WHEEL OF DHARMA - Buddhist Churches of America

WHEEL
OF DHARMA
Official Publication of the Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
VOLUME 39 OCTOBER 2013 BCA Scouting Committee led service
at BSA’s National Jamboree
Part 2 of 2
T
his past July, the BCA
Committee on Scouting
supported the 2013 Boy
Scout National Jamboree. The Boy
Scout program has a strong emphasis on religion to provide a foundation of emphasis on the family and
moral fiber for participants. Besides
supporting a booth, the BCA provided a religious service to any interested Scouts or Scouters on Sunday during the Jamboree. Rev. John
Iwohara of the Venice Hongwanji
Buddhist Temple conducted the
service which was supported by Ernie Kyed of the Salt Lake Buddhist
Temple. Both John and Ernie
earned the rank of Eagle while in
the Scouting program.
Providing a service at this location in the hills of West Virginia at
the new permanent home of the
Boy Scouts of America’s National
Jamboree posed several challenges.
Since this was the first time that
this facility was used, locating the
site for a service was challenging.
The Jamboree featured several different faiths that all had to be accommodated on Sunday morning.
The Buddhist service was held at
Subcamp C1 Headquarters (the
Jamboree had 6 major camps, A
through F, with each camp having
subcamps 1 through 4).
Ernie focused on preparing the
area for the service and getting
ready to welcome the Scouts while
Rev. John prepared his portable
Onaijin. Weather had been a big
factor in the Jamboree thus far,
with rain storms occurring multiple
times daily. Large, dark clouds appeared on the horizon and threatened to disrupt the service.
Throughout the previous week,
Rev. John and Ernie had been staffing a booth in the Faith and Beliefs
President’s
Message
Friendship, Golf
and Dharma
B
By Ron Murakami
BCA President
White River
Buddhist Temple
area to provide Jamboree participants the opportunity to learn
about Buddhism. The BCA Committee on Scouting sponsored the
booth providing the chance to promote two religious awards, the
Sangha Award for Scouts and Venturers and the Metta award for Cub
Scouts. During their time in the
booth Rev. John was surprised at
the number of Scouts who visited
and told him that they were Buddhist and wanted to learn as much
as they could about the Dharma.
The Sunday service conducted by
Rev. John provided these Scouts a
great opportunity to attend a service, particularly for those without
access to a Buddhist Temple or for
those in families where their parents
weren’t Buddhist.
As the Scouts began gather in
the area set aside for the Buddhist
service in subcamp C1, it was apparent that there would be a large
ISSUE 10
Left photo: Rev. John Iwohara giving his Dharma Talk at the 2013
National Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, July 2013.
Above photo: California Venture Scouts visiting with Rev. John
Iwohara in the Buddhist Booth (note: standing to the left of Rev.
John is Wendy Ching of the San Jose Buddhist Temple).
number of Scouts and Scouters attending. The setting at the Jamboree allows for Scouts to attend religious services that they might not
normally get to attend. So, people
attending the service ranged from
members of BCA Temples, to
members of other Buddhist Temples, to Buddhist Scouts not affiliated with a Temple, to Scouts simply wanting to experience a religious
service different than what they attend back at home. By the time the
service started, over 400 people
were in attendance, likely the largest Buddhist service ever conducted
in the state of West Virginia!
Rev. John started the service by
leading the chanting of Sambujo
and Juseige. He then delivered his
Dharma talk which included teaching the scouts how to say “good
morning” in Japanese. He led them
in saying “ohayo gozaimasu” and
explained that although it is a greet-
ing used to say “good morning”,
beyond its more literal meaning of
“it sure is early” this phrase takes on
a more significant meaning to Buddhists. He continued teaching them
that this is an expression of the joy
of what it means to become aware
of one’s life and all the things that
support it earlier rather than later.
This emphasizes the Buddha asking
us to “wake up” to our lives right
now.
Unfortunately, the weather was
not favorable for a long Dharma
talk, so Rev. Iwohara had to be
quick. As with much of the week, a
steady downpour started and the
service had to be ended quickly.
Surprisingly, after the service, dozens of Scouts stayed to talk to Rev.
Iwohara in an adjacent large tent.
The scouts were so impressed by
the peaceful sounds of the chanting, the smell of the incense and the
Continued on Page 6
By Rev. Kodo Umezu
I was invited to the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple’s annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser on the last weekend of August. I really
enjoyed the game and made new friends. And in my entire life, this is the first time that I came in first place in a golf game.
During the game, I was told by my partner many times that I had to keep my head down when I swing. I tend to look up when
I swing. I am unconsciously doing so in order to see where the ball is going. He told me not to worry about the ball; just swing with
my head down.
As I received this advice from him, I thought of our attitude while listening to the dharma. It is indeed hard for us to keep our
heads down or to humble ourselves while listening to the dharma. Rather, our attitude is more like, “let me see how good the dharma
is” or “let me see how it can help my life.” This attitude is like us using a flashlight to try to see how bright the sun is. The dharma
is pure wisdom; it is the light that allows us to see the truth about ourselves.
By listening to the nembutsu dharma over and over again, we begin to realize the truth about ourselves. By doing so, we can live
with confidence, joy, and humility. It may sound like a contradiction, but by listening to the nembutsu dharma more and more
deeply, I come to see that I am not being humble. How shameful!
Now back to golf. I learned that there were three categories, and I had won first place in the third category; the one for those who
have not established their handicap yet. So it is not the score that decides the winner! Well, in any case, I enjoyed the sunshine and
friendship. It is nice that people come out to help our temples and churches and enjoy each other’s company by playing golf. My
score? I don’t want to share that!
On the Backs of Farmers
ased on an informal study, I estimate
that at least two-thirds of BCA temples
originated in farming communities or in
areas largely supported by farmers. Knowing the
nature of farmers and other similar laborers
among the pioneering families of the late 1800’s
and early 1900’s, I’ve come to conclude that
many of the first temples were built and largely
maintained by this group of individuals. Many
of the earliest temple families in the mainland
United States were farmers, not necessarily from
experience but often due to lack of opportunity.
Farmers needed to possess many practical skills
such as carpentry, metal working, plumbing,
engine repair, and refrigeration, and we’re very
fortunate this group of individuals contributed
these talents to our temples.
While there are fewer and fewer people who
still farm or perform labor intensive jobs, it’s not
too late to thank them for their unselfish contributions. When I think of this group of people, I
recall many who gave away more from their
personal gardens than they seemed to keep for
themselves, and people who had a deep apprecia-
tion for life. No matter what our backgrounds
may be, I hope we can carry on this type of
dedication and generosity. I give our heartfelt
thanks to this inspiring group of individuals.
With regard to a couple of our administrative tasks, I’m pleased to report that a team has
come up with a practical solution to the Tax ID
issue for district and BCA affiliated organizations. Our thanks to Kevin Arakaki, Ken Tanimoto, Alan Kita, Harry Bergland, and Richard
Stambul for being the prime architects on this
Continued on Page 6
PAGE 2 WHEEL OF DHARMA
FRESNO BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Fresno Bukkyo Seinenkai was formed in January 1900, later to become the Fresno Hompa
Hongwanji and incorporated October 1901. Construction of the first temple (a three-story
wooden building) began in 1901 and on April 8, 1902, a Dedication service was conducted
and officiated by Rev. Junjo Izumida of San Francisco, Rev. Ryotetsu Harada of Sacramento and Rev. Fukyu Asaeda of Fresno. In 1917, the Fresno Hompa Hongwanji was changed
to Fresno Bukkyokai (Fresno Buddhist Church).
On May 30, 1919, the wooden temple was completely destroyed by fire. Immediately, a
fund drive was started and the current temple still standing, was completed in November
1920.
Fresno Buddhist Temple
1340 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93706
(559) 442-4054
www.fresnobuddhisttemple.org
In 1936, the rank of Betsuin was bestowed and the Fresno Betsuin was the proud recipient
of a statue of Amida Buddha, sent from the Hompa Hongwanji in Kyoto. Still at home in
the temple’s onaijin, this figure serves as a gentle reminder that we are always surrounded
by the Buddha’s Great Compassion and are One with him. Namo Amida Butsu.
Note: This series introducing BCA temples
correlates to the 2013 BCA Calendar.
Shanghai Meditation
By Rev. Dennis Fujimoto,
Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple
A
quiet calm permeates the
air as I make my way into
the meditation hall of the
Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple
in Ontario, Oregon. Members
and friends gather at the temple to
find their places to sit in mindful
contemplation. Each Wednesday,
this dedicated group arrives at the
temple from 10:00 AM. Some stay
for even up until 5:00 PM; a grueling 7 hours of peaceful perseverance. Dedication is a hallmark, as
this Wednesday commitment is
rarely missed by any of them.
On this day, I came to take
pictures and to ask questions in
interview fashion to hear firsthand
of their meditation practice. Some
were visibly annoyed at the request
that they look up for the group
picture. They granted my request,
but their body language and facial
expressions told me, “Don’t interrupt us during the sitting!” Their
forced smiles were no match for
the glare that I received. I put the
camera down.
The debate rages on whether
meditation of any sort is a proper
form of practice in our Shin Buddhist sect. Traditionalists remind
us that Nembutsu Only is the
proper path. Others are open to
try alternative means to engage
people who come to our gate and
ask about Buddhism. Here at Idaho-Oregon, when those new to
Shin Buddhism ask about meditation, I find myself with a problem
when I begin my dialogue with
“No.” I’d much rather widen the
window of opportunity to share
the Nembutsu teachings of Shinran Shonin. I’d much rather have
them hear of the meaning and the
value and the purpose of Namoamidabutsu than have them
walk away looking for a pillow to
sit on.
Through my own explorations
of meditation in Shin Buddhism, I
have come across a number of articles, some from our own BCA
Ministers. I have been able to listen to and share time with Rev.
