August 2016 - Oregon Buddhist Temple

Every Life Matters on the Oregon
PureLand Path
OBT established 1903
The Oregon Buddhist Temple Monthly Newsletter
President’s column
Cathy Yarne, OBT President
Dear Sangha,
In May, you received a letter
about our temple building's 50th
anniversary.
Please mark your
calendars to attend the special luncheon on Nov. 6th to
commemorate this OBT milestone. We've also created
the Building 50th Anniversary Fund. This fund will help
ensure the preservation of the temple and annex.
I am very fortunate to have "grown up" in the temple
so I have an extensive history with the temple. I
remember the day our temple celebrated the completion
of our current temple. At the time, I was actively
participating in many temple activities so this event was
a memorable event for me.
The 50th anniversary has helped me realize that this
is an opportunity to show my gratitude to the temple for
its significance in my life. It is my pleasure to make a
monetary gift to the Building Anniversary Fund. Also, I
believe it is important that we sustain our temple not
only for me, but also for our future Sangha and
community. Therefore I have made a bequest to OBT.
No matter whether you have a long history with OBT
like me or you are fairly new to our Sangha, I hope you
will consider making a donation to the preservation of
the Oregon Buddhist Temple so it can continue to
provide the Buddha dharma for generations.
Gassho,
Cathy
The header leader above, “Every Life Matters” was
contributed by Susan Endecott. Readers are invited to
suggest header leaders for future newsletter issues.
August 2016
Board of Directors
meeting highlights
Kim Kono, Board Co-Secretary
OBT Board meeting summary
June 12, 2016, 12:30 pm Annex
Members in Attendance: Cathy Yarne, Susan Endecott,
Ken Garner, Judy Hittle, Shinya Ichikawa, Kim Kono,
Mie McGraw, Al Ono, Amy Peterson, Charles Reneau,
Jayne Ichikawa (OBWA). Members Absent: Phaedra
Urban, Katie Tamiyasu
Maintenance: Cathy Yarne read Ray Fukunaga’s
report, which included a recommendation on elevator
repairs. The Board supports Ray’s recommendations on
next steps. Board discussed the cost of long-term
replacement of the elevator and the importance of
budgeting funds to do so.
Building 50th Anniversary: Kim noted that to date
we’ve received contributions from 19 donors. We will
be recognizing donors in the newsletter and on the
Anniversary website. Cathy emphasized that we should
have 100% participation in giving from the Board, as
well as from the Anniversary Committee.
Foyer Display Rack purchase: Ken Garner has
purchased and set up the foyer display rack. He
recommends that one person or a designated small group
of members be appointed to keep materials updated and
the rack tidy.
Obon Festival: Judy Hittle gave an update on
festival signage, entertainment schedule, parking, and
encouraged all food booth chairs to get their food
handlers card. Phaedra had emailed Board members a
proposal to boost our advertising via Facebook at a cost
of $300. After discussion, Amy Peterson made a motion
to allocate $150 for social media promotion. Cathy
Yarne seconded the motion. Motion passed.
“The purpose of the Oregon Buddhist Temple is to insure that the Jodo Shinshu Sangha have the facilities, resident
minister and other resources they need to share the Buddha Dharma in their daily lives and during their major life
events.”
Oregon Buddhist Temple
3720 SE 34th Avenue Portland, OR 97202-3037
503-234-9456
e-mail: [email protected]
website: http://www.oregonbuddhisttemple.com
This monthly newsletter is published by the Oregon Buddhist Temple, a Buddhist Churches of America temple affiliated
with Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha. Please contact the temple with any comments, questions or concerns, or if you wish to
report a change of address. Send news items to the editor: Shinya Ichikawa at: [email protected]
August 2016
2 The Oregon PureLand Path
Emergency Preparedness: Charles Reneau discussed
resources and types of emergencies for which we need to
have a plan. He then conducted a tour of the facility to
show Board members the locations of critical equipment
and shutoff locations for electric, gas and water in the
event of an emergency.
New Projector: Cathy reported that Yoshi Ono had
purchased the projector and case as requested. The
screen will be purchased later, when needed.
Supervising Minister: Cathy reported on the status
of talks with Tacoma Buddhist Temple about our new
supervising minister. Arrangements have not yet been
formalized.
Plans were discussed for Rev. Fujimoto’s
weekend at OBT, including a potluck lunch
program.
