WHEEL OF DHARMA - Buddhist Churches of America
Transcription
WHEEL OF DHARMA - Buddhist Churches of America
WHEEL OF DHARMA Official Publication of the Buddhist Churches of America VOLUME 33 Rev. Tanaka’s Speech Concludes Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka was the keynote speaker at the 13th World Federation of Buddhist Women’s Covention in Honolulu, HI last September. The text of his speech has been serialized that began in the February 2007 issue and concludes in this issue. Closing I would now like to close with a moving letter to his parents by a young American Nisei soldier and a Buddhist during World War II; it was written originally in colloquial Japanese of the dialect of his parents, mixed with English. Amidst his mother and father being left behind barbed wire fences of the relocation camp and his leaving for the battlefield overseas, the young soldier conveys his love for his parents and his Buddhist conviction. He speaks of “the story of the Buddha,” presumably about the sacred story of Amida’s Vow that we discussed earlier. Dear Mama and Papa: It’s me. Tonight, I’m finally being shipped off. Thank you for loving me all these years. Mama and Papa, there’s no need to worry. I’ll be back soon. I’ll rush back to you, just as soon as I get back. You two stay in good health till then, alright? Since everything’s set to go, I’ve got nothing else left to say except goodbye. Take care, Mama and Papa. Goodbye. Oh wait, I’d forgotten, there is something else, Mama. That story, you know, the one you used to tell me all the time when I was a kid, the story about the Buddha. I remember that real well, so you can put your mind at ease. The Buddha will always be with me, even when I’m shipped abroad. I’m not sad at all because the Buddha will protect me. Mama and Papa, don’t worry about me, because I remember that story real well. Well, I’ve got to be off, so you two take care of yourselves. Goodbye. The letter speaks for itself and is best left alone without my comments. Instead, let me reiterate: 1) we aspire to work toward a world where that African boy can go to school, and where sons and daughters are not torn away from their families like the Nisei soldier; 2) we aspire to share the Dharma so that, among the benefits, more people would be discouraged from taking their own lives like that young woman in Tokyo; 3) we aspire to cultivate joy, confidence, caring for others and humor by living in the Buddha’s Vow as did Lady Kujō, Prof. Miyaji, the Nisei soldier, Christine, and the countless others throughout the centuries; And finally here is Shinran Shōnin, our ultimate teacher 1710 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE 10 In Support of Pro-Democracy Efforts in Burma T he disturbing reports of the violent crackdown being inflicted upon the peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations led by Buddhist monks and nuns in Burma (Myanmar) lead us to draft this letter in support of their efforts to realize a truly harmonious society. The spiritual leaders of Burma seek to alleviate the suffering caused by the inequities and injustice of an oppressive military government. For decades, their peaceful actions on behalf of the exploited populace have met brutal suppression. The recent confrontations have included even harsher and more inhumane treatment of the monastic community and civilian population. They reveal a government that has lost the moral authority to lead. Reflecting on the Teachings of the Buddha for guidance, we cite his admonition that: “Of societies, there are three kinds. First, there are those that are organized on the basis of power, wealth or authority of leaders. “Second, there are those that are organized because of its convenience to the members, which will continue to exist as long as the members satisfy their conve- niences and do not quarrel. “Third, there are those that are organized with some good teaching as its center and harmony as its very life. “Of course, the third and last of these is the only true society, for in it the members live in one spirit, from which unity of spirit and various kinds of virtue will arise. In such an organization there will prevail harmony, satisfaction and happiness.” This is the society that we all seek. The monks and nuns of Burma are attempting to lead their country in this direction. In a spirit of understanding the causes and conditions of suffering and a concern for alleviating them, we add our voices to the urgent call for humanitarian and diplomatic aid to be provided to the citizens of Burma, to help them bring about a peaceful, harmonious, and enduring society. Respectfully in gassho, Socho Koshin Ogui President Gordon Bermant Continued on Page 6 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Panta Rei By Dr. Gordon Bermant One does not step into the same river twice. Waters disperse and come together again ... they keep flowing on and flowing away in the end, there is only flux, everything gives way. W hat a wonderful Buddhist expression this is—a remarkable affirmation of impermanence. It was composed during the lifetime of Sakyamuni Buddha, approximately 500 B.C. But the author was not a disciple of the Buddha, or an Indian. He lived many miles to the west of the Buddha’s homeland in northeast India, in what today we would call western Turkey. He was Heraclitus of Ephesos, who lived between (approximately) 540-475 B.C. Heraclitus taught, as the Buddha taught, that impermanence marks the world. This is summarized in the Greek phrase panta rei, meaning “everything flows.” What a splendid reminder this simple phrase can be for us in many parts of our lives. I am fond of the phrase and its meaning for two reasons that I would like to share. First, panta rei is an example of a teaching from the Western tradition that goes beyond mainstream Western religious sources of similarity and contrast with Buddhism. The teaching of impermanence is basic to Buddhism, but it is not basic to Western religious teachings. There is more to Western intellectual tradition than is found in the mainstream religious teachings. The philoso- phies of the Greeks and nonChristian Romans are the major examples. Because such ideas are alive in our Western tradition, we can use their modern forms to connect to their expressions in Buddhist teachings. We can, as it were, graft the similar teachings together to aid in communication and comprehension. Examples of impermanence, understood as transformation among forms of matter (for example, solid ice turns to liquid water turns to gas steam as the temperature increases) are comprehensible as scientific fact and also as powerful symbols of our human condition (for example, the profound