WHEEL OF DHARMA - Buddhist Churches of America

WHEEL
OF DHARMA
Official Publication of the Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
VOLUME 38 NOVEMBER 2012 BCA Job Posting
This Job Description was originally posted
in the September Wheel of Dharma. The job
title has been changed from “Executive Director” to “Chief Administrative Officer”. The
Job Description has been simplified, updated
and includes a point of contact.
BUDDHIST CHURCHES
OF AMERICA
Chief Administrative Officer
Reporting to the Buddhist Churches of
America (BCA) Office of the Bishop and
Executive Committee, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will coordinate and
oversee the management of the BCA’s programs, expansion, and execution of its mission of propagating the Jodo Shinshu
Teachings. S/he will be responsible for
overall strategic planning, revenue generation, financial management, organizational
development, staff management, and program operations. Additional duties may be
assigned by the Office of the Bishop and
the Executive Committee.
From the Desk of
Rev. Kodo Umezu
Continued on Page 6
Thanksgiving Milestones
“Walking the Path of Enlightenment: 100 Years of
Buddhism in Utah” was the
theme for the September 15th
centennial celebration of three
BCA temples: Salt Lake Buddhist
Temple,
Buddhist
Church of Ogden, and Honeyville Buddhist Temple. The
celebration took place at the
Salt Palace Convention Center of Salt Lake City, in the
midst of Mormon country. There were 300 BCA members in attendance. I observed many interesting programs throughout the day, but
I was surprised to see that the luncheon keynote speaker was a Zen
teacher. His name is Sensei Michael Mugaku Zimmerman, a former
justice of the Utah Supreme Court. Although he is a Zen practitioner,
Zimmerman Sensei strongly believes that our householder Buddhist
tradition will make a great contribution to American society in the
near future.
The following weekend, my wife and I attended the 50th Anniversary Service and Celebration for the Southern Alameda County
Buddhist Church in Union City, California. Their theme was “One
Dharma Family.” The Mistress of Ceremonies for the banquet was
Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic Figure Skating Champion. A
former Dharma school student, she shared the positive experiences
she had as a child which helped her to pursue her dream.
But the temple celebrations did not end there. On September 29
I attended the Mountain View Buddhist Temple’s 50th Anniversary.
They became independent from San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin a
half century ago. The theme was “Aspire: Past, Present and Future”
and over 500 people were in attendance. Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area’s weekday morning traffic anchor, was the Master of Ceremonies
for their banquet. During the meal, we all enjoyed many performances by various Temple organizations. Watching the Dharma
School children on the stage, I couldn’t help but feel that the aspirations of past temple members were moving the present generation and
making our children’s future bright.
As temples celebrate their anniversaries, I feel that the celebrations
are for everyone who was part of our history. The nembutsu teaching
has touched many lives and is still doing so, encouraging all to live the
lives they have been given. During the month of Thanksgiving, let us
pause for a moment to reflect on ourselves and express our appreciation for those who were, and those who are, a part of our lives.
Federation Buddhist Women’s
Association Student Exchange
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Leadership & Management
Ensures ongoing consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommends
timelines and resources needed to achieve the
strategic goals.
Actively engages BCA volunteers, board
members, committee members, Sangha members, partnering organizations and funders.
Financial Management
Oversees financial accounting functions.
Strategy and Planning
Takes a leadership role with the National
Board that would result in the development of
goals, objectives and operational plans for the
organization.
Oversees preparation of the annual budget
and other necessary financial documents.
Provides information and justifications for
the National Board in its budgetary review
and approval process.
Organizational Management
Leads, motivates and develops BCA staff
and board so that they are passionate about
the Buddhist Churches of America and are
committed to working effectively toward
continual improvement.
Responsible for people management activities including hiring, separation of employment, ongoing staff development, performance management, compensation and
benefits.
Oversees and supports the administrative
ISSUE 11
By Kiyumi Nishida, Buddhist Church of
Florin and Kara Hamamoto, Sacramento
Buddhist Church
F
irst off, we had the experience of a life
time. We had no idea what to expect.
All we knew was that we were supposed
to meet Bishop Umezu, Rev. Endo and Mrs.
Sumi Tanabe at the airport, leaving at 11
something in the morning from San Francisco
airport and we were going to Japan. The flight
was going to be long, the days were going to be
hot and that we were in for the trip of a lifetime. Even after we had passed through customs and met the person who was soon going
to be our tour guide (of sorts), we still couldn’t
believe that we were really there.
The first leg of our trip was spent in Kyoto
and getting acquainted with Nishi Hongwanji.
On our very first full day, we had 6am service!
It was so humbling to be in the presence of the
Gomoshu who was conducting service that
day. We couldn’t believe that he, the direct
descendant of Shinran Shonin, the founder of
our sect of Buddhism, was right in front of us.
What made it even better? We also went
through the Kikkyoshiki, and received our
Buddhist names and guess who was conducting that service- None other than the Gomonshu himself! Talk about overwhelming. And to
The four exchange students with Japan BWA.
top it all off, after that service, we visited Otani
Hombyo, and Hino Tanjoin- the former being
where Shinran Shonin’s remains are kept and
the latter being where he was born. It was fas-
cinating to think that these places exist. There’s
such a history there, that we here in America
just aren’t used to thinking about it and some
Continued on Page 6
President’s
Message
A Message of Thanks
T
By Ron Murakami
BCA President
White River Buddhist Temple
hank you for your generous response to the recently completed Debt
Relief request. At the 2011 National Council Meeting, lay leaders and ministers directly addressed the Jodo Shinshu Center
construction loans by initiating
and approving a plan to completely pay off the bank mortgage,
thereby allowing us to better focus
our energy on working toward our
fundamental goals. The Debt Relief effort was initiated in May
2011 with active solicitation ending in May of this year. We give
our sincere appreciation to the
approximately 3,800 individuals
who contributed a total of about
$967,000 to this endeavor.
$770,000 of this total as it was received was combined with available BCA Campaign II funds to
have two $500,000 pay-downs of
the bank loan, thereby reducing
the bank-debt balance to slightly
over $2 million with a reduction
in monthly payments from
$19,904 to $13,502. These two
pay-downs allow us to avoid paying approximately $715,000 in
loan interest. The balance of the
Debt Relief collection is expected
to soon be used for another paydown of the loan that will allow us
to avoid an additional $334,000
in loan interest.
This is a significant step in
getting us past the bank mortgage
and easing our cash flow. At the
same time, we’re actively considering alternatives to address the remaining loans from the BCA Endowment Foundation. While we
gain immediate benefits from the
Debt Relief effort, the real benefits
will continue on to future generaContinued on Page 6
PAGE 2 WHEEL OF DHARMA
Self-Reflection in the Light
of Wisdom and Compassion
By Rev. Harry Bridge
Buddhist Church of Oakland
I
recently reconnected with a
high school friend on Facebook. He wasn’t a close friend
– I only remember going to a
concert with him either junior or
senior year. I contacted him and
asked if he remembered the concert – he replied that not only did
he remember the concert, he still
has the shirt!
But the concert wasn’t the
only thing he remembered. He
rattled off a whole list of things
that we had done together that I
had no memory of, like playing
role playing games in my apartment lobby and the fact that we
were in the same homeroom together for six years!
I felt really bad. How could I
not remember any of this stuff?
Was I such a bad person that even
though we had known each other
all this time and hung out, I
hadn’t considered him a closer
friend? But then it hit me – I have
always had relationships like this
– this is part of who I am. When I
was in first grade, I moved with
my family to Germany and was
home-schooled. Then we moved
to Japan when I was 11 and started
7th grade in an international
school. We only visited the US
once in the following six years.
The few friends that I had I only
saw maybe one more time, and
never kept in touch. On top of
this, it was normal at an international school for people to only
stay one or two years, so the
friendships that I made often
didn’t last. It occurred to me that
maybe this is normal for people
who grew up overseas – actually,
now that I think about it, I took a
survey for kids who went to my
high school and that was one of
the issues that came up. So this
has been brewing inside me for a
while.
BCA NATIONAL
BOARD 2012
This experience of touching
base with an old high school
friend allowed me this deeper insight into myself. But what does
this have to do with Buddhism? I
think that it is relevant on several
levels. One is that I was able to
become aware of these issues. If I
weren’t Buddhist, I might not
have been willing to look at myself
in this way. But Buddhism teaches
us to be aware of ourselves, to try
and see ourselves as we really are.
