Vol. 55, No. 6 June Mythology and Superstition

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1 mail: Web: Vol. 55, No. 6 June 2012 REV. USUKI S PAGE Mythology and Superstition We rely upon Tathagata Amida with our whole heart for Enlightenment in the life to come, abstaining from all sundry practices and teachings, and giving up the trust in our powerless self. Rennyo Shonin, Ryogemon Myths, superstition, spirit, luck, fate, and such beliefs are as old as mankind and existed in all early religions, societies, and cultures. Infused permanently into our thoughts and lives, they are an intriguing and confusing part of culture. We may believe that we live in a highly educated and sophisticated society with tremendous scientific, medical, and technological accomplishments yet many human beings still remain fundamentally reliant on emotion-based ideas and teachings. Despite counting on logic and common sense to live a well-calculated and painless life, people fall apart at the slightest thought of separation caused by the difficulties of life or the thought of death. During such encounters, some tend to grasp at immediate salvation in one form or another. They yearn for relief in a better afterlife, while embracing myths and superstitions as a reasonable approach to life. It is easy to be comforted by others when they assure us that everything will be all right and that time will heal all wounds. Some pray to certain buddhas and offer incense and food as forms of supplication. Shakyamuni Buddha clearly dismissed and warned against such practices. This man who was seen daily begging in the Indian marketplaces is now represented in golden images on the altars of pagodas throughout the Far East. There he sits enveloped in clouds of incense amid a buzz of prayers. All this in spite of his having forbidden it before his death. His disciples, believing him to have supernatural intelligence and moral power, have turned him into a god. Even those who are not Buddhists admit that his great figure is the one most human and most worthy of universal admiration ever produced by India. A. Foucher, The Life of the Buddha Shinran Shonin, who relied faithfully on Shakyamuni Buddha s teachings, also encouraged his followers to abandon such unreliable ideas. The opening passage, which is from Ryogemon ( Statement of Conviction ) and is attributed to Rennyo Shonin, is a clear rule of conduct for Jodo Shinshu followers, who continue to heed the words of Shinran and Shakyamuni Buddha. However, superstitions have played a major role in folk religions and commonly influenced people of the past who lived in village societies and lacked proper Buddhist education. Such beliefs have been passed on to us in a widely detrimental way. Whether in jest, for fun, or due to ignorant or hidden personal beliefs, superstitions can present a danger to the faithful and can undermine warnings issued by our teachers. Most religions consider superstition to be antithetical, for those who may consider it indicate a lack of trust in the teaching. Superstition is a deviation from truth-reality and although this may be obvious, we are easily persuaded to succumb to its influence. (cont d on page 2)

2 There are many instances of Buddhism today that embrace and suggest a path designed around myths, superstition, prayer, and worship. Buddhism is known for its highly creative and beautiful parables and legends, created by people of India, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, and more recently, Tibet. Many of these represented an early form of transmission, for the tradition was passed on only orally for some four centuries after the Buddha s passing. These legends and myths, purported to be told by Shakyamuni, include many supernatural stories. In the Jataka Tales, Shakyamuni was portrayed as having many previous lives as a bodhisattva, taking form as animals, gods, and other beings: The Jatakas, or Birth-stories, form one of the sacred books of the Buddhists and relate to the adventures of the Buddha in his former existences, the best character in any story being identified with the Master. These legends were continually introduced into the religious discourses of the Buddhist teachers to illustrate the doctrines of their faith or to magnify the glory and sanctity of the Buddha, somewhat as medieval preachers in Europe used to enliven their sermons by introducing fables and popular tales to rouse the flagging interests of their hearers. Ellen C. Babbitt, The Jataka Tales of India Although he specifically directed his disciples to follow his path to Enlightenment and to treat him as an ordinary person, because he was able to attain the highest wisdom and compassion that was beyond normal understanding, people could not treat him otherwise. The greatest tribute was paid to him, and it continues to this day. In this way Shakyamuni was bestowed a godlike status, contrary to the reality that all people could be like him and attain awakening in this life. Thus, people soon separated the potential of individual attainment of bodhi from the path of worship and devotion to Shakyamuni Buddha. Since we know very little of his actual life and because no written words from his era can be found, most sutras written by monks and scholarly priests long after his death took liberties to create ideals based on mythical bodhisattvas, buddha lands, and other new images. These were part of a glorified and metaphorical new Mahayana Buddhism. Thousands and thousands of such writings remain today to portray the greatness of the Buddha, his image, and the various ways we might understand a life of enlightenment. However, all Buddhists have accepted, whether mythical, legendary, or plausible, certain elements of Shakyamuni s life. These are Gautama s birth, studies, curiosity, leaving home, ascetic practices, attaining bodhi, 45 years of teaching, and his death and final Nirvana. Nonetheless, there are scores of schools of Buddhism, and each has a different approach to practice and to realization of enlightenment. So what are we to understand and how are we to engage meaningfully with so many fantastic stories, ideas, and contradictions? Rev. Masao Kodani suggests the following on the legend or myth of the most famous story, the Hanamatsuri ( Flower Festival ), which describes Gautama s birth: To a child, the legend is a fascinating world of images; to the young cynic, it is a silly and meaningless myth; to the psychologist, it is perhaps pregnant with meaning; to the religious, it is perhaps true as an act of faith. It may be one, all, or none of these things to any given person. Yet, Hanamatsuri story is one of the most powerful stories in Buddhism, and the one most vividly remembered. Its power cannot be felt in the world of reason, logic, or history. Its meaning and ability to move us deeply is of another realm, not magic, not supernatural, but nevertheless not of our everyday world. Hidden in this story is the outline of enlightenment. Hidden in this story is Namuamidabutsu. Myth holds a unique place in Buddhism whether it is considered just a story or a means by which we can understand the underlying reality. For many it is much easier to use myth as dharma-working in everyday life. It helps transcend those difficult encounters we may not wish to face, but can help penetrate the mind and heart through its skillful means. Rev. Fumiaki Usuki 2