Shin teaching that relates our bonno directly to our capacity for enlightenment: Continued on Page 6 PAGE WHEEL OF DHARMA This Life By Rev. Kenko Hasegawa Buddhist Church of Stockton A fter their regular religious gathering, a group of Buddhist women were chit chatting about their children and the hopes and aspirations that they have placed on them. After awhile a woman who was listening quietly suddenly entered into the conversation remarking, “I envy all of you. To be a bit more frank, I even feel a growing sense of anger towards you. Whether it is a private school or public, I can’t have the pleasure of discussing it with you because I lost my child a few years ago. My husband carried our child in his arms and cried all night, asking for forgiveness. Whether one’s child has an I.Q. of 50 or 150, that life is irreplaceable and precious. And we shouldn’t discriminate one’s life in terms of birth, education, etc.” By the time this woman said this, she was in tears, and she went on to say, “I’m sorry I got so upset. But I feel this way because my child had died. When he was alive, my husband and I also talked about our son’s future, of what school he should go to, how much he should study, what companies are most promising for him, and generally we thought in terms of an elite course for his sake. So when I think about it, I re- ally can’t get angry at you. If my child hadn’t died, I would never have known the preciousness of one’s life. It is so untrue to say that one has to pass the entrance exam to a better high school, has to join an elite corporation and make advancements. When you get rid of all these qualifications, you realize that life itself is unrepeatable, an extremely rare opportunity, and irreplaceably noble. And unless we awaken to this, life is a just a vicious cycle of feelings of dissatisfaction and satisfaction, grief and joy.” This woman’s heartfelt comments helped to refocus the topic of their conversation from casual, everyday happenings to a more sincere quest Rev. Imamura Assigned to Florin R ev. Dr. Ryo Imamura was assigned to be the resident minister of the Buddhist Church of Florin as of Oct. 1. Ryo Imamura was born in the Gila internment camp (#2) in Arizona in 1944, and is the son of Rev. and Mrs. Kanmo Imamura. His father was the resident minister of the Berkeley Buddhist Temple from 1941 until 1958, founder and first director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies, founder of the Buddhist Study Center in Hawaii, and served as the Bishop of the Hawaii Kyodan. His mother, Jane Imamura, was a choir director in BCA and Hawaii, and composed many of the children’s gathas used in the Dharma School services. His paternal grandfather was the late Bishop Yemyo Imamura of the Hawaii Kyodan. His maternal grandfather was the late Rev. Issei Matsuura of the Buddhist Churches of America. Former Canada Bishop and BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Newton Ishiura, who also served at Florin, is an uncle. Rev. Imamura received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1967, a Master’s degree in Counseling from the San Francisco State University in 1980, and a Doctorate degree in Counseling/Educational Psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1986. He received his ordinations in Japan in 1971-2, after which he was a minister in Hawaii and California for 15 years. In Hawaii, he was the first director of the Buddhist Study Center, director of Buddhist Education for the Hawaii Kyodan, and a staff minister at the Hawaii Betsuin. He served as part-time and resident minister at the Buddhist Temple of Alameda (1977-1983) and part-time minister at the Marin and Concord branch temples (1983-1988) for BCA. Before moving to Washington in 1988, he was also a psychotherapist in California and co-founder of the East-West Counseling Center in Berkeley and Oakland, which provided Buddhist-based counseling to the general public. He was also a past national president of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and a national board member of the Fellow- ship of Reconciliation, which is the oldest and largest international religious peace and justice organization. Since 1988, he has been a professor of Counseling Psychology at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. The focus of his teaching and research is East-West Psychology with an emphasis on Buddhist thought and practice. Some recent program titles are “Buddhist Psychotherapy,” “The Awakening Mind-Spirit,” “Turning Eastward: Explorations in East/West Psychology,” “The Expression of Self: West to East,” “Liberation Theology: East and West,” and “Multicultural Counseling: Theory and Practice.” His writings have appeared in various books and publications such as The Faces of Buddhism in America (1998), Dharma Family Treasures: Sharing Mindfulness with Children (1994), and Gary Snyder: Dimensions of a Life (1991). He also provides Buddhist consultations on issues of living and dying to the general community. Rev. Dr. Imamura feeling that he would like to be closer to his mother in Berkeley, with his wife Tery’s support and sons Michi and Kaya’s understanding, decided to take an early retirement from the college and return to the BCA ministry. He looks forward to reuniting with old friends and meeting new members. His interest in interfaith activities will help our efforts to expand and engage our Sangha. We gratefully acknowledge contribution to the Wheel of Dharma by the following donor: Senshin BWA, Los Angeles, CA .............................................................$100 for a deeper understanding of the value of life itself. Let’s listen to another person’s utterance. Ishikawa, Masaji says: I wonder what it is to be happy? Is it to live extravagantly? Is it to live with fulfilled love? I have neither wealth nor status, But the only wish I have is for my wife and me, Who are both aged, to live each day, One day at a time, with health & safety. Since I am still working There is no worry about us going hungry today, OCTOBER 2007 Although we may tomorrow. Even now a delicious aroma of miso-shiru Is drifting towards me from the kitchen. Feasting on the fresh and fragile new leaves Through the opened sliding doors, Sitting at the dining table, I caught myself holding rice and miso-shiru, Like a child. In this beautiful autumn season it is good for us to listen to our hearts, and in the light of the unending Prayer-CompassionVow of Immeasurable Life and Light (Amida Buddha), may our lives be refocused to see the preciousness of each moment we are alive, and treasure this very life we have been given. Gassho OCTOBER 2007 Campaign BCA News Legislated Change for Charities and Donors On August 17, 2006, President Bush signed into law new tax incentives for charitable gifts from donors who are 70½ or older. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 encourages financial support of the good work done by charitable organizations in the U.S. Under the new law, you can use funds from your IRA to make a lifetime charitable gift free of tax obligations. Prior to the law, you would have to report any amount taken from your IRA as taxable income, then take a charitable deduction for the gift, but only up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. In effect, this caused some donors to pay more in income taxes than if they didn’t make a gift at all. Fortunately, now these IRA gifts can be accomplished simply and without tax complications. Plus, you can make the gift now – while you are living and able to witness the benefits of your generosity. You May Contribute Funds This Way If: • You are 70½ or older • The gifts do not total more than $100,000 per year. • You make the gift on or before December 31, 2007 • You transfer funds directly from IRA or Rollover IRA • You make the gift to a public charity How the Pension Protection Act Works: Betty, aged 75, has $290,000 in two separate IRA’s. She made a pledge to give $50,000 to us this year. She has a choice of giving cash, appreciated securities or other assets to fulfill the pledge. Betty checks with her tax advisor who explains that under the new law, she has yet another option to fund the pledge. If Betty transfers $50,000 from one of the IRA’s directly to us before December 31, 2007, she will avoid paying income tax on the $50,000 withdrawal. She will not, however, be able to use it as a charitable deduction – it is a pure “wash.” It is an easy and convenient way for Betty to accomplish her charitable goals. David retired from his career about 10 years ago and has been receiving retirement income ever since. Part of his income is in the form of minimum distributions from an IRA since turning age 70½. Fortunately, with David’s other retirement funds and Social Security, he does not need the IRA distributions now or in the foreseeable future. Yet each year he has to take receipt of these minimum distributions to comply with the Internal Revenue Code and pay income tax even though he doesn’t need or want to receive the income. Under the new law, David can transfer the minimum distributions directly to us. His benefits are twofold: 1) He avoids paying income tax on the unwanted minimum distributions; and 2) he uses those funds to fulfill his charitable dreams. Instead of waiting until after his lifetime to leave his IRA funds to our organization, David can enjoy witnessing the benefits of his generosity now while he’s living and jump-start the legacy he always wanted to leave. Questions and Answers: I have several retirement accounts, pensions and IRA’s. Does it matter which retirement account I use? Yes, Gifts can be made from an IRA or Rollover IRA. Pension, profit sharing and other forms of retirement funds do not fall under the new legislation. Can I make a gift to a charitable remainder trust? No. Only gifts made directly to public charities are eligible for the tax benefits. I’d like to give more than $100,000. How can I do that? Continued on Page 4 WHEEL OF DHARMA PAGE One Year Since Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) Opened A cool clear day a bit breezy that October day that was a year ago We dedicated the new Jodo Shinshu Center with fanfare, chanting the sutra and receiving congratulatory words With some pride, uneasiness, and a lot of energy we took the path not yet trodden and ventured forth with a renewed beginning Already a year has fleeted by, so how was that trodden path? O ctober 21, 2006 we gathered at the newly constructed Jodo Shinshu Center located at 2140 Durant Avenue Berkeley, California adjacent to the U.C. Berkeley campus. Thus began the history and the legacy of a new facility today referred to as The JSC. From Day One the JSC was visited and introduced to hundreds of folks visiting from these United States, Canada, South America, Mexico, Australia, Japan, India, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Nepal, various European countries, and of course BCA Temples and its members. The Guest Registry in the Lobby there are signatures from folks visiting from all of the countries and BCA Temples mentioned above over a thousand signatures have been recorded. I’m sure we missed a few hundred signatures but collectively their expressions included; A beautiful place, a magnificent place, a peaceful place, A BCA Place? It belongs to us!, Wow!, Now I can identify with the Campaign effort!, Every BCA member should visit the JSC!. The JSC has become a living treasure, a place to listen to the Dharma, a place to express the Dharma, a place to interpret the Dharma, a place to express sincerity, gratitude, and thank you, thank you. Most of all to see, hear, and be with the youth listening, chanting, giving dharma talk, exchanging thoughts, eating together, and enjoying new dharma friends makes it all worth while. Again, to have Dharma School teachers at the JSC sharing, caring, and honing their skills to be an even more effective teacher where unlimited facility resource is at hand makes the task a rewarding event. And to see Temple Lay Leaders from all parts of the BCA come together to become more aware of the relationship of their respective Temples with each other and the BCA National organization is a promise for the present and future of BCA. The JSC opened its doors on Aug. 3, 2006 and kept the doors open for all who scheduled their activities through Richard Endo, Interim Master Scheduler for all activities at the JSC. We kept the doors open for those of you who called to say you My Gift to Campaign BCA—The 21st Century were going to be in the area and want to see the JSC. Of course has been our standard reply didn’t matter what day of the week or weekend. Words out! If you’re in the vicinity of the Bay Area, UC Berkeley, you’ve got to go see the JSC. Oh yes, and we’ve had the curious passerby’s peering through the glass door – May I help you? Sure, come in see the JSC! So this past year the JSC played host to thousands.. On a routine schedule we have IBS students, GTU students attending IBS class, Ryukoku University student from Kyoto Japan, and CBE (that’s BCA’s Center for Buddhist Education) folks of all ages here for YAC Retreat, Dharma School Teachers Retreat, Temple Leaders Retreat, Minister’s Assistant training session, Minister’s Continuing Education, Evening lectures by CBE and IBS, and more being planned. And of course the BCA Temple visits, including the Temple Senior trips. Lets