Original `Toro Nagashi` in America Reverend Kakei Nakagawa

BUDDHIST CHURCH OF PARLIER
P.O. Box 547 360 Newmark Avenue
Parlier, California 93648
Phone: (559) 646-2844
LIVE A REAL LIFE
July/August 2016
Original ‘Toro Nagashi’ in America
‘Toro Nagashi’, Floating Lantern Ceremony in Fresno began in 1986 but was passed down for decades after
World War II.
The Sansei (third generation) do not know that many Japanese-Americans lost their lives in the bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since it was common among first-generation immigrants to send their children to Japan for
education, many children were in Japan and indeed, in their parents’ hometown of Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the
war broke out and bombs were dropped on both cities. The aged had a difficult time mending their hearts after such
loneliness, missing their sons, daughters and siblings.
In its original meaning, the Floating Lantern Ceremony was the event that symbolized the end of the Obon season.
But this event began to take on a different meaning after the end of WWII… “that” day, under a blinding flash in
Hiroshima.
On August 6th one year later, many people who lost family members, relatives and friends voluntarily started to float
handmade lanterns here and there along the riverside in Hiroshima city. This, for the repose of souls of the loved ones
who evaporated in an instant or burned without a trace who had been living only in their memory.
From around the 3rd year after the end of WWII, members of Jodo-Shinshu temples located near “Ground Zero”
had taken the lead of distributing thousands of handmade lanterns to the bereaved families and floated these lanterns
in a river from a dry riverbed facing “Ground Zero”. More than 60 percent of these temples’ members vanished, and
the remaining members were victims. People gathered and on the lantern panels, wrote the name of the person who
had passed away (Buddhist name or secular name) and the name of donor. Prayers were also written, for the first
ceremony. As well as “appeasement of the spirits”, the messages written became “peace” messages. For the first time,
we read messages such as, “No nations, just people. Peace”, “No more Hiroshima and Nagasaki”, “No more Stupidity
on Earth”, etc.
When President Obama called on Hiroshima the other day, a message of an apology was argued in the United States,
but it was just an insignificant argument among the people of Hiroshima.
The meaning of Hiroshima has exceeded way beyond the war.
Quite a few deep-thinking people who had been living in the world recognized, “that day under a blinding flash,
which surpassed the brightness of the sun, we human beings entered into A NEW ERA. We human beings, Homo
sapiens, through the ages have been living our short lives foreboding death as individuals up to 100 years. But since
“that” day we gained a foreboding of the biological death of an entire species forever. Our real-self came into view for
the first time, but at the present time we still don’t recognize our folly, foolishness that may cause the total downfall
of all species on the earth itself.”
Please be reminded of the Buddha’s wish-for-the-world and the response of Rennyo Shonin, the master of Honganji;
“As long as space abides and as long as the world abides, so long may I abide, destroying the sufferings of the
world.” by the Buddha
“I shall promote the world of non-violence of physical, mental, cultural and social for establishing the true Sangha,
where any individual would never be impaired to realize their full potential.” by Rennyo Shonin, 15c, Japan.
We must know that Buddha’s wish truly makes serious sense for the future of mankind now.
The historical Floating Lantern Ceremony will be held in Woodward Park from 7:30pm on August 6. This event
wishes true peace as well as to pay tribute people who have passed away.
Namo’amitabhaḥ in Gassho (with both palms together),
I wish to express my sorrow and regret over the victims at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Reverend Kakei Nakagawa
1
MESSAGE FROM REV. ALAN SAKAMOTO
Compassion and Altruistic Joy
Imagine, that you were sealed in a gym with a group of strangers by aliens. All the windows and doors are
permanently shut. The aliens provide you with all the food and water you need to survive. You can’t get out,
you are struck in the gym with those people for the rest of your life. What will you do after the shock, anger
and frustration subside? How will you react? How will you treat those struck in the gym with you?
Your well being, companionship and friendship will have to come from all those strangers. You can choose
to live isolated from everyone and try to be an island unto yourself. Or you can work with everyone to make
the best of the situation. Then what happens when someone is sad, depressed, angry or ill? I hope that we
would all understand that we are in the same boat and that we need to take care of and support each other.
We are all “wearing each other’s shoes.” I hope that we would all learn to trust each other, comfort and
sacrifice for each other because the others would do the same for me. This mutual understanding that we are
all together in the same gym with the same issues and concerns is the foundation for Compassion.