Ogui as he related his stories of his
time in the Eastern District and
the beginnings of the Zen-Shin
experiment. Our temple has experimented with our own Medita-
I previously mentioned that
I’ll be describing some of the work
done by our Buddhist Churches of
America (BCA) staff members to
give the BCA sangha a better
awareness of staff responsibilities
and activities. This article highlights the BCA Facility Manager,
Glenn Kameda, and the BCA
Bookstore Manager, Gayle Noguchi.
Day-to-day responsibilities of
the BCA Facility Manager focus
on the Jodo Shinshu Center
(JSC), but also extend to the
Headquarters building in San
Francisco and the Bishop’s Residence in Belmont, California. The
major responsibilities for the JSC
are the management of financial
maintenance, tenant lease, vendor
contracts and supervision, housekeeping, and the scheduling of all
activities and business hours. The
broad-ranging scope of facility
management includes building
and grounds maintenance and repairs, facility operations, furnishings and equipment, budget and
costs, liaison with occupants and
visitors, security, IT systems, supplies, scheduling, dormitory room
reservations, coordination with
the City of Berkeley, health and
safety, and service contracts. The
Jodo Shinshu Center learning and
training center is a unique operational site. Priority focus and emphasis is the Center for Buddhist
BCA NATIONAL
BOARD 2013
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ron Murakami, President
Dr. Kent Matsuda, President-elect
Susan Bottari, Vice President
Ken Tanimoto, Vice President
Pauline Sakuma, Secretary
Treasurer, TBA
Rev. Kodo Umezu, Bishop
Rev. Jerry Hirano, Chair,
Ministers Association
BAY - DISTRICT 1
Susan Bottari, Karen Suyama,
Jon Takagaki
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA - DISTRICT 2
Todd Fukuda, Ellen Tanimoto,
Gary Mukai
COAST - DISTRICT 3
Gary Omori, Ken Tanimoto,
Janice Doi
EASTERN - DISTRICT 4
Dr. Erick Ishii, Dr. Linda Engstrom,
Nancy T. Okada
MOUNTAIN STATES - DISTRICT 5
Kirk Yamashita, Dot Richeda,
Joni Sakaguchi/Gail Ida
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - DISTRICT 6
Tad Shibata, Cathy Fujimori,
Mary Ann Miyao
NORTHWEST - DISTRICT 7
Pauline K. Sakuma, Mark Achterman,
Paul Mori
SOUTHERN - DISTRICT 8
Barbara Fukuji, Mick Kubota,
James Okazaki
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Dr. Kent Matsuda (2014)
Tom Nishikawa (2014)
Ellen Tanimoto (2014)
Calvin Doi (2015)
Richard Endo (2015)
Steven Terusaki (2015)
Charlene Grinolds (2016)
Jeffery Matsuoka (2016)
Richard Stambul (2016)
tion Marathon of 26.2 hours of
walking Nembutsu recitation.
Still today we continue with a
weekly Mindfulness Retreat that
begins with chanting and walking
meditation that leads into our
Dharma discussions.
All the while absorbed in my
own calculated research, I failed to
give proper notice to the temple
meditation group that has been in
existence since long before I even
got here. Shanghai Meditation is
the rage. This group sits without a
hint of seeking recognition, atten-
tion, or acclaim. We have distinct
four seasons of weather in this
area, and neither triple-digit summer heat nor winter blizzards nor
storms of wind, rain, or hail stop
them from coming to the temple
… and half of them are 90 years
old!!!
This group comes each
Wednesday morning to play
Shanghai cards, Ontario style …
without question, the best style.
After a couple of rounds, they
break for lunch prepared by half
Continued on Page 6
BCA Facility Manager and Bookstore Manager
By Ron Murakami
OCTOBER 2013
Education, which includes the
Nishi Hongwanji’s programs, and
the Institute of Buddhist Studies,
a graduate school of the Buddhist
Churches of America.
Glenn Kameda has been the
BCA Facility Manager ever since
the JSC started operation in mid2006. Many visitors to the JSC
Continued on Page 6
BCA Bookstore News
By Gayle Noguchi
Now available: NEW “Shin Buddhist Service Book” published by the Buddhist Education Center of Orange County Buddhist
Church, paperback, $15. Special reduced rate of $8 for temple bulk orders of 50 or more copies.
A comprehensive, contemporary service book that includes everything needed for a Shin Buddhist service at temple or
at home. Organized into five sections: “Entering” - a brief welcome and introduction to Jodo Shinshu and temple customs,
“Speaking”- words for recitation like the Three Treasures, “Chanting” – sutras including English translations and kanji,
“Singing” – both Japanese and English gathas, and “Notes” – about Shinran and his teachings as well as about special observances. Special binding allows the book to easily lay open flat.
To order, go to www.bcabookstore.com or 510-809-1435/[email protected]. For bulk orders, please contact the
bookstore. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10a.m.-5p.m. Like us on Facebook.
May Peace and Tranquility
Prevail Throughout the World
OCTOBER 2013 WHEEL OF DHARMA
PAGE 3
News and Highlights・October 2013
The Fall 2013 Minister’s Assistant Program (MAP) seminar was attended by 20 participants from 13 BCA churches and temples. Front, l. to r.: Rev. Marvin Harada (CBE Co-director), Midori Nakagawa, Ellen Tanimoto,
Toshie Mori, Kathy Chatterton, Curtis Koga, Rev. Kodo Umezu (BCA Bishop), George Thow, Rosalie Town, Matthew May, Ellen Crane, Candice Shibata, Erick Ishii, Irene Goto, and Glenn Kameda (JSC Facility Manager).
Back: Yuki Mori, Calvin Doi, Cheryl Koga, Kelvin Mark, Keith Kato, Tom Okamoto, Kory Quan, and Akemi Ishida. Anne Spencer attended but is not in this picture. Photo by CBE Co-director, Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara.
Minister’s Assistants: Learning Together
CBE Co-Director’s Message by Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara
The benefits of the Minister’s Assistant Program are best expressed in the words of
the participants themselves:
In September, I had two opportunities to visit the Japanese Cemetery in Colma, south
of San Francisco. One visit was with minister’s assistants participating in the Fall
Minister’s Assistants Program (MAP) seminar. The other was with Japanese ministers
who are training in the International Ministerial Orientation Program (IMOP) to become kaikyoshi ministers.
In the cemetery there are three monuments on which the names of deceased
Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) bishops and ministers are engraved. I put my
palms together in front of the monuments and looked at those names. I quietly reflected on those ministers, although I had met only a few of them. At the same time, a
sincere sense of gratitude arose in my mind. Today, there are over 60 Jodo Shinshu
temples in the continental U.S.; there is the wonderful Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley; and there are thousands of Sangha members across the U.S. who truly appreciate
the Jodo Shinshu teaching. Because those ministers made great efforts with their temple members, there is the solid foundation for Jodo Shinshu in the U.S. today.
Visiting the Colma Cemetery with ministers’ assistants who support the ministry
with great dedication, and IMOP ministers who aspire to serve as kaikyoshi ministers
in the near future, I reaffirmed my responsibility to develop programs to help further
spread the teaching with them.
In gassho.
The visit to the BCA Headquarters and Buddhist Church of San Francisco was
enlightening, but the visit to the Stupa that houses the relics of Shakyamuni,
[Mogallana], and Sariputtra was the most meaningful. I felt so connected to the
Dharma. —Toshie Mori, Parlier
I really liked getting to hear a short dharma talk from everyone in the group. It was a
good way to “meet” all the minister’s assistants and to hear the various themes and experiences they raised weave together to create a larger story. —Anne Spencer, Idaho-Oregon
We came away feeling that Bishop [Umezu] recognizes and embraces the absolute
importance in devoting to our youth... it is our youth who hold the keys to a successful future. —Kelvin Mark
The visit to Colma is an essential field trip, especially for new MAP candidates…. The
names inscribed there will bring back the dedicated efforts of so many kaikyoshi to
spread the Dharma with clear remembrances and with gratitude. —Tom Okamoto, Lodi
Dr. [David] Pating’s session regarding grief counseling was a great overview on
how to assist our temple members in crisis. —Candice Shibata, Stockton
Being able to do a competent job in chanting is important in our roles as minister’s assistants. I welcome any opportunity to practice. I’m thankful when we can receive instruction from such a knowledgeable teacher as Rev. [Harry] Bridge. —Curtis Koga, Parlier
Welcome, Reverends!
The fourth group of Jodo Shinshu
Hongwanji ministers to join the
International Ministerial Orientation Program (IMOP) will spend
12 weeks visiting temples in the
mainland U.S. and Hawaii. They
are (left to right) Rev. Daido Baba
from Chiba, Rev. Miho Sekiya
from Kyoto, Rev. Yuko Kubo
from Hiroshima, and Rev. Ryuhei Endo from Saitama.
We asked the ministers, “What would you like to get out of your IMOP experience?” Rev. Baba replied, “I want to share Jodo Shinshu teachings with temple members by giving Dharma Talks in English.” Rev. Sekiya said, “I would like to grasp
what it is to be a BCA Minister and learn how I can best fit here.” Rev. Kubo replied,
“I would like to learn about the differences between American and Japanese Buddhist
culture.” And Rev. Endo responded, “Everybody in America wonderfully welcomed
us, so to fulfill their hopes, I’ll do my best at all times with the Nembutsu!”
