Kelowna Buddhist Temple

Transcription

1 Sept 22, 2008 Kelowna Buddhist Temple The New Dharma Express PO. Box 22092, RPO Capri Centre Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9N9 phone Special points of interest: Wed. Sept 3, TSS Meditation Wed. Sept 3 Temple Board Meeting 7pm Thurs. Sept 4, TSS Meditation Fri. Sept 5, Wed. Sept 10, TSS Meditation Thurs. Sept 11, TSS Meditation Fri. Sept 12, TSS Meditation Sun. Sept 14, Fall Ohigan & Eitakyo and Monthly Memorial 10am Wed. Sept 17, TSS Meditation Thurs. Sept 18, TSS Meditation Monthly Memorial SEPTEMBER Mrs. Masao Yamaoka Mr. Yonetaro Tainaka Mr. Tomekichi Hikida Mrs. Hatsu Koga Master Eugene Shiosaki Mr. Takeru Tanemura Mrs. Tomo Kitamura Mrs. Yuki Nishi Mr. Koichi Hayashi Mrs. Tomiye Yokota Fri. Sept 19, Wed. Sept 24, Thurs. Sept 25, TSS Meditation Fri. Sept 26, Sat. Sept 27, BCJSBCF 53 Annual Convention in Vancouver Sun. Sept 28, BCJSBCF 53 Annual Convention in Vancouver Wed. Oct. 1, Clean-up Altar Toban Group #5 M/M Morio Koga M/M Yosh Terada M/M Kaichi Uemoto Mr. Reg Tomiye Mrs. Joan Kitaura Mrs. Toyoko Tamaki Mrs. Dot Wakano Mr. Suey Koga M/M Kim Kendal M/M Gord Lacey Mrs. Shigeko Kurahashi Ms. Karen Stewart Mr. Harry Tonn Mrs. Janice Richardson Many Hands Helped Inside this issue: Sensei s Report 2 Temple Executive 3 Calendar 4 BCC Update 5 Rambling 6 Japanese 9 Donations 10 Thank you to all the people who helped to make paper cranes for Sensei's marathon chant which took place in Kamloops on Aug. 6th. We didn't reach 1000, but we did end up with 680 cranes. I strung the cranes with thread (40 cranes per string) and had 17 strings. I attached the strings to wire coat hangers which made them easy to hang. The cranes of different colors looked quite impressive, but much more than that many hands helped to make them. Approximately 15 people (some from outside of Kelowna), folded these beautiful cranes, and I am very grateful. I will continue to make cranes until we reach 1000 and if anyone else would like to make cranes, just pass them on to me and I will add them on to the strings. Thank you! In Gassho Cheryl

2 From Sensei Reading the Scriptures Over and Over When you read the scriptures, there is no use just passing your eyes over and over them. Rennnyo Shonin advised, Make a point of reading the scriptures over and over. Also, There is a saying, If you read a passage a hundred times, its meaning becomes clear by itself. (Rennyo Shonin: Kikigaki) During the Mid-summer, we celebrated Obon services and had an opportunity to share the Dharma with many visiting Dharma friends, and people from outside our community. Summer also allows us an opportunity to travel to some of the smaller Buddhist fellowships within the BC Interior, including Midway and New Denver. In New Denver we had a full house at the Nikkei Memorial Centre. Indeed, one of our older members commented that the attendance almost seemed like old times, we have never had this kind of crowd. I feel that this may reflect the interest in Buddhism among the Canadian community. These days, many people are searching for spirituality, and a sense of meaning in their lives. Adding to this, the Dalai Lama has also generated much interest and respect for Buddhism, with its message of peace and non-violence. In August, we had our Second 12-Hour Marathon Chanting Event in memory of the victims of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Last year we had a similar event in Kelowna on August 9 th marking the anniversary of the tragedy of Nagasaki. This year, in the Kamloops community, we honored the memory of the victims of Hiroshima. This event was supported by many of our Dharma friends within the BC Interior. We had planned this for the previous three months, and had asked people to fold a paper crane as a symbol of peace and hope. We all remember the Story of Sadako, a child who died of leukemia as a result of the radiation effects of the bomb, who began the tradition of folding paper cranes in her hopes to regain her health. As we prepared the Temple Hondo for the event, we were all deeply touched by the sheer numbers of paper cranes that we received. These were carefully placed throughout the hondo, shrine areas, windows and floor. We