Compassion IS NOT feeling sorry for someone else. That is pity. That kind of compassion sees others in a
different situation and emphasizes their sufferings and misfortunes. That kind of compassion compares us to
others. That is not Buddha’s Compassion.
Returning to the closed gym. When we are all in it together, we bond together to form a tight knit committee
where each person’s difficulties becomes the difficulties for the group. There is a willingness to sacrifice for
each other, and a tremendous amount of empathy. Each person will try to understand as best as possible that
they too might face that same problem, and therefore, selflessly work to help each other for the betterment of
the whole group. In the case of the closed gym, and in life, we are all in this together, and we are all dependent
on each other. We are all equal. Those people over there are just like us. Our feelings of Compassion are not
based on comparing ourselves with another, but in knowing that we too are having problems when someone
else has problems.
On the other side of the coin is Altruistic or Sympathetic Joy. How do you feel when someone else
experiences something joyful or happy or good? Do you ignore them? Have you been jealous? Are you
sincerely and genuinely happy for them? If we are in the same closed gym, then we realize that the other
person’s happiness IS our happiness. Just like their suffering becomes our suffering.
The difference in how we act in our everyday life versus the closed gym example is that we constantly
compare ourselves to others. It’s the “me vs them” attitude that makes it difficult to be truly Compassionate
and to share in their joy. We look at others to see what kind of clothes they are wearing, what kind of car
they drive, the kind of cell phone they use, where they go to school, what grades they get, and so on and so
forth. Why do we have to always compare ourselves with others? This means that we are looking outside of
ourselves for our happiness and satisfaction in life.
The answer is not out there, but inside each and every one of us. This is what the Buddha taught. The
happiness and satisfaction in life you seek isn’t out there, look inside yourself. And maybe, just maybe you’ll
have greater empathy for others too.
I go to the Buddha for guidance.
I go to the Dharma for guidance.
I go to the Sangha for guidance.
Rev. Alan Sakamoto
2
MESSAGE FROM REV. MATT HAMASAKI
One of my favorite songs to sing at temple is “Buddha Loves You”. This comes from my
childhood days when the Dharma School would have to perform for special services. The
kids would stand on the steps in front of the onaijin and line up so everyone’s face could be
seen and they would sing while everyone in the congregation watched. In order to prepare
for this, every Sunday for about the month before the teachers would help the children rehearse so hopefully
the kids would be familiar enough with the tunes that it would sound good when the big day came.
When I was very young, the teachers asked us to memorize the songs so we would practice them even
when we weren’t at church. However, not all of the kids came as prepared and one of my earliest and fondest
memories is when one of my friends did not know a song, but he still had to go up with the rest of us. The
adults told him just to mouth the words but being a kid and not knowing the words, the lip syncing he did
looked less like singing along and more like just screaming silently (perhaps because of this the teachers
started writing the lyrics on cards and sat in front of the kids so it wouldn’t be necessary to memorize
everything).
The lyrics to “Buddha Loves You” go Fly, fly, little bird/ Buddha loves you little bird/ tweet, tweet, tweet,
tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. It continues with Don’t cry pussycat and Run, Run, little pup finally ending with
Swim, swim, little fish and each of them is accompanied with the corresponding animal sound meow, bow
wow, and for the last one everyone open their mouth like a fish would. The simplicity and acting out the
actions made this song a favorite. And while the surface meaning is very simple in that it shows that Buddha
loves birds, cats, dogs, and fish, there is a deeper meaning.
The Buddha has no discrimination when it comes to the Buddha’s love. And the Buddha loves them for
doing what they do naturally. The first idea points to how the Buddha accepts all beings as they are and so,
then, should everyone accept themselves and others. The second point speaks to how when a puppy runs or
a fish swims, they do so without thinking, without trying, without effort. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t
expend energy, rather it means that they do it without ego. The actions they do are pure because it is without
selfish intention. Both of these are ideals that are modeled by the Buddha and which we should constantly
work towards.
June Sangha
Gathering
Calvin lead us in meditation.
Keiren takes meditation seriously.
Adult class discussion: Is it hard
or easy to be a Shin Buddhist?
Everyone enjoyed lunch made by
the Wilson family.
