You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.

October 2011

Minister's Message by Reverend Fujimoto

It's October!!??!! Preparing for the Scholarship Luncheon last month, I had to visit a number of grocery stores in the area. I could not help but notice that all the stores had their Halloween candy and displays up already! As Buddhists, we learn of impermanence, the acceptance of change, non-attachment, and to go with the flow. Just as we get accustomed to the stifling heat and the long days of summer, the chill in the morning air tells us that the next season is on its way.

In protest, I composed this Haiku poem. The grocery store aisles are filled with thousands of colored candy wrappers in anticipation of the shoppers who are getting ready for the annual Halloween ritual. I envision the hot summer days lasting long enough to melt the candy into swirls of color and chocolate. There is enough candy everywhere to cover all the parking lots and streets in Ontario in kaleidoscopic brilliance. Halloween and the coming of the fall season is put on hold as the summer season refuses to leave.

Store aisles of color...

Melting in the summer sun

Halloween candy.

Sounds like Sensei is having trouble with the acceptance of change. We learn these lessons and accept them with nodding agreement, but sometimes it is so hard! Sometimes we want some sort of stability so we can know where we stand. Sometimes we want to rely on friends and family being there because that's how it has always been. It's easy to accept change when we are buying a new car or when the kids start a new year at school. It's quite a different story accepting change when your mother has alzheimers or a good friend passes away. We ask "WHY"...why her, why me, why now..in selfish protest.

We fluctuate between being wise, all-knowing Buddhas and limited, selfish beings. We are smugly in tune with the changes of impermanence until it hits too close to home and we protest in disbelief. Both responses point to our arrogance and self-centered perspectives. It is at these times that both personal wisdom and individual limitations are exposed for what they are and we come face to face with the reflection in the mirror. Most might shrug their shoulders or cry and then move on as best as they can. But these are the crossroads that bring meaning to our lives and allow us to recognize our true nature. These are the crossroads that make life rich, full and whole. This is where the Nenbutsu becomes the integration of the individual with all that supports us.

The annual Bazaar is the highlight of October. It is the most significant fundraiser for our temple and we need the funds to continue to make the Buddhist teachings and traditions available to each of us and to everyone else. We need the efforts and energies of all of us. Please know that you are asked to help because it is important. We'll see you at the temple.

Gassho,

Rev. Dennis

Sunday Study Class by Kathy Chatterton

I know you have seen the schedule and the fact that there is "study class" at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. You probably have wondered what we study. You might have thought, "I can't study Buddhism. I don't know enough. It's too early. Sunday is my day off".

Did you know that this class has been going since 1976? Did you know that Jeanne Ozawa brings tasty treats for everyone to snack on before, during and after class? (and not just your ordinary coffee and donuts. She brings fried rice, waffles, cinnamon rolls, cookies). Did you know that we have a lot of fun during this time? Funny stories and jokes are shared. Many of the topics I present are not strictly related to Buddhism or Jodo Shinshu. I share a lot of information on healthy foods. Right now I am using a book called GREEN TEA LIVING that provides Japan-inspired ideas for eco-friendly living. I have shared many, many books with the class over almost 35 years. Handouts are always provided with important portions of the books so that you can reread and reflect and maybe decide to read the entire book. We have examined EVERYDAY SUCHNESS; BRIGHT DAWN: OCEAN; RIVER OF FIRE, RIVER OF WATER; BITS OF RUBBLE TURN INTO GOLD, and many, many others. My goal with the class is to bring these books to the Sangha's attention and to show how the ideas apply to our everyday lives. There are no tests, no grades, and no pressure. It is all informal and casual.

Rev. Fujimoto tells us that coming to the temple is important because the temple is where we hear the Dharma, surrounded by our fellow Sangha members. Jodo Shinshu emphasizes this idea of walking the path together. We are not solitary travelers through life. The 10:30 study class is an opportunity to hear the Dharma, snack with friends, listen, and reflect. Come and join us at 10:30 on Sundays.

Bulletin Helpers

Karen Hata, Yasuko Kino, Suzie Nishihara, Kiku Hondo, Mary Nakamura, Kazuko Kuramoto, and Hideo and Ruth Harada

Memorial Services

Designated Memorial Service Years for 2011. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2010, 3 year = 2009, 7 year = 2005, 13 year = 1999, 17 year = 1995, 25 year = 1987, 33 year = 1979 and 50 year = 1962.

October Monthly Memorial Service

10/30 Doi, Kakuji
10/24 Fujii, Yokichi
10/5 Fujimoto, Shizuko
10/29 Fujita, Seijiro
10/30 Furuyama, Ginshiro
10/29/2005 Harada, Haruye
10/4 Hasegawa, Minoru
10/31 Hayashi, Shigeko
10/17/07 Hironaka, Yoshi
10/4 Hondo, Arao
10/24 Hori, Kiyohide
10/27/1999 Hori, Kiyomaro
10/10 Horiuchi, Mite
10/11/1995 Inouye, Tom K.
10/13 Ishimoto, Funa
10/3 Kagayama, Matsuyo
10/24/2010 Kariya, Yone
10/20 Kawamoto, Ichiro
10/18/2009 Kino, Joe Hideo
10/24 Kitamura, Lillian
10/5/1996 Koda, Bill
10/15 Koda, Fusaichi
10/18 Miyamoto, Kanichi
10/18 Morinaga, Mark J.
10/2 Morrow, Mary Jo
10/5 Nakamura, Mitsu
10/25/1994 Nakano, Tom T.
10/29 Nishimura, Kumajiro
10/17 Nomi, Koichi
10/3/1995 Okai, Tom
10/22/2010 Okita, George Taka
10/26/1994 Okuda, Shizuka
10/10/1995 Osaki, Harry
10/9 Saito, Yukichi
10/25 Shintani, Satoko
10/23 Shoda, Kazuo
10/26 Shoda, Tokuichi
10/8 Sugahiro, Tome
10/24/2010 Sugai, Maxie Hisako
10/12/2008 Takahashi, Hideo
10/7 Takahashi, Roy
10/12 Takashima, Matsu
10/12 Terada, Tom T.
10/28 Toji, Kiyoko
10/18/06 Uyeki, George
10/11 Watanabe, Yasuji
10/13 Yamada, Masato
10/1 Yamaguchi, Yoshizo
10/2 Yamamoto, Sado
10/29/1996 Yamashita, Tok

November Monthly Memorial Service (Shotsuki Hoyo)

11/23 Arima, John K.
11/19/06 Arima, Kenji
11/16 Asakura, Misao
11/14/2010 Atagi, Harvey
11/21 Demise, Yasaburo
11/27/2009 Fujii, Larry
11/6 Fujii, Tozaburo
11/23 Fujii, Waichi
11/21/1996 Go, Ben
11/17 Go, Manji
11/30 Harada, Kane
11/7 Harada, Kita
11/1 Harada, Shinichi
11/25 Harada, Takashi
11/26/2004 Hasebe, Jamie
11/2 Hirai, Hisao
11/3 Iida, Tsuneo
11/16 Inaba, Tomoji
11/24 Iseri, Dan
11/3 Iseri, Mitsuo
11/16 Iseri, William
11/11 Iseri, Yoneko
11/6 Ishimoto, Isao
11/11/1996 Kariya, Sue
11/15 Kawano, Ricky
11/10 Kobayashi, Susumi
11/9/1996 Kuga, Sumi
11/4 Matsumura, Bob
11/18 Mizuta, Koso
11/12 Morinaka, Sachika
11/28 Mukai, Kayo
11/27 Nakahara, Fusa
11/27/08 Nakamoto, Ray Sueo
11/13 Nakamura, Kakuji
11/9 Nishikawa, Mitsuo
11/23/1999 Nishiyama, Margaret
11/22 Odate, Yutaka
11/30/2006 Ogura, Debbie
11/24 Okada, Ken
11/17/2004 Okita, Clara
11/12 Okuda, Shigeru
11/5 Saito, Mitsuno
11/9/1998 Shigeno, John
11/6 Shigeta, Tamako
11/10 Suzuki, Ayae
11/12 Tameno, Junsuke
11/15 Terada, Fumiko
11/26 Teramura Uno
11/1 Umemoto, Otoichi
11/20 Yago, Sam
11/25 Yamaguchi, Masao
11/13 Yamatani, Sanburo
11/20 Yasuda, Heisaku
11/13/2001 Yasuda, Mabel
11/28 Yokoyama, Seitaro
11/18 Yoshihara, Kumaichi
11/6/2004 Yoshihara, Taro