see, Fresno, Watsonville, Marysville, Palo Alto, Venice, Mountain View, Scouting groups from Seattle, Portland, Youth group from Salt Lake (the first to visit and sleep at the JSC), Cal YABA, San Francisco Summer Dharma School , Coast District Youth Retreat, and countless BCA Executive, Finance, and various Committee meetings, FBWA Conference Planning meetings, FDSTL Conference Planning meeting, National Board, meeting, National Council Planning meeting, IBS Board, CBE Board, so you can see that the JSC is utilized Monday – Sunday all interconnected and focused on propagating, listening, and learning the Buddha Dharma. I am thankful to all who made the JSC possible, your efforts has had great returns, and will provide much to the present and future of BCA. The sound emanating From the kansho in the Kodo Permeates and Embraces all within The JSC with Namu Amida Butsu Glenn Kameda, Facility Manager JSC Donate by Credit Card (See website) c/o Campaign BCA-The 21st Century, 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 □ YES! I’m enclosing is my/our special gift of: ( ) $1,500, ( ) $3,000, ( ) $5,000*, ( ) $10,000, ( ) $_______ other amount to Campaign BCA - The 21st Century. Name □ YES! I would like to pledge a total of: Address ( ) $1,500, ( ) $3,000, ( ) $5,000*, ( ) $10,000, ( ) $_______ other amount over a period of ________(1 to 5 years) to Campaign BCA - The 21st Century. City ( ) Phone Check enclosed, made payable to Campaign BCA - The 21st Century. For more information, please contact your temple representative, your local minister, or BCA Campaign Manager Robert Noguchi at the Jodo Shinshu Center at (510) 809-1453, or e-mail info@bcacampaign.org. *A gift or pledge of $5,000 or more will permanently place your name on the donor wall, located in the lobby of the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley. Temple State Zip Email PAGE WHEEL OF DHARMA YBICSE Visit Hiroshima The following are comments from three BCA Youth participants who attended the exchange in Hiroshima. This issue will feature three comments and will conclude in the Nov. issue. Trevor Kinoshita (San Diego) T he Buddhist Youth Exchange Group was a way of meeting new people and seeing my homeland again. I have been to Japan three times and every time was a learning experience. This year was different though, I went with people I didn’t know except for one person, but by the end of the trip it felt like we were all family. It was really great to meet the other Buddhist youths from Brazil, Hawaii, and Canada. The home stay program we all went through was very fun and difficult at times. Although there was a language barrier between us we used many different ways to get our point across. The family I stayed with, the Ishii’s, were very welcoming and it felt on the first day that I stayed there it seemed that I had lived there my whole life. All of the food I ate in Japan was delicious and I would go back just for that factor. The people that live in Japan have way different customs and I think that all of the youth exchange group learned from it. One major thing I took back from going on this trip was that I had a greater respect for everyone in Japan. The Japanese people are so respectful and caring, even if you didn’t know them. Shopping in Japan was excellent; there are so many new and exciting electronics that have yet to come out in the United States. Japanese fashion is unique in its own way, especially their footwear. I have a passion for shoes (kutsu) and in Japan there are many styles that I love. Overall the experience I had for the time I was there I will never forget. This is an experience that only happens once in a BCA Youth in Hiroshima, back row, from left, Michael Endo (Office of Bishop), Stuart Oto (San Mateo), Amy Asai (Fresno Betsuin), Justin Tanimoto (Watsonville), Trevor Kinoshita (San Diego), David Chin (San Mateo), Stephanie Kubo (Florin), Ryan Yamaguchi (Salinas), Kazumi Chin (Berkeley), Brian Maniwa (Alameda), Nicole Kawahira (Salinas). Front row, from left, Rev. Yushi Mukojima (San Diego), Lauren Nakamura (San Diego), Jessica Ogata (Lodi), Michiye Cabral (Lodi), Lina Okita (LA Betsuin), Kelly Nishikawa (Senshin). lifetime, and I am glad I was able to take part in it. I have met so many friends and I definitely treasured every moment of the trip. Justin Tanimoto (Watsonville) I was hesitant on going on the BCA Youth Exchange program to Japan because the trip was during my obon. However, I am so glad now that I decided to go on the trip. I made lifelong friends and got to experience Japanese culture. Seeing the Hongwanji was really special to me because not many people get to see one of the oldest temples in Japan. I also enjoyed living with my homestay family. I have never lived with a family for 3 days and ate so well. I wish my mom could cook as well as my homestay family. Going to Japan was an experience that I will remember until the day I die. I am trying to convince my family to send me to Japan next year. However, I hope that next year I will know more Japanese. Self Consciousness By Rev. Don Castro, Seattle Betsuin American community, I have talked with a number of people for whom the need to “sell yourself” on the job is a significant stumbling block. “Do you know what your trouble is? You don’t know how to sell yourself. If you want a promotion, you’ve got to talk yourself up; put yourself across.” I believe self-promotion is a vital issue for many devout Buddhists in this country, especially those with close ties to a traditional Buddhist culture. In my 24 years as a Shin Buddhist minister in a predominantly Japanese In Buddhism, it is taught that there is no permanent, unchanging self. What the ordinary person calls “self” is a temporary complex of selfish desires and attachments. To become a Buddha is to become “selfless” in the most positive sense of the word. Thus, spiritual maturation is a life journey of ever-deepening penetration into the blind and foolish nature of self and awakening to what in my school of Jodo Shinshu is called the “Other Power” of Amida Buddha. For Shin Buddhists, it is the enlightening power of Amida Buddha that awakens us to our blind passions. Put another way, you cannot insightfully study the ego with the ego and the ordinary person cannot help but study the ego with the ego; a vicious circle. The awareness of our spiritual helplessness is a deeply humbling experience. I believe this accounts for the self-effacing nature of Buddhist cultures. Before meals, Japanese families traditionally say, “Itadakimasu,” which means, “I humbly receive this food.” It is not that I deserve this food. This humble sentiment is quite contrary to that expressed to me by a Catholic priest, who commented, “We