2008 June Bulletin - West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple

Email: westlabt@verizon.net
Vol. 51, No. 6
Web: www.wlabt.org
June 2008
REV. USUKI’S PAGE
Bougainvillea
This may be a silly article but
I’m compelled to write about
our bougainvillea that continually wants to overwhelm the veranda and litter its flowers all
over the driveway and onto our
neighborhood. It is particularly
embarrassing at this time of the year when it
seems to thrive and shed its thousands of flowers after a long rainy season fed by warm,
sunny days. It is showing its colors in arrogant,
humongous blooms and flexing its muscles on
its own terms.
Two years ago our old tree died and left a bland
dirt hole next to the steps of our entry. We decided to replace it with something that would
cover the veranda and also provide a small piece
of privacy from the constant and busy foot traffic. The veranda is our only so-called green
sanctuary since we have no yard or patio. Our
first choice was wisteria but it only blooms in
the summer and in the winter the veranda
would be bare. So we decided on bougainvillea
in a standard red from Orchard Supply Hardware.
In the beginning, because of our anxiety and
uncertainty as to whether it would take to the
old dirt, we were excited to see its new sprouts
and signs of a little color. As time went by we
were amazed at the many new shoots that
started to cling to the new lattice. I began to
train it with constant pruning. Now it is on its
own, having secured its place at 2006 Corinth
Avenue. At first, we used to receive many
compliments but recently no one seems to care,
or they may be upset with the litter. I am still in
amazement and look it over each time I leave
and return home. At the same time I get excited
at seeing its flowers, it leaves a mess in the
driveway, around the building, and all the way
to Sawtelle Avenue. I don’t know what happens
to them beyond there, but I’m sure they are
bothering someone else.
When I first considered bougainvillea I heard
many good comments about them, but at the
same time there were many, many bad comments as well. Either you like them or hate
them. Well, I had to have one so now I have to
live with it. Isn’t this exactly like our lives? What
you have is what you will live with, with
constant maintenance of good and bad aspects,
an ongoing love-hate relationship, and perhaps,
on occasion, some semblance of balance. But
the worst part of it is that we don’t keep our
anxieties, problems, and joy to ourselves. Since
we are naturally social animals, we have to
share all the good and bad with others whether
they like it or not. We have the need to go and
bother others, just like our bougainvillea.
It is one thing to be a plant that is constant,
growing with the seasons and doing its thing
when it is time. We know when it is time to water, feed, trim, and sweep. Plants and flowers
are predictable. But human emotions do not
coincide with the seasons. We are agitated,
happy, sad, troubled, and joyful at the slightest
provocation. Therefore we are extremely
unpredictable and bothersome to others. When
these emotions arise then we want or need to
share them with others. So, what are we to do?
The answer is right in front of us. Shakyamuni
Buddha and Shinran Shonin are constantly reminding us of our shortfalls. However, we only
embrace their wisdom when we are troubled
and insecure but fail to heed their teachings
when we are happy and secure. Again, unlike
the bougainvillea, despite its messy outbursts,
(cont’d on page 2)
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
we are neither predictable nor constant. This is
the central problem with humans and our only
hope is that we continue to listen to the teachings and practice mindfulness.
cultivate it through practice, just like trimming
the bougainvillea so it does not use its tentacles
to overwhelm our neighborhood. I’m sure all of
you have a similar situation in your life that
could be tempered with a little dose of the
Dharma.
Each time I go in and out of the house I am reminded of my shortcomings as well as their
remedy. The only way to maintain some constant sense of humility is to be mindful and
Rev. Fumiaki Usuki
SHINSHU CORNER
From: Buddhist Handbook for Shin-Shu Followers
by Rev. Dr. Shoyu Hanayama, 1969, pp. 38-39
Besides the Special Services … which are held
usually at Buddhist Churches, each Buddhist
family has its own memorial services for each
departed member of the family either at the
church or at home. It is very important, however, to realize that the significance of having
these memorial services is, whatever their original meanings may have been, neither to pray for
the happiness of the departed person in the life
after death nor to console his spirit, at least, in
Jodo-shin sect.
the country to worship together. Through mutual encouragement each person’s faith in
Amida Buddha is fortified and the life of Nembutsu takes on a deeper meaning.”
Briefly speaking, the significance of having memorial services is: (1) not to forget the gratitude
of Amida Buddha and the life of Nembutsu; (2)
members of the family, relatives and friends get
together under the name of the departed person
to express thankfulness to him and to share his
memory and their sadness; (3) to realize the impermanence of this world and the importance of
the faith in Amida Buddha in everyday life,
since human beings are apt to forget that they
are mortal and how important it is to have
strong faith in this busy life.