estimated that there were more than 15,000 paper cranes that had been folded by members of our community throughout the Province. This Page 2 outpouring of effort was indescribable, casting an aura of reverence among all of us. Throughout the chanting, visitors were invited to offer incense, strike the bell, fold a paper crane, or join with us in chanting the Pure Land Sutras. We began at 6.00am and continued non-stop until 6.00pm. Towards the back of the Hondo, a film documentary on the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was also shown. The film included interviews with a number of the survivors, who described their experiences. The degree of devastation caused by the bombing of Hiroshima will remain vividly in our memories. Those who have visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan know the degree of destruction. Most find their visit to the Memorial an unforgettable and emotionally moving experience. Participants came and went throughout the day, some to watch, others to participate in the chanting. A small group of anti-nuclear activists participated in the chanting for a period of time. Although non- Buddhist, and unfamiliar with chanting, some described their experience as deeply spiritual and that it allowed a sense of connection with the victims of Hiroshima and the survivors. Someone said after about half an hour, I began to feel very comfortable with the flow of the chant and the spirituality that was built into it. This gave me a sense of humility and privilege in sharing a spiritual connectedness with all of them. Over the 12-hours, we chanted in English almost three complete cycles of our three Principal Sutras the Larger Sutra, the Contemplation Sutra, the Amida Sutra, as well as Shinran s Shoshinge. For some participants, this represented the first real opportunity to directly encounter, in English, the words of Shakymuni Buddha and Shinran Shonin. For others, each repetition seemed to bring increased understanding and insight, and a sense of appreciation to the participants. As we mark the anniversary of the tragedy of Hiroshima, we remember those who lost their lives, and those whose lives became forever changed. Let us not forget Hiroshima and the horrors of nuclear war. As we read the scriptures over and over, we are also reminded of Shinran Shonin s wish for humankind as he wrote May there be peace in the world and May the Buddha s teaching spread. In Gassho, Rev. Yasuhiro Miyakawa

3 From the Temple Executive Another Obon season and summer holidays have come and gone so quickly. Once again the changing seasons will be upon us very soon. With the coming of the Fall Ohigan season, let us reflect upon this important observation and listen to the teachings of Buddha. Sometimes forgotten when we talk about Otera activities, there are Monthly Services, Meditation and Chanting Session s, Meetings, Church cleanups and our great Temple friends, the performing Yamabiko Taiko, who always promote and assist our Temple. Plus many important fund raisers necessary for the extension of the culture and spirituality of respect and honor that exists for us. Then there is the annual YABA Golf Tournament held at Michaelbrook. This year s fun event embodied the spirit, the heart and the soul of everyone competing. Much more then that, many of the efforts of the YABA whether it be golf, lawn cutting, faithfully have provided the manpower for Otera activities throughout the years. Page 3 Kelowna s friend Bishop Fujikawa and warm Okusan Minako-san whose impression they made our Buddhist Community unforgettable are looking forwards to welcoming all their Kelowna friends and acquaintances to the coming BCJSBCF annual Convention to be held in Vancouver on Sept 26, 27, and 28, Starting with the 2 nd annual Golf Tourney on Sept 26 th at Surrey Golf Course. Please phone Gord for info. A reminder that Sunday Sept. 14 from 10 am is Kelowna s Sept. Monthly Memorial also enjoy, pursue and grasp the pure Dharma during Higan ye and Eitaikyo services, during this do cause and good effect morning. Thank you, With Gassho. Message from the Editor I m so excited about this years Dharma Express we will include a monthly quote from The Collected