the Padma BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Our Vision A Community Where Our Spiritual Life And True Self Can Be Realized

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1 the Padma April 2012 BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Web Edition Our Vision A Community Where Our Spiritual Life And True Self Can Be Realized Our Mission To Live A Life Of Joy In The Nembutsu And Share The Dharma With Others

2 April 2012 t h e P a d m a BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE 2121 Channing Way, Berkeley, California (510) WEB EDITION Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat :30 am Hanamatsuri/ Hatsumairi Service with Sangha Singers Coffee social following service 8 9:30 am Dharma Family Svc Tea time following service 9 10 Crafts 10am-1pm Temple Board Mtg 7:30 pm :30 am Dharma Family Svc 11:15 am BBWA Mtg Tea time following service Padma Newsletter 6:30 pm Inari age prep 9:00 am Volunteers Needed! 22 9:30 am Dharma Family Svc Tea time following service Please Note: Bazaar Mtg 7:00 pm Crafts 10am-1pm :30 am Combined Dharma Family/Shotsuki Hoyo Service 30 NOTE: For temple matters, please contact Rev. Matsumoto at (510) , or leave a message on the temple answering machine. Temple web: Temple info@berkeleysangha.org Sangha Singers practice Tea time following service

3 FUTURE DATES TO REMEMBER April 1 - Hanamatsuri/Hatsumairi service April 8 - Taige-kai April 23 - Bazaar meeting April 29 - DFS & Shotsuki Hoyo May 6 - No service; Bazaar Construction day May 13 - Gotanye/Parents Day service May 19 & 20 - Annual Satsuki Bazaar & Arts Festival May 27 - DFS & Shotsuki Hoyo

4 [Here's another old article that came back to mind during recent events, especially the first year service in memory of the victims of the horrific earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck eastern Japan in March 2011.] Standing on the Buddha Ground How joyful I am! My heart stands upon the Buddha ground of the Universal Vow. My thoughts flow in the inconceivable ocean of the Dharma. JISHIN, KAMINARI, KAJI, OYAJI. This famous, old Japanese phrase lists all of those things that people are said to fear: Earthquakes, thunder/lightening, fires and the old man. I thought of it the other day, during that huge rainstorm in the Bay Area. People were saying how frightening it was to be in the middle of a thunderstorm, with flashes of lightening and booms of thunder rattling the walls. This old Midwesterner, however, didn t mind it all that much, since I had lived through many such storms. Still, it is true that thunder and lightening can be pretty unsettling. We are all afraid of fires, I would guess. The people in old Japan were probably terrified of them, since buildings were all made of wood and local fire stations probably didn t exist. The old man is a funny addition to this list of scary things. Maybe it s just a little hard for 21 st Century Americans to relate to. I ve heard, however, that traditional Japanese fathers could be the sources of genuine horror. Earthquakes, on the other hand, really scare me. Not that I ve felt many at all, and certainly no big ones. But we Midwesterners just aren t used to having the ground move under our feet. Wind and rain might pelt us. Lightening might come crashing down. Trees might fall. Buildings might be engulfed in flames. But we would expect the ground beneath our feet to support us, to be secure. But even the ground can move, becoming the source of danger, destruction and fear. This world is filled with many unsettling and frightening things. Natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes can occur anytime. Criminals of the street or white-collar variety prey upon the weak and vulnerable. Wars, whether justified or not, tear apart nations, families and lives. Physical or mental illness can debilitate anyone. Life is filled with uncertainty; it is fragile, fleeting and filled with scary things. That much is undeniably true. But, it is how we respond to these uncertain and scary things that will define our lives; it will determine who we are. Our lives are not pre-determined by the gods, fate or karma. The conditions of our lives bring us face-to-face with challenges, and then enable us to respond to them in our way. We have choices in life and the choices we make will define who we are. We can run away from hardship or responsibility. We can live in denial or be paralyzed by fear. Or, we can face the challenges of life. We can face all of the scary things of life and, despite or even because of them, choose to live with awareness, appreciation, and authenticity. The Primal Vow of Amida Buddha is life s deepest and most profound wish: the wish that we might live our true lives. The Buddha-dharma gives us the encouragement to live with courage and joy, and provides us with guidance in making those choices. The words above are those of Shinran Shōnin. I imagine him shouting out those words in ancient Japan as he stood before a roaring sea, his life in exile filled with uncertainty and the very ground shaking beneath his feet. Facing his fears, he chose life he was able to live his true life for he was standing firmly on the Buddha ground. Namu Amida Butsu Rev. D. Matsumoto April 2012

