2014 September Bulletin - West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple

mail: [email protected]
Web: http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org
Vol. 57, No. 9
September 2014
REV. USUKI’S PAGE
“Where do we go from here?”
I am writing this article at the
conclusion of another great
Obon Festival at West L.A. and
it was truly another unbelievable experience for everyone.
We certainly need to thank each
person who tirelessly helped in
making this special event another enormous
success. Since our festival requires more help
from outside of our membership, including from
organizations such as the WLA Youth Club, the
YMCA, the JACL, and from friends, we often see
new faces in the booths. We also need to recognize those who help from our neighboring temples of Venice and San Fernando, including extended family members connected to each other
in one way or another. It takes much coordinated effort to put on such a huge event. We
also had special friends from Pacific Palisades,
Watsonville, San Jose, and other distant places
join us. One of the things we do well is to chronicle our events with photographs, which we will
post on our website, so please enjoy them.
Now that we have concluded another milestone
with the Obon Festival and returned to some
sense of normality, where do we go from here?
Summer is over and many of you have renewed
energy and are ready to turn your inner clock
back to the normal business of work, school, or
retirement. If we simply look at this time of the
year as routine and do not feel the wonderful
energy and joyful attitude of life we just experienced, then we may be in for a long year. Without this refreshed mindset we may not be able
to fully be aware of our duties to our families
and to society. Our lives are a continuation of
the great lessons passed down to us by our parents, friends, and community. The knowledge,
culture, care, love, and compassionate energy of
this lineage flowing into our karmic conditions
are what energize our mind and body every day.
Obon celebrations are simply another way of
recognizing the life and light of our past members and families who have left us this legacy,
allowing us to feel this positive dynamism.
We will continue to face new challenges in many
ways. While preparing the Obon Archive display,
which was presented this year along with
Bonsai and Origami, I came across the following
message in our past newsletter Bulletin.
Buddhist Men to Sponsor Boys’ Club
It has been the concern of the West Los
Angeles Buddhist Church to get as many
of the young teens within the range of ten
to fourteen years of age to remain as
members of our church. Many of the
youngsters have just dropped out of the
Sunday School and drifted away from our
church because they are at a stage where
outside activities are many and their
interest is centered in sports particularly.
To fill in this gap, the Buddhist Men have
decided to sponsor a boys’ club within this
age group, and membership is open to all
members of the community.
You would assume that this message was written recently but it came from the “West LA Buddhist Church news, Jan. 1958.” The concern for
the welfare of youth, general members, and the
temple is of continued interest to all. This echoes the purpose of Buddhism in our lives and
we openly share such uneasy feelings. The idea
of “Where do we go from here?” is the way each
of us may experience our lives as we wake up to
feel the fresh air and approach each day as if for
the first time. The realization of this gift reminds
us of our mission to be vibrant, caring, and
grateful. It is catching like a smile, a universal
expression of deepest compassion. Maybe this is
(cont’d on page 2)
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
what we can pass along to our youth, especially
when they help and attend our Obon, so that
they will come to understand the benefits of a
Buddhist way of life.
temple only for this weekend also displayed
their pleasure and cheerfulness. This was evident by the many grateful and wonderful comments I received. Letting go of inhibitions just
for the evening, by enjoying the food, dancing,
and the company of friends helps everyone to
kick-start their life after the summer. I hope
this is where you are going now.
As I watched the dancers going around the
yagura (center stage), they moved freely without
inhibition, letting their bodies and minds float
in summer warmth. This is exactly what Obon
is meant to evoke. The guests who came to our
Shinshu Corner
Practice of Hearing
The Jōdoshinshū Book, The Nembutsu Press (pages 52-56)
What Do We Listen For?
The world of religious awareness is not known
through academic study, so there is no need to
memorize all the things you hear.
sermon. Or if these two matters are discussed
and we do not hear it, it is the same as if we did
not hear the sermon
There are only two matters about which we
should listen very carefully. These are:
• My heart
• Buddha's heart
Since many of the Jodoshinshu ministers in the
United States and Canada were born and raised
in Japan, their English is not as good as many
of you may wish. But you do not attend a Jodoshinshu service to evaluate the ability of the
person giving the sermon to speak English. Try
to hear what is behind the words your minister
is using. This is the true Jodoshinshuist’s
attitude.