Douglas Dorn, Richard Endo, Richard S. Fujikawa,
Norihiko Fujita, Kenneth Furukawa, Roy Hay, Minoru Ige,
Michael Ishikawa, Ken Kameda, Tommy Kayano, Nancy Kubota,
Gary & Maya Lawrence, Gail Lee, Randy Masaki, Nina Miller,
Russell Nakano, Claudia Nakata, Yoshihiro Oka, Linda Ono,
Ronald Oye, Rajan Saigusa, Joy Sakamoto, Tamao Sasaki,
Fusako Takahashi, Dan Takata, Steve Teraoka, Kazuyuki Uemura,
Kodo Umezu, Suzuko Uto, Russell & Amy Ware, David Wiley,
Kenneth Yamada, Fujio & Ellen Yamamoto,
George & Lena Yin, James T. Yoshimura
(at the Jodo Shinshu Center unless noted otherwise. Programs subject to change.)
The 7th ANNUAL BABY BOOMERS’ SEMINAR
WAKE UP & BE ALIVE!
passivity”
Rev. Masao Kodani came to Senshin Buddhist Temple in 1968. Growing up in
LA’s South-Central, he was at home at Senshin. He made an immediate impact on the
vitality of the Sangha and the Young Buddhist Association (YBA).
He was only a few years older than many of us. He wore the traditional three layered robes, tabi and setta (straw footwear). This was strange to see, but I now know this
to be the true garments of a temple priest. Activities like chanting, obon odori, taiko, gagaku, bugaku, and study classes became “doing” things, not just nouns in our vocabulary.
This temple and YBA were very special and the causes and conditions influenced the
lives of many YBAers. Many from this temple became ministers, Kinnara musicians,
professional musicians, teachers of the Dharma, and leaders of other temples. They
continue the process of realizing the Dharma by doing.
This year Rev. Mas will be retiring (October 31) after 45 years of ministering to
Senshin, his first and lifelong assignment. This may now give him the opportunity to
travel and speak at many other venues, and the Baby Boomers’ Committee is excited to
have him for this year’s seminar, Wake Up & Be Alive. Come, wake up, and be alive.
Saturday, November 2, 2013 •
Thank You, Vehicle Donors!
CBE 2013 Tentative Calendar of Events
BCA Center for Buddhist Education presents
Excerpt from “Buddhism that cut through dogma, jargon & spiritual
by Tom Okamoto, Buddhist Church of Lodi Minister’s Assistant
and Baby Boomers’ Seminar Planning Committee Member
The BCA Center for Buddhist Education would like to extend our deep appreciation to
everyone who has generously donated to the BCA CBE Vehicle Donation Program. We
would also like to thank the Orange County Buddhist Church for making this fundraising program available to us. We have received 36 vehicle donations since 2009.
8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Registration: $75 due Oct. 20 • Register online: www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica
October 5: Japanese Seminar with IMOP Ministers
October 11-13: College YBA Conference “The Pursuit of Happiness” with Rev. Tim Castle
October 18-20: CANCELLED Dharma School Teachers’ Continuing Education Seminar
November 2: Baby Boomers’ Seminar: “Wake Up & Be Alive!” with Rev. Masao Kodani
November 5-8: International Hongwanji Overseas Propagation Exchange (IHOPE) Seminar
“Opening Wide the Dharma Gate with a Generous Heart”
November 6: IHOPE live online broadcast from USTREAM Channel (7:30-9:00 pm PST)
December 12-14: Minister’s Assistant Program (MAP) seminar for beginner/advanced
DHARMA CARS WANTED … Running or not!
Your unwanted vehicle can drive CBE programs now and into the future!
BCA CBE VEHICLE
DONATION PROGRAM
This program is administered by the
Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC) and is
available in the State of California only
• Free pick up and DMV paperwork • Tax-deductible at the vehicle’s selling price •
• Supports BCA CBE’s Annual Program Fund •
To donate vehicles, contact OCBC:
Phone (714) 827-9590 Fax: (714) 827-2860 Email: [email protected]
Center for Buddhist Education 2140 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 510.809.1460
PAGE 4 WHEEL OF DHARMA
OCTOBER 2013
Embracing Impermanence
Rev. Kurt Rye,
Ekoji Buddhist Temple
I
am always amazed at how life
takes me on journeys that have
destinations both physical and
emotional that I don’t expect. When
I was assigned to the Ekoji Temple in
Fairfax Station, Virginia, it was a
journey of returning. I spent over 30
years living in the western United
States, mostly in Washington state.
Prior to that, I lived in Silver Spring,
Maryland, a mere 30 miles from
Ekoji until I was 15 years old. I had a
most enjoyable childhood in the
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
with all the opportunities it offered.
My neighbors were from all over the
world, Latvia, Kenya and France. My
friends had diverse religious backgrounds and I was invited to their
homes for various religious celebrations.
Like all 15 year olds, I was very
settled in my life. I had lived in the
same house for as long as I could remember and had friends I had known
forever. I had never moved and assumed that I would be going to my
local high school and colleges with
my friends. It was a total shock when
my parents told me my father was
retiring and we were moving to
Washington state to help care for my
grandmother who was in poor health.
I had visited my grandmother
over the years. She lived in the small
town of Orting, Washington which
had a population of about 1,600
people. I loved my grandmother
deeply and enjoyed spending time
with her. She was a storybook grandmother who made everything from
scratch including pudding and donuts. She would read stories to me
and let me play around the house.
However the small town of Orting
was not to my liking. I was the big
city kid from the DC area. I hated
change. Why couldn’t things continue on as it had? I liked my life how it
was and change was just an unwelcomed burden.
In retrospect I can now see that
after I moved I had an attitude that I
was moving from a “real city” to the
middle of nowhere. Luckily we didn’t
move to grandma’s small town. Instead we moved to the nearest “big”
city of Puyallup with a population of
25,000. I made myself miserable by
not liking anything. I would not
know anyone at my new school. I
had not discovered the “Northwest
look” and it seemed as if it rained
every day. Like most teenagers moving ruined my life.
I was also concerned about going
to school in Puyallup. I had been attending the Montgomery school system in Maryland that was considered
to be one of the most progressive in
the country at that time. I had been
diagnosed as dyslexic in the fourth
grade and had been following the
program the district had prescribed.
Even in the 1970’s the system was
computerized and at the end of the
school year I knew my schedule for
the next year including the teachers
and room numbers. Even as a kid I
could tell my classmates, in these
“special” classes, had learning disabilities, behavioral problems, or
were new to the U.S. and did not
speak English. After years of being
assigned to these classes I had come
to believe that I was not bright and
could not do well in school. I had set
low explications for myself.
To my surprise the first day at my
new Puyallup high school changed
my life. Instead of being given a
computer printout with a list of my
classes, I was given a list of classes I
could choose for myself picking the
times and instructors as long as I
took the required subjects. I kept
asking what classes I needed to be in
and the school advisors pointed to
the schedule showing what periods
that I could choose from. I had never
experienced this type of freedom in
my education.
When I started attending classes I
surrounded by classmates of different
abilities, interests and backgrounds.
Instead of doing only the minimum
amount of schoolwork I started to
push myself. My circumstance had
changed. By my senior year having
been in regular classes for four years
and had started reaching my potential and again enjoyed school. I went
on to college, which most likely
wouldn’t have happened if I remained in the old tracking system in
the Maryland school district.
When I became exposed to the
Buddhist idea of impermanence it
had a significant impact. The concept
is that things are always in flux no
matter how hard we try to keep
things the same. I remembered my
school experience and the trauma of
moving. I remembered fighting every
change that came my way and finding that this resistance only made
matters worse. This same experience
showed me how change could be a
positive force. What seemed like the
worst situation, moving from a large
metropolitan area where I thought
everything was superior to a place I
had marginalized, was a turning
point for me. I realized that change is
an important aspect of life. Accepting
and understanding this important
dharma concept of impermanence
is fundamental in reducing human
suffering. The emotional consequences of resisting change are as
painful as the physical ailments it
produces in the form of stress and
stress related problems. Impermanence is all around us. We live in a
sea of impermanence. We can no
more stop change than we can stop
earthquakes. By embracing impermanence and making the best
choices from the options presented
by change we embrace the dharma
and affirm our Buddha nature.
What Buddhism Means to Me: My Everyday
By Mallory Shiroyama,
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
I
never considered myself religious. The religious kids at
school were the ones who
preached their morals on Facebook
statuses, arguing with others who
believed differently. That was not
the person I saw myself as. But when
my friends asked about my religion,
and I told them I had been going to
a Buddhist temple every Sunday,
they had a different opinion.
I have literally grown up at the
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple. So
many people have told me “I remember when you were we only this
tall!” though I find it hard to remember that time myself.
At first, I only went to temple
because my mother made me. My
attention span was short and the
Reverend’s talks went over my head,
so service was a time to giggle and
write notes with my friends while
our feet dangled off the pews.
As I got older, I started to value
Rev. Dean Koyama, Ruby Inouye, Mallory Shiroyama, Ruth Shiroyama.
my time at the temple. I began to
feel at home and part of the community as I became familiar and
comfortable with the members. I
started to listen to what the Reverend had to say about Buddhism,
and I realized how relevant and
helpful it was to my life. When life
got hard, Buddhism seemed to always hold an answer. I started to
look forward to Sundays when I
would be surrounded by the comfort of my Buddhist family and able
to learn more about Buddhism and
life.
But Buddhism is more than just
my Sundays. It’s my Mondays when
I am confident for a speech at school
because of the public speaking practice I have from chairing services—
introducing gathas and thanking
Hazelle Miloradovitch for her musical offerings. It’s my Tuesdays when
I reach outside the car window and
hand a homeless man a box of
blackberries because they mean
more to him than they do to me.
It’s my Wednesdays when I remind my boyfriend not to make any
crude remarks or hand gestures to
the car that just cut him off because
it will only work him up more. It’s
my Thursdays when I am overwhelmed by the complexities of life,
but I remember that everything is
impermanent and that tomorrow
will come.
It’s my Fridays when shootings,
bombings, and natural disasters may
happen, but at the end of the day, I
still believe that people are good and
that the world is a beautiful place.
