THE GEPPO. When The Sand Blows Away. By Annette K.

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1 THE GEPPO A publication of the Ogden Buddhist Temple 155 North Street Ogden, UT / P.O. Box 3248 Ogden, UT Temple President: Thomas F. 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 When The Sand Blows Away By Annette K. The Dharma School Year started with a once in a lifetime event! Thanks to the work of several parents, we sent a large group of Dharma School students and parents to the 2015 Parliament of the World s Religions October It was an amazing event with hundreds of presenters, workshops, Sacred Music Night, Empower Film Festival, and Cultural Hall Exhibitions. Every day was an opportunity to select from events that covered the inside and outside of the Salt Palace. We got a taste of religions I ve never heard of and others I ve always wanted to know more about. The BCA had two booths within the events hall, one was staffed with volunteers from the Buddhist Book Store, the other staffed by ministers offering pamphlets and taking questions from the hundreds that attended. Our large incense burner was used in the Meditation/Sutra area in what was a sacred area that all could come and sit as several BCA Ministers at different times of the day would recite sutra chanting. One ongoing item just inside the entrance close to registration was the Tibetan Vajrayana Monk s Mandala table. A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions that represents wholeness, a cosmic diagram reminding us of our relation to infinity, extending beyond and within our bodies and minds. Each day the monks (with no talking) would work shoulder to shoulder tapping a long metal cylinder filled with the finest sand I ve ever seen, as the sand fell onto the table it started to create a pattern. For hours they worked as onlookers took photos and watched, day after day we could see the patterns form into the most amazing shapes and with amazing color. If you have never seen a monk s mandala please look it up; so amazing. The symbolism that the mandala s represent are beautiful, become one with the universe, understanding impermanence. At one site I was looking at the statement, There are not many who are able to achieve this state of mind from just studying a mandala. The symbolism behind the creation of a mandala can have significant meaning for many individuals. The circle grew day after day, become so intricate and had such detail. I wish I had a photo to help you understand what I m saying. On the last day of the Parliament the monks swept the sand away! Serious just wiped it off nothing left. What a Figure 1: The monks of Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khamtsen creating a mandala. The minimum diameter of a mandala is four feet. feeling of loss, something so beautiful that took so long to create just wiped away. All that emotion was one of the lessons the mandala is teaching us, everything is impermanent. It s the attachment with things that cause so much of our suffering. What a lesson! Annette s article continued on next page.

2 When we returned to our normal lives and started to forget all the things we saw and learned we had a thought that just maybe we could recreate a small amount of the emotions and peace we felt each day at the Parliament. We can have the Dharma Students create a mandala. Groups can create mandalas that will reveal what they should be doing in order to grow and develop as a group. Val gave me some information she uses working with clients that need help in development and social skills and the mandala was one of the therapies they use. In November we started the process first picking teams, and then each team picked a pattern. All Dharma School members joined in, well at least once over the next eight months. I will say Andrew and Madison did most of the work, the hardest thing was finding the time to work on them. We do so many activities during our Dharma School year that we were lucky if we had one week a month to work on it. At the end, seriously the very last day of Dharma School it was finished and it was time to let the wind blow it away. We took the boards outside had a small service, talked about impermanence, why we just spent an entire school year working on this project and what it meant to each student. Then we let the wind blow! That didn t work so we blew the sand into the air. Not as emotional as the monks but I hope and really believe that our students did get something out of this activity. The monks at the 2015 Parliament of the World s Religions in SLC: Dharma School s creation of their version of the mandala: The boys mandala The girls mandala

3 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.. Dear members of the Ogden Buddhist Church At this time in my life I feel my attention to my parents is of the up most importance, and the responsibility of Ministers Assistant is going to suffer greatly. With my job in Farmington, it has been difficult to be as accessible to my parents as I would like, so Sundays is the best time for me to help them. As time goes on it will take more and more time to assist with the care my mom s needs. On top of that I need time with my family as well. It is with deep regret that I feel the need to resign from the position of Ministers Assistant for the Ogden Buddhist Church. I will continue to help when I can with church activities, but will not continue to wear the robes and will no longer be available to perform the duties the certification of Ministers Assistant has allowed. I hope to continue to the end of the 2015/2016 Dharma School year, but starting in September I m asking Rev. Hirano to accept my resignation. Sincerely and In Gassho, Annette K. PRESIDENT S MESSAGE I Hope you are all doing well this summer. Thank you for your support of this year s Obon Odori Festival. The event was very successful and I appreciate all the help. August , Lindsay Y.-W. and her family, lost their home to a fire. They have found temporary housing, but lost everything! The Taiko Group is collecting donations for her to buy basic necessities and such. If you would like to donate, you can mail your check to our P.O. Box with a note to Betty to earmark it for Lindsay! Bazaar time is around the corner, October 8. We are starting to organize the major activities and if contacted by an activities Chairperson, please volunteer some of your time if you re able. In the event that you aren t contacted and would like to help, please contact a board member or myself - your help will be gratefully appreciated. In Gassho, Thomas F. GEPPO Page 3

