REV. USUKI S PAGE. Vol. 51, No. 6 June Bougainvillea

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1 Web: Vol. 51, No. 6 June 2008 REV. USUKI S PAGE This may be a silly article but I m compelled to write about our bougainvillea that continually wants to overwhelm the veranda and litter its flowers all over the driveway and onto our neighborhood. It is particularly embarrassing at this time of the year when it seems to thrive and shed its thousands of flowers after a long rainy season fed by warm, sunny days. It is showing its colors in arrogant, humongous blooms and flexing its muscles on its own terms. Two years ago our old tree died and left a bland dirt hole next to the steps of our entry. We decided to replace it with something that would cover the veranda and also provide a small piece of privacy from the constant and busy foot traffic. The veranda is our only so-called green sanctuary since we have no yard or patio. Our first choice was wisteria but it only blooms in the summer and in the winter the veranda would be bare. So we decided on bougainvillea in a standard red from Orchard Supply Hardware. In the beginning, because of our anxiety and uncertainty as to whether it would take to the old dirt, we were excited to see its new sprouts and signs of a little color. As time went by we were amazed at the many new shoots that started to cling to the new lattice. I began to train it with constant pruning. Now it is on its own, having secured its place at 2006 Corinth Avenue. At first, we used to receive many compliments but recently no one seems to care, or they may be upset with the litter. I am still in amazement and look it over each time I leave and return home. At the same time I get excited at seeing its flowers, it leaves a mess in the Bougainvillea driveway, around the building, and all the way to Sawtelle Avenue. I don t know what happens to them beyond there, but I m sure they are bothering someone else. When I first considered bougainvillea I heard many good comments about them, but at the same time there were many, many bad comments as well. Either you like them or hate them. Well, I had to have one so now I have to live with it. Isn t this exactly like our lives? What you have is what you will live with, with constant maintenance of good and bad aspects, an ongoing love-hate relationship, and perhaps, on occasion, some semblance of balance. But the worst part of it is that we don t keep our anxieties, problems, and joy to ourselves. Since we are naturally social animals, we have to share all the good and bad with others whether they like it or not. We have the need to go and bother others, just like our bougainvillea. It is one thing to be a plant that is constant, growing with the seasons and doing its thing when it is time. We know when it is time to water, feed, trim, and sweep. Plants and flowers are predictable. But human emotions do not coincide with the seasons. We are agitated, happy, sad, troubled, and joyful at the slightest provocation. Therefore we are extremely unpredictable and bothersome to others. When these emotions arise then we want or need to share them with others. So, what are we to do? The answer is right in front of us. Shakyamuni Buddha and Shinran Shonin are constantly reminding us of our shortfalls. However, we only embrace their wisdom when we are troubled and insecure but fail to heed their teachings when we are happy and secure. Again, unlike the bougainvillea, despite its messy outbursts, (cont d on page 2)