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE: Rally Cry I d like to draw our members attention to a number of important calendar items this month. First, the annual Southern District Buddhist Conference is being hosted by Gardena Buddhist Church on Saturday, June 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. The theme of the conference is Buddha Embraces Me, and the keynote speaker will be Prof. Duncan Ryuken Williams of USC, a prolific author and ordained priest in the Soto Zen tradition. The Gardena sangha turned out in force last year when West Los Angeles hosted the 2011 SD Buddhist Conference at UCLA, and I hope that we will have a good showing at Gardena this year. The deadline for registration is May 11, which will be around the time that this bulletin arrives in members mailboxes. Late registration will be possible, however, if you sign up by the end of May. There is a sign-up sheet in the temple office. For anyone needing transportation to and from Gardena, please contact me directly at No one need miss this conference for lack of transportation! The next day, Sunday June 10 at 9:30 a.m., our sangha will be visiting our sister temple in Venice for a joint service. This is a wonderful opportunity to renew our close ties with our nearest-neighboring sangha, so please attend! Afterward, we will convene at nearby Blanco Park for a picnic. Again, anyone who needs transportation should call me at the number above. Transportation is easily arranged. On Saturday June 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., we will hold our annual Yard Sale, which benefits the 80+ lunch program. Many of our temple members work hard to arrange this sale. Please come and support the effort. The following Sunday, June 17 at 10:00 a.m., will be our Fathers Day/Graduation Service and Scholarship presentation, followed by a lunch in the Social Hall. My wife has sometimes wondered why our Fathers Day service is followed by a lunch, but our Mothers Day service is not. I understand her point. After all, fathers and mothers alike will agree that mothers are much more important. Therefore, I will (for myself only of course) henceforth consider the lunch in honor of our graduating seniors and if some year there is none, then in anticipation and encouragement of the next year s graduating seniors. The following Sunday, June 24, is Temple and Garden Clean-Up. Our temple always looks good, thanks to the efforts of so many people, beginning of course with Rev. Usuki. But this is our chance to spit-polish it in advance of Obon. Please come and help out if you are able! I am writing this on a very full stomach after our joint service in West LA on April 29, when we hosted the sangha of the San Fernando Valley Hongwangji Buddhist Temple. The ladies of BWA and Asoka Fujinkai went to extraordinary lengths to present a superlative lunch that was remarked on and enjoyed by all. The Social Hall was filled with a marvelous, home-cooking smell. Thanks to all who made this wonderful luncheon possible. In gassho, Rob Kafka westlabtprez@gmail.com ~ New Member ~ Please extend a warm welcome to Emiko Matsumoto V O L U N T E E R N E E D E D The Temple is in need of a volunteer to take the folded and sorted Bulletins in two trays to the Barrington Post Office branch each month. (The folding and sorting is done by temple organizations, and is not part of this task.) The drop-off hours at the Barrington location have recently been limited to 2:00-4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. It is also possible to deliver the trays to the Jefferson Post Office branch near LAX, which has longer hours. The task includes filling out and printing a report from a step-by-step list of instructions prior to delivery. Interested members should call Rob Kafka at , or him at westlabtprez@gmail.com. 3