don’t have to apologize to the animals for eating them. God put them here for mankind to consume.” In a society based on self promotion, it becomes natural to blame our frustrations and unhappiness either on our lack of skill in getting what we want or on the conflicting and competing interests of others who thwart our desires. As a result, psychological movements arise offering courses such as “assertiveness training.” As if we are not obnoxious enough, we need to learn how to be even more obnoxious! I write this last statement lightheartedly since I’m sure there are ways to assert ourselves in a relatively nonconfrontational way. Over the years, I have tried to become more alert to how the word “self” is used in English compounds and their implications; compounds such as selfpreservation, self-defense, selfsacrifice, self-gratification, self-conscious, etc. OCTOBER 2007 Lina Okita (LA Betsuin) I feel very fortunate to be able to go all the way from Los Angeles to Kyoto, Japan on the 2007 Young Buddhist International Cultural Study Exchange. It was truly amazing to be part of history and see historical sites that you only hear about in Dharma School. We were able to see with our own eyes evidence that Shinran Shonin was a real person. We were able to meet the Gomonshu-sama himself, who is a 24th generation decedent of Shinran Shonin, see Shinran’s birthplace, climb Mount Hiei, and then visit the Otani Mausoleum, which is where his relics are entombed. I was even more impressed with the Gomonshu-sama than before when he gave us a welcome speech in perfect English and what I presumed to be perfect Portuguese! We were able to make friends from other parts of the world such as Hawaii, Brazil and Canada, coming together with a common ground of Jodo Shinshu. We were also given the chance to do a home stay with families affiliated with the Hiroshima Betsuin. They opened up their homes and lives so we were able to briefly experience the everyday life of a Japanese family. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be apart of the YBICSE program. It not only strengthened my understanding of Jodo Shinshu, but also my outlook my life. The program was very educational and at the same time enabled me to do many fun and exciting things that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own. Thank you very much to the Gomonshu-sama, Honzan, BCA, Nishi Hongwanji and my family for giving me this opportunity. I am grateful to be able to have participated in this year’s Young Buddhist International Cultural Study Exchange program, and to be a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist. Since there is no self, what are we preserving, defending, sacrificing, etc.? Insight for a Buddhist is the ability to see through ourselves. Only with such insight can we learn to laugh at ourselves even as we play the game of self-promotion. A person with self-understanding may act quite unconventionally, which accounts for many of the stories and parables in Buddhist literature. It should be strongly emphasized, however, that not all unconventional behaviors indicate a person of insight. The true Buddhist, from my observation is generally unconventionally kind, generous, dedicated, happy, sad, etc. Ideas such as “crazy wisdom” can be extremely dangerous, especially for new Buddhists, because many people cannot tell the difference between non-ego and an inflated sense of ego; both may act quite unconventionally. This is especially important when one looks for a Buddhist teacher. As Dr. Nobuo Haneda emphasizes, if you meet a person who claims to be a Buddhist teacher, run the other way. The best teacher is a person who considers him/her self a fellow student. Since there is no “I” in Buddhism, it will never be an “I found it!” religion (of course there is no “it” either). Jodo Shinshu brands as heresy the belief that we can fix and determine the precise moment of insight into selflessness. Since the moment is one of pure selflessness, we are not self-conscious of the happening. We can only look back and realize that certain problems no longer afflict us. I will conclude with a kind of Jodo Shinshu “koan” (spiritual problem) that was put to me by my teacher Phillipp Eidmann, sensei. “If you say you have it, you don’t have it. And, if you say you don’t have it, you don’t have it. So, where does that leave you?” Continued from Page 3 “Your Life...” The legislation allows you to make a gift in the 2006 tax year and the 2007 tax year. So if you make $100,000 gifts in each year, you can give $200,000 over the two-year period. Plus, if you have a spouse aged 70½ or older with an IRA, he or she can give $200,000 over the same period. For More Information: Please consult with your tax professionals if you are contemplating a charitable gift under the new law. Buddhist Churches of America Campaign BCA – The 21st Century 2140 Durant Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 809-1453 e-mail: robert@bcacampaign.org OCTOBER 2007 CDBWL Host Exchange Students Front row, left to right: Yukikko Awaya, Miyuki Iijima, CDBWL President, Misao Tanouye, MV BWA President, Mitsue Fukuda middle: San Jose BWA President Shizuka Hanada, Sue Miyamoto, Alice Santo, Miyuki Fujimoto, Misae Taketa, Sharon Uyeda. Back row: Joyce Kobata, Jimmie Yamaichi, Irene Hirota, Emi Tsutsumi, Setsuko Hane. The Coast District Buddhist Women’s League hosted two girls from Japan on Aug. 1 through 9, as part of the BCA-FBWA Student Exchange Program. Last year the CDBWL selected Kari Nagamine of Watsonville and Sarah Sakamoto of San Jose to go to Japan. Our guests were Yukiko Awaya from Kita Kyushu and Miyuki Iijima from Fukuoka. Awaya is a student at Nara Women’s University major- Buddha, and disciples Sariputra and Maudalyayana are enshrined. For the next eight days Miyuki and Yukiko were taken on a whirlwind tour of the Coast District temples and surrounding tourist attractions and places of interest. Along the way the girls met with BWA, YBA and other temple members to get an idea of what kinds of activities are taking place in the Coast District. They were Socho Ogui, Yukkiko Awaya, Miyuki Iijima, and Mayumi Ogui at the Raddison Miyako Hotel in S.F. Japantown. ing in the field of Sociology, and Iijima attends Sainan Gakuin University studying Social Welfare. Upon their arrival in San Francisco the girls were taken to Berkeley for a tour of the Jodo Shinshu Center and that evening hosted for dinner by Socho and Mrs. Ogui. The next morning the students were met by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fukuda of Mt. View, and taken to the BCA Headquarters and Buddhist Church of San Francisco to omairi and visit the Stupa in which relics of Shakyamuni