the Padma BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Our Vision A Community Where Our Spiritual Life And True Self Can Be Realized

Transcription

1 the Padma February 2018 BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Web Edition Our Vision A Community Where Our Spiritual Life And True Self Can Be Realized Our Mission To Live A Life Of Joy In The Nembutsu And Share The Dharma With Others

2 February 2018 t h e P a d m a BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE SUN MON 2121 CHANNING WAY, BERKELEY, CA Web Edition TUE WED THU FRI SAT College Welcome Dinner 6pm 9:30 am Dharma Family / Shotsuki Hoyo Svc Book Club Gagaku Practice 6:30pm 10am 9:30 am Dharma Family Svc Temple Bd Mtg 7:30pm 9:30 am Dharma Family Svc 18 Padma articles due 19 Padma Newsletter General Meeting :30 am Nirvana Day Service Guest Speaker Elaine Donlin Gagaku Practice 6:30pm For temple matters, please contact the temple office. phone: (510) web: berkeleysangha.org info@berkeleysangha.org facebook: facebook.com/berkeleybuddhisttemple

3 On the cover Rev. Kuwahara and minister's assistants C.J., Bradley and Tara Inside February Calendar... 2 Future Dates to Remember... 3 Do You Have a Home Altar, Rev. Kuwahara... 4 President s Message... 5 Shotsuki Hoyo... 6 On Somewhat Airy Gratitude, Diane Ames... 7 Commemorative Services... 8 Dharma School... 9 Happy New Year... 9 Sharing the Spirit Joya-e Shusho-e Watashi -> Butsu Toban Pledge JYBA Book Club College Welcome Dinner Board Minutes Crab Feed Winter Pacific Seminar Religiosity FUTURE DATES TO REMEMBER February 2: College Welcome Dinner February 4: DFS & Shotsuki Hoyo February 7: Book Club February 18: DFS; General Meeting after service February 25: Nirvana Day service, Guest Speaker: Elaine Donlin Sensei March 4: DFS & Shotsuki Hoyo March 11: Dana Day service March 18: Spring O-Higan service and potluck March 25: Pet Memorial service Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchases to Berkeley Buddhist Temple whenever you shop on Amazon Smile. Padma Staff: Rev. Shibata, Gene & Vicki Chin, Pauline Fong, Lucy Hamai, Keiko Kawakami, Jon Kawamoto, Emi Matsunaga, Yuki Otake, Mae Takeda, Scott Takeda, Edythe Vassall

4 Do You Have a Home Altar? I have three sons: Takato, Eight and Hiroto. At home they know where to go when they are hungry. They usually open the refrigerator or pantry to find food. When they get sleepy at night, they know where to go. They go to their beds to sleep. In our homes, there are places for specific purposes. Is there a place in your house that provides spiritual enrichment or fulfillment? In the tradition of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, it is encouraged to have a home altar (Jpn. butsudan or obutsudan). Sitting in front of a statue or image of Amida Buddha, we reflect upon ourselves. It is OK to just sit there quietly. In the Light of Amida Buddha, especially in the evening time, we can also check in on what we have done or how we have lived that day. When we humbly and honestly look at ourselves, illumined by the Light, we might discover shadows of ourselves; that is, our own greed, anger and ignorance. These shadows make us suffer and give trouble to others. Such discoveries could lead us to more humble and harmonious lives, couldn t they? Or with the help of the Light of Amida Buddha, we might discover many things directly and indirectly supporting our lives which we usually overlook. When we realize this reality of our lives, we could come to live more gratefully or appreciatively, couldn t we? Facing a home altar enshrining the Buddha s image, we might remember our loved ones who passed away before us. According to the Jodo Shinshu teaching, they are now Buddhas and bodhisattvas who are guiding and embracing us from the realm of nirvana. Although it is hard to notice their guidance in our busy everyday lives, the home altar space allows us to do so. When you quietly sit there and mindfully say the Nembustu, Namo Amidabustu, you are listening to their voices. For those who already have a home altar, please take good care of it, especially if you inherited it from your parents or grandparents. It must have been a special place for them. As a parents or grandparents, they might have even thought of you, putting their hands together toward the same obutsudan. It is not just a mysterious box, but it is an important thing that enriches your inner and spiritual life at home, inherited from your ancestors. For those who do not have a home altar yet, I strongly recommend getting one because of those benefits. The good thing is that you don t need to get a permit from the city to add this special space to your home! If you have any questions about a home altar, please feel free to ask me. In gassho (with palms together), Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara

5 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE This past Sunday the temple held its annual New Year s party. It was a chance for us to gather at the temple, reconnect with old friends, perhaps make some new friends, and welcome in the new year. We enjoyed freshly made mochi, taiko drumming, a delicious bento lunch, and singing of some of our favorite songs. The New Year s party holds a special place in my heart because it gives us the opportunity to formally recognize all of our temple volunteers for their dedication and service to the temple. As I announced the names of all of our volunteers it gave me a deeper appreciation for the vast number of individuals that it takes to keep our temple running. Calling out each volunteer s name and having each individual stand for recognition is a way for us to recognize and appreciate the individual effort needed from multiple people to keep our temple afloat. I am grateful to our temple volunteers, past and present, for their service and sacrifices made to keep the temple thriving for us and for future generations to come. I am also happy to announce that on January 7th, we held the installation of the 2018 BBT Executive Cabinet. Departing the executive cabinet this year is Wayne Sugihara. I would like to thank Wayne for his service as Religious co chair. We are fortunate that Wayne will still play an active role on the board, continuing to serve as a board member at large. I would like to thank Edythe Vassall for accepting the role of Religious Chairperson for the upcoming year. We are very fortunate to have her serve in this important position. While a majority of our board members have stayed the same for 2018, we are always looking for individuals seeking a leadership role within the temple. The board always welcomes new individuals and seeks new ideas and opinions on how we can better serve our members and the surrounding community. Please feel free to reach out to any board member with any feedback on things that you feel are going well or things that you feel could be improved or reworked. I truly appreciate your honest feedback during the year to come. I am truly excited for what 2018 has in store for the temple. The board is considering many temple improvement projects, including re landscaping our front garden. The committee, led by Judy Fujimoto, is responsible for coordinating the design and overhaul of the front garden. Please contact Judy if you are interested in joining the committee. In addition to this project, the board has approved an initiative to explore additional ways to make our temple more inclusive to marginalized communities. This effort is led by CJ Dunford. I would like to thank CJ for taking on this important topic. I hope that you too share my excitement in exploring ways to make our temple more welcoming for all individuals. For more information about these two projects and the temple s roadmap for 2018, please be sure to attend our General Membership Meeting on February 18th during the adult portion of Sunday s service. I encourage each of you to attend and look forward to seeing each of you there. As we start off the new year, I hope that the temple continues to play a meaningful role in each of your lives and wish you and your loved ones a Happy Gassho, Bradley

