GOLDEN CHAIN. Resident Minister: Rev. Carol Myokei Himaka October 2017

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1 GOLDEN CHAIN Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church Alvarado Niles Road Union City, CA Church Office: (510) Reverend s Cell Phone: (510) Reverend s revhimaka@gmail.com Website: Resident Minister: Rev. Carol Myokei Himaka October 2017 I am a link in the Buddha s golden chain of love that stretches around the world. I must keep my link bright and strong. I will try to be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than myself. I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to say pure and beautiful words, and to do pure and beautiful deeds, knowing that on what I do now depends not only my happiness or unhappiness, but also that of others. May every link in the Buddha s golden chain of love become bright and strong,and may we all attain perfect peace. In The Name of The Good When discussing Buddhism with people, there are some misunderstandings that confuse the methods and goals of the two different forms of Buddhism. The Theravada tradition, or the monastic meditative tradition is well known in the West. Here the historical human Buddha is seen as a Teacher and his experience, or Dharma, is what he discovered. He taught many forms of how to become aware of one's mental illusions and the suffering that can result from such false assumptions. Purifying and strengthening one's mental ability as well as doing good is associated with this type of Buddhism. Jodo Shinshu is from the Mahayana tradition. This tradition is heavily influenced by the philosophical insights of Nagarjuna, who is also responsible for the teaching of No-Self. This is path reaches the same goal of liberation from suffering, but by a different road, so to speak. It's unfortunate that Jodo Shinshu translated 'shinjin' as 'faith' in early English texts. It has caused much confusion since 'faith' already has a clear association in Christian religious teachings. In Jodo Shinshu 'shinjin' is does not just refer to having 'faith' in the Buddha, or even in Amida Buddha. It is actually meant to indicate the importance of experiencing the same Mind of Compassion as the Amida. Jodo Shinshu, as taught by Shinran Shonin, teaches that this Mind of the Amida Buddha is actually actively reaching out toward ignorant beings through the Name (Namo Amida Butsu) which is established by a Vow (promise) made by the Bodhisattva Dharmakara. We can experience it if we reach a point in our lives where we cannot imagine going further with our own efforts and the ego-self finally gives up even trying. In this moment, where the usually 'active' mind we cultivate as "myself' reaches the realization that no further action is viable or beneficial, is when Amida's Mind of Compassion seeks to touch our minds and assure us that we are not forlorn nor forgotten. It is important to recognize that this Mind of Compassion comes to us, we do not earn it's gifts or its favor. Actually we come to realize that this Mind is always surrounding us and "calling" to us, but we cannot acknowledge it when we are blinded by insisting on doing things by "ourselves," thinking we know better. This active Mind is Infinitely Wise and Boundlessly Compassionate. To attempt to "do good" as we usually understand it, creates havoc when we do not understand fully the causes and conditions behind why a situation is the way it is. If we concentrate only on one causal factor, we risk creating even more pain and suffering for ourselves and the world. Some may feel that if this is true than it is useless for us to continue to strive to do "good" at all. In my opinion, this drive is a natural part of being a human being. We are only asked in Jodo Shinshu to be careful and thoughtfully aware of the Wisdom and Compassion of the Other Mind when we impose our self-efforts, in the name of "good." C. Myokei Himaka

2 OCTOBER SHOTSUKI HOYO Family, relatives and friends are invited to attend the monthly memorial service for the following on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. DECEASED FAMILY 1928 Torao Hisaoka Hisaoka Family 1934 Yukie Takayama Takayama Family 1939 Kou Tanaka Tanaka Family 1963 Magoichi Sekigahama Sekigahama Family 1963 Ryoichi Hirabayashi Mrs. Joyce Hirabayashi 1964 Naka Yasuhiro Mrs. Yaeko Yasuhiro 1969 Yaeka Haraguchi Mrs. Miki Tsutsui 1973 Tama Sakuda Ms. Nancy Sakuda 1976 Yoshiye Yamamoto Mrs. Shizuko Yamauchi 1978 George Yonekura Mrs. Toyoko Yoshioka 1984 Annabel Cavan Mr. & Mrs. Abel Cavan 1984 Bryan Randall Hall Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Hall 1989 Masutaro Kitani Mrs. Betty Kitani 1990 Yasuko Koyama Koyama Family 2004 Teruko Tamasu Mr. & Mrs. Koji Tamasu 2005 Sae Hamada Mrs. Kyoko Hatsushi 2006 Emiko Miyakawa Mr. Yasuho Miyakawa 2006 Glenn Rice Mrs. Jane Rice 2007 Marie Cuccia Mrs. Ann Cuccia 2009 Noboru Kawaguchi Mrs. Harumi Watanabe 2009 Nobuko Marge Okada Mr. & Mrs. Hideo Okada 2010 Jimmy Isao Tanaka Ms. Cynthia Kawamura Yama Mori Mrs. Takae Wong Shizuo Kawaguchi Kawaguchi Family Arnold Hsieh Mrs. Sylvia Ma Mitsu Mukai Mr. Ed Mayeda Sumiko Kamiji Mrs. Sachi Fudenna & Mrs. Michi Handa NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU NAMO AMIDA BUTSU Memorial Service 2017 Memorial year for those who passed away in: year year year year year year year year year If this is a special service year for a departed relative, please contact Rev. Carol Myokei Himaka at (510) to schedule a memorial service.