along able to attend the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Obon Dance and bazaar. Besides the Fukudas, the students were housed by: Art and Sumi Tanabe (San Jose), Itaru and Aiko Nitao (Watsonville), Kiyoko Kadani (Monterey), Rev. Hosho and Mieko Shindo (Salinas). Returning home to Japan must have been a vacation after the full schedule of temple visits and sightseeing around the Coast District. WHEEL OF DHARMA Pandemic Preparedness By Dr. Susan Gilkey, Midwest Buddhist Temple Imagine being asked to represent Socho on behalf of the BCA at a meeting in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the federal Department of Health and Human Services! Sounds like a nightmare of sorts? Yes, that’s what came to mind when it happened recently. So here are some highlights from that interesting and important assignment. The theme was Pandemic Preparedness, specifically for the Bird Flu, although any type of infection spreading rapidly through the entire population would qualify. The reason that Socho was invited in the first place was because the purpose was to inform national leaders of all segments of society and to impress upon them the role that their organizations and leadership should play at the local level insofar as educating the public and motivating the public to at least think about how they might cope as families and communities and to make some rudimentary preparations. At the meeting there were business leaders (e.g. Fed-Ex, Citicorp bank), community leaders (e.g. Lions Clubs), medical leaders (e.g. American Academy of Pediatricians, College of Emergency Medicine) and religious leaders (e.g. Jesuits, Lutherans, Baptists, Latter Day Saints ). Did you think Bird Flu was old news, ho-hum? Please think again. The U.S. government is sufficiently concerned about the potential for a serious public health risk that it has been carrying out an extensive program of research, simulations and nationwide meetings on the subject over a period of several years. It is normal for there to be a few influenza pandemics every century. In the last century, the 1918 influenza pandemic is still in the recountable past for most families. The experiences of various cities at that time set an important example for public health policies. So, first of all, we are due a severe influenza pandemic. Pandemics happen! And the Bird Flu is on tap. The Bird Flu is quite a virulent infection affecting many species of birds in 55 countries (including Canada). All it would take is for the Bird Flu virus (H5N1 virus to be specific) to swap some ge- netic material with an influenza virus capable of infecting humans and VOILA there would be the capacity for human to human transmission. That has NOT happened yet. When humans have become infected with Bird Flu it is from contact with infected birds. However, most of those people die of the infection because it is a nasty one. And like most influenza pandemics it affects kids the most. You may not be concerned for yourself, but please be concerned for your children! So, if or more likely WHEN the Bird Flu becomes able to be transmitted human to human (all things change as we Buddhists especially are aware and that includes viruses, OK?) then it will start to spread. In order to contain the infection and reduce contacts with infected individuals, several actions will be taken by the governments at all levels under the recommendations of the CDC. Mainly there will be school dismissals. No classes at the schools. SO, someone will have to stay home with the kids. Also, there will be a voluntary quarantine for family members of anyone who is sick. It is important to remember that one is infected with the virus and thus sharing it with others a good 24 hours before symptoms become apparent. Has it gotten your attention yet? I bet so. This is why without being alarmist, various organizations of the government, private industry and the nation’s public health system have been working on lots of preparedness considerations at all levels and sectors of society. It was actually extremely reassuring to listen to the speakers which included the President Emeritus of Princeton University, the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Special Assistant to the President for Biodefense of the Homeland Security Council, and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A very capable, down-to-earth, highly intelligent and caring group of individuals. All the right stuff! To quote Socho, SOKODE IMA DEKIRU KOTOWA? So, now what can you do? San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Kieshiki Misao Tanouye, President CDBWL Visalia Buddhist Church 100th Anniversary The Visalia Buddhist Church 100th Anniversary will be held on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 514 East Center Avenue, Visalia, California. A Ti-Sarana Affirmation Ceremony officiated by Socho Koshin Ogui will be conducted at 5 p.m., at the tem- ple on Saturday Nov. 3. Preceding the centennial commemoration service at 10 a.m., a Chigo procession will begin at 9 a.m. Following the service a banquet will be held at the Visalia Holiday Inn (9000 West Airport Drive). PAGE Socho Ogui conducted a Kieshiki ceremony on Sept. 16, presenting Dharma Names (HoMyo) to sixty-four members of the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. In preparation for the Kieshiki the affirmants had attended a series of classes on Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu presented by Resident Minister Rev. Patti Usuki. Know what to do about Pandemic Flu! 1. Be AWARE 2. Get INFORMATION: www. PandemicFlu.gov or www.AvianFlu.gov 3. Family Discussions: how could you care for each other if you got sick? And how could you juggle child care and your work responsibilities? 