6 COMBINED DHARMA FAMILY SERVICE & SHOTSUKI MEMORIAL SERVICE Sunday, February 4, :30 am Shotsuki Hoyo Service February 4, 2018, 9:30 AM The following persons will be remembered during the Shotsuki Hoyo (monthly memorial service) for February. Toshiyo Adachi James Asami Ofui Baba Donald P. Delcollo Hanae Doi Shizuyo Doi Sakuichi Egawa Amy Melissa Erickson Nicholas Fernandez Arata Fujikawa Masako Fujikawa Sugino Fukumori Taro Fukumori Sawae S. Futatsuki Sadako Hammonds Masako Hayashida Kinji Hiramoto Sannosuke Hiraoka Chiyeko Hori Denzo Horiike Koichi Ichiyasu Takeko Ikeda Shintaro Imazumi Shigeichi Iwasaki Michiye Izumi Saki Jio George T. Kagawa Junichi Kami Jiro Kato Kiyoko Kato Tsuto Kawakami Matsuji Kikawa Mary T. Kurokawa Yunosuke Kusayanagi Chiyoko Matsunaga Grace S. Matsuoka Misako Matsuoka Mokutaro Morimoto Emiko Morishita Taki Morishita Uta Morishita Yoshitaro Morishita Edwin A. Mutobe Sadao Nakagaki Harry Y. Nakahara Kameo Nakamura Kujuro Nishimoto Chise Nitta Kozo Nitta Haruko Okawa Kazuo Onitsuka Tsutano Ouye Faith Sasaki Gary Hiroshi Sasaki Steve Sasaki Elaine Emiko Sato Mary Hifuno Suto Hirao Tabuchi Shizue Tabuchi Yoshiko K. Takahashi Kenji Takamoto Shizutoshi Takeda Tsuneyo Takita Jennifer S. Tasaka Ruth Uchiumi Ichiro Yamasaki Kasumi Yonekura Yoshio H. Yoshimura Nobuko Yoshiura Yasu Yoshiura Note: If there are any additions, corrections or deletions to the above list, please notify the Berkeley Buddhist Temple at

7 On Somewhat Airy Gratitude By Diane Ames I knew that something was terribly wrong when she became visible. Her diaphanous robes and equally diaphanous body had turned a hazy, dirty gray. Of course I could still see through her, but good grief, you re not supposed to be able to see the atmosphere. I m kind of ticked off at you, you know, I said. Here I am spending Christmas Eve in the visitor s lounge of a hospital just so I can breathe filtered air. I have asthma, and you re so polluted today that my shortness of breath is worse. And just look at those asthmatic children in the emergency room! What have you got to say for yourself? You are blaming me? she thundered. You mortals don t know the meaning of gratitude! Here I give you oxygen from the moment you re born. You couldn t survive for fifteen minutes if I weren t there to keep you alive. And what thanks do I get? You use me for a dumping ground! All that auto exhaust and smokestack junk is bad enough. But here we ve had weeks of dry, breezeless days, yet you burn trash, you fire up incinerators, you burn wood just to watch it burn! With all that on top of the excess greenhouse gases, I m not feeling any better than you are. It makes me so mad, I have a good mind to cause another drought! Oh please, don t do that! I pleaded. Look, I m sorry! You have a point. But what sense does it make to be grateful to you? Am I supposed to send you a box of cookies at Christmas or what? What kind of Shin Buddhist are you? You know that gratitude teaches humility, an appreciation of the limitations of the self. You mortals all need to realize that whatever your own achievements may be and yes, many humans do work hard and achieve impressive things you can do nothing alone. You cannot even exist alone. Getting your next meal, your next breath, depends not only on what you do but on innumerable other people, other living things, and even the inanimate world around you. Realizing this can not only lead you to treat other people and the world generally with the respect they deserve but lead you to see the true nature of your limited little self and how it exists only as a part of the rest of the universe. If you really grasp that, you will naturally turn to something beyond yourself. You are talking about Amida? Yes. If Shinran wrote that even land has Buddha nature, why not me? Look, I m unwell. My polar vortex is so weak. But I may be able to send you at least some rain.

8 Open to All Members GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Sunday, February 18, 2018 Following the Dharma School service Members are invited to meet with BBT Board Members to discuss the 2018 temple budget and goals for NIRVANA DAY SERVICE Sunday, February 25, :30 am Guest speaker Elaine Donlin Sensei Minister's Assistant at San Francisco Buddhist Temple Coffee social following service. BAZAAR PLANNING MEETING January 28, 2018 in the Old Temple All chairpersons and those interested are invited to attend.