Works of Shinran which is the foundation of the Jodo Shinshu tradition. I hope to make the quotes short and uplifting, so that each month you will be able to enjoy the teachings without feeling overwhelmed. Sorry to disturb your summer break and publish a week early, but I m off to Alberta for a family get together my wife s Father is turning 80. It has been a really busy summer, several Taiko performances, family reunion and work never a dull moment in my life. Number 2 son and number 1 The Collected Works of Shinran daughter are doing fantastic in Calgary Nathan is still going for therapy, it is a long and sometimes frustrating task to recover most of what was lost in an accident. For the record I want to let all the readers know that this publication is meant for the enjoyment and interest of everyone. It is shared on the world wide web and the articles submitted are written by lay people, so they may not always be politically correct. In other words, if you want perfection, read The Collected Works of Shinran Volume I, only 700 odd pages, otherwise enjoy the articles and make light of any errors or omissions. In Gassho, Jiro There are three kinds of joy: 1) external joy; this is joy produced by the five senses: 2) internal joy; this is joy produced by the consciousness in the first, second, and third stages of meditation; 3) joy of dharma music; this is joy produced by wisdom. The joy produced by wisdom arises from love of the Buddha s virtue. The three minds becoming free of egocentric attachments, becoming free of thoughts that do not bring peace to others, and becoming free of thoughts of self-homage are pure and, developing and taken in brief, they form the wondrous, joyous, excellent, true mind.

4 Page 4 September 2008 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Temple Board Meeting 7pm Fall Ohigan & Eitakyo and Monthly Memorial 10am BCJSBCF 53 Annual Convention Vancouver 28 BCJSBCF Convention Vancouver Never too late: Last Minute Registrations only $50

5 Page 5 BCC Update: A monthly update from the national headquarters of the Shin Buddhist Churches of Canada Fentiman Place, Richmond, B.C., V7E 6M6 Ph: fax: e: bccheadquarters@axion.net or office@bcc.ca web: May you, all my Nembutsu Friends across Canada enjoy the remaining summer in good health and spirits in the Light of Compassion of Amida Buddha. As the Obon Tour to Vancouver Island by bus was cancelled due to the lack of interest this year, only four of us in one car operated by Roy and Betty Inouye went on to pay tribute to the pioneers at the old cemeteries such as Cumberland, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Chemainus, Duncan and Victoria last weekend. Except the Ross Bay cemetery in Victoria the people who gathered were a few or nil. Still it was a meaningful experience. I know some people say, Nobody comes to the cemetery and there is no use having service. But at least WE were there, setting up the table with a portable shrine, burning incense, offering flowers and chanting in memory of those pioneers. As we stand before the gravesites, there is only silence, which is in a way great teaching for us to hear the pure and true wish of those people as well as ourselves. And furthermore those gravesites are not only the mark of the dead, but also the proof of precious lives. Yes, they used to live, laugh and work like everyone else. We were able to learn the meaning of Hakamairi (cemetery service). We are the beneficiaries. Yes, the only person who does visit the gravesite knows its meaning. May this tradition be continued in the future. With gassho, Namoamidabutsu orai fujikawa 残暑中 お見舞い申し上げます 9 月も目前となり 何かとお忙しいことでしょうが皆様にはご健勝のこととお慶び申し上げます 先週バンクーバー島の戦前のお墓参りをしてきました カンバーランド ポートアルバーニ ナナイモ チメイナス ダンカン そしてヴィクトリアの各地を二日間で回りました ヴィクトリア以外は お参りに来る人は少数でしたが, お花を供え 香をたき 読経をいたしました お墓の前に立っていつも思うことですが 亡くなった人たちは無言です しかしその沈黙の中に その人たちや私たち自身の本当の願いが聞こえてくるのです 誰も墓参りに来る人がいないのにお参りに行くのは意味がないというお方がありますが 少なくとも墓参りする人にはその意味が判るはずです お墓は先人が亡くなった標でありますが, 同時に働き, 笑い 生きていたと言う証拠でもあります 今後も出来るだけ先人の墓参りを続けていただきたいものです 合掌 Coming events Aug 23 Visit to Kamloops Temple and Public Lecture 24 Attend BC Interior Temples Meeting in Vernon Sep MA Meeting/Seminar in Toronto BC Buddhist Convention in Vancouver Oct 12 Visit to Kelowna Temple Toronto Dana s 50 th Anniversary Steveston Temple s 80 th Anniversary Nov 1 JSBTC Board Meeting in Richmond 8-9 Alberta Buddhist Convention in Calgary Oversea Ministers and Lay Members Seminar in Kyoto

