U P A Y A. Newsletter of the Buddhist Temple of Alameda 2325 Pacific Avenue Alameda CA (510) btoa.org

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1 U P A Y A Newsletter of the Buddhist Temple of Alameda 2325 Pacific Avenue Alameda CA (510) btoa.org Volume XXIV, No. 10 October, 2016 The Centennial Celebrations Of the Buddhist Temple of Alameda After a long time of waiting, our Centennial celebrations covering the three days of September 23, 24 and 25, 2016, were completed with many wonderful warm memories. Behind the goal of a perfect centennial celebration, were the chairs. I really would like to extend my my deep appreciative arigato heart to co-chairpersons, Mrs. Jackie Ito-Woo and Mr. Hiko Shimamoto and 38+ committee members. Each committee member worked so hard on their projects, and we were able to accomplish many wonderful programs. Three days have passed since the Centennial celebrations, but my happy and joyful heart still remains in my mind and heart, and I feel so grateful to have experienced this very special occasion in my lifetime. Many people from far away attended the Celebration service; they included the temple s seceond resident minister (Rev. Koryu Iino) greatgrandson, Rev. Kory Quon (Venice Buddhist Temple) and his mother, Mrs. Esta Quon (great grand daughter of Rev. Iino); our unchanging wonderful temple members, Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Margaret Myers from Virginia, Ms Patricia Chagnon from Georgia, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Murakami (past president of the BCA) from Washington State, and Mr. Uhei Wakabayashi and Mr. Shintani from Wakabayashi Butsugu Mfg. Co. kindly came from Japan. Mr. Wakabayashi offered a special incense which I used at the Centennial service. For the service, I used the highest decorative Oshogon, four candles on the Maejoku in front of Amida Buddha. It was the first time four candles had been lit in front of Amida Buddha during the 100 years of the temple. They were the special large Warosoku Japanese candles I had used at our temple s 75 th anniversary service 25 years ago. I again lighted the candles for the Centennial. I ll never forget the beautiful flames of the four candles. The elegant fragrance of the incense from the Wakabayashi Company surrounded all of us during the sevice, and the nice fragrance is still remaining in our Hondo with our joyful hearts of celebration. On Sunday, September 25, 2016, a Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony was conducted at our temple by Bishop Kodo Umezu. 58 members received Kieshiki and became part of Shakyamuni Buddha s wonderful true family and Sangha. It was the first time in BCA

2 history that as many as 58 temple members received Dharma names. I am so proud of those 58 wonderful members of Shakyamuni Buddha s true Sangha. They received appropriate inspiring Dharma names. After the Kieshiki, 200 temple members and Dharma friends gathered in the temple hall and enjoyed a delicious Obento lunch. Then, we watched a video by temple members, Mr. and Mrs. John McCue and Amy Tomine, of the temple s 100 year history. For this project, John and Amy worked 3-4 years to produce this documentary of our history. John San, all of us are wishing you a speedy recovery and want to see your warm smiling face back at the temple. John and Amy Sans, Arigato. Buddha Dharma is transmitted by people. On the island of Alameda, Jodo Shinshu Nembutsu Buddha Dharma was carried by Issei, Nisei and present members and Dharma friends. To do this for 100 years is an amazing thing. Overcoming the difficult time during World War II must have been really hard. I am offering my humble Gassho to the late Issei, Nisei and present members, and Arigato, Arigato for your burning heart for your temple s future. The Centennial Celebration became the strong force bringing our family together and now it is up to us to gear up and expand our temple wider. On Monday, September 26, 2106, Mrs. Cookie Takeshita called me and said, can I see you in 15 minutes?. She came to the temple with Mrs. Vera Kawamura who always works so hard at the bazaar and Obon time. Cookie San told me that Mr. and Mrs. Eric Kawamura had made a beautiful thick photo album of our Centennial. When I received it from Mrs. Kawamura, my heart became overwhelmed with Arigato. Overnight, Mr. and Mrs. Kawamura documented with photos two days of programs. They took photos, printed all the beautiful picures and made such a beautiful album. They must have stayed up all night making the Centennial album. It became a temple treaure for all of us. It really touched my heart that Eric and Vera Sans made this kind, thoughtful gift for our temple and to us. Arigato, Arigato to Mr. and Mrs. Kawamura and to Cookie San. Through many, many people s support and help, we accomplished our goal of a wonderful Centennial Celebration of the Buddhist Temple of Alameda. Our Sangha is the best in the world!! With Gassho, The 9 th Resident Minister Rev. Zuikei Taniguchi

