TEL (310) FAX (310) Vol. 54, No. 3 March So You Want to Be a Buddhist. Which One?

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1 WEST LOS ANGELES BUDDHIST TEMPLE BULLETIN 2003 Corinth Avenue West Los Angeles, CA TEL (310) FAX (310) Web: 2 Vol. 54, No. 3 March 2011 REV. USUKI S PAGE So You Want to Be a Buddhist. Which One? When Buddha decided to break from the worldly life, he made four great vows: 1) To save all people; 2) To renounce all worldly desires; 3) To learn all the teachings; and 4) To attain perfect Enlightenment. The Teaching of Buddha (2006, p. 17) One of the more common questions asked by people who are interested in Buddhism is How do I become a Buddhist? Perhaps this is an odd question, but it makes sense in the West, since no one is born Buddhist, nor do most come from a traditional Buddhist family. Also, much fanfare has been brewing about Buddhism since the 1960s, so there is growing interest in it. The obvious answer to the question is that since there is no requirement such as baptism in Buddhism, one does not have to do anything but begin learning and taste what it has to teach. The teaching should become the source of one s interest naturally. Joining a temple first cannot compel one to feel that he or she is a Buddhist. It gets even more confusing when we ask, Which kind of Buddhist do you think you want to be? This question is similar to asking a child who has never tasted ice cream to make a choice at Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors while being mesmerized by the pretty colors and fun names. It can also be compared to an adult deciding to buy a car for the first time and not knowing what type, size, power, cost, or color would be suitable. When looking for wines, I now buy based on price and the best looking label, since I have become rather disillusioned with connoisseurs and feel more ignorant about wine. Better yet, I drink whatever my wife brings home. People may first be attracted to Buddhism through the influence of the media or they may be escaping traditional western religion. Thus, they seem to come seeking Buddhism with some confusion, much curiosity, and tremendous energy. Although many appear after finding us via our website, it is often the first time they have heard of Jodo Shinshu, despite the fact that our school of Buddhism arrived in the West over 100 years ago. We may be the oldest tradition, yet the least known. So how does anyone make a wise choice among Tibetan (various schools), Zen (Soto or Rinzai), Soka Gakkai, Nichiren, Shingon, Hsi Lai, Jodo Shu, Jodo Shinshu (Higashi or Nishi), Chinese, Vietnamese, Tenrikyo, Vipassana, and Dzogchen? The list is endless and one can become more perplexed with so many new hybrid Buddhisms that seem to be forming constantly in the West. It would seem that making such a critical decision as choosing one s personal religious and spiritual path would require much more care and attention. There is no specific advice as to how one might approach this path, but for those who already have certain expectations or some mindset as to what they may want to try, such as meditation, chanting, or yoga, they must simply try it and get on with it. There s no use suggesting a particular flavor of ice cream to someone when he or she already has a severe craving for bubblegum mixed with Oreos. Many people are attracted to Buddhism simply due to a perceived exotic nature seen in rituals, ceremonies, robes (and the chance to wear them), (cont d on page 2)