4. Teach the kids by DOING: wash your hands frequently, practice cough and sneeze etiquette, stay away from others if they are sick, stay home when you are sick. 5. Prepare for extended HOME STAY: you or one of the families may get sick. Also vital services such as electricity and water as well as delivery of goods might be compromised due to illness of the workforce. Have two weeks supply of ready to eat canned goods, cereal, nuts or peanut butter, crackers, canned juices, dried fruit, pet food. Keep prescription meds up to date, Have water supply for two weeks, Have items such as fluids with electrolytes, flashlight, portable radio, manual can opener, tissues, toilet paper, soap, medicines for fever and anti-diarrhea, garbage bags. In other words be ready to forego going to the store for two weeks. Please note that a specific vaccine would take too long to prepare to be useful. However, already a more generic vaccine is being developed and stockpile and there are strategies being developed as to who would get this generic vaccine which might render some resistance (for instance maybe police, firemen, paramedics etc should get it?) Well, that is a brief overview of the meeting that this representative of Socho and the BCA attended in Washington. So, please whenever you do gassho, let it be a reminder to wash your hands! Also cover a cough, make some preparations and visit www.PandemicFlu.gov from time to time. PANDEMICS HAPPEN, IT IS NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD BUT SO IT IS. “World Peace Begins With Gassho” PAGE WHEEL OF DHARMA BCA Scouts Gather for Nembutsu Camporee Intrafaith Event Benefits Temple and Promotes Shin Buddhism By Gansho Carol O Dowd, Education Program Director, Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple By Brooke Muranaka, Sacramento Betsuin. Group photo by Nick Bellizi D uring the first weekend of August, scouts gathered from everywhere along the western region to attend this year’s Nembutsu Camporee held at San Francisco State College. Despite our different troop numbers we were broken up into mixed patrols, led by older scouts. A weekend of ice breakers, patrol pride, and the everlasting Buddhist teachings brought everyone together. Our daytime activities can include a crazy scavenger hunt, intense meditation sessions and a baseball field of games and workshops. The fun ran into the night as we roomed with fellow scouts and enjoyed Saturday night’s social. Reverend Abiko and Reverend Kobata graciously conducted services and led the Buddhist activities. We were also fortunate enough to see Bishop Socho Ogui, who came by to offer his own words of wisdom. Everyone had a great time and all the hard work put into the camporee was greatly appreciated. This was an opportunity to meet new friends as well as expand ourselves as young Buddhists. Bay District Installs Dharma School Officers The newly elected officers of the Bay District Dharma School Teachers League were recently installed on Sept. 6, during a service held at Palo Alto Buddhist Temple. Pictured above are Rev. Hiroshi Abiko (advisor), Maya Lawrence and Janet Umezu (co-presidents), Carl Yanari (vice-president), Susan Bottari (secretary), Rev. William Masuda, Chiz Kakiuchi (Research and Education), and Rev. Seigen Yamaoka (advisor). This group will be busy planning for the 2008 FDSTL conference to be held (May 2 to 4, 2008) in San Mateo. Not pictured are Grace Joo and Gail Minamoto (co-treasurers). President’s Message Continued from Front Page the more ice, the more water.) As Buddhists generally, and Shin Buddhists specifically, we can be completely at home in the environment of science OCTOBER 2007 and also in the poetic environment that comprehends our physical nature in terms of our Buddha nature—and vice versa. We need never fear an insult by science to our religion. We seek the world as it is, and science is one of the great tools in our search—but not the only one. The second reason I am fond of the phrase panta rei is simpler and more personal. For the past 19 months, as your BCA President, I have had a frontrow seat on one of the most dynamic periods in the organization’s history. Stop for a moment to consider the events we have witnessed: opening the Jodo Shinshu Center and establishing its Board of Overseers; IBS returning to Berkeley and beginning an extension campus in Orange County; establishing the Center for Buddhist Education; the flowering of the Ministers Assistant Program with 40 active MA’s, eleven of whom are going to Kyoto for kyoshi training; convening of a Bishop’s Selection Process and the recommendation that Socho Ogui continue in office for four more years; Hongwanji supporting the Jodo Shinshu Center be the location world-wide for Jodo Shinshu ministerial training in English; the National Board approving the BCA to address the financial future through a fund-raising process emphasizing continuous development. All these events and others have come to fruition since the National Council met in Sacramento in 2006. To be a part of this period of rapid changes, even if only as a close bystander among the many leaders and generous contributors who are doing the heavy lifting to put the changes in place, is an extraordinary privilege. Watching these changes unfold convinces me that we need not fear or shrink from our highest aspirations. We should continue to embrace these aspirations, to make them real. Panta rei. Everything flows. Gassho W hat began as hosting the construction of a sand mandala by Lama Karma Namgyel and Kensang Dorjee, Bhutanese monks from the Drukpa Mila Center in Longmont turned into major promotion of the Longmont Buddhist Temple and Shin Buddhism. Working side by side with the volunteers from the Drukpa Mila Center, we learned that we have as many similarities as Buddhists as much as we have differences. By hosting such an event, we had opportunities to involve most of the 60+ members from the Longmont Buddhist Temple in a variety of activities. Bookstore committee members met several times prior to the week of events to make nenju and bookmarks. Other Temple members donated homemade snacks for sale during the week long event. One member led the efforts to paint and put down new carpeting downstairs. Although this project was done in time so monks could have a quiet place to rest during the week, the result is that the Longmont Temple now has classrooms for its growing Dharma School. What better way to motivate teachers for the fall? Along with the downstairs improvements, members cleaned and cleared out the Community Room for construction of the mandala. The Community Room at the Longmont Buddhist Temple became a room for the community – literally. Along with hosting a stream of 600+ visitors, TV cameras and newspaper reporters, we used it to host a Chenrezig meditation session on Wednesday evening led by Lama Karma. We used our hondo for talks on Shin Buddhism as visitors were interested. Many indicated they wanted to come back and attend one of our services, including two teenagers. The dismantling ceremony led by Lama Karma Namgyel and Kezong Dorjee on Sunday morning was before a packed 150+ people of all ages in the Longmont Buddhist Temple Community Room. Fortunately, the dispersion ceremony was held at the Kanemoto Park, just 5 minutes away, which allowed more than 350 to attend. We were pleased that more than 140 those stayed for our Shin Buddhist service and joined us for a potluck picnic at the Pagoda. The benefits from this partnership between Longmont Buddhist Temple and the Drukpa Mila Center continue to flow in. Just a few of the connections we made include requests by Longmont Hospital