Regardless of what passage we may select from
a sutra, if we consider very carefully, these two
matters will always be found to be discussed.
No matter whose sermon we may listen to, if
these two matters are not discussed, it is not a
What Are We?
You have probably heard of Carlsbad Caverns in
the state of New Mexico; many of you have probably visited it. Deep in the inner recesses of
those caverns is a river in which blind fish live.
These fish have the remnants of eyes, but living
in the pitch darkness of the caverns for thousands of years has caused their eyes to atrophy
from lack of use.
blind. Rather than not being able to see anything, we see things in distorted form because of
the colored glasses we wear. We wear these
glasses from the time we are born until the day
we die. Our glasses cause us to see things in
distorted form because they are dyed with color
of “egotism.”
Since you and I cannot see except through the
lenses of “egotism” we always look at ourselves
very tolerantly but look at others very critically.
Whether walking along the sidewalk or driving
down the street, we alone are the center of interest to ourselves. When walking, drivers in
cars are a nuisance. When driving a car, pedestrians are just something to try and avoid hitting.
If you were to ask these fish, “Don’t you find it
rather inconvenient that you are not able to
see?” they undoubtedly will reply, “What? What
do you mean by seeing?” Because they have not
experienced what it is to see, they doubt that
there is such a thing.
Aren’t all of us very much like the blind fish in
Carlsbad Caverns?
Even on those occasions when we are able to
observe ourselves objectively, and clearly recognize that we were the ones at fault, the judge
deep in our heart forgives us because of extenuating circumstances. However, when it comes to
Buddhadharma teaches us that without exception all men have a sort of blindness. But even if
we are told this, it is very difficult for us to agree,
and in this we are very much like the blind fish.
We differ only in that we are not completely
(cont’d on page 3)
2
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
the other person, we are merciless in our criticism.
river of selfishness, is none other than
myself.”
So far we have discussed the results of our egotistical attitude in relation to other people. But
our attitudes become even more clear when we
consider our relationship with animals. We
speak of this insect as being harmful, or that
bird as being beneficial; that meat is good to eat,
or that eggs are nutritious, are all made in relation to how they affect us.
It is important to realize that even those who do
not “listen to (their) heart” are able to live “good”
lives; however, they live what seems to be a
good life only as seen through distorted lenses.
At the base of their lives is a large cavity of
which they are not aware. In a poem, Shinran
Shōnin wrote:
Because even the practice of good
Turns into evil,
It is called “the fool’s practice.”
lamenting the calculation and self-conceit that
lurks behind all of our “good” deeds.
Does an insect that is harmful to man considered itself to be harmful? No. It is only doing
what is natural to it. From the insect’s point of
view, the one that is harmful is man.
Those who are not aware of the delusions of
their heart are like germ carriers. While performing what they think are good deeds, they do
not know that they are spreading germs which
are injurious both to themselves and to others.
What should we do to stop this? Should we
throw away our egotism and renew our heart?
It would be wonderful if we could.
Have any of us performed a pure and simple
“good deed” even once? All of us have helped
others, but deep down, didn’t we do it after
carefully calculating what others would think of
our act? Or feeling self-satisfied with “It feels
good to help others”? It is extremely rare not to
feel the smug satisfaction of superiority we get
after making a big show of giving others a treat
or a gift.
Regardless of how deeply we reflect and strive to
discard our ego in order to live altruistically, it
is an impossible task. It is like asking the darkness to create the morning sun and light up the
day through its own efforts.
There is an old saying, “At times we can truly
grieve over the disaster that has befallen
another, but only a heavenly being can truly
rejoice over the good fortune of another.” This is
truly what we are like. “To listen to my heart,”
means the following:
“The person who is riding the fiery
chariot of egotism and crossing the icy






Jōdoshinshū teaches the truth. Regardless of
how distasteful and painful it may be, it is the
truth about ourselves, we must listen.








PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Thank you to all of you that helped make our
Obon such a success. At this time I’d like to
thank the ladies who helped dress our dancers
this year under the guidance of Sumiko Kimura.
These ladies come out every year to dress our
dancers—Junko Saito, Atsuko Morimoto and
Ms. Mogi and Ms. Matsuda. Thank you, ladies.
For those of who haven’t signed up, don’t forget
to sign up for the Southern District Buddhist
Conference-43 rd FBWA Conference-SDDSTL
Conference in Irvine on October 10-12, 2014
AND the Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony on
November 23, 2014 during Thanksgiving
Service. There will be a lunch served, after the
Ceremony, when we’ll celebrate Rev. Usuki’s
10th Anniversary serving WLA Buddhist Temple.
Please attend both events.
There is another person I want to thank. Rick
Kane, owner of Hawaiian Sweet Islands, lent us
his ice shaver when one of the Temple’s ice
shavers broke down and delivered it Sunday.
Thank you, Rick, for assisting in making our
Obon a success!
Be well and take care.
With Gassho,
Beverly Yahata
3
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony - 帰依式
November 23, 2014 – All BCA Temple Members Welcome!
Dear Sangha Members and Friends:
親愛なるメンバー及びご友人の皆様へ
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple (WLABT) is
offering all Buddhist Churches of America (BCA)
temple members the opportunity to receive a Buddhist
name (hōmyō - “dharma-name”). Receiving a Buddhist
name affirms one’s intention to live as a Sangha member, guided by the Buddha-dharma.
この度、ウェストロスアンゼルス仏教会(WLABT)で
は、米国仏教団(BCA)に加入しているすべての方に、
Participants receive a Buddhist name by taking part
in a Kieshiki (affirmation ceremony). WLABT is
holding a Kieshiki during its Thanksgiving Service on
Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Kodo
Umezu, BCA Bishop, will be officiating at the
Kieshiki.
参加者の皆様は、帰依式において、法名を授与されま
す。来る 2014 年 11 月 23 日午前 10 時より、WLA仏教会
での感謝祭（サンクスギビング）法要の一環として
ほうみょうじゅよ
法名授与の機会をご提供いたします。法名授与は、そ
の方が仏法をよりどころとして生きる意志を表明する
大切な儀式です。
きえしき
うめづこうどう
BCA総長、梅津広道師の手により執り行われます。
もし、ご自身及びご家族、御友人等、法名受領をご希
If you or your family members would like to 望される方は、申込用紙にご記入の上、2014 年 10 月 1
receive a Buddhist name, please submit the application 日までにWLA仏教会までご提出ください。WLA仏教会
うすきふみあき
form (see page 8) to WLABT by October 1, 2014. 開教使、宇宿文章師が、法名をお選びし、BCAに申請
Rev. Fumiaki Usuki will select the Buddhist name and いたします。
submit it to BCA for processing.
もうすでに法名をお持ちでないかどうかお確かめくだ
さい。しばしば、お仏壇の中に法名が収められてある
場合があります。もし、法名の漢字がお読みになれな
い場合は、お気軽にお寺にお立ち寄りください。も
し、まだ法名をお持ちでない場合は、ぜひともこの貴
重な機会をお見逃しなさいませぬように。
Please take a moment now to see if you have a
Buddhist name, and if you don’t, please don’t miss this
rare opportunity to receive one. Families often keep
such records in an obutsudan [home altar] drawer. If
you need help reading kanji, please stop by the office
for assistance.
皆様のご参加を心よりお待ちしております。
We look forward to your participation.
Bay Cities
Gardeners’
Association
WLABT thanks
BCGA for
maintaining the
temple landscaping
4
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, November 23, 2014
Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony and Thanksgiving Service
Guest speaker: Rev. Kodo Umezu, BCA Bishop
All BCA temple members welcome.
If you don’t already have a hōmyō, please sign up for the Kieshiki.