3 Dates To Remember Tuesday, October 11, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. Nihongo Monpo Service Sunday, October 23, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. Esshin Ni, Kakushi Ni Samas & Late ABWA Members Memorial Service Guest Speaker: Rev. Mathew Hamasaki (Fresno Betsuin) 11:30 a.m. BWA Otoki Lunch Gathering Affirmation Ceremony On Sunday, September 25, 2016, the Buddhist Temple of Alameda conducted a Buddhist Affirmation Ceremony Service as part of the Centennial Celebration. When this ceremony was first announced, names of members wanting a Buddhist name kept coming in; the final number of applicants was 58! No one expected such a large response. Everyone wants a Homyo (Buddhist name); what is it? At the beginning of a Jodo Shinshu funeral, the deceased person s Homyo is read. From this, many people think of it as your death name the name you are given after you die. It is more like your new name when you transition into your life as a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist. The ceremony is your affirming your desire to live your life as a Buddhist, finding refuge in the Three Treasures. If you weren t given a Homyo during your lifetime, you receive one upon death. But, if you can receive your Homyo while you are living, you are able to make an effort to life up to your new name. Your Homyo reflects the qualities you have, or it offers an ideal to aspire to achieve. Following the service, the party moved into the Social Hall where recipients were congratulated on their new names. The temple provided a delicious Bento box lunch, and a premier showing of the video, Our Second Home, created specifically for the Centennial. The video was produced by temple member, Mr. John McCue, with the assistance of his wife, Ms. Amy Tomine. John and Amy worked on this project for the past four years; it is a history of the temple, and contains many interviews of current members. The events of the day were a fitting ending to the Centennial Celebrations. In Gassho,

4 Shaku Zensho Dharma School Report Continued Seats all set up for the group photo the procession Dharma school students leading

5 Photographer Linda house) Enjoying a delicious bento lunch (Note the full Deep Heart of Arigato On Thursday, July 28, 2016, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Omi kindly donated lighting units in the onaijin area to have the new gold foil shine in a beautiful way. Mr. Omi and Mr. Carl Woo installed the new lights. The Onaijin is now shining so beautifully; it was a wonderful donation for our Centennial Celebration. On Wednesday, August 23, 2016, Mr. Carl Woo and Mr. Eric Chun installed new wires for our speakers so everyone could hear things more clearly at our Centennial. On Thursday, September 8, 201,6 Mr. Glenn Omi and Mr. Carl Woo kindly installed two special timers for the beautiful Japanese style garden lantern lights which were donated by Mrs. Jane Naito Tomine. For this kind of special electrical work, we always count on Mr. Omi and Mr. Woo. Now, because of their hard work, in the evening time, you can see the beautiful lights in our Bonbori lanterns. Jane, Glenn and Carl, Arigato. Deep Arigato to Mr. George Fukayama, Mr. Masaki Takano, Mr. Ken Narahara, Mr. Eddie Matsusoka, Mr. Howard Shintani, Mr. Tom Hashimoto, and Mr. Marc Ishida. On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, they kindly trimmed and cut back the overgrown trees and bamboo on the eastside neighbor s parking lot. The owner is so kind to let us use the lot for our big events. For his kind heart, the above members came out and cleaned the area around the fence. It was a big job. For our Centennial, it was our appreciative heart extended to the owner. The following day, September 7, 2016, Mr. Eddie Matsuoka came again to the temple and cleaned up all the cuttings that wouldn t fit in the green carts. Eddie San, Arigato. Also, Mr. Carl Woo and Mr. Eric Chun installed spotlights to illuminate our entire temple building. It was a big job, but because of their efforts at night you can see the huge Victorian temple shining so pretty in the night sky. Come in the evening to see our shining temple. On Tuesday, September 13, 2016, Mr. Glenn Omi and Mr. Carl Woo installed new wiring and outlets for the poles erected for the Centennial Celebration. On Friday, September 16, 2016, the four Bonbori garden lanterns, which Mrs. Jane Naito Tomine had donated, were delivered and installed. On Monday, September 19, 2016, Mr. Carl Woo and Mr. Eric Chun wired the lanterns and installed lights in them.