9 Dharma School February Reminders: Sunday, Feb. 4: Regular Dharma School classes Sunday, Feb. 11: Regular Dharma School classes Sunday, Feb. 18: Regular Dharma School classes Sunday, Feb. 25: Regular Dharma School classes by Stacy Uyeda Happy February, Dharma School Families! The Dharma School teachers will be focusing on the life and teachings of Shinran Shonin for this spring semester. We look forward to seeing all of you! Happy New Year 2018 Executive Committee Takashi Nikaidoh - Treasurer Bradley Menda - President Edythe Vassali -Vice President, Religious Mimi Kagehiro - Vice President, Membership Karen Sugiyama - Recording Secretary Kiyoshi Katsumoto - Treasurer Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara - Supervising Minister Lena Yin - Vice President, Social

10 Sharing the Spirit Thank you to all the wonderful helpers for your kindness and generosity this holiday season! Together we supported 35 families at the International Rescue Committee in Oakland. The holidays can be a rough time of year for many families who are new to this country and so thank you for helping to make the holiday season a little brighter for these families. In gassho, Jared Akiyama and Tara Umemoto Berkeley Buddhist Temple Share the Spirit 2017 Coordinators

11 Joya-e Shusho-e Rev. Harry Gyokyo Bridge of the Buddhist Church of Oakland was the guest speaker at the BBT s Shu-Sho-e (New Year s Day) service on Jan. 1 - welcoming the New Year. Rev. Bridge, in his Dharma talk, spoke about, among several topics, the Middle Path of moderation, and wished all wisdom, awareness and compassion in It was an emotional Joya-e service on the night of Dec. 31 at the BBT as it was the final service by Rev. Candice Shibata. More than 120 people turned out for the special New Year s Eve service. Rev. Shibata thanked the Sangha for its gratitude, compassion, love and support during her farewell Dharma talk. After the service, people lined up for a chance to ring the bell, say farewell to Rev. Shibata and enjoy soba in the Social Hall. After the service, the Sangha members and others in attendance celebrated with sake (or cocoa for the children!). Photos courtesy of Jon Kawamoto Watashi ---> Butsu A full crowd of more than 120 people gathered Jan. 7 at the BBT to welcome Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara as the BBT's new supervising minister! Rev. Kuwahara currently works at the Buddhist Churches of America's Jodo Shinshu Center Hongwanji Office and also served as an adjunct faculty member at the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Rev. Kuwahara and his wonderful family -- his wife, Hitomi, and their three sons, Takato, Eight and Hiroto -- have been members of the BBT for more than 10 years -- so they're all familiar faces to the Sangha members. In his Dharma talk to the Dharma School students, Rev. Kuwahara spoke about the new year -- and new resolutions -- and the need to know oneself clearly in order to make effective resolutions. In his adult Dharma talk, Rev. Kuwahara spoke about reaching Buddhahood -- and what it takes -- and why. The day also included the swearing in of the BBT's important Executive Board and acknowledgement of the BBT's board members.

12 Membership Pledges Pledges received range from $150 to $1200. The temple would like to gratefully acknowledge the following members for their generous contributions: 2017 Emi & Aki Nakao, Hayto Okimoto, John Oshima, Kenji & Emiko Ota 2018 Don & Joanie Hamasaki, Scott Horstein & Antonia Glenn, Edythe Vassall Thank you for your generosity and continuing support! JYBA If you have any questions, please contact Mimi Kagehiro at or by Victoria Sakai This month, JYBA is celebrating Reverend Shibata s service as Berkeley Sangha s minister. She is moving on to a temple in Northern Cal, but she said we were a great sangha for a first time minister. JYBA hosted a going away party and gifted her a memory book filled with our favorite times with Rev. Shibata. We will be forever grateful for the kindness and support she s given to us, from supporting our volleyball team to taking care of us when we slept over at temple. Her service of 3 years is greatly appreciated, and we wish her luck as she continues on the journey to becoming a even better minister. TOBAN Coordinators Lena Yin & Pat Takeda FEBRUARY TOBAN Chairperson Emiko Katsumoto Cochairs Kathleen Yee Florence Yokoi Toban Bruce Buchholz & Doreen Sakamoto Detlev Gempf & Lorraine Nobuye Yasuko Harano* Nora Hataye* Arthur & Betsy Ishida* Richard & Nancy Kakigi Kiyoshi & Emiko Katsumoto Michiko Kubota* Mike & Patricia H-N Art Nishimura Ralph & Barbara Reid Amy Ware Dennis & Kathleen Yee Florence Yokoi MARCH TOBAN Chairperson Lena Yin Cochairs Miri Nikaidoh Yuki Otake Toban Darren & Courtney Fujikawa Masako Hane* Kim & Vera Leo Eric & Mary Lindquist Jeff & Robin McGuire Takashi & Miri Nikaidoh Nobuko Nishikado* Yoshiye Nonaka* Gordon Oishi Gary Otake & Lisa Cougar Gene & Yuki Otake Marie Shiromoto* Satoshi & Elaine Steimetz Toshio Tsuda & Elaine Yokoyama Billy Wollbrinck George & Lena Yin * Denotes disabled and/or elderly Toban duties optional

