THE GEPPO. Dancing with Auntie Maxine

Transcription

1 THE GEPPO A publication of the Ogden Buddhist Temple 155 North Street Ogden, UT / P.O. Box 3248 Ogden, UT Temple President: Suzan Y. & Shauna R. Supervising Reverend: Rev. Jerry Hirano Minister s Assistant: Geoffrey R. Rev. Hirano contact info: Office Minister s Assistant: James A. Home Junior Minister s Assistant: Charles A. Emergency Web Site: ogdenbuddhistchurch.org Temple ogdenbuddhisttemple@gmail.com Dancing with Auntie Maxine By Reverend J.K. Hirano As published in the July 2017 edition of Buddhist Thoughts Bon Odori is just a religious dance, which is to say it is "Just dancing." Just as Amida Buddha accepts you sono mama "Just as you are." For this we "Just say the Nembutsu. Namo Amida Butsu. Obon, the Kangi-E, the "Gathering of Joy" calls us yet again to this world of "just-ness, thus- ness, as-it- is-ness." That is why we, "Just Dance!" Rev. Masao Kodani This quote is probably my favorite quote in regards to Obon. I m not sure where it is written, but I know my friend and mentor Rev. Masao Kodani wrote it. Rev. Mas loves Obon. Most everything I know about the history of Obon has come from what I have heard from him or I have read from something he wrote. He has written a history of Obon in the U.S. and also wrote and sang on a few English Bon odori (Obon dance) songs. Over the years, it s amazing how the Bon odori has become such a popular event for the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples in the United States. I think that the spread of Obon in America, may be attributed in a large part to Rev. Mas s various influences. He is also the Father of Japanese American taiko, especially the taiko groups at the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) temples, such as the taiko groups at the Ogden, Salt Lake and Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temples which I supervise. Although the origins of Bon Odori are often traced back to Japan and the Nembutsu Odori. The Nembutsu Odori was a type of religious ritual where people would dance and recite Namo Amida Butsu as they danced. This evolved into a folk dancing held during Obon (Ancestor Memorial services) throughout Japan, typically during the first part of August. The Obon dancing was banned during the early part of the Meiji era ( ), because it was said to cause immoral behavior amongst the young. However, it was once again allowed after the opening of the Taisho era in Therefore, the majority of the Issei, the first generation of Japanese to immigrate to the United States, had probably never seen Bon odori in their native Japan. Bon odori in our present United States was began in the sugar plantations of Hawaii. Bon odori was introduced to the Buddhist Churches of America by Rev. Yoshio Iwanaga in The first Obon Dance was held at the San Francisco Buddhist Temple, followed by Los Angeles Hompa Honganji Betsuin in Here in Salt Lake City, the Obon dancing was started in the 1940s or early 50s. The first instructor was Ms. Maxine Hirano being asked by Rev. Chonen Terakawa to begin Obon dancing in Salt Lake City. Maxine would marry Jack Rev. Hirano s article continued on next page.