It isn’t easy – in fact, it is very
difficult without help and support. In secular society, we may go
to a psychoanalyst to help us sort
through our various issues. In
Jodo Shinshu we come to realize
that Amida Buddha is always with
us, shining the light of wisdom on
us. The wisdom light illuminates
us in our entirety – what we may
consider both the good and bad
within us. But Amida’s light is not
only wisdom, it is also compassion. This compassion embraces
us, accepting us AS WE ARE.
Having been touched by this light,
we are transformed. We still remain foolish beings until the very
end – Shinran Shonin is very clear
about this – and yet we are
changed.
Perhaps the most important
outcome of this experience for me
is that I am trying to keep in touch
with my friends and family better.
I can’t change the past, but I can
aspire to be better, in the future
and in the NOW. In many ways I
am still the same old Harry who
lets these things slide, but at the
same time deeper awareness of
myself in the light of the Dharma
allows me to grow.
“Growing Up In The Spokane Buddhist Church”
By Karen Terao Akahoshi
San Jose Buddhist Church
Conclusion
W
hile growing up, we were
exposed to the Dharma on
a daily basis. We would often call
my father’s conversations at dinner, mini sermons or “sermonettes.” Now that my father is
gone, I realize the profoundness of
his greatest wish, that our family
embrace the Nembutsu. So, Dad,
not only did I embrace the Nembutsu, I married someone who
would wear your koromo, your
Buddhist minister’s robe, and
continue the work you began 3
quarters of a century ago. As a
youngster, I remember stomping
around the house saying “I would
never become a minister’s wife!”
because my mother was often
called away, interrupting what she
may have been doing with our
family. So is this karmic justice???
During our 43 years of marriage, Ken has encouraged me to
find my own voice and to not be
afraid to be myself without always
worrying about what other people
would think. He has been my biggest cheerleader, even when I often
would do it kicking and screaming. I am grateful that he continues to remind me of the extraordinary legacy that has been given to
me – the power of the Nembutsu
and to live a life of gratitude. And
now that he will soon become a
minister, how fortunate that I
have had a wonderful role model
in my mother.
She was courageous as young
mother in her early twenties raising two babies behind barbed wire
in the Minidoka concentration
camp, not knowing what the future would bring. She rose to the
occasion to help my father begin
the Spokane Buddhist Temple,
the YBA and later the Fujinkai
with the help of Mrs. Oba. Her
daughter, Janet Tamura, continues her mother’s legacy today in
Spokane.
I never heard my mother once
criticize a temple member or anyone, for that matter. I also never
heard her complain when she
would have to interrupt whatever
she was doing to attend to a temple
request or to work on the swing
shift from 11 PM to 6 AM at the
Alameda Post Office after putting
Sharing Success – Gassho During
Services and Obutsudan for Today
By Joni Kohara,
San Mateo Buddhist Temple and
Dennis Yamashita,
Seattle Buddhist Church
S
imilar to other temples, San Mateo Buddhist Temple calls on representatives
from the pre-school class through high
school discussion group for Oshoko (honorific
incense burning) during their regular services.
The San Mateo members have expanded this
tradition by having teachers and other students
from the same class stand and put their hands
together in gassho when the student representative is called up. This standing and accompanying in gassho shows solidarity and “respect”
to the person representing the class. This idea
can be expanded to other groups and even
families when a member of the group or family
is called forward for Oshoko as part of a service
or event. [This writeup is based on a description of the San Mateo Buddhist Temple tradition submitted by Joni Kohara, Dharma
School Co-Superintendent]
In the Seattle area some fortunate individuals are able to stand before their own Obutsu-
dan (Buddhist shrine) to help ease the strain of
the day thanks to the efforts of Seattle Buddhist Church members. One such individual
indicated, “To me, I feel like I have a place that
has meaning. It’s a feeling of solace, when I
pay my respect in front of the Obutsudan,”
This person gratefully burns incense and bows
before this butsudan he received, not knowing
its original owners.
The Seattle Buddhist Church started a
program in 2003 that encourages people to
donate butsudans that are no longer being
used so they can be “recycled” to other individuals and families. What spurred the program was seeing butsudans showing up at
thrift stores and rummage sales, and even
hearing about a butsudan being tossed into the
garbage. At the same time temple leaders noticed that members, particularly new families,
were interested in owning a butsudan but either did not know where to buy one or were
unable to afford one since they can be expensive. In response, a butsudan “adoption program” was started, matching donated butsudans with grateful donees, benefiting both
Continued on Page 6
NOVEMBER 2012
in a full day with temple and family activities so she could help pay
for our college expenses. During
the last few years of my father’s
life, she did his dialysis three times
a day for 3 1/2 years. She never
once complained while we were
out shopping or elsewhere, enjoying ourselves together. She would
just say, “Oh, it’s time to go home
to do Daddy’s dialysis.” Rev. Tetsuo Unno, who is married to my
cousin, Sumi, once told me that
one of the reasons my father was
so successful and wasn’t moved
from temple to temple was because
of my mother’s effort and dedication. Many years ago at a meeting
of BCA ministers and wives, the
late Lord Abbott Kosho Ohtani
used my mother as an example of
the ideal minister’s wife. Mom,
you are a really tough act to follow
but I will do my best, always sustained by your love, encouragement and by the Nembutsu.
Continued on Page 6
BCA Bookstore
News
By Gayle Noguchi
Now available: “Dixie Dharma – Inside a
Buddhist Temple in the American South” by
Jeff Wilson, hardback $36.95.
In Dixie Dharma, Jeff Wilson argues that
region is crucial to understanding American
Buddhism. Through examining the religious
life and activities of the Ekoji Buddhist Temple, he explores how Buddhists are adapting
to life in the conservative evangelical Christian culture of the South and how traditional
Southerners are adjusting to these newer
members on the religious landscape. Of particular interest to BCA members, Wilson
gives a rich and detailed biography Reverend
Kenryu Tsuji, former Bishop of the Buddhist
Churches of America and recounts Rev. Tsuji’s many pioneering activities throughout his
distinguished career.
To order, go to www.bcabookstore.com,
phone 510-809-1435/email gayle@bcabookstore.com. Like us on Facebook: Buddhist
Churches of America (BCA) Bookstore. The
BCA Bookstore is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10
a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ron Murakami, President
Dr. Kent Matsuda, President-elect
Susan Bottari, Vice President
Ken Tanimoto, Vice President
Pauline Sakuma, Secretary
Alan Kita, Treasurer
Rev. Kodo Umezu, Bishop
Rev. Marvin Harada, Executive
Assistant to the Bishop
Rev. Jerry Hirano, Chair,
Ministers Association
BAY - DISTRICT 1
Jefferey Matsuoka, Susan Bottari,
Karen Suyama
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA - DISTRICT 2
Paula Kanagawa, Ruth Yoneda,
Ellen Tanimoto
COAST - DISTRICT 3
Richard Uyematsu, Gary Omori
EASTERN - DISTRICT 4
Dr. Erick Ishii, Dr. Linda Engstrom,
Nancy T. Okada
MOUNTAIN STATES - DISTRICT 5
Frank Ciskovsky, Dot Richeda,
Joni Sakaguchi/Gail Ida
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - DISTRICT 6
Tad Shibata, Cathy Fujimori,
Mary Ann Miyao
NORTHWEST - DISTRICT 7
Pauline K. Sakuma, Mark Achterman,
Paul Mori
SOUTHERN - DISTRICT 8
Paul Jonokuchi, Jeffrey Folick,
Barbara Fukuji
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Charlene Grinolds (2013)
Richard Stambul (2013)
Ken Tanimoto (2013)
Dr. Kent Matsuda (2014)
Tom Nishikawa (2014)
Calvin Doi (2015)
Richard Endo (2015)
Steven Terusaki (2015)
May Peace and Tranquility
Prevail Throughout the World
Wheel of Dharma
(USPS 017-700)
Official Publication of the Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel.: (415) 776-5600; Fax: (415) 771-6293
www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org or www.bcahq.org
Email: bcahq.office@gmail.com
Wheel of Dharma (USPS 017-700) is published monthly by Buddhist
Churches of America, 1710 Octavia St., San Francisco, CA 941094341. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Francisco, CA, and at additional
mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WHEEL OF
DHARMA, 1710 Octavia St., San Francisco, CA 94109-4341.
Subscription free to BCA members; $12.00 annual subscription for
nonmembers.
Submission Guidelines:
We recommend a length of approximately 800-1,000 words, typed,
single-spaced. Longer submissions will be rejected or, if accepted,
split into multiple parts.
We prefer Microsoft Word documents in an 11-point Times New Roman
font, as it translates best for our graphic design department. If you do not
have Word, a simple text file will work, even pasted into the body of an
e-mail message. In ALL cases, do not embed images in Word document.
