Reverend Mukojima to Begin August 1st

Transcription

1 May 2013 Volume 52 Number 5 M O U N T A I N V I E W B U D D H I S T T E M P L E May Highlights 5/5 Sun, 10:00 AM Shotsuki Hoyo 5/6 Mon, 7:30 PM Religious Planning Meeting 5/8 Wed, 7:30 PM Temple Board Meeting Hello and Goodbye I say high. You say low. You say why and I say I don't know, oh no. You say goodbye And I say hello. By Rev. Dean Koyama As I have said many times, it is not just because he was born. Rather, it is what he did with his life that we honor him. tion from the cycles of suffering. After 20 years of this intense lifestyle, Shinran gave up, came down from the monasteries on Mt. Hiei, and found Honen, a great teacher and mentor. 5/12 Sun, 10:00 AM Gotan-E (Shinran Shonin s Birthday) 8:30 AM Mothers Day Brunch 5/18 Sat, All Day Chicken Teriyaki Prep Lennon & McCartney May is the month we honor Mothers with Mothers Day. In May, we also honor the founder of our Jodo Shinshu tradition, Shinran by observing his birthday with our Gotan-e service. Typically during Gotan-E, we focus on young Matsuwakamaro s early years. After losing his parents at the young age of nine, he began his life in a monastery. He stayed and endured strict religious and monastic practices with the hope of attaining true libera- Honen was teaching a way of liberation through the practice of Nembutsu. He advocated that the only practice needed was to recite the Nembutsu. This practice was so easy that anyone, no matter what level of education or ability, could do it. Because this practice 5/19 Sun, All Day Chicken Teriyaki Pick Up 5/26 Sun, 9:30AM Alta Mesa Memorial Day Service (No services at Temple) 5/27 Mon, 9:30AM Oak Hill Memorial Day Service In This Issue Rev. Dean s Msg 1, 4-5 President s Msg 1, 7 Senior News 9 ABA News 7 Calendar (May/Jun) 2, 11 BWA 6 Reverend Mukojima to Begin August 1st It is my pleasure to announce that the Minister Selection Committee, with the approval of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple (MVBT) Board has accepted Bishop s Umezu s appointment of Reverend Yushi Mukojima to the Mountain View Buddhist Temple. Reverend Mukojima will begin his new responsibilities as our resident minister on August 1st, By Bob Imai Reverend Mukojima began his career with the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) in November He was assigned as the resident minister to the Seabrook Buddhist Temple in New Jersey in March of One year later, he was transferred to the Visalia Buddhist Temple in Central California. Visalia is a farming community just south of Fresno. After a few years at Visalia he was transferred to the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. Prior to his move to the United States, Reverend Mukojima served as a minister in the Buddhist Churches of South America from , in San Palo, Brazil. Reverend Mukojima graduated from Ryukoku University in Japan where he received his Bachelor s degree in Buddhist History. He received his Tokuko ordination in August 1994; Kyoshi in September 1997; and Kaikyoshi in December Reverend Mukojima was born in Osaka, Japan and grew up in Fukui. He comes from a family rich in the Jodo Shinshu tradition. His father is the head minister of the family temple in Fukui.

2 may 2013 Page 2 Mountain View Buddhist Temple

3 Volume 52 Number 5 Page 3 Religious Planning May 2013 May 5, 2013, Sunday 10:00 AM Shotsuki Hoyo May 12th, 2013, Sunday 10:00 AM Gotan-E (Shinran Shonin s Birthday) 8:30AM Mothers Day Brunch May , Sunday Chicken Teriyaki Pick Up NO SERVICES AT TEMPLE May 26, 2013, Sunday 9:30AM Alta Mesa Memorial Day Service NO SERVICES AT TEMPLE May 27, 2013, Monday 10:00 AM Oak Hill Memorial Day Service Shotsuki Hoyo Service O-asaji (Morning Chanting) 8:30 AM Adult Discussion 11:00 AM Dharma School 11:00 AM 2013 MVBT New Members Welcomed at Spring Ohigan Service New members to the Mountain View Buddhist Temple were introduced at the Spring Ohigan Service on Sunday, March 24. We welcomed eight families. Pictured are Eric Kunze with daughter Rebecca; Linda Uyechi with daughter Kimi Ann Sano; John Huang, JoAnn Yamani, and daughter Yamani Huang; Kevin Arakaki; Graham Joyce; and Pam Yoshida. Also pictured are Rev. Harry Bridge, the Ohigan Service guest speaker from the Buddhist Church of Oakland, and Rev. Dean Koyama. A luncheon for the new members and Rev. Bridge was held after the Ohigan service at the Su Hong Restaurant in Palo Alto. 30 Temple members joined the new members for the luncheon. New members not pictured are Ted and Alice Chu, Yoshinobu and Sachiko Terasawa, and Lisa Kunze and daughter Anna.

