You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
Greetings from the Temple. We hope you are able to enjoy the cool, crisp air of the new fall season. Improvements at the Temple have been taking place in many areas, and these efforts continue to be ongoing.
It is with this perspective that we hope to place our temple schedule in harmony with that of the BCA. The BCA membership assessment occurs in October of each year. Our own temple membership dues would be most efficiently collected if they were to be received at this time of year.
In our shared recognition of the need for improvement and efficiency, please receive this note as a friendly reminder to send in temple dues. Your generous support continues to be appreciated. Every effort is made to see that all funds are utilized to promote our Three Treasures of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Boo! Did I scare you? I tried on my Halloween mask before I started writing, so you may not have recognized me. Welcome to October.
We have just concluded the visit by San Jose Taiko into our neck of the woods. Thank you to everyone who came out to watch their show, or who came to dinner and/or the workshop at our Temple. The performance was dynamic and mesmerizing. Everyone who went was raving about the show. Those of you who didn't go, well..."nahni, nahni, nahni." We were happy to have the Taiko Workshop here, co-hosted by Kawa Taiko. This was the first time to have Kawa and our own Sangha Taiko working on a project together. Those who stayed for the workshop were able to see and hear all three groups perform. Who would have thought that SJT would have ever performed in our own IOBT Social Hall! Wow!
The SJT performers were all very appreciative to have the chance to meet our Temple members and to eat a dinner of tables full of Gochisou together. They are very aware of their connection to the community, as it marks their own beginnings. PJ mentoned the "kimochi" or "shared feelings" that she felt from us.
We at IOBT have a reputation for welcoming guests into our area. This is more than being hospitable. This is opportunity to practice DANA, or selfless giving. It is easier and more understandable to welcom friends or family when they come. But when strangers come, it is more a practice of DANA. The temple provides opportunities to experience both the role of host and the role of guest. In either role...to do them well...we need to get past the self and to cultivate our awareness of others. We step into their shoes...we can imagine being away from home for 3 to 6 weeks...we can imagine how much we would miss home cooked food...we can imagine how much we would miss Gohan - a bowl of rice, or two, or three.
To practice the role of host or guest properly is to practice the Dharma. As we minimize our self-centered life activity, we cultivate our other-centered efforts. We cultivate awareness, focus, compassion and effort. We break through the shell of self and the harmony of the Universe that has always been there becomes evident to us. Life goes a little more smoothly and a little more enjoyably, as we awaken to this "other" world.
As family, what can we teach the children that is more valuable than this? Where else can they go to learn to live within the harmony of the Universe? The lessons of the Dharma should not be wasted. The opportunities provided by the temple should be high on our list of priorities.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
Are you all enjoying the fall weather? I noticed it takes an extra layer of clothing for comfort - but it's nice after the summer heat.
Ohigan Services were held on September 23rd with guest speaker, Rev. S. Yamaoka of Oakland, CA. A welcome dinner was held on Saturday, September 22nd, at Far East Restaurant, with about 40 attending. It had been about 15 years since Rev. Yamaoka was out our way, so it was nice to see him again.
Have you noticed the huge pile of dirt, rocks or gravel piled near the outdoor cooler? I thought some kind of construction was going to happen, only to find out it was Grant Saito's Boy Scout Eagle project. The front fence was repainted, and a couple of overgrown evergreen trees near the front steps were removed. For the final touch he will place an anti-weed layer of plastic and a layer of rocks on top which he sorted out from the pile. Thanks Grant for your project.
Thanks for some 80-90 people who attended the San Jose Taiko performance held at the Jewett Auditorium in Caldwell, Idaho. Thanks to Michelle Sadamori and Ellanye Mizuta for taking care of the ticket sales. I dont think anyone who attneded was disappointed, it was just awesome! We were fortunate to have the S.J. Taiko come for a workshop held at the Temple social hall on the next evening. We decided to have a Potluck dinner for the S.J. Taiko group, which they didn't decline. About 55 people were in attendance and we would like to say thanks to all those who attended and to those who brought their potluck dishes. We had a wonderful assortment of food! After the dinner tables were cleared, the workshop was held. Kawa Taiko was also invited to attend the evening.
A little bit of excitement is building up for the 21 Fujinkai members, a few spouses and Rev. Dennis Fujimoto, who will be on a charter bus heading for the BCA BWA National Conference, held at the Marriott San Francisco Airport October 11 - 15th. This should be a fun trip because we will have overnight stops in Reno going and coming back on this trip. Those going, don't forget your blanket, travel pillows, craft work, books, cards, snacks, smiley faces, okesa, nenju, & $$$$.
Bazaar, bazaar, bazaar is coming up sooner than you think. Don't forget Kakimochi making day is set for October 7th from 7:00 a.m. until we finish. We will have lunch (make it yourself sandwiches) provided, but if you would like to bring a dish, we will appreciate that. We're asking each family donate $10.00 for the chicken expenses, and also we would like other donations, such as for Bingo & Auction items. Ther eare some changes made, so make sure you ask around. See you at the Bazaar!!!
Sue Uyeki has volunteered to be co-President!!!
Obon toban will be Ontario country. Chairpeople: Mae Nakano and Mary Kameshige. There is a new BWA directory, it is located in the niche under the wooden cupboards in the basement. The next BWA meeting will be on July 8th and there will not be a meeting in August. There will be new toban lists coming out. We will be adding men to the lists.
Senior Taiko is starting up on Thursday from 3-4 p.m. in the taiko clubhouse. The San Jose Taiko concert was great. Their music was not only performed very professionally, but with so much kokoro (heart and spirit). We were very fortunate to have this taiko group perform in our area.
The welcome dinner and workshop were a lot of fun. Thank you to everybody who attended the dinner, the food was fantastic. I hope you enjoyed talking to them. I know they really enjoyed getting to know you. How about that workshop? We learned so much. We are looking forward to practicing all these new skills.
Kakimochi time is just around the corner. On Saturday, October 6th a 11:00 a.m., we will be kneading and rolling out the kakimochi dough. Anybody available to help would be greatly appreciated. Then, on Sunday, we will be starting at 7:00 a.m. to make the kakimochi. This year we have increased the limit to 10 bags per person for those who help to make kakimochi. It is $5.00 per bag. Payment must be made on Sunday, October 7th.
Dharma School Schedule:
September 9th: Mary Ann Shimojima chairman. First day of Dharma School service and class. The teachers served a yummy lunch to the whole congregation. Thank you to Sandy, Lois, Karen, Mary and Jeanne for all the food.
September 16th: Karen Hata chairman. The Sangha Taiko had a session for the children, parents and teachers. Thank you to Michelle and Sharmon Sadamori and Elynn Mizuta for teaching us and that the drums are the Buddha, the bachis are the Dharma and we are the Sangha. It was really fun.
September 23rd: Combined Family Ohigan service with Rev. Seigen Yamaoka as the guest speaker. Some of the Dharma School students will participate in the service.
September 30th: Sandy Belknap chairman. This is birthday Sunday, so bring your pennies.
The Halloween party has been tentatively set for October 27th. You are welcome to bring a friend. Please let one of the teachers know if you can or can't attend, so we can plan on the number 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.
June Morinaga, Ruth Hirano, Toshi Takami, Delores Wood, Dorothy Yamaguchi, Howard Matsumura, Mike Iseri, Seiko Go, Connie, Debbie & Erin Tanaka, Russ Tanka and Shig Fujikawa.
Kiku and Jimmy Hondo, Sanami Nakano, Mary Kameshige, Hideo and Ruth Harada, Mary Nakamura, Shiz Inouye, Midge Teramura and Lorinda Hasegawa.
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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