The Significance of Memorial Services:
(from Bureau of Buddhist Education, BCA)
“Memorial Services are an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving. These services provide a
solemn setting for the immediate members of
the family, relatives and friends to listen to the
Dharma. To someone who has recently lost a
loved one there is nothing more comforting than
the quiet voice of Amida Buddha, who tells us
that he embraces all in his eternal light and forsakes none. Those who have passed away are
one with Amida in the Pure Land just as we are
now with him in the Nembutsu. Thus the Nembutsu—the realization of spiritual oneness—
heals the wounds of earthly separation.
Memorial services are, therefore, not for the
sake of those who have departed, but for those
who remain and survive.
According to the Jodo-shin sect, sutra-chanting
at these services does not have any magic power
to save those who have fallen into hell; it does
not have any effective power to send those who
have passed away to the Pure Land of the
Amida Buddha. It is far beyond our power to
send them to the Pure Land. It is Amida Buddha who promised to send all of us to the Pure
Land.
These services also give us an opportunity to
remember the deceased and honor his memory.
Although life is only a fleeting instant in eternity, it is nevertheless a significant moment.
Each life possesses something unique that has
never been and never will be duplicated. Despite
all the human frailties, each person has left the
imprint of his virtues on those who have come
into contact with him. It is, therefore, the sacred
task of the living to perpetuate the goodness in
thought, speech and deed.
Again, therefore, I insist that the following memorial services should be held not for the sake
of those who have departed, but for those who
have survived, to let them realize the impermanence of this world and the importance of
having perfect reliance in our Lord, Amida
Buddha.
Next issue:
Last Rite or Death-bed Service (Makura Gyo)
Wake Service (O-Tsuya)
Funeral Service (So Shiki)
Memorial services strengthen the Buddhist
family solidarity. Often the members of the family travel great distance from various parts of
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
and to help during the sale the following day.
Please contact Masako Ishioka, Chiyo Nitta, or
the Temple office for more information.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
On June 7, the San Fernando
Valley Hongwanji Buddhist
Temple is hosting the 2008
Southern District Conference at
the Sportsmen’s Lodge in
Studio City. I hope that you all
can attend.
Obon is just around the corner and so we will
begin our Obon Odori practice on Tuesdays and
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. starting on June 24.
Grace Mizushima and the Dharma School
Teachers will help teach us the new and old
dances. We will also be using the naruko (that
fan-shaped klakity noisemaker) again this year
so if you’re at a Japanese store (like Marukai),
you may want to purchase a pair. We might
have some available for sale if we find them.
As summer approaches, let us take the time to
give tribute to our fathers. Father’s Day and
Graduation Service is on June 15, at 10:00 a.m.
At this service, we will also honor many graduating students. To celebrate, we will have a
hamburger lunch following the service.
Obon starts early this year. Senshin will have
their Obon festival on June 28. San Fernando
will have theirs on July 5 and 6, and our West
LA Taiko Group will be performing each day.
On Sunday, June 1, we will be having temple
cleanup at 8:00 a.m. Please attend and help
keep our temple in the best shape it can be.
You can call me at (818) 831-4922 or email me
at wlabtpres.vance@verizon.net
On Saturday, June 21, the 80 Plus Lunch group
will be having their annual yard sale from 9:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The group is looking for
volunteers to help prepare for the yard sale
(sorting and price-tagging) on Friday, June 20,
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In gassho,
Vance Nishimoto
WLABT President
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MARJORIE MORIKAWA HONORED WITH PIONEER WOMAN AWARD
The April 13, 2008 issue of the Rafu Shimpo carried a major article on our Marjorie
Morikawa being honored by City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl in a ceremony at Los
Angeles City Hall. Councilmember Rosendahl gave Marjorie the Pioneer Woman Award as
part of the City’s annual Pioneer Women celebration. Each year the City recognizes one
female leader from each Council District who has “contributed strength and vitality to the
City,” and this year Marjorie was the woman selected from Councilmember Rosendahl’s
District.
Marjorie is well known for her contributions to the West LA Japanese Community Center
Nutrition Program, but the Rafu Shimpo goes further by sketching her fascinating life
history and challenges she overcame along the way that many of us may not know about.
Congratulations, Margie!
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
BWA NEWS
June 2008
DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS
Yasuko Shohara
April was a busy month with three major
services.