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Buddhist Church of Parlier would like to extend our
appreciation to the following for their generous donations
TEMPLE
Mr. & Mrs. Johnson Kakutani
Hiromoto Family
Mr. & Mrs. David Ogami
Mrs. Janet Takata
Aya & David Windle
Mr. & Mrs. Royce Kimura
Mr. & Mrs. Laurence Kimura
Ms. Varlene Kimura
Mr. & Mrs. Vince Iwo
Mr. & Mrs. Shiz Kimura
Mrs. Denise Kusunoki
Arthur Mihara/Barbara Goto
Mr. & Mrs.Gary Goto & family
Wong-Sing Family
Paul Kimoto Family
Gerry Miyata Family/
Holcomb Family/Feguis Family
Mr. & Mrs. George Tsuji
Mr. & Mrs. Kazuo Komoto
Mrs. Takako Kanemoto
Mrs. Kuni Nishimura
Mrs. Ashley Calhoun
Donations
Donations
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Mrs. Flora Doi
Mr. & Mrs. Shiz Kimura
17th year memorial for Tadako Kakutani................................$75.00
Monthly memorial for Teruo Hiromoto...................................$20.00
Monthly memorial for Terumi Ogami.....................................$20.00
Monthly memorial for Shinayo Takata....................................$50.00
Memorial for Tsune & Sawae Kimura...................................$200.00
1st year memorial for Sawae Kimura....................................$100.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”......................................$100.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”......................................$100.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”......................................$100.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”........................................$50.00
Monthly memorial for Bill Goto..............................................$40.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”........................................$50.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”........................................$20.00
17th year memorial for Shizuko Kimoto &...........................$100.00
Memorial for Takashi Kimoto
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”......................................$100.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”......................................$100.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”........................................$50.00
” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”........................................$15.00
7th year memorial for Tad Kanemoto....................................$100.00
Obon.........................................................................................$50.00
Special......................................................................................$60.00
Sangha Gathering.....................................................................$94.00
Bishop’s memorial service.......................................................$25.00
Ms. Varlene Kimura
Mr. Glenn Nakamichi
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Wilson
Ms. Setsuko Yotori
DONATIONS for MONTHLY MEMORIAL/ BISHOP’S MEMORIAL SERVICE :
Mr. & Mrs. Tatsumi Arakawa
Mrs. Takako Kanemoto
Mrs. Hiroko Kimoto
Mr. & Mrs. Shiz Kimura
Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Koga
Mr. & Mrs. Kelvin Miyakawa
Mrs. Toshiye Nakamichi
$20.00
Mrs. Kuni Nishimura
$25.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Tsuboi
$50.00
Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Wong-Sing
$25.00
Mr. Robert Yano
$20.00
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Yoshimoto
$50.00
Mrs. Ruby Yukawa
$20.00
$50.00
$30.00
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00
4
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING JUNE 13, 2016
By Sho Higuchi, Co-Secretary
Meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.
Gassho was led by Curtis Koga. Quorum was
established.
Those in attendance: Sho Higuchi, Glenn Yoshimoto,
Steve Sasai, Curtis Koga, Cheryl Koga, Tad Kozuki,
Calvin Doi, Toshie Mori, Dennis Ikuta, James
Goishi, Yuki Mori, Joyce Sasai, Kaye Kozuki
MINUTES - Minutes from May 9, 2016 meeting
read.
Corrections to: Change V&P table at Asian Festival,
women from Fresno and Fowler had a Japanese
cultural booth, change Finance dates to April from
February. Kaye moved to accept minutes with
corrections, seconded by Dennis. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT - Glenn gave the treasurer’s
report.
MINISTERS’ ASSISTANTS - No report
OLD BUSINESS
Bishop Memorial - Money earmarked for Bishop to
be sent
Cemetery Service - BWA did a fantastic job.
Appreciate others coming out to help with cleaning
Sangha Gathering Service - Great service, encourage
everyone to come enjoy the service.
Property Sales - Everything in limbo
Activities - Movie day was successful. Next one after
Obon. August 20th, 10am with lunch service.
Shoshinge Chanting (6/20)
Scrips - Use and the church will get money
NEW BUSINESS
Upcoming Services - (7/3) Sangha Gathering,
Matsuko making sushi, (7/17) Obon Service.
Hatsubon Lanterns - Lanterns have been offered
to families, lanterns ordered. Lanterns for others
who have passed can be purchased by families.
Obon - Paint poles, see what needs to be replaced.
CCYBA will help paint the poles. Possibility of
adding railing.