See the application form on page 10 (cost: $25 to cover BCA fee).
August 25 (Monday): 80+ lunch
September 27-28 (Saturday-Sunday)
TEMPLE CLOSED
August 30 - September 1 (Saturday-Monday)
TEMPLE CLOSED
September 29 (Monday): 80+ lunch
September 6 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo
October 4 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo
Rev. Ensei Nekoda (J), Rev. F. Usuki (E)
September 7 (Sunday): Regular family service
2014-2015 Dharma School year starts
October 10-12 (Friday-Sunday) - Irvine CA
FBWA / SD Buddhist / SDDSTL Conference
TEMPLE CLOSED
Fall Ohigan Seminar
Rev. Carol Himaka (E)
Rev. Shumyo Kojima (J)
Seminar - Saturday, 9/13
Sevice - Sunday, 9/14
October 18 (Saturday):
Buddhist Men - BWA memorial service
October 19 (Sunday): NO service at WLABT
WLA visits SFVHBT
(flyer on page 13)
October 25 (Saturday): Family Fun Night
September 20-21 (Saturday-Sunday)
TEMPLE CLOSED
October 26 (Sunday): Regular family service
NO Dharma School
San Fernando Valley
Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
October 27 (Monday): 80+ lunch
Rev. F. Usuki
November 1 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo
Rev. Ensei Nekoda (J), Rev. F. Usuki (E)
Fall Ohigan
Seminar - Saturday, 9/27
Sevice - Sunday, 9/28
Mark your calendar!
Southern District Buddhist Conference (SDBC)
43rd FBWA Conference  SDDSTL Conference
Sharing Our Life Stories as Buddhists
October 10-12, 2014  Hotel Irvine Jamboree Center
(1-day [Oct. 11] option available for SDBC and SDDSTL)
Registration information available at the temple office.
5
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
SEPTEMBER SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2014
Aita, Nobuko
Arita, Kaneto
Fujikawa, Seigo
Fukuhara, Ume
Fukumoto, Jimmy
Hada, Wasano
Ikkanda, John
Ishii, Sadako
Ishii, Shigemitsu
Ishioka, Masako
Iwasaki, Karl
Kamibayashi, Yoshiko
Kato, Kei
Kazumura, Shizue
Kazumura, Yoshio
Mori, Hachijiro
Murata, Takeo
Nagatome, Seikichi
Nakagawa, Frank
Nakagawa, Michiko
Nakamura, Takano
Nakashima, Chima
Nicho, Ei
Nitta, Chiyo
Nonoguchi, Yukiko
Ohnoki, Pat
Okubo, Nobuichi
Onami, Steven
Sakahara, Matsukichi
Sakurai, Matasaku
Kojima, Hatsu
Kojima, Hisashi
Kondo, Frank
Koshiyama, Harry
Koshiyama, Hisano
Kurokawa, Fusae
Maeda, Yoneo
Maruyama, Masaye
Matsumi, Sho
Mataga, Tameichi
Mayeda, Tsutaye
Mayetani, Sadaichi
Migita, Yoshinobu
Miyahara, Karo
Mochizuki, Shinsaku
Sasaki, Takeo
Sasaki, Tatsuo
Shimomaye, Wataru
Shintaku, Sadako
Soda, Steven
Takemoto, Mamoru
Takenoshita, Shintaro
Tanaka, George
Tochioka, Noriko
Totani, Wakano
Ueno, Shotaro
Yabuta, Robert
Yuzuki, Minoru
OCTOBER SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2014
Babamoto, Takeshi
Deguchi, Toshiko
Endo, Hiroshi
Fujino, Koheiji
Fukuhara, Ichisuke
Hara, Ichi
Hashimoto, Teruko
Ifuku, Yugi
Ikkanda, Kenso
Inabu, Kimi
Inatomi, Kametaro
Inatomi, Misao
Ishii, Akira
Ishioka, Riichi
Iwamoto, Seitaro
Iwamoto, Toki
Kaisaki, Harry
Kafka, Kathleen
Kanow, Nobuko
Kimura, Jim
Kimotsuki, Reiko
Koda, Kiyono
Koda, Torao
Kurauchi, Munezo
Mann, Charles
Matsumoto, David
Matsuoka, Tom
Miyamoto, Ben
Miyamoto, Masataro
Mochizuki, Mary
Morioka, Yasutaro
Nagai, Harumi
Nagata, Sadako
Nakamura, Kazumi
Nakashima, Haruye
Nakashima, Miyo
Nishiya, Kinkame
Nitta, Larry
Ogata, Kiyoko
Ohara, Nijiro
Okamoto, Chikako
Okimoto, Kazuji