Send as separate attachment. Please do not send text as PDF files.
Color prints or digital prints are acceptable. Color photocopies, inkjets, or
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Photo attachments should be sent at 300 dpi JPEG, TIFF or PDF format
for best resolution. Cell phone images are not recommended. Web-based
images (72 dpi) do not produce quality images for newsprint usage.
We reserve the right to crop photos and illustrations to conform with
space and design requirements.
Submission deadline: 20th of each month.
WHEEL OF DHARMA POLICY
HARDCOPY PUBLICATION LICENSE:
Authors who submit articles for publication in the Wheel of Dharma (“WOD”)
thereby grant WOD a royalty-free non-exclusive paid up license, worldwide, in
perpetuity and in all media (the “License”) to use, edit and republish the
article(s) and to grant sublicenses to any 3rd party to do so on the same terms.
WOD grants 3rd parties an identical License to republish its articles so long as
the article(s) is republished in its entirety, without edit, providing credit to the
WOD and the Buddhist Churches of America.
ONLINE PUBLICATION LICENSE:
Authors who submit articles for publication in the Wheel of Dharma online
(“WOD”) thereby grant WOD a royalty-free non-exclusive paid up license,
worldwide, in perpetuity and in all media (the “License”) to use, edit and republish the article(s) and to grant sublicenses to any 3rd party to do so on the same
terms.
WOD grants 3rd parties an identical License to republish only the first three
paragraphs of any article, without edit, providing credit to the WOD and the
Buddhist Churches of America including a hyperlink to the article in the WOD.
English Editor: Rev. Ron Kobata
Japanese Editor: Rev. Ryuta Furumoto
Print Production: Jeffrey Kimoto
NOVEMBER 2012 WHEEL OF DHARMA
PAGE 3
News and Highlights・November 2012
“Welcomed, Supported, and Comfortable”
By Leonora B. Clarke, Seattle Buddhist Church, Betsuin
Nineteen minister’s assistants from ten BCA temples and churches participated in the Minister’s Assistant
Program (MAP) training session from October 4-6, 2012. They were joined by the three visiting International Ministerial Orientation Program (IMOP) ministers from Japan.
I got a little lost on the way to the Minister’s Assistant Program session in early October and arrived feeling rather flustered, shy, and not quite sure what to expect. It was
my first time at the Jodo Shinshu Center and my first MAP training. I am somewhat
new to Jodo Shinshu and still feel a bit awkward with the rituals. Also, quite honestly
my chanting is probably best done in a soundproofed room. That being the case, not
for one moment did anyone cause me to feel intimidated or embarrassed. In fact,
within a few hours I felt completely welcomed, supported, and comfortable, thanks to
the staff at the JSC and my fellow participants.
There are three memories of the weekend that have stayed with me upon my
return to the Seattle Betsuin. The first is something that I did not anticipate at all: an
appreciation for the remarkable work that my fellow MAP attendees are doing. They
are an inspiring group of dedicated individuals who are working tirelessly, often in
tiny towns in the Central Valley, California, to help keep the Dharma alive for their
neighbors. Many of the “extras” that I take for granted in our large Seattle Betsuin are
all but non-existent for them. I was filled with admiration for their efforts.
Another memory that will stay with me is an appreciation for the scholarly work
that is being done at the Jodo Shinshu Center. I was hoping that the lectures would be
interesting, but I was surprised to find that they brought my understanding to a new
and higher level. Reverend Matsumoto’s talk in particular addressed some questions
that have rankled me for years. All of the lectures were so obviously heartfelt and I
found the lecturers’ dedication to be contagious.
The third memory that I will hold on to is an appreciation for the JSC itself. I
had seen photos of it on the website, but being in the actual space was an entirely
different experience. The design and layout have such an understated elegance. I suppose that each religion needs a site where its followers can come to reaffirm their
faith. The Jodo Shinshu Center fills that need in America.
As I rode on BART back to the airport I found myself with a silly grin on my
face. Getting lost now felt like a grand adventure. What I received at the MAP weekend made me feel as if I were walking on air.
The Institute of Buddhist Studies & Center for Buddhist Education present:
Winter Pacific Seminar: February 23, 2013
The Path of the Nembutsu
Dr. Takamaro Shigaraki
at the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Details and online registration at the BCA website
Hosted by BCA Southern District Minister’s Association & Buddhist Education Committee
What is the CBE 500 Club?
It is 500 members donating
$120 per year. Your thoughtful donation will help sustain the BCA
Center for Buddhist Education, whose programs strive to bring the
teachings of Shinran Shonin to people of all ages and all walks of life.
Please join us! Thank you for your support!
The Oneness of the Three Treasures
by Rev. Marvin Harada, CBE Co-Director
You are all familiar with the Three Treasures, which are the Buddha, Dharma, and
Sangha. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist master, discusses in one of his
books a most intriguing idea. He explains that the Three Treasures exist at the same
time, that they “inter-are.” They are dependent on each other to exist. This is a fascinating insight by this great teacher.
Thich Nhat Hanh explains that the Buddha is not the Buddha without the
Sangha. The Buddha needs the Sangha to be the Buddha. At the same time, without
the Buddha, a Sangha is not a Sangha; it is just a group of people. The Dharma needs
the Buddha to expound it and a Sangha to hear it, so the Dharma needs the Buddha
and the Sangha to exist as well.
I think that it is also intriguing to replace the word “Buddha” with “minister.”
By that I do not mean that we ministers are Buddhas, but that a minister serving at a
temple has the same interdependent existence as the Three Treasures. Without a
Sangha to serve, I am not a minister. If there is no one to listen to my Dharma talks or
to attend my study classes, my work as a minister is not possible. At the same time, if
a Sangha is not listening to the Dharma being related by a minister (or minister’s assistant), then it is just a group of people, like the members of a golf or tennis club. A
Sangha needs a minister or minister’s assistant to relate and share the Dharma in order to exist. I think a temple truly fulfills its purpose when a minister is striving to
share the Dharma and a Sangha is sincerely receiving it. If any one component is
lacking, then the Three Treasures do not exist at that temple.
May all of our BCA temples and churches be ones in which the Three Treasures
of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha truly flourish.
New documentary film
now in production
Buddhist Church of San Francisco head minister, Reverend Shinjo Nagatomi (seated, third from right),
with Buddhist Churches of America Bussei members, circa 1940.
Streams of Light – Shin Buddhism in America is a new independent film
scheduled to premiere in February, 2013. The 52-minute documentary (English/
Japanese) is directed by Reverend Kentaro Sugao, a Jodo Shinshu kaikyoshi minister
in Brazil, and produced by Ebisu Filmes in cooperation with the Center for Buddhist
Education and the Institute of Buddhist Studies. The film will be an exciting and engaging educational tool for BCA communities and the broader public to learn how
Jodo Shinshu Buddhism has been developing in the West. Streams of Light includes
interviews with numerous Jodo Shinshu ministers and rarely seen archival images
from the BCA collection at the Japanese American National Museum and other private collections.
“The film Streams of Light traces the footprints in history of the Shin Buddhist
priests who dedicated their lives to sharing the Dharma in America over the course
of the 20th and now the 21st century. Through the stories of each priest, we can see a
record of the process through which Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is transforming from an
ethnic religious movement into a world religion.” Excerpt from the film website
Visit the Streams of Light website (http://streamsoflightmovie.com) to view a trailer
and more details of the film.
Help tell our Jodo Shinshu stories! Donations needed for completion
This educational project is being supported by a variety of cash and in-kind donations
including grassroots individual gifts. You can find further information on the homepage of the Streams of Light website. View the various donation options, starting at
$25, which include copies of the film in DVD, Blu-ray, and downloadable formats.
CBE Aprons Back By Popular Demand!
Itadakimasu...
gratefully,
we receive...
White hiragana characters
appear above the double wisteria crest and BCA Center for Buddhist Education.