It’s my Saturdays when I choose to
have a movie night with my mom
instead of going out because I do
not appreciate her enough and those
nights I stay in with her are the ones
I am going to miss the most when I
move out.
Buddhism is my every day. It
has shaped me into the person I am.
Perhaps I don’t see how religious I
am because my religion has seamlessly become a part of me. I am a
Buddhist, although I may not always
realize it.
So maybe I am religious after all.
The Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
Women’s Association awarded its
2013 Ruby Inouye Scholarship to
Mallory Shiroyama, daughter of Ruth
Shiroyama of Sunnyvale CA. Mallory
is a past co-president of the Palo Alto
Jr. YBA. A graduate of Fremont High
School in Sunnyvale, she will be attending UC Santa Barbara. Although
Mallory has not declared a major, she
is interested in studying aquatic biology. Her winning essay was “What
Buddhism Means to Me: My Everyday.”
Seattle Betsuin Advanced Training Session 6 Reflection
By Jason Yokoyama, Seattle Betsuin
I attended the 6th annual Advanced Training retreat held on Aug. 16-18 at the Sacramento Betsuin. This is an annual retreat for
BCA certified youth minister assistants (YMAs)
who wish to expand their knowledge of Jodo
Shinshu, and share the Dharma. This year we
had 13 participants ranging from Youth Advocacy Committee (YAC) retreat years 3-8. It is
hard to believe that the YAC program is going
on its 10th year and we have over 100 YMAs
spread throughout the BCA.
I attended the third YAC retreat, and have
attended these Advanced Training sessions every year since Advanced Training 2. One of the
things I enjoy most about these sessions is
meeting the newer YMAs. I have made many
friendships through attending these retreats
and always enjoy meeting the newest additions
to the YAC family.
Our main lecturer at this year’s retreat was
Reverend Kiyonobu Kuwahara, co-director of
the Center for Buddhist Education. He has
been the main lecturer at Advanced Training
for the past three years and every year I am
amazed by his knowledge of Jodo Shinshu. He
always gives us lecture notes to use during the
lecture and they are packed with information
and pictures of his kids, which make them even
better. I have all four of his lecture note sets
and am grateful for the time he spends making
them. As Reverend Bob Oshita mentioned,
“Reverend Kuwahara is a college level professor
of Jodo Shinshu,” but none of my professors in
college ever took the time and effort to make
such detailed notes and engaging lectures. We
are truly fortunate and thankful to have him as
one of our Dharma teachers. This year Kuwahara sensei lectured on general Jodo Shinshu,
and finding what is important in your life.
Upon reflection, I found that one of the most
important things in my life is my temple family.
I even gave a Dharma talk about my temple
family and how grateful I am for their support.
Without the support of my temple and temple
family, I would not be able to attend these retreats. I am glad that my temple family is such
a major part of my life.
While much of this session is spent in lectures, we still have time to hang out, eat and
most of all sing! Every year we always have so
much fun and can’t wait until the next time we
see each other again. Sadly this past retreat will
be my final Advanced Training session since I
will age out of the YMA program next year. As
sad as it may be, I am happy that I was able to
Back row (Left to right) – Rev. Bob, Rev. Tim,
Rev. Carol. Middle row (Left to right) – Jim Shimomaye, Rev. Patti, Keri Castle, Paul Noguchi,
Teryn Hara, Casey O’Connell, Matt Nitta, Jason
Yokoyama, Sensei Kelvin Mark, Michael Yebisu,
Keith Sawada, Rev. Peter. Front row (Left to
right) – Susan Bottari, Sensei Grace, Tara
Umemoto, Rosie Yasukochi, Rev. Kiyo, Alissa
Kato, Kallie Ochiai, Erin Tanaka, Charlene
Grinolds.
attend these retreats for the past five years, increase my knowledge and understanding of
Jodo Shinshu, and make lifelong friendships.
OCTOBER 2013 WHEEL OF DHARMA
International Association
of Shin Buddhist Studies
in Baltimore
By Dr. Scott Mitchell,
IBS Faculty
The American Academy
of Religion (AAR) is the largest professional organization
for scholars of religion in
North America. Annually, the
AAR hosts a conference that
draws tens of thousands of religious scholars. Because this is
the largest annual religious
studies event in North America, scholars of Buddhism regularly attend, and there are numerous panels, presentations,
and public events that focus
on Buddhist history, thought,
and culture.
The International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies
(IASBS), the largest international organization dedicated
to the scholarly study of Pure
Land Buddhism, has recently
become a related scholarly organization of the AAR. This
means that the IASBS will be
able to host meetings in conjunction with the AAR’s annual meeting, thus allowing
for greater exposure of Shin
and Pure Land Buddhist studies to a North American audience.
To celebrate this new arrangement, the IASBS will
host a reception at this year’s
AAR meeting in Baltimore,
Maryland.
The reception is scheduled
for Saturday, Nov. 23 from
6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Royal
Sonesta
Harbor
Court,
Whitehall Ballroom North,
550 Light St, Baltimore.
Please join us to celebrate this
new relationship, meet scholars and practitioners working
in the fields of Shin and Pure
Land Buddhist Studies, and
learn more about both the
IASBS and AAR. The reception is open to the public.
Also at this year’s AAR
will be a panel dedicated to
studies of Shinran. The panel,
“(Re)imagining the Founder:
Shinran in Modern Japanese
History,” features Shin Buddhist scholars including Orion
Klautau, Melissa Anne-Marie
Curley, Makoto Hayashi, and
others. Papers will explore
new and emerging scholarship
on Shinran’s life and biography.
The panel is scheduled for
Sunday, Nov. 24, from 2:00
to 5:00 PM at the Marriott
Inner Harbor, Grand Ballroom West, 110 South Eutaw
Street, Baltimore. The panel is
also open to the public.
For more information on
the American Academy of Religion, please visit http://www.
aarweb.org.
For more information on
the International Association
of Shin Buddhist Studies,
please visit http://www.iasbs.
org.
And for questions regarding this year’s events at the
AAR, please contact Scott
Mitchell at the Institute of
Buddhist Studies, [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013
The BCA Center for Buddhist Education presents
The 7th Annual Baby Boomers’ Seminar
WAKE UP & BE ALIVE!
Keynote Speaker:
Rev. Masao Kodani
Resident Minister, Senshin Buddhist Temple
At the Jodo Shinshu Center
Berkeley, CA
Look out for details &
registration information
Ph: 510.809.1460 E: [email protected]
Mountain View Buddhist Temple ABA
presents...
oh what a night!
Featuring
LIVE MUSIC from SOMETHIN’ ELSE
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Doors open at 7:30 PM
Mountain View Buddhist Temple
575 North Shoreline Boulevard
Mountain View, CA 94043
Suggested donation of $35.00
Ages 21 and over
For more information and easy online registration
http://sites.google.com/site/abadance
PAGE 5
A Delta Dharma Music Festival
By Stephen Hiromoto
Walnut Grove
Buddhist Church
F
or one warm summer
day, the sleepy Sacramento River Japan
Town of Walnut Grove came
alive with laughter and excitement reminiscent of its
1920’s heyday. What could
cause enough commotion to
awaken the ancient spirits,
but at the same time appease
those of the contemporary?
MUSIC !!!
On Aug. 31, members,
friends and guests with lawn
chairs, blankets and bento in
hand, converged by the hundreds to attend the Northern
California District Council
sponsored “A Delta Dharma
Music Festival” on the campus of the Walnut Grove
Buddhist Church.
An inspiration evolved
one year ago, after enjoying
the entertainment of Walnut
Grove and Lodi Sangha
members during a reception
honoring the parents of Reverend Katsu Kusunoki.
Why not share this talent
with others in our district?
Left photo: Rev. Yuki Sugahara. Above photo: Revs. Bob
and Patti Oshita, Senseis Koichi Mizushima, Grace Hatano,
Keith Kato
The idea came to fruition
with results that surpassed
expectations. The early commitment of musical Minister
Harry Bridge with his new
band “Stanley Lighthead”
from Oakland and from “Bad
Kharma” of the Palo Alto
Buddhist Church inspired
support from Marysville,
Placer, Florin, Sacramento,
Lodi, Stockton, Cortez Howakai and Walnut Grove
Sanghas to easily fill our roster of 14 voluntary acts.
Hidden in the mix of
performers ranging in ages
from preteens to over 90,
presenting everything from
Hawaiian music, instrumentals, traditional Japanese,
modern jazz/funk and 70’s
rock were eight BCA Ministers and Assistants. “Jaw
dropping” performances were
approvingly received shedding new light on these men
and women “in Black!”
Musically contributing
were Reverends Katsu Kusunoki, Yuki Sugahara, Harry
Bridge, Bob Oshita, Patti
Oshita,
Sensei’s
Koichi
Mizushima, Grace Hatano
and Keith Kato.
But to me, I realized
something very special taking
place that day. Our Jodo
Shinshu creed emphasizes
interdependence. From the
planning stages a year ago to
the completion of “cleanup”
following the event, I was
gratified in witnessing the
contributions of so many.
Helping each other, the efforts of these individuals
paved the way for so many to
have enjoyed something very
special.
For just one day, the
sleepy town was awakened!
Namo Amida Butsu
In Gassho
This July, the Bay District Jr. YBA held its annual San Luis
Obispo Retreat, themed “The Buddhist Network.” More than
thirty Jr. YBA members enjoyed a weekend of connecting with
others in social networking themed toban groups and learning
about professional networking from Keynote Speaker, Amy
Umezu. The weekend featured traditions such as silent breakfast, afternoon service at Avila beach and a night walk around
the temple grounds. There were also new activities, including
temple service projects and a photo scavenger hunt. Kids,
advisors and ministers alike had a great time becoming closer
and discovering the interconnectedness surrounding them.