Okumoto, Itono
Sakoda, Alice
Sakurai, Yaye
Shinto, Hatayo
Sujishi, Donald
Takade, Sakuichi
Takemoto, Kanichi
Takenoshita, Moyo
Takeuchi, Tomoyo
Takeuchi, Willard
Tamura, Toshikazu
Tominaga, Masao
Totani, Toshio
Uyemura, Sueichi
Yabuta, Takeo
Yamaji, Hideko
Yamamoto, George
Yamane, Frank
Yanai, Michio
Yanokawa, Hideji
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF:
Mary Shizue Ozamoto
March 23, 1922 - April 19, 2014
6
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
BWA NEWS by Connie Yahata
As we sit at home, relaxing on
our couch (or at the computer)
reading the Bulletin, we can
now reflect on our Obon. I am
so relieved and grateful for all
the support BWA received from
members, family and friends
(old and new alike). There are too many names
to list individually, but you know who you are.
Under the fearless leadership of Shirley Ito, preparing for the Sushi Booth went smoothly. The
mix sushi, chirashi and spam musubi were enjoyed by all. This year, the Curry Rice booth was
resurrected. I am happy to announce that we
received a lot of positive feedback from customers, so you can expect curry again next year.
I am sure you will agree, it is a huge undertaking to plan, prepare, and work our two-day
event. By Sunday night, we are totally exhausted. We drag ourselves to bed wishing we
could sleep for a week, but after a few days of
recuperating, we find ourselves reminiscing
about Obon past and begin talking about Obon
future. We remember how much fun it was
working side by side with our family and friends
and look forward to doing the same next year.
BWA & friends in action: curry preparation and sales, …
sushi preparation, taiko, …
and bon odori!
[photos courtesy of Connie Yahata and Peter Babida]
7
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
FROM THE DESK OF:
DR. JACK FUJIMOTO
Publicity Chairman
2014 OBON FESTIVAL – THE BUDDHIST MEN CONTRIBUTION
The Buddhist Men show for the 2014 Obon Festival included the Udon Booth; the Beer Booth;
and Hot Dog, Chili Dog, and Chili Rice Booth.
Kudos for the successful the two-day event go to
the chairman of each booth and the many,
many volunteers. Without the many volunteers
this year, existing Buddhist Men members
would have had to limit their participation to
one booth. So, let’s hear it for our volunteers!!!
Peter Babida helped with the cleanup.
Especially tasty was the dashi orchestrated by
Rick Stambul with help from Sam Hada, Shinobu Shimomaye, and Masao Sasaki. Many a
visitor commented on the tasty dashi in the
noodle bowl, with a beautiful array of green
onions and chashu and a super design of kamaboko in a red and white display like a fan. That
in itself was appealing to the eye and well worth
the price.
Udon Booth: The chairs were Rick Stambul
(chief udon dashi maker), Sam Hada (chief udon
dashi taster), Shinobu Shimomaye (chief of
preparations and facilities), and Masao Sasaki
(chief of operations).
Beer Booth: Milton Iwamoto, Buddhist Men
president, chaired the Beer Booth. Neal Yahata,
obon festival chair, helped Milton with sales and
coordination. Milton had many volunteers who
helped to make this year’s beer booth gross the
highest that it has been in its 66 year history.
Volunteers to be commended include Ken
Ramirez, Andrew and Julie Rodriguez, Kiyoko
Cole, and Audrey Yamada.