4 BWA NEWS Greetings from the Ogden BWA Summer is over and that means Obon has come and gone. The BWA ladies made and sold manju for Obon. Thank you ladies and for all the extra help in making and selling the manju. Everyone loves this special treat. The lunch prepared before Obon service was also prepared by the BWA. The lunch was delicious, thanks to all the ladies that prepared the lunch. In June the BWA sponsored a bus trip and the Salt Lake group also joined us. Thank you to Ellen K. for all the work she does on setting this up. Also, I would like to thank George Y. for setting this up and taking care of us for all these years. A fun time for all and yummy treats galore. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual food bazaar Saturday, October 8th where we will be selling manju and sushi once again. Anyone that would like to help with preparing the manju, the schedule is as follows: Yaki Manju, Saturday September 17 th at 9:00am Fukashi Manju, Sunday September 25 th at 9:00am Mochi Manju, Sunday October 2 nd at 9:00am Any help would be appreciated. The next meeting will be Sunday, September 18 th, 10:00am. We always have so much fun when we make manju together! It is exciting to see our young women come out and want to learn the tradition! More BWA news continued on next page. GEPPO ~ Page 4

5 BWA DONATIONS Omitted for Online Version 2016 Membership Kyoko M. and Alice S. DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS Superintendent Message Where has the summer gone? Our Dharma School students are already back in school and it seems like it was only a few weeks ago when we finished our Obon festival! Thanks to all the Dharma School students and their parents for their hard work to help with our Obon activities. Our students helped with making and selling the concessions and merchandise, directing drivers to parking, washing dishes in the kitchen, and setting up and cleaning up after our festivities. Domo arigato to everyone! Also, a round of thanks to all the students, parents and kind temple members who came to paint the multipurpose room stage on Saturday, June 25 th. This was a great way of ending the Dharma School year and provided a chance for our Dharma School students to contribute (with their sweat equity) to the temple. The Salt Lake Dharma School will hold their back-to-school picnic on Sunday, September 11 th at 11 am. The picnic will be held at Sensei Hirano and Dr. Carmela s home, and the Ogden Dharma School families have been asked to bring a dessert dish to share with all. Additional details will be provided as available. The Ogden Dharma School will start up on September 18 th for the new school year. We will be doing outdoor activities for the Dharma School students at 11 am, followed by lunch and then service at 1:30 p.m. We will be conducting our Dharma School planning meeting to discuss our curriculum and activities for the school year, including the students assignments for our upcoming food bazaar. And, believe it or not, because this newsletter covers events through October, please mark Sunday, October 30 th, on your calendars for the Salt Lake Dharma School Halloween party. We will not be conducting Dharma School services on this day. Further details will be provided when available. In Gassho, LaVerne K. More Dharma School news continued on next page. GEPPO Page 5

6 Dharma School Donations Omitted for Online Version Taiko Donations Omitted for Online Version YBA Donations Omitted for Online Version In Loving 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 Arthur Asa Toimoto June 27, 2016 Masayo Y. Sato June 29, 2016 Manabu Fujimoto July 16, 2016 Minoru Aoki July 16, 2016 Kaye Kazue Kuroiwa July 24, 2016 Ferry Hiroko Taniguchi August 2, 2016 Tok Yoshimura August 2, 2016 GEPPO ~ Page 6

7 Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Our Obon Festival was a huge success because of YOU! Thank you to everybody for pulling together and making this one of the best years yet! A special THANK YOU to the following for helping to defray the costs of Obon by either making a monetary or product donation. Bruce & Christy F. Julia F. Aiko H. Craig and Susan H. Fran H. Marie H. Alice H. Stan and Tami H. Grideli's (Mae M. and Janie H.) Pat K. Brenda K. Fumi K. Mike and Annette K. Wes and Debbie K. Kunie O. Ila and Beb O. Shauna R. Geoff and Linda R. Ruth S. Betty S. Roland and Janice S. Craig and Geniel S. Harry and Alice S. Kris and Steve Y. Betty and Kirk Y. Max & Georgia Yo. GEPPO ~ Page 7

8 BAZAAR DONATIONS NEEDED We know that Obon just got over and it seems as if we are constantly asking for donations! However, it is because of your generosity that our church is able to survive and prosper! It is time again for us to ask for your help! Bazaar is scheduled for October 8 th and we need YOU! Please feel free to come anytime to help! There is always a job that needs to be done! If you can help us by offsetting some of the costs of Bazaar, it makes a big difference! If you are able to donate any of the following items, please let any board member know. Please bring all items to the church by September 25 th. Two - 25-pound bag sugar Three - Gallon size bottle rice vinegar (green label) One - 56-oz can toasted sesame oil One - large bag Genmai Tea 12 regular or 6 large bottles chicken bouillon paste Eight - 20-lb bags rice Large bag white sesame seeds Large bag wasabi powder Two boxes gloves, size small 4 small or 2 Costco size cornstarch 4 regular or 2 large boxes salt 2 bags Ajinomoto Two - Gallon size bottles oil Two - Gallon size cans pitted whole olives Two - Boxes sandwich bags (fold over type) GEPPO ~ Page 8

9 MEDITATION CLASS Meditation Class to Begin September 16 th at 12:00 p.m. Beginning on September 16 th, the Discussion Group will be preceded by a short seated meditation and period of Mindful Movement. The class is open to anyone who is interested in meditation. It would be helpful if attendees could bring a yoga mat or Zafu to use during sitting meditation. Loose, casual clothing is all that is required. MOUNTAIN STATES CONFERENCE 2016 This year s Mountain States Conference is being held on November 5 6, 2016 and hosted by the Longmont Buddhist Temple! Please and make arrangements to attend! More information to come soon! WHAT IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU? Can you image what it would feel like to lose everything you own, including your house! Unfortunately, one of our own Taiko members and supporter of our church, Lindsay Y.-W. and her family, knows exactly what this feels like! As some of you may know, the Wilbur Family lost their home to a fire! Luckily no one was hurt and they were able to find temporary housing quickly. The Ogden Buddhist Taiko Group is collecting donations for her to buy basic necessities and such. Also, THANK YOU if you were able to eat at Pizza Pie Café in Layton to support Lindsay and her family. A HUGE thank you goes to Val K.D. for setting this up for the W. Family. If you would like to donate to Lindsay and her family, you can mail your check to our P.O. Box with a note to Betty to earmark it for Lindsay! P.O. Box 3248 Ogden, UT GEPPO ~ Page 9

10 The Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO ~ Page 10

11 OHIGAN SERVICE August / September Shotsuki Hoyo* Sunday, September 18, :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 16, :30 p.m. *Monthly Memorial Service GEPPO ~ Page 11

12 August/September, & October Shotsuki Hoyo August/September Shotsuki Hoyo September 18, 2016 at 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 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 Isao Yamaguchi Aug Ada Muriko Yonemura Aug Sam Osamu Yamamoto Sept Otoshichi Endow Sept Tetsuzo Fujita Sept Butch Masakazu Higashiyam 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 2016 Memorial Service Schedule for those who passed away in: year year year year year year year year year October Shotsuki Hoyo October 16, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. Oct Yusako Obayashi Burke Oct Jintaro Hano Oct Masao Eugene Higashiyama Oct Kuichi Hirabayashi Oct Mack Susumu Hirai 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 Valentine Hisako Yoshinaga Oct Toshi Yoshitaka Corrections/Additions to the Shotsuki Hoyo list, please contact Ruth Schriock, 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: GEPPO ~ Page 12

13 September 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 am SL Dharma School Sensei Hirano s Home :30 pm OBC Board Meeting :00 am BWA Yaki Manju making 6:00 pm WFN JACL Family Fun Night 18 10:00 am BWA Meeting 11:00 am Dharma School Kick Off, Lunch, & Parent Mtg. 12:00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Study Group 1:30 pm Ohigan Service Shotsuki Hoyo 25 9:00 am BWA Fukashi Manju making 12:00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Study Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service :00 pm Washin-Denshin Concert Toban Cleaning Group: James & Marisa Aoki (Toban Cleaning Leader) Charles & Catherine Aoki Max & Georgia Yoshida Toby Yoshida & Mui Tran GEPPO Page 15

14 October 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SLBT Bazaar 1 2 9:00 am Bazaar Yard Clean-Up 9:00 am BWA Mochi Manju making 12:00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Study Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service :00 pm Bazaar Prep 6 6:00 pm Bazaar Prep 7 6:00 pm Bazaar Prep 8 OBC Bazaar Prep at 8:00 am Doors Open at 3:00 pm NO SERVICES Bazaar Clean-Up :30 pm OBC Board Meeting :00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Study Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service Shotsuki Hoyo :00 pm Meditation 12:30 pm Study Group 12:45 pm Dharma School 1:30 pm Family Service NO Service in Ogden 10:00 am - SL Dharma School Service & Halloween Party Toban Cleaning Group: *Bazaar Clean-Up Committee* GEPPO Page 16

15 This is a musical group that Stan & Mackenzie Hirai are members of. Please support them if you can. GEPPO Page 17