People of my baby-boomer generation often developed a strong interest in Buddhism 35-40 years ago. Those of us who are not of Asian ethnicity probably had not childhood grounding in Buddhist religiosity. This outsider status sometimes allows us to make new insights quite in keeping with Buddhist Philosophy. Sometimes, though, it can cause us to miss the obvious. One of those Caucasian women who spent some time in Asia studying Buddhism thirty years ago has given us the phrase, "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." It may have been Sylvia Boorstein and it may have circulated in mis-quoted fashion. Even so, this notion - Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional - is now part of the American Buddhist environment. I must beg to differ with the analytic meditation practitioner who coined this phrase. Indeed, suffering is inevitable. That is the fact which motivated the Buddha's search. Sakyamuni knew there was no option but to suffer from aging, illness, death, separation from those we love and the inability to separate from the company of those who annoy us. This last cause of suffering is among those outlined by the Buddha himself. Being in the company of persons we don't like is unpleasant. With television almost omnipresent and an election year well underway I fear we are each in teh presence of people we don't like often. (Did anyone watch both nominating conventions all the way through?)
It is true that physical pain can be reduced by medication, by meditation, by attentiveness. But this does not reduce suffering to an optionn. It is an inevitability. The film "Beyond Rangoon" included the following statement by a sincere and educated Burmese layman: "We are taught that suffering is the one thing that we can count on and that if any happiness should come our way it is a gift to be appreciated only for a little while." This may sound pessimistic, but it is realistic. Recognizing the impermanence of that and those whom we love can motivate us to appreciate them. This is a very good thing. If suffering is inevitable, still happiness is possible.
Those fleeting moments of pleasure and joy can stimulate a gratitude which is enduring and central to our being. A life of gratitude has its own rigor. As someone blessed with a pretty young wife and a five year old boy I lovemore than life itself, I should be more thankful than I usually am. Perhaps it is because I too turn my eyes away from the inevitability of suffering that I am less appreciative of the good things in my life than I should be. Life is good. Love and companionship are worthy beyond my ability to express in words. But suffering is not an option. It is the inevitable background of those good things and kind people who bring us joy. Suffering is a fundamental fact about the human condition. Once we truly accept this, we can also see the beauty and warmth in our lives. Hopefully, we can find a thankfulness emerging in our daily living. Like the song says, "More than this, there is nothing. More than this, tell me one thing." (Roxy Music, Avalon Albun, "More than this.")
Temple News by Ann NagakiSummer is almost gone and the weather has chilled a little and I notice the leaves on the trees have begun to change colors, too. I think we are going to another season.
Dharma School children have started back at the Temple - its nice to see everyone back again. Dharma School teachers hosted a lunch on September 12th for everyone. Hot dogs, potato salad, olives, chips, finger jell-o and cookies were served. Our superving minister, Rev. Gibbs, was here to welcome the Dharma School children and their parents. Jeanne Ozawa was ready for the Choir group to loosen their voice boxes a little. Fall Ohigan and Monthly Shotsuki Service was also held - so it was a busy Sunday for everyone.
Temple Bazaar is coming sooner than you think. We've had a couple of meetings with Steve Nakamura and Sandy Belknap co=chairpersons for this event. Let's all give them our support! Sunday, October 3rd will be our Kakimochi making day from 7:00 a.m. - until we finished. It will be like a family day - we could use everyone young and old to help. Lunch will be furnished. We don't have enough stools, you may want to bring your own. Please bring your own pizza cutter, smiley faces, a joke or two will be most welcome. Bazaar proceeds will go in the Temple treasurer for all the utilities. We will be asking everyone to donate whatever you can - kitchen could use shoyu, rice, sugar, etc. Don't forget to bring something for Bingo prizes, Auction, pastries and something for the needlework, too.
Thought you would like to know that one of our former Dharma School students, Michael Eldred, who is fully grown, graduated from High School and is now in his first year of college. Tweleve years ago, he had taken up the sport of Judo and every year he had practiced hard at it. He has gone to many, many tournaments all over the USA and Internationally. Over the Labor Day weekend in Denver, he accomplished his goal by winning the #1 rank and a spot on the 2004 USA Jr. Worlds Championship Team and will compete in a tournament in Budapest, Hungary, October 14-17th. Congratulations and Best of Luck!
No Fujinkai meeting for the month of October - we'll see you Bazaar time.
Dharma School News by Mary Ann ShimojimaSeptember 12th was the first day back at Dharma School. We had a great turnout with Reverend Gibbs giving the Dharma talk. The teachers served lunch to the whole congregation. Thank you teachers, it was delicious!
NWDSTL workshop is being held in Tacoma on September 25th. Jeanne Ozawa will be attending on behalf of the IOBT Dharma School. Thank you Jeanne for representing us.
October is a very busy month with Kakimochi making on October 3rd (no church) and the Bazaar on October 17th (no church). We will have a Sansei guest minister on October 10th...Rev. Jay Shinseki, so please plan on attending.
Our Halloween Party is Friday, October 29th at 6:30 P.M. You are welcome to invite a friend and let Mary Ann know how many will be attending. No Dharma School on October 31st.
Japan Nite Obon Festival 2005Tentatively, the date for the 2005 Japan Nite Obon Festival has been changed to Saturday, June 25, 2005. High temperatures on the third weekend of July have been tough on our workers and our guests so this attempt is being made to have Japan Nite a little earlier to avoid the extreme heat. We know of no major conflicts with this date and invite you to provide your input if you see a problem with what we have planned. Please contact Mike Iseri or Mary Ann Shimojima if you know of any problems we might have with the date change.
2000 Ford Taurus for saleThe Temple Board has approved the sale of the Temple car. Due to the age of the car, depreciation and the cost of insurance, we felt that this is costing the Temple a lot of money unnecessarily. The sale of the car is being overseen by David Mizuta (889.5755 of 208.741.4737 (cell)) and Grant Kitamura (889.3131). If you're interested in purchasing this vehicle, please contact Dave or Grant.
If you'd like more specific information regarding the board's reasoning, please contact Mike Iseri
October Monthly Memorial Service (Shotsuki Hoyo) October 10th, 2004 at 11:00 a.m.
October 2004
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