Sharing Guest Speakers - Discuss sharing speakers
with Fowler.
Nishimura and Temple Scholarships - Application
in process.
Obon Work Day - 8:30, July 20th. Shade to be put up.
Clean up after Obon sales (Monday).
Fresno Scholarships - Jenna Aoki offered YBA
scholarship.
BCA Social Welfare - Sizeable sum donated to
Vintage Gardens for walk-in refrigerator
NEXT MEETING – Monday, July 11, 2016 @ 7:00
,
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Maintenance - Door locks, re-keyed, Tad to
schedule rekeying of parsonage, Moris trimmed
hedges, Tad took care of spraying the lot across the
street, Tad sprayed classrooms for bugs, paint facia
and eaves, do it in late summer early fall, potential
for getting donation to cover the cost, need “letter
of determination” to prove nonprofit status. Need
to start maintenance committee to spread the
responsibility, Kaye, Tad, Dennis, James, Bill
Watamura, Neil to be asked for committee. Need
to watch the sprinkler system, stay aware of what
could be broken.
BWA - Thank you to Gail for tonight’s refreshments.
May 15 – Thank you to South District for taking care
of refreshments after the service. Gotan-E Service Julie and Carol. May 21 – Movie Day! – About 40
people attended and enjoyed the movie, Like Father,
Like Son. Light lunch followed. Positive response.
May 30 – Made approx 130 bouquets for cemetery
distribution. Thank you to all those who brought
flowers and to those who helped to assemble and
distribute the bouquets. Jun 11 – Group 3 (headed
by Yoshimotos) cleaned church. Jun 12 – North
District was in charge of after-service refreshments.
Thank you, Kaye, May and Charlene.
Looking ahead: Beginning June 14, we will be
having Obon practices at the church. Lindsay and
Lesley Guerra will be teaching the dances. Jul 16
– Group 1 clean up headed by Gail Hachiya. Jul 17
– Obon luncheon following service. Will be planning
menu and getting headcount. (Nigiri and salads), Jul
22 – Obon roasted pork lunch prep, Jul 23 – Obon
lunch sales and Obon dance.
Publication – Nothing to report
V & P - Nothing to report
85th Anniversary - Date changed from October 22nd
to November 19th. Kieshiki Service at 9:30 before
85th Ann. Service. Will find out who will MC. Julie
will be working on invitations and program
Finance - Outlook good
5
BUDDHIST WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
By Kaye Kozuki, BWA Newsletter Writer
We are in the midst of a typical summer in Central Valley. BWA had a number of activities they were involved
in. July is Obon month which involves many activities. August is a sigh of relief month. The newsletter takes
August off and will be back in September. But check this newsletter for events happening in August. There will
be a “movie Sat” on Aug. 20 @ 10 am.
Cleaning Group 3 headed by Lynne/Glenn Y. cleaned the temple for June. Everyone’s help is needed each
month to keep our church in good condition. There is a lot of maintenance to be done to keep our temple ship
shape. Thank you to everyone in Group 3 who came out and did the chores. Group 1 lead by Gail H. will be
cleaning July 16.
The Bishop/Lady Ohtani Monthly Memorial Service was held in June. North Toban provided the refreshments
and members also helped with the serving. Thank you May T., Charlene M., & Kaye K. for providing the
refreshments. About 35 attended.
In July, the annual Obon Service will be held on July 17. Reverend Henry Adams from San Mateo Temple
will be guest speaker. He delivers very interesting Dharma messages. We are very lucky to get him to come to
ourTemple. The social chairs will provide a light lunch of nigiri and salads.
July was a busy, busy month because of our annual Obon Obento Sales & Obon dancing on July 23. Thank
you to all the BWA ladies who helped in the preparations. Toshie M., Matsuko S. & Nancy Doi/Wilson helped
dress some of the dancers. Big thank you to Karen S., Toshie M., Curtis K., Sho H., Kaye K. who provided the
leadership in planning, scheduling, & purchasing for this event. Check the schedule list in this newsletter for
Obon prep times.
With the Obon over until next year, we went on to August. August is a fairly quiet month. Cleaning Group 2
headed by Denise K. cleaned the Temple. Thank you all for coming out to clean.
The August Monthly Memorial Service was held on August 14 with Reverend Matt Hamasaki as the
officiant. He is doing a great job as one of the ministers servicing the 7 churches in Central Valley. At his young
age, he is doing a wonderful job relaying the Dharma messages to us all.