The apron has two large pockets, an adjustable overthe-head strap, and a waist tie. In navy blue regular
(30”l x22”w) for $20 and black wide (27”l x30”w)
for $25. Soon to be available from the BCA Bookstore. Visit the bookstore thru the BCA website at
www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org
Center for Buddhist Education 2140 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org E-mail: director@cbe-bca.org Phone: 510.809.1460
PAGE 4 WHEEL OF DHARMA
LIVING IN GRATITUDE
AND INDEBTEDNESS
NOVEMBER 2012
CCYBA Retreat
Such is the benevolence of Amida’s great compassion,
That we must strive to return it, even to the breaking of our bodies;
Such is the benevolence of the masters and true teachers,
That we must endeavor to repay it, even to our bones becoming dust. 1
By Mutsumi Fujiwara Wondra
Kyoto, Japan
I
t is a pleasure to write a message for the Wheel of Dharma
from Kyoto, Japan, where I have been studying Shin Buddhism at Ryukoku Graduate School since 2010. What a joy
to live in immeasurable light and compassion of Amida Tathagata, being awakened to the Buddha’s universal vow. The joy
comes from the teachings of Master Shinran and Seven Pure
Land Masters who led me to the true teaching, and my indebtedness extends to the OCBC sangha, BCA ministers, and my
family who always encourage and support my study in Kyoto. I
could not have come this far by myself without their help.
My study in Ryukoku University began in 2010. The first
year I was busy taking classes, and the second year I worked on
my master’s thesis. The theme of my thesis is the “Significance
of Master Shinran’s Teaching: Attaining the stage of the truly
settled based on my propagation experience in the North
America.” Ryukoku University is a mountain of Dharma treasures, which are so interesting and intellectually rewarding.
I wonder how I was able to come this far in Shin Buddhism
studies. In Buddhism, there is a rule called “cause and result.” A
cause leads to a result. To say another way, any result comes
from a cause. But there is another element that is necessary to
travel from a cause to a result, which is a condition. From a
cause, a good condition is needed for a good result.
In my case, I was able to hear the Buddha-Dharma in my
life, which is the “cause.” Then, I was fortunate to have met my
great teachers: Rev. Harada, Rev. Matsumoto, Rev. Miyaji,
Rev. Doami, and some more BCA Ministers who taught me.
Also, I was one of the minister’s assistants among the OCBC
sangha, which encouraged and supported me in my studies.
These are the very important “condition” elements. The condition always helps the cause toward the result.
Sometimes we become confident about our personal ability.
However, when you view it through the Buddhist vision, there
is always something more beyond us. That is called “Tariki –
beyond my own ability and power.” Master Shinran called it the
“Great Working” from the Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Wisdom and Compassion.
Here is my thought:
I was able to hear the Buddha-Dharma.
It was the working from the Buddha.
I met many good teachers.
That also was the working from the Buddha.
I can share the Buddha-Dharma with the BCA sangha.
It is also the working from the Buddha.
With the Buddha’s assistance, we need to apply ourselves to
think of others and be good to others. As we endeavor for ourselves and others, we also appreciate the invisible working from
the Buddha. This is a very important teaching of Shin Buddhism, Jodo Shinshu. Master Shinran expresses this thought in
the gatha, Ondokusan, which we sing on Sunday:
Nyorai daihi no ondoku wa mi wo ko ni shitemo hozubeshi
Shishuchishiki no ondoku mo hone wo kudakitemo shasubeshi 2
[English Translation]
Such is the benevolence of Amida’s great compassion,
That we must strive to return it, even to the breaking of our
bodies;
Continued on Page 6
2012 Ruby Inouye Scholarship Recipient
The Palo Alto Buddhist Women’s Association
awarded its 2012 Ruby Inouye Scholarship to
Elise Bruguera, daughter of Sharon Noguchi
and Larry Bruguera of Palo Alto. Elise was
co-president of the Palo Alto Jr. YBA last year,
and this year is co-president of the Bay District
Jr. YBA. Elise, a graduate of Palo Alto High
School, is attending Duke University, Durham
NC and majoring in Chemistry. Elise’s winning
essay was “What Buddhism Means to Me.”
By Derek Honda
Co-President CCYBA
W
inding down summer and heading into fall, the
Central California Young Buddhist Association
(CCYBA) has been busy with Summer Retreats
and planning fund raisers. Back in August the CC YBA hosted
a Summer Retreat for YBA members from all over California at
the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple (SLO).
We had around 25 participants come out to enjoy the serene setting of the SLO Temple. The retreat was set up mainly
to network with other chapters that we only may see once a
year at Techno Buddha or other Buddhist conferences. We all
indulged in some tasty food which included Paula Deen style
French Toast, taco salads, and tri-tip. Besides eating we were
also active to burn off calories gained.
Activity highlights included kayaking, tower building
competition, and having service at the beach. The entire experience of the retreat was overall really fun and an event not to
be missed if you are a postgraduate or young professional looking to network with fellow Buddhists in the same stage of their
lives.
To help finance all of the activities, our chapter has also
been busy planning our next fundraiser, which will be a Deep
Pit Beef Lunch for $12. We will be selling the lunches on Dec.
2, at the Fresno Dharma Center from 11 am to 2 PM. See CC
YBA Members for tickets.
We are looking forward to a fun filled fall and winter season. Upcoming activities include visits to local fairs, a Halloween movie night, and ski/snowboard trip to China Peak.
Ongoing our chapter members meet up for volleyball and
tennis on Tuesday nights to keep us in shape and high spirits.
To find out more about CCYBA, contact any of the Central California temples and they should be able to get a hold of
one of our many members.
In Gassho
WYBL Reunion at JSC
What Buddhism Means to Me
J
By Elise Bruguera, Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
ust a couple of weeks ago in my Psychology class, we
learned about a concept called the Fundamental Attribution Error. My textbook glossary defines this as
“the tendency for observers, when analyzing another’s
behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation
and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition.”
In other words, the Fundamental Attribution Error is
when one blames someone else’s actions on that person’s
personality instead of taking the situation into account. I
believe that fully understanding, being aware of, and resisting the Fundamental Attribution Error is the essence
of compassion, which is the essence of Buddhism.
To me, Buddhism means having patience with the
man who cut just cut me off on my way to school, because I can’t possibly know what is on his mind. It means
not getting angry with my dog for getting into the garbage or tracking dirt into the house, because he doesn’t
know any better. Buddhism means volunteering my time
to help others, especially those who are less fortunate
than me. It means that yes, that homeless man is probably
simply less fortunate than me, not less hardworking or
deserving.
While the Fundamental Attribution Error deals with
how we view others, another concept addresses how we
view our own lives and the world: living in the present.
For me, dwelling on the past is the easiest way to find
unnecessary unhappiness.
Accepting what I cannot change from the past has
made many things easier, from losing a soccer game to
receiving college rejection letters. Similarly, I realize that
over the past four years, being too preoccupied with the
future compromised my high school experience. I could
have gotten more out of my hundreds of volunteer hours
if I hadn’t felt like I was doing it for my transcript, and I
probably didn’t need to stress out so much over schoolwork. High school has flown by and I wish I had been
present for more of it, but now I am dwelling on the past
again. Instead I will focus on changing that in college.
Buddhism means finding the fine line between accepting what I cannot change and being helpless, and it
means doing what I can to change what is not right. It
means accepting a bad grade and moving past it to do
better in the future. It means knowing that the good side
to every mistake is that I can learn from it. It means that
in every moment I have the power to decide how I feel
and whether I will be happy.
On August 25, 30 former YBA members gathered at the Jodo
Shinshu Center in Berkeley, California for a WYBL Reunion.
The reunion was geared towards those who were active during
the period of 1967-1972. The WYBL (Western Young Buddhist
League)
“A Buddhist Medical
Examiner”
Question: “Why did
a Buddhist medical
examiner get fired?”
Answer: “Because
he would always
write, “birth” as the
cause of death.
NOVEMBER 2012 WHEEL OF DHARMA
PAGE 5
Seattle Buddhist Temple Fall Conference
By Midori Takagi
L
ast month the Seattle Buddhist Temple
held a day-long conference on “Being
Buddhist in a Christian Society: Focus
on Women,” which featured three engaging
speakers: Reverend Patti Oshita from the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, Dr. Sharon Suh,
Chair and Associate Professor of Theology and
Religious Studies at Seattle University, and
Reverend Dr. Shoyo Taniguchi from the
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church.
Dr. Suh gave the keynote address, which
kicked off the entire Saturday event. She discussed the meaning of being a Buddhist in a
Christian society and how the teachings and
philosophy of Buddha are still misunderstood
by western society. Many non-Buddhists, for
example, imagine American-based temples are
filled with robed monks sitting on zabutons,
chanting and meditating in a foreign language.
Dr. Suh also pointed out that many scholars
and students of Buddhist studies mistaken the
teachings to be solely an intellectual pursuit
and have little to do with the “real” world and
issues of social justice. The combination of
these two misperceptions affects the Betsuin
and its members by perpetuating the notion
that Shin Buddhism is foreign and exotic (e.g.
not American), and that the teachings of Buddha are other-worldly and not applicable to
daily life.