5 PRESIDENTS MESSAGE Happy spring everyone! As most of you know, the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) has an annual National Council Meeting to which every member temple and affiliated organization sends representatives to discuss and vote on issues that concern our entire organization. It is typically held during the last weekend in February, and the location rotates among the various districts of the BCA along the west coast. Next year we (the Bay District) will be the host at the Marriott Hotel in San Mateo. As we discussed in these pages last year, these meetings are important for the BCA and for us here in Berkeley because it is at these events that not only mundane administrative decisions are made, but issues like the funding of the Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) and the Institute of Buddhist Studies are discussed and voted on in an open forum. The National Council Meeting represents the most transparent and participatory event for the member temples and even individual members with regard to the functions of the BCA as a whole. Like last year, the longest discussions at this year s meetings, were over financial issues centered on the debt from the JSC. With the Debt Relief program coming to a close in May, the debt owed to the California Bank and Trust is still approximately 2 million dollars. One of the issues with this debt is that the monthly payments are coming at the expense of our attempts to expand programs at the Center for Buddhist Education, like the Youth Advocacy Campaign. Thus, our individual temples have been asked to use the remaining few months of the Debt Relief program to push to reduce the debt as much as possible. We at the BBT have always been strong supporters of the JSC, and aside from encouraging all of you to participate in this effort, the board would like to acknowledge our Sangha for all their efforts and contributions, both financial and in participation on behalf of the Jodo Shinshu Center. The other issue that we want to highlight this month is the formation of a Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Committee at our temple. This is a direct result of our memorial service on March 11 for victims of the Northern Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Reactor Disaster. As Edythe Vassall reminded us, we in the Bay Area are very much at risk for at least the natural events. At our February board meeting, one of the discussion items was an assessment of the level of natural disaster preparedness at the BBT and as you might expect, we found ourselves lacking. As such, we would like to solicit any interested members who would like assist in putting this committee together and getting our temple and our Sangha a bit more adequately prepared in case such unfortunate events should befall us. Spring into Gassho, Art Nishimura and Willie Fernandez BBT Co presidents

6 COMBINED DHARMA FAMILY SERVICE & SHOTSUKI MEMORIAL SERVICE April 29, :30 am Shotsuki Hoyo Service April 29, 2012, 9:30 AM The following persons will be remembered during the Shotsuki Hoyo (monthly memorial service) for April. Kinoe Adachi Shigetaro Adachi Douglas I. Ariyoshi Yoshino Ariyoshi Nobuko Mae Asami Jack S. Ehara Dirk S. Fujii Juzaburo Furuzawa Toshiko T. Goodman Takekuni Hino Hisako H. Hirose Hiroichi Hishida Toyoye Ichiyasu Soka Ikemoto Chiyo Ishikawa Kanzo Iyama George Kako Takeo Katayama Kikutaro Kimura Shunta Marubayashi Chiyomi Masuda Yemiko Masunaga Kimiyo Matsui Tsutomu Matsumoto Hideaki Matsunaga Victoria Mizuhara Torao Tony Mizusaki Toshio Morishita Arthur Nakamura Virginia T. Nakaso James K. Nishimoto Joe Oishi Riu Oishi Makitaro Sakaki Shoichi Sawada Matsutaro Takemori Masae Takeshita Hideo Taketa Kenichi Tokuyoshi Yoshimi Toyota Alice T.Tsukimura Izumi Uyeda James Wakida David S. Watanabe Takeo Yamada Katsuji Yokoyama Yonosuke Yokoyama Hideichi J.Yoshida Hisayo Yoshimura Note: If there are any additions, corrections or deletions to the above list, please notify the Berkeley Buddhist Temple at

7 Does Your Karma Necessarily Mean Your Fault? by Diane Ames Modern Buddhist scholars are coming to the conclusion that there is collective karma as well as individual karma, though the line between them is sometimes blurred. So what does this abstruse statement mean? Say that Joe gets cancer of the esophagus. There is a general chorus of, Did he smoke? If he did, people may sigh that it was his own fault and some may mumble, Karma. And Joe does bear a certain amount of responsibility in the matter. If he wants to live, he will have to act responsible and quit smoking at last. If that means admitting that he needs medical help, possibly behavioral therapy, to do so, he must do it. However, smoking does not cause cancer all by itself. It seems to have a lot to do with genetic vulnerability, which may mean that Joe had the wrong ancestors. He can t change that; he s already been born. And say that Joe s esophageal cancer was caused by having had gastroesophageal reflux disease (chronic heartburn), or something similar, for many decades, while smoking too, a common double whammy. So Joe was a long time GERD sufferer over sixty, meaning that a test called an endoscopy was in order and might have saved him. Then who was responsible for the fact that he did not get the test? The harried doctor who did not suggest it in the eight minutes a year that he saw Joe? The insurance company which would not pay for it? Joe, who avoided doctors as much as possible? Maybe he was in denial about his health or then again, maybe he couldn t afford the high co-pays on his crummy insurance. In short, the causes and conditions leading to a problem like Joe s cancer are complex, and both the individual and society may share responsibility in the matter. In Buddhist terms, the karma involved is both individual and collective. That means that both the individual and society have to make an effort if the problem is to be solved. In Joe s case, treatment must be provided and Joe must comply with it, which means treating his nicotine addiction among other things. Then all concerned, hopefully including Joe, need to consider how to avoid more cases like Joe s. One of the chief functions of a health care system is to deal with, and help contain, manifestations of human idiocy that society often encourages (how many billboards advertise cigarettes or cheeseburgers, which also do us in?). After all, how many of us really have optimal health habits? In this as in everything else, we are all bonbu.