2 we are neither predictable nor constant. This is the central problem with humans and our only hope is that we continue to listen to the teachings and practice mindfulness. Each time I go in and out of the house I am reminded of my shortcomings as well as their remedy. The only way to maintain some constant sense of humility is to be mindful and cultivate it through practice, just like trimming the bougainvillea so it does not use its tentacles to overwhelm our neighborhood. I m sure all of you have a similar situation in your life that could be tempered with a little dose of the Dharma. Rev. Fumiaki Usuki SHINSHU CORNER From: Buddhist Handbook for Shin-Shu Followers by Rev. Dr. Shoyu Hanayama, 1969, pp Besides the Special Services which are held usually at Buddhist Churches, each Buddhist family has its own memorial services for each departed member of the family either at the church or at home. It is very important, however, to realize that the significance of having these memorial services is, whatever their original meanings may have been, neither to pray for the happiness of the departed person in the life after death nor to console his spirit, at least, in Jodo-shin sect. The Significance of Memorial Services: (from Bureau of Buddhist Education, BCA) Memorial Services are an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving. These services provide a solemn setting for the immediate members of the family, relatives and friends to listen to the Dharma. To someone who has recently lost a loved one there is nothing more comforting than the quiet voice of Amida Buddha, who tells us that he embraces all in his eternal light and forsakes none. Those who have passed away are one with Amida in the Pure Land just as we are now with him in the Nembutsu. Thus the Nembutsu the realization of spiritual oneness heals the wounds of earthly separation. These services also give us an opportunity to remember the deceased and honor his memory. Although life is only a fleeting instant in eternity, it is nevertheless a significant moment. Each life possesses something unique that has never been and never will be duplicated. Despite all the human frailties, each person has left the imprint of his virtues on those who have come into contact with him. It is, therefore, the sacred task of the living to perpetuate the goodness in thought, speech and deed. Memorial services strengthen the Buddhist family solidarity. Often the members of the family travel great distance from various parts of the country to worship together. Through mutual encouragement each person s faith in Amida Buddha is fortified and the life of Nembutsu takes on a deeper meaning. Briefly speaking, the significance of having memorial services is: (1) not to forget the gratitude of Amida Buddha and the life of Nembutsu; (2) members of the family, relatives and friends get together under the name of the departed person to express thankfulness to him and to share his memory and their sadness; (3) to realize the impermanence of this world and the importance of the faith in Amida Buddha in everyday life, since human beings are apt to forget that they are mortal and how important it is to have strong faith in this busy life. Memorial services are, therefore, not for the sake of those who have departed, but for those who remain and survive. According to the Jodo-shin sect, sutra-chanting at these services does not have any magic power to save those who have fallen into hell; it does not have any effective power to send those who have passed away to the Pure Land of the Amida Buddha. It is far beyond our power to send them to the Pure Land. It is Amida Buddha who promised to send all of us to the Pure Land. Again, therefore, I insist that the following memorial services should be held not for the sake of those who have departed, but for those who have survived, to let them realize the impermanence of this world and the importance of having perfect reliance in our Lord, Amida Buddha. Next issue: Last Rite or Death-bed Service (Makura Gyo) Wake Service (O-Tsuya) Funeral Service (So Shiki) 2

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE On June 7, the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple is hosting the 2008 Southern District Conference at the Sportsmen s Lodge in Studio City. I hope that you all can attend. As summer approaches, let us take the time to give tribute to our fathers. Father s Day and Graduation Service is on June 15, at 10:00 a.m. At this service, we will also honor many graduating students. To celebrate, we will have a hamburger lunch following the service. On Sunday, June 1, we will be having temple cleanup at 8:00 a.m. Please attend and help keep our temple in the best shape it can be. On Saturday, June 21, the 80 Plus Lunch group will be having their annual yard sale from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The group is looking for volunteers to help prepare for the yard sale (sorting and price-tagging) on Friday, June 20, and to help during the sale the following day. Please contact Masako Ishioka, Chiyo Nitta, or the Temple office for more information. Obon is just around the corner and so we will begin our Obon Odori practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. starting on June 24. Grace Mizushima and the Dharma School Teachers will help teach us the new and old dances. We will also be using the naruko (that fan-shaped klakity noisemaker) again this year so if you re at a Japanese store (like Marukai), you may want to purchase a pair. We might have some available for sale if we find them. Obon starts early this year. Senshin will have their Obon festival on June 28. San Fernando will have theirs on July 5 and 6, and our West LA Taiko Group will be performing each day. You can call me at (818) or me at wlabtpres.vance@verizon.net In gassho, Vance Nishimoto WLABT President MARJORIE MORIKAWA HONORED WITH PIONEER WOMAN AWARD The April 13, 2008 issue of the Rafu Shimpo carried a major article on our Marjorie Morikawa being honored by City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl in a ceremony at Los Angeles City Hall. Councilmember Rosendahl gave Marjorie the Pioneer Woman Award as part of the City s annual Pioneer Women celebration. Each year the City recognizes one female leader from each Council District who has contributed strength and vitality to the City, and this year Marjorie was the woman selected from Councilmember Rosendahl s District. Marjorie is well known for her contributions to the West LA Japanese Community Center Nutrition Program, but the Rafu Shimpo goes further by sketching her fascinating life history and challenges she overcame along the way that many of us may not know about. Congratulations, Margie! 3