The session presentations following the
opening address offered participants three different ways to think about being a Buddhist:
on an everyday level, through an ethnographic
approach, and a neurological perspective. Reverend Oshita, for example, encouraged everyone to be mindful of larger and more important
things and not get bogged down by the mundane. As an example Rev. Oshita related the
experience of her mother’s death. During this
trying time, Rev. Oshita felt only the love for
her mother and was grateful for the time they
had together. This experience also demonstrated how the everyday petty arguments be-
tween parents and children are meaningless
when one focuses on love, gratitude and the
impermanence of life. To help the audience be
mindful of these lessons, Rev. Oshita challenged everyone to spend 24 hours without
complaining--a “no monku” day—as a way to
become more aware and appreciative.
Reverend Dr. Shoyo Taniguchi presented
the “science” behind compassion and happiness. She referred to recent medical studies that
show Buddhist practices can physically promote happiness and well-being. According to
scientists, the more compassion one demonstrates towards others helps reduce the ego and
self-centeredness, which are common sources
of unhappiness. One particular study found
that individuals who help others are happier
and healthier than their counterparts who either complain or selfishly indulge themselves.
Dr. Suh, in her solo session, further discussed the issues of being a Buddhist in a
Christian society based on her personal and
academic experiences with Korean American
Buddhists in Los Angeles. Korean American
Buddhists, for example, struggle to maintain
their beliefs and identities on two fronts: within
the larger non-Asian Christian society as well as
within the largely Christian Korean American
community. Korean American Buddhists often
do not publicly speak about their beliefs to
non-Asians in order to seem more “American,”
nor to fellow Koreans in order to seem more
“Asian.” Dr. Suh notes that most Asian American Buddhists experience similar feelings of
marginalization within the larger American society, but also within their own temples as
more non-Asians join the sanghas.
While the presentations were thoughtful
and thought-provoking, the issue of women in
Buddhism was not really discussed. Other than
the fact that all three presenters were women,
gender was implied, but was not a focus. Aside
from this omission, this event was a wonderful
success and the fact that one hundred people
registered to attend is a clear indication that
the conference should be an annual occurrence.
Banishing Fears of the Afterlife:
Shinran and the Last Moment of Life
By Rev. Dr. Alfred Bloom, Emeritus
Professor, University of Hawaii
A
mong the many important
features of his teaching, there
is one that particularly stands
out. Shinran declares in the first letter
in the collection “A Lamp for the Latter Ages:”
The idea of Amida’s coming at the
moment of death is for those who seek to
gain birth in the Pure Land by doing
various practices, for they are practicers
of self-power. The moment of death is of
central concern to such people, for they
have not yet attained true shinjin (true
entrusting). We may also speak of Ami-
da’s coming at the moment of death in
the case of those who, though they have
committed the ten transgressions and the
five grave offenses throughout their lives,
encounter a teacher in the hour of death
and are led at the very end to utter the
nembutsu
The practicer of true shinjin, however, abides in the stage of the truly settled, for he or she has already been
grasped, never to be abandoned. There is
no need to waiting in anticipation for
the moment of death, no need to rely on
Amida’s coming. At the time shinjin
becomes settled, birth too becomes settled;
there is no need for deathbed rites that
prepare for Amida’s coming…(CWS.
Lamp for the Latter Ages, 1. I, p. 523.)
Since the earliest times of the
Upanishads, religious and philosophic
texts that are the basis of the Indian
spiritual tradition, there has been the
belief in karma and transmigration.
Death was the great transition point.
It was, and is, widely believed that a
person’s last moment of life contains
the foundation for their next life; all
one’s karma is concentrated in that
moment.
2012 IBS Spring
Semester Enrollment
The Institute of Buddhist Studies, Seminary and Graduate School,
2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA,
began its 2012 Spring Semester with
a total of 80 students enrolled in its
Buddhist Studies Programs
“The IBS continues to grow with
the various study programs that is
being provided for the needs of the
contemporary world. We hope to
continue to grow with the help and
support of IBS friends who continue
to support the vision and direction of
our educational program,” said Dr.
Richard Payne, IBS Dean.
Of the total number of IBS students 16 are in the Common MA
program (degree jointly given by IBS
and GTU), of which 1 ministerial,
10 chaplaincy, 3 general Buddhist
Studies, and I Theravada Studies.
Of the 9 MBS student there are 7
ministerial, 1 chaplaincy, 2 leave of
absence. Also attending are 4 Exchange students, 2 from Ryukoku
University, Kyoto, and 2 from
Dharma Drum University, Taiwan.
There are 5 students in the Kyoshi Certification Program and also 6
students auditing classes. There are
40 students from GTU taking various courses provided by the IBS. 20
are on site and 20 are on-line students.
For further information about
IBS, contact IBS (510) 809-1444 or
check the IBS web-site: www.shinibs.edu.
It is a moment of anxiety, since we
do not know what will be in our
minds at that last crucial moment.
Therefore, it is important to have
good thoughts at that time. In order
to do this, we are encouraged to chant
the name of a deity or, in Pure Land
Buddhism, the name of Amida Buddha. If people cannot do it themselves,
they may have a friend do it. The
merit of their recitation then accrues
to the client.
An ancient story recounts how a
Queen of an Indian principality was
given a flower to gaze on when she was
about to die. While she looked at the
flower, she saw an insect and died
with the insect in her last thought. She
became an insect in her new birth.
Her family found out about it and
sponsored services to free her to
achieve a higher birth. Through such
tales ancient people were exhorted to
devote themselves to one or other deity to secure their future afterlife. In
Buddhism it became the practice to
recite the name of a Buddha thousands of times a day, so that this
thought would constantly be in mind,
yielding a good birth. Since we do not
know when the last moment will take
place, various rituals developed to
prepare for this moment.
In the Larger Pure Land Sutra, the
nineteenth vow of Amida Buddha
promises he will meet those who
practice meditation or recite his name
at their death and bring them to the
Pure Land. In the tradition apart from
Shinran there is a ritual where the patient holds various colored cords connected to the hand of the Buddha
image, symbolizing his coming to
meet the devotee as she passes on. It is
all designed to arouse a positive
thought at the moment of death.
There are also famous paintings which
depict Amida Buddha descending
from the Pure Land with his retinue
to meet and guide the believer to the
Pure Land. They are called Raigo pictures.
Shinran, through his interpreta-
tion of absolute Other-Power, discarded thousands of years of tradition
that extended from ancient India,
perhaps as far back as 800 B.C.E. to
his own time in the 13th century C.E.
in Japan. With the transmission of his
teaching down through the ensuing
centuries, it now comes to us, with his
message of spiritual liberation.
It may be recalled that there are
traditionally six levels of life in transmigration. These are hells, animals,
hungry ghosts, angry spirits, human
being and gods. The hell of hungry
ghosts is highlighted in the Obon observance when the monk Mogallana
rescued his mother by giving offerings
to the monks. The most fearsome
births are those in a hell, as an animal
or a hungry ghost. Today it is common to interpret these categories of
births as metaphors or psychological
states of mind. However, in ancient
times, as well for some people in our
modern era, the images are taken literally , raising fears for oneself or one’s
beloved deceased or ancestors. These
beliefs inspired services to bring merit
to the deceased, resulting in a higher
level of birth. The forty-nine day memorial services are also designed for
this purpose to assist the dead as they
pass through stages of judgment
which determine his/her next transmigration.
When Shinran rejected the idea of
the welcome of the Buddha at death,
he also was rejecting the elaborate ritual system that was designed to assure
a good birth for one’s deceased relative. For Shinran, it was not necessary,
because Amida’s vow pledges that he
will save all beings or he will not become Buddha. The Sutra affirms that
when he became Buddha after five
aeons of sincere practice, he turned all
his merit over to beings, enshrined in
his name namu-amida-buddha. When
a person entrusts to the vow and recites the name in gratitude, in that
moment of faith, in that moment
there is the meeting with the Buddha
and the assurance of ultimate enlight-
enment. Transmigration is no longer
to be feared, because one becomes
Buddha immediately upon death. In
one stroke Shinran abolished all the
religious fears that have plagued ancient and modern people concerning
their future destinies.
With his view of Other-Power
and understanding that the devotee
immediately becomes Buddha on
death, Shinran undermined the ancestral emphasis in Japanese religion. He
declared: “As for me Shinran, I have
never said the nembutsu even once for
the repose of my departed mother and
father.” He goes on to point out the
oneness of humanity, that everyone in
the course of their many lives has been
mother, father, brother, and sister to
each of us. When we become Buddha,
we will then save all of them, and
foremost those with “close karmic relations.” (Tannisho 5.)