13 BBT BOOK CLUB Wednesday, February 7, :30 PM-8:30 PM Are you interested in learning about the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and how it can relate to your everyday life? Are you looking for a causal and fun environment to read and explore the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist doctrine together and discuss what it personally means to you? If so, the Berkeley Buddhist Temple s Book Club is the place for you! Join us as we dive into Strategies for Modern Living: A Commentary with the Text of the Tannisho by Alfred Bloom. No need to worry about reading ahead of time as we will be reading sections together each meeting. Books can be purchased in the temple office: 2121 Channing Way Berkeley, CA We look forward to seeing you there!

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15 BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Board of Directors Meeting December 12, 2017 Attendance: Rev. Shibata, Bradley Menda, Judy Fujimoto, Patty Fujiwara, Lucy Hamai, Don Hamasaki, Ron Hiraga, Emiko Katsumoto, Kiyoshi Katsumoto, Judy Kono, Emi Nakao, Takashi Nikaidoh, Gary Oda, Wayne Sugihara, Karen Sugiyama, Edythe Vassall, Tara Umemoto, David Ushijima, Lena Yin. Proxies: Takashi Nikaidoh for Millie Nikaidoh, Ron Hiraga for Art Nishimura. Bradley Menda called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with opening Gassho led by Rev. Shibata. PREVIOUS MONTH S MEETING MINUTES: The minutes for the November meeting were reviewed. A spelling error was noted and corrected. The corrected minutes were accepted. MSC J. Kono / W. Sugihara ONLINE VOTES (since last meeting): On December 1st, Bradley requested Board approval for the BBT to place an ad in the 2018 holiday edition of NikkeiWest. On December 4, Bradley announced that enough online votes were received to move forward with this proposal. MINISTER'S REPORT: Rev. Shibata presented her report for the period from November 15, 2017 December 12, 2017, as follows: Services, Meetings & Other Activities 11/15 Alumni Association of the IBS Steering Committee Meeting (BBT) 11/16 BDMA Meeting (Buddhist Temple of Marin); Bay District Council Meeting (Buddhist Temple of Marin) 11/18 Conducted Mrs. Kimiye Nakao s 3rd Year Memorial Service (BBT) 11/19 Chanting Service/DFS (BBT); Conducted Mrs. Taeko Oda s Funeral Service (BBT) 11/20 Conducted Makuragyo Service for Mrs. Pham Landegl (American Canyon); Participated in Student Interview (BBT) 11/21 Participated in Padma Collating (BBT) 11/26 Chanting Service/DFS (BBT); Conducted MA Training (BBT) 11/28 FAC Meeting for Mrs. Pham Landegl s Funeral Service (American Canyon) 11/29 FAC Meeting for Mrs. Terrie Oto s Funeral Service (BBT) 11/30 Conducted Funeral & Burial Service for Mrs. Pham Ladegl (Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel, Napa) 12/2 Guest Speaker at the Buddhist Church of Florin s BWA Memorial Service (BCF) 12/3 Chanting Service/DFS/December Shotsuki Hoyo (BBT); Conducted MA Training (BBT) 12/4 Conducted Mrs. Terrie Oto s Private Funeral Service (BBT); Meeting & Dinner with Hongwanji Staff (JSC); Conducted Makuragyo Service for Mrs. Grace Ueda (Home) 12/5 Co-Officiated Mrs. Henryka Szudelski s Funeral & Burial Service (Mt. View Cemetery) 12/6 FAC Meeting for Mrs. Grace Ueda s Funeral & 7th Day Service 12/9 Conducted Mrs. Taeko Oda s 49th Day Memorial Service & Niche Dedication Service for Mrs. Taeko Oda and Mr. Hayaji Oda (Sunset View Mausoleum) 12/10 Chanting Service/DFS/Bodhi Day (BBT) 12/12 Board Meeting (BBT) Memorial Announcements Mrs. Toshi Sato Mrs. Terrie Oto Mrs. Grace Ueda Upcoming Events & Activities 12/14 BDMA Study Class (BBT); BDMA Bonenkai (Skates on the Bay); Book Club (BBT) 12/16 Bay District Jr. YBA Meeting (SMBT) 12/17 Temple Clean Up (BBT); Mrs. Grace Ueda s Private Funeral & 7th Day Memorial Service (Home) 12/19 Collating Padma (BBT) 12/20 Moving Day to Buddhist Church of Florin 12/21 Unpacking Day 12/24 No Services 12/31 Joya-E Service Item for Consideration MAP (December 7-9, 2017) Registration Fee for Tara Umemoto $160. The Board approved reimbursement. MSC J. Fujimoto / E. Vassall Rev. Shibata thanked everyone for the Gratitude Party and was thanked in turn for her service to the temple for the last 2 years. TREASURER'S REPORT: Takashi Nikaidoh published the income/expense report for period from 1/1/ /30/2017 and the itemized categories report for November There were no apartment proceeds recorded in November, resulting in a net loss for the month. Expenses continue to be in line with the budget.