3 We would like to welcome our 4 new members Emi Sekigahama, Russell Yamasaki, Bryce Osaki, and Chance Tokubo. This brings us to a total of 14. A new record! If you know someone who s in the 8 th 12 grades, please contact Noreen Osaki at n.osaki@comcast.net. We would love to add them to our family. We had our first meeting on August 27 th. The kids were paired up and randomly assigned lunch tasks. Trent and Chance prepared the French fries and buns, while Garrett and Zoe mixed up the brownies and chocolate ganache. Bryce and Emi Y. had watermelon balling duty, and Tiffany and Russell seared the Bulgogi meat. Kylie and Emi S. cut up the onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms, plus did all the cooking with help from Uncle Curtis. It culminated with a nice lunch for all the parents. Trent, Garrett, Brent, Tiffany, Bryce, and Zoe attended the CC JrYBA Volleyball Mixer in Fresno during Labor Day Weekend. They had a good time mixing with the other chapters. On Sept. 10 th, we hosted the Bay Dist JrYBA meeting. Thank you to Yukiko Osaki for planning the lunch, and to Rev Himaka for conducting the service and the impromptu installation. We have two representatives on the Bay District Board - Trent Osaki is Vice President & Brent Sakihara is the Religious Chairperson. Congratulations!! Boutique If you come across the following items while you are cleaning out your closets for the Rummage Sale and the End of the Year Cleaning, please think of donating them to Boutique Thanks! Asian/Hawaiian Fabric Scraps Bias tape Drapery Grommets Black & Blue Thread Lobster clasps Zippers Sewing Weights (can hold down patterns, but easy to move) Quarter-size buttons ¾ non-roll Elastic Sewing Machine in working condition Ripstop nylon for bags Nylon netting for scrubbers

4 BWA NEWS by Nancy Minamide We had a successful BWA Bingo in August. Thank you for your help as well as your donations of cakes, pies and cookies. We are especially thankful for the ladies who come faithfully every Friday to work in the kitchen and in the front to sell items for bingo. Thank you to the men who come to set up the tables and chairs as well as provide help in the kitchen. Together you make our church successful. I apologize for the two items I left out in the zucchini sunomono recipe last month. Thank you Yuki Hayashi for this recipe. Warm white vinegar and sugar (1 to 1) with 2 teaspoons of turmeric and 2 teaspoons of pickling spice. Pour the sauce over the zucchini. Refrigerate and stir mixture occasionally to meld. Store in the refrigerator and use a glass jar as turmeric stains. OBITUARY SACBC extends its sincere condolences to the Mrs. Haruko Kawahara and the Kawahara Family on the passing of Mr. Francis Kawahara. He passed away on Friday August 11, A funeral service was held at Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church on Saturday September 30, May the Nembutsu provide peace of mind and comfort during this time of sorrow. SACBC extends its sincere condolences to the Mrs. Joyce Noma Quan and the Noma Family on the passing of Mr. Nobuo Noma. He passed away on Saturday August 19, A private funeral service was held at Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church on Saturday September 16, May the Nembutsu provide peace of mind and comfort during this time of sorrow.

5 Services for October 2017 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ October 1, 2017 Shotsuki Hoyo 10 A.M. At this monthly memorial service, we will honor those loved ones who passed away in the month of October. October birthdays will be celebrated. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ October 8, 2017 Family Service 10 A.M. Dharma School following service ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ October 15, 2017 Family Service 10 A.M. Rev. Hardiman will be the guest minister. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ October 22, 2017 Family Service 10 A.M. Dharma School following service ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Dharma Discussion (11:30-1:30) After service, lunch will be served to start the Dharma Discussion. Heart of Mahayana Bodhisattva Practices Topics: Patience and Endeavor (Ksanti Paramita and Virya Paramita) How these practices can help end our suffering. Please RSVP to Bill Sawasaki ( ) or by October 17. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ October 29, 2017 Family Service 10 A.M. This is the annual Athletic Association hosted service. Otoki lunch will be served. Dharma School invites everyone, especially youngsters, to join in the trick-or-treating.