6 On Saturday, September 10, 2106, Mr. Howard Shintani came to the temple and trimmed, by himself, all the trees near the fence area. Because of his kind work, the temple yard was picture perfect for the Centennial. On Saturday, September 17, 2016, Many temple members kindly cleaned the inside and outside of the temple prior to the Centennial. They were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Gary Matsuoka, Mr. Ron Nakano, Mrs. Jackie Ito-Woo, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Doerr and Lenni Terao-Doerr, Mr. Howard Shintani, Mr. Jerry Sakamoto, Mr. Ron Tsuchiya, Ms. Paula Bisson, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie and Dianne Matsuoka, Mr. John Towata, Jr., Ms. Amy Tomine, Mr. Hiko Shimamoto, Mrs. Jacqui Yamaoka, Mr. Carl Woo and Mr. Eric Chun. More Centennial Donations Mr. John Towata, Jr. donated the huge beautiful wisteria Mon Crest to the temple in memory of his late mother, Mrs. Anna Towata. You can see the crest in the Social Hall above the large doors to the hondo. Gomen Nasai re Centennial donations by Ms. Francie Fairnet in the last newsletter. She always donates the premium coffee to the temple, and she also drew a lotus flower for the Hondo ceiling. For the Centennial, she donated 250 special wine glasses printed with the Centennial logo. When registration exceeded our original estimate, she ordered and paid for an additional 50 glasses. Arigato. Special Centennial Service Altar Flower Donation On Saturday, September 24, 2016, we conducted a memorable Centennial Celebration Service. This was our largest service. For this largest service, Mrs. Nan Kataoka donated lots of beautiful flowers for Hotokesama. Indeed, the flowers were so beautiful they made the altar shine. NanSan, thank you very much for your wonderful donation. Greening of the Temple Garden Mr. Masaki Takano, Mr. Ken Narahara, and Mr. George Fukayama planted seeds on bare patches in the temple lawn. They fertilized and watered the lawn for many days. From their efforts, the lawn became full and green in time for the Centennial Services and picture taking. Mas, Ken and George Sans, thank you very much for taking care of the lawn. I humbly ask you, Mr. Takano, Mr. Narahara and Mr. Fukayama, to become a special Temple Lawn Care Committee. Arigato. z.t.

7 So many more events to report on, so many more people that contributed to the success of the Centennial. Let s save some for next month. shaku zensho Dharma School News The Centennial Celebration of Buddhist Temple of Alameda was successfully carried out! The Alameda Sangha members and friends from near and far the US nationwide fully enjoyed. As Dharma School members, seeing many of our Dharma School children participate gave us an enormous happiness and joy at such an auspicious opportunity in the history of the temple. One of the main centennial programs opened on September 24 th at 9:30 A.M. with the Dharma Procession by Dharma School children, followed by the ministers, children s parents, members, friends and guests. They all mindfully walked a half block around the temple on Park Street. A Dharma Procession led by children is a traditional custom in Japan at such special celebration services of the temples. For many, it is an only oncein-life opportunity. Sixteen Dharma School children were beautifully dressed in a traditional colorful pink, green and purple, wing sleeves and pants, had golden tiaras, lotus flowers and fans, representing Buddhist angels from the Tushita Heaven. Special thanks should go to the following people: Jane Naito who kindly picked up and returned these procession outfits which were kindly rented to us by Sacrament Betsuin, Susan Shimamoto who made special heavenly eyes for each child and cleaned the outfits after the procession! We are also grateful to Kazuko Eidman, Joyce Terao and Misako Akiyama who helped children to dress the outfits. We also deeply appreciate all the parents who supported and participated in this event with their enthusiastic commitment. We are so fortunate to Vera and Eric Kawamura, who took valuable photos. Among so many photos, we share two of them with you to enjoy. One is a rare and interesting