6 Page 6 Otera & the G.M. World Are All Catching On To What a Friend We Have In Him Without a doubt this scribbler is biased, maybe it s because of our admiration and respect for him. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith and conviction to walk through adversity. Otera s New Dharma Express Editor Jerry Takeda may not ever talked the talk but more importantly has walked the walk. Looking back to Otera s 75 th serendipity (good fortune) Anniversary held on May 27 th It was rewarded by a glossary souvenir program book edited and formatted by him and pushing his dedication further he consented to gather and fine tune the BCJSBCL 52 nd Annual Conventions dependable Program Booklet that became a popular Buddhist Companion amongst the throng of Delegates Just Rambling Over 3/4 of a century ago, we lived on what is now Gordon Drive, a short distance from where I now reside. Practically all the residents of the district were Caucasians, in fact my sisters and I were the only non-whites attending the local school. I had four 'hakujin' freinds. We all wanted to be pilots. Believe it or not there were airplanes in those days. When the war broke out, two of them joined the air force, one became a member of the army and the other fellow was not accepted for service. Perhaps I had the good fortune of being Japanese as two of my boyhood friends did not return from the conflict. When we moved to the Belgo and started to attend school in Rutland, there were quite a number of visible minorities. No one was considered as being a Canadian. In class, every few months there would be a roll call requesting our nationality. One was either a British subject or a citizen from the country of origin of our ancestors. There were very few Japanese land owners in the Rutland, Belgo and Ellison districts 75 years ago. Those that I recall who owned property were M/M Tamaki & Family, M/M Uyeyama & Family, M/M Yamaoka & Family, M/M Terai & Family, Mr. Yamaoka & Son, M/M Numada & Family, M/M Tamagi & Family and there and well wishers in attendance in Kelowna on Oct Yes the root of our compliment reinforces Otera s belief in the man who is an incredible wealth for Otera. As Jerry is quick to recognize and reveal to our Temple congregation the essential Otera news and mindful his deeper level editorial oration during Kelowna Buddhist Temples extensive ten month yearly New Dharma Express publication. Furthermore spotlighting data and info online and , some of his wise decisions are progressing. His large window of experience and more insightful agenda is well aligned with our Temple s vision. Thank you Jerry, Laurie, Nathan. In Gassho. was a farm near Hwy 33 and Gerstmar owned by a farmer's Co-op headed by Mr. Iwashita. A few days prior to the O-bon Services, I went to the cemetery early in the afternoon to help with the clean up. Roy and Nikki Kawamoto were there hard at work under the blazing sun. Roy together with Tun Wong were undoubtedly the hardest workers on the Asian cemetery restoration project committee. The local Japanese community and the Kelowna Buddhist Temple members can be justly proud of the outstanding efforts regarding the renovations including the construction of the gazebo. The Annual Interior J.C. Golf Social was held in Vernon recently. It was only the third time that I missed the event in 20 years. We should complement the Oizumi's and others who did a tremendous job over the years to make these tournaments so successful. Looking South past Gordon Drive and up at the burned out mountainside, I realize regretfully how the landscape has changed. I now see bare brown areas with splashes of green where the trees were lucky enough to escape the blazing inferno of 2003.Almost 80 years ago, the same locality was devastated by fire. Of course there were no homes there at the time. In Gassho BCJSBCF Raffle Tickets only $2 see Reg Tomiye for your book of 10 $1500 Cash Prize (plus 8 other possible chances to win) - or help Jerry Takeda sell his tickets!