2 unique music, chanting, and the smell of incense. I had one inquiry from a young seeker who was interested in buying or making a robe based on what he saw on TV, simply because it was cool and he wanted to wear one. Buddhism brings out very interesting people, and why not? We live in a very liberal and free society that offers many choices for every aspect of our lives. Whether one is seeking Buddhism, ice cream, or a car, no one is chastised for their taste in any personal decision. However, I would think that whether it is Buddhism, Islam, or Christianity, making a choice as to the specific path to follow should not be taken so lightly as to be based on appearances or exoticism. Buddhism has a long and complicated history and has gone through multiple transformations since Sakyamuni attained buddhahood. Much of what we practice today is devotional and worship Buddhism that developed in its migration from India to China and Japan. Many new ideas, methods, practices, and rituals emerged, some of which seem mind-boggling to believe and understand. Thus, one can only suggest that you try it, taste it, and feel it. If it feels right then you may be on the right personal path. Rev. Fumiaki Usuki Shinshu Corner The Family Altar (Butsudan) (From Traditions of Jodoshinshu Hongwanji-ha by Rev. Masao Kodani and Rev. Russell Hamada, 1984, pp ) History The teachings of Buddha began in India over 2,500 years ago. For approximately 200 years after the death of Sakyamuni Buddha, there were not any sketches or carvings of the image of Buddha. At the time it was considered sacrilegious since it is impossible to create the form of Buddhahood or Ultimate Truth. However, following the first expedition of Alexander the Great to India in 327 B.C., the first images of Buddha began to be carved. Up until this time, the only objects of reverence for Buddhists were the Sharira (relics or ashes) of Sakyamuni Buddha. The Sharira were enshrined on the top of stupas located throughout India. The best known are the stupas of Bharhut, Bodhgaya, and Sanchi. In Japan the Sharira were enshrined at the foot of metal columns (Kurin) which were placed atop three and five storied pagodas. The first historical images of Buddha were carved out of stone and appeared in the northwest region of India called Gandhara (present day northern Pakistan) in about the first century B.C. This type of sculpture reflects a tremendous amount of Greek influence and is referred to as the Gandhara style. At about the same time, images appeared in the Ganges River region. These stone images were referred to as Mathura. It was the Mathura style of making images that accompanied the spread of the Buddhadharma throughout Central Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. As the Buddhadharma flourished, correspondingly 2 the practice of making images of Buddha prospered. In the year 685 A.D., during the reign of the Japanese Emperor Tenmu, an imperial order was declared encouraging every household to construct an altar with a dais where an image of Buddha and a sutra could be enshrined for the purpose of family services. According to old records, this practice never met with widespread acceptance. During the 13th Century, the followers of Jodoshinshu had begun to construct their own Butsudan. However, it was not until the 17th Century, following an order of the Tokugawa Shogunate, that the Butsudan became a general practice throughout the country. This policy by the Tokugawa Shogunate was intended to counter the spread of Christianity in Japan. But, for Jodoshinshu Buddhists, the idea of a Butsudan has always been a deep part of Jodoshinshu tradition from the days beginning with Shinran Shonin. During the early days of Jodoshinshu in Japan, there were not any temples established as we know them today. In those days, the followers of Jodoshinshu had met in what was called a Dojo or place to practice. Practice implied listening to the Buddhadharma. It was common that each follower or household had enshrined its own scroll with Amida Buddha s name (Myogo) inscribed on it. For these followers, this scroll became a place in the home deeply saturated with the hue of spirituality. As the teachings of Jo- (cont d on page 6 )

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE On temple clean-up days, your president can usually be found (should anyone bother to look for him) contentedly clipping the shrubs in the temple garden. I admit I am jealous of the task. Here I have an opportunity to learn much from our experienced temple gardeners, to enjoy the serenity of the environment, and to reflect on some of the singular trees and plants that our garden is graced with. In the two years ahead, I would like occasionally to share some of my thoughts with you on a few of the elements of our garden. Rev. Usuki frequently draws our attention to the tall gingko tree at the southern end of the temple property on Corinth. A neighborhood landmark of uncommon beauty and strangeness, this month it is bare, revealing its anatomical framework. Somewhat like an elm, its long limbs reach not out, but up, creating a mass of seemingly impenetrable vertical members. This is the one tree that our Bay Cities Gardeners, who so carefully and expertly tend the temple garden, do not prune. That job is left to contractors, and I have often wished I could watch them at their task. It doesn t seem possible that they could climb the tree as they would an oak or a poplar, crouching in at various heights and rappelling down on ropes, pruning as they go. There s not enough space for that. Perhaps it is done with a cherrypicker. My wife pointed out to me in October an unusual phenomenon: as we approached the tree from the south, we saw that one solitary branch, about three-quarters of the way up, had turned autumn gold, while the rest of the tree retained its luxuriant summer green. I don t know if this is an annual phenomenon, but I mean to look for it again next October. And the progression of seasonal color-change in the gingko leaf is very curious as well, and as far as I know unique. You may have noticed that in autumn, the tip of the fan-shaped leaf turns bright yellow, while the rest of the leaf remains green. Day by day, the outward yellow encroaches on the inward green, until the whole leaf and the whole tree is a blaze of golden light. On a recent trip to Ireland, my wife and I observed gingkos growing in Coole Park and elsewhere, and in a stop-over in Chicago, we saw several specimens that had obviously been planted and tended. They are thought now to grow wild only in a couple of preserves in China but even there, it is suspected by some that monks have carefully planted and tended them. Yet I have to wonder about that. In Chicago we also spotted to our astonishment several volunteer gingko saplings springing up from a roof-top gutter at an elevated train station. The gingko seems to be a very adaptable tree. And ours is one of the treasures of our temple. In gassho, Rob Kafka westlabtprez@gmail.com (310)