8 photo taken before the group photo was taken. Children s seats were nicely prepared with Zafu cushions. The other photo shows some children with procession costumes. Vera Kawamura, being is a close friend of our Cookie Takeshita, always helps the temple activities all the time. Vera and Eric very kindly created a very special centennial album for us, and brought it immediately after the event, having to return to their own professional duties as lawyers with their extremely busy schedules in L.A. Sincere and deep gratitude to Vera and Eric. We just finished the first 2016 Fall Dharma School on October 2 nd. The next Dharma School will be on November 6 th. Metta, Shoyo Taniguchi, Ph.D. Temple of Alameda Dharma School Shin Buddhism Study Notes MORE ON GREED, ANGER AND IGNORANCE By Shigeki Sojo Sugiyama, MPA, MJS In the light that not to imbibe in the The Three Poisons (greed, anger and ignorance) is the only behavioral kind of guidance attributed to Shinran Shōnin that I know of, I am constantly disturbed by how much the American public are encouraged to imbibe in the three poisons in and by radio, television and digital media. I believe that most or all of the dysfunctional behavior of others brought to our attention daily is a product of delusional beliefs grounded in ignorance and stupidity that is encouraged by opinion leaders. And so I am constantly reminded of how better off all peoples everywhere would be if their behavior would be guided by Buddhist wisdom and compassion. I believe that killing another person is considered by religious teaching and by law to be the worst sin that a person can commit. Yet, we are informed all too frequently of mass killings purportedly for furtherance of religious belief., while the killing of civilians by law enforcement personnel and multiple killing of policemen by civilians has become almost common place. The fundamental principle of religious freedom established by the Constitution of the United States of America makes it most difficult for governmental action to deal effectively with killing purportedly motivated by religious belief. Governmental action outside a recognized war zone has to be based on criminal law and be constitutionally proper. Thus, it appears to me that he only effective way for dealing with false religious justification for killing is for the leaders of the religious faith invoked to justify such killings to denounce and correct the scurrilous religious justification. As for the killing of civilians by policemen, everyone who expresses an opinion about such incidents should have a clear and unbiased vision and understanding of how and why it happened. For myself, my initial reaction was to think how stupid could the policeman have been; how stupid could the victim have been not to comply with the order of the policeman not to do what he was instructed to do.? But the reality is that no one can really sense or understand what went on in the minds of both the shooter and the victim. I do sense that the shooter must have feared for his or her own life. Anyone who has never experienced the possibility of being shot to death by another person can know that feeling. I have an inkling of that kind of feeling

9 since I once thought, when in North Korea during the Korean war, that I was about to be shot by a South Korean Army sentry Since I could not speak Korean and did not look like an American, I had difficulty convincing him that I was an American soldier. (How I convinced him that I was an American and was not killed is another story.) And to believe that any law enforcement officer in this day and age would shoot a person solely because of the victim s apparent racial profile is delusory, unless, of course, the shooter is or was deranged. Unfortunately, we cannot know for certain why a dead shooting victim acted, or failed to act, in a way to be shot. What was he or she thinking when shot. What did he or she do or not do that resulted in his or her being shot? (I have taught elsewhere that no two persons nor instruments such as a camera can or will see the same situation in exactly the same way.) Simply asserting that he or she did not deserve to be killed is not an answer. No one deserves to be killed. Everyone should realize that the sole purpose of guns is to kill people or animals. The first dictum that I learned in rifle training in the U.S. Army was Never point a gun at anyone unless you intend to kill him. And as long as law enforcement officers are armed with guns and everyone has a constitutional right to bear arms, people will be killed whether or not they deserve it. J-SEI FAMILY PICNIC Thank you all for your help and support to the Temple on Sunday, September 11, It was a very productive day, raising more than $1,000! Here's the breakdown of our sales: $ 190 Note card sales $ 250 Cookbook sales $ 582 Spam musubi sales $1,022 Total gross sales The following people helped in one or more ways: making and wrapping the musubi, transporting items to the event, setting up the booth, and selling the musubi and other items. Misako Akiyama Jackie Ito-Woo Nan Kataoka Joyce Maniwa Dianne Matsuoka Eddie Matsuoka Gary Oda Judy Oda Louise Ota Lou Panzella Irene Preston Jean Sato Kaz Sato Hiko Shimamoto Susan Shimamoto Howard Shintani Betty Takano Mas Takano Cookie Takeshita Lenni Terao-Doerr Amy Tomine Junior Towata Jessica Woo May Yamaoka