Preparation for udon sales included the indispensable help from BWA (cutting onions,
chashu, kamaboko, and udon from pouches as
supplied by the vendor). Also helping the ladies
was Trevor Levinson, a young volunteer from
“the street.”
Hot Dog, Chili Dog, Chili Bowl Booth: Hidemi
Ohkawahira chaired this important booth for
the Buddhist Men. Hidemi relied very heavily on
a cheerful and youthful group of volunteers
recruited by Randall Fujimoto. Adding to the
display of energy of the volunteers were the
amenities provided by the beer booth and curry
rice booth of BWA.
Sales for the two nights featured the Jack and
Henry Yamaguchi clans, along with the Sei
Shohara clan. Additional reinforcements came
from Jack Ohigashi, George Ozamoto, Jack
Fujimoto, and Tsukasa Mukai and his friends.
Rod Soda drove from Palm Springs to help both
nights, heating the udon in vats of water before
serving.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Police Liaison: Matthew J. Kirk is one of the Senior
Lead Officers (SLO) of the West Los Angeles Bureau of
the Los Angeles Police Department. He, along with six
officers of the LAPD, visited the 2014 WLA Obon Festival on July 26 and 27.
been given a “green light” to install a “red” traffic light
at the intersection of Sawtelle Boulevard and Mississippi Avenue. This adds another traffic light to busy
Sawtelle Boulevard between Olympic and La Grange.
Councilman Mike Bonin, representing CD 11, wants
community input as to the type of traffic signal that
should be installed.
Officer Kirk is the SLO covering the Sawtelle area. He
was prominent at the Obon Festival, being introduced
to the many chairpersons of booths. As Officer Kirk
mentioned to each chair, “please call me if you have
any questions or concerns.” There is a sincerity about
Officer Kirk that he truly wants to serve his community. We should let him do his job in cooperation with
us.
Option 1: E-W and N-S cross walks or international
type of cross walk (diagonal walk permitted)
Option 2: automatic controlled light or pushbuttoncontrolled signal
Option 3: steady red light or blinking red light
Officer Kirk is available at 310-444-0742 or e-mail at
[email protected].
You can communicate your feelings about combining
options 1, 2, and 3 to the Councilman Bonin’s office,
[email protected].
Sawtelle and Mississippi Intersection Traffic Light: The
Los Angeles City Department of Transportation has
8
80 PLUS YARD SALE - Friday, June 20 (preparation) and Saturday, June 21 (sale)
THANK YOU to our temple members, their
families and friends, who made the Yard Sale a
GREAT SUCCESS. A special thank you to Rev.
Usuki, who always puts the Yard Sale signs up
and organizes the donations in the garage and
bin.
We really appreciate the wonderful donated
items and the loyal customers who support the
sale. Please keep us in mind for next year.
DOMO ARIGATO,
80 Plus Committee
Thank you to Shirley Ito, Mas Sasaki, and Rev. Fumiaki Usuki for photos
9
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
9a
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
The Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony - Buddhist Churches of America
November 23, 2014 – All BCA Temple Members Welcome!
The Affirmation Ceremony
The teachings of Śakyamuni Buddha are so extensive that
they are said to number 84,000. It is no surprise, then, that
after the Buddha’s death, various schools developed based
on the different aspects of his teachings. Shin Buddhism
(Jodo Shinshu) is the Buddhist path of great compassion
clarified by Shinran Shonin. Shinran teaches that Śakyamuni appeared in this world in order to reveal the Vow of
Amida Buddha to save all beings; it is the salvation of all
people by Amida Buddha that is Śakyamuni’s fundamental
teaching.
pates in the Affirmation Ceremony.
Also, Shin practitioners do not shave their heads, but
undergo a ritual and symbolic shaving which has similar
meaning. This is part of the Kikyoshiki Confirmation
Ceremony. For the Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony, the
Bishop of the BCA touches the head of each recipient with
a scroll inscribed with the words of the Buddha. This is
referred to as “Chokyo” or “receiving the teachings” and
takes on a similar meaning.