4 MARCH SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011 Endo, Asako Enseki, Mitsuyo Hada, Toyo Hayashi, Michiye Hirai, George Ii, Ritsuye Iino, Akira Imada, Eugene Ishibashi, Shinaichi Ishihara, George Kaisaki, Ida Kawasaki, Hatsuo Kishi, Hidenori Kobori, Mura Koda, May Kodama, Naoyo Kuwahara, Miyuki Labadie, Kazu Machida, Kiyoji Masuda, Mitsujiro Matsuda, Hajime Matsumonji, Tatsuo Miyada, George Miyamura, Yaeko Miyashiro, Sakaki Mochizuki, Terumi Mori, Masao Morioka, Henry Mukai, Yaeko Murakami, Junkichi Nakabara, Torataro Nagatome, Tomiko Nakagawa, Irene Nakagawa, Sumie Nakamura, Junichi Nakanishi, Harumi Nakanishi, Tatsuji Naoye, Susumu Nicho, Chizuko Nitta, Hayami Omoto, Shinjiro Omura, Takashi Oshinomi, Shigeto Pierce, Jeffrey Ryokai, Terukuni Sakahara, Ura Shintaku, Kyuichi Shiosaki, Mitsuko Soda, Geich Strauss, Umeko Sunada, Suye Tachiki, Joseph Takamura, Yoshito Takayama, Kimi Takeda, Shizuko Takemoto, Ritsu Tamura, Hatsuko Tanaka, Manjiro Taniguchi, Satoichi Taniguchi, Shizuichi Taniguchi, Susumu Terama, Shizuye Tominaga, Kurahachi Totani, Tomio Toyofuku, Shinzo Uematsu, Sue Ueno, Yoshiye Yamane, Saburo Yano, Hiromu Yokode, Shigeru Yonemori, Chiyoko CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF: Mikio Asano April 25, December 15, 2010 Marveene Mieko Naramura November 2, January 2, 2011 Marie Toshiko Sakamoto March 7, January 16, 2011 Nancy Sachiko Yoshida September 3, January 19,

5 BWA NEWS Yasuko Shohara BWA PRESIDENT CONNIE YA- HATA was selected 2010 BUD- DHIST OF THE YEAR by Temple President Rick Stambul! Connie has had a huge impact on BWA and Temple affairs with her positive getting the job done energy and spirit. BWA members are grateful for the innovative ideas and programs she has started. Congratulations, Connie!! The 2011 BWA cabinet was installed during the New Year Service on January 9. (See photo on page 8). Six ladies performed during the entertainment portion of the day. (See photo on page 11). Helping with the food/kitchen were: Shirley Ito, Mary Hahn, Kayo Ohkawahira, Kazuko Seike, Haru Matsumune, Jacqui Pierce, Kathy Nishimoto, Beverly Yahata, and Connie Yahata. Yasuko Shohara and Beverly Yahata were responsible for the refreshments for the SD BWL delegates meeting held here on January 15. BWA was Toban for the Ho-onko Service held on January16: Guest hospitality Kayo Ohkawahira Chairperson - Kazuko Seike Organist - Connie Yahata Otoki distribution - Chiyo Nitta, Kayo Ohkawahira, Beverly Yahata The 2011 membership dues of $15.00 are being collected by Membership Chair, Lorraine Soda. March meeting at 11:00 am, March 6. Matinee with BWA will follow from 12 noon featuring Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald (Rajio no Jikan), in Japanese with English subtitles. Upon its release in 1997, it won three Japanese Academy Awards. It had also been nominated for nine other academy award categories. (cont d from Shinshu Corner on page 2) doshinshu spread throughout the countryside, correspondingly, the practice of enshrining a Myogo prospered. Today we recognize this practice as the Butsudan or Family Altar. (Next Bulletin: Adornments ) BUDDHIST MEN REPORT Milton Iwamoto Back in November 2010 Buddhist Men had a successful Longevity Party and I would like to thank Mrs. Kay Kafka, Mrs. Masako Ishioka, Mrs. Kayo Ohkawahira, and the rest of the club members for all their help. We would like to acknowledge the donations given by Rev. and Mrs. Harold Oda, Mr. and Mrs. Sei Shohara, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Yamaguchi. Also in November Buddhist Men hosted our Thanksgiving Day Service and 60th Anniversary Celebration. I want to thank Sei Shohara for being the chairman of the service. I thank Connie Yahata and the BWA for taking over the lunch for the 60th Anniversary. It was very successful. For December I would like to thank Hidemi Ohkawahira, Ichiro Ouchi, Sam Hada, Tak Morimoto, Shinobu Shimomaye, Rob Kafka, Peter Babida, and Jim Shimomaye for helping for Mochitsuki. On April 3, Sunday, at 9:30 am, Buddhist Men is Toban for the Hanamatsuri Service with Rick Stambul as Chairman. Rev. Kodo Tanaka will be guest speaker and you are all welcome to attend. Friday, March 18, 7:30 pm SAVE THE DATE WLA Buddhist Temple Ohigan Speakers: Eng: Rev. Fumiaki Usuki Jpn: Rev. Ensei Nekoda Ohigan Seminar Saturday, March 12, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Ohigan Service Sunday, March 13, 10:00 am 6

6 MATINEE WITH BWA 7

7 WEST L.A. BUDDHIST TEMPLE NEW YEAR S SERVICE AND INSTALLATION January 9, 2011: A beautiful, warm day, sun shining, Rev. Fumiaki Usuki tolling the kansho to announce the start of another new year (the year of the Rabbit!) and our first temple-wide service and installation. We gathered together in the hondo over 125 strong to chant, to welcome the new year together as one temple sangha, and to install our temple cabinet and BWA officers. WLABT Cabinet Left to Right: Sei Shohara, Masako Ishioka, Beverly Yahata, Rob Kafka, Judy Okita, Ichiro Ouchi, Rick Stambul, Rev. Fumiaki Usuki (Missing: Betty Takahashi, Co-Treasurer, and George Lin, Auditor) BWA Cabinet Left to Right: Jacqui Pierce, Lorraine Soda, Yasuko Shohara, Mary Hahn, Beverly Yahata, Connie Yahata, Haru Matsumune, Shirley Ito, Rev. Fumiaki Usuki. (Missing: Judy Yee) 8

8 BUDDHIST OF THE YEAR 2010 Outgoing President Rick Stambul honored two temple members, Dr. Jack Fujimoto and Ms. Connie Yahata, with the Buddhist of the Year Award for This is an annual tradition that started at least as early as 1962 and has continued every year since then. Rick explained that the award to Dr. Jack was more of a lifetime achievement award for his decades of service and dedication to our temple and the community, and he spoke at length about Connie bringing a spirit of energy and revitalization to our temple. We now honor these temple members in our Bulletin. Left to Right: Rev. Ensei Nekoda, Rick Stambul, Dr. jack Fujimoto, and Rev. Fumiaki Usuki Left to Right: Rick Stambul, Rev. Ensei Nekoda, Connie Yahata, and Rev. Fumiaki Usuki. 9

9 West L.A. Buddhist Temple New Year Celebration! West L.A. Buddhist Temple Taiko in Action. Don! Don! Don! Ho! Ah, what did I just say? Oishii! Year of the Rabbit! Left side: (unidentified guest),judy Okita, Milton Iwamoto, Chiyo Nishina. Right side: Tom Ikkanda, Jack Fujimoto, Grace Fujimoto, Ichiro Ouchi, back of Tosh Ishioka's head, Masako Ishioka. Kaylie Nishimoto dancing the Hula. Wow! 10 (cont d on page 11)

10 (cont d from page 10) Chikurei Kai performs. Left to Right: Noriko Matsumoto, Yumiko Iwashita, Minako Larsen, Kylie Mizushima, Grace Mizushima. Left to Right: Minako Larsen, Mrs. Yoko, Grace Mizushima, Kylie Mizushima. Left to Right: Mr. Kamimura (Shakuhachi) and Chikurei Kai. Who can dance with grapes in the face? Connie Yahata, the Head Grape Beverly Yahata in the mix Haru Matsumune in deep meditation Budo Buddhas dancing the Grapevine 11

11 WEST L.A. BUDDHIST TEMPLE ASOKA FUjINKAI INSTALLATION AND CELEBRATION ASOKA Cabinet Left to Right: Ritsuko Uto, Ikuko Yamamoto, Hisako Kokado, Reiko Totani, Toshie Doi, Noriko Matsumoto, Terumi Iwamoto, Toshiko Yamane, Shoko Kishi, Hisae Kotow, Tamiko Hada, Hisako Nakagawa. WEST L.A. BUDDHIST TEMPLE 80 PLUS LUNCH AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Left to Right: Chiyo Nishina, Sumiye Suzuki, Sam Hada, Ikuko Yamamoto, Barbara Tanaka, Yuki Sakurai, and at 97-years old (!) Shizue Naramura. 12

12 13 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple March 2011 ho-onko Service At WeSt l.a. BuDDhiSt temple Left to Right: Rev. Fumiaki Usuki, Rev. Tetsunen Hirota, Rev. Ensei Nekoda. Southern DiStrict council Golf tourney AuGuSt 22, 2011

13 $10 a month would help us! Join the CBE 500 Club for 2011! Be one of 500 members donating $10 a month for 12 months to help assure the annual operation of Buddhist Churches of America s Center for Buddhist Education! Your donation is credited towards Campaign BCA The 21 st Century Be part of our mission! BCA Center for Buddhist Education Inspired by Shinran Shonin s legacy, we strive to provide diverse learning opportunities to deepen the understanding and appreciation of Buddha s wisdom and compassion among Sangha leaders and the broader community. Return to: Campaign BCA The 21 st Century Jodo Shinshu Center Questions and Information: 2140 Durant Avenue Call or Berkeley, CA Robert@bcacampaign.org Buddhist Churches of America is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization (tax ID # ). All donations made to BCA are 100% tax deductible, as allowed by the IRS, if no items of value were received in return for your donation. BCA acknowledges all contributions with a letter that includes the information necessary for your tax records. A gift or pledge of $5,000 or more will permanently place your name on the donor wall, located in the lobby of the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley. Monthly recurring donations may be discontinued at any time Yes, sign me up for the CBE 500 Club for 2011! You may make payment by check payable to Buddhist Churches of America (please write CBE 500 Club in check memo) or you may make a one-time donation or automatic recurring payments with your check card or credit card. To donate online, visit and click on Join CBE 500 Club. Thank you for your continued support! Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Temple Affiliation: Credit Card Type: VISA MasterCard Name on Credit Card: Card #: CCV Expiration Date: I would like to make 12 monthly recurring $10 donations I would like to make a one-time donation of $ 14

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16 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple March 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Bulletin folding toban: Buddhist Men Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm Service and board mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko 10 am Shotsuki hoyo :30 am Service/ discussion 11 am Jr YBA class 11 am BWA mtg 12 pm Matinee-BWA Rev. Usuki off 10:30 am SDMA mtg at LA Betsuin 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:00 pm B-Men mtg 7:30 pm Taiko 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Ohigan seminar Rev. Ensei Nekoda (J) Rev. F. Usuki (E) am Spring Ohigan service Rev. Ensei Nekoda (J) Rev. F. Usuki (E) Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm SD Conference mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko 7:30 pm Bingo 10 am Buddhism class Jr YBA seminar II at Gardena 20 NO service am Temple and garden clean-up 1 pm Shigin Rev. Usuki in San Diego Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm Asoka mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko 10 am - 5 pm BCGA bonsai and cymbidium show 27 9:30 am service/ discussion 11 am Jr YBA class 10 am - 4 pm BCGA bonsai and cymbidium show pm 80+ lunch 29 Rev. Usuki off pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm Phone: westlabt@verizon.net Web site: 19

17 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple : 1 2 7:30 3 1:00 ( ) 7: :00 6 9:30 11:00 Jr YBA 11:00 BWA : :00 ( ) 7:00 7: :30-1:30 ( ) ( ) 13 10:00 ( ) ( ) : 30 SD 17 1:00 ( ) 7: : :00 ( ) 20 NO 8:00 1: : :00 ( ) 7: :00-5:00 BCGA bonsai/cymbidium 27 9:30 11:00 Jr YBA 10:00-4:00 BCGA bonsai/cymbidium :00 ( ) 7: