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Welcome to the month of September. when we look back upon the blur of the summer months, our attention is drawn to the many travels of our young Sangha members. Trips to here, there, and everywhere exploded from the temple like popcorn.
Mimi K. (as well as many others) was able to enjoy an eye opening and heart touching trip to Japan. Both Mimi and Grant were able to renew friendships with their retreat buddies from all over BCA at reunions and Northwest activities. Many of these same YAC retreat participants got to go on another tremendous adventure to Hawaii. They were basically ambassadors of the BCA youth programs. They toured many of the Jodo Shinshu temples of Hawaii. At times, they held their own services, and at other times they joined with members of the Hawaii Kyodan in shared services. They took part in presentations and discussions. They came back darker and taller.
Michael E. had his own magnificent Olympic adventure that led him to the Trials in Las Vegas and then to Beijing as part of a specially selected training contingent for the US Judo Team. A whole section of "Goat Boy" t-shirts happily cheered Michael on in his efforts. As each adventure closes, we find each of our young travelers sitting in the Hondo with the rest of us...chanting, listening to the Dharma, and reciting the Nembutsu with the rest of us. Hopefully this Shin life of awareness and appreciation continues to grow in meaning and depth for all our young people as well as for the rest of us. I get tired just thinking about all the places they went. I am more than happy to stay here and listen to their stories.
The Temple will start September in full swing again, with the Dharma School and the Adult Study Class both beginning September 7. Our Introduction to Buddhism class will be looking for interested participants before a schedule is announced at the end of the month. Highlight of the month will be our Fall Ohigan Family Service set for September 21 at 11:00. Our Guest Speaker will be Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto. He is the resident minister of the Berkeley Buddhist Temple. He is also Director of the Center for Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies, which is housed at our new Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley. Rev. Matsumoto will also be giving a special presentation Saturday, September 21, from 3-5. Details will be announced. As the temple prepares to renew its efforts and energies for the coming Fall Season, please plan to do the same and bring that energy to the Temple. See you there.
.......GASSHO...........RAIHAI
Rev. Dennis
How was your summer? It was fast and is almost gone - it was chock full of activities and events, for some of you it was not of a happy situation, but life has a way of doing its thing.
Fujinkai ladies were asked to make 7 dozen sandwiches for the Red Cross blood drawing. They made a variety of sandwiches (tuna fish, egg salad, and baloney and cheese). Those who helped were Ruth Harada, Joan Suyematsu, Michelle Sadamori, Delores Wood, Karen Hata and Sue Uyeki. Thanks ladies and to Hideo Harada for helping.
During the summer, Rev. Fujimoto had a busy schedule and couldn't be here on some Sundays. We would like to thank the MAP and YBA group for taking over during his absence. Kathy Chatterton and Ann Spencer (MAP) and Brady and Mimi Kameshige and Grant Saito (YBA) did a wonderful job. IOBT is very fortunate that we have some Sangha members who help out.
We were very fortunate to have Rev. Marvin Harada from the Orange County Buddhist Temple here speak on a Sunday. He spoke about his trip to the New York Buddhist Temple and the 9/11 memorial. It was very interesting to hear and the Sangha appreciated it very much.
Another 2008 "Happy Bowl" year is over with. This is a Dharma School and Fujinkai project and we would like to thank everyone who helped and donated all those Japanese cucumbers, peppers and zucchini's. It was a successful year and we appreciated all those who helped. We had less help this year, but efficient ones so that was a plus.
After many months of deciding on a BWA trip, it finally happened and we decided to go to the Las Vegas Obon Festival. It was held at the Cimarron High School cafeteria, which was huge and had a large kitchen, and of course air conditioning, so it was very comfortable, despite the 104 degree outdoor temperature. Everyone (12 BWA, Rev. and Hideo Harada) made their air flights and their choice where they wanted to stay. Some stayed at the Golden Nugget and others stayed at Circus Circus. We all met at the Cimarron cafeteria early so we were able to sit together and enjoy the event. Some of us got their Bento boxes and others got a la carte sushi and dessert boxes. Cold bottled water and soft drinks were available. For opening entertainment, they had the JACL Taiko Group, which did several numbers, enjoyed by all. They were professional and entertaining. Rev. Fujimoto was called upon to give the opening Gassho on behalf of Rev. Marvin who was not there for the opening. They had about 4 rings of Obon dancers from all over, mostly from the Southern District. Our BWA ladies joined in one number, "Tanko Bushi". Thank you to the BWA for the generous monetary assistance with thee xpense. It was appreciated by all. For some of us it was 10 years since we last did an odori. They had many raffle tickets so it was nice. IOBT had a raffle winner, Hideo Harada, who won a $100 gift certificate from the Nakata Market of Japan. Lucky Rev. Marvin was in Vegas later in the day - he drove to Vegas for the Southern District meeting so he got to use the winning ticket.
Bazaar is coming up soon. Once again we asked for your help with donations in any way you care to give, whether for bingo, auction, kitchen, produce, etc. Chairpersons are Jean Kitamura and Dyke Nagasaka - their first meeting will be Tuesday, September 2nd, at 7:00 p.m.
Fujinkai meeting is scheduled for September 7th after adult services.
Where has the summer gone? It seems like it has passed all too quickly. The Dharma School trip to Spokane/Coeur d'Alene was another great family affair. The Tanaka's, Russ, Mitsie and David joined us and then Linda drove from Bonners Ferry to spend the weekend with them. Ann Nagaki rode the bus and had a nice visit with her daughter, Joanne, who lives in Coeur d'Alene. The Achtermans, Marilyn, Katherine, and Kirty joined us again and had a great time with the Mizuta cousins. Erin Tanaka's cousin, Ellen Jung, from Beaverton, joined us too. Families getting together is always so much fun and what it is all about. Our first stop was at the Spokane Buddhist Church and we had a nice tour with Christine Marr. I try to visit the churches in the towns we are in because the children never get to see the churches because the conventions are always held in hotels. Our hotel was in Hayden, ID, and a perfect place for the kids. It had a water park called Raptor Reef and a family fun park called Triple Play attached to the hotel. Of course the kids were in the water from the moment we got there. The next day we went to Silverwood, the largest theme park in the Northwest. It has 65 rides and a giant water park. After the kids rode the rides, they were in the water park until it was time to leave. Then back to the hotel and into the water park again. This year was a little shorter than we usually take, because we are going to try to visit the Jodo Shinshu Center next year.
Well, another successful year at the "Happy Bowl" booth has come and gone. Many, many thanks to everyone who helped! It takes a lot of work with many people working together to make it successful. Thanks to Elynn and Debbie for organizing the decorations and the children for the booth as we took 3rd place! Great job kids.
Summer is coming to an end and Dharma School will resume on Sunday, September 7th at 10:30 a.m. It will be a YBA service with Grant, Mimi and Alia conducting the service. It will be Grant's last Sunday before he leaves for Seattle University, so lets attend so we can wish him well. The teachers will be serving lunch to the whole congregation. Rev. Dennis and the teachers have been meeting and planning new and exciting things for the coming year...come and see!
September 21st is a Family Ohigan Service at 11:00 a.m. with guest minister David Matsumoto. Hope to see you all there for the first family service for the new year.
First, I would like to start by thanking all of you for being so supportive of both Michelle and my trips to various Buddhist activities. If you did not know for the past 10 days, Mimi and I were on yet another YAC trip. This time our expedition was to Hawaii.
Many people have asked, "Why Hawaii, why not anywhere else". If you didn't know, Hawaii's situation is much like ours on the mainland. Their youth groups are shrinking or non-existent and they dont know how to correct this problem. Our trip was as much to spread the word about YAC and as Rev. Kobata says, "live in the momentum", or share our excitement and interest in Buddhism.
On this trip, we visited over 7 temples or study centers, including Hompa Honganji, Wialuaha, Wahiawa, Kailua, Moiliili, a temple in Pearl City, the Buddhist Study Center, and the first Buddhist High School. We also had at least 2 services a day after everyone arrived.
It was exciting to create friendships; Kobata Sensei (BCA), Jim Shimomaye (West L.A.), Sydney Shiroyama, and Brandon Yanari (Palo Alto). The environment was new and exciting being around a whole different culture in which we could compare and contrast our services. Hompa was especially unique with what appeared to be Roman, Japanese and Indian influences. Something interesting that I noticed was that at a majority of temples, the minister would sit to the side of the Onijin, and hold their service books on short lacquer tables that are on the Onijin.
The trip had over 4 speakers on Buddhism and we were able to have a question and answer session with the head of the first Buddhist High School.
I am not sure how our group appeared to the various temple members that we met, but Rev. Kobata said that our group seemed extremely close.
This trip had a dual purpose, to expand the YAC program beyond the West Coast. There is at least one person who is going to sign up for the retreat this next summer. The other purpose is to spread our momentum and excitement for Buddhism.
Pure Land Joggers and Striders is a club for runners, walkers, and anyone else who might stretch and exert a muscle or two during the course of the week. The IOBT Chapter of the Pure Land Joggers and Striders continues into the fall season. In September, we will meet at the Ontario High School track 9:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month, Weiser High School track at 9:00 a.m. on the 2nd Thursday. The 4th Thursday is available upon request. Please contact Rev. Fujimoto at 208.707.2021.
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, Toshie Takami, Ruth Hirano, Dorothy Yamaguchi, Delores Wood, Seiko Go, Howard Matsumura, Jerry Matsumura and Mike Iseri.
Mary Nakamura, Shiz Inouye, Karen Hata, Delores Wood, Jimmy Hondo, Kiku Hondo, Lorinda Hasegawa, Hideo Harada and Ruth Harada
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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