for information on Buddhism to share with the public. Also, the Chaplain wants to explore how the Hospital and the Longmont Buddhist Temple can work together in the future. Directors from a local rehab center and a senior center came through and are requesting training to be offered at their facilities by a Shin Buddhist priest. The press coverage helps to increase the community awareness of Longmont Buddhist Temple. The Temple was included in articles on two TV news broadcasts, the Denver Post, and in two articles each in local papers, the Boulder Camera and the Longmont Times-Call. As a result, when another reporter was doing a story on tithing for the faith section, she thought of us and we had the opportunity to explain the paramita of generosity and our Shin practice of living a life of gratitude. Another benefit is money, which all Temples need. The Longmont Temple as host for the event through its sales generated more than $1,000. Another $1,100 collected in donations is being split between the Longmont Buddhist Temple and the Drukpa Mila Center. The benefit for the Temple is that it collected more than its usual $100 a day fee with this arrangement. Finally, what benefits will flow from future events are untold but yet to come. We have made new friends through this effort under the watchful eyes of Amida, the Buddha of Wisdom/ Compassion and Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. The value of new Dharma friends – priceless. For more information, please contact me at gansho@earthlink. net or at the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple (303) 2951844. Rev. Tanaka planted in the soil of Buddha’s universal Vow and my thoughts and feelings floating and flowing freely in the inconceivable Dharma Ocean! Namo Amida Butsu. Mahalo. Best wishes to you all. Continued from Front Page and exemplar, who resounds with joy, confidence and caring rooted in the Vow: Oh, how joyous I am, with my mind and heart firmly May Peace and Tranquility Prevail Throughout the World ߩᴺ ߎߎࠈ ߅ߊ ߶ࠎߣ߁ ߨ߇ ߈ ߡߞߚߣ߈ޔᔃߩᅏߦࠆᧄᒰߩ㗿߇⡞ߎ߃ߡߊࠆ ߰ߟ߁ ߖ߆ߟ ߥ߆ ߎ߃ ߈ ߩߢߔޕ᥉ㅢߩ↢ᵴߩਛߢߪߘߩჿࠍ⡞ߊߎߣߪߢ߈߹ ᷦ⧰㧔ߒ߱ߦ߇㧕ߊߡ↞ੱ↢ ߖࠎߩ⋡ޕ೨ߩߎߣߢ㗡ߩਛߪߞ߬ߢߔޔߡߒߘޕ ⥄ಽߩ⠨߃߿ᕁߥ߆ߦ㐽ߓߎ߽ࠅ⥄ಽߩᕁߢᕁឬ ࡃࠢᢎળ ᧻ᧄ࠺ࠖࡆ࠶࠼ ߓ߱ࠎ ߹߃ ߆ࠎ߇ ߅߽ ߣ ߖ߆ ߹ߎߣ ߎߎࠈ ߃߇ ߃߃ࠎ ߅ߊߘߎ ߨ߇ ߦળߚߣޔᔃߩᅏᐩߢߪ㗿ߞߡࠆߩߢߔߩޕ ߎࠎߍࠎߡ߈ ߨ߇ ߜߩᩮḮ⊛ߥ㗿ߣ߁ߩߪߥߦߩ߽ߩߘߜߩߩߘޔ ߤ߁ߓ ߶߆ ߚ ࠆߎߣߥߩߢߔߡߒߘޕหᤨߦࠍࠇߘ߽ߦߩ߽ߩઁޔਈ ߭ࠄߔߥ ᐔ⍾ ࠺ ࡞ ࡈ ࠖ ࡦ ߐ ࠎ ߣ߽ ߪޡᦠ⪺ߩߘޔThe Art of ߇ ߹ࠎ ߍߓࠀߟ ߓࠂ߁ߤߒࠎߒࠀ߁ ߺ ߛ ߱ ߟ ߶ࠎ߇ࠎ Gaman—ᚒᘟߩ⧓ⴚߩޢਛ ߭߆ࠅ ߪ߆ ߩߜ ߶ߣߌ ࠄࠊ ߽ ߣశߩߩߜߩߩߎޕߔߢߩߚ߈ߡߒ⸒ߣޠᜬߟ ߛߦߓߖ߆ߚߖࠎߜࠀ߁ ߢ ╙ ޔੑᰴ⇇ᄢᚢਛ ߩ ߶ࠎߣ߁ ߨ߇ ߈ ࠊߚߒ ߓࠎߖ ߖ߆ ߡࠎ ੱ↢ޔ⇇ߔߴߡ߇ォߓߡߊࠆߩߢߔޕ ߡࠎ ੱ ߦ ࠃ ࠆ ⧓ⴚຠ 1 5 0 ὐ ߒࠂ߁߆ ߷߁ߣ߁ એࠍ⚫ߒߡ߹ߔޕ ࠁ߁ ߪߊ ߒ߱ ౨㗡ߦߍߚฬߥେฏޟᷦ߇߈ߩ ߒ߱߇ߘߩ߹߹ ߓࠀ߁ߦ߹ࠎߦࠎ ߹ 1 9 4 2ᐕ ޔචੑਁੱ ߦ ߽ ߚࠎ ߆߈ ߒ߱ ↞ߺ߆ߥࠍߣߎߩߎߪޠགྷߓߡࠆߩߢߔޕᩑߦߪᷦߊ ߓࠎ ߒ߱߇߈ ߅ ࠃ ߱ ᣣ♽ ࠕ ࡔ ࠞ ੱ ߆ࠊ ߡߚߴࠄࠇߥ߽ߩ߇ࠅ߹ߔߩߘޕᷦᩑ߽ࠍ⊹ޔ ࠅ ߰ ߓ ࠎ ߦߜ ߺߓ߆ ߛ ߓߚߊ ߡࠎ߯ ߇ޔℂਇዧߦ߽ߚߞߚޔੑޔਃᣣߣ߁⍴㑆ߦ⥄ޔቛ߽ ߒ߾ ߆ߖ߆ߟ ߥ ߔ ߒߡ ߫ߒࠂ ߖ߰ ࠇ ߶ ߥ߆ ߳ࠎ߆ ߊ߁߈ ߚ ߡᄤᣣߦᐓߔߣߩߘޔਛߢᄌൻ߇߅ߎࠅ߹ߔޕⓨ᳇ߣᄥ ࠃ߁ ߽␠ળ↢ᵴࠍ߽ߘߩ߹߹ᛩߍᝥߡߡᜰቯߐࠇߚ႐ᚲ߳ ߟ ߒࠎߜࠀ߁ ᧄᒰ ߩ 㗿 ߇ ⡞ ߎ ߃ ߡ ߈ ߚ ߣ ߈ ߦ ߩ ߜ ߚ ⑳ ޔᔃਛ ޔ ߦߞߌ ኈᚲ ߢߩᣣ♽ ࠕࡔࠞ ߦߞߌ ߪޟ㒙ᒎ㒚ߩᧄ㗿ޟޔ⸒ߣޠ㊂ࠆߎߣߩߢ߈ߥኼ ߥ߆ ߍߓࠀߟߐߊ߭ࠎ ߃ࠍࠇߎޕߔߢߩࠆߔߣ߁ߎߡ߈↢ߦޔᵺ⌀ቬߢ ߜࠂߒࠂ ߨࠎ ߅߽ ߃߃ࠎ ࠊߚߒ ߢ ↞ߺ߆ߥ ߓࠎ ߅߽ ߊ⇇ࠍߡߦߒߡ⌀ޔታߩ᳗㆙ߩߩߜࠍࠅ߇ߚߊ ߹ ߒࠀ߁ࠃ߁ߓࠂ ߓ߱ࠎ ᗵߓࠆߎߣ߽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߩߘޔߪߜߚ⑳ޕ᳗㆙ߩߩߜ ᷦᩑߩ ߒ߱߇ߘߩ߹߹ ߒߏߣ ߥ߆ ߆ࠎ ߒ߱߇߈ ߓࠂ߁ ߚ߹ ߆߈ ߒ߱ ߹ ߆ 㓁ߦ߰ࠇࠆߎߣߢޔᩑߩᷦߺ߇ߘߩ߹߹↞ߺߦᄌࠊߞߡ ߁ ߒ߱ 㓸 ߹ ࠆ ࠃ ߁ ߦ ߣ ߁ ޔᐭ ߩ ࠍ ฃ ߌ ߚ ߩ ߢ ࠆ ޕ ߊߩߢߔޔߊߥߪߢߌߛࠇߘޕᷦߺ߇ࠇ߫ࠆ߶ߤ ߦߜߓࠂ߁ߖ߆ߟ ߹ ߑߐࠎ ߒࠂ߁ࠄ ߈߷߁ ᣣᏱ↢ᵴߣ⽷↥ߩߔߴߡߛߌߢߥߊޔ᧪ߦߚߔࠆᏗᦸ ߶ߒࠂ߁ ߗࠎ߱ ߔ ߭ߣ߮ߣ ߒࠀ߁ࠃ߁ߓࠂ ߇ ߹ ߚ ߒ ߁ ߒ߾߆ߗࠎߚ ᚢਛߩᣣ♽ੱ ߦኻ ߔࠆᛂ ߜߪ␠ࠞࡔࠕޔળో ߣ ߣ߁ߓ ߖ߰ ߓࠎߒࠀߴߞߒ ߖࠎߘ߁ ߮ࠂ߁ߡ߈ ߆ߓࠂ߁ߪࠎߩ߁ ᒰᤨߩᐭ ߦࠃࠆੱޔ⒳⬦ⷞ ߿ᚢ ߦࠃࠆ∛⊛ ߥㆊᔕ ߳ࠎߌࠎ ߅ ߭ߣ ߣߦࠃߞߡߎࠆ߁ࠆߎߣߩ৻ߟߢࠆߣ߁ߎߣߪ ߁ߚ߇ ࠃ ߜ ߤ߁ߓ ߦߞߌߓࠎ ⇼ߩ߇ࠅ߹ߖࠎޔߒ߆ߒޕหᤨߦߩߎޔᣣ♽ੱߩ ߦ߇ ߊࠆ ߌߌࠎ ߆ࠎ߇ ߅ࠃ ߮ ߈߆ ߚ ⧰⧰ߒ⚻㛎߇ޔ⠨߃߽߫ߥ⟤ߩᯏળࠍਈ߃ߚߩߢ ߦߞߌߓࠎ ߭ߣࠅ ߆ߙߊ ߔ ߪ ࠇ ߘ ޕᣣ♽ੱ ৻ੱ ߭ ߣ ࠅ ޔኅᣖ ࠾ ࡘ ࡒ ࠦ ߡ ߒ ߘ ޔ ߊߥࠎ ߊߥࠎ ߚ ߎ߁ߤ߁ ࠹ࠖߩ⧰ޔ㔍ࠍ⧰㔍ߣ߽ߖߕߦߘߎ߆ࠄ┙ߜ߇ࠆⴕേ ߺ ߚߖߟ ߊߦ ࠁ߁ߓࠎ ߖߣ߁ ࠅࠁ߁ ߓ߱ࠎ ߉ߖ ߜࠀ߁߉ ߧ ߁ߎߣߢࠅޔㅒႺߦ߽߆߆ࠊࠄߕ߈↢ߊߒ߹ߊߚޔᛮ ߟࠃ ߒ ߥ߆ ߭ࠂ߁ߍࠎ ߦࠎ߉ࠂ߁ ߮ ߣࠅ ߅߈߽ߩ ߆ ߋ ߥ ߤ ߆߇ ߦߜߓࠂ߁ ߒߒࠀ߁ ߰ߊߒࠂߊ߭ࠎ ߥࠎ ߶ࠎࠄ ߨ߇ ߆ߚߜ ߭ߣ ߌߌࠎ ߖߟ ߁ߟߊ ߹ ߐߊ߭ࠎ ߎ߁ߤ߁ ߁ ߛ ߎࠎߍࠎߡ߈ ߨ߇ ߣ ߎ ኈᚲߢߐ߃ߩߜߩޔᩮḮ⊛ߥ㗿ࠍ㐽ߓㄟߡ߅ߊ ߒࠀ߁ࠃ߁ߓࠂ ߎߣߪߢ߈߹ߖࠎߢߒߚߩߜߩߩߘޕ㗿ߪޔኈᚲ ߥ߆ ߚ ߅ߥ ߩਛߢ߽߽ࠍઁߚ߹ޔߒߣ߁ࠈߥߦߩ߽ߩߘߜߩޔห ߤ߁ߓ ߓࠃ߁ߦォߓߡߎ߁ߣߒߚߩߢߔޔߪߣߎߩߎޕหᤨ ߓࠎߖ ߈ࠂ߁ߊࠎ ߱ࠎߖ߈ ߦ⑳ߚߜߩੱ↢ߩᢎ⸠ߣߥߞߡ߶ߒ߽ߩߢߔޕ㧔ᢥ⽿ ᪢ᵤ㧕 ࠅ ٤ ߇ᴺ ߣベᵞ ߁ߏᔃ ߏᡰ ߑេᇚ ߒ ߹ߡ⊖ ߔ࠼ 䎭ߚ࡞ ߛ ߈ ᴺ ベ ᗵ ⻢ ㍳ 7 ᄞ߇⎕ࠇ߇ߺᦸޔᢿߚࠇ⿷ޔర߆ࠄߔߴߡ߇ߊߕࠇߐߞ ࠠ 䏔 ࡦ ࡍ ࠻䏚 ࡦ ࡐ 䏚 ߒ߽ߣ ߽ ߏ ነ߈ࠃ ච ⋡ߊ ߭ ߢ ߐ ઃ߰䏉 ৾ ߊ ᮡ䏌 ߇ ߁ ⾥ ࠎ ᧪߈߇ ߡ ࡄ ߟ 㗵߇ ߹ ߤ ߊ ห ߁ ᧃߟ ⚂߿ 䏚 ࠆ ߊ ජ ߩ ߘ ߍ ࠍ ߛ ᧤ߊੑ ࠎ ਃ ߌ ߐ ⊖ ࡦ ߑ ජ ᄙ߅ ྾ ࠻ 䎬 ߅ ࠇ ߗ ਁ ߚ ߊ ߡ ච߹ߩ߭ోࠎ ߆ ࠼ ߛ ߩ߆߹ ਁࠎੱߣળ ࠼ ߚ ຬ ળ ࠎ ߈ ࡞ ຬࠎߔ ࡞ ߜ ߩ ࠍ 䎬 ߩ 䎭 ߩ ߦ ੑ ߚ ߅߅ ߣߞߡߐࠇߚߩߢߔޕ ߩߙ ߖߣ߁ ߆ ߣ߽ᱜᒰൻߢ߈߹ߖࠎޔ߽ߢޕᄙߊߩੱߚߜߦߣߞߡޔ ߭ߡ ࠄࠊ ߿߱ ࠅࠁ߁ ߅ߊ ᧄᒰߩߩߜ߇ᜬߞߡࠆᧄ᧪ߩ㗿߇ߥ߁ࠃߩߘޔᒻࠍ ࠁ ߆ߥ ߁ߟߊ ノ߆ߖੱޔ㑆ߩᔃߩᅏߦࠆุޔቯߔࠆߎߣߩߢ߈ߥޔ ߽ ߊࠆ ߢߔ߿ߺߒ⧰ޕᖤߒߺߪߟࠄߊࠆߥ߆ޔℂ↱߇ࠈ߁ ࠄࠊ ࠆߎߣ߇ߢ߈߹ߔࠍߐߒ⟤ߥߖߦ⪲⸒ޔߪࠄࠇߎޕ ߶ࠎߣ߁ ࠈߥ߽ߩࠍᄬ ߞߚߣ߁ߎߣߪᄌࠊࠆߎߣߩߥታ ߎߣ߫ ߎߎࠈ ߓߓߟ ߥ߆ ߺ ߦࠎߍࠎ ߆ ߁ߠ სޔኅౕ╬ߥߤޔᣣᏱߩߢ߽ߥࠃ߁ߥ߽ߩߩਛߦ߽ ߆߇߿ ߹ ߁ߒߥ ࠊߚߒ ቲ㘼ຠ ޔᓂೞ ੱ ޔᒻ ޔ ↹⛗ ޔೝ❭ ޔ ߏ ߆ ޔ㘼ຠ ߅ ޔ ߱ߟߛࠎ ߒ߱ߦ߇ ߡࠎ ߔ ߚ ߹ ޕᓐ ࠄ ߦ ࠃ ߞ ߡ ߐ ࠇ ߚ ⟤ ߪ ޔ㠽 ߩ ⟎‛ ޔ ߜࠂ߁ߎߊ ߅߽ ኈᚲߦߚߔࠆᕁߪޔᷦ⧰ߊߡ↞߽ߩߢߔࠈޕ ࠄࠊ ߈ߟ߆ޔ೨ ߦㅴ ߽߁ߣߔࠆᒝ ᗧ ᔒ ߩਛ ߦ߽ ࠇߡ߹ ߶߁ߒࠂߊ߭ࠎ ੱ ߦ ߣ ߞ ߡ ޔᚢ ߿ ߒࠀ߁ࠃ߁ߓࠂ ߨ߇ ߆ࠇ ߖࠎߘ߁ ߟ ߉߾ߞ߈ࠂ߁ ߔߔ ᄙ ߊߩᣣ♽ ࠕࡔࠞ ߓࠎ ߒࠀ߁ࠃ߁ߓࠂ ኈߒߚ࿖ߦኻߒߡ߽⥄ޔಽࠍ‶†ߦߒߡᔘ⟵ࠍዧߊߔߣ ߹߃ ߦߞߌ ߐ ࠍ ᜬ ߞ ߚ ຠ ߿ ⴕേ ࠍ ↢ ߺ ߒ ߡ ߞ ߚ ߩ ߢ ߔ ޕ ߆ߙߊ ߚ ߅߅ ߽ ߘߩⴕേ ߣߪޔᄢಾ ߥኅᣖ ߿ੱ ࠍᱜᒰ ߥℂ↱ ߽ߥߊ ߒࠀ߁ࠃ߁ ߡࠎ ߹↞ ߺߦォ ߗࠄࠇߚߩ ߢߔޕ ߘߩࠃ߁ߥ⚻㛎߇⺑ޔߔࠆߎߣߩߢ߈ߥ⟤ߒߐߣ↞ ߦࠆߎߣ߇ߢ߈߹ߔޕ ߎ߁ߤ߁ ߩߙ ߒ߱ ߚᚲ߳ߣㅍࠄࠇߡߞߚߩߢߔޕ ߦߞߌߓࠎ ߣ ࠅ߹ߖࠎޔᷦ ߇ߘߩ߹ ߅ߊ ߖࠎߘ߁ߜࠀ߁ ߒ߱ ↞ߺ߽ࠃࠅ৻ጀჇߔߩߢߔޕᷦߪขࠅ㒰߆ࠇߚߩߢߪ ߒߡ ߿㓚߽ోㇱᝥ ߡߡߪޘੱޔኈᚲ ߿ߘࠇએᄖߩᜰቯ ߐࠇ ߣߎࠈ ߞߘ߁ ߹ ⊒ⴕᚲ ☨࿖ᢎ࿅ Buddhist Churches of America 1710 Octavia Street San Francisco, CA 94109 㔚 415) 776-5600 FAX (415) 771-6293 E-ࡔ࡞ᚲ bcahq@pacbell.net 2007ᐕᐲᢎൻᮡ⺆ ⇇ᐔߪ ว߆ࠄ 2007ᐕ 10ภ ⑳ߚߜߪ ᣣ߆ࠄ ߩሶߣߒߡ ᣂߒߊᣏ┙ߜ߹ߔ ߥࠎ߱߈ࠂ߁ߊ ߳ߍࠎ ߶ࠎ߇ࠎߓ ߱ߞ߈ࠂ߁߆ ߁ߔ߈ ධㇱᢎ ߩࠨࡦࡈࠔ࠽ࡦ࠼ᐔේ ᧄ㗿ኹ ᢎળ 㧔ቝኋ ࡄ ߜࠀ߁ߑ߆߈ࠂ߁ߒ ߁߃ - ࠻ࠪࠕ㚢㐿ᢎ ࠃࠎߦࠎ ߐ ߇ߟ ߒ߾ߒࠎ ߗࠎࠇߟߔߖ߈ߺ߉ ߦߜ ߅ߋߘ߁ߜࠂ߁ ߈ ߃ ߒ ߈ ߘ߁ߗ ߁ߜߜ ߦ ߒ ࠄ ߰ ߆ ߎߩߚ߮ߩᏫଐᑼ ߢߪ✚ޔ 64ฬ 㧔ౝ৻ฬ ߪ⟜ᐭ ળ ࠎ ߩ౮⌀ ೨ሶᏨฝࠃࠅ ߦߜ ߚࠄ ߱ ߟ ߢ ߒ ߚࠄ ߓࠎߖ ߞ߸ ߰ ߛ ຬ 㧕߇ᣂ ߒߊᒉሶ ߣߥࠅޔᣂ ߒੱ↢ ߩ৻ᱠ ࠍ〯 ߺ ߈ ߃ ߒ ߈ ߐ߈ߛ ߗࠎࠎ ߞ߬ࠎ߱ߞ߈ࠂ߁ ߓࠂ߁ ྾ੱ⋡ 㧕 ߢ ߪ ޔ ࠆ 9 1 6 ᣣ 㧔 ᣣ 㧕 ዊ᧮✚㐳 ࠍ ㄫ ߃ ߡ ߒߚߩߎޕᏫଐᑼ ߦవ┙ ߜోޔຬ ߇৻⥸ᢎ ߥࠄ߮ߦᵺ ߈ ߃ ߒ ߈ ߤߒࠎߒࠀ߁ ߈ ߃ ߒ ߈ ߱ߞ߈ࠂ߁ߣ ߖߒ߈ Ꮻଐᑼ ࠍߣࠅ߅ߎߥߞߚޕᏫଐᑼ ߣߪޔᢎᓤ ߇ᱜᑼ ߦ ߶ߣߌ ߢ ߒ ߶߁ߺࠂ߁ ߉ߒ߈ ߚࠄ ߥߺ ߅ ᢎ࿅ߦߪᣂߒᵄ߇ߎߞߡ߹ߔޕ ߩߌ㐿߆ ߈ ࠎ ᢎ ⎇ߒ 䏌 ߁ 䏋 ୃ߁ ߒࡦ ߩ ࠲ ળ߆ ߇ 䏚 ߥ ߩ ߊ ߇ ߚ ߟ ߱ᣂࠄ 䏉 ߒ ߈ 䏌 ߎ 䎬 ᢎ߁ ߎ ⹜ ળ߆ ߩߺࠈ ᣣ ߣ ߩࠅ䏚 ߒ ਔ䏌 ߡ ߁ ࠳ ᣣߓ 䎬 ߟ 䏚 ࠍ ߢ ోߗ ࠕ 㐿 ߥ ߩ ᢎ߈ 䏌 ߩ ࠎ ߛ ߱ ㅀߩ 䏉䏉 ߤ ߎ ࿅߁ ઍ 䎬 ߛ ߭ ࠎ 䏌 ߴ ࠆ ᢎ߈ ߇ ߣ ߩ ࡔ ߐ 䏌 ߚ ߁ ߡ ߣ ળ߁ ߇ ߪ ߆ ߇ ߥ ߿ ߒ ߒ ࠇ 䎬 ߩ䎬 ߒ 䎬ߒ⚵ߊ䏋 ࠬ ߚ 䏉 ߖ ࡆ 䏌 ߛ ߚ ߒ Ꮸ 䎭 ว 䏋 ઍ ߎ ߈ ߁ ߺ 䏉 ࠄ 䎭 ߭ ߒ ࠬ ࠊ ᧪ ࡞ 䏌 ߩ ߿ 䎬 䎬 ࡐ Ꮸߖ ߈ ߁ ࠇ ߦ ࠃ 䎬 ะ䎬 ⡞߽ ⠪ߒ 䏊 ߇ ࠎ ᕺ ߃ 䏚 ߱ ߺ ߎ ߷ 䏉 ߁ ߩ ෳߐ ߓ ߁ ࠤ ⍴߆ߌ ࠎ ߈ ᴺ ߁ శ ߆ ߥ 䏌 ߭ ട ᢎ ৻ߣ ߌߡ ኹߓࡦ ߁ ࠍ ߉ ߆ ࠅ ੱ ߔ ⴕ䏌⎇ࠎ ߩ ળߒ ߩ 䎬 ߒ ߁ ߪ ࠆ ߓୃ䏋 ࡄ ߚ ྾ࠃ ߽ ࠎ ߩ ߁ ࠎ ߆ ߛ ߆ ߦ ߴ ߢ 㗴▤ࠎࠅ ࠤ߆䏚 ᗵࠎ ߪ ߪ ὐߡ ኹߓ ᗐߘ ߁ ߈ ࠎ ℂ ࠅ 䎬 ߌࠎߒࠀ߁߆ ߒࠀߞߖ߈ ⌀ቬߩߎߣߦߟߡቇ߱⎇ୃળߦᏨߒߚޕ ߹߈ࠂ߁ߛࠎ ߩᒉሶߣߥࠅޔᴺฬࠍߚߛߊᑼߢࠆޕ ߹ߥ ࡦ ࠲ 䏚 ߢ ߡ ߢ߅ච Ḱߓ ߩ ߁ 䏋 ⾗ ߒ ߩ ߃ ᚻ ߟ ߆ ߆ ࠎ ߎ ਃ ࠬ ࡔ ߩ વߛߎ ⴕߎ ߮ ᩰ ߊ 㐿 ߥ ߣ ߦ ߒ 䏚 ࠳ ࡙ ߩ ࠊ ᣣߜߩ ࠍ ᢎ߈ 䏌 ᐕ ߟ ߁ ߱ ߃ ࠩ 䏉ࡒ ࠍ ࠃ ࠇ ߆ ߚ ᓧ ߒච ߽ ߒ ߁ ߚ ࠄ ࠆ ࠕ ੑ ࡦ ᢎ߈ 䏌 ߡ ߥ 䎭 ච ߩ ߚ ࠪ ߇ ળ߁ ߟ ߆ ࡌ ߊ ࠬ 䎬ߴࠅ ࡏ 䐴 ਅߛ ߌ ╙ߛ ࠎ ⎇ ߦ ߒ ߇ 䏓 ߣ 䏓 ߐ ߦ ࠲ ☨ ᣣߜਃߐ ߎ 䏋 ࠎ ߈ ߊ ߣ ߆ ੩ 䏌 ࡦ ࠲ ࠨ ࠷ 䏉 ୃ߁ ࿖ ࿁ ߦ ߱ ߆ ߓ ߁ 䏉 ㇺ ߣ ࠻ ࡦ 䏑 ߡ ળ ⋡ ᵺ䏌 ߈ ߁ ߁ ߢ 䏌 ߤ ߐ ࡑ ᢎ ߳ ߇ ߩ ߁ ߌ ߒ ߐ ࠎ ߚ ࠎ ߶ ࠎ ࠹ ࠆ ⌀ߒ⎇ߒᣏ߮ᧄࠎ࿅ߛ ࠎ ࠎ ߩ ߟ 䏋 ୃ 䏋 ┙ ߛ 㗿 ߇ ߆ ㆐ߚ ቬ ߜ ߁ ߁ ࠎ ࠝ 䐳 ߽ ߭ ߇ ߢ ࠄ ߟ ኹߓ ળ߆ ߈ ߱ ߒ 䏉 Ꮐ ߛ 䏌 ච 㘩 ࠅ 䏌 ᢎ 䎬 䎭 ߇ ࡦ ߈ ߁ ߊ ࠆ ᢎ䏌 ౮ߒ ࠲ ߘ Ꮷߒ৻ 䏊 ߓ ߁ 䏚 䎭 ળ߆ ⌀ߒ ߩ ฬ 䏚 ߇ ߟ ߩ ࠎ ߩ ࠕ 㧤