4 June 9th, 2012 Gardena Buddhist Church 1517 West 166th Street Gardena, Calif Keynote Speaker Prof. Duncan Ryuken Williams

5 UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Father s Day and Graduation Service - Sunday, June 17 - Rev. Alan Sakamoto May 21 (Monday): 80 Plus lunch May 28 (Monday) Memorial Day cemetery services 10:00 a.m. - Woodlawn 11:30 a.m. - Inglewood Sunday, June 17 Father s Day and Graduation Service Rev. Alan Sakamoto June 24 (Sunday): Temple and garden clean-up June 1 (Friday): drop-off deadline for Yard Sale June 2 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo June 3 (Sunday): Regular family service Matinee with BWA (see flyer on next page) 2012 SD Buddhist Conference Professor Duncan Williams (English and Japanese) Saturday, June 9 (see President s message on page 3) June 25 (Monday): 80 Plus lunch June 26 (Tuesday): Bon dance practice starts Sunday, June 10 Venice Hongwanji BT invites WLABT to its picnic (NO service at WLABT) 80 Plus Lunch YARD SALE 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, June 16 deadline to drop off donations: Friday, June 1, 2012 Thank you very much your support! June 28 (Thursday): Bon dance practice Don t miss WLA Taiko performing at SFVHBT s Obon Festival June 30 - July 1 Mark your calendar: 2012 West LA Obon Festival - July

6 MATINEE WITH BWA YOJIMBO 6

7 JUNE SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2012 Adachi, Kensaburo Akashi, David Akutagawa, Taro Amiya, Katsuyoshi Daly, Denise Fujino, Harry Gomez, Bernard Harada, Kakuji Hayashi, Yoshio Higa, Tomohiko Hirano, Kimiko Ikeda, Eki Inouye, Margaret Ishikura, Yoshio Iwamoto, Tomiko Iwasaki, Echiko Kagawa, Harry Kagawa, Rich Kamibayashi, Roy Kamikihara, Nobuko Kamitsubo, Ayako Kamitsubo, Guri Kato, Nobukazu Kikunaga, Joe Kobayashi, Masasuke Kobayashi, Tamako Koyama, Chokichi Maeda, Edith Matsubara, Tsuruko Matsuura, Kanjiro Minato, Joe Miyamoto, Yukino Mori, Masaki Mori, Taka Morikawa, Yae Morioka, Kentaro Nakamura, Tatsunosuke Niiya, George Nishi, Nijiro Nishi, Toyo Nishimoto, Asayo Nishimoto, Masao Nishimoto, Kito Nishimura, Frank Noda, Mitsuaki Okimoto, Yuriko Okita, Setsuyo Oyanagi, Sumiko Oyanagi, Tetsu Sakahara, Kiyoshi Sato, Marion Shinmoto, George Shirai, Kimiyo Shirasawa, Katsusuke Shirasawa, Keith Shirasawa, Matuko Suzuki, Hatsuko Suzuki, Tatsuo Takata, Ikuo Takayama, Tom Takayama, Tsune Takazumi, Bunsuke Takazumi, Hatsu Takeuchi, Bea Takeuchi, Michiko Tanaka, Jungo Tominaga, Harry Yamada, Kohei Yamanaka, Gregory Yoshii, Chizuru Yoshimi, Gerald JULY SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 Arimoto, Kotsuyu Deguchi, Taizo Fujihiro, Shigeko Fujisawa, Ben Hada, Saichi Harada, Shimano Hayashi, Ikutaro Hayashi, Shizuko Ichikawa, Shoji Ikeda, Fuye Ikeda, Minosuke Inabu, Minoru Ishihara, Haruo Iwasaki, Masamitsu Kaizuka, Fred Kajiwara, Shimo Kato, Shigeko Kikuma, Satoye Kishi, Asako Kiyohiro, Kenso Kurosaki, Kazuma Maruyama, Robert Matsumoto, Chiyo Mayeda, Kimiyo Mayeda, Sankichi Morioka, Yuriko Nagao, Eddie Nagao, Mary Nakagawa, Shio Nakamura, James Nakamura, Toshio Naramura, Glenn Niida, Kosue Nimori, Shizuka Nishi, Kikuo Nishikawa, Katsumi Nishikawa, Yoshio Nunokawa, Henry Oshinomi, Sumiko Osumi, Terry Otani, Tomoo Ozamoto, Tominosuke Sumida, Evelyn Suzuki, Kanenori Takahashi, Larry Takemoto, Natsuko Takemoto, Shigeko Tanabe, Shinkichi Tanaka, Masaki Tanaka, Sato Tashima, James Teruya, Zenichi Tochioka, Ryuhachi Tonai, Grace Toya, Fusajiro Uto, Masayuki Watarida, Ayame Yahata, Kuniye 7