By participating in the Affirmation Ceremony, one receives a Buddhist name (homyo). These names are in the
form of Shaku and two Buddhist terms which follow. The
word “Shaku” means “disciple of Śakyamuni” and signifies that the person has joined the followers of the teachings of Śakyamuni Buddha, a community that transcends
race or nationality.
The Affirmation Ceremony in Shin Buddhism, therefore,
shares a common meaning with the precept of the three
refuges administered in the time of Śakyamuni Buddha,
but it also has a special meaning. In the Affirmation
Ceremony, the Buddha of the three refuges is not simply
Śakyamuni, but refers especially to Amida Buddha, who is
the heart of Śakyamuni’s teachings. Śakyamuni came into
the world to teach the Vow of Amida Buddha, and our
salvation is brought about by Amida. Thus, “Dharma” is
the teaching of Amida’s compassionate working to save all
beings, and “Sangha” refers to people who have entrusted
themselves to Amida.
In Shin Buddhism, as stated earlier, this ceremony is referred to as the Confirmation Kikyoshiki Ceremony when
performed by the Monshu of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanjiha. However, depending on the circumstances, the ceremony may be performed by a representative of the Monshu, as in the case of the Affirmation Kieshiki Ceremony
being conducted today by the Bishop, Socho of the BCA.
Since there are no precepts in Shin Buddhism, instead
of receiving the precept of the three treasures, one partici-
Please enclose a check for $25 (BCA fee) payable to “West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple”
and send to: 2003 Corinth Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90025-6221
Temple (BCA):
Name:
First
Middle
Last
Address:
City:
State:
E-mail:
Phone:
Age:
Birthdate
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
Female:
Zip:
Male:
Parent or guardian (if under 12):
Signature of Applicant
Date
10
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
FATHER’S DAY AND GRADUATION SERVICE - Sunday, June 15
Rev. Ensei Nekoda, Karly Bang, Ryan Ohkawahira, Kellie Arita,
Tiffany Strong, Rev. Fumiaki Usuki; missing: Nicholas Pedersen
Scholarship Recipients Tiffany and Kellie
with Rev. Nekoda and Rev. Usuki
OBON FESTIVAL - Saturday-Sunday, July 26-27
11
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
12
FALL OHIGAN SEMINAR
秋季お彼岸セミナー
土曜日 2014 年 9 月 13 日
午前 9 時半 - 午後 1 時半
Saturday, September 13, 2014
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
ウエストロスアンゼルス仏教会
日本語のセミナー
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
Seminar in English
小島秀明先生
Rev. Carol Himaka
Rev. Shumyo Kojima
Zenshuji Temple (Soto School)
日間賀キャロル先生
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church
The seminar is FREE and lunch is included, but
YOU MUST SIGN UP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WLABT Ohigan Seminar (SAT 9/13/2014)
Name
Phone number
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
-
Registration deadline: Thursday, 9/4/2014
e-mail address
日本語
Eng
Introduction to Sitting Meditation (Zazen)
SOUTHERN DISTRICT TEMPLE MEMBERS ARE WELCOME
1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2014
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple, classroom 6 (upstairs)
2003 Corinth Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90025
Please sign up to reserve your space. Space is limited.
RSVP: [email protected] or 310-477-7274
Source for information below: www.zenshuji.org/zazen.html
Many people have an image of Zen as something difficult when actually it is a very
clear and concise teaching. The Chinese character with which the word is written
means to indicate or point to the essential, underlying oneness of all things. Zen is
to awaken to this principle and truth of nature and the way to realize our innate,
delusion-free, peace of mind. Zen practice is to eliminate the sense of separation
between the self and others that we always project.
Zazen, or sitting meditation, is central to Zen practice. It is to sit without seeking
enlightenment and without rejecting delusion. Zen teachers often encourage their
students to “just sit,” letting everything be as-it-is. When Buddha attained
enlightenment, he was seated in zazen meditation. The same practice has been
followed for over 2,500 years by the women and men who sit in zazen.