4 BWA NEWS Yasuko Shohara April was a busy month with three major services. The first service was Hanamatsuri and Hatsumairi Service. The BWA thanks our member Mrs. Sumiye Suzuki, for sewing the lavender table cover which set off the beautiful Hanamido decorated by the Dharma School parents and children. Rev. Koju Terada, BCA minister emeritus, spoke at our Eshinni-ko/Kakushinni-ko Service. Rev. Terada spoke on the role these two ladies played in the very existence of Jodo Shinshu temples in Japan today. BWA thanks Hannah Nishimoto for chairing the service and Atsie Murayama for being the organist. On April 20 we welcomed the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Temple Sangha and their minister, Rev. Patti Usuki. It was a day of nourishing the mind and body, as we later enjoyed lunch served by the Dharma School parents. Thanks to Shirley Ito for supervising the making of the salad. Funeral service was held for Ayako Yabuta who passed away on April 22. Aya grew up in WLA and attended Nora Sterry Elementary School. Typical of the postwar Niseis, Aya was devoted to her family, worked hard, and was active at the temple. She was advisor to the YBA and a charter member of the Ladies Guild. Another dimension of Aya was her great passion for odori, for which she received the status of natori. Another area of interest was shigin in which she participated for many more years. The young who shared her interest in these areas all recall how she encouraged them and generously supported them. Yes, Ayako Mary Yabuta will be remembered for her beauty, kindness, and generosity. DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS Grace Mizushima On Sunday April 6, 2008 we had our annual Hanamatsuri and Hatsu Mairi Service. Thank you to the following Dharma School families who helped prepare the Hanamido on Saturday April 5 th ; the Bang Family, Nishimoto Family, Ohkawahira Family, Pedersen Family and Van Le Family. As usual, we cannot forget to thank Mrs. Kayo Ohkawahira for picking up the flowers. Thank you also to the temple families for sharing flowers from your personal gardens with us. Finally, we would like to extend our thanks to Mrs. Sumiye Suzuki for making a beautiful replacement of our old cloth covering for the platform under the Hanamido. We had one baby presented this year for Hatsu Mairi. His name is Kai Thomas Matsumune. He is the son of Masa and Michelle Matsumune. Kai also has a sister, Miya. Kai Thomas is the nephew of Dharma School Teacher, Haru Matsumune. The Dharma School would like to extend a belated Happy Birthday to Kai who just turned one year old on April 17! We can t wait to celebrate your birthday with all of the other Dharma School students in the near future! 4

5 JUNE SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10:00 a.m., June 14 (second Saturday of June) Akashi, David Akutagawa, Taro Amiya, Katsuyoshi Daly, Denise Gomez, Bernard Harada, Kakuji Hayashi, Yoshio Higa, Tomohiko Hirano, Kimiko Ikeda, Eki Inouye, Margaret Inouye, Sueo Ishikura, Yoshio Iwamoto, Tomiko Iwasaki, Echiko Kagawa, Harry Kagawa, Rich Kamibayashi, Roy Kato, Nobukazu Kikunaga, Joe Kobayashi, Masasuke Kobayashi, Tamako Maeda, Edith Minato, Joe Miyahara, Kazuko Miyamoto, Yukino Mori, Masaki Mori, Taka Morikawa, Yae Morioka, Kentaro Nakamura, Tatsunosuke Niiya, George Nishi, Nijiro Nishimoto, Asayo Nishimoto, Masao Nishimura, Frank Noda, Mitsuaki Okimoto, Yuriko Okita, Setsuyo Oyanagi, Sumiko Oyanagi, Tetsu Sakahara, Kiyoshi Sato, Marion Shinmoto, George Shirai, Kimiyo Shirasawa, Katsusuke Takata, Ikuo Takayama, Tom Takayama, Tsune Takazumi, Hatsu Takeuchi, Bea Takeuchi, Michiko Tanaka, Jungo Tanaka, Kiwa Tominaga, Harry Uyeda, Kazuo Uyeda, Shoso Yamada, Kohei Yamanaka, Gregory Yoshii, Chizuru Yoshimi, Gerald CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF: MARY AYAKO YABUTA May 16, 1918 April 22, 2008 JODO SHINSHU CORRESPONDENCE COURSE (JSCC) The JSCC is a new program developed by a committee of ministers and professors appointed from BCA, Canada, Hawaii, and Hongwanji (Japan). It is a new on-line educational approach developed in response to the needs and interests of individuals seeking to understand or deepen their knowledge of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. The first offering of this course will start this September with General Buddhism. This will be followed in 2009 with Jodo Shinshu I and Jodo Shinshu II. This first cycle of courses will end in 2010 with History of Jodo Shinshu from the time Shinran Shonin passed away to the establishment of overseas organizations. Those interested should note that the application deadline is August 15. The JSCC office is in the new Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, California, and Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara is the JSCC Coordinator. A brochure on the JSCC is reproduced elsewhere in this Bulletin. 5