July Events:
July 3 – Sangha Gathering – Topic: Obon by Steve Sasai
July 16 – Cleaning the Temple by Group 1 headed by Gail H.
July 17 – Obon Service/Monthly Memorial with Guest Speaker Rev. Harry Adams, Officiant Reverend
Sakamoto
July 23 – Obon Obento Sales 4:30-7:30 pm & Obon Dancing 8 pm.
August Events:
August 7 – Sangha Gathering – Topic: Compassion by Brandon Hill
August 13 – Cleaning of church by Group 2 headed by Denise K.
August 14 – Monthly Memorial Service – Officiant Reverend Matt Hamasaki
August 20 – Movie Morning 10 am – Anyone and everyone are invited!
There is a website that posts Japanese cultural events. They are called “Japanese City”. They have
contacted the BCP email requesting information of our Obon. They have already posted our information
on their website and it would be great if our members could access it.
Here is their website: http://www.japanese-city.com/calendar/events/index.php?eID=34830
Here are more places to visit them:
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/JapaneseCity/
Website: http://www.Japanese-City.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/JapaneseCity
6
The Sangha Gathering Corner
During the June Sangha Gathering, we learned and recalled the proper etiquette to
use in the hondo, and the respectful manner in which to handle church accessories. When
entering the hondo, we should always lead with our left foot to show that we are humbled
and ready to accept a profound message delivered by the Buddha’s example. You turn
yourself to face the altar where the golden statue of the Amida Buddha stands, and give
him a bow at 15 degrees, more like a light not of respect to an extraordinary man,
rather than dropping to your knees in the presence of a God, for he was not a God, but
rather a man finding the meaning of life. The altar is set up so it can give a lesson in
itself. The flowers stand for beauty and impermanence. Later, the flowers will wilt. The
candle stands for wisdom and light, but also can stand for impermanence because the
candle flame will melt all the wax and disappear. On the left-hand side, facing the altar,
is a picture of Renyo Shonin and Shinran Shonin’s daughter, Kakushinni. On the right is
a famous drawing of Shinran Shonin and his spouse, Eshinni. The way that Dr. Sasai said
to remember it is that “Shinran is always right.”
Later Sensei Ashley told us the proper way to handle a service book, and how to bow.
We later played a game of Jeopardy with questions about etiquette in the temple.
In the social hall, we ate food made by the Doi-Wilson family. They made somen,
salad, and for dessert, they brought brownies and mochi ice cream. Overall, it was
a fantastic service. Koji Arakawa
Ashley and Andrea teach class
Happy Birthday
July 28th - Connor Kozuki
August 8th - Jason Higuchi
August 20th - Kenji
7
MONTHLY MEMORIAL SERVICE
The July Shotsuki Service will be on Sunday, July 17, 2016.
Families, as well as all members and friends are encouraged to attend.
JULY SHOTSUKI
DECEASED
MOURNER
Mr. Juichi Yamamoto
63 yrs.
Mrs. Kikuye Hirakawa
Mrs. Rurie Suehiro
58 yrs.
Mrs. Matsuko Suehiro
Mrs. Shige Takano
50 yrs.
Mrs. Betty Sumiko Doi
42 yrs.
Mr. David Doi
Mrs. Atsuko Saiki
41 yrs.
Mrs. Toshie Mori
Mrs. Jean Kubo
37 yrs.
Mr. George Kubo
Mr. Jitsuo Nishida
34 yrs.
Mr. Paulie Nishida
Mr. Hisata Hachiya
28 yrs.
Mrs. Miyoko Ohara
Mr. Hiroshi Sakai
27 yrs.
Mr. Tom Sakai
Mrs. Fujiko Yoshida
29 yrs.
Mr. Seisuke Miyakawa
67 yrs.
Mr. Kelvin Miyakawa
Mrs. Sekino Yamada
25 yrs.
Mrs. Julie Doi
Mr. Nobuo Ebisuba
19 yrs.
Mrs. Sumiko Ebisuda
Mr. Zenjiro Yamashita
Mrs. Naomi Tamura
Mrs. Hatsuno Yamashita
Mrs. Naomi Tamura
Mrs. Kikuye Hirakawa
11 yrs.
Mrs. Masayo Yano 10 yrs.
