for teh JSC building. Both these efforts are separately critical. Please know what this issue is about.
Coming up this month, I will be lounging around in Japan, eating Okonomiyaki while I make the MAP people take care of services here. I will be gone from November 4 to 14. Even though I am playing hooky and fooling around, please come and support our MAP participants. They work hard to prepare for service and Dharma talks for our benefit.
The Fujinkai Memorial Family Service will be November 18. I will be back just in time for this service because I wouldn't want to miss this...it's going to be GOOD! Our special speaker will be Mrs. Kathy Chatterton, who has recently received her BCA MAP Certification from Socho Ogui. She has graciously accepted this opportunity to address our Sangha at this upcoming Major Service. Please be there.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
Oh my, what a busy month October was. We had a sigh of relief after the Kakimochi making. Thanks to the Weiser group for taking thier toban duties, along with Payette and Fruitland. Thanks to everyone who came to help; we had young and old (6 years to 90 years) helping; you know the saying goes, every little bit helps. Thanks everyone, it was greatly appreciated! We had lots of compliments on this tasty morsel.
The Fujinkai chartered a bus to attend the BCA-BWA conference, held at the San Francisco Airport Marriott. We left on October 11th early in the morning and headed for Reno for our first nights stay. No one starves on these Temple Charter buses; we had so many rice balls, sushi, finger foods, yummy sandwiches, chips and snacks on board. Michelle Sadamori brought on 2 cases of water for all of us. The next day we left early so we could visit the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkley, CA. We had a guided tour waiting for us and Socho Ogui was there as well. How impressive the Center was to all of us. We saw students there in classrooms, many offices, dorms for guests, kitchen, book store, lobby and small hondo which we visited briefly. Because of time and other tours coming in, we had to move along. Its nice to see a buiding for Buddhist Studies and see where some of our BCA 21st Century Fund donations are in use. We were greeted in California with rain showers and a cool breeze from the water so we felt chilled upon arrival. The theme for the convention was "Open Mind, Open Heart" with Rev. Pattie Nakai (English) and Rev. Yukiko Motoyoshi (Japanese). All the workshops were very interesting and informative to all - something for everyone. After the closing service, we boarded the bus where our Bento's were waiting for us and headed back for our final night in Reno. The next morning we headed for home - it was nice to see Joyce Kameshige greeting us - she brought her mother, Mary, to the bus so she could catch a ride home. Like to thank Joyce who was very thoughtful to make all of us some inarizushi and rice covered with seaweed plus some other munchies. We arrived home safely and would like to thank our IOBT BWA for sponsoring the charter bus and our conference registration. It was a fun and memorable trip! Would like to mention that our former okusan, Tamiko Tada, provided senbei, which we shared on the bus. Rev. Charles and Noriko send their regards to everyone at IOBT.
Well, we had another big event to do which was our Bazaar. I hear it was another successful one and we want to thank Michelle Sadamori and Jean Kitamura, for co-chairing this event. Also, thanks to everyone for their generosity and their time. All proceeds will go towards the general finances, which is always needed.
I have to tell you that George Yanagawa blew the fallen Bodi leaves around the Temple before the Bazaar. Just when he finished cleaning, a sudden wind storm came about and put more leaves scattered around the Temple. I didn't hear words, but you can imagine what he said. Thanks George for your efforts!!!
Our dear friend, Thuan Merritt, from Virginia, sent a box of 2008 monthly planners to all of us. If you would like one, it will be on the cabinet social hall. Her letter about her family will also be posted. Thanks Thuan and Thao!
Would like to thank the Payette-Fruitland group for their toban duties for Eitaikyo services lunch. It was appreciated by all.
Wow, what a busy month! The 40th FBWA convention was great. It was a long bus ride, but well worth it. The IOBT was represented by 21 people, not bad at all. On Friday we were met by Socho Ogui as we toured the Jodo Shinshu Center. As we went through the building we also met Umezu Sensei who runs the Center for Buddhist Education. They did a beautiful job on the building.
WE then battled the rain and drove down to Burlingam, just south of the airport. That evening, Sue, Sensei and I went to the delegate's meeting. The main topic was a resolution asking all the BWA chapters and districts to donate 5-10% of their unrestricted funds to the Center for Buddhist Education for the next three years. This resolution passed, allowing Umezu Sensei to hire two part time people to assist and help organize the programs.
The opening and closing services were very nice. My favorite part was being part of the approximately 535 people chanting. It was a very powerful experience. There was a wide varity of workshops which were very informative and interesting. It was nice visiting with Rev. and Mrs. Hirota, Mrs. Tada and Rev. and Mrs. Hasegawa. It was also nice seeing Mrs. Fujimoto and meeting Sensei's brother and hiw wife.
On Sunday morning, Sue and I attended a breakfast hosted by Mrs. Ogui and all the okusans. It was a very nice meeting with the other presidents, active and inactive okusans. The 41st FBWA convention will be in Sacramento in 2009. I'm sure it will be as nice as this one. I hope everyone had a good time visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. I know I did.
Gassho, Michelle
Dharma School Schedule:
October 7th: No church. Kakimochi making. You children were a big help taking the trays to the fryers. Thanks for your help!!
October 14th: Sandy Belknap chairman. MAP, Anne Spencer, gave the howa.
October 21st: No church. Bazaar.
October 27th: Halloween party at 6:30 p.m. Short service before dinner and activities.
October 28th: No Dharma school service, due to having service for the Halloween party.
November 3rd: Temple clean-up. Children come at 10:00 a.m.
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.
Isao and Mary Kameshige, Randy, Jayne and Mimi Kameshige, Lorinda Hasegawa, Tom Kamimae, Ben Kaneyama, Ron Tsubota and Frances Nishimura.
Midge Teramura, Lorinda Hasegawa, Mae Nakano, Sanami Nakano, Mary Kameshige, Shiz Inouye, Mary Nakamura, Hideo and Ruth Harada, and Kiku and Jimmy Hondo.
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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