7 Page 7 Finding Nembutsu - Would Make A Goodwill Bumper Sticker The next time you offer and burn incense at the Temple Service you may experience a silver thread of guidance and honor that weaves its way through the tapestry of your life. Could it be there to remind us who we really are and willing are we here to accept the Nembutsu in all our hearts and relating to yours and my ancestral growth levels that cannot be ignored. Any experience of The Three Treasures in our dear Sangha friends along with my own selfish survival that somehow trigger and touch those beliefs to the core of who we really are, represents a wonderful opportunity for deeper joy and gratefulness for family and friends in spirit of Shinran Shonin. Kelowna s fine friend Bishop Orai Fujikawa announced in the June BCC Update the sad passing of Canada s longtime ally and former BCC Bishop Rev. Toshio Murakami in Hawaii. His passing and of others close to your heart is a compassionate sign that indicates where we need to pay attention to the life of our beloved elders and one s own family, friends and Kinfolk. Much greater than all our outer circumstances (relevance) or limited understandings from a long way back. The challenging 21 st century is a time to inspire and involve the opportunities to discover promising values and share them enabling every one to make a lasting connection and focus together in significance more than the entire sum of one s own daily wants and desire s. In Gassho. Transcendent Powers of The Light of Amida Buddha Suchness Our Future Studying our rough notes of Sensei Kakei Nakagawa at the 2007 Obon in Kelowna, he explained in Japan the Buddhist Monks would say Mujo Mu is nothing and jo is permanence so Mujo means impermanence it is to become your self as you really are with joyful eyes open. Our Sensei Miyakawa also stating Mujo refers as you, I, and Buddha are transient - constantly changing. Sharing thoughts from the Collected Works of Shinran, it suggests where ever we go transiency follows you. It is the naked nature of time, even though our minds cannot keep up with the quick changes of time like our fuel and rice prices, all our readers as human beings, no matter what conditions in war and peace we all may find gratitude for our solidity with Shinran. Eg. {dirty thirties, world war II, and present). The pure Land Teachings deepens one s understanding, enhance our practice, and keeps in touch with the wider Buddhist Communities throughout Canada. Kelowna s cohesive congregation inherently have been fanning the embers of Shinran for over 76 years. Combining it with Mahayana practice of (Nagarjuna, 1 st amongst the 7 Patriarchs of Jodo Shinshu in Otera s Altar ) and striving, perhaps igniting them into real flames of Suchness Your treasure ocean of virtues will always entrust yourselves with Amida (taken from Sensei at Dharma School). In Gassho.

8 YABA Update Summer was a long time coming, but the past few months have certainly been typical of Kelowna s great weather. In June, we conducted our Semi-Annual General Meeting, and 22 members and 2 guests met at Ozeki Restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal and discuss both past and upcoming events for the next season. Rev. Miyakawa expressed his appreciation for the work of the Naijin group and the attention to detail paid to the altar. On July 12, members were treated to a lecture and Q&A period by Rev. Julie Hamada from Seattle. Thank you to the members who generously gave of Page 8 their time to clean our temple and the grounds for Obon odori, and prepare the dinner. Our July YABA golf tournament at Michaelbrook Ranch was a success as usual. We had a great turnout and hot weather. Prizes were donated by Tim Tahara, Don & Joyce Favell, Bob Koga, and Jerry Takeda, Jacobsen Pontiac. Congratulations to the winners. Upcoming events for the fall and winter will be helping with farmers market, hosting our Keiro Kai project, our fund raising projects of Mein Making, and Mochi Making. We will be in touch with more information. In Gassho Soaking Up Knowledge Will Only Help In One s Development As A Person We are in Amida s throttle of another moving warm Summer in the Okanagan and it has been quite hard to keep up with the hot and dizzy tempo. Many do try and some we re happy to say have found satisfaction and harmony, no matter how strong an effort it seems we ve hardly made any progress, maybe a dent. That s modern life filled with cell phones, blackberry s, s, high gas, road rage, green tech, global warming etc. We don t mean to criticize modern life, as we are contributing to it, but something may be missing. Guest Rev. Julie Hanada from Seattle at Obon said it s nice to balance our experience with Obon and Obon Odori. I understand Jodo Shinshu where my heart is stimulated, it s an experience of bringing wisdom and compassion together. I m challenged to see the Buddha Nature of every one. It is a dew drop world yet on the internet it s easy to have access at our Temple of all spiritual opportunities. I am expanding I am exploring and living a Jodo Shinshu world in my life. It is a message we can relate to and feel the use of time to not only cultivate your gardens but your own precious existence at home, Otera, work and play in addition to keeping up with the tempo of one s life without feeling too sorry about your daughter s old tough sell beater V8, just revere it. Do have a terrific Sangha summer and autumn. A journey of a pure land life. In Gassho.