8 HANAMATSURI & HATSUMAIRI SERVICES April 1, :30 AM Dharma School Program Coffee Social following the service BAZAAR PLANNING MEETING *** Please note change of date! *** MONDAY, APRIL 23, PM in OLD HONDO >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> REMINDER BAZAAR CONSTRUCTION ON SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012 PLEASE COME AND HELP FROM 8:30 AM Refreshments served. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT A big thank you to Don and Joanie Hamasaki for their donation of a new DVD player which is now connected to the flat-screen TV in the social hall! Their donation will greatly facilitate the showing of many meaningful presentations for all to see. Thank you, Don and Joanie!

9 TEL: (510) Berkeley Buddhist Temple 2121 Channing Way Berkeley, CA March 20, 2012 Dear Sangha Friends, The warm spring has finally arrived. Cherry blossoms are preparing to bloom. We hope you are doing well in the Compassionate Light of the Buddha. April is the month of O-Hanamatsuri, the celebration of the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddhists all over the world celebrate his birth. At the Berkeley Buddhist Temple, we will celebrate Hanamatsuri on Sunday, April 1 from 9:30 AM. We will have a beautiful hanamido decorated by the 6 th to 8 th graders of our Dharma School. There will be a Dharma School program as well. There will also be a Hatsumairi service for infants. A coffee social will follow the service. Please come and observe this auspicious occasion at our temple. An envelope is attached for your special Hanamatsuri donation. The Temple greatly appreciates your thoughtful generosity. In Gassho, Berkeley Buddhist Temple

10 HATSUMAIRI INFANT PRESENTATION CEREMONY Sunday, April 1, 2012 We cordially invite you to bring your newborns and children up to one year of age to participate in our annual Hatsumairi Ceremony, which is to take place during our Hanamatsuri service on Sunday, April 1, Hatsumairi literally means first Buddhist service. Often translated as Infant Presentation Service, Hatsumairi represents the first opportunity for parents to bring infants who were born during the previous year to our Temple. At the same time, it gives our Temple the opportunity to give expression to the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha, which embraces people of all ages, genders, races and social strata. If you wish to participate, please complete the form below and return it to the temple by Wednesday, March 28. Please call the temple at (510) if you have any questions regarding this ceremony. Thank you! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Please complete form and send to the temple by March 28. Send to Rev. David Matsumoto 2121 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA HATSUMAIRI PARTICIPATION FORM Name of child Age Parents Names Address City Zip Phone number address

11 2012 BBT DIRECTORY The 2012 Berkeley Buddhist Temple Directory has been sent out. The Directory contains names, telephone numbers and addresses of pledged members, who will be the only recipients of the Directory. The Directory also has a listing of the BBT cabinet, Board of Directors, organizations, and committee chairpersons. There is a Dharma School section listing their cabinet, teachers, students, and parents of the students. The monthly toban section lists toban duties by month, the chairpersons and co-chairpersons for each month, and the names of the individual members assigned to a particular month. If you are not aware of the month in which you have toban duties, please check the toban listing in the Directory. ************************************************************************ The following is a list of special service years. If you have a dear departed relative who passed away in any of the listed years, and would like to make arrangements for a memorial service, please contact Rev. Matsumoto at (510) ************************************************************************ 2012 MEMORIAL SERVICE SCHEDULE YEAR SERVICE st Year rd Year th Year th Year th Year th Year rd Year th Year th Year

12 Taige-kai ( 体解会 ) Berkeley Buddhist Temple Study Class The Berkeley Buddhist Temple invites you to take part in the next session of the Taige-kai, a gathering to learn and experience ( 体解 ) the Path of the Buddha. ********************* Buddha Stories Tales, Narratives & Legends about Sakyamuni Buddha ********************* Dharma Family Service Sunday, April 8, 2012, 9:30 am All interested persons are welcome to attend. Please invite you friends! We hope to see you at the Taige-kai!