Grace Mizushima
On Sunday April 6, 2008 we had our annual
Hanamatsuri and Hatsu Mairi Service. Thank
you to the following Dharma School families
who helped prepare the Hanamido on Saturday
April 5th; the Bang Family, Nishimoto Family,
Ohkawahira Family, Pedersen Family and
Van Le Family. As usual, we cannot forget to
thank Mrs. Kayo Ohkawahira for picking up
the flowers. Thank you also to the temple
families for sharing flowers from your personal
gardens with us. Finally, we would like to
extend our thanks to Mrs. Sumiye Suzuki for
making a beautiful replacement of our old cloth
covering for the platform under the Hanamido.
The first service was
Hanamatsuri
and
Hatsumairi Service.
The BWA thanks our
member
Mrs.
Sumiye Suzuki, for
sewing the lavender
table cover which set
off
the
beautiful
Hanamido decorated
by
the
Dharma
School parents and
children.
Rev. Koju Terada,
BCA minister emeritus, spoke at our
Eshinni-ko/Kakushinni-ko Service. Rev. Terada
spoke on the role these two ladies played in the
very existence of Jodo Shinshu temples in
Japan today. BWA thanks Hannah Nishimoto
for chairing the service and Atsie Murayama for
being the organist.
On April 20 we welcomed the San Fernando
Valley Hongwanji Temple Sangha and their
minister, Rev. Patti Usuki. It was a day of
nourishing the mind and body, as we later
enjoyed lunch served by the Dharma School
parents. Thanks to Shirley Ito for supervising
the making of the salad.
We had one baby presented this year for Hatsu
Mairi. His name is Kai Thomas Matsumune.
He is the son of Masa and Michelle
Matsumune. Kai also has a sister, Miya. Kai
Thomas is the nephew of Dharma School
Teacher, Haru Matsumune. The Dharma
School would like to extend a belated Happy
Birthday to Kai who just turned one year old on
April 17! We can’t wait to celebrate your
birthday with all of the other Dharma School
students in the near future!
Funeral service was
held
for
Ayako
Yabuta who passed
away on April 22.
Aya grew up in WLA
and attended Nora
Sterry
Elementary
School. Typical of
the postwar Niseis,
Aya was devoted to
her family, worked hard, and was active at the
temple. She was advisor to the YBA and a
charter member of the Ladies Guild.
Another dimension of Aya was her great passion
for odori, for which she received the status of
natori. Another area of interest was shigin in
which she participated for many more years.
The young who shared her interest in these
areas all recall how she encouraged them and
generously supported them. Yes, Ayako Mary
Yabuta will be remembered for her beauty,
kindness, and generosity.
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
JUNE SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10:00 a.m., June 14 (second Saturday of June)
Akashi, David
Akutagawa, Taro
Amiya, Katsuyoshi
Daly, Denise
Gomez, Bernard
Harada, Kakuji
Hayashi, Yoshio
Higa, Tomohiko
Hirano, Kimiko
Ikeda, Eki
Inouye, Margaret
Inouye, Sueo
Ishikura, Yoshio
Iwamoto, Tomiko
Iwasaki, Echiko
Kagawa, Harry
Kagawa, Rich
Kamibayashi, Roy
Kato, Nobukazu
Kikunaga, Joe
Kobayashi, Masasuke
Kobayashi, Tamako
Maeda, Edith
Minato, Joe
Miyahara, Kazuko
Miyamoto, Yukino
Mori, Masaki
Mori, Taka
Morikawa, Yae
Morioka, Kentaro
Nakamura, Tatsunosuke
Niiya, George
Nishi, Nijiro
Nishimoto, Asayo
Nishimoto, Masao
Nishimura, Frank
Noda, Mitsuaki
Okimoto, Yuriko
Okita, Setsuyo
Oyanagi, Sumiko
Oyanagi, Tetsu
Sakahara, Kiyoshi
Sato, Marion
Shinmoto, George
Shirai, Kimiyo
Shirasawa, Katsusuke
Takata, Ikuo
Takayama, Tom
Takayama, Tsune
Takazumi, Hatsu
Takeuchi, Bea
Takeuchi, Michiko
Tanaka, Jungo
Tanaka, Kiwa
Tominaga, Harry
Uyeda, Kazuo
Uyeda, Shoso
Yamada, Kohei
Yamanaka, Gregory
Yoshii, Chizuru
Yoshimi, Gerald
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF:
MARY AYAKO YABUTA
May 16, 1918 – April 22, 2008
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JODO SHINSHU CORRESPONDENCE COURSE (JSCC)
The JSCC is a new program developed by a committee of
ministers and professors appointed from BCA, Canada, Hawaii,
and Hongwanji (Japan). It is a new on-line educational approach
developed in response to the needs and interests of individuals
seeking to understand or deepen their knowledge of Jodo
Shinshu Buddhism.