2 Furubayashi a few years later. I would like to dedicate this year s Obon to Maxine Noriko Hirano Furubayashi, my Auntie Maxine. She has been without a doubt the single largest influence on our Obon in Salt Lake City. If Auntie Maxine had not been here, there would probably not have been a very big Obon festival in Salt Lake City. If Auntie Maxine had not been in Salt Lake, I may not have become a Buddhist Priest. But that is a different article for another time. This year s Obon will be Auntie Maxine s Hatsubon, the first Obon after her funeral. Thinking about this year s hatsbon and Aunite Maxine s influence upon our local Obon epitomizes my ideal of Obon. Although physically Auntie Maxine may not be here, the essence of who she was and why she loved Obon is a part of all of us who take part in Salt Lake s Obon Festival. She may not be here in the form we all knew as Maxine Furubayashi. However, she is physically represented by her daughter Sandy Iwasaki our lead dance instructor and Maxine s grand daughter Emily Iwasaki, also one of our instructors. This connection to the living and the dead are also represented in our other instructor, Tracy Roberson, granddaughter of Rev. Shintatsu Sanada who followed Rev. Terakawa as the Salt Lake Buddhist temple s minister. Rev. Sanada was also the minister to spearhead the fund drive that resulted in our current Buddhist Temple building. He would drive throughout the western states, Utah, Colorado, California etc., asking for donations to build our current temple. If not for Rev. Sanada we might not even have a Salt Lake Buddhist Temple. Tracy s Father Shinzui Sanada was also the first person to play the Obon Taiko for our Temple. I remember him as a young man, dressed in hapi rhythmically pounding out the beat for our dancers. Physically these individuals, Rev. Terakawa, Maxine Furubayashi, Rev. Sanada, Shinzui Sanada may not be here. However, just as the sound of the Taiko reverberates deeply in each of us and we feel it long after the drum itself has stopped, so do the continuing lives of these many teachers and friends who have physically left this world, remain a part of our lives. As you can see, Obon is a family tradition in Salt Lake City. Obon as a religious ritual is also about a family tradition, the love of a son for his Mother. The origins of the Obon dancing are said to date from the mid 600s C.E. in Japan. However, the story of Obon is much earlier, which is from the Ullambana Sutra. This is the story of one of Shakyamuni great disciple Maudgalyayana or Mokuren in Japanese. It is the love between a child (Mokuren) and his Mother, that our Obon dance is based upon. The word Obon comes from the word Urabon which is a Japanese transliteration of the word Ullambana, Ullambana literally means rescuing those hanging upside down. This refers to the disciple Mokuren searching for his Mother s essence after her death and finding her hanging upside down in the hell of Hungry Ghosts. He went to the Buddha for guidance and the Buddha explained that his Mother had created this karma for herself through her love of Mokuren. My personal understanding of this story is that Mokuren s grief and guilt after the death of his Mother, which is a feeling that I have also experienced at the death of my parents. This desire and need to do something for my parents who I never fully appreciated in life, but now deeply regret for not having done more. I imagine Mokuren going to the Buddha asking, What can I do? I have seen my Mother suffering a hellish existence as a result of the various karma she created to nurture and raise me her ungrateful son. The Buddha always being aware of what the individual needed to hear at that particular time, suggested that through Mokuren s Dana (selfless giving) his mother would be released from such a hellish existence and in turn, so would Mokuren be released from his own hell of guilt. It is always the case, that when we help others, it is actually an act to help ourselves. Mokuren fed his fellow monks as his act of selfless giving during the disciples Summer retreat. After the retreat, when Mokuren meditated and reflected on his actions and life, he and his Mother had been released from their suffering. His happiness at this realization was so great, that he leapt in Joy. That leap for joy is the origins of our Obon dance. That is why the traditional name for Obon in our Jodo Shinshu tradition is Kangi-E (gathering of joy). Rev. Hirano s article continued on next page. GEPPO Page 2

3 Just as Mokuren leapt for Joy and danced for the gratitude he held for his Mother. We dance at Obon as an act of joy and gratitude. It is not about putting on a performance. It is not about our ego self. It is recognizing our true self as the relationships to the world around us. In this dance of joy, we just dance with others, recognizing our relationships with those living and those that have died that allow us to be just as we are. Amida Buddha accepts us just as we are. We dance at Obon just as we are. I dance with my Mother, my Father, Auntie Maxine and all those that have gone before me and allowed me to be a human BEING! I hope you can join us as we dance in Joy and gratitude at our Kangi-E (Gathering of Joy) or more commonly called Obon. Namo Amida Butsu. In Memory The Ogden Buddhist Temple Sangha extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the following member who recently passed away. May the family members find solace and comfort in the Nembutsu. Namo Amida Butsu Yukiko Ryujin August 12, 2017 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE We hope you are all doing well this summer THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT We couldn t have done it without you!!! Thank you for your support of this year s Obon Odori Festival. The event was very successful and we appreciated all the help. We would also like to thank everyone for their support and donations to the Building and Maintenance Fund. The final bill for the parking lot was more than anticipated. We will continue to accept donations to the Building and Maintenance Fund for the parking lot and ongoing maintenance costs to keep our beautiful Temple in good running condition. President s article continued on next page. GEPPO Page 3

4 Everybody MUST re-enroll in the NEW PROGRAM and this must be done annually. Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO Bazaar time is around the corner, October 14. We are starting to organize the major activities for the Bazaar. We will have Bazaar Prep October 11, 12, 13 (Wed., Thurs., Fri.) 6:00 pm. If contacted by an activities Chairperson, please volunteer some of your time if you are able. In the event that you are not contacted and would like to help, please contact a board member or either one of us your help will be gratefully appreciated. In Gassho, Shauna R. and Suzan Y. BUDDHIST WOMEN S ASSOCIATION NEWS By Brenda K. Fall is in the air and hopefully the heat of summer is over. Time for the temple to prepare for the upcoming bazaar, and the BWA women have been busy already organizing and preparing for the event. In reviewing the past, thank you to all who attended the BWA bus trip on June 25 and donated goodies for the ride to Wendover. Special thanks to Shauna R. for donating the bags that were used and for organizing the distribution of the bags. A big thanks to all the BWA members who helped with the Obon Festival food preparation. The event was a success and will add needed funds for the temple s general operating expenses. The delicious Manju sold out early and almost all the food prepared was sold out by the end of the event. Also, thank you to Sharon K. for donating lunch while we prepared the Manju. BWA article continued on next page. GEPPO Page 4

5 The BWA members have already started working on the quilt to use for an opportunity drawing at the bazaar upcoming on October 14. Thank you to those who helped on August 6 and 13 to prepare the quilt. Special thanks to Ruth S. for purchasing the material and doing preliminary preparations for the project. Our appreciation is extended to Darlene M. who is sewing the quilt for the BWA. All members and anyone interested are requested to circle the following dates to come and help. Manju making is scheduled for October 1, 7 and 8 at 9:00 a.m. The BWA will be preparing Yaki, Fukashi and Mochi manju accordingly on each day. Also if you have a Silpat type liner for baking pans, please bring that with you. Sushi preparation will also require volunteers to assist with the preparation. Dates for that will occur on Thursday- Saturday, October 12 at 9:00 a.m., October 13 at 8:00 a.m. and October 14 at 9:00 a.m. If you are able, please come and help out. Our next BWA meeting will be September 17 at 10:00 a.m. Your attendance is appreciated. BWA DONATIONS (Omitted for Online Version) 2017 Membership Yai Y. Manju Making Fun: GEPPO Page 5

6 DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS Superintendent Message It seems like it was only a few weeks ago when we were honoring our 2017 graduates back in June; however, our other Dharma School students have already returned to a new school year. Thank you to all the Dharma School students and their parents for their help with the Obon preparations and event. Our students helped with kitchen preparations, directed traffic in the parking lot and helped with the set-up and clean-up of our festivities. A special shout out to Kris Y., who checks supplies for the Dharma School Obon concessions every year, planning and coordinating the Dharma School booth. We will be holding a Dharma School planning meeting on Sunday, August 27 th, to discuss our curriculum and activities for the school year. We will also coordinate the Dharma School student assignments for our upcoming food bazaar during the meeting. Our Dharma School lessons and services will resume on September 17 th for the new school year. We will be doing outdoor activities for the Dharma School students after Taiko practice, followed by lunch and then service at 1:30 p.m. Due to the food bazaar clean-up on Sunday, October 15 th, there will be no Dharma School held on that day nor will services be conducted. And, since this newsletter covers events through the end of October, please mark Sunday, October 29 th, on your calendars for the Salt Lake Dharma School Halloween party. We will not be conducting Dharma School on the 29th. In Gassho, LaVerne Kyed Dharma School Donations (Omitted for Online Version) Thank you to all those who donated to the Dharma School Obon booth! We are so lucky to have such great supporters like you. We have included all our donors on the church listing. Dharma School Activities continued on next page. GEPPO ~ Page 6