Shinran recognizes human relations and the closeness we have with
our family members. Nevertheless, it
is an inclusive relation and not an exclusive one that focuses on a particular
family line. The relation is karmic and
universal, not simply a matter of
blood lineage.
Shinran’s interpretation of Buddhism and the Pure Land teaching,
was not only instructive in demonstrating the depth and positive nature
of his own religious experience but it
was creative in the sense that it can
inspire the search for deeper understanding and application of the teaching in our own age. The reformation
or renewal of Buddhism that was diverted in succeeding years in Japan
can now be resumed in a new age, new
cultural context and new social conditions. What was not possible in Japan
can become real in our time. Our age
seeks a new spiritual alternative to replace lost spiritual and social meaning
of faith as the result of decades of war,
social discrimination and economic
collapse.
This was serialized and concludes in
this issue of the Wheel of Dharma.
PAGE 6 WHEEL OF DHARMA
FBWA
Exchange Report
Continued from Front Page
Kara Hamamoto and Kiyumi Nishida
at Hiroshima Betsuin
don’t even get the chance to see these
places. So to actually be in the position where we thought we knew
things, we were just getting started.
Our next stop was Hiroshima.
Here in America, we learn about
Hiroshima in school, but how can
someone truly understand the effect
and the magnitude of the atomic
bomb in Hiroshima from a book? To
see all the artifacts, pictures and testimonies from victims of all ages was
truly an eye opening experience. After walking through the museum and
seeing the Peace Memorial Park, we
had a better understanding of the
hardships and pain people in Hiroshima faced when the atomic bomb
dropped and the years it took to restore their city. But how are we sup-
posed to feel about this? We are labeled Japanese Americans here, but
in Japan, we’re just American’s. Who
could help but wonder if they resented us for the country we live in
despite whatever our political outlook and opinions may be. We
learned that Hiroshima has taken a
stand against nuclear warfare all
around the world and they send a
letter to the President of the United
States every year asking to stop
stockpiling nuclear warheads, but as
we all know, to no avail. Visiting
Hiroshima was an emotional experience and it took us one step closer to
becoming a more compassionate being.
Next stop: Home Stay in the city
of Tokushima on the island of Shikoku. It was amazing. Our host
family, the Sawabe family of the
Senkoji temple, was so welcoming
and so nice. When we first got there
we were a little worried since they
didn’t speak English, and here’s the
kicker, we didn’t speak Japanese!
AH! How the heck were we going to
last 5 days in a city that isn’t based
on tourism? Well, I can say that we
played a LOT of charades and had
fun doing it. Haha. Even with the
Fujinkai we had to use a lot of hand
gestures and pull out our nifty dictionaries. We lucked out and met the
Oda family, and the twin sons happened to be on vacation from their
colleges in America, and get this,
they spoke English! WHEW! I can’t
tell you how lucky we were. So they
tagged along with us when we went
to go watch Awa Odori, which is
President’s Message
Continued from Front Page
tions and to people who find their way to our
Jodo Shinshu tradition.
Fundraising requests are an essential part
of non-profit organizations and we realize individuals and temples have their own needs to
meet. In looking back at 2011, during a substantial period of the Debt Relief solicitation
effort BCA members simultaneously contributed to the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief
effort with more than $1.4 million donated
through BCA. We’re very thankful for both
efforts and can be very proud of these achievements as they reflect the caring and resolve of
our members. I also give a special note of
thanks to the following temples for their exceptional levels of contributions both in terms of
member participation and dollars donated:
Buddhist Church of Florin, Idaho-Oregon
Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Temple of Marin,
White River Buddhist Temple, Buddhist
Church of Fowler, Buddhist Church of Parlier,
and Dinuba Buddhist Church.
In a future issue of the Wheel of Dharma
we’ll be including a list of all donors to Debt
Relief. Posting the names not only recognizes
the contribution of many individuals but is
also part of our effort to improve how we ac-
Akahoshi
Continued from Page 2
As I close my talk, I recall the two recurring themes in this history of the Spokane Buddhist temple and my family. The
first is “dana”, selfless giving: of people
helping people with no thought of personal gain, like my uncle re-enlisting so he
could return to Japan; the temple members helping to build the temple addition
and provide us with vegetables and 100
pound sacks of rice, when they themselves
had very little money; and my parents
making the Hawaii boys feel at home every
weekend.
The second theme is acts of courage:
my parents surviving through camp and
starting a brand new temple in a brand
new town with no salary; my uncle fight-
specific to the island, Aizome, which
is traditional indigo dying, and Karaoke. Being there, we felt like we were
at home. Every night after dinner we
would sit around the table and just
laugh and try and communicate with
each other. It was such a sense of
family and familiarity that we were
so sad when we had to leave them.
We became such good friends and
we really do hope to see them again
someday. Our home stay father, Toshikazu, said to us that it was a
chance meeting, and we couldn’t
agree more.
Our next stop was a YBA convention in Marugame on the island
of Shikoku. We were kind of scared
since we weren’t going to know anyone, didn’t know if we were going to
have a translator, didn’t know anything! But it turned out really well.
We ended up meeting Osamu Nanjo,
who helps with the YBICSE program
and the two girls from Japan who
was on the same exchange. Although
Osamu tried to translate for us, it
was difficult since we sat through
panels and lectures, so it really just
ended up with us talking to each
other, and just hanging out with the
other exchange students: Kana and
Mio. Mio, luckily for us, studied
English in college so communicating
with them was relatively easy.
We spent the rest of our trip with
Kana and Mio in Kyoto. In those last
few days, we spent the majority of
our time with the Federation BWA:
Lectures and meetings. They were
the sweetest ladies and we had fun
playing charades with them as well.
knowledge donors. We’re appreciative of inquires we’ve had this year regarding donation
acknowledgements and we’re resolved to improving the timeliness of providing acknowledgements.
Our BCA Executive Committee met in
early October to discuss the Executive Director
job description that was posted in the October
Wheel of Dharma. Unfortunately the final
version of the job description that had been
prepared was not the one posted, but it gave us
the opportunity to review the job description
to make sure it was aligned with our bylaws
and needs, especially considering other planning efforts that were implemented during
September. The revised posting includes a
change in the position title to Chief Administrative Officer and is better aligned with both
our bylaws and duties that will be performed
by our Bishop. We’ve already had interest
shown in the initial job posting from excellent
potential candidates and we expect this interest
will continue on to this current job description.
In late September Karen and I attended a
regular Sunday service at San Mateo Buddhist
Temple to hear Rev. Ryuta Furumoto’s Dharma message. I’ve had a favorable impression of
Rev. Furumoto since he began as a BCA minister but hadn’t previously been able to listen to
ing in the 442nd; my aunt walking 2 ½
hours over charred bodies to find her
family; and the courageous firefighters
saving the altar and statue of Amida Buddha.
Dana and courage are threaded
through these challenging and miraculous
stories of the past, from which the temple
we know and love has grown into its rich
and diverse present.
I am truly humbled and in awe of all
the causes and conditions that had to take
place for the Spokane temple to survive,
and for me to be able to stand here today
with you. My heart is full and I am so
grateful. How can express this except by
saying “Namo Amida Butsu”. Thank you!
This concludes Karen Akahoshi’s speech
from the 2012 NW Convention.
Tabitha Kobata, Kara Hamamoto and Kiyumi Nishida at Hino Tanjoin.
Haha. We were scared because we
didn’t know what to expect from
them, we knew we weren’t going to
understand what they were saying,
but we wanted to try. We wanted to
try and figure it all out. The whole
atmosphere just felt like we were
talking to long lost family. They
were interested in our lives in America, and we were interested in theirs.
It was so nice to feel so welcomed
even if we are from across the Pacific.
On our very last day, we had an
audience with Lady Otani. Boy was
that nerve-wracking. Everyone was
bustling around to prepare for the
meeting and it made us even more
nervous. It was VERY formal. We
had to stand up and bow when she
entered and sit only when she sat.
She asked us questions about what
we did on our stay, if we had recom-
him as a speaker. During the service Rev. Furumoto talked about the recent full moon and
the Rabbit in the Moon story from the Jataka
Tales, and further explained different fall time
traditions from around the world. Karen and I
were very impressed by his preparation to provide a captivating message for all those in attendance. We had a wonderful time during our
short stay at the temple. I hadn’t given notice
to the San Mateo members of our visit but I
realize I should have. Even though it was a
personal visit I still should have made arrangements to speak to the sangha to thank them for
their actions to help their temple and the BCA,
so I hope to work this in as we visit other temples.