The first offering of this course will start this September with
General Buddhism. This will be followed in 2009 with Jodo
Shinshu I and Jodo Shinshu II. This first cycle of courses will end
in 2010 with History of Jodo Shinshu from the time Shinran
Shonin passed away to the establishment of overseas
organizations. Those interested should note that the application
deadline is August 15.
The JSCC office is in the new Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley,
California, and Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara is the JSCC Coordinator.
A brochure on the JSCC is reproduced elsewhere in this Bulletin.
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
WLA –SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE JOINT SERVICE
At WLA on Sunday, April 20
Rev. Patti Usuki of San Fernando gave the sermon.
Dharma School parents serve up a delicious lasagna lunch.
Rev. Patti, Rev. Nekoda, Tosh & Masako Ishioka in chow line.
Let’s eat! Reminiscent of mess halls in camp.
photos by Mas Sasaki
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E-MAIL ADDRESSES PLEASE
Was this Bulletin delivered by the postman
in your mailbox? Do you know that you
have the alternative of having it delivered to
your computer screen?
If you are connected to the Internet, we can
send your Bulletin by e-mail, and you would
have the benefits of:

Reading it in full color
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Receiving it half a month ahead of time
Send your e-mail address to the Temple
Office (if you haven’t done so already).
Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
SOUTHERN DISTRICT SR. YBA IS BACK!
Stacy Kamimura & Lauren Hiroshima
The newly elected cabinet for 2007-08 is Melissa Nishimura and Sen Sugano, CoPresidents; Melanie Sakata, Vice President; Kat Hirayanagi and Casey Nishizu, Co-Vice
Presidents of Finance; Emily Yoshihara, Vice President of Operations; and Stacy
Kamimura and Lauren Hiroshima, Co-Vice-Presidents of Public Relations.
This past February, Southern District Sr. YBA hosted "MEDIAtation," the first winter
seminar at Nishi. There was a good turnout of seniors from Southern as well as
Northern District attending. The keynote speaker for the seminar was Eric Nakamura,
creator of the Asian American pop culture magazine Giant Robot. During the seminar,
there were workshops that incorporated Buddhism with music, movies, and art.
Our first Sr. YBA meeting was held on March 8. At this meeting, we discussed plans for
the upcoming year. We are currently updating the Southern District Senior YBA's
constitution and hope to sponsor future seminars that will be held in the fall and spring.
Group photo taken at 2008 Winter Seminar
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photo by Jim Shimomaye
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INTERESTING OBON OBSERVANCES AT OTHER BCA TEMPLES
(Editor’s Note: This is part of an article titled Willow Grove Obon Service July 29 that appeared in the July-August 2006 issue of
The Middle Way newsletter of the Seabrook Buddhist Temple in Seabrook, New Jersey. Ekoji Buddhist Temple mentioned in the
article is in Fairfax Station, Virginia, near Washington D.C. All temples named are BCA temples. This Obon service takes place
in Willow Grove Cemetery that is said to hold the earliest (1870) Japanese students to come to study in the U.S.)
Seabrook Buddhist Temple has participated with the New York Buddhist Church and the Ekoji
Buddhist Temple to observe OBON Service at New Brunswick, NJ since 1985. At that time, the late Rev.
Tsuji, minister of Ekoji Temple began his annual service there to honor and remember the seven
Japanese students who had attended Rutgers University. These honor students became ill during the
school years and were never able to return to Japan. The Rev. Hozen Seki of the New York Buddhist
Church made annual visits to the Cemetery until Rev. Kenryu Tsuji came to Ekoji Temple. The three
Temples were encouraged to make an annual pilgrimage since 1985. Rev. Kenjitsu Nakagaki of New
York has been following the tradition since his arrival more than 10 years ago.
New York Church members arrive to wash down the monuments and clean the grounds of the cemetery.
Erick Ishii from Ekoji arrives with the service paraphernalia, and Seabrook members take the flowers
and water for each of the seven monuments. By service time at 2 pm, the debris around the cemetery
has been cleared, the hedges trimmed, and we are able to hold Sutra chanting under the single pine
tree which had been planted there when the first students were buried there.