7 DHARMA SCHOOL ACTIVITES! Hatsumairi Taiko Performance for the Grand Opening of the Topaz Museum GEPPO Page 7

8 Summer Lawn Mowing Schedule Thank you to everybody who pitches in every summer to help keep our temple grounds looking fantastic! Date Scheduled Group September 3, 2017 Kirk Y., Tom F., Steve Y. September 10, 2017 Steve K., Bart H., Blaine Y. September 17, 2017 Dharma School Begins mow lawn after Service OBON THANK YOU The Ogden Buddhist Church would like to sincerely THANK everybody who donated to our OBON Festival. This special event is only a success because of the support of YOU. Chuck & Maya C. Susan C. Linda E. Bruce & Christy F. Tom & Marci F. Julia F. Dave & Dorothy H. Fran H. Stephanie H. Steve & Ellen K. Pat K. Brenda K. Fumi K. Mike & Annette K. Sharon K. Wes & Deb K. Ernie & LaVerne K. Kunie O. Shauna R. Geoff & Linda R. Betty S. Roland & Janice S. Patsy S. Ruth S. Craig & Geniel S. Steve & Kris Y. Kirk & Betty Y. Carl & Marilyn Y. Max & Georgia Y. Toby & Mui Y. Sherrie K. Blaine & Suzan Y. Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California GEPPO Page 8

9 BAZAAR DONATION LIST We just thanked you for your donation to our Obon Festival. And Bazaar is just around the corner! Please save the date of October 14 th!! Once again, we are asking our members and friends if there is anything they can donate to help us offset some of the costs of Bazaar. 1-5 Gallon bucket Soy Sauce 2-25-pound bag sugar 2 - Gallon size bottle rice vinegar (green label) 1 56-oz can toasted sesame oil 1 large bottle Ginger Powder 1 large bottle Garlic Powder 1 large bottle Onion Powder 1 large bag Wasabi Powder 2 bags Ajinomoto 1 Large box Dashi No Moto 1 Large bag Genmai Tea 11 regular or 5 large bottles chicken bouillon paste 8-20-lb bags rice 4 boxes gloves, size small 4 boxes gloves, size medium 4 boxes gloves, size large 4 small or 2 Costco size cornstarch 4 regular or 2 large boxes salt 4 - Gallon size bottles oil 2 - Boxes sandwich bags (fold over type) 2 - Large bottles Yoshida Sauce If you can help us, please let Ruth S. know what you can donate from the above list and when you can bring it to the church. Ruth can be reached at (Omitted for Online Version). GEPPO ~ Page 9

10 The Ogden Buddhist Church Dining Room Opens at 3:00 pm Japanese Food Manju Desserts Dry Goods Raffle Produce BINGO Children s Game Area 155 North Street Ogden, UT (801) GEPPO ~ Page 10

11 OHIGAN SERVICE August / September Shotsuki Hoyo* Sunday, September 17, :30 p.m. The word Higan comes from the Sanskrit word Paramita - "Other Shore." The words "other shore" refer to the "world of Nirvana." As the name Higan denotes, this is the time to remind within each and every one of us the Bodhisattva practice of the Six Paramitas of charity, morality, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom. It is the means by which one crosses over the illusory ocean of birth and death to the other shore of Nirvana. October Shotsuki Hoyo* Sunday, October 22, :30 p.m. *Monthly Memorial Service GEPPO ~ Page 11

12 August/September & October Shotsuki Hoyo August/September Shotsuki Hoyo September 17, 2017, 1:30 p.m. October Shotsuki Hoyo October 22, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Aug Lily Aoki Aug Michiyo Michi Aoki Aug Tome Fujita Aug Kiyoko M. Hamada Aug Kazuye Kay Hattori Aug Tama I. Kariya Aug Dick Hideki Kishimoto Aug Yoneko Imaizumi Kiyomura Aug Matsuichi Kurokawa Aug Mildred N. Miya Aug Buster Shizuo Miyagishima Aug Tomoshichi Mochida Aug Yoichi Sakiyama Aug Kenzo Shiki Aug Tamegoro Shimizu Aug Masao Shirazmizu Aug Joseph Terumi Suekawa Aug Jiro Joe Sumida Aug Kenneth Kiyoshi Takamatsu Aug Ferry Hiroko Taniguchi Aug Isao Yamaguchi Aug Ada Muriko Yonemura Aug Sam Osamu Yamamoto Aug Tok Yoshimura Sept Otoshichi Endow Sept Tetsuzo Fujita Sept Butch Masakazu Higashiyama Sept Fumiko Horiuchi Sept Yuriko Inouye Sept Tokio Kuroiwa Sept Yoshiko Miyagishima Sept Toshi Oda Sept Run Okawa Sept Kosuye Okura Sept Nobuichi Sato Sept Taeko O. Suekawa Sept John Y. Taniguchi Sept Taichi Teramoto Sept Shime Tokifuji Sept Sachiko Sharon Yamamoto Sept Yasaburo Yamane Sept Akira William Yokota Sept Dick Yoshida 2017 Memorial Service Schedule for those who passed away in: year year year year year year year year year Oct Yusako Obayashi Burke Oct Jintaro Hano Oct Masao Eugene Higashiyama Oct Kuichi Hirabayashi Oct Mack Susumu Hirai Oct Harold Edwin Hull Oct George Imaizumi Oct Mary S. Imaizumi Oct Chiyoko Barbara Inouye Oct Fusaye Nakamura Kano Oct Tayoko Iriye-Kawaguchi Oct Tom Tadao Kinomoto Oct Tatsuo Koga Oct Moju Kosaiku Oct Rodney Manji Kuroiwa Oct Yorimoto Murakami Oct Fumi Nakahara Oct Mary Chiyono Nisogi Oct Sumi Nisogi Oct Chujiro Ono Oct Joanne (Kano) Petersen Oct Harry Takeo Sato Oct Mitsuyo Shiki Oct Royce I. Shiki Oct Tamekichi Takahashi Oct Kome Tawatari Oct Shigeto Tokifuji Oct Yukichi Ukita Oct Tokutaro Yagi Oct Masaru Mas Yamada Oct Senai Yamaguchi Oct Tsuruyo Yamane Oct Shikazo Yamashita Oct Mary S. Yonemura Oct Tatsuo Kay Yonetani Oct Tokiko Yoshida Oct George Kaoru Yoshinaga Oct Valentine Hisako Yoshinaga Oct Toshi Yoshitaka For those years not having a specific memorial service such as 2nd, 4th, 5th, etc. the temple is holding these monthly Shotsuki Hoyo. During these services, the temple will list the names of those members who have died during the month in the preceding years. The families then attends that monthly service in memory of their loved one. These services are not meant to replace the specific memorial services. Please contact Rev. Hirano to make arrangements for those services. Rev. Hirano contact information: Office: , Home: , Emergency: Corrections/Additions to the Shotsuki Hoyo list, please contact Ruth S., (Omitted for Online Version) GEPPO ~ Page 12

13 SEPTEMBER 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 a.m :00 am Meditation 9:30 am Discussion Group 11:00 am SL Dharma School Sensei s House :30 pm OBC Board Meeting 13 NO :00 am BWA Meeting 12:00 pm Meditation 12:00 pm First Day of Dharma School Party & Lunch 12:30 pm Discussion Group 1:30 pm Family Service Shotuski Hoyo NO :00 pm Meditation 12:00 pm Dharma School Meeting 12:30 pm Discussion Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service NO Salt Lake BAZAAR Toban Cleaning Group: James & Marisa A. (Toban Cleaning Leader) Charles A. Max & Georgia Y. Toby Y. & Mui T. GEPPO Page 15

14 OCTOBER 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 am BWA Manju Making NO Meditation NO Discussion Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service 10:00 a.m. 9:00 am BWA Manju Making 9:00 am Church Yard Clean-Up 9:00 am BWA Manju Making NO Meditation NO Discussion Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service :30 pm OBC Board Meeting 11 10:00 a.m. 6:00 pm Bazaar Food Prep 12 9:00 am BWA Bazaar Food Prep 6:00 pm Bazaar Food Prep 13 8:00 am BWA Bazaar Food Prep 6:00 pm Bazaar Food Prep OBC BAZAAR 14 Prep at 9:00 am Food Service 3:00 7:00 pm NO Services 10:00 am Bazaar Clean-Up :00 a.m :00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Discussion Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service NO WFN JACL Family Fun Night Scholarship Fund Raiser 5:00 7:00 pm 10:00 am Halloween Service & Salt Lake 12:00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Discussion Group No Service in Ogden Toban Cleaning Group: Bazaar Clean-Up GEPPO Page 16