Mr. Robert Yano
Mr. Minoru Yamada
1 yr.
Mrs. Julie Doi
Mr. Tom Koga
1 yr.
Mrs. Kikuye Koga
The August Shotsuki Service will be on Sunday, August 14, 2016.
Families, as well as all members and friends are encouraged to attend.
AUGUST SHOTSUKI
DECEASED
MOURNER
Mr. Fukumatsu Kobashi
61 yrs.
Mrs. Carol Kobashi
Mr. John T. Goishi
54 yrs.
Mr. James Goishi
Mrs. Maki Miyakawa
75 yrs.
Mr. Kelvin Miyakawa
Mrs. Sasayo Okada
51 yrs.
Ms. Ellen Okada
Mr. Sahei Sakai
50 yrs.
Mr. Fukutaro Takata
33 yrs.
Mr. Fred Takata
Mr. Jack S. Ikuta
34 yrs.
Dr. Dennis Ikuta
Mr. Noboru Doi
26 yrs.
Mr. David Doi
Mr. Toshiyuki Yoshida
75 yrs.
Mr. Asato Yamamoto
76 yrs.
Mrs. Kikuye Hirakawa
Ms. Fusaye Takano
79 yrs.
Miss Tami J. Kozuki
77 yrs.
Mr. Steven Kozuki
Mrs. Lillian Ogami
20 yrs.
Mr. Fred Nagare
Mr. Sumio Takata 9 yrs.
Mrs Janet Takata
Mrs. Masumi Mary Nagatomi
7 yrs.
Mr. Shiz Kimura
Mr. Edward Kurokawa
6 yrs.
Arlene Kurokawa
Mr. Kiyomi Kay Kobashi
1 yr.
Mrs. Carol Guerra
2016 is the Memorial year for those deceased in
2015............... One year Memorial
2000......... 17th year Memorial
2014.................3rd year Memorial
1992......... 25th year Memorial
2010................. 7th year Memorial
1984.........33rd year Memorial
2004............... 13th year Memorial
1967......... 50th year Memorial
8
Reminder
Parlier Obon & Obento Sales
Temple Dues
Yearly dues for 2016 are being
accepted. Thank you to those who
have paid already. Your support is
greatly appreciated. The schedule of
payment is again: $275 per person and
$550 per couple. For 1st year new
member, dues are $137.50 and 2nd
year is $206.25. If you would like to
donate more, it would graciously be
accepted.
Sat. July 23
Obento Sales 4:30-7:30 pm
Obon dancing @ 8 pm
Fresno Taiko will perform
Pulled pork obento
Pre sale $10
A La Carte: Cold Somen/Somen salad/spam musubi
Yuki speaking Sat, July 2 on
Buddhist Radio KFTB (AM900)
Sangha Gathering
k
July 3 @ 10 am
Topic:
y
Sangha Gathering
Obon
August 7 @ 10 am
Steve Sasai Speaker
Topic: Compassion
Come and enjoy a morning of informal
Dharma talk, interaction with others, and a
nice light lunch
Brandon will be giving the short talk.
Brandon, his wife & young son are
frequent visitors to different events at
our Temple
Obon Service
July 17 @ 10 am
Guest Speaker
August Monthly Memorial
Reverend Henry Adams
Service
August 14 @ 10 am
From San Mateo Temple
Officiant: Rev. Sakamoto
Officiant: Rev. Matt Hamasaki
Refreshments will be provided.
y
9
NOTES FROM KAYE
Shares @ SaveMart
Many of you are using this program when buying your groceries and the Church thanks
you. Every purchase made by someone who uses the Church’s phone number as the
receiving organization will benefit our Temple. Just remember to tell the cashier when
you check out that you would like to use the Shares Program to benefit our Temple,
then enter the Church’s phone number (559-646-2864) in the keypad when checking
out. That’s all you need to do.
Gift Cards for you, to benefit the Church
Thank you for buying the Scrip Gift Cards!! Janette has reported that sales are
picking up! This benefits the Church which now has made almost $600 since the
beginning of this year. There are many stores, restaurants, gas stations, others
that you can purchase cards for. Check last month’s newsletter for a list of some
retailers. Janette has a more extensive list of places. Just ask or go online to
find a big list www.shopwithscrip.com
Welcome Center
b TaiChi Alert
Every Thurs 9:15a
Taichi will be taking a break from June 23
until July 7. After that, Taichi will resume
At the Parsonage
at the Parlier Park for the summer. It is
a nice serene place to practice. Every
Thurs @ 8a – 9a
j
Have fun learning to play card games
And there are goodies to enjoy!
q
Curtis’s Monthly Discussion
Group
Help Needed
Held the second Wednesday of each
month; 7pm @ Temple
Everyone is welcome and bring a friend.