6 WLA SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE JOINT SERVICE At WLA on Sunday, April 20 Rev. Patti Usuki of San Fernando gave the sermon. Dharma School parents serve up a delicious lasagna lunch. Rev. Patti, Rev. Nekoda, Tosh & Masako Ishioka in chow line. Let s eat! Reminiscent of mess halls in camp. photos by Mas Sasaki ADDRESSES PLEASE Was this Bulletin delivered by the postman in your mailbox? Do you know that you have the alternative of having it delivered to your computer screen? If you are connected to the Internet, we can send your Bulletin by , and you would have the benefits of: Reading it in full color Receiving it half a month ahead of time Send your address to the Temple Office (if you haven t done so already). Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m. 6

7 SOUTHERN DISTRICT SR. YBA IS BACK! Stacy Kamimura & Lauren Hiroshima The newly elected cabinet for is Melissa Nishimura and Sen Sugano, Co- Presidents; Melanie Sakata, Vice President; Kat Hirayanagi and Casey Nishizu, Co-Vice Presidents of Finance; Emily Yoshihara, Vice President of Operations; and Stacy Kamimura and Lauren Hiroshima, Co-Vice-Presidents of Public Relations. This past February, Southern District Sr. YBA hosted "MEDIAtation," the first winter seminar at Nishi. There was a good turnout of seniors from Southern as well as Northern District attending. The keynote speaker for the seminar was Eric Nakamura, creator of the Asian American pop culture magazine Giant Robot. During the seminar, there were workshops that incorporated Buddhism with music, movies, and art. Our first Sr. YBA meeting was held on March 8. At this meeting, we discussed plans for the upcoming year. We are currently updating the Southern District Senior YBA's constitution and hope to sponsor future seminars that will be held in the fall and spring. Group photo taken at 2008 Winter Seminar photo by Jim Shimomaye INTERESTING OBON OBSERVANCES AT OTHER BCA TEMPLES (Editor s Note: This is part of an article titled Willow Grove Obon Service July 29 that appeared in the July-August 2006 issue of The Middle Way newsletter of the Seabrook Buddhist Temple in Seabrook, New Jersey. Ekoji Buddhist Temple mentioned in the article is in Fairfax Station, Virginia, near Washington D.C. All temples named are BCA temples. This Obon service takes place in Willow Grove Cemetery that is said to hold the earliest (1870) Japanese students to come to study in the U.S.) Seabrook Buddhist Temple has participated with the New York Buddhist Church and the Ekoji Buddhist Temple to observe OBON Service at New Brunswick, NJ since At that time, the late Rev. Tsuji, minister of Ekoji Temple began his annual service there to honor and remember the seven Japanese students who had attended Rutgers University. These honor students became ill during the school years and were never able to return to Japan. The Rev. Hozen Seki of the New York Buddhist Church made annual visits to the Cemetery until Rev. Kenryu Tsuji came to Ekoji Temple. The three Temples were encouraged to make an annual pilgrimage since Rev. Kenjitsu Nakagaki of New York has been following the tradition since his arrival more than 10 years ago. New York Church members arrive to wash down the monuments and clean the grounds of the cemetery. Erick Ishii from Ekoji arrives with the service paraphernalia, and Seabrook members take the flowers and water for each of the seven monuments. By service time at 2 pm, the debris around the cemetery has been cleared, the hedges trimmed, and we are able to hold Sutra chanting under the single pine tree which had been planted there when the first students were buried there. Rev. Naoki Kono added to the history of one of the students, who became an engineer and helped in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. 7