4 Page 4 Hello and Goodbye(Cont d fr P.1) was so easy it also became so popular among the masses that the established Buddhist authorities felt threatened. As a result, by official proclamation, the establishment was able to ban the teachings of Nembutsu. In addition they stripped Honen and his major disciples of their status as priests, punished and exiled them. Shinran was exiled to Echigo Province, now known as Niigata. It is located on the northern side of of Honshu and faces the Japan Sea. It is unbelievably cold in the winter. Niigata is about 350 miles from Kyoto, where Shinran had been living. From Kyoto, it is an 8-hour bus ride through many treacherous mountain passes. During Shinran s days, travel was by foot, so the trek took many days if not months. One legend is that at some point, land travel was impossible, so Shinran had to complete his travel by boat and landed upon the beaches of Kotogahama. Imagine being exiled to a remote area where it took days, if not months get there just to begin your sentence of punishment simply for reciting Namo Amida Butsu. Imagine being sent to an area where you had to start all over not knowing anyone. It would be easy to understand if such a person became bitter and resentful given the circumstances. This experience proved to be a powerful force for Shinran in that he truly realized the limitations and imperfections of his ego centered mind and became aware that even in these conditions, he continued to be embraced within the Great compassion of the Buddha Amida s heart. Becoming aware of this limitless light of the Buddha s compassionate heart, Shinran was filled with humility and gratitude. He was then able to transform his misfortune into an opportunity. Shinran is quoted as having said, "If the Great Master Honen had not been exiled, I would not have been sent to my place of exile. If I had not been exiled, I would never have been able to teach the people of this remote area the Way of Nembutsu. As many of you are well aware, I am coming to the end of my tenure here at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple. It has gone by quickly. In the process of packing for my new assignment, I have come across some papers and cards given to me when I made the move from Tacoma to Mountain View some 10 years ago. I felt the same sense of apprehension as I do now: not knowing how I would be received, leaving good friends and a wonderful Sangha. I must do this once again in my career. It has been a wonderful experience to have been your resident minister. This was my first attempt to be the one and only minister of such a large temple. At times I didn t know if I could handle it, but seeing and feeling the support of all the members and families, I was able to last this long. In the ten years that I have been here, I was privileged to have been involved with many of our members during pivotal times of their lives. I have cried with families when they lost loved ones; shared in their joys during their weddings;; witnessed the births of children and seen them begin their lives here at the temple as they come to Dharma School. When I arrived, this year s graduating Seniors were in the 2nd/3rd grade Dharma School class. In the Dharma School yearbook I had written a letter. To paraphrase it: It is important to look back and see where we have been and to look forward to see the infinite possibilities of where we have yet to go. Yet it is equally important to look and see where we are, right here and now. With what we may have learned and experienced these past years, may these lessons continue to nurture, sustain and embrace us so that we can deepen our awareness of the truth of Namo Amida Butsu so that our hearts open up to a life of deep appreciation and gratitude. As Shinran expresses, causes and conditions led him to an unknown area. That is what brought me to Mountain View. Now causes and

5 Volume 52 Number 5 Page 5 Hello and Goodbye(Cont d fr P.4) conditions lead me to another location. Although it will not be remote in time and distance, it is still a brand new setting. Anything I ve accomplished was due to the support, encouragement and energy of all of you. If I was able to help just one person in saying the Nembutsu, it is all because of the efforts of my sempai ministers who served at this temple before me. On behalf of my family, Linda, Justin, Curtis and Tommy, may I extend our deep appreciation for all that you have done for us to give us this wonderful opportunity to be part of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple Sangha. Linda, especially wanted to let you know how much she appreciated the cards, flowers, food and well wishes when she had to undergo her treatment for cancer. We will remember these years with deep fondness and affection, as this was truly our home. And may I ask that you give your new resident minster and his family as much support, kindness, energy, and friendship that you extend to us. So instead of saying, Hello and Goodbye, let us just say Namo Amida Butsu with the awareness that by so doing, we will all continue to be bathed in Amida s compassionate light of wisdom with the true spirit of Oneness. Gassho, Namo Amida Butsu. Rev. Dean, Linda, Justin, Curtis, Tommy & Niko Support ABA s Asian Food Drive Is it still April? Remember the Asian Food Drive. Please bring non-perishable Asian Food items to the Temple on Sundays in April or to the Temple office during week. Donate so that someone in need can have a taste of Asian Food. Here is a suggested list of nonperishable items: Please help give those in need a taste of home cooking! Thank you for your support of ABA Community Service project. CANNED GOODS Mandarin oranges Bamboo shoots Canned stir-fried vegetables Water chestnuts MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Rice wine vinegar Sesame seeds White rice Mirin Furikake SAUCES Black bean sauce Fish sauce Hoisin sauce Low-sodium soy sauce Oyster sauce Soy sauce DRIED GOODS Ramen/ramen bowls Stir-fry noodles Green tea Nori Curry sauce mix Rice sticks Udon/soba/somen Mabodofu mix Instant miso soup Dried mushrooms Dried Chinese sausage Dashi Dried fish