Mie inquired about testing water faucets
fountains at OBT for lead. Cathy will check
inexpensive testing resources.
Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Submitted by Kim Kono and Susan Endecott,
Secretaries
last
and
and
into
Co-
August Shotsuki Hoyo
This is a monthly memorial service to honor and remember those loved ones who passed away during the month of
August. The Shotsuki-Hoyo service will be held August 14 Sunday service at 10 am.
Please join us and offer incense in memory of your relative(s) or friends.
Listed below are the names of those who passed away starting from 1930. Oregon Buddhist Temple has records from
1904. If a name is missing, incorrect, or prior to 1930, please notify Jean Matsumoto, Etsu Osaki, or the temple.
Abe, Patsy 8/30/2006
Akao, Toshiko 8/14/2000
Ando, Suematsu 8/26/1957
Ando, Sumiko 8/25/2001
Azuma, Nisuke 8/11/1961
Brown, Jan Jr 8/31/2007
Brown, Reiko Akao 8/15/2011
Fujii, Sumino 8/3/1938
Fujii, Toshimi 8/9/1941
Fujii, Yoshimi 8/31/1995
Goto, Sanji 8/8/1947
Greenwood, Arlita 8/10/2001
Harada, Kintaro 8/23/1931
Harrison, Henrietta Ueoka 8/5/2014
Hasegawa, Rihei 8/27/1933
Hashimoto, Toshinosuke 8/23/1938
Hata, Kesae Kay 8/17/2000
Higashi, Jinsue 8/11/1961
Inahara, Tei 8/6/1997
Ishida Baby 8/12/1950
Itamura, Edith 8/7/2002
Ito, Masu 8/26/1956
Iwamoto, Taichi 8/23/1947
Kaneda, Jirokichi 8/11/1944
Katada, Kazue 8/28/1995
Kataoka, Tsunekichi 8/15/1946
Kato, Koriku 8/16/1974
Kawamura, Ko 8/8/1934
Kawashima, Yoozo 8/23/1943
Kinoshita, Sei 8/1/1973
Kunimune, Sadaji 8/18/1931
Maeda, Francis Kanji 8/24/2001
Maeda, Kinu 8/31/1987
Matsumura, Kina 8/10/1972
Mayers, Bernard Leon 8/17/2010
Melore, Barbara 8/17/2006
Morita, Yachiyo 8/31/1997
Muramatsu, Matsutaro 8/13/1978
Muramatsu, Phyllis 8/11/2006
Naemura, Saisuke 8/20/1953
Naganuma, Sam Sadatoshi 8/12/2001
Nakao, Emil 8/14/2005
Nakao, Taitaro 8/5/1972
Ng, Joann 8/21/2004
Okawa, Reiko 8/31/1998
Okawa, Toichi 8/11/1959
Otani, Shotaro 8/31/1940
Ozaki, Yoshimatsu 8/6/1933
Ryu, Wataru 8/17/1937
Sadanaka, Jukichi 8/7/1933
Sakagami, Kisaku 8/1/1944
Sakamoto, Hantaro 8/25/1954
Sakano, Ichiro 8/12/1948
Sasaki, Teruko 8/28/2009
Shido, Mary 8/14/2000
Shigefuji, Ichiro 8/30/1945
Shiraishi, Hichitaro 8/16/1949
Smith, Vincent 8/19/2001
Sono, Carol 8/14/1948
Sugimura, Kinu 8/10/1972
Susaki, Nobuko 8/2/2001
Tajima, Shunsaku 8/19/1949
Takabayashi, Tsunetaro 8/20/1960
Takata, Ichiro 8/30/1945
Takegaki, Hiroki 8/10/1936
Tamiyasu Hirao 8/21/1978
Tamiyasu, Shoji 8/18/1947
Tanada, Kenichi 8/23/1949
Tanaka, Saichi 8/12/1957
Teramura, Kisuke 8/26/1969
Toyooka, Hatsuye 8/23/1983
Uesugi, Shodo 8/10/1933
Uesugi, Take 8/9/1953
Uyeda, Henry 8/24/1974
Wataru, Ryu 8/17/1937
Winner, Diane Renee 8/7/2001
Yagi, Kan 8/9/2013
Yamaguchi, George Takashi 8/13/1945
Yamaguchi, Shigezo 8/18/1935
Yamaguchi, Ujitsuto 8/27/1986
Yamasaki, Tsunagoro 8/26/1931
Yoshida, Kamekichi 8/28/1952
Yoshizane, Sachiko 8/18/1934
Yumibe, Seikichi 8/7/1941
August 2016
3 The Oregon PureLand Path
TEMPLE BUILDING HISTORY – REMEMBERING NOVEMBER 6, 1966
Jean Matsumoto
Weather-wise it was a beautiful day but what else do I remember about the day? I was in charge of the Ochigo (for
explanation, see below) parade. I had participated in a parade in 1952 when Lord Abbott Kosho Ohtani and Lady Yoshiko
Ohtani visited the Oregon Buddhist Church, but dressing the children was something completely foreign to me. In 1966, I
had been assigned this responsibility as Sunday School Coordinator. Thanks to Sunday school teacher Etsu Osaki, who