Thanksgiving has always been one of the
most enjoyable US holidays and meaningful
times for me. We get to enjoy delicious foods
that we rarely seem to have during the rest of
the year and we share the meal with people
who have made a positive difference in our
lives and about whom we care deeply. Most
importantly perhaps is the message of thankfulness conveyed by partaking in the Thanksgiving meal in appreciation for every benefit
we’ve been accorded. I wish the best to each of
you at this special time of year.
In Gassho
Indebtedness
Continued from Page 4
Such is the benevolence of the masters and true
teachers,
That we must endeavor to repay it, even to our
bones becoming dust.
The above gatha has me say that I cannot thank
enough to the Amida Buddha’s Great Compassion and
Dharma teachers, even until our bones becomes dust.
It means that my thank-you is not thank-you enough.
This is my thanks to the Buddha-Dharma, to my
Dharma teachers, and to the BCA sangha, who always
guide me within the Buddha-Dharma.
Sending this message from Kyoto, Japan, where the
maple trees have just started turning red and yellow.
Namo Amida Butsu
Shinran, Hymns of the Dharma-Age #59, The Collected Works of Shinran, p412
2
Ibid. Original Japanese Verse (Wasan)
1
NOVEMBER 2012
mendations for Mio and Kana in
Hawaii, what we do at services here
in America. It was very formal, but it
turned out all right. She was very
nice and I know that we are very
fortunate to have been given the
chance to meet with her.
Overall, this trip was incredible.
Japan is such an amazing place, so
rich in history and culture. Never did
we think that we were going to make
so many wonderful memories and
friends, especially with the language
barrier. And we definitely didn’t
think that we were going to have
such a once in a lifetime experience.
So we would like to thank the FBWA
for the support and the incredible
opportunity and we hope that the
next exchange students have an incredible trip just like we did.
In Gassho
BCA Job Posting
Continued from Front Page
components of all program services and provides for quality assurance monitoring of all
BCA programs, assuring correction of any
deficiencies in program services.
Public Relations
May represent the BCA in media relations
by coordinating and/or participating in interviews, developing press releases and all other
media type engagements.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
College degree preferred but not required
with comparable work experience of 5 years
minimum with nonprofit work.
At least 3 years of demonstrated success in
staff leadership, fundraising, partnership development and financial management.
Strong and effective oral and written communication skills.
Must be Microsoft Office proficient, i.e.,
Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Quick Books, etc.
Knowledge of Buddhism preferred.
The position will reside at BCA Headquarters in San Francisco, California. Some
travel is required to the Jodo Shinshu Center
in Berkeley, California, and other meetings/
seminars, outside of the San Francisco Bay
Area.
Please submit resumes and/or inquiries to
Susan Bottari, 3411 Monterey Street, San
Mateo, CA 94403 or by email at s_bottari@
yahoo.com.
Sharing Success
Continued from Page 2
donors and recipients. The minds of donors
were often eased by knowing the butsudans
would be put to their intended use. In some
cases the butsudans were made by Japanese
Americans while they were interned during
World War II so they carried meaningful legacies to their new owners. [Dennis Yamashita
from the Seattle Buddhist Church helped
start the adoption program while he was
chairperson of the temple’s religious department.]
NOVEMBER 2012 WHEEL OF DHARMA
PAGE 2
みと池に水が満ち、水鳥が時折水面をついばむのを見て、キャンプ撤
収の際に残った魚たちの子孫がいまだに生き残っているのを感じまし
た。 約６８年前、たくさんの日系アメリカ人たちが、自分たちの土
ロサンゼルス別院駐在 中田和朗 地を離れ、ジェロームの地を耕し、魚を捕り、いつ終わるともわから
ない生活を送られたことを思うと、胸が詰まりました。 このため池
の前で、キャンプ生活をされていたみなさんは、なにを思われたので
こんにち、わたしたちの米国仏教団BCAは、さま
ざまな人種の人たちが念仏のみ教えをよりどころ しょうか。。。
にする御同朋御同行の団体となりましたが、多く 左の写真は、ジェローム
の方がご存知のように、米国仏教団は、１８９０
キャンプ跡地の中央通だっ
年代、日本からの移民の方々のご努力によって、
たところです。 当時あっ
アメリカにもたらされました。
たバラックはすべて撤去さ
れていますが、建物跡のコ
わたし自身、日系アメリカ人の歴史というのは、
ンクリートの基礎がところ
大学のとき、卒業論文の作成に取り掛かるまで、まったくといってい
どころ残っていました。
いほど知りませんでした。 私が育ったころの日本の公教育におい
当時のキャンプ地図をみる
て、日本の学生が歴史の授業で、日系アメリカ人の歴史を学ぶこと
と、この通りの右側に、仏
は、まったくといっていいほどありませんでした。 なぜなら、日系
教会の建物があったそうで
アメリカ人の歴史は、日本の歴史の一部として扱われていなかったか
す。 日系博物館などに
らです。
は、キャンプ生活中に作ら
わたしの卒業論文の題は、「米国仏教団の歴史と日系アメリカ人」と れた、手作りの仏壇やお念珠などが残されていますが、わたし自身、
いうものでした。 わたしの専攻は真宗学でしたが、論文自体、史学 いざ、キャンプ跡地に立ってみて、ここがかつて監視付きの閉鎖空間
的、社会学的に米国仏教団と日系アメリカ人に焦点を当てたものでし だったことを想像すると、仏教会や、お念仏のみ教えが、ここに当時
た。 当時、龍谷大学大宮学舎の図書館には米国仏教団に関する書籍 生活する人にとって、心の支えであっただろうということは、想像に
難くありませんでした。
というのは、片手に収まるほどしかありませんでしたが、わたし自