8 BUDDHISM AND WESTERN LANGUAGE Examination of Jodo Shinshu service books and other texts SDDSTL Mini-workshop, Saturday, March 31, 2012 Thank you to Dan Leopard for the photos. 8

9 HANAMATSURI Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha Sunday, April 8, 2012 Dharma School message Rev. Ensei Nekoda 9

10 BWA NEWS Yasuko Shohara Before we get into the upcoming events of June, we must report on a very special event that occurred in April. Rev. Patti Usuki and members of San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple joined us at our service on April 29. Among the SFVHBT members was Riki Higashida, a member of the winning 2011 Academic Decathlon Team from Granada Hills Charter High School. We thank him for giving an impromptu talk about that experience. Our very energetic VP, Connie Yahata, not only played the organ for the service but also was the chief cook and supervisor for the delicious lunch that everyone enjoyed. Thanks to BWA and Asoka members, who donated salads and desserts and helped on Saturday and Sunday to prepare the lunch: SALAD DONORS DESSERT DONORS HELPERS Terumi Iwamoto Hisako Kokado Toshiko Yamane Chiyo Nishina Kayo Ohkawahira Lorraine Soda Molly Takahashi Aiko Tsuboi Alice Umeda Shirley Ito Haru Matsumune Kiyoko Nakamura Chiyo Nishina Kayo Ohkawahira Kazuko Seike Yasuko Shohara Kiyoka Totani Toshiko Uyekubo Beverly Yahata BWA gratefully acknowledges a generous donation from Dorothy and Tom Ikkanda. They recently moved to a residential facility in Pacoima. They have joined other BWA members, Atsie Murayama and Mary Yanokawa, at the very pleasant residence. The Southern District Buddhist Conference will be held on June 9 at Gardena Buddhist Church. The speaker will be Professor Duncan Williams from USC. We will be car-pooling so please join us. If you haven t already registered through BWA, please contact the temple office. Obon season begins in June, and at the end of the month, our Taiko group will be playing at the SFVHBT Obon Festival on June 30-July 1. [Thank you, Shirley, for the photos.] 10

11 SFVHBT VISITS WLABT - Sunday, April 29, 2012 Thank you to Shirley Ito for the photos. 11

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13 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple May 2012 FROM THE DESK OF: DR. JACK FUJIMOTO BUDDHIST MEN NEWS DONATION: The Buddhist Men received a donation from Tom & Dorothy Ikkanda, who are living in Nikkei Senior Gardens (Arleta in the Valley). Thank you, Ikkandas! SUBSIDY: The Buddhist Men agreed to pay half of the registration fee for members attending the Saturday, June 9, Southern District Buddhist Conference at Gardena Temple. Those attending should contact Milton Iwamoto, President. CALENDAR June 9 (Saturday) 9 a.m. - Southern District Buddhist Conference in Gardena June 10 (Sunday) 9:30 a.m. - Invitation from Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple to join them in their picnic. More information available at the Temple Office. June 15 (Friday) 9 a.m Yard Sale set up. Buddhist Men are asked to help setup. June 16 (Saturday) 8 a.m Yard Sale setup. With the anticipated large crowds, Buddhist Men would be welcome for crowd control and sales. June 24 (Sunday) 8 a.m. -Temple and Garden cleanup. OBON BOOTHS: For 2012, Buddhist Men will operate the udon booth along with beer concession and hot dog with chili and rice combination. No tamale booth this year. July 20 (Friday) 7 p.m. - tent setup July 22 (Sunday) 8 a.m. - Garden cleanup and booth construction July Temple Obon Festival (Saturday 4-10 p.m.) (Sunday 3-9 p.m.) July 30 (Monday) 7 p.m. - General take down THE 3I GROUP: Informal, Intelligent/Ignorant, Investors Group As an offshoot of the Buddhist Men and Temple Endowment Committee, the 3 I s Group has been meeting to learn more about growing the Temple s Endowment Funds. Most recently, Tosh Ishioka along with Victor Naramura, Endowment Committee chairman, had us convene with representatives from the Santa Monica office of Fidelity Investments in a working educational session (April 25, 2012). We want to keep the informality of meeting and learn about investments. We also want to move the pendulum from ignorant to intelligent. Others meeting with Tosh and Victor are Neal Yahata, Jack Fujimoto, Milton Iwamoto, and Rick Stambul. Interested others can join us after the next Buddhist Men meeting, 7 p.m., second Thursday of the month. 3I Group: Victor Naramura Tosh Ishioka Jack Fujimoto Neal Yahata Milton Iwamoto 13 Photo courtesy of Victor Naramura (See the next page for Dr. Jack s Sawtelle Stories article)