16 CORRESPONDENCE: Bradley Menda reported the following correspondence: Thank-you letters and acknowledgements BCA Endowment Foundation: Custodial Account Statement Affiliate organization announcements J-Sei flier and tickets for their annual crab feed on 2/25/18. AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION REPORTS: J-SEI: A report of upcoming events was received. Winter Celebration Thursday, December 14, 11:30am-2:30pm Special lunch, music, singing, hands-on activities, craft and gift items. Meet with ceramic artists Charlotte Yip (Mike Nagamoto's sister) and Glory Katsumata and community guest artist Dawn Nakashima. RSVP required Call (510) or Jill to RSVP. Space is limited. Lunch cost is $10/person. DHARMA SCHOOL: No report received. The Bodhi Day presentation received many compliments. JR. YBA: No report received. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE: Edythe made her report in the Ministerial Transition section of the meeting. PLEDGE/MEMBERSHIP: The membership committee submitted its report for December There are 225 members from 156 household units (including 76 senior members). Statistics from 2015 and 2016 were provided for comparison purposes. It was recommended that when publishing the temple directory, regular and complimentary membership listings be merged. BUILDING AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE: Judy Fujimoto reported that the garden designer will be consulted when he returns. APARTMENTS: Ron Hiraga submitted the apartment report for December There is one vacancy in the Fulton Street building. He was asked about the difference in reimbursements between the two buildings, and will provide an analysis at the next meeting. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Tara spoke on the monthly report. November-December November December 17th: Share the Spirit Assistance o What? Support Jared Akiyama with Share the Spirit project. This year we will be partnering with International Rescue Committee project. Collect donations to support families. Donations collected through Temple Clean Up day (December 17th) and delivery happens that next week. Supported 35 families! o Delivery date: December 19th to IRC o Who? Anyone can participate o Lead: Jared, Tara support 2018 in the Works January TBD: Yosakoi Workshop February 2nd: College Welcome Dinner March 10th: Sangha Wine and Cheese Night/Kids cookie decorating night April: Alameda County Food Bank volunteer day Post April before summer: A s Tailgate September: One Warm Coat Drive Looking into Yoga/mindfulness/meditation type of workshop/event OTHER COMMITTEES: Ministerial Transition Bradley reported that Rev. Kuwahara will be our supervising minister as of January 1, An advisory letter will be sent to the Sangha this week. He will officiate his first service on January 7 th. He and his family will be officially welcomed at the New Year s Party on January 14 th. The Kuwahara family will move into the parsonage in February. Edythe reported that Rev. Kuwahara will be available to officiate most of the Sunday services through March. She also said to expect some minister exchanges between the 3 Bay District ministers (Rev. Kuwahara, Rev. Bridge and Rev. Fujimoto). NEW BUSINESS A Temple Budget Takashi presented the proposed budget for This budget was based on the actual figures from 2014, 2015 and 2016 and the estimates for He took a conservative approach to the revenue amounts and explained his rationale for certain expense items. The Board approved the 2018 budget as proposed. MSC J. Kono / E. Nakao B. BCA National Board Meeting Report Ron presented his report on the National Board Meeting held on December 1-2, Among the highlighted items were the election of the Executive Committee, the YAC being moved into the CBE effective 3/1/2018, the BCA archives being moved to UCLA, BCA Bookstore changes, the BCA budget and assessment increases, and the motion to explore options regarding BCA real estate assets. The temple board will discuss the last item further in January.