10 Jacqui Yamaoka-Panzella The musubi were on their way to the event, and the kitchen was cleaned before the 10 a.m. service. We couldn't have finished in time without everyone's help. Thank you! Although it was a cool, overcast day, there was a warm, family-like feeling at the event. Those who attended enjoyed many great food booths, exhibits, and entertainment. Hopefully more of our Temple members will be able to attend the event next year. --Jackie Ito-Woo Please join us for Rev. Zuikei Taniguchi s Retirement Party Save the Date Saturday, March 18, 2017 Luncheon at Scott s Seafood, Jack London Square, Oakland More details & reservation information to follow. Buddhist Temple of Alameda Alameda BWA FALL OHIGAN FOOD DANA October 1 to November 20, 2016 Once again, in the spirit of Dana (giving) the Alameda Buddhist Women s Association is sponsoring a food drive for the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Alameda Food Bank.. A food barrel will be available for contributions of non-perishable foods. Please bring your food donations to the temple any time between October 1 and November 20, The food barrel will be available until after November 20, 2016 Thank you in advance for your support. Most Needed Nonperishable Foods: Canned fruits & vegetables Canned meats and fish Peanut butter Cereal/Oatmeal

11 Pasta and tomato sauce Powdered milk Beans, rice Nutritional beverages Monetary contributions are also welcome. Please write your check payable to: Alameda Buddhist Women s Association. MONTHLY MEMORIAL SERVICES The Monthly Memorial Service for the month of October will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 2nd. The names of those listed on the Temple s memorial list as having passed away during the month of October were listed in the September Upaya. The monthly memorial service for those who passed away in the month of November will be held on Sunday, November,6th. The persons listed below are listed on the temple s memorial list as having passed away during the month of November. If 2016 is a special service year (as listed below) for a dear departed relative, please contact Rev. Taniguchi to arrange for special memorial arrangements. Please inform Rev. Taniguchi of any corrections or additions to this list. Special Service Year of Death 1 Year Year Year Year 2004 Special Service Year of Death 17 Year Year Year Year 1967 THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO PASSED AWAY DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER (AS LISTED ON THE TEMPLE S MONTHLY MEMORIAL LIST) 1918 Mrs. Ume Takagi Mr. Sakumatsu Fukuda Mrs. Masano Nomiyama 1920 Infant Iwa Kato 1921 Mrs. Matsu Ogami 1922 Mr. Chotaro Yumikezuri 1923 Mr. Kinhei Kitajima Mr. Wakanosuke Nishimoto Infant Kimiko Fujino 1924 Infant Rei Muramoto 1926 Infant Yayeko Saito Infant Yukiye Terazawa 1927 Mr. Senzuchi Fukuma 1929 Mistress Midori Sugimoto 1930 Mr. Kinkichi Imazumi Infant Masako Miyasaki 1931 Mr. Tomitaro Ikezoe 1936 Mr. Kishiro Tsuchiya 1937 Mr. Seisuke Ushijima 1938 Mr. Kiyoto Nakamura 1942 Mrs. Misao Kumagai 1945 Mr. Shigeru Tsuchiya 1948 Mr. Katsusaburo Matsumoto 1949 Mr. Moriji Yamashita Mr. Sakunosuke Imura 1950 Mr. Torakichi Sueyasu 1955 Mr. Kisomatsu Kobashi 1956 Mr. Tsunezo Minami 1957 Mrs. Chiyono Imazumi 1958 Mr. Kakunojo Nakayama Infant Julian Handa Mr. Motokichi Kodama 1960 Mr. Hanzo Arai 1963 Mr. Yoshio Kamiji Mrs. Tane Nakayama 1969 Mr. Zenichi Sakamoto 1970 Mr. Yoshitomo Honda 1974 Mrs. Kiyo Hashimoto

12 1987 Mrs. Shizuye Imazumi 1988 Mrs. Fujino Furuno 1991 Mr. Goro Sato 1993 Mrs. Kazuko Mandeville 1994 Mr. Frank Otsuka Rev. Eiyu Terao 2000 Mrs. Hatsuko Hoshi Mr. Susumu Yamamoto 2002 Mr. Futami Maeda 2003 Mrs. Mitsuyo Doi 2005 Mr. Yoshinori Yamamoto 2007 Mr. Yoshio James Kakimoto 2010 Mrs. Alice Yamaoka 2011 Mr. William McFarland 2011 Mrs. Dorothy Narahara 2012 Mrs.Matsuye Ogi 2013 Mr. Dick Hideaki Nakano