6 Page 6 March Was Girl Scout Month! The Girl Scouts chaired the 5 Sunday Services in March. We observed Girl Scout Sunday on March 17. Several Scouts wrote their own Buddhist readings and Dharma talk presentations. The Cadettes: Erin Hamasaki, Miyo Imai, Natalie Jue, Brianna Lee, Maddie Matsumoto, Jorydn Sato did the Dharma talk on March 24 and the Cadette Padma Scouts: Erin Hamasaki, Vicky Shinkawa, Jordyn Sato did the Dharma talk on March 31. The Girl Scouts would like to share their Dharma messages. JORDYN SATO Cadette Girl Scout 8th grade Nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end. These are sayings that we hear in everyday life. They might be true, but sound negative. We should enjoy today and think in a more positive manner such as seizing the day and life s a journey, so enjoy the ride. As Prince Siddhartha said, Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. MIYO IMAI Cadette Girl Scout 7th grade In the three words project my troop and I conducted during the 2012 winter fest for Girl Scouts, we had girls of all ages write three words on friendship. Amongst some of these words were trust, hope, happiness, girl scout sisters, and live laugh and love. Other words included meanings in which people who love something would automatically become friends, like how people who love k-pop or Justin Bieber or One Direction or Taylor Swift fan-girl together. Another aspect of friendship is is about inner thoughts and emotions, not outer beauty and similar likes and dislikes. Although first impressions are a huge part about getting to know people, looks can be deceiving. This is where the words happiness, trust, and love come in. These words show how passionate and caring people are about their friends because of the people their friends are, not what their friends look like. Nowadays, especially with middle school and high school people, people start acting different and being friends with people just to be popular. Well, these aren t true friendships because it s only for popularity. In friendship, it s the inner thought that really counts. A quote by an unknown writer helps solidify my statements. People who are attracted to you because of your pretty face or nice body won t be by your side forever but the people who can see how beautiful your heart is will never leave you. In this project, I learned how different people view what friendship really is. There is no proper definition for friendship because friendship is a feeling, not a thing, a person, or a place, or something that can be physically described. However, all the different takes on friendship all lead up to one thing: to be able to live with, to love, to be yourself around that special someone you call a friend. Making Otsukemono to Help Chicken Teriyaki Fundraiser! Buddhist Women s Association Thank you to all who purchased manju on Hanamatsuri. Our fundraiser was a success! On Friday, May 17 beginning at 9AM, we are asking for help making otsukemono for the Chicken Teriyaki Fundraiser. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Rev. Koyama and Linda for your caring service to our Temple. We will strive to continue the good things you have brought to us. We wish you and your family all the best and hope to see you often. NEXT MEETING May 11, 2013, 9AM in YBA Hall

