Northern California Koyasan Temple. Our Buddha-Nature. September and October Services U St., Sacramento, CA SEPTEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

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1 Our Buddha-Nature Are we all Buddhas? Shingon Buddhism s answer to this question would basically be Yes. So how is that? Human beings have the complete virtues of the Buddha present within us. It is our mind that has the virtues of the Buddha and is called the mind that aspires to realize enlightenment. But it has to be cultivated. We need to understand the Buddha s world and the concept of the self. We are living a double standard in this world by looking at the surface only. If we examine everything deeply, we come to understand that we all have a Buddha-Nature within, and everyone is given an equal opportunity to understand, realize and experience it. The process by which we realize our Buddha-Nature is explained in the Mahavairocana Sutra (the most important sutra in Shingon Buddhism). There are three phases involved in doing this: 1) Have a strong desire to understand your Buddha nature and to reach enlightenment, 2) Make great compassion the foundation of all of your actions (including the concept of "be kind to all life ), and 3) Perfect skillful means. By which is meant perfecting all of the ways that you benefit others, using your body, speech and mind (a foundation concept in Shingon Buddhism). These three phases explain that we must thoroughly engage in the practice of contributing to the welfare and benefit of the world until the end of our lives. By perfecting this practice, we will realize our Buddha-Nature! With Gassho, Bill Jitsudo Taylor September and October Services September 17, 2017 Autumn Higan Memorial Service: The Temple will observe the Autumn Higan Memorial Service starting at 1:30 p.m. The autumn Higan is a time when we remember those who have passed on and pay our respects to them. September 23, 2017 San Jose Daishiko Service: The cemetery visitation will occur at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Daishiko service starting at 12:00 p.m. at the Miyahara residence. October 15, 2017 Eitaikyo Service: The Temple will observe its annual Eitaikyo Service, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eitaikyo is the perpetual prayer for those who have passed on. September 2017 Page 1

2 Special Prayer Services Special Prayer (Gokito) Services are held the last Sunday of the month. Services begin at 1:30 p.m. The following are the dates for the September and October services: September 24, 2017 Bato-Kannon (Horse Head Avalokitesvara) blessing for living and memorial for deceased pets. Please submit your service application forms to the Temple the Wednesday (September 20, 2017) before the service. October 29, 2017 Kobo-Daishi blessing for accomplishment in academic work and success in examinations. Please submit your service application forms to the Temple the Wednesday (October 25, 2017) before the service. [Note: Service application forms are available on-line (in pdf format) at the Temple s website: Evening Meditation Classes The September evening meditation session at the Sacramento Temple is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2017, and the October session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, The evening sessions are led by Rev. Iwasawa and begin at 7:00 p.m. Ramen Sale September 3, 2017 This year the Temple s Ramen Sale is on Sunday, September 3, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Food items being offered are: Ramen Noodle Bowl Teriyaki Beef over rice Pork Curry over rice Teriyaki Beef Sandwich Spam Musubi Chirashisushi Mini Apple Pie Notices and pre-order forms were mailed out in August, and the deadline for submitting orders has already passed. However, for those of you who pre-ordered, the food pick-up time is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but the Temple s Social Hall will be open until 2:00 p.m. if you want to stay and eat your food on site. Autumn Pancake Breakfast October 8, 2017 The Temple will hold its Autumn Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 8, 2017, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Adult tickets are $6.00 and a child s plate is $4.00. Baked pies include apple, apple blueberry and seasonal pumpkin, and other goodies will also be on sale that day. The Temple is short-handed and we ask all able members to come and help out for this event. Please bring your family and friends for this worthy and delicious fundraiser. September 2017 Page 2

3 In Memory The Temple recently lost a former member and a friend. Our deepest condolences to the families of: Susan L. Marquette ~ 1934 August 6, 2017 Susan (Wakako, Sue) was born in Shikoku, Japan. She and her husband, Arthur, were members of the Temple from She was a military wife, mother, and homemaker. An avid gardener, Susan was also proficient in poker and blackjack. She was a caring and giving person who always made others feel like winners. Susan was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her daughters Sandra L. Marquette and Susan Marquette. She will be surely missed by all. Yumiko Tamura ~ June 27, 1928 July 19, 2017 Yumiko was born on June 27, 1928 in Sacramento, CA and passed away peacefully in her Sacramento home on July 19, While not an active member of the Temple, she and her husband, Frank, supported the Temple at various fundraisers and services. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank Tamura, and her brothers, Eiji and Makoto Shirai, and her sister, Asako. Yumiko leaves behind her brother Bill and her sisters-in-law Kikue and Iyoko, son Arthur, daughter-in-law Juliet, and granddaughter Alyssa. She will be surely missed by all. Toro Nagashi Lantern Workshop The Temple conducted its annual Toro Nagashi Lantern Workshop on Sunday, July 9, and many lantern shades were made. Thanks go to the families of: George Sakurai Grace Sakurai, Barbara and Pat Haddeman Thomas Sonoda Janet Sonoda June Sunahara Tokie and Margie Sunahara Sumiko Taniguchi Molly Jones and Harriet Taniguchi Tom Tokubo Verna and Erica Morales Thanks also to Temple members Caren Yamamoto, Alice Tateishi, and Bettie Tsuda for creating many lantern shades for the ritual. More pictures from the workshop can be viewed on the Temple s website: Margie and Tokie Sunahara September 2017 Page 3

4 Toro Nagashi Ritual at William Land Park The 39 th annual Toro Nagashi ritual and picnic was held on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at William Land Park in Sacramento. Because the Boat Lake was under repair and inaccessible, the service had to be moved back to the east shore of the Duck Pond at the very last minute. This was Rev. Iwasawa s first year to officiate at this event, and it was well attended by members, Taiko performers and their families, and obon odori dancers. Rev. Shigetoshi also braved the hot weather to graciously assist in the service. As there were other events going on that day, the service schedule had to be shortened a bit. However, the ritual went well and was enjoyed by all. This annual event honors those members who had recently passed away. Attendees enjoyed the bountiful potluck foods that were shared as well as the wonderful entertainment provided by the Koyasan Taiko Group and Obon Odori dancing. During the service, the lanterns, hand-painted by the Hatsubon families and members of the Temple, were released into the water for all to observe and to pay their respects. To see more pictures from this service, please visit our website at September 2017 Page 4

5 Koyasan Taiko Group Beginners Class We are excited to announce that the Koyasan Spirit of Children Taiko will be starting a new children's beginners class this September. If you have a child from the ages of 4-12 who may be interested, don't hesitate to contact us either by direct message or to koyasan.taiko@gmail.com for more details. This is the perfect setting for children to learn the art of taiko. Koyasan Taiko Group Performances The Koyasan Spirit of Children Taiko Group had three wonderful opportunities to perform in August. The group opened the 71 st Annual Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento on Saturday, August 12, This was a special performance for Koyasan as it was the very first for some members and the very last for some that are retiring. It included a debut of some little players that had been practicing and an early live stream on Good Day Sacramento with Tina Macuha. On Saturday, August 19, 2017, the Taiko Group performed at the Temple s annual Toro Nagashi picnic and ritual at William Land Park in Sacramento. This is an event members look forward to every year, not only in performing Taiko but also to enjoy the potluck picnic and camaraderie with Temple members. The group performed with the obon odori dancers with a special rendition of Hanami, composed by Taiko Instructor Kaori Sakauye and dance created by former Taiko member Sharon Araki. The group looks forward to performing at this event again next year. On August 27, 2017, the Koyasan Spirit of Children Taiko performed at the Brazilian Day Street Festival in downtown Sacramento. It was the festival's 5th year and they invited Koyasan Taiko to play for attendees to hear a variety of Rhythms of the World. Even though it was very hot today, the group played with lots of energy which made the performance even more exciting. To see more pictures of the Taiko Group s performances, please visit our website at September 2017 Page 5

6 From The Fujinkai Last Two Fujinkai Workshops for This Year: The Fujinkai craft workshops are held on the fourth Saturday of the month, starting at 1:00 p.m. in the Temple s Social Hall. The September and October workshops will be held on: September 23, 2017 The topic for this workshop will be making a new apple cake taught by Caren Yamamoto with help from sous chefs Seiko Okimura and Carol Kawano. October 28, 2017 The topic for this workshop will be making Caren Yamamoto s yummy brownies. No workshops are held in November and December due to the busy holiday seasons. Workshops will resume again in January. The workshops are open to all. Please join us if you re interesting in learning to knit, crochet, sew, make cards, weave scarves, making specialty foods, make money leis, etc. And if you would like to see another skill taught, or can teach a class yourself, please contact the Temple with your recommendations ( nckoyasan@sbcglobal.net). Newsletter Staff Want to see the Newsletter in full color? Check it out on the Temple s web site: Editors: Rev. Kyokan Iwasawa Bettie Tsuda Editorial Contributors: Bill Taylor Margie Sunahara September 2017 Page 6

7 SEPTEMBER 2017 CALENDAR 3 (Sun) 11:00 a.m. Ramen Sale 9 (Sat) 4:00 p.m. Goeika Practice 12 (Tue) 7:00 p.m. Evening meditation session 17 (Sun) 1:30 p.m. Autumn Higan Service 23 (Sat) 1:30 p.m. Fujinkai Crafts Workshop 2:00 p.m. San Jose Daishiko 24 (Sun) 1:30 p.m. Bato Kannon Special Prayer Service (Blessing and memorial for pets) [Note: The September Cabinet Meeting was moved to August 30, 2017 to allow the Cabinet more preparation time for the Ramen Sale.] OCTOBER 2017 CALENDAR 4 (Wed) 7:00 p.m. Cabinet Meeting 8 (Sun) 7:00 a.m. Autumn Pancake Breakfast 10 (Tue) 7:00 p.m. Evening meditation session 14 (Sat) 4:00 p.m. Goeika Practice 15 (Sun) 1:30 p.m. Eitaikyo Memorial Service 28 (Sat) 1:30 p.m. Fujinkai Crafts Workshop (last one for the year) 24 (Sun) 1:30 p.m. Kobo-Daishi Special Prayer Service (Academic endeavors and successful exams) Koyasan Pancake Breakfast Come join us! Adult: $6.00 Child: $4.00 Sunday, October 8, :00 am - 11:00 am September 2017 Page 7