Please dress comfortably.
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
本
願
寺
17
新
報
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
September 2014
18
September 2014
Sunday
[August 31]
Monday
1
[Labor Day]
8/30-9/01 (Sat-Mon):
TEMPLE CLOSED
8/30-9/01 (Sat-Mon):
SD Jr YBA conference
7
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
5
Rev. Usuki off
7:30 pm service and
board meeting
8
9
10
10:30 am SDMA mtg
at LA Betsuin
11
7 pm B-Men meeting
16
17
10 am Ohigan service
Rev. C. Himaka (E)
7 pm SD Council
service/mtg
18
19
Rev. Carol Himaka (E)
Rev. Shumyo Kojima (J)
20
1 pm Study Class (E)
7 pm Bingo
Rev. Usuki off
Rev. Usuki off
22
23
24
7:30 pm Taiko
Rev. Usuki vacation
Rev. Usuki vacation
25
26
27
NO service
1 pm Study Class (E)
[12 pm Shigin - Ohigashi]
Rev. Usuki vacation
Rev. Usuki off
Rev. Usuki off
28
29
30
[12 pm Shigin - Hada]
13
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Ohigan seminar
7:30 pm Resume Taiko
lunch
NO service at WLABT
Rev. F. Usuki
SFVHBT
Ohigan Service
6
10 am Omimai
Rev. S. Kojima (J)
21
12
1 pm Study Class (E)
Rev. S. Kojima
meditation session
Rev. Usuki off
15
Saturday
1 pm Study Class (E)
11 am BWA meeting
14
4
Friday
10 am Shotsuki hoyo
** sign-up
9:30 am Family
service
Thursday
12 pm 80+ lunch
Rev. Usuki off
Rev. F. Usuki
SFVHBT
Ohigan Seminar
7:30 pm Taiko
** 2014-2015
Ralphs sign-up
Starting Sep. 1,
please sign up on-line at
www.ralphs.com
or by scan-bar letter
(barcode does not change)
Bulletin folding
toban: Jr. YBA
Office hours: M-F 10 am - 4 pm
phone: 310-477-7274
e-mail: [email protected]
website:
http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org/
2014 年 9 月
日曜日
月曜日
火曜日
1
8月30日-9月1日(土-日):
お寺休み
午後1:00
8月30日-9月1日(土-日):
SD Jr YBA conference
スタデークラス(英)
7
** sign-up
宇宿先生休み
8
9
午前9:30サービス
午前 11 BWAミー
3
木曜日
[August 31]
[Labor Day]
2
水曜日
10
15
16
17
土曜日
6
午前10:00 祥月法要
12
13
午前9:30 - 午後1:30
お彼岸セミナー
午後 7:00 サービス
午後7:30 タイコ
SD council ミーテング
小島秀明先生(日)
日間賀キャロル先生
(英)
18
19
20
午前10:00おみまい
午前10:00
お彼岸サービス
午後1:00
小島秀明先生(日)
日間賀キャロル先生
(英); ランチ
宇宿先生休み
宇宿先生休み
21
22
23
スタデークラス(英)
24
宇宿先生休み
宇宿先生休み
25
26
27
スタデークラス(英)
午後12:00 詩吟
(大東)
宇宿先生休み
宇宿先生休み
28
29
30
お寺休み
正午80+中ランチ
宇宿先生休み
午後7:00 ビンゴー
午後7:30 タイコ
午後1:00
お寺休み
午後12:00 詩吟(秦)
11
午後7:00ブデスト•メン•
ミーテング
宇宿先生休み
14
5
午後1:00
スタデークラス(英)
午後10:30
開教師会
西別院
テング
4
金曜日
お寺休み
午後7:30 タイコ
** 2014-2015
Ralphs sign-up
Starting Sep. 1,
please sign up on-line at
www.ralphs.com
or by scan-bar letter
(barcode does not change)
会報作リ
当番:
Jr. YBA
オフィス時間：
月- 金午前十時 — 午後四時
電話：310 - 477 - 7274

Download Report