身、日系アメリカ人の、特に戦時中の強制キャンプにおける仏教の役 ジェロームから、ミシシッピ川沿いに、北上
割について興味を持ちました。
すると、そこには、小さな町ローワがありま
開教使として、渡米し、１０年目を迎えましたが、渡米以来、時間を す。 その町の中心に、ローワ強制キャンプ
見つけては、全米各地に散らばる強制キャンプ跡地（マンザナー、ア 跡地と墓地があります。 今回の跡地めぐり
マチ・グラナダ、トパーズ、ポストン、ヒラ、フラグスタッフ）をめ で一番興味があったのは、そのローワ墓地で
ぐる旅を重ねてきました。 現在、ヒラとフラグスタッフのキャンプ した。ローワの歴史を調べているとき、その
跡地は、先住民居留地となっていますので、跡地に入るためには、許 町の漢字表記に目が留まりました。 たとえ
ば、トゥルーレークであれば、鶴嶺湖と書き
可を得る必要がありました。 ます。ローワの漢字表記は、朗和となり、わ
また、今年６月に、２日かけて、トゥリーレークキャンプ跡地に、実 たしの名前、和朗の逆であるということに、
際数年間キャンプで過ごした日系アメリカ人のヒロタ氏とその奥さん 気づきました。
とともに訪問してきました。 跡地近くの集落には、当時使われてい た農機具や、バラック（居住用建物）の復元されたものが博物館に展 この墓地には、２０数基の墓石があり、それぞれには、造花が飾られ
ていましたが、もとは、赤かったであろう造花が経年劣化で白くなっ
示されていて、キャンプ生活の一部を垣間見ることができました。
展示品を鑑賞した後、跡地近くを車で走ると、約６８年ぶりに跡地を ているのを見て、長い間訪れる人がいなかったことに気づきました。
訪れたヒロタ氏は、「あの丘はアワビの形をしているから、当時アバ 墓石それぞれに、合掌し、重誓偈をお勤めさせていただきました。
ロニ山と呼ばれていました」と当時を振り返りながら説明してくださ お勤めの後、ふと、口をついて、恩徳讃が出てきました。
“如来大悲の恩徳は身を粉にしても報ずべし師主知識の恩徳もほねを
いました。
くだきても謝すべし”
カリフォルニア州とオレゴン州の州境にあるトゥリーレーク、カリ
ジェローム、ローワ、そして、今夏に訪れたトゥリーレークのキャン
フォルニア州にあるマンザナー、コロラド州にあるアマチ・グラナ
ダ、ユタ州にあるトパーズ、アリゾナ州にあるポストン、ヒラの各跡 プ跡地を実際、自分の足で歩いたとき、戦時中、キャンプでご苦労さ
地は、各州の米国仏教団の寺院からお参りがあったり、キャンプから れながらも、お念仏のみ教えの灯を絶やすことなく、その存続に尽力
された御同朋御同行のみなさまの恩徳に気づかされました。 なぜな
の帰還者が訪問したりして、比較的整備されていますが、中西部に
あった、キャンプ跡地に焦点が当てられることは、これまで余りあり ら、みなさまのなみなみならぬご尽力がなければ、いまの米国仏教団
ませんでした。 今回は、その跡地についてお話しようと思います。 はなかったかもしれませんから。
昨年９月、米国本土中西部、アーカンソー州にあるキャンプ跡地に行
く機会に恵まれました。 その跡地は２つあり、ひとつはジェロー
ム、もうひとつはローワといいます。 それらの跡地は、ミシシッピ
去る10月14日に、菅原祐軌先生が駐在開教使を勤めるフ
州とアーカンソー州の州境、アーカンソー側の静かな田園地帯の中に
ローリン仏教会のサンデーサービスに参加してきまし
ひっそりとたたずんでいます。
た。IMOP* (International Ministerial Orientation Program)
という開教使になるための研修で、BCA各地のお寺を訪
第二次世界大戦真っ
問したり、開教使の先生方やメンバーの方々の講義を受
只中の１９４４年、
けたりすることなどを通して、海外における浄土真宗の
ジェロームには、８
あり方を学んでおります。
４００人を越える日
フローリン仏教会では、午前中に日本語と英語の法話
をさせていただき、午後にはメンバーの方々と運動会で
系アメリカ人たち
汗を流しました。お昼には素晴らしいお食事を一緒にい
が、故郷のカリフォ
ただくなど、とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができまし
ルニアから強制的に
た。共に仏法を聞き、また様々な活動を共に行うことで
移住させられ、不自
メンバー同士の絆も深まり、聞法の道場としてのお寺が
由な生活を強いられていました。 ドライブすると、どの町にも、OO
機能している姿を目の当たりにしました。
町 人口OO人というサインを見かけますが、ジェロームにあった最新
研修は11月16日までと残り少なくなってきましたが、何事にも積極
の看板には、ジェローム ４６人と掲げてありました。 いろいろな
的に取り組んで実りあ
キャンプ跡地を訪れて気づいたことなのですが、どこのキャンプに
るものにしていきたい
も、近くに汽車用の線路がひかれてあり、ジェロームにも、近くを線
と思います。
路が走っていました。 もしかしたら、キャンプ撤収の際、強制移住
（* こ の プ ロ グ ラ ム
民を帰還させる利便性のために、線路の近くをキャンプ用地として選
は海外開教を志望する
ばれたのか、キャンプ用地の近くに線路を走らせたのかもしれませ
人を対象に行われてい
ん。
て、今 年 は ３ 名 が 参
加。この記事は富岡研
ジェロームキャンプ跡地には、いくつかのフィッシュファームとよ
修生によるものです）
ばれる、何エーカーもある魚養殖用のため池がありました。 なみな
今月の法話
あしあと－先人が残したもの 発行所 米国仏教団
Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
電話(415) 776-5600 FAX (415) 771-6293
2012年度教化標語
世の中安穏なれ
2012年 11月号
（きくちますみ）氏。日本語での講演には100名近くの婦人会員が集っ
た（写真左）。釋氏氏が大学時代に弟さんを亡くされた経験を通して、
「逆境が仏さまの教えをいただくご縁になり、転ぜられていく人生が開
10月12日(金)から14日(土)に第42回全米仏教婦人会連盟大会（スミ・ かれる。それが万川が一味になっていくことである」とのお話に涙腺を
タナベ会長）が開催された。大会は2年毎に開催され、今回はサンノゼ ゆるめた方もおられた。また、釋氏氏が学生時代にコーラス部で鍛えた
を中心とする沿岸教区の主催。会場はダブルツリーホテルで、420名近 という美声のリードで恩徳讃を歌い、おおいに盛り上がった。
くの婦人会会員が集った。初日の代表者会議では、約500年前に浄土真
宗の教えを多くの人々に広めてくださった蓮如上人のご功績を讃えた法
要を、各仏教会で毎年お勤めすることについて話し合われた。
二日目は今大会のテーマ、『入海のごとく一味なり』に沿って基調講
演、分科会が行われた。オープニングサービスでは梅津総長からご法話
をいただき、総長がアメリカに来て間もない頃「一世の婦人会の方の顔
がみな同じに見えた。」「婦人会のフードセールでかまぼこの厚さを薄
く均等にして切らないと怒られた」など思い出話をまじえながら、「ひ
とりひとりが違っているのは当然であるのに、違う意見の者を邪魔者に
しがちである。阿弥陀さまの光は、我々のそういう愚かな姿を見せ反省
を促し、同時にあたたかく包みこんでくださる」とわかりやすく話され
た。仏教婦人会連盟総
裁の大谷範子お裏方か
昼食会の間、各チャプターの会長や開教使夫人（顧問）が、各地で仏
らいただいた祝辞も披
婦のチームのリーダーとして活躍していることに対して、梅津ジャネッ
露された。
ト名誉顧問から謝意が表された。
基調講演では英語と日
分科会では「聞法の集い」はもちろんのこと、「宗教界で活躍してい
本語にわかれて聴聞し
た。英語のご講師は加 る女性」、「なぜ私は浄土真宗になったか」、「高齢の親の介護」など
州バークレー大学の民 のレクチャーやディスカッションが行われた。また「気功」や「風呂敷
俗学教授、グレン中野 の使い方」、「上手なものの収納」なども人気を呼んだ。
3日目には全米仏教婦人会連盟の新しい役員の就任式が催された。新
エベリン氏、日本語の
会長はベニス仏教会のベリー・ダイアン氏。次回の大会は南部教区で
ご講師はカナダ開教区
2014年に開催される予定。（古本記 写真提供同氏）
の元開教使釋氏真澄
全米仏婦連盟大会成功裏に終了㻌
願いに包まれて 梅津廣道
９月にユタ州の三ヶ寺合同の百周年記念法要と行事、南アラメダ郡仏
教会５０周年、そしてマウンテンビュー仏教会５０周年と続けて明る
い行事に参加させていただきました。それぞれ、特色のある歴史を持
ち、これからに向けて新しい第一歩を踏み出しています。
ユタ州の行事は１５日（土）モルモン教の本山のあるソルトレーク
市で行われ、３００名が参加し
ました。特別講師は州最高裁判
事までつとめたジマーマン氏
（写真左）でした。氏は禅僧と
して活躍されていますが、真宗
の僧俗一体の仏教教団が将来ア
メリカで広がるであろうと、私
たちの教団に期待をかけていま
した。
南アラメダ郡でも２３日（日）大勢が集まり、法要と晩餐会が催さ
れました。晩餐会ではオリンピックの金メダリストのクリスティ・ヤ
マグチさんが総合司会を務め、仏教会で学んだことが人生の指針に
なっていると、笑顔で語っていたのが印象に残っています。
サンノゼの北にあるマウンテンビュー仏教会も独立してから早５０
年となります。９月２９日（土）には５００名が一同に会し法要を勤
め、会館で祝賀会が行
われました。司会を務
めたのは同仏教会会員
で、桑湾と沿岸教区の
ＮＢＣ放送のニュース
で顔なじみのマイク・
イノウエ氏でした。放
送のときも腕輪念珠を
していて、仏教徒であることを誇りに思うと語っていました。余興の
中で大勢のダルマスクールの子供たち（写真上）が輪をつくり、夢な
どを紙に書き、それを持って会場を歩き回っていた姿を見て、目頭が
あつくなりました。
それぞれの仏教会には歴史があり、その歴史の中には多くの人の願
いがあります。仏教会はその願いが形となったものだと思います。
サンクスギビングが近づいてきました。この機会に自分を振り返り、
また多くの人たちのご苦労を思い、感謝の気持ちをあらわして、同時
に私たちの周りにある願いにもう一度ふれたいものであります。
去る９月２９日(土)にサンルイスオビスポ仏教会で雅楽と舞楽のコン
サートが行われた。演奏と演舞はロサンゼルス洗心仏教会の緊那羅（き
んなら）雅楽団。同雅楽団は毎年サンルイスオビスポ仏教会でリトリー
トを行っており、今年は同仏教会８５周年のイベントの一環としてコ
ンサートを開催した。北カリフォルニア雅楽団員(バークレー)も応援
に か け つ け、
演奏に参加し
た。木 々 に 囲
まれたお寺の
境内での演奏
を楽しんだ参
加 者 は「歴 史
ある東洋の音
楽とアメリカ
の自然が調和
してたいへん
素晴らしかっ
た」と 感 激 し
て い た。（古 本
記）