Rev. Naoki Kono added to the history of one of the students, who became an engineer and helped in the
construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
“Attaining Nirvana” While Fully Possessing Passions
-- Introduction to the Kyogyoshinsho -Date:
Aug. 1 (Fri.) 6:00 p.m. – Aug. 3 (Sun.) noon, 2008
Place:
The Jodo Shinshu Center
2140 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704
Speakers:
Rev. Patti H. Nakai, the Buddhist Temple of Chicago
Dr. Nobuo Haneda, director of the Maida Center of Buddhism
Schedule:
Aug. 1 (Fri.)
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Registration
Lecture I
Aug. 2 (Sat.)
9:00 – noon
1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Lecture II
Lecture III
Discussion
by Dr. Haneda
by Rev. Nakai
Aug. 3 (Sun.)
9:00 – noon
Lecture IV
by Dr. Haneda
by Dr. Haneda
Texts:
The Three Pure Land Sutras (Numata Center version): Available at the
retreat
The Collected Works of Shinran, vol. 1: Available at the retreat
Donation:
$160.00 (which covers 4 meals [Saturday breakfast, lunch, supper and
Sunday breakfast] and other expenses). If you want to attend the retreat,
please send the registration form to the Maida Center by July 15, 2008.
If you wish to use the lodging at the Jodo Shinshu Center, the rate is as
follows: For two nights $140.00 for single occupancy; $70.00 per person
for double occupancy; or $70.00 for single occupancy with a shared
bathroom. For double occupancy, please find a co-lodger. If you need
lodging, please send your registration form to the Center by July 11, 2008.
Rooms will be assigned on the first-reserved basis. The registrant will
receive detailed information in mid-July.
For registration forms or more information, contact:
Maida Center of Buddhism, 2609 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
Tel/Fax: (510) 843-8515, E-mail: MaidaCenter@sbcglobal.net
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
Sunday
1
8 am Temple
and garden clean-up
Monday
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
5
8
9
Rev. Usuki off
10
7
7:30 pm Taiko
11
12
Rev. Usuki off
13
14
1 pm Study Class (E)
Rev. Usuki off
16
Rev. Usuki off
17
10 am Father’s Day
and Graduation
Service, lunch
7:30 pm B-Men
omigaki and mtg
7:30 pm Taiko
18
19
10 am Shotsuki Hoyo
20
21
9 am - 3 pm Yard
Sale
1 pm Study Class (E)
Rev. Usuki in NY
Rev. Usuki off
22
6
Saturday
SD Conference
7:30 pm Temple
Board mtg
9:30 am Service/
Study Class (E)
15
Friday
1 pm Study Class (E)
10:30 am BWA mtg
Rev. Usuki at Fresno
Betsuin 5/31-6/01
Thursday
23
NO service
6/17-20: BCA
Ministers Fuken
7:30 pm Obon mtg
7:30 pm Taiko
7:30 pm Bingo
24
25
26
27
1 pm Study Class (E)
Rev. Usuki off
Rev. Usuki off
29
30
9:30 am Service/
Study Class (E)
12 noon 80 Plus
Lunch
7:30 pm Bon dance
practice
28
7:30 pm Asoka mtg
7:30 pm Taiko
Obon Festival
6/21-22 Sun Valley
6/28 Senshin
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7:30 pm Bon dance
practice
Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Bulletin folding
toban: Temple
Phone: 310-477-7274
E-mail: westlabt@verizon.net
Website: www.wlabt.org
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
June 2008
THE POSTON RESTORATION PROJECT
Help us save the site & build a museum!
www.postonalliance.org
1.
2.
3.
4.
…THE FACTS…
Poston has the most remaining buildings of the 10 camps
The original buildings are rapidly deteriorating
Colorado River Indian Tribes have leased property to us
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) historical & educational organization
…OUR MISSION…
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To restore the remaining buildings
To relocate barracks that are still standing
To build a museum & interpretive center
To include a learning center & archive
…WE NEED…
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Donations (tax-deductible)
Artifacts (photos, papers, clothing, crafts, letters……)
Your stories! (videotaped oral histories)
Volunteers (fundraising, research, work at Poston site)
~All Contributions to the Poston Project are Tax Deductible~
Contact: Dianne Kiyomoto (Fresno, CA) email: kueyd@yahoo.com
Ruth Okimoto (Berkeley, CA) email: ryokimoto@comcast.net
Jay Cravath (Parker, AZ) email cravath@gmail.com 928.669.8831
The Poston Community Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
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WEST LOS ANGELES BUDDHIST TEMPLE
2003 Corinth Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Return Service Requested
MAJOR SERVICE for JUNE 2008
FATHER’S DAY & GRADUATION SERVICE
Followed by Lunch
Sunday, June 15, 10:00 a.m.
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PAID
Los Angeles, CA
Permit No. 20953