6 Dharma Discussion Part of a Series: Heart of Mahayana Bodhisattva Practices Topics: Patience and Endeavor (Ksanti Paramita and Virya Paramita) Oct. 22, 2017 (Sunday) As part of our Fall discussion series, we will consider the second two qualities listed in the Six Paramitas: Patience and Endeavor Patience develops an insightful mind, which does not merely react to the words and actions of others. Patience gives us the time to carefully consider whether what is being said or done has any validity. Endeavor develops our ability to strive and struggle, giving us encouragement to do our very best whatever we wish to accomplish. This effort must be inspired by right motivation, which benefits others, not just ourselves. On Sunday, Oct. 22th, 2017, the Buddhist Education Committee will sponsor this Dharma Discussion. It will be an interactive and informal session. Come join us at 11:30am for lunch followed by the discussion from Noon 1:30pm, in the classrooms in the church. If you plan to attend, please RSVP: to sacbc@sbcglobal.net or leave a message at so we have a ballpark count on how many to plan for lunch. In an attempt to be green, we ask that you bring your own cup or mug. Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church Alvarado Niles Road (cross street is Dowe Ave.) Union City, CA 94587

7 KITCHEN CHANGES As many of you may have already noticed, there are changes underway in our Sangha Hall kitchen. If you have worked on our recent Bazaars, you know that the Alameda County Public Health Department has mandated many of them. Special extra effort was required recently at our Bazaars to get the necessary permits. Going forward, it will be difficult to keep meeting all the public health requirements for our Bazaar and any event where we sell food to the public will eventually require permits. In addition, our kitchen needs major facility upgrades to meet health code standards. As a part of an earlier trial agreement, Royce Mori has been assisting us in meeting these requirements in return for use of our kitchen for his catering business. He has also made many improvements to our kitchen at his expense including new tables, refrigerators, sink faucets, and fixtures. Without his help, we probably would have had a difficult time getting the necessary permits for our Bazaars. We recently completed a longer term agreement with Royce and his company which would allow him to continue use of the kitchen. He would also become our Certified Food Manager and provide kitchen help at many of our events. As a Certified Food Manager, kitchen procedures for any public food event will be under his supervision and getting permits will be easier. Our agreement protects us from any liability and requires him to carry full insurance. Also, this is not a straight monthly lease which would allow him 100% use of the kitchen. In the future, in addition to paying monthly orei, he will make major kitchen improvements which will include new tile floors, plumbing upgrades, splash panels, new ceilings, fire suppression equipment, additional refrigerators, and new ranges & ovens. These improvements which total about $100,000 will be paid for entirely by Royce and will result in a SACBC kitchen that meets all health codes, greatly reducing the risk of the Health Department shutting down our food sales. This will be benefit both SACBC and Royce s company as we move forward but there will be some changes required on how all of us use the kitchen. In most cases, the kitchen is big enough for shared usage but we ll need to manage how this happens. We will be developing some new procedures to coordinate the use of the kitchen and ask for your patience as we work though this. We would also appreciate any feedback and there is a regularly scheduled meeting with Royce on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm in the Hondo classroom to discuss these kitchen changes. All kitchen users are encouraged to attend these meetings so everyone s updated on all the upcoming changes. In Gassho, Ken

8 2017 APPRECIATION LUNCH I hope that everyone who attended had a good time at the Appreciation Lunch. I would like to thank Royce for preparing the lunch and the Jr. YBA for helping to clean up after the lunch. I would especially like to thank Vera Leo (Taiko member) for providing the centerpieces and allowing the church members to take them home after the lunch. I would also like to thank Amy Hatsushi-Hughes for helping me set up the tables and chairs on Saturday afternoon. John Arai ***************************************************************************** Like shopping on Amazon? SACBC is part of the AmazonSmile program. Shop at Amazon Smile and Amazon will make a donation to SACBC! We hope that you, your family and friends will utilize AmazonSmile for all your Amazon purchases every little bit helps. What is Amazon Smile? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support us at NO cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you will find the same low prices, huge selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to SACBC. How do I shop at AmazonSmile? Simply go to smile.amazon.com or to the direct link: Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations? Tens of millions of products are eligible. These products are marked Eligible for AmazonSmile donation. The AmazonSmile donation will donate 0.5% of the purchase prices (less rebates, shipping, gift wrapping fees, taxes & service charges) to the charity by electronic funds transfer each quarter. Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? Yes, you can. How do I select a charitable organization to support? On your first visit to AmazonSmile, select Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church before you begin shopping. AmazonSmile will remember your selection and then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation to SACBC. Can I receive a tax deduction for the amounts donated from my purchases on AmazonSmile? Unfortunately, no. The donations are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation and are not tax deductible by you.

9 October 2017 SACBC ACTIVITIES CALENDAR Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:00a Dharma Family Service Shotsuki Hoyo (O Nami Taiko) 7 9:00a BWA Rummage Sale 8 10:00a Dharma Family Service 11:00a BWA Rummage Sale (SACBC) :00a Dharma Family Service :00p Golden Chain Deadline (SACBC JLS) :00a Dharma Family Service 11:30a Dharma Discussion (American HS) :00a Athletic Assn Service Otoki Following Service 30 31

10 November 2017 Tentative - subject to change Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat (Heiwa Taiko) 4 1:00p Scouts Lei Making 5 10:00a Dharma Family Service Shotsuki Hoyo Keiro Kai Luncheon (following Service) (SACBC) 11 Undokai 12 10:00a Eitaikyo Service 13 12:00p Golden Chain Deadline ( ) :00a Dharma Family Service 11:30a Dharma Discussion 20 office closed 21 office closed 22 office closed 23 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY office closed 24 NO BINGO office closed NO SERVICE

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