7 Volume 52 Number 5 Page 7 Reverend Mukojima to Begin August 1st (Cont d fr P.1) Reverend Mukojima is currently the resident minister at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. He s married with two young children (a girl almost 5 and a boy about 8 months). Please give a warm welcome the Mukojima family when they arrive in August. I m very excited to see the next ministerial chapter in the history of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple. In gassho, Bob Imai, MVBT President Keep Up the Momentum for the ABA Food Drive! A big thank you for those of you who remembered to bring your Asian food items to the Temple, We certainly appreciate your support & generosity. Kudos to Ann Uyehara for taking chairmanship of the annual dinner. Because of her we were able to enjoy very nice relaxing evening out. Thank you to her committee which included Alice & Sadao Ishida; Reiko Tsuchida & Eileen Fujikawa; Judy & Russ Nakano & Ann s husband Min. ABA RENO TRIP UPCOMING April 21-22, 2013 Contact Aiko Sugimoto-Miyamoto CPR/AED CLASS JUNE 9TH Eileen Fujikawa is chairing this event. The CPR/AED class will be at Temple on Sunday June 9, Light lunch for participants will be provided. The seminar will be from approximately 1 to 5PM. Cost of the class is $ If you were certified two years ago you must take the class again to be recertified Those interested contact Eileen Fujikawa. DONATIONS Gratefully Acknowledged Ken & Mieko Nakano In celebration the birth of their granddaughter PLANTS NEEDED! The Obon Bazaar Flower Shop lost a large donation source when Sakamoto Plants closed. If you have extra plants, please save them for the Flower Shop. Contact the Temple Office Komochi for Sale! Half-Off ($2/lb)! Contact the Temple Office

8 Page 8 Shotsuki Hoyo (Monthly Memorial Service) May The Shotsuki (Monthly Memorial) Services are conducted and sponsored by the temple in memory of the past members who have passed away during a given month. It is not meant to be a substitute for families to observe their Family Memorial Service for their loved ones. The Shotsuki loved ones are: Monthly Memorial Service Sunday May 5, :00 am Robert Ariyama Naka Chikasuye Rev Philipp Eidmann Levan Gray Isano Hamada Dr. Yuta Hongo Kay Ikeuye Robert Imai Nancy Ishii Nobukichi Ishikawa Caroline Izumi Yasuko Kariya Joe Masao Kawaguchi Makoto Joseph Kawaguchi Shigeko Kawamoto Kiyono Kawano Hideo M. Kumamaru June Kusumoto Edward Morimoto Hana Nagao Charles Nagatoshi Minako Nakamoto Yoshito Nakamura Harry Nakano Naoko Nakashima June Naritomi Herbert Nishimura Hajime Ogata Momoyo Ogino Yoshihiro Okasaki Iko Oku Leonard Oku Joe Okuno Chizuo Sakae Koji Sakai George Sato Shigemi Sato Betty Shidawara Frank Shimizu May Shimoguchi Mitsuye Togashi Sumiye Tomota George Tsukagawa Seiko Tsumura Aleric Uyehara Torao Watanabe John Wittlesey Peggy Yamaguchi Frances Yamaji John Yamaji If a name has been inadvertently left off or you would like to add a family member to the Mountain View Buddhist Temple list of Shotsuki names, please contact Rev. Koyama. dkoyama@comcast.net Phone (temple office) (650) The Mountain View Buddhist Temple would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of: George Noguchi March 15, 2013 Patricia Togashi March 20, 2013 Etsuko Gishi April 5, 2013 May you find comfort in the embrace of Infinite Light and Life, the wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha. Namo Amida Butsu

9 Volume 52 Number 5 Page 9 Senior Activities for April and May When the renovation started last year, due to the 50th anniversary, our Senior Activities group moved to the Sangha Hall. We continue to stay and enjoy the facilities there. Since then we were in need of a coffee brewer The Senior Activity Group made the purchase of the coffee urn from the Senior funds. Before that, the Senior Activities Group have been purchasing all the coffee providing for all functions in the Sangha Hall, YBA Hall and Temple lounge. Due to support of our Senior Activities Group, we are able to provide the coffee. We want to share this information On May 30th, we will have lunch and a program to be announced. In June, we will have two more Thursdays before the break, starting June 13th. 4/18/13 ALWAYS III MOVIE Join us for lunch at 11:30AM and the movie at 12:30 PM. A nice way to spend the early afternoon. 5/ RENO TRIP CORRECTION FOR PRICE Cost is $87 not $78 as first reported. We are taking sign ups for this trip and still have space available. Enjoy the overnighter with your many friends. Bus leaves at 7:00AM, so be on the Temple grounds at 6:30AM. Price is $87. Call Chuck Uyeda for reservation. COOKBOOKS FOR SALE Don't forget about our Senior Cook Book! They are available at the Temple office. They make great gifts and are only $18! SENIOR CRAFT HOURS Thursdays, 9:00AM-12:00PM The time is passing so fast, and before you know it, we will be getting ready for bazaar. Jeanne Ohara, who is in charge of the Bazaar Craft Booth, is asking for donations. We have many talented and crafters that have helped in the past. Again, thank you all for your continued support. We are asking for any used apron that can be given to the Senior Group. When we have a kitchen duties, it appears we are in need of extra aprons to provide for those that forget to bring theirs. (These senior moments are tough). Leave it in the office "marked for Seniors" or give it to Jeanne Ohara. LINE DANCING Thursdays, 9:30AM-10:00AM Instruction led by Naomi Ariyama. An invigorating half-hour. LEARN CARD GAMES Play Shanghai a popular game of rummy, or Hana, a Japanese card game. Join the group and enjoy the morning with good friends and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Don't know how to play either games? We have patient friends, willing and ready to teach you. Good for the mind. SENIOR KNITTERS Whether you are a beginner or an expert in knitting and crocheting, Debbie Kitani has been very helpful to the Senior Craft Class every Thursday morning, showing the ladies new ways to knit. Senior Activities & Crafts 150 Club News The winners for February are Amy and Eric Arakaki. Congratulations! To all One Hundred and Fifty participants of the 150 Club, thank you for helping Mountain View Buddhist Temple. Gassho Glenn Kitasoe Toban & Echo Schedule Toban Echo Article Deadline JUN Zones 13 & 1 May 15 (Wed) May 10 (Fri) JUL Zones 2 & 3 Jun 19 (Wed) June 14 (Fri) AUG Zones 4 & 5 No Echo No Echo Please note the revised article deadline, printing dates and submission process. This will provide time to layout and production. Thank you. all articles to echo@mvbuddhisttemple.org