had experience in Seattle from where the elaborate outfits were borrowed, other teachers, and many mothers, some who
were familiar with Ochigo presentations in the past, we were able to get the children ready. The current State Health
Department across the street was a Union Hall (Boilermakers?) and they allowed us to dress the children there. A problem
was that we started dressing them at 11:00 am and the ceremony started at 1:00 pm and no arrangements had been made
for lunch for the children. Quick-thinking Sunday school teacher, Takako Mukaida Maeda, went over to the nearest
hamburger shop on Powell Boulevard and picked up 19-cent hamburgers, French fries and drinks for all the children,
teachers and mothers. We were all grateful for her decision. I hope she was reimbursed for the expenses. Recently,
former students who were part of the Ochigo parade on this day have told me that they are in the picture. I honestly can’t
remember very much more about this day, but if anyone out there can remember an incident associated with the
dedication ceremonies of November 6, 1966, we would love to hear from you. Please contact me at 503-280-2463, or
[email protected].
CHIGO -"young-children": Chigo are children who participate in Buddhist processions. From the
Kamakura Period on, well-to-do families sent their children to temples for their education. In
major celebrations, the children being educated at the temple participated in ceremonial
processions and major celebrations. They were dressed to represent heavenly beings. The
children wore the "Kariginu" a robe with long, wide sleeves which is worn over Hakama, a
culotte-like skirt. This is the hunting costume of the Heian nobility which later became official
garb of the government. Boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called the "Eboshi". Girls wear
a crown of a Phoenix Bird and bright metal pendants called "Tenkan". Both boys and girls wear
the ancient make-up of the nobility called "Kugemayu" which consists of two black dots just
above the space between the eyebrows.
From Traditions of Jodoshinshu Hongwanji-Ha
By Masao Kodani and Russel Hamada
The Oregon Buddhist Temple Board and the 50th Building Anniversary Committee extend our deepest gratitude to the
following donors who have contributed gifts to OBT's 50th Building Anniversary Fund as of July 9, 2016. Thank you!
Abe, Al
Anonymous
Bezier, Betty L.
Endecott, Susan
Furumoto, Elaine F.
Hittle, Judy
Ichikawa, Shinya & Jayne
Inahara, Toshio
Ishii, Michael & Janice
Kasahara, May
Kono, Kim & Randy Choy
Larouche, Setsy & Chip
Matsushima, Hiroshi & Janie
Minagi, Misao
Shiraishi, Richard & Karen
Tachibana, Sahomi
Takeuchi, Nancy Lee
Taniguchi, Ted & Akico
Unno, Alice, Mark & Megumi
Wahl, Joseph & Lora
Watanabe, Ruth Sono
Yuzuriha, Shigeru & Yoko
Yuzuriha, Todd & Elaine
August 2016
4 The Oregon PureLand Path
Obon Service, July 24, 2016, 10 am
Hatsubon is the first Obon service following the passing of a loved one.
For this year's Hatsubon we honor the memory of the following members and friends
Name
Age
Haru Furukawa
99
Lily Kajiwara
91
Mineto Hara
1 yr 19 days
Robert Kiyoshi Takeuchi
72
Ben Valentino Tano
81
George Kajiwara
90
Sumiko Ikata
98
Mitsuko Hasuike
95
Haruka Juliana Tsunemine Weiser
18
Henry Susumu Muramatsu
87
Mary Mariko Naganuma
92
Buddhist Name
Shaku Myo Chi
Shaku En Kyo
Shaku En Kyo
Shaku Kai Hou
Shaku Chi On
Shaku Kyo On
Shaku Jyo On
Shaku Shi Ju
Shaku Myoshin
Deepest sympathies
 To the family of Hank Muramatsu who passed away
on June 15.
 To the family of Mary Naganuma who passed away
on June 30
OBT Membership
Meaning
Radiant Wisdom
To Teach Perfection
To Teach Perfection
To Open the Dharma
To Know Gratitude
To Teach Gratitude
Constant Gratitude
The Thread of Life
Bright Faith
Date of Birth-Death
04/22/16-10/12/15
07/26/24-10/13/15
10/15/14-11/13/15
02/23/43-12/25/15
02/14/34-01/17/16
07/22/25-02/08/16
03/03/18-03/30/16
04/12/21-05/07/16
06/20/97-04/05/16
07/29/28-06/15/16
04/28/24-06/30/16
differently. On the other hand, maybe this is what we
have always done and this is the best we can do.
I hope to hear from members and non-members.
In Gassho
Link to the OBT Membership application form at:
http://www.oregonbuddhisttemple.com/documents/mem
bership/Membership2016.pdf
Al Ono, Membership chairperson
Over the months I have been asking
supporters of Oregon Buddhist Temple
to take the next step and become a
member. This shows your support of
OBT and the desire for OBT to keep
moving on with our mission to teach the Dharma and
bring together the Sangha.
Our membership numbers are still sliding. We are
certainly not the 200 members as noted in days past. Our
present membership at just over the half way point in the
year is 98.
Why is the membership decreasing? Is it because
people do not like to commit that much? Is it the amount
of dues? Is it other commitments especially on Sunday
that takes away time and interest from OBT? Is it issues
from the past? Is it the way that OBT is managed?
I have some thoughts and ideas, but I would
appreciate your comments and even recommendations
on this issue. You can E-mail me at [email protected]; you
can send me or leave me a note or just catch me and tell
me your thoughts and comments. Moreover, I would
like to form an ad hoc committee of 2 or 3 to meet in one
gathering and go over this question of OBT membership
and come up with recommendations or things we can do
OBWA news
Nancy Kajitsu
Results of our June OBWA meeting
remind us how active our group is!
Ann Shintani Winner read minutes
from our May meeting which were
corrected and approved. Judy Yamauchi gave an update
of our treasury and passed out our most current
membership list.
Topics covered were a plan for a visitation program
for members unable to attend temple events, our next
community outreach activity-volunteering at the Oregon
Food Bank, a kimono showing and an update on the
upcoming District and Federation Conference in
October. Also, plans for the kitchen and gathering area
were laid out! Expect thorough cleaning and painting.
Kiyomi reported on Gotanye food prep and Marilyn
Achterman suggested an apron design for our kitchen
helpers! Katie Tamiyasu and Susan Endecott relayed
OBT Board plans and ideas were presented on how
OBWA can better support our temple.
July is another active month:
5 The Oregon PureLand Path

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Saturday, July 16th at 10 am-OBWA meeting. 1 pm
kimono showing and sale
Sunday, July 17th following Dharma gathering, a
farewell potluck with and for Reverend Fujimoto
Tuesday and Thursday beginning July19th - Obon
dance practice in the basement from 7pm.
Thursdays July 21st and August 4th - Judy
Yamauchi and team will sew children's happi coats
in the basement from 10 am to 3 pm, to sell at the
Obonfest craft booth. Everybody is very welcome to
join. Good Food!
Saturday, July 23rd food prep for Obon service
Sunday, July 24th Obon service at 10am
Saturday, July 30th cemetery service beginning at 9
am in Nokotsudo, 10:30 Rose City Cemetery and 12
noon Gresham Cemetery.
August 4th begins food prep for Obon
August 6th is Obonfest 3pm-9pm
In Gassho
Odoro Odoro Potorando!!!
Obonfest 2016 is coming!
Ken Garner
Saturday, August 6, 2016.
Website: http://www.pdx-obon.com/
The festivities begin at 3 pm and
will end with community dancing from 7-9pm. We hope
you, your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and
other acquaintances will come and enjoy what is sure to
be a delightful day filled with music, dance, food, and
heartfelt connections within this longstanding tradition.
ENJOYING OBONFEST
Perhaps the best way to enjoy ObonFest is to join in
the community dancing. Prior to ObonFest, dance
instruction will be provided by Sahomi Tachibana on
Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7 - 9pm, through
August 4th, at the Oregon Buddhist Temple. The classes
are free and everyone is welcome, but you can join in on
the community dancing at ObonFest without the lessons.
This year we will be debuting Portland Ondo. This song
was composed and choreographed by members of the
Oregon Buddhist Temple. It extols the charms of the
Northwest, honors the immigrant experience, and revels
in the wonderful life we live here.
Activities: In addition to the Obon dancing, the
festival will include children’s activities, an omiyage
shop, a gently-used kimono/yukata sale, as well as
dharma talks in the temple and entertainment throughout
the day, featuring Portland Taiko, SusseFusse
August 2016
International, Minidoka Swing Band, and the Tachibana
Japanese Dancers.
Food: The food booths will include many delicious
items including yakisoba (stir fried noodles and
vegetables), yakiniku (grilled beef), yakitori (grilled
chicken), hot dogs, spam musubi, shaved ice (not snow
cones!), manju, cold somen noodles, and a variety of soft
drinks. The Beer Garden will again have grilled squid,
spam musubi, and edamame for purchase to go with
your beverage.
Vendors: Several vendors will be present at this
year’s festival selling charming gifts and crafts. These
vendors include: Lunarcat Studios (cards and crafts),
Sweet Persimmons (purses and small goods), Karen
Fullerton (Chinese brush painting), Karumi’s Glass
(small glass crafts), Kumoricon (anime), Hiroshi Igaki
(pottery), and Miwa Nishi (massage)
SUPPORTING OBONFEST
ObonFest cannot happen without your support! If
you haven't signed up to volunteer, there is still time.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator June Shiigi via
email at [email protected] to
find out where we still need help. If you would like to
help with construction, we will begin on Friday, August
5, at 9 am; we will do the final set-up on Saturday
morning at 9 am; and dismantle and clean up on Sunday,
August 7th at 10 am.
Volunteering is not limited to OBT members! Bring
your friends and family to help. There is no denying that
putting on a show like Obonfest is a lot of work, it also
is a lot of fun and a great way to get to know the Sangha
members and make new Dharma friends
Memorial lanterns: Memorial lanterns for a loved
one to be honored or who has passed can be ordered
using the form available in this newsletter, on the OBT
Facebook page, and on our OBT website. Cost for
lanterns is again $25. Remember that lanterns from
previous OBT ObonFests which are being stored at the
Temple or at home can also be re-hung for $15. Hurry,
the deadline for these orders is Tuesday, August 2, 2016.
Kimono/Yukata Sale: We will be selling new and
gently-used kimonos or yukatas at ObonFest. If you
have any items (yukatas/kimonos/accessories) to donate,
please bring them to the Temple or contact: Yasuko
Fields ([email protected]).
Omiyage shop: An omiyage shop will be underway
during ObonFest. Donations of new or gently-used
Asian ware are also being gratefully accepted. Please
bring them to the Temple indicating that the items are
for Omiyage Shop.
We hope to see you at ObonFest 2016 August 6,
2016!
August 2016
6 The Oregon PureLand Path
Bon dance practices
Ann Shintani
Remember that there will be Obon
dance classes with Sahomi Tachibana
on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning
July 19 through Aug. 4, at 7:00pm
(OBT basement, use back door).
Remember to bring your water bottle and some money
as there is sure to be items for sale
Dharma school stuff
Pool party thank you: On June 17, Ms. Jean
Matsumoto hosted our OBT pool party. We celebrated
the end of the Dharma School year, and congratulated
our high school graduates Alyssa Ono and Joy Yuzuriha.
We thank Amy Long for providing water safety, and to
Justin Kwong for being available as a back-up lifeguard.
The weather was warm and the food and company were
delightful - a wonderful start to summer.
NW YBL Retreat: This weekend retreat for youth
(Northwest Young Buddhist League, 8th - 12th grades)
will take place in July at the Seattle Betsuin ("Betsuin" is
how we refer to larger temples). We have three
participants from OBT: Joy Yuzuriha, Kirt, and Yukim.
They will participate in youth minister training, do
volunteer work, attend the White River Buddhist Temple
Obon festival, and have fun. Registration and other
expenses are paid from our Spaghetti Bingo fundraiser
earlier this year. We thank OBT for their support.
Girl Scouts: The temple Girl Scout troop will go on
an overnight trip to the Seattle area, which includes
attending the Tacoma Buddhist Temple Obon festival, at
the end of July. If you are a Scout, and interested in
pursuing
an
Obon
patch,
please
email
[email protected] to make
arrangements or for information.
pivots around a central character: Holly Sykes. Each
chapter/novella is narrated from the perspective of an
intersecting character, with settings ranging from
England in the 80s to the apocalyptic future. Each story
could stand alone as a work of genius, as they slowly
build on Holly’s unwitting role in a war between two
groups with psychic powers, culminating in a thrilling
showdown reminiscent of the best of Stephen King.
Taken together this is a hugely entertaining page-turner,
an operatic fantasy, and an often heartbreaking
meditation on mortality. Please join us for interesting
conversation and a beverage or two!
Lotus circle – August
Jean Matsumoto
It’s summer and colorful flowers
abound. Thank you to friends who
belong to OBT’s Lotus Circle who
donate $35 so that our Flower Toban
can purchase the flowers which they
arrange so creatively on our altar each week. Those
generous donors whom we acknowledge for honoring
their loved ones in the month of August are:
 August 7 – Ami Kinoshita in memory of (imo) her
parents, Taitaro and Mitsu Nakao, and her late
husband’s parents, Tokuji and Kise
 August 14 – Matt, Randy and Julie Muramatsu imo
their parents, Henry (Hank) and Phyllis
 August 21 – Sandie Yamauchi imo her parents, Ben
Yukio and Misaye Tonooka, and her grandmother
Chiyoko Tonooka; Ray Fields imo his step-father
Bernard Mayers
 August 28 – Anonymous imo Patsy Abe
Please check out the webpage for Lotus Circle that
was
set
up
for
us
by
Ken
Garner
([email protected]) where you
can share information about your loved ones, pictures,
memories, etc. For further information about the Lotus
Circle, please feel free to call 503-280-2463 or e-mail:
[email protected].
OBT Readers Club
Ken Garner
Wednesday August 17, 2016 7:00 - 8:30 pm
The next Readers' Club meeting will be Wednesday,
August 17, 2016 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Lucky Lab
Brewpub 915 SE Hawthorne, Portland. We will be
discussing The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. The
Bone Clocks is a feast of a book, a saga that spans
decades, characters, genres, and events. The structure
New books in the OBT
library
Etsu Osaki
Mapping the Dharma: A Concise
Guide to the Middle Way of the
Buddha, by Paul Gerhards, Parami
Press, Vancouver, WA: 2007, 114 pages. In clear and
August 2016
7 The Oregon PureLand Path
well-organized form, this book gives all the essential
elements of the Buddha’s teachings.
The following books were available due to the
generosity of Buddhist groups at “Buddhism in the
Park.”
The Pristine Pure Land School by Dharma Master
Huijing Shenyang; Chinese Pureland Buddhist Assoc.,
Taipei, Taiwan: 2014, 72 pages. Chapter 1 Description
of the 2 Pureland schools, Chapter2 The 18th and 19th
Vows; Chapter 3 Questions & answers.
Awareness Alone Is Not Enough by Ashin Tejaniya,
Awaken Publishing & Design, Singapore: 2014, 234
pages. The author answers many questions about
practice (of meditation), of terminology. There is a good
glossary of Pali terms.
Inner Freedom by Thich Nhat Tu, Vietnam Buddhist
University Publications, Vietnam: 2011, 110 pages.
These are Dharma talks were given to jail inmates.
However, they are also relevant to our daily lives.
The Broken Buddha: Critical Reflections on
Theravada and Plea for a New Buddhism by Ven. S.
Dhammika, The Nimmala Group, Camy Press,
Singapore: 2006, 177 pages. A very interesting book by
the author who is a westerner ordained as a Theravada
monk. He claims that in countries such as Sri Lanka and
Thailand Theravada Buddhism is not what it should be.
Many monks tend to be arrogant and interested mainly
in money. He feels that young boys should not be
ordained as monks since they have no choice. Buddhism
is going down in some of the SE Asian countries.
Theravada Buddhism in the western world is doing
much better.
August Toban
Dart, Chris
Honma, Hannah
Kagawa, Julie
Kunisaki, Dana
Lilly, Susan
Osaki, Etsu
Saiget, Carol
Wahl, Lora
Yamauchi, Sandie
Hardee, John
Ishikawa, Grace
Kollas, Phillip
Kunisaki, Randy
Osaki, Amy
Reneau, Charles
Wahl, Joe
Wyant, Wendy
Yarne, Cathy
Toban not only means “my turn” but “my chance” to show my
appreciation to all the men and women whose monetary donations
and hard work resulted in this beautiful place, our Temple, to hear
the Dharma
Words of Jean Matsumoto - 1995
Elevator update
Ray Fukunaga
Advanced Vertical Systems will begin
the work to replace the faulty
programmable logic controller with a
more simple system of electromechanical relays Monday, July 18. The project is
estimated to take most of the week and we should have
an operating elevator by July 22. Thank you to all
members for their help in availing the Temple to AVS
during this work week and to the Board for their help
and guidance throughout this project.
What Buddhism means to
me
Kelly Lash
I’d like to share my path to Buddhism
and what it means to me. It has been a
meaningful journey for me to find this
Sangha over the last year since I’ve
attended service here. The tragic, hate crime in Orlando
a few weeks ago, and the domino effects around the
country afterwards, compelled me to share my
experience in solidarity to all those who are in grief, or
just can’t make sense of it all. This shooting was the
most devastating act of violence that the gay and
transgender community has ever experienced. On the
morning after the shooting, before I had heard the news,
I was compelled to share my experience growing up,
hoping that it will help people understand and find peace
of mind.
My cousin lives in Orlando FL. She is a singer and
performer there, and works for Disney World. Her job is
to perform as Tinkerbell, touching the hearts of hundreds
of children every day with her youthful energy. She
continues to bring joy and comfort to Orlando after the
tragedy. To me, this is Buddhism.
I was raised in Buffalo, NY, where my family still
lives today. I was raised catholic by my mother, an Irish
catholic. My father was not religious at all, but in my
opinion, he was unknowingly Buddhist when I was a
child. Whether he would call himself Buddhist, I’m not
so sure. He and I are both introverted, and prefer to
speculate and contemplate about this only occasionally,
with few words ever needing to be exchanged to find
connection. Introversion is very Buddhist, I think.
Growing up I was a bit of a black sheep, as it
seemed that I was the only person in my family who
made life decisions more often based on my feelings,
8 The Oregon PureLand Path
instead of based on logical thinking, and rationality. My
family is made up of analytical thinkers; they are
doctors, scientists, engineers, accountants, statisticians,
computer technicians, lawyers, etc. They are highly
logical and not always in touch with their feelings, but as
Reverend always says, “that’s ok”.
As a child I didn't realize that I was different in this
way that I made my decisions. I am also fairly logical
and scientific at the same time. I was such a math nerd,
in fact, that I used to have a job tutoring calculus in
college, just for fun. But my passion was always being
around kids. My parents became foster parents when I
was in 5th grade. Up until I graduated high school, they
brought home many foster children for short and long
periods of time. My brothers and I are a product of this
upbringing. When I was 2 years old, I went to the
daycare in the special education school where my
mother worked as a physical therapist. My mom used to
laugh while telling my ex boyfriends or girlfriends when
I brought them home to meet my parents, that I walked
around the daycare sticking my tongue out like my
fellow two year old classmates, who stuck their tongues
out because they had Down's syndrome. I was copying
the other kids, probably to fit in, and make friends with
them. Every child is special like this, I learned at a very
young age! Every child is a product of the values and
teachings of our family system, school system, and
community system.
As a kid, I would go to work with my mom in the
summers and play on the huge swings, scooters, and the
enormous bouncy balls in the enormous gym, watching
my mom help them walk or ride a tricycle. Service to
children is a value that was instilled in me by my
parents, but never pushed onto me. My dad is a very
good mathematician and statistician. When I was in my
3rd year of college, he quit his computer desk job,
crunching numbers for a private health insurance
company. He quit shortly after helping pay for 3 of the 4
years of my undergraduate degree at a state college.
Since then, he’s been driving the school bus for the
public schools my brothers and I grew up attending. To
me, his work ethic, the hard work of providing an
opportunity for me to pursue college, this is Buddhism.
I was confirmed in my Irish Catholic church at 16
years old. I was a young, idealistic, self-righteous
vegetarian by the time I went off to college at 18 years
old. But my ego and high level of self-confidence, as
well as my working middle class, white and privileged
childhood started to get in the way of my spiritual
journey. I didn't understand why God would send me to
hell for an eternity. There is no eternal hell that an all
loving God sends us to forever. How silly and weird is
August 2016
that? I used to think to myself during confirmation class
at church. Life is suffering. It is very hard to survive.
Life is hard as “hell” already. But, As Reverend says,
“That’s ok.” That brings us all comfort on the hardest
days. This feeling of comfort, occurring at the same time
as the suffering, is what Buddhism means to me.
When I moved away to college to Syracuse, NY at
18 years old I came out to my new college friends as
bisexual. Being gay or bisexual was still considered a
"sin" according to almost every Christian and Catholic
church, at that time, in 2002, only 14 years ago. This is a
false judgement that is still present in many Christian
churches and other religions. If my religion wouldn't
accept me for who I love, I’d have to find one that did.
When I was 24, after a spiritual experience I had one
summer working as a bird biologist in the mountains
with a coworker who practiced Reiki, I decided to
become a child and family therapist after 3 very dreamy
and fun-filled years of doing this field work as a bird
biologist. Nature was always my temple, and often my
office as well. Protecting the earth, and having clean air
and water for all sentient beings - this is what Buddhism
means to me.
Growing up as a child, I began to learn that it is not a
sin to be different, to be ourselves. Yet, I was still only a
child, like many other children, who grew up being
taught to pass judgement on others for their sins. I
believe that judgement is the opposite of compassion.
We are all one big interconnected energetic organism
who really, really need each other to survive, and this is
compassion. We white European Americans are just
beginning to catch onto this idea. I experienced this
powerful interconnectedness, compassion and gratitude
from this Sangha the moment I set foot in the door.
The homophobic hate crime in Orlando and the
incredible support around the world that has resulted
from it is proof that we are all connected, all in this
together, and that we cannot survive without this
support, especially if we pass judgement on others. My
catholic mother sat peacefully and attentively during our
service on Easter Sunday when she visited me. She sat
peacefully, singing along to the youthful and
entertaining song on the ukulele, or was it a mandolin? I
could tell it was meaningful to her.
A few years ago, as a budding child and family
therapist and Buddhist, I discovered lovingkindness
meditation, a compassion meditation practice chanting
compassion towards others. We are not taught
compassion in public school. I found compassion
meditation very grounding and meaningful. I could put
my own self-involved way of thinking aside in order to
intentionally think about others instead.
9 The Oregon PureLand Path
I recently meditated here with four others before
service. It was very peaceful and comforting, to
experience stillness and connectedness with others, just
by breathing the same air together, chanting in my head
about gratitude, especially after the tragic event in
Orlando the night before that has affected our gay and
transgender community, in a very big way. I had
stillness in my monkey mind for 25 minutes that
morning. This stillness in between the chaos is
Buddhism to me. Buddhism is accessible to all people
with compassion and without judgement; the layperson,
the farmer, the illiterate, the poor, the disabled, the
homeless, the transgender, the gays, the wise elders, the
sick, the shy, the racial minorities, even us beings with
many food allergies are accepted! And most importantly,
it's accessible and fun for the kids after service.
To all you kids out there, all 3 of you! You are the
future, and you are smarter than us grown-ups - much,
much smarter than us. You have not yet learned the bad
habit of judging others so much, you accept everyone for
who they are. Your mind is more fun and free and you
know how to play all day long. We grownups, we forget
how to play. The idea of playtime goes in one ear and
out the other with us grownups. Playing - this is
Buddhism to me.
August 2016
Buddhism is simply love and compassion towards
others and us. It has been there all along, within all of us,
as the world breathes gently around us, among all the
chaos. It is all the same energy, the same
interconnectedness. This is what the Buddha taught, I
think. I am learning still.
Compassion, connection, gratitude and service to
others is how we have always survived, and how we
always will survive. When we are sad or lonely, or
scared, we can remember that we are all still children,
children, who may get scared of the dark sometimes. Yet
we still survive, somehow. Even in our pain and loss, we
are all connected, supporting one another, just by
breathing. I express gratitude for this.
OBT Board of Directors
[email protected]
Term Ending 2018 : Ken Garner (Vice-President),
Shinya Ichikawa, Kim Kono, Mie McGraw
Term Ending 2017: Katie Tamiyasu, Judy Hittle,
Phaedra Urban, Cathy Yarne (President)
Term Ending 2016: Susan Endecott, Al Ono, Am y
Peterson, Charles Reneau
OBT Financial Officer: Elaine Yuzuriha
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August 2016