PAGE 6 WHEEL OF DHARMA
Recognizing JSC
Debt Relief Donors
Starting with the January 2013 edition, we’ll begin recognizing donors for their Debt
Relief contributions to help pay off the bank mortgage for construction of the Jodo Shinshu
Center. When established by the National Council the remaining balance on the bank loan
was about $3,175,000. Even though the Debt Relief fundraising effort was designated for
only a 12 month effort, the bank mortgage has been reduced to about $1,550,000 thanks
largely to almost $1 million total donated for Debt Relief. Most importantly, paying down
the mortgage allowed us to avoid paying roughly $1,050,000 in potential interest on the loan
and reduced monthly payments on the bank loan from $19,900 to $10,200. This generous
response came during financially difficult times for many. Thank you and congratulations to
the thousands of donors who helped make this happen.
Watsonville
Fumi Arao
Kiyoko Arao
Kimiyo Fujii
Sid and Nobue Fujii
Dennis Hamada
Michiko Hamada
Rev. and Mrs. Shousei Hanayama
Aki Hane
Fumiko Hara
Masaru and Marcia Hashimoto
Arthur Hayashi
Kaoru and Teruko Hirahara
Kiyoko Iwami
Kitako Izumizaki
Carmel Kamigawachi
Kiyo and Aileen Kawasaki
Shoichi and Helen Kobara
Hisako Kodama
Sadao and Sumiko Matsunami
Alice Misumi
Mitori Misumi
Helen Mito
Betty Morimune
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Murakami
Glenn and Judy Nagamine
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Nakagawa
Douglas and Sharyn Nakashima
Noboru and Kumiko Nakatani
Yamato and Eiko Nishihara
Aiko Nitao
Itaru Nitao
Fred Oda
Takeru and Itsuko Okamoto
Lois Ota
Chie Sakaue
Gary Shingai
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Tada
Rosie Takamune
George and Fumi Tanimasa
Lloyd Tanimasa
Ken and Alice Tanimoto
Mitsue Tao
Ben and Yoko Umeda
Esther Ura
Alan and Gayle Uyematsu
Richard and Susan Uyematsu
William and Gail Wurtenberg
Ruth Yamamoto
Iwao Yamashita
Hiroshi and Fumie Yonemoto
Mae Yoshida
Perry and Kim Yoshida
Anonymous
Howard Tsukiji Family
West Los Angeles
Mary Akashi
Minnie Babamoto
Mary Hahn
Roy Higa
Koji Hirai
William and Denice Hoy
Tom and Masako Ishioka
Robert, Kyuja and Gene Kafka
Takashi Makinodan
Miyoko Matsubara
Grace Mizushima
Tetsuo Morita
Hannah Nishimoto
Vance Nishimoto
Fumio and Chiyoko Nishina
Frank Nunokawa
Tsuyoshi Ohara
Yutaka Ohigashi
Mr. and Mrs. Ichiro Ouchi
Shizue Sera
Sei and Yasuko Shohara
Richard Stambul
Nobuyoshi and Meiko Takenoshita
Harry Tashima
Rev. FumiakiUsuki
Beverly Yahata
Sam Yamashita
The Leopard Family
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Obon proceeds
White River
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Akiyama
Barbara Aregger
Mae Arima
Sayoko Kawasaki and Dennis,
Lillian, Kelsey and Tessa Asato
Michiko Chihara
Eva Chun
Mary Cogger
Keiko Cullen
James and Ikuko Dodobara
Monica Furtick
William and Norma Geenty
M.J. Gennari
Vivian Geocaris
Charlene Grinolds
John and Mitsuko Hamakami
Masaru and Setsuko Hamamoto
Shanghai
President’s Message
Continued from Page 2
Continued from Front Page
the group. After clean-up there is still time for
another few rounds, or four or five. I asked a
few, what’s better – the cards or the food? Yosh
Suyematsu said, “Can’t beat the food …
$2.00!!” What kind of food? On this day, they
served steamed rice, Mafa fried chicken, egg
plant w/ground pork Chinese style, farm-fresh
sweet corn ears picked that morning, sunomono with cucumber and shrimp, slices of
Japanese egg rolls, marinated fresh tomatoes,
home-grown cantaloupe, nasubi tsukemono,
fresh peach cobbler, and rice-krispy treats if
you still need more. ARE YOU KIDDING
ME!!! Two dollars??!!! Yosh adds, “They’re all
nice people.”
Cards or food? Jimmy Hondo says, “Both
… eat and play, eat and play … we can’t wait
until Wednesday.” Hideo Harada says, “Oh,
Boy!! Everybody loves Wednesday!!!” We even
have copy-cat temples who have started their
own versions of our Wednesday Activity
Group after visiting the one here at IOBT.
Mtn. View and Orange County are second
generation followers of our discipline. Joan
Suyematsu says, “It started with cooking
demonstrations. We would play cards, and
then different people would put on a demonstration of cooking various dishes. Then we
would eat what they had made. That started
around 2001. The $2.00 lunches may have
started about 2006.”
Connie Shimojima recalls that the initial
idea was presented at a national BWA Conference held at the West Los Angeles Buddhist
Temple years ago. He had presented the idea
of gatherings at the temple for widowed members who had very limited social interaction
after the loss of their spouses. Temple gatherings would allow them to interact and keep in
task. These guidelines will
soon be distributed and we
ask that all affected organizations implement the procedures as soon as possible. On
another positive note, we’re
also making headway on
completely paying off the
bank loan for the Jodo Shinshu Center but will wait until
the remaining steps are completed before a full report is
provided.
On the first day of September, Karen and I attended
a family service at the Tacoma
Buddhist Temple. We visited
with many friends and saw
several projects being worked
that are part of their centennial observance scheduled for
2014. Since the service was
before the start of regular
September services, Rev. Kojo
Kakihara provided an informal talk about carrying out
his dream for a garden. Coincidentally, he described the
hardships of pioneers as they
often turned wastelands into
green fields. I enjoyed listening to him describe his
quickly found appreciation
Managers
Continued from Page 2
probably know Glenn as their tour guide at
the facility. He has a rich history of experience
with BCA and also serves as a Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Minister’s Assistant. Glenn is
aided by Miles Hamada, the Facility Manager
Assistant.
The BCA Bookstore helps carry out the
BCA mission of serving and supporting seekers of the Dharma worldwide. Gayle Noguchi
has been the BCA Bookstore Manager since
September 2011, overseeing all of the Bookstore’s daily operations. She has been involved
in the bookstore since April 2007 including
helping it get established. Gayle runs the
Bookstore with the help of part-time assistant
Lia.
As part of her responsibilities, Gayle stocks
the store with books and religious supplies for
a diverse customer base. Novices, students,
scholars, sangha members, and ministers can
find everything from beginners’ guides to
touch with each other. The idea of this gathering of eligible women might have been in his
personal best interest, Connie joked. He added, “This is the best program we ever had at
temple!! We want to be together … to be doing together. All of us look forward to cards on
Wednesday!” Wife, Glo, smiles a calm and
peaceful smile that seems to say, “Shanghai
rocks!!!”
Setsuko Morishige says, whenever the
family asks if she is going to church on
Wednesday, an enthusiastic and vibrant “YES”
is the standard answer. The temple joke here is
that there are more cars on Wednesday than
there are on Sunday! “TANOSHIMI (Enjoyment)”, she adds noddingly. Adding to the
Japanese perspective of the strength and value
of Shanghai Meditation, Hideko Fujita says,
“ATAMA NO UNDO (mental exercise) …
DAN DAN DAME NI NARANAI YO NI (so
our minds don’t gradually deteriorate) ….”
Finally, Ruth Harada tells us, “It’s the fellowship … we have time to visit and to be with
each other. The Sunday schedule is full, and
people hurry home without spending time to
visit.”
We hear it so often that we forget, “Everyday life is our practice.” We franticly search
and research the farthest corners to define and
redefine our Shin tradition, and come full
circle. Maybe what we have is what we need.
Shanghai Meditation rocks!
Namoamidabutsu.
translations of sutras. She makes a special effort to carry titles relevant to and necessary for
the Center for Buddhist Education (CBE) and
Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) programs,
as well as keeping in stock titles recommended
by our BCA ministers. A variety of gifts, jewelry, and greeting cards are popular items as
well.
For online customers, Gayle sends a handwritten thank you, business card, and incense
sample. Amazon customers have awarded the
BCA Bookstore a 100% 5 star rating, reflecting the excellent service and attention to detail
provided by the staff.
Gayle also maintains the BCA Bookstore
website and Amazon listings, posts to the
Bookstore’s Facebook page, writes articles for
the Wheel of Dharma, creates store displays,
and takes the Bookstore to major off-site
events. Gayle also re-strings onenju and is one
of the very few who uses the authentic traditional weaving technique for attaching women’s tassels. The Bookstore also functions as
the JSC building reception, welcoming visitors
and receiving deliveries.
Jamboree
Continued from Front Page
wisdom of the Dharma talk
that they wanted to learn
more from Rev. Iwohara
who obliged the Scouts surrounding him, spending the
next hour and a half talking
to them and sharing the wisdom of the Buddha. Ernie
joked with Rev. John that he
was a “rock star” since all the
scouts mobbed around him
after the service, but he
modestly replied he was just
a “one hit wonder”. Rev.
Iwohara had succeeded in
touching the lives of many
Scouts giving them a deep
and new perspective on Buddhism and the teachings of
the Buddha.
After this service, Rev.