17 C. Election of 2018 Officers and Board Members a. 113 ballots were returned. Of these, 109 approved all seven candidates. With the 20% membership response threshold met, the seven board members elected for another 2-year term are: Bradley Menda, George Yin, Judy Kono, Emi Nakao, Wayne Sugihara, Karen Sugiyama, and David Ushijima. b. The Board accepted the 2018 Officers as follows: President Bradley Menda 1 st VP (Religious) Edythe Vassall 2 nd VP (Social) Lena Yin 3 rd VP (Membership) Mimi Kagehiro Recording Secretary Karen Sugiyama Co-Treasurers Takashi Nikaidoh and Kiyoshi Katsumoto MSC L. Hamai / R. Hiraga D. Additional Items a. Gratitude Luncheon Lena acknowledged and thanked each of the contributors, helpers, and the December Toban for a very successful event. There were over 140 people in attendance. b. Selection of the 2018 Bazaar Chair will be placed on the January meeting agenda. The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 PM with closing Gassho led by Rev. Shibata. Respectfully submitted, Karen Sugiyama, Recording Secretary * * * * * * * * * * * (Please contact a Board member if further clarification of these minutes is required.) **************************************************************** The following is a list of special service years. If you have a departed relative who has passed away in any of the listed years, and would like to make arrangements for a memorial service, please contact Rev. Kuwahara at (510) **************************************************************** 2018 MEMORIAL SERVICE SCHEDULE YEAR SERVICE st Year rd Year th Year th Year th Year th Year rd Year th Year th Year

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19 The Institute of Buddhist Studies & BCA Center for Buddhist Education present W P S - 21 C THE NEMBUTSU IN THE WORLD; THE WORLD OF NEMBUTSU P G C K S : R. T U R. D. M U - Presentations in English and Japanese - O C B C 909 South Dale Ave. Anaheim, CA Rev. Tetsuo Unno Shin Buddhist Lecturer & Minister Los Angeles Rev. Dr. Mark Unno Professor of Religious Studies University of Oregon P D K S : The Shin Buddhist path of the Nembutsu is one of Great Compassion. This is not just a path that each of us takes as individuals. We bring our experience of the Nembutsu into the world, to share with family, friends, society, and nature. Presenter: Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto IBS Provost & Director, Contemporary Jodo Shinshu Studies Moderator: Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara Co Director, BCA Center for Buddhist Education How do we experience the Buddhist path in such a way that it transforms our experience of the world, and how is the world affected by the path of Great Compassion? These are the questions we will explore in this year's Winter Pacific Seminar. REGISTRATION: $40 (Includes lunch) D : J 17, 2018 For registration information contact Rev. Koho Takata at NishiDharmaCenter@gmail.com or call (213) Download registration forms and schedule at Hosted by the BCA Southern District Ministers Association & Buddhist Education Committee