10 Page 10 Dharma School Gives Back! Thanks to everyone who donated food for our Spring Dana Drive. We collected over 2 barrels of food for the Community Services Agency of Mountain View. That's 184lbs of food! Thanks also for everyone who came to the eatout fundraiser at Chevy's. We'll report how much we made as soon as we get the final numbers. At the end of March, our taiko group graciously loaned drums to Mountain View High School for their Iwata Exchange Program with students from Japan, allowing them to hold workshops and perform for MVHS students. Thanks to Elise Fujimoto for coordinating with the high school and strengthening our relationship with the community! Pre-K through 6th grade Dharma School classes, as well as taiko and other groups, performed for families and friends at the Hanamatsuri program on April14th. The 7th and 8th grade emceed the event, and parent volunteers coordinated the program as well as the luncheon. Thanks to everyone who helped set up, worked in the kitchen, brought salads and other food, and helped clean up. Everyone's help made it a success. It was a wonderful day! At the end of April, eight Dharma School teachers will be attending the Federation of Dharma School Teachers League Conference in San Mateo, CA. There will be no classes after service that Sunday, but the Dharma School will sponsor Sundae Sunday, so please come out and enjoy some ice cream on us! DONATIONS Janice & Jeffrey Lee Jillian s Birthday Lisa Schindler & Dan Kleaver Eat-out Fundraiser Donna Wing & Syed Asar Tamur & Sophia Gail Satake & Stacy Nakamura Rossten s 13th Birthday SAVE A LIFE CPR/AED Training 1-5PM Sunday, June 9th in the YBA Hall Light lunch before class. $58/person and registration is required. Registration deadline is May 31st. Contact Eileen Fujikawa fujikawabachan@gmail.com The Amazing, Prodigious and Fascinating Boy Scouts Troop 87 Troop 87 is going to be pretty rocked out. Regardless of the break, April and May are still going to be crowded with fun activities! TROOP 87 ACTIVITIES OA Ordeal 4/12-13 This one's a secret, can't tell anything! Camping Merit Badge 4/17 For campers out there... Bike Camping Tip 4/20-21 Broom Ball (TBD) 4/24 Cherry Blossom Prep 4/26 Everyone come out because we need a lot of help Cherry Blossom Festival 4/27-28 We re selling stuff Trail to First Class 5/4-5 Good for advancing ranks, no? Chicken Salad Pre-Sale 5/5 Pancake Breakfast Delle Valle 5/11-12 Ermergherd! I can t wait! Have an amazing month! Kevin Duan Scribe, Troop 87

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12 Page 14 Chicken Teriyaki Fundraiser May 19th Find a pdf version online at: In gassho, The Echo Staff Highlights in This Issue Rev. Dean s Msg 1, 4-5 President s Msg 1, 7 Senior News 9 ABA News 7 Calendar (May/Jun) 2, 11 BWA 6 U.S. POSTAGE PAID 575 North Shoreline Boulevard Mountain View, CA PERMIT #225 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Mountain View Buddhist Temple NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TIME DATED MATERIAL