Iwohara was asked to speak
at the Islamic Mosque set up
at the Jamboree. The topic
was Peace, a gathering of
many faiths together in one
place to promote peace and
Ritsuko Hamamura
William Hirai
Haru Hirota
Tsuneo Ichimura
Yukiko Iwai
Shirley Kanda
Amy Kato
Satoru and Rosie Kato
Ted and LillyKato
Shiyoji and Patricia Kawabata
Kaki Kesterson
Rob Kesterson
John Kitagawa
John Kitagawa
Bill and Kim Komoto
George Komoto
James and Kathryn Komoto
Lily Komoto
Sharon Kosai
Kiyono Maekawa
Michelle Merriman
Y. Mikami
Helen Mizuki
Wayne and Sally Mizuki
Ron and Karen Murakami
Hiroshi Nakai
Charles Natsuhara
Kathyrn Natsuhara
Alice Nishimoto
Alva Nishimura
Randy Okimoto
Pearl Okura
Miyuki Peterson
James Pewitt
OCTOBER 2013
Joan Rodgers
Doris Sagara
Jean Masae Sakagami
Kazuko Schilthroat
Itsuo and Yurika Shiotani
Himeko Suyematsu
Gayle Takemura
Harry Taketa
Roy Taketa
Tomeko Taketa
Edward and Betty Tanaka
Laurie Tanaka
Kerry Taniguchi
Alvin and Mitsuko Terada
Mayumi Terada
Ben Teraoka
Kayo Terayama
Ruth Terry
Connie Toda
Shigeru and Michiko Toyoshima
Stan Tsujikawa
Joe Watanabe
Kazuko Watanabe
Bill Yaguchi
Alan and Janis Yamada
Ben and Yoshiko Yamada
Darlene Yamada
Doug and Carolyn Yamada
Zachary Young
Yakima
Diane Inaba
Shiz Inaba
Tamio and Takako Uchida
for these pioneers after he and
Fred Pelger, a Minister’s Assistant, sweated under the hot
sun preparing a plot of ground
next to the temple for gardening. Rev. Kakihara spoke
about his gratitude to the pioneers for helping build the
Tacoma Buddhist Temple
despite their own hardships in
life. From the beginning of
his assignment to the Tacoma
Buddhist Temple, I’ve been
inspired by Rev. Kakihara’s
written articles in the Tacoma
temple newsletter that convey
the thoughtful essence of his
messages.
In mid-September I had
an opportunity to attend Ohigan service at the Buddhist
Church of Oakland. It was
very heartwarming and encouraging to feel so welcomed
by the Oakland sangha. I visited with several members
who I know through BCA
and Dharma School activities,
including Steve Terusaki,
Gayle Noguchi, and Sam and
Molly Yoneyama, while many
others came up to introduce
themselves and greet me, including Mrs. Kayoko Fujimoto, the mother of Reverends Ken and Dennis
Fujimoto. I hope everyone
has similar experiences no
matter which BCA temple
they visit. I enjoyed an enthusiastic Dharma message by
Rev. Bridge on the Six
Paramita. Rev. Bridge focused
on the Prajna (wisdom)
paramita. He explained the
Buddhist view of wisdom by
talking about the term sonomama, that has been interpreted as life “just right as is.”
Rev. Bridge conveyed that
wisdom in this case refers to
awareness of the self by reading a poem called Just Right
by Mr. Goromatsu Maekawa
(translated by Rev. Dr. Taitetsuo Unno). The poem is
too long to be included here
but is very meaningful and
can be found in the book
River of Fire, River of Water by
Rev. Unno. Rev. Bridge talked
about the suffering we experience when others do not act
as we think they should, as
well as the suffering we face in
accepting the way we are. Although our ego prevents us
from accepting things just as
they are, Rev. Bridge reminded us we can still aspire to see
the truth through the wisdom
of Amida.
harmony for all beings. Rev.
Iwohara spoke of peace and
how Buddha’s teachings
make us grateful for all sentient beings.
By all accounts, this first
Jamboree at the Summit
Bechtel Reserve in West
Virginia was a success for the
Boy Scouts. The numbers
were amazing: 30,037 participants with 6,224 volunteer staff and 12,192 visitors.
New to the Jamboree this
year was the Messengers of
Peace Day of Service which
provided 148,800 hours of
labor to local community.
This sort of selfless giving
has always been an important
part of the Scouting program, of service to others by
“Doing a Good Turn Daily”
(the Scout Slogan). Most
Scouts who visited the BCA
booth commented on how
much they enjoyed performing this work for others in
the community.
After the Sunday service
the Jamboree continued for
the week with Scouts visiting
the Buddhist booth at a
steady pace. The final day of
the Jamboree, however, was
coming close. Although both
John and Ernie were anxious
to get home to see their
families (and take a warm
shower), the experience of
being able to teach so many
kids about Buddhism and to
be able to participate and
experience this first Jamboree at the Summit left both
Rev. John and Ernie a little
sad. So many lives had been
touched in this short time, it
was a special experience that
will not be forgotten.
To find out more about
Scouting and the National
Boy Scout Jamboree, visit:
www.scouting.org/
About/FactSheets/operating_orgs/Buddhist.aspx
www.scouting.org/
www.scouting.org/scoutsource/TheSummit.aspx
This is serialized and
concludes in this issue of the
Wheel of Dharma.
In Gassho
「真宗のお寺のありかた」
のリーダーが独裁者にならないように気をつけ、その人の情
熱を他 の活動 にむ けるよ うに してい ます。
そういったお寺のサンガの一員であることは浄土真宗での
ルキー型の上下関係の中で修行をする宗教ではありません。
修行だといえるでしょう。真宗は、僧院にあるようなヒエラ
真宗のサンガの皆は平等で、お寺は自己中心の私が、同じく
小 谷政雄
― この法話は小谷師が駐在する洗心仏教会の寺報「プラ
自己中心の他人と活動することによって、自分自身のエゴの
洗心 仏教会 開教使
集 部 が 意 訳 し 、 掲 載 し ま し た 。―
寺を道 場とも 呼び ます。
ひどさに気づかせていただく修行場 です。それで私たちのお
ジュニャ」９月号に師が書かれた法話を日本語用に編
仏 教 での め ざ め 体験 の 核 心 は、 ア ニ ト ヤま た は イ ン パ ー マ
ものは存在しません。いるのはただ生徒だけです。お寺の理
そいうことで、真宗のお寺には全くもってマスターという
事会、婦人会、壮年会、青年会、ダルマスクール、コミッティー
きを大 切にす る団体だ といえ ます。
ネ ン ス （ 諸 行 無常 ） で す 。 で すか ら お 寺 は こ の無 常 へ の 気 づ
物事というものに無意識的に執着
など、皆がそれぞれの団体で一生懸命に活動し、そして自分
けれども皮肉なのは、変わらない
してしまうのが私たちであり、ま
の得た知識や技術を他に伝えるのがお寺です。ノウハウを独
アし合 う場な ので す。
ので は な く 、 家 族 の よ う にお 互 い に 教 え 合 い 、 助 け 合 い 、 シ ェ
占して、命令したり、指導したり、自分をよく見せたりする
たお 寺のサ ンガな ので す。
無常の流れにそって物事を行う
というのは簡単なことではありません。お寺の理事会、婦人
会、ダルマスクールなど、苦労して築いた自分の地位や役割
法語の
「溺れる
者が海の
浮力にま
かせたと
き、それ
が静寂の
海となる。」
ＢＣＡの開教使を約
年勤められ、２０１３年９月
日をもって引退された土網先生（オレンジカウンティー仏
教会 ）にお 話をう かが った。
す。それから龍 大の仏 典翻訳 部で稲 垣久男 先生か ら頼ま れて、
「父 母恩重 経」 を英訳 したこ とも よい思 い出で す。
当 時 は アメ リ カ か ら の 留 学 生 は ご門 主 （ 前 門 主 、 勝 如 上 人 ）
がよ くして くだ さった そうで すね 。
―そうです。毎年一回はご門主が留学生たちを自宅に招いて
自己の世
れることー
自己を忘
うことは
知るとい
館 司 書 とし て は た ら き ま し た 。そ の 時 に オ レ ン ジ カ ウ ン テ ィ ー
１９７０年に一旦開教使を休職して、ロサンゼルス郡の図書
だきました。その後、ガーデナ仏教会に転勤して、それから
にいたときにＵＣＬＡで図書館情報学を学び、修士号をいた
日本から帰った時、ロサンゼルス別院に赴任しました。別院
すから
年くらいお世話になりました。最初は１９６５年に
―そうですね。オレンジカウンティーには１９７７年からで
ンテ ィー仏 教会に 長く おられ ました ね。
なことで、特にご門主のような地位の高い方の前でそんなこ
られました。後になって日本ではものを投げて渡すのは失礼
受け取ったのですが、それをご覧になったご門主は笑ってお
フ リ スビ ー の よ う に 回転 し て 飛 ん で いき 、 そ れ を 小 谷 先 生 が
と 英 語 で 尋 ね た の で 、 ア メ リ カ 式 に 「 here you go
」と言 っ
て座布団を投げて渡したのです。その座布団がご門主の前を
それ で小 谷先 生が私 に「
すが、小谷先生の座ったところに座布団がなかったのです。
門主とお会いしたとき、たいへん格式のある和室だったので
が帰国する時は 送別会 を開い てくだ さって いまし た。で すが、
くださって私たちにごちそうしてくださいましたし、私たち
界という
仏教会をボランティアのような形で手伝っていたのですが、
とをするのは非常識なことだと教わりましたが、私はアメリ
年間お疲れさまでした。先生はオレンジカウ
のは空っ
１９７７年に辻総長から、開教使として仏教会をサポートす
カ人 なので 、ご 門主も 大目に 見て くださ ったよ うで す。
土網先生、
ぽで、虚
るように言われたので、それからパートタイムの開教使にな
しいことです。なぜなら、本当の自分とは、自分が想像して
ることです。けれどもこの自己の本当の姿を見ることは恐ろ
だくよりも世俗的な権力を得てコントロールしてやろう、と
的な喜びよりも世俗的な喜びを求め、また他力の教えをい た
の教えにまったく反しています。けれども今は人々が、宗教
しようとするのが仏教徒です。エゴを肥大させることは念仏
―そうですね。１９６５年に龍大で仏教学の修士号をいただ
ディスカッションが好きで、龍大のころは河村先生とよく風
―楽しかったことは仏法について話し合えたことです。私は
」
Can you pass me a zabuton?