20 in the Buddhist Churches of America Thursday, February 22, pm Free & Open to the Public DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA DR. TETSUDEN KASHIMA Professor Emeritus, American Ethnic Studies Department, University of Washington; Author, BUDDHISM IN AMERICA: The Social Organization of an Ethnic Religious Institution (1977) and JUDGMENT WITHOUT TRIAL: Japanese American [JA] Imprisonment during WW II (2004); FORWARDs: [Report of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, PERSONAL JUSTICE DENIED Ethnicity: An Overview of WW II JA Relocation Sites, UWReprint,2002,and articles on JA Buddhism. According to Dr. Kashima, religiosity means the beliefs, moral or devotional practices and ritual observances and/or attendance at churches or temples. This symposium will explore the past, present and future of Shin Buddhist religiosity as it has been developing in the BCA, addressing questions such as: How did the history of the Buddhist Mission of North America and development of the Buddhist Churches of America impact the development of Japanese American religiosity? What might this mean for the future of BCA and Shin Buddhism in America? What are examples of how Shin Buddhist religiosity is connecting to a growing social consciousness? Other Speakers: REV. DR. DAVID MATSUMOTO Institute of Buddhist Studies President; George & Sakaye Aratani Professor of Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies RICK STAMBUL BCA National Board, President-elect; Civil Rights Activist, March on Washington, Freedom Summer 1964 DR. SCOTT MITCHELL Rev. Tamai Professor of Jodo Shinshu Studies -

21 Services And Information Services Our regular Sunday program begins with a Family Service at 9:30am. A Dharma talk is available after the Family Service while Dharma School classes are convened for students. Special Services January 1 February Shusho-e Nehan-e New Year's Day Service Nirvana Day March Ohigan Spring Equinox April Hanamatsuri Flower Festival May Gotan-e Birthday of Shinran July Kangi-e Obon September Ohigan Autumn Equinox November Hoonko Shinran Shonin Memorial December Jodo-e Bodhi Day December 31 Joya-e Year End Service A Shotsuki Hoyo (Monthly Memorial) Service is held the first Sunday of each month. Berkeley Buddhist Temple Visitor Information Please feel free to ask any of our greeters for information. We are here to assist you with whatever level of participation you may be seeking. Whether you are here to satisfy a slight interest or to make a more personal connection, we wish you well and hope that you will be visiting us again soon. Membership Information Membership is open to all who view our Temple religious home and seek the Buddha-Dharma. as their To join, complete a membership form, have your name entered on the membership roll and support the Temple through a pledge and participation. To inquire about becoming a member, please speak with our Membership Chair or Minister. Dharma School Our Dharma School (Sunday School) has classes from preschool through high school. Our teachers are happy to discuss the appropriate level of spiritual enrichment for your child. Monthly Discussions In our discussions, we strive to experience the Buddha- Dharma with our entire selves with our bodies (quiet sitting and other forms of meditation), voices (chanting and other liturgy) and minds (study and discussion). Our sessions focus on ways in which Buddhist teaching and practice can impact our everyday lives. Each session will take up a different topic and so you are welcome to attend any or all sessions. All interested persons are welcome to attend. Berkeley Buddhist Temple 2121 Channing Way Berkeley, CA Office Hours Monday Friday 10 :00am 1:00pm info@berkeleysangha.org berkeleysangha.org facebook.com/berkeleybuddhisttemple