It is informal and fun and you learn
about Buddhism.
Cleaning bins, yagura poles, setting up for Obon
Wed, July 20 @ 8:30 am
&
We will be cleaning up after the Obon on
Mon., July 18 @ 8:30 am
Your help would greatly be appreciated.
10
OBON 2016, A TRIBUTE TO THE FARMERS
The Central California Obon Season will once again have a theme for this year. This will be a great
opportunity to express our gratitude to the generations of farmers in the Central Valley, who are largely
responsible for building the CC Temples. Without their hard work, religious faith, and dedication to
preserving the Buddha Dharma, our Buddhist temples in communities spread throughout the Valley would
not exist today. In many cases, much of the actual construction of our temples were done by the hands of
the farmers in the area.
As we did last year, the Central Cal District Council of the BCA will encourage participation in all the
Obon Odori events throughout the Valley, starting with Visalia on June 25th, then Reedley on July 2nd,
Fresno on July 9th, Fowler on July 16th, and finally in Parlier on July 23rd. This year all events will be
held on Saturday evenings. We will be giving out hand fans to all dancers and they will be stamped at
every event you attend. If you collect three or more stamped images on your fan, you will earn a lapel pin
depicting the logo for this year’s Obon season. We encourage all dancers that were awarded pins last year
honoring the Taiko drummers to wear their pins on your kimomo, hapi coat, or other dancing garb this year.
Good weather has been ordered. In the spirit of Obon Odori, we encourage everyone that attends to
participate in the dancing, regardless of whether you know the dance moves or not. Just go out and enjoy
yourselves. ‘Hope to see you all there.
Buddhism at the Movies: Departures
Monday, September 5, 2016
Buddhist Church of Parlier
with Reverend Jon Turner
4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Movies are not merely entertainment. When done well, movies can be a work of art and/or a modern
myth. As art they transmit an emotional truth. As myth they construct a new reality in which we can
orient our lives. Thus, their meaning often runs much deeper. To illustrate, Departures (2008) will
be presented on September 5 at the Buddhist Church of Parlier. This film depicts the Buddhist path
through art. We will be showing the movie Departures at 4:00 PM, followed by a barbecue. Rev.
Turner’s commentary on the movie will begin at 7:00 PM.
Please join us for a relaxed, enjoyable Labor Day get together sponsored by the Central California Buddhist Education Committee. There is no charge for this gathering but donations will
be gratefully accepted.
BUDDHIST CHURCH of PARLIER
360 Newmark Ave, Parlier, CA 93648
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HUMAN NATURE within BUDDHA NATURE
Resolving Life Issues Using Buddhist Principles
Shin Buddhist Retreats since 1998
August 12-14, 2016
Shin Buddhism, the largest branch of Buddhism in Japan, is emerging in America.
Shin offers a compelling process of approaching life challenges with effective results.
Using introspection, dialogue, and insightful activities, we will learn some simple
daily habits which will bring alive a deep philosophy to a personal experience.
Come experience a fulfilling life practice of gratitude and joy, amid the challenges
of contemporary life. Wake up to American Shin Buddhism.
The Land of Medicine Buddha:
A beautiful, redwood retreat near Soquel in the Santa Cruz mountains.
www.landofmedicinebuddha.org
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi
Shin Buddhist minister with a background in transpersonal psychology, wilderness vision
quests, personal growth and body-mind-spirit disciplines.
$ 250
$ 275 Tuition:
Details and Registration
Paid before July 1 Shared room & veg. meals.
“ after
“
by donation at Retreat
For more information:
Email: info@btsd.net www.btsd.net Phone: (619) 239-0896
Letter of Welcome
HUMAN NATURE within BUDDHA NATURE
Resolving Life Issues Using Buddhist Principles
August 12-14, 2016
Welcome to a retreat, designed to clarify and implement an ancient teachings into our contemporary lives. The intention
is to provide a personal experience of Buddhist practice as a way of understanding its deep philosophical principles. To
enhance the experience, we ask you to identify your particular concerns of the human condition. Also write down
your thoughts of how you feel Buddhism can help your perspective on life. We will address these concerns and will
only share issues that you feel comfortable discussing with others. In a light, relaxed atmosphere, insightful activities will
reveal the causes and conditions that determine our misery or happiness. By applying some simple daily habits, we can
illuminate our own path to a fulfilling life practice. Accessing our Buddha Nature within our human nature, invariably
results in gratitude and joy.
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UPCOMING AUGUST EVENTS
(Mon)
(Sun)
(Mon)
(Wed)
(Sat)
(Sun)
(Mon)
(Sat)
BEC, Blake Honda speaking......7:00pm
Sangha Gathering..................... 10:00am
Board Meeting.............................7:00pm
Buddhist Discussion Group.......7:00pm
Church Clean-up, Group 2........ 8:00am
Monthly Shotsuki...................... 10:00am
Shoshinge Service........................7:00pm
Movie Day.................................. 10:00am
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S POSTAGE
PARLIER, CA 93648
PERMIT #23
Rinban Kakei Nakagawa.. 970-7652
Rev. Alan Sakamoto...... 909-0814
Rev. Matt Hamasaki..... 960-3363
Curtis Koga................... 638-4669
Toshie Mori.................... 638-8614
Sho/Kari Higuchi... 818-406-5170
Glenn Yoshimoto............897-1811
James Goishi.................. 638-5510
Cheryl Koga.................. 638-4669
Joyce Sasai..................... 897-7236
Curtis Koga................... 638-4669
Julie Doi......................... 896-6354
Karen Shimizu.............. 869-6092
Glenn Nakamichi.......... 896-5240
JULY
AUGUST
JapaneseJapanese
2Mr.Yuki Mori, Tokudo
9Rev. Midori Nakagawa
16Rev. Midori Nakagawa 23Rev. Kakei Nakagawa
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Mr.Yuki Mori, Tokudo
Mr.Yuki Mori, Tokudo
Rev. Midori Nakagawa
Rev. Midori Nakagawa
OBON & July Shotsuki
Service
Rev. Adams, Speaking
July 17, 2016 10:00am
August Shotsuki
August 14, 2016 10:00am
BUDDHIST CHURCH OF PARLIER
P.O. Box 547
Parlier, CA 93648
Minister
Church President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Maintenance
Fujinkai Presidents
Newletter Editors
Webmaster
JULY/AUG. BUDDHIST RADIO BROADCAST
KFIB (AM900) SATURDAY 7:20AM
Address Service Requested
DIRECTORY OF OFFICIERS
JULY
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
Reedley
Obon
3
4
5
6
Sangha
Gathering
10:00am
Parlier Class 7
Taichi
8:00am
8
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
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Parlier
Board Meeting
7:00pm
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Obon and
Shotsuki
Service w/
Rev. Adams
10:00am
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Clean up
8:00am
Obon
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
20
Parlier Class 21
Taichi
8:00am
Set up
8:30am
for Obon
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Parlier Class 14
Taichi
8:00am
Curtis
Discussion Class
7:00pm
19
Shoshinge
Service w/ Mori’s
in Parlier
7:00pm
24
13
Fresno
Obon
15
Parlier Class28
Taichi
8:00am
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
TAKE REFUGE IN THE LIGHT OF JOY
Church
Cleanup
Group 1
8:00am
16
Fowler
Obon
22
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
27
9
23
Parlier
Obon
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AUGUST
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
BEC Lecturer
Series with
Blake Honda
7:00pm
Sangha
Gathering
10:00am
8
9
Parlier Board
Meeting
7:00pm
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15
16
10
21
22
Parlier Class 11
Taichi
8:00am
Curtis Discussion
Class 7:00pm
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
17
Parlier Class 18
Taichi
6
12
13
29
Church
Clean-up
Group 2
8:00am
19
20
Parlier
Movie Day
10:00am
V & P Meeting
in Fowler
7:00pm
23
24
Parlier Class 25
Taichi
8:00am
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
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5
(see above)
Shoshinge
Service w/ Mori’s
in Parlier
7:00pm
Monthly
Shotsuki
10:00am
Saturday
Welcome Center
9:15am11:30am
in Fowler
7
Parlier Class 4
Taichi
8:00am
Friday
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BCA CALENDAR THEME; LIVE A REAL LIFE
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