9 Page 9 行事案内 9 月 3 日 ( 水 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 4 日 ( 木 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 5 日 ( 金 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 10 日 ( 水 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 11 日 ( 木 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 12 日 ( 金 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 14 日 ( 日 ) 午前 10 時 秋の彼岸会 永代経 祥月法要 17 日 ( 水 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 18 日 ( 木 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 19 日 ( 金 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 24 日 ( 水 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 25 日 ( 木 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 26 日 ( 金 ) 午前 9 時半 千部経三昧 27 日 ( 土 ) 於 ハ ンクーハ ー 第 53 回 BC 教団信徒大会 28 日 ( 日 ) 同 同 未だ未だ暑い日が続いていますが 皆様にはお元気でお過ごしでしょうか 夏休みも終わりに近づいています 後一月足らずで秋のお彼岸法要です 又 信徒大会がバンクーバーで開催されます たくさんの会員が参加されますよう May Peace Prevail Throughout the World Inside historical Kamloops Buddhist Temple on Wed. Aug 6, 2008 the beautiful Hondo and Altar was incredibly decorated with over 16,000 paper cranes in various colors. It was a memorial tribute of the devastating Atomic Bombing of Japans great city Hiroshima 63 years ago. The Cranes represented the over 300,000 bomb victims including countless children as 12 year old brave and courageous Sadako Sasaki, her loss representing all the dead and injured has inspired timeless worldly sorrow and compassion of the tragedy and scars of war. Sensei Miyakawa leading many participating members from Kamloops, Kelowna, Vancouver and drop in visitors, successfully brought to life the course of peace completing 12 hours of continuous chanting of the sacred Three Pure Land Samadhi Sutra s, with feeling stated after 63 yrs. humans and animals continue to suffer. Let us all join together and promote world peace and not let it happen again. Heartfelt Thanks to Kamloops Buddhist Temple for the huge effort in hosting this Memorial, it was rich in compassion with electric decorations, chanting and spirituality. The delicious lunch and dinner with a fabulous array of authentic Japanese dishes like various tsukemono, teriyaki, sushi & manju were enjoyed. Thank you s to Sensei, Valerie and all partaker s from Kelowna, and B.C. Gassho, In Serenity.