13 MAY 19 & 20 You would like to help, but don t know what to donate? May we make a few suggestions? Brand-new or like-new, preferably in its box: Artwork: Japanese artwork, housewares, ceramics, paintings, photographs Electronics: iphone, ipod, itunes, Wii, cell phone, MP3 player, digital camera. Entertainment: civic light opera tickets, movie passes, Lawrence Hall of Science Gift Certificates to your favorite restaurant, fun centers, spa treatment, massage... Kitchen appliances: perhaps an unopened wedding gift? Services or lessons: yard-work, construction, swimming, SAT, math, reading, music Sporting event tickets to: As, Giants, Raiders, 49ers, Sharks, Bears, Cardinals, tee-times at golf courses, auto-racing. Travel: spare frequent flyer mileage.. Weekend Get-Away: donate your condo for a weekend in Tahoe, Reno, Hawaii, wine country, Monterey Bay.. Contact Silent Auction Co-Chairs: Grant Din or Miki Adachi ( )

14 SUSHI AND MANJU VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Berkeley Buddhist Temple s Satsuki Bazaar & Arts Festival is scheduled for May 19 20, The Osushi Department will prepare the age for the inarizushi on Saturday, April 21 starting at 9:00 a.m. The BBT is one of the few temples that flavor the age with its secret recipe. This task is time consuming and it would be helpful to have many volunteers help with this preparation. You will have fun learning the skill of preparing age, working with friendly folks, and consuming a newly-tested lunch menu. Please contact Yuki Otake (510) , Susan Gabriel (510) or Patty Fujiwara Wilmsen (510) Another food item that is sold at our bazaar is the delicious kuri manju. Please join us in preparing this popular Japanese dessert on Saturday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m. Special lunch will be served. For more information please contact Amy Shinsako (510) or amyshi@att.net, Pat Takeda (510) or Yuki Otake (510) PLEASE NOTE: Men are invited to participate in the two cooking events. BCA Center for Buddhist Education Upcoming Events at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, California BCA Center for Buddhist Education presents: Crossing Over to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism May 4-6, 2012 A seminar for seekers from non-jodo Shinshu Buddhist traditions Jodo Shinshu 101: An introduction to the foundations of Buddhism and the Shin Buddhist approach to life. Registration donation: $75 per person Deadline: April 10, 2012 Registration information at or call or admin@cbe-bca.org Institute of Buddhist Studies and Center for Buddhist Education present Pacific Seminar 21 st Century Shinran s Quest: Understanding Himself to Understand the Human Condition Dr. Mark Blum Professor of Japanese Studies, University of Albany, State University of New York July 6-8, 2012 at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, California Registration donation: $125 due by June 1 Early Registration: $100 due by May 1 Student Rate: $50 with Student ID For more details and online registration, visit or call or admin@cbe-bca.org