14 SAWTELLE STORIES - Sunday, April 22, 2012 Sawtelle Stories Forum 8 featured speakers focusing on life from Pearl Harbor Day (December 7, 1941) to Resettlement in Communities (most concentration camps closing December 1945). Speakers from the Westside told their stories to a capacity crowd at the New Center for Psychoanalysis on Sawtelle Boulevard. Speakers told of their experiences living in American-style concentration camps, Canadianstyle concentration camps, and US Department of Justice camps such as Santa Fe and Crystal City. Also, the story of great interest was about those who did not go to camp but relocated east of the wartime zone. Rev. Ensei Nekoda spoke about his personal experiences in the harsh Canadian environment of evacuating east of the 100 mile wartime exclusion zone. Through Rev. Nekoda s stories, I could readily sense the immense cruelty imposed on the Canadian Nikkei by the Mounties (governing authority) and the Canadian government. For the Canadian Nikkei, it was go east, not go west. Tosh Ishioka of our Temple talked about his younger days in Denver, Colorado, where his family relocated rather than going to one of the ten concentration camps administered by the War Relocation Authority. Tosh told stories about going to school, getting bullied, and how he survived before returning to Sawtelle and joined his dad in operating the Kobayakawa House. Robert Goka, scion of the Frank s Nursery Goka, told stories about his dad and his political acumen. In those early days, Robert s father was an entrepreneur, running bingo parlors in Houston, Texas, buying parcels on Wilshire Boulevard between the Santa Monica and Los Angeles property lines, and running nurseries. Bob was able to recount several stories about his colorful dad and family in Manzanar as well as his early out from camp. Ben Takashi Takeuchi has lived in the Westside much of his life except those years that he spent in Crystal City, Texas. Crystal City was one of nearly twenty Department of Justice and War Department camps holding POWs, including Japanese Americans, Japanese-Peruvians, and several others from Latin American countries. Ben told of living among the Nikkei of the US as well as Latin America, but also included stories about dealing with the German and Italian POWs who lived in the same compound. Jack Fujimoto of our Temple moderated the sessions that illustrated the sharp contrasts of Nikkei life during WW II. What this forum illustrated was the fact that everyone has a unique story to tell and that opportunities need to be opened so that each can tell their story. The forum is displayed at the website, linked to the news umbrella. HO-ONKO SERVICE - January 27, 1991 Photo courtesy of Mrs. Kay Oda 14

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17 June 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm phone: westlabt@verizon.net website: Bulletin folding toban: Temple am Shotsuki hoyo :30 am Family service, discussion 11 am BWA meeting 12 pm Matinee w/bwa Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm Service and board mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko SD Buddhist Conference at Gardena Prof. Duncan Williams Arizona Obon 10 NO service at WLA WLABT visits Venice (picnic) /12-13 (Tue-Wed): 13 SDMA Fuken 14 1 pm Study Class (E) 15 9 am Yard sale set-up 16 9 am - 3 pm 80+ Yard sale Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm Obon mtg 7:30 pm Taiko 7:00 pm B-Men mtg 7 pm Bingo am Father s Day and Graduation service, lunch Rev. Alan Sakamoto (E) Rev. F. Usuki (J) Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm Taiko 10 am omimai 1 pm Study Class (E) Sun Valley Obon NO service 8 am Temple and garden clean-up Sun Valley Obon 12 pm 80+ lunch 7:30 pm Bon dance practice 7:30 pm Taiko 7:30 pm Asoka svc/mtg 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Bon dance practice WLA Taiko at SFVHBT Obon Festival Senshin Obon

18 2012 年 6 月 日曜日 月曜日 火曜日 水曜日 木曜日 金曜日 土曜日 オフィス時間 : 午前 10 時 午後 4 時電話 : 会報作リ当番 : 仏教会 1 2 午前 10:00 祥月法要 午前 9:30 サービスデスカッション 午前 11 BWA ミーテング 正午ムービー 宇宿先生休み 宇宿先生休み 午後 7:30 サービス幹部ミーテング 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) 午後 7:30 タイコ SD Buddhist Conference Gardena Buddhist Church お盆 Arizona ベニスサービスピックニック 宇宿先生休み 6 月 日 ( 火 - 水 ): (Claremont) SDMA フケン 午後 7: 30 お盆ミーテング午後 7:30 タイコ 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) 午後 7:00 ブデストメン ミーテング 午前 9:00 ヤード セール set-up 午後 7:00 ビンゴー 午前 9:00 - 午後 3:00 ヤード セール 午前 10:00 父の日サービス / ランチ坂本アラン ( 英 ) 宇宿先生 ( 日 ) 宇宿先生休み 宇宿先生休み 午後 7:30 タイコ 午前 10:00 おみまい 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) お盆 Sun Valley [NO 日曜日サービス ] 午前 8:00 お掃除 お盆 Sun Valley 正午 80+ 中ランチ 午後 7:30 盆踊りケイコ 午後 7:30 タイコ午後 7:30 アソカサービス / ミーテング 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) 午後 7:30 盆踊りケイコ WLA タイコお盆 SFVHBT お盆 Senshin

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20 2012 Southern District Obon Festival Schedule sorted by date (please contact temple to confirm) 6/09 Arizona 7/07-08 Los Angeles Betsuin 7/28-29 Vista, West LA, Higashi 6/23-24 Valley JCC 7/14 Oxnard 8/04 San Diego, SLO 6/30 Senshin, West Covina 7/14-15 Pasadena, Venice 8/04-05 Gardena 6/30-7/01 San Fernando Valley 7/21-22 OCBC 8/11 Las Vegas 7/22 Guadalupe sorted by temple (times given below dates are dance start times) 6/09 Arizona Buddhist Temple 4142 West Clarendon Avenue 6:45 pm (602) Phoenix AZ /04-05 Gardena Buddhist Church 1517 West 166th Street 6:00 pm (310) Gardena CA /22 Guadalupe Buddhist Church 1072 Olivera Street 3:00 pm (805) Guadalupe CA Obon: Veterans Memorial Building; 214 W Tunnel St Santa Maria CA /11 Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha 12:45 pm Obon: Cimarron Memorial HS; 2301 N Tenaya Way Las Vegas NV /07-08 Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple 815 East 1st Street Sat: 7:00 pm Sun: 6:30 pm (213) info@nishihongwanji-la.org Los Angeles CA /21-22 Orange County Buddhist Church 909 South Dale Street 7:00 pm (714) ocbc909@aol.com Anaheim CA /14 Oxnard Buddhist Temple 250 South "H" Street 6:00 pm (805) mail@oxnardbuddhisttemple.org Oxnard CA /14-15 Pasadena Buddhist Temple 1993 Glen Avenue 6:30 pm (626) PasadenaSangha@gmail.com Pasadena CA /04 Buddhist Temple of San Diego 2929 Market Street 6:30 pm (619) info@btsd.net San Diego CA /30-7/01 San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple 9450 Remick Avenue Sat: 7:00 pm Sun: 6:30 pm (818) sfvhbt@sfvhbt.org Pacoima CA /04 San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple 6996 Ontario Road 6:30 pm (805) president@slobuddhisttemple.org San Luis Obispo CA Obon: Veterans Memorial Building, 801 Grand Avenue San Luis Obispo CA /30 Senshin Buddhist Temple 1311 West 37th Street 7:00 pm (323) senshinji@gmail.com Los Angeles CA /23-24 Valley JCC 8850 Lankershim Boulevard Sat: 7:00 pm Sun: 6:30 pm (818) christineinouye@yahoo.com Sun Valley CA /14-15 Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Braddock Drive 6:30 pm (310) sensei@vhbt.org Culver City CA /28-29 Vista Buddhist Temple Building B Cedar Road 6:30 pm (760) vbt@vbtemple.com Vista CA /28-29 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple 2003 Corinth Avenue 6:30 pm (310) westlabt@verizon.net Los Angeles CA /28-29 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple 505 East 3rd Street 6:30 pm (213) info@hhbt-la.org Los Angeles CA /30 West Covina Buddhist Temple 1203 West Puente Avenue 7:00 pm (626) West Covina CA With appreciation to San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple for permission to reprint this list.