8 Attaining Nirvana While Fully Possessing Passions -- Introduction to the Kyogyoshinsho -- Date: Aug. 1 (Fri.) 6:00 p.m. Aug. 3 (Sun.) noon, 2008 Place: Speakers: The Jodo Shinshu Center 2140 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA Rev. Patti H. Nakai, the Buddhist Temple of Chicago Dr. Nobuo Haneda, director of the Maida Center of Buddhism Schedule: Aug. 1 (Fri.) 6:00 6:45 p.m. Registration 7:00 9:30 p.m. Lecture I by Dr. Haneda Aug. 2 (Sat.) 9:00 noon Lecture II by Dr. Haneda 1:30 4:00 p.m. Lecture III by Rev. Nakai 7:00 9:30 p.m. Discussion Aug. 3 (Sun.) 9:00 noon Lecture IV by Dr. Haneda Texts: Donation: The Three Pure Land Sutras (Numata Center version): Available at the retreat The Collected Works of Shinran, vol. 1: Available at the retreat $ (which covers 4 meals [Saturday breakfast, lunch, supper and Sunday breakfast] and other expenses). If you want to attend the retreat, please send the registration form to the Maida Center by July 15, If you wish to use the lodging at the Jodo Shinshu Center, the rate is as follows: For two nights $ for single occupancy; $70.00 per person for double occupancy; or $70.00 for single occupancy with a shared bathroom. For double occupancy, please find a co-lodger. If you need lodging, please send your registration form to the Center by July 11, Rooms will be assigned on the first-reserved basis. The registrant will receive detailed information in mid-july. For registration forms or more information, contact: Maida Center of Buddhism, 2609 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA Tel/Fax: (510) , MaidaCenter@sbcglobal.net 8

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11 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple June 2008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 8 am Temple and garden clean-up 10:30 am BWA mtg Rev. Usuki at Fresno Betsuin 5/31-6/01 2 7:30 pm Temple Board mtg 3 Rev. Usuki off pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko 6 Rev. Usuki off 7 SD Conference :30 am Service/ Study Class (E) Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm B-Men omigaki and mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko 10 am Shotsuki Hoyo am Father s Day and Graduation Service, lunch Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki in NY 6/17-20: BCA Ministers Fuken 7:30 pm Obon mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko 7:30 pm Bingo 9 am - 3 pm Yard Sale NO service Rev. Usuki off 1 pm Study Class (E) Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm Bon dance practice 7:30 pm Asoka mtg 7:30 pm Taiko 7:30 pm Bon dance practice 29 9:30 am Service/ Study Class (E) noon 80 Plus Lunch Obon Festival 6/21-22 Sun Valley 6/28 Senshin Bulletin folding toban: Temple Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm Phone: westlabt@verizon.net Website: 13

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13 THE POSTON RESTORATION PROJECT Help us save the site & build a museum! THE FACTS 1. Poston has the most remaining buildings of the 10 camps 2. The original buildings are rapidly deteriorating 3. Colorado River Indian Tribes have leased property to us 4. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) historical & educational organization OUR MISSION To restore the remaining buildings To relocate barracks that are still standing To build a museum & interpretive center To include a learning center & archive WE NEED Donations (tax-deductible) Artifacts (photos, papers, clothing, crafts, letters ) Your stories! (videotaped oral histories) Volunteers (fundraising, research, work at Poston site) ~All Contributions to the Poston Project are Tax Deductible~ Contact: Dianne Kiyomoto (Fresno, CA) kueyd@yahoo.com Ruth Okimoto (Berkeley, CA) ryokimoto@comcast.net Jay Cravath (Parker, AZ) cravath@gmail.com The Poston Community Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization 15

14 WEST LOS ANGELES BUDDHIST TEMPLE 2003 Corinth Avenue Los Angeles, CA Return Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Los Angeles, CA Permit No MAJOR SERVICE for JUNE 2008 FATHER S DAY & GRADUATION SERVICE Followed by Lunch Sunday, June 15, 10:00 a.m.