15 BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Board of Directors Meeting February 14, 2012 Attendance: Rev. David Matsumoto, Art Nishimura, Susan Gabriel, Lucy Hamai, Don Hamasaki, Ron Hiraga, Kiyoshi Katsumoto, Emiko Katsumoto, Judy Kono, Emi Nakao, Gary Oda, Wayne Sugihara, Russell Ware, Marrie Yamashita, Lena Yin, Yuki Otake, Judy Fujimoto. Proxies: Jon Kawamoto, Takashi Nikaidoh. Kiyoshi Katsumoto called the meeting to order at 7:30PM with opening gassho lead by Rev. Matsumoto. (Pres. Art Nishimura was slightly delayed in traffic and arrived at 7:32PM.) MINISTER S REPORT: Rev. Matsumoto issued a written report for 1/10 2/13/12, which included the following: 6 meetings; 4 consultations; 4 memorial service; 1 internment service; 1/13 JSC Hoonko service & IBS ministerial students practicum JSC; 1/15 BBT DFS; 1/22 Hoonko SFBC; 1/22 BBT DFS & gatha practice w/ Dii Lewis; 1/26 1/29 trip to Orange County; 1/26 1/27 IBS intensive course On OCBC Education Center; 1/27 Winter Pacific Gardena BT; 1/28 Winter Pacific Seminar A Life of LA Betsuin; 1/29 BBT DF & Shotsuki Memorial service w/ guest officiant/speaker Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara; 2/5 BBT Nirvana Day service w/ guest speaker Rev. Dr. Ronald Nakasone; 2/7 IBS Ministerial Students Practicum JSC; 2/12 BBT Pet Memorial service & annual general meeting. Upcoming Events & Activities: 2/19 BBT DFS & Taigekai Many Paths, My Path ; 2/19 special memorial service; 2/23 BCA Ministers Meeting, Sacramento; 2/24 BCA Endow ment Foundation Meeting, Sacramento; 2/24 2/25 Ryukoku University IBS Joint Research Group JSC; 2/26 BBT DFS & Shotsuki Memorial service; 3/1 BDDSTL JSC; 3/4 BBT Dana Day service w/ guest speaker Rev. Ikuo Nishimura; 3/11 BBT DFS. TREASURER S REPORT: Satoshi Steimetz issued 3 reports for the year CORRESPONDENCE: SACBC asked if the BBT would like any more surplus BCA 100th Anniversary books. REPORTS BY AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS BBWA: Yuki Otake reported the following 3/4 Dana Day Service to be chaired by Diane Ames w/ Osaisen and canned food contributions to be donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank; 3/18 BBWA will provide chow mein and cakes for the Ohigan luncheon; 11/11 Interfaith Panel on Problems Facing Young People Today to be coordinated by Diane Ames; Yuki Otake & Carolyn Fernandez are updating the list of Temple members 90 years and older; planning begun for 2014 BBWA Centennial w/ fund raisers to support the event on going for the next two years. DHARMA SCHOOL: Judy Kono reported that the BDDSTL will host the 2013 Federation Conference. JR.YBA: Mali McGuire and Kai Wilmsen submitted a written report which included the following 1) the 2/4 Bay District ski trip was cancelled due to lack of snow and a photo scavenger hunt in SF took place instead, followed by ice skating at the Yerba Buena Gardens, and a dinner and sleep over at the SFBC; 2) on 3/10 the BD Conference will take place at the Palo Alto Temple w/ the theme Star Wars: May the Dharma Be with You ; there will be workshops addressing the 3 poisons, Greed, Anger and Stupidity, with the BBT chapter in charge of the Anger workshop; 3) Kai Wilmsen attended on 1/28 1/29 the annual YAC the JSC, where delegates addressed common issues that come up while running their respective districts and furthered their deeper understanding of Buddhism. J SEI: no report. Pres. Nishimura will confirm which of the BBT representatives is available to attend J SEI meetings. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE: Rev. Matsumoto clarified that the BBT Obon service will be on 7/8, but the Obon Dance will take place at the Berkeley Higashi Hongwanji on 7/14. He reported that the 10/7 guest speaker is Rev. Kusunoki, 10/21 Esshini Kakushinni guest speaker is Rev. Himaka, and 11/18 Hoonko guest speaker is Rev. Shibata. Art Nishimura noted the following schedule changes 6/3 DF Graduation Service & coffee social; 8/19 no service; 9/9 DS starts; 10/28 is the October Shotsuki service; 11/25 is the November Shotsuki service. Emiko Katsumoto proposed that the Padma calendar display all scheduled events, including meetings, of the affiliated organizations. Rev. Matsumoto asked the Board to support Edythe Vassall s participation in the CBE s MAP program. Kiyoshi Katsumoto moved that the Temple pay Edythe s MAP registration fee; seconded by Lena Yin and passed. PLEDGE/MEMBERSHIP: Mimi Kagehiro issued a written report stating that in 2011 through January 2012 the Temple lost 14 individual members and gained 10 new member families. New members for 2012 are David Ringle (husband of Christina Yanko) and Sadako Delcollo.

16 BUILDING MAINTENANCE: No report. GARDEN MAINTENANCE: Gary Oda proposed that new garden equipment be purchased for the Garden Committee. Kiiyoshi Katsumoto moved that up to $300 be authorized for Gary to purchase the new equipment; seconded by Marrie Yamashita. After some discussion, Wayne Sugihara proposed an amended motion that the Garden Committee be consulted first on the equipment purchasing list; amended motion seconded by Emiko Katsumoto and passed. APARTMENTS: Ron Hiraga reported that several replacement windows were purchased for the Fulton Street apartments. A check was received for the Channing Way apts. OTHER REPORTS BISHOPS OSEMBETSU: Judy Kono clarified that Socho Ogui s party at the National Council meeting in Sacramento commemorates his retirement as a BCA minister and that on June 2 he will have another party in San Francisco to mark his retirement as Bishop. Emiko Katsumoto moved that the BBT give Socho Ogui an Osembetsu in honor of his retirement as Bishop; seconded by Gary Oda and passed. NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING 2/24 2/25: Pres. Nishimura reported that the BBT has paid registration for 2 representatives. Lucy Hamai volunteered to be Art s proxy on 2/24. Lucy reminded the Board that she would like input regarding the Council s proposal to consolidate all BCA donation requests to one Dharma Offering donation per year. TEMPLE TOBAN: Discussion about making communication to members more efficient and timely. Susan Gabriel noted that she sends s regarding toban calls to both monthly chairs and co chairs. Lucy Hamai suggested that the Board consult with Temple member Tony Hale, a former college IT director, about mass telephone calling systems. The Board asked Lucy to contact Tony to set up a meeting. CENTENNIAL: Emiko Katsumoto reported that the Centennial fund s current balance will certainly cover all current outstanding expenses, including the commemorative book, and asked the Board what should be done with any excess funds. The Board recommended that all outstanding bills be paid first, and then, it will consider other possible Centennial projects. SOCIAL HALL PIANO: Emiko Katsumoto reported that the piano, donated by Emily Ushijima, is no longer needed. The Board suggested that the piano be part of a future in house Temple silent auction. LIBRARY: Emiko Katsumoto reported that the Ad Hoc Library Committee ( Rev. Matsumoto, Miki Adachi, Patty Fujiwara, Lucy Hamai, Emiko Katsumoto, Kiyoshi Katsumoto, Gary Oda, Amy Ware, Russell Ware, Irene Asao Wells, Carl Wilmsen, Craig Griffin) met on 2/12 and issued the following report 1) It is important for the Temple to have a library to make books available to members and those interested in Buddhism; 2) The library should be accessible; housed in the current room; be available on Sundays during the tea/coffee social time; 3) During the Bazaar, moveable shelves/carts w/ removable tote boxes are needed to store books in an organized manner in the hondo; 4) Moveable shelves could be stored in the basement areas when not in use; 5) Inventory all books into the following categories: a) children s books/ books of interest for DS/family use, b) scholarly books, c) Japanese language books; d) books to be offered free or discarded; 6) Board should consider for the Temple budget a yearly amount to use for book donations to those wishing to pursue Buddhist studies. E SCRIPT: Current policy requires participating groups to donate a certain percentage to health/fitness programs by June. Emiko Katsumoto moved that the BBT 2011 donation of $100 go to the J SEI Lunch Program; seconded by Marrie Yamashita and passed. TEMPLE WEBSITE: Emiko Katsumoto asked Pres. Nishimura to invite Scott Takeda to a meeting to inform the Board about the Temple website and other IT issues. SATSUKI BAZAAR: Ron Hiraga reported that the first planning meeting was held last month; Pam Matsuoka is organizing the entertainment program; $15 steak dinner tickets will be available in March. Thank you to Marrie Yamashita and Emiko and Kiyoshi Katsumoto for the meeting refreshments. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM with closing gassho led b y Rev. Matsumoto. Respectfully submitted by Judy Fujimoto Please contact a Board member if further clarification of these minutes is required.