10 With Gratitude the Temple and all of its Affiliated Organizations Acknowledge Your Generous Contribution and Apologies for any Errors or Omissions. GENERAL: Obon: M/M J. Takeda $75, M/M M. Kimura $60, M/M Melvin Tanemura $50, K. Taguchi $50, M/M A. Yamaoda $50, M/M K. Ohashi $50,M/M B. Shepard & E. Mori $50, Mrs & Ms Rose Okazaki $50, M/M K. Yamada $50, Mrs. E. Nishi Ms Geri Nishi $50, M/M H. Tanaka $50, M/M Y. Tanemura $50, M/M T. Ogi $50, M/M H. Cameron $50, Ms. C. Yamaoka $40, M/M R. Inouye $40, Mr. Sumio Tahara $40, M/M M. Tahara $40, Mr. A. Tainaka $40, Ms. M. Hatanaka $40, Rick Suzuki & Peggy Tanaka $40, Mrs. S. Tanaka $40, M/M M. Nabata $30, M/M T. Yakura $30, M/M Y. Terada $30, M/M K. Uemoto $30, Mrs. Sakae Nishi $30, M/M J. Kouchiyama $30, M/M N. Yamaoka $30, M/M M. Mori $30, M/M D. Favell $30, M/ M Marc Chapentier $30, Mr. A. Hokazono $20, Mrs. S. Kurahashi $20, M/M M. Fong $30, Aki Ikeda $25, M/M R. Tomiye $20, Miss K. Kobayashi $25, Mrs. Sugino Hatanaka $30, Ms C. Yamaoka $20, Mrs. Janice Richardson $20, M/M M. Koga $30, M/M S. Sugie $25, M/M Gary Koga $25, Mrs. Y. Ueda $25, M/M E. Hori $25, Helen Koga $25, Mrs. A. Ueda $20, M/M T. Suzuki $30, Mrs. M. Ishikawa $20, Mr. J. Ishikawa $20, Mrs. S. Kurahashi $20, Ms. Lindsay Favell $20, Miss Emma Koga $10, M/M Nabata $10, M/M Ray Negtin $10, Mrs. Megumi McDowell $10 MEMORIAL: M/M J. Uyeyama (Parents 3rd Year Memorial) $150, M/M P. Murao (Take Tanemura s Memorial) $40, M/M M. Tanemura (R. Tanemura Memorial) $30, M/M A. Komori (Hatsuye Koyanagi Memorial) $30 MONTHLY MEMORIAL: Mr. Shig Tahara $100, Mr. Sumio Tahara $80, M/M M. Tahara $60, M/M/ M. Tahara $30, Mr. A. Tainaka $30, M/M M. Ohashi $25, Mrs. N. Kawaguchi $20, Mrs. Y. Ueda $20, Mr. S. Ueda $20, M/M M. Mori $20, Mrs. E. Nishi $20, Mrs. Sakai Nishi $20, M/M K. Yamada $20 MEMBERSHIP: M/M D. Favell $250, Mrs. Shigeko Kurahashi $125 NEWSLETTER: Mr. Mak Ikuta $100, M/M M. Tanemura $50, M/M A. Komori $30, Mrs. Harue Furumoto $30, Mrs. Shigeko Kurahashi $20 Sutra s In Our English Language Illuminate The Heart And Mind For a near four inspiring years we have joined and shared with Sensei the wonderful, honorable experience of chanting the Three Pure Land Samadhi Sutra s in English and not in Chinese as they are chanted in all our Services at Otera and throughout Canada. Some may feel what s wrong the fine tradition of over 100 years in Canada of chanting our Sutra s in Chinese from the immortal purple Seitens, or Dharma Service Book? It may be a fair question, nevertheless, in this learning participants humble view... I feel as Sensei Miyakawa teaches, I am home, I have found happiness and understanding in the treasured Sutras mainly because the fine, weighty Chinese wordings have been translated into a bright, clear core English language by the world famous Buddhist Scholar, translator Sensei Hisao Inagaki from the Hongwanji who is currently translating other impending Jodo Shinshu scriptures as well in the future the Garland and Heart Sutra s. On behalf of fellow participants Sensei Miyakawa, Cheryl Tanaka and Michael Martin it has been a timeless effort to embrace the Pure Land Sutra s, Amida s 48 Vows, plus studying Volume 1 and 2 of The Collective Workings of Shinran ( Jodo Shinshu Bible) they have become object s for cultivating Shinran samas lifelong effort enabling his follower s to grasp his expectations and the unexpected. Sincere thanks to Sensei Miyakawa for his guidance and to Kelowna Bukkyo-Kai for generously presenting this weathered player for the meaningful, meticulous Large Sutra Mandala. In Gassho. Yuki