一度、ご門主とお会いした時に失敗したことがあります。ご
ろで、ほんとうということは何もない。ただ念仏のみが本当
り、１９９８年に図書館司書をリタイヤしてからもパートタ
いるような立派なものではないからです。それが「南無阿弥
呂で仏教についてのディスカッションをしていました。ディ
イム のポジ ション でお 寺に勤 めまし た。
また、お寺のメンバーの中にはお寺をもっと能率的に、ビ
陀仏」のめざめで、お寺はこのようなめざめをうながし、エ
いたのですが、それからもっと学びたくなって、アメリカに
また、アメリカの仏教徒は、仏教とキリスト教の違いを明
エゴを知り、エゴを拡張させないようにしてきたのです。こ
ならないように注意してきました。聞法を中心とし、自分の
してくれるようによく頼まれました。それから図書館学に興
本が好きで、日本のことを学ぶ教授 や学生から本や資料を探
たり、新しいアイ デアや発見があったりするので、お寺のス
スカッションをすると、自分の理解してないところが分かっ
の近くで育ち、ダルマスクール、ジュニアＹＢＡ（若仏教青
―いろいろな人のすすめです。私はサンフランシスコ仏教会
定で すか？
どうされる予
これからは
土網師と康子夫人
だったことは、ありますが愚痴になるので言うのはやめてお
タディクラスでのディスカッションが好きでした。たいへん
れから もお 寺はそ うあっ てほ しいと 思い ます。
死という苦の中にあったご門徒さんたちから学びました。多
だきました。健康、慈 愛、友情 とは何 かとい うこと を老、病 、
年会）とお寺が生活の一部でした。バークレー大学に在学中
―自宅でゆっ
きま しょう 。
くのご門徒さんが、無常の流れにそって、変化するものに執
もＹＢＡ（仏教青年会）で活動していました。その時に海野
年間の開教生活の中でいろいろなことを経験させていた
界だといい、そういう考えを持つことで、自己の中心性、そ
着をせず、変化を受け入れ、常に変化する今という瞬間の美
大徹先生やＹＢＡの先輩たちから影響をうけて、開教使の道
な ぜ開教 使にな られ たのか 教えて 下さ い。
味を 持ち、 図書館 司書 になっ たので す。
教え てくだ さい 。
開教人生の中で楽しかったことと、たいへんだったことを
ジネスライクに運営しよう、という人もいます。けれども、
の思いが強くなっているように思えます。そんな風潮にあっ
けんかすることもあるし、愛したり、憎んだり、作ったり、
確にしていくことが大切で、その両者の違いを見ると、自己
な ぜ図書 館情報 学を 学ばれ たので すか ？
お寺はビジネスではありませんし、会社のようにトップの者
ゴを反省する場であって、エゴを 肥大させる場ではないので
壊したりと、いろいろありますが、何がおこっても家族をク
の見方や世界の見方が違っていることが分かります。仏教で
して本 当の世 界に めざめ てい くよう になり ます 。
しさを楽しみ、自然に人生の次の章に移っていきました。ま
は、自分がよく知っていると思っているこの世界をうその世
ビ にな ること はあ りませ ん。
そんな私たち、浄土真宗のサンガは宗教団体の中で最も民
主的です。それはハワイやアメリカ本土で百姓の集団生活を
していたことから自然に身に付いたことでした。お寺では一
人の強くて独占的なリーダーシップを持った者はあまり歓迎
た、常に活発に流動している命のつながりにめざめ、お互い
今月の
一枚
（先生方の記事は来月号に掲載予定です）
されません。むしろ皆の意見を尊重して自分の知識や技術を
思います。そ
を語り合った
れで友達と法
くりしようと
位はスタートレックで有名なジョージ・武井さんでした。も
私同様、お寺もまた 、今まで の考え 方やや り方か ら引退し 、 位 に な っ た こ と も 関 係 し て い る か も し れ ま せ ん 。 そ の 時 の １
お寺にも行き
りしたいので、
へすすむことに興味を持ち、龍大へ勉強しに行くことに決め
し私が１位になっていたら、私がハリウッドスターになって
たのです。また、これは冗談ですが、ＹＢＡの弁論大会で２
新しいスタートを切る時がきました。いままで私をサポート
いて 、彼が 開教使 にな ってい たかも しれ ません 。
供も自宅の近
たいです。子
るので、孫の
くに住んでい
で、忙しくな
世話やなにか
せん 。
るかもしれま
光寮という留学生用の寮にいましたが、その時は山岡先生、
した。私は仏教学を専攻し、佐藤哲英先生や月輪賢隆先生に
が京都女子校の英語部の時に最初に出会ったのがきっかけで
学びました。また、留学中に妻、康子と結婚しました。彼女
小谷先生、カナダの河村先生、ハワイの岡野先生たちがいま
―日本には１９５９年から１９６５年まで ６年いました。和
日 本には 何年お られ ました か？
してくださったように新しい先生とも協力してください。い
お会い しま す。
たようでしたが、おかげでとても素晴らしい旅でした。また
ままでありがとうございました。開教生活はでこぼこ道を来
にシェ アす るとい う姿を みせ てくだ さい ました 。
桑原師と開教使候補の先生たち。
シェアする人が敬われるのです。ですから、お寺の各団体は
当番システムで運営されることが多いです。交代でものごと
をすると、知識や技術を教えあうことになるからです。それ
は私たちの先祖たちが、農民の生活でしてきたことをお寺で
もしているだけのことです。農家やお寺でもリーダーシップ
はありますが、そのリーダーシップというのは、しばしば一
時的なものであり、手本をみせるという性格のもので、他人
を 強制 して何 か さ せるた めのも ので はあり ません 。
南無 阿弥陀 仏、南 無阿 弥陀仏 、なま んだ 。
45
係 ではなく、家族の関係な のです 。協力 し合う ことも あ れば 、
が大金を独占し、少ない給料で人を雇って、監督し、クビに
エゴを大きくしようとするのがアメリカ人、エゴを少なく
「自己を
なので す。 」とい う言葉 がそ のこと を示 してい ます。
と か 、
40
帰ってからも大学に入って勉強を続けたかったのです。私は
このように、お寺は浄土真宗のめざめにもとづいた道場であ
40
て、私たちは、ただのコミュニティセンターのようなお寺に
るべきです。浄土真宗のめざめとは、自分の自己中心性を見
36
す。
を手放し、流れがとどこおることなく、別の人や若い人にゆ
30
するような所でもありません。お寺のサンガはビジネスの関
ず るこ とはた いへ ん難し いこと のよ うです 。
小谷師と５０年来の法友、土網師
45
小谷政 雄、１９ ４０年生 まれ。 ロサ ンゼ ルス 近郊 で育 つ。加 州大 学
サンタ バーバラ 校を卒業 後、渡 日、 龍谷 大学 で学 ぶ。 仏教学 の修 士
号を取 得後、１ ９６８年 より洗 心仏 教会 に駐 在。 太鼓 、雅楽 、舞 楽
などの 日本の伝 統芸能を 米国に紹 介、 普及に 貢献 して いる 。 年 の
開 教 生活 に 終 止符 を う ち、 今 年 月 末 に 引 退の 予 定 。
10
お寺の団体の中でなんとかしてリーダーになってやろう、
お寺をコントロールしてやろうと考える人は、すぐに意見の
衝突を起こしたり、人を怒ったりするようになります。お寺
という船を助けにきたつもりが、反対に船を沈めてしまうの
です。それは、お寺でのものごとのすすめかたは、アメリカ
の支配的なリーダーシップの考えかたとはちょっとちがって
い る か ら な の です 。 で す か ら 、成 功 し て い るサ ン ガ で は 一 人
お彼岸のたそがれ時にベニスビーチを訪れた
2013年10月号
輪
法
先達に感謝して
― ＭＡ Ｐ（ Ｍｉ ｎ ｉｓ ｔ ｅｒ ｓ Ａｓ ｉ ｓ
ｔａｎｔ Ｐｒｏｇｒａｍ）の開催
９月 ５ 日（ 木 ）か ら ７日 （ 土 ） の ３ 日間 、 開 教 使 ア シス タ
認 する と いう 意図 で 今 回の セ ミ ナ ー が 開催 さ れ た 。 師は お 寺
立 とう と してはい け ま せん 。 」 な ど 、 仏教 会 で の 太 鼓は エ ゴ
踊 り手 の ヘル プを す る よう に 演 奏 す べ きで あ っ て 、 太鼓 が 目
ん 。ま た 、お 盆踊 り の 時に は 、 踊 り の ステ ッ プ に 注 意し て 、
す 。下 手 な人 を怒 鳴 っ たり 、 萎 縮 さ せ たり さ せ て は いけ ま せ
太 鼓で は 上手 い人 が 下 手な 人 に あ わ せ てあ げ る こ と が大 事 で
り での 太鼓 は 脇役 にな る こ と 」な ど を あ げた 。 「 仏 教会 の
の 太鼓 の 特徴 とし て 、 「楽 し ん で 仲 良 くや る こ と 」 「お 盆 踊
を 少な くす る 練習 でも あ る と 強調 し た 。 セミ ナ ー で は講 義
代 から
代の 社 会人 向け の 法 話 会 が 行わ れ て お り 、南 カ リ
年 に一 回 、セ ミナ ー を 開催 し 、 北 カ リ フォ ル ニ ア や 他地 域 の
青 年仏 教 徒と 交流 し て おり 、 今 回 は 三 度目 の セ ミ ナ ーと な っ
た。テーマはゴールデンチェインで、講師は浄土真宗センター
海 （お し のみ ）ア リ ー さん は 、 「 レ ト ロブ ッ ダ と 名 付け た の
の 桑原 浄 信開 教使 。 セ ミナ ー の チ ェ ア パー ソ ン を つ とめ た 鴛
ク ール の とき に暗 唱 し たゴ ー ル デ ン チ ェイ ン の 本 当 の内 容 を
は 、基 本 に立 ち返 ろ う とい う 意 味 か ら です 。 そ れ で ダル マ ス
ゴ ール デ ンチ ェイ ン が 暗唱 さ れ る こ と にな っ た 歴 史 、心 か ら
勉 強し よ うと いう こ と でこ の テ ー マ に しま し た 。 」 講義 で は
音楽で仲良く
デルタダルマミュージック フェスティバル
日 （ 土） に北 カ リ フ ォル ニ ア 教 区 主 催の 音 楽 の 集 い
サクラメント仏教会開教使クワイヤー、楠開教使（ローダイ）と北加雅楽会。
が催さ れた 。会場 はウォ ーナ ットグ ローブ 仏教 会（ 楠 開教 使 、
８月
左上から、ブリッジ開教使（オークランド）、菅原開教使（フローリン）、ウクレレグループ、
作り方のワー
く、おはぎの
岸にふさわし
ことで、お彼
しようという
文化も大切に
また、日本の
を弾 い たり 、雅 楽 を演 奏 し た りし た の を み れ て、 と て も 楽 し
にと ん だ演 奏が 披 露さ れ た 。 参加 者 は 、 「 先 生た ち が ベ ー ス
レレを始め、三味線、雅楽、ロック、コーラスなどバラエティ
や友 人 を含 め約 ３ ００ 名 が 集 った 。 ピ ア ノ 、 オー ボ エ 、 ウ ク
老若 男 女を とわ ず 、多 く の ア マチ ュ ア 演 奏 者 が参 加 し 、 家 族
音楽祭 では 、ダル マスク ール の生徒 から、 婦人 会の 会 員ま で 、
お寺 同 士の 交流 を はか る た め 、合 同 で の 音 楽 祭を 企 画 し た 。
ジッ ク な町 。こ こ に北 カ リ フ ォル ニ ア 教 区 の 開教 使 、 門 徒 が
ん。で
けませ
たら真宗の教
私は すべ ての方 々を仏 さま のよう に尊敬 しま す。
皆集 まろ う。私 たちは ひと つです 。
米国 仏教団
総長
梅 津廣 道
八月末 、パロ アルト 仏教会 の基金 募集ゴ ルフ大 会に参 加
しました 。結果 はびっ くり、 一等に なり賞 金まで いただ き
まし た。 生ま れて 初 めて の こと で 本当 に うれ し かっ た です 。
その時 一緒に 回った 人がい ろいろ とアド バイス をして く
れました 。「ス イング すると きに頭 を上げ るない ように 」
というこ とです 。自分 の弱点 は多く ありま すが、 その一 つ
がすぐ頭 を上げ てしま うこと です。 頭を上 げると ボール を
正確に打 つこと ができ ず、思 わぬと ころに いって しまう の
です 。
そのア ドバイ スを何 度も何 度も受 けなが ら、私 たちが 仏
さまの教 えを聞 く姿勢 にも似 たよう なこと が言え るので は
ことです 。頭を 上げて 聞くと いうの は、「 まあ何 か生活 の
ないかと 思いま した。 それは 、頭を 上げて 話を聞 くとい う
ような仏 さまの 教えを 道具に するよ うな態 度のこ とです 。
役に立つ かもし れない 、ちょ っと聞 いてみ ようか 」とい う
その態度 は、ち ょうど 懐中電 灯で太 陽がど のくら い明る い
か調 べてみ てい るよう なもの です 。
仏教で 問題に なるの は「自 分自身 」であ ります 。その 自
分の本当 の姿が 分から ないか ら人生 に迷う のです 。自分 の
姿勢が大 事にな ります 。それ が頭を 下げて 聞くと いう態 度
姿を照ら す光が 仏さま の教え であり ますか ら、光 を受け る
それが 簡単に できな いとい うこと を知ら せてい ただく こ
だと 思いま す。
とも仏の 光にあ ってわ からせ ていた だくの ではな いでし ょ
うか。ところでゴルフのことですが、実は三つの階級があっ
て、自分 の分は ハンデ ィのな い人た ちのグ ループ で、ス コ
アの多少 に関係 なく一 等にな れるも のでし た。ス コアは 恥
ずかし
くてこ
クショップも
かったです。河下の夏の蒸し暑さも忘れて、楽しめました。」
こに書
あった。庵原
えはいまより
私は 自分 の業に 責任を 持ち 、お念 仏の人 生を 歩みま す。
ります。
でもあ
イデア
いいア
ことは
という
できる
募集も
の基金
仏教会
ができ、
フで友
もゴル
師は、「仏法
もっと広がる
生 き とし 生け る もの す べ て がお 悟 り を 開 く こと が で き ま す
レトロ ブッ ダでの ゴール デン チェイ ン
ことでしょう。」
（ 編集 部意訳 ）
と抱負を語っ
た。
よう に。
を担ってくれ
ＢＣＡの将来
を学ぶ彼らが
と喜ん だ。
ルデンチェイ
監督 ） のグ ラウ ン ドで 、 同 地 は一 世 や 二 世 の 間で は 河 下 地 区
ン を 作 成 し た 。 とよ ば れ、 いま で もか つ て の 日本 人 町 の 面 影 が残 る ノ ス タ ル
自分たちのゴー
ま とめと し て、
などを学び、
に できる の か、
ピ ュア で ビュ ーテ ィ フ ルな 言 葉 を 使 い 、行 動 す る こ とが 本 当
勉強会の後の歓談。
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二〇一三年度教化標語
の 他、太 鼓の合 同練 習、演 奏も行 われ た。
「真実明に帰命せよ」
サンルイスオビスポ仏教会にてのセッション
レ ト ロ ブ ッダ
日（ 土 ）に ベ ニス 仏 教 会 で 青 年真 宗 門 徒 の 集い 、 レ
青年門徒の集い
９月
名 の 若 者 が 仏法 を 語 り 合 った 。 ベ
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ニ ス仏 教 会で は庵 原 ジ ョン 開 教 使 の 指 導の も と 、 数 年前 よ り
ト ロブ ッ ダが 開催 さ れ、
14
フ ォル ニ アに 住む 若 い 独身 の 仏 教 徒 が 月に 数 回 お 寺 に集 う 。
30
名 の ア シス タ
いっ た 状況 にあ っ て、 も と も との お 寺 で の 太 鼓会 の 意 義 を 確
20
ン トの 研 修会 が 浄土 真宗 セ ン タ ーで 開 か れ 、
ン トが 教 学や 勤 式の 講 義を 受 け た 。 セ ミナ ー で は コ ル マ日 系
人 墓地 を 訪れ 、 同墓 地 内の Ｂ Ｃ Ａ 歴 代 総長 、 開 教 使 、 門徒 の
顕 彰碑 の 前で 読 経し た 。参 加 者 は 「 多 くの 先 達 の お か げで 今
年 の歴 史を 真摯 に 受け とめ た よ う だ。 ま
の 私た ち が仏 法 を聞 け るの だ と 、 あ り がた く 思 い ま し た。 」
と 、Ｂ ＣＡ の 約
た、松本デービッド開教使（バークレー）が「信心について」、
ハ リー ・ ブリ ッ ジ開 教 使（ オ ー ク ラ ン ド） が 「 正 信 偈 のお 勤
め 」、 ペ イテ ィ ング ・ デー ビ ッ ド 開 教 使ア シ ス タ ン ト （サ ン
フ ランシ スコ ）が「 グリー フカ ウンセ リング 」の 講 義を した 。
受 講者 全 員が ご 法話 を する 「 ダ ル マ ソ ン」 も 行 わ れ 、 普段 の
お 聴聞の 成果 を発揮 するよ い機 会とな った。
日 （ 金） から ９ 月 １ 日（ 日 ） に か け て、 サ ン ル イ ス
～ 仏教徒の太鼓セミナー～
８月
オビ ス ポ仏 教会 に おい て 「 仏 教徒 の た め の 太 鼓セ ミ ナ ー 」 が
名が
行わ れ た。 セミ ナ ーは 洗 心 仏 教会 の 小 谷 開 教 使と 緊 那 羅 （ き
んな ら ）太 鼓会 が 主催 し、 カ リ フ ォ ル ニア の 各 寺 か ら
年 前 に 米国 へ 日 本 の 太 鼓を 紹 介 し 、 米
会メ ン バー では な くな っ て お り、 お 寺 で 太 鼓 の練 習 や 演 奏 を
かし な がら 、現 在 では 各 寺 院 の太 鼓 会 員 が か なら ず し も 仏 教
てお り 、ほ とん ど の寺 院 の 太 鼓会 の 設 立 に た ずさ わ っ た 。 し
那羅 太 鼓会 は主 に ＢＣ Ａ 仏 教 会を 通 じ て 太 鼓 の普 及 に つ と め
国の 太 鼓文 化を 発 展さ せ る の に大 き く 貢 献 し てい る 。 師 と 緊
集っ た 。小 谷師 は 約
30
21
Email [email protected]
40
110
発行所
米国仏教団
Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
電話(415)776-5600
FAX(415)771-6293
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する も のの 、マ ジ ョリ テ ィ が 非仏 教 徒 と い う 例も あ る 。 そ う
園満寺、帰依式にて
2013年 10月号
エゴレス太鼓
コルマ墓地の顕彰碑前にて
2013年10月号
輪
法