17 BERKELEY BUDDHIST WOMEN S ASSOCIATION February 12, 2012 PRESENT: Fumi Matsubara, Denise Gervais, Diane Ames, Caroline Fernandez, and Yuki Otake. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: President Caroline Fernandez opened the meeting with gassho at 11:30 a m. PRIOR MONTH S MEETING MINUTES: January 15, 2012 minutes approved as submitted. (D. Ames/F. Matsubara) REPORTS: 1. Financial report submitted by Maya Murashima-Yonemura with verbal report by Yuki Otake and approved by D. Ames and D. Gervais. 2. Thank you note received from Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto. 3. Fumi Matsubara stated that there were 55 paid members for UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Interfaith panel discussion scheduled for November 11, Topic to be covered Problems of Young People of Today. Muslim panelist confirmed and Mathew Hamasaki will be asked to represent the Buddhist religion. 2. Temple members over 90 years old list will be updated by Caroline Fernandez and Yuki Otake. 3. Dana Day Service and Luncheon scheduled for March 4, Rev. Nishimura (retired) will be guest speaker. Diane Ames will serve as religious chairperson and Maile Ware will perform the hula dance. Osaisen (offering) collected on Dana Day will be donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. 4. Bay District Buddhist Women s League meeting was held on February 4, 2012 at the Buddhist Church of Oakland. Representatives from the San Mateo BWA stated that the chapter has a male member who is serving as the vice president. Several chapter representatives stated that they did not object to men joining the organization. 5. Hoppo/Fukuoka Sister District sent picture albums for BDBWL members who attended the 25 th anniversary dinner celebration in Kyoto, Japan in Carol Thunen, BDBWL president created a picture album including thank you notes from BBWA members who attended the dinner which was sent to Hoppo and Fukuoka. 6. Ohigan on March 18, The BBWA will provide chow mein and a cake for the potluck luncheon. NEW BUSINESS: 1. BBWA Centennial Celebration (2014) a. Preliminary planning committee will include Emiko Katsumoto, Mimi Kagehiro, Caroline Fernandez, and Yuki Otake. b. Joanie Hamasaki suggested that the BBWA sew a quilt listing names of deceased BBWA members. c. Fund raiser to include a quilt/s to be raffled in A possible donation of an afghan by Denise Gervais to be included in the raffle. Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p m. with gassho led President Caroline Fernandez. NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 11, Respectfully Submitted, Yukiko Otake Acting Recording Secretary

18 CONGRATULATORY AND TESTIMONIAL BANQUET for REV. KODO UMEZU, BISHOP and SOCHO KOSHIN OGUI, BISHOP Saturday, June 2, 2012 Accession Service & Ceremony Buddhist Church of San Francisco Hondo: 3:30 pm 1881 Pine Street, San Francisco * * * * * Banquet No-host Cocktail: 5:00 pm 6:00 pm Dinner: 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Hotel Kabuki San Francisco Japan Town $65.00 per person * * * * * * ACCOMMODATIONS Rooms are available at the following hotels for June 1 st and 2 nd, 2012 for those who will be attending the BCA National Board Meeting and/or the Accession Banquet. Price is $149/night plus tax at both hotels. DEADLINE TO MAKE ROOM RESERVATIONS IS MAY 1 st, When making your room reservations, please ask for the BCA GROUP RATE in order to receive the special rate of $149 per night. Hotel Kabuki Hotel Tomo 1625 Post Street 1800 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA San Francisco, CA Tel: (415) Tel: (415)

19 BISHOPS CONGRATULATORY AND TESTIMONIAL BANQUET R.S.V.P. FORM (Deadline is May 1, 2012) When: Saturday, June 2, 2012 No-host Cocktails: Banquet: 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Where: Hotel Kabuki San Francisco Japan Town 1625 Post Street San Francisco, CA Tel: (415) Dinner selections: Honey Sesame Marinated Chicken Breast, Chili Scallion Sauce, Japanese steamed rice with Baby Bok Choy and Shiitake mushrooms Grilled Salmon with Tomato Puree, Couscous, Grilled Seasonal Vegetables Vegetarian: Tofu Delight, Bok Choy, Scallions with Grilled Vegetables and Soy Ginger Broth Cost: $65.00 per person Name/Contact Temple Address City State Zip Code Cell Phone Number Enclosed is a check for $ for (# of people) DINNER CHOICE Chicken Salmon Vegetarian Names: Make check payable to: BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA Mail forms and checks to: Mrs. Judy Kono C/o Jodo Shinshu Center 2140 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA PLEASE MAKE COPIES OF THIS R.S.V.P. FORM AS NEEDED

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21 BCA Bookstore News March 2012 by Gayle Noguchi, Bookstore Manager ORDER NOW! Call or go on line to Now available at the BCA Bookstore: Broken Tile: Essays of a Shinshu Priest by Reverend Gerald Sakamoto (paperback, $9.00). The inspiration for the title of Reverend Sakamoto s book comes from the words of Shinran in Notes on Essentials of Faith Alone. Shinran says, This is a metaphor. When we entrust ourselves to the Tathagata s Primal Vow, we, who are like bits of tile and pebbles, are turned into gold Through 12 short essays Reverend Sakamoto shares his reflections on a variety of personal experiences viewed through the transformative nature of the nembutsu teachings. One of the essays is Lab Coats and Light Speed about the importance of determining for ourselves what is true. Another one is A Thousand Cranes in which the reader learns about a relative in Japan, who despite all the suffering he has been through having survived the bombing of Hiroshima, he is happy with his life. Each essay reminds us that when we look deeply into ordinary experiences we find the nembutsu teachings. The book is also filled with stunning color photographs of nature taken by Reverend Sakamoto. Advance tickets to MIS Human Secret Weapon (film to be released in May 2012). $10.00 advance tickets are available through the BCA Bookstore to any of the California showings of this documentary on the Military Intelligence Service of WWII. To see the film trailer and for information on screening locations/schedule go to film.com. To purchase advance tickets, call the BCA Bookstore at or e mail gayle@bcabookstore.com. Thank you to Walter Menda and Northern District for providing wonderful accommodations for the BCA Bookstore at the 2012 BCA National Council. As I stated in the National Council meeting, the BCA Bookstore is continuing to grow and thrive in large part due to the increasing support of our temples and members. My thanks to everyone it is a pleasure and a privilege to serve you. To order Broken Tile, go to or contact Gayle Noguchi at gayle@bcabookstore.com, phone The BCA Bookstore is open Tuesday Saturday, 10am 5pm. BCA Buddhist Bookstore Hours: Tue Sat 10am 5pm

22 22 nd Annual J-Sei Golf Invitational Monday, May 14, :00 Noon Shotgun Mira Vista Country Club/El Cerrito The J-Sei Member Organization Challenge Bragging Rights and a Cash Prize This year s J-Sei Golf Invitational will be played at the recently renovated Mira Vista Golf & Country Club in El Cerrito with its beautiful bay views. The Invitational is always a fun event with exciting contests and games, delicious food (lunch, snacks and dinner), and wonderful prizes. It has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years to support needed programs and services for the community. To create some friendly competition among the J-Sei member organizations and to raise funds for J-Sei, we are sponsoring The J-Sei Member Organization Challenge. It is a competition within the Invitational s usual Two Person Best Ball competition. We are asking each member organization to organize four players to represent the member organization in the Challenge. Bragging rights and a cash prize are on the line! Please see the reverse side for how to participate in the Challenge.

23 The Rules Players: How to Win: Cash Prize Two twosomes (can play in a foursome together or separately). Players must have active GHIN Indexes and will also be eligible to win in the Invitational s Two Person Best Ball competition. Among the member organizations participating with teams, the lowest combined net score of the two twosomes in the Two Person Best Ball competition. The cash prize depends on the number of member organizations participating: - Three teams (minimum): $300 - Four to five teams: $400 - Six or more teams: $500 How to Enter: What is the Cost? How Many Teams Can We Enter? What Else Do We Get? The cash prize will be donated by J-Sei to the member organization in the name of the four players. Complete and return the standard entry form for each player and the form below. $1,200 which includes the $200 entry fee and $100 donation per player. Unlimited (subject to overall field limitations) The member organization will be a Tournament Sponsor at the Bronze level and will receive recognition for this sponsorship in multiple ways. Yes, we want to participate in The J-Sei Member Organization Challenge! Member Organization Name: Our Team: 1) 3) 2) 4) Please return this form by Friday, May 4, 2012 to Laddie at J-Sei, 2126 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, laddie@j-sei.org, or (fax). Questions? Bruce Hironaka at bruce.hironaka@gmail.com.

24 TELEPHONE COORDINATORS: SUSAN GABRIEL & LENA YIN APRIL TOBAN: Chmn: Mimi Kagehiro Cochairs: Denise Lapidus, Pam Matsuoka, Susan Kajiwara Grant & Rosalyn Tonai Din, Janey Egawa, Sady & Amy Hayashida, Alan Hirahara, Dina Honda, Nikki Lethridge, Ron & Mimi Kagehiro, Shige & Susan Kajiwara, Cary & Denise Lapidus, Pam Matsuoka, Molly Momii, Masako Hayashida*, Yo Hiraoka*, Shigeo Hoki*, Masayo Oda*, Tamiye Umawatari*, Suenobu & Shizuye Yamasaki*, Liane Yasumoto*, Gary & Barbara Kitagawa MAY TOBAN: Chmn: Vicki Chin Cochairs: Judy Nakaso, Gary Oda, Irene Wells Gene & Vicki Chin, Alfred & Arline Chinn, Suzanne Furuya, Detlev & Lorraine Nobuye Gempf, Denise Gervais, Albert & Mari Mayeda Kutchins, Andy & Lisa Mayeda, Judy Nakaso, Gary Oda, Milton & Diane Furuya Wong, Kimiko Ramirez, Russell & Irene Wells, Raymond Fukunaga*, Annette Lys*, Kimi Morimoto*, Mae Takeda*, Yosh & Julia Tokiwa*, Sam Uchiumi* *Denotes disabled and/or elderly Toban duties optional. * * * * * * * * * * PADMA STAFF: Rev. Matsumoto, Pauline Fong, Susan & Al Gabriel, Lucy Hamai, Yo Hiraoka, Norman Hirose, Ellen Jorgensen, Keiko Kawakami, Emi Matsunaga, Yuki Otake, Mae Takeda, Scott Takeda, Edythe Vassall, Yasuyo Wolfe and Yae Yedlosky.

25 Services And Information Services Our regular Sunday program begins with a Family Service at 9:30am. A Dharma talk is available after the Family Service while Dharma School classes are convened for students. Special Services January 1 Shusho-e New Year's Day Service February 5 Nehan-e Nirvana Day March 18 Ohigan Spring Equinox April 1 Hanamatsuri Flower Festival May 13 July 8 Gotan-e Kangi-e Birthday of Shinran Obon September 16 Ohigan Autumn Equinox November 11 Hoonko Shinran Shonin Memorial December 2 Jodo-e Bodhi Day December 31 Joya-e Year End Service A Shotsuki Hoyo (Monthly Memorial) Service is held the last Sunday of each month. Berkeley Buddhist Temple Visitor Information Please feel free to ask any of our greeters for information. We are here to assist you with whatever level of participation you may be seeking. Whether you are here to satisfy a slight interest or to make a more personal connection, we wish you well and hope that you will be visiting us again soon. Membership Information Membership is open to all who view our Temple religious home and seek the Buddha-Dharma. as their To join, complete a membership form, have your name entered on the membership roll and support the Temple through a pledge and participation. To inquire about becoming a member, please speak with our Membership Chair or Minister. Dharma School Our Dharma School (Sunday School) has classes from preschool through high school. Our teachers are happy to discuss the appropriate level of spiritual enrichment for your child. Monthly Discussions In our discussions, we strive to experience the Buddha- Dharma with our entire selves with our bodies (quiet sitting and other forms of meditation), voices (chanting and other liturgy) and minds (study and discussion). Our sessions focus on ways in which Buddhist teaching and practice can impact our everyday lives. Each session will take up a different topic and so you are welcome to attend any or all sessions. All interested persons are welcome to attend. Please invite your friends! We hope to see you! Berkeley Buddhist Temple 2121 Channing Way Berkeley, CA Office Hours Monday Friday 10:00am 1:00pm Phone: info@berkeleysangha.org web: