Vol. 57, No. 12 December Nothing

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1 mail: Web: Vol. 57, No. 12 December 2014 REV. USUKI S PAGE Nothing Saichi has nothing which is joy. Outside this there is nothing. Both good and evil all is taken away. Nothing is left. To have nothing this is the release, this is the peace. All is taken away by the Namo Amida Butsu ; this is truly the peace. Namo Amida Butsu. Asahara Saichi, Shin Buddhist Service Book (OCBC BEC, 2013, p. 18) Another season of reflection and appreciation is upon us, and I sincerely hope that your life is growing well despite the many challenges we face in this complex world. This holiday season, unlike the many other wonderful celebrations we have throughout the year, brings our deepest emotions and thoughts together as we once again consider with gratitude the lesson of human existence. This sincere feeling of bliss cannot be fully explained nor continuously maintained, but we feel something pleasing when we are together with family and loved ones. Perhaps this is also the most opportune time to visit our own spiritual and religious endeavors. The poem by Saichi, one of the most profound followers of our Jodo Shinshu tradition, writes about this very sentiment. It applies not only to this season but to Saichi s entire life. Having nothing does not speak of his material wealth, social status, family situation, or of anything he himself is able to produce in his life. Instead, he is speaking with the most profound sense of humility and gratitude about receiving this absolute gift of life that is due to the constant working of everything and everyone around us. Such a realization did not come to Saichi until his deepest introspective moment, perhaps even at his worst thought-moment: Numberless the ranks of evil men Yet of all people in the world My heart is the worst of all Though I may not have actually said it in words, In my heart I wished my father dead. I wondered why he didn t die. It s amazing the earth hasn t yet cracked open under me [despite such evil thought], This mass of monstrously evil karma. The Middle Way: Journal of the Buddhist Society (vol. 79 no. 1, 2004) The nature of human life is to first satisfy and benefit our basic needs. Our lives are full as we are taught to grow, achieve, and prosper for our personal survival and benefit. Everything becomes a display of goals and accomplishments careers, hobbies, fame, and honor. They are all part of our human attachment that we disguise as progress. If we are not fed, clothed, and satisfied by our many material needs, our selfserving egos loom large and we are in danger of creating adverse thoughts. At such moments we can become uncaring, inconsiderate, mean, and even hateful. There is no doubt that we can live with a lot less and take life a little slower. But our desires are constantly present in the deepest caverns of our body and mind and can manifest even at the happiest and most precious times, including during this season. There is no moment that is completely safe from such challenges. Jodo Shinshu teaches us to look at the deepest reaches of our heart and mind and truly see that there is an ulterior motive that drives our actions. Even more, it is suggested that, as human beings, there is no end to our wicked thoughts. But we receive the [cont d on page 2]

2 Great Wisdom and Compassion just as we are. Upon this realization, Saichi says: Repentance and joy. Repentance and joy are the world and Emptiness respectively. This is Namu-Amida-Butsu of the six characters. I am sure if Asahara Saichi were alive today, he would echo the same fascination for the world we live in, knowing that he receives immeasurable compassion just as he is. For he would also have relied on the exact sentiments he felt 80 years ago about life as a simple but deep man. We may not be able follow the same faithful path as Saichi, but we can aspire to a similar understanding of the sincere and grateful life in light of our own true reality. I hope you enjoy everything this special season has to offer and value what is truly important your family and friends. Shinshu Corner Asahara Saichi and his Experience of Emptiness The Middle Way: Journal of the Buddhist Society (vol. 79. no. 1, , pages 38-48) (This abstract by Rev. Kemmoyo Taira Sato was shortened for this Shinshu Corner edition.) Asahara Saichi ( ) was a Shin Buddhist devotee of the kind we call myokonin. The word myokonin is used for devout followers of the Shin Buddhist tradition who lived their lives with pure faith in Amida Buddha. Generally speaking, the myokonin were characterized by their piousness and unworldliness, their gaiety and good nature and, above all, their deep sense of spirituality. According to the records of myokonin, such as The Biographies of Myokonin and The Further Biographies of Myokonin, published in the late Edo period, most of the myokonin were actually illiterate. Despite this lack of formal education, however, or perhaps even because of it, their spirit was pure and unaffected. They were able to give expression to what they inwardly experienced as a result of their attentive listening to the Buddha Dharma. When they tried to express themselves, whether in words or actions, what they said or did came straight from the heart and pointed directly to the truth of what they had experienced. It is in this respect that the diaries of Asahara Saichi are of such special interest, providing as they do a personal record of his own spiritual insights, set down day after day over a period of 18 years, from the autumn of 1913 until his death early in As Saichi, a geta-maker by trade, sat carving his wooden clogs, he would note down verses on shavings and little pieces of wood. These jottings are artless expressions of his inner, spiritual life, his very lack of erudition making them all the more vibrant and alive. As more and more verses accumulated, Saichi copied them into school notebooks. Saichi is believed to have been composing verses at an average of two a day throughout the last 17 years of his life. The poems he wrote in his diaries are estimated to number upwards of ten thousand. Saichi was born at Yunotsu, a small village in Shimane prefecture, towards the end of the Edo period. For some reason, perhaps the influence of his own father Saikyo, who lived the life of a very poor priest, Saichi started listening to the Buddha Dharma at some stage in his twenties. When he was young he worked as a shipwright, but at some point after his marriage at the age of 25 he began to work in a coal town, Nogata in Fukuoka prefecture in Kyushu, making small coal boats known as hiratabune. While living alone in this town, far away from his native province, he continued visiting Buddhist priests and listening to their sermons. At the age of 55 he decided to return to his native soil and work as a geta-maker. Having taken up a new job, he concentrated his energies on listening with great attention to the Buddha Dharma under the instruction of a very good teacher, the Reverend Kenkyo Umeda. As a result of deep introspection and after many years of listening to the Buddha Dharma, he finally attained faith at about the age of 60. Looking back to his spiritual conversion, the moment he first attained faith, Saichi wrote: [My] eyes change, the world changes. This place turns into the Pure Land. How happy I am! Namu-Amida-Butsu. 2

3 In Saichi s poems the words are always extremely simple, but their meaning is very profound. As mentioned above, through the attainment of faith, in other words through acquiring the faith to entrust oneself single-mindedly to Amida Buddha, one s consciousness is purified of all its attachments, with the result that one sees things in a very different way. [My] eyes change, the world changes. This is a drastic alteration. Through the purification of one s consciousness one comes to know the true world, the world of interdependent origination (emptiness). This true world full of light can also be called the Land of Enlightenment or Nirvana or simply the Dharma world or the Pure Land. Thus Saichi says, This place turns into the Pure Land. How happy I am! Namu-Amida- Butsu. In Shin Buddhism, especially in Saichi s poems, the idea of the oneness of Namu and Amida Butsu is extremely important. In this context Namu stands for the person who takes refuge in Amida and Amida Butsu stands for the Buddha, who saves that person. Through the nembutsu (the act of pronouncing Amida s name as Namu- Amida-Butsu) the complete oneness of that person and Amida Buddha is brought about. Certainly Saichi enjoyed this experience of the oneness between him and Amida. Saichi says: Having gone through the moment of death And the funeral, Saichi lives in this world with Namu-Amida- Butsu. Saichi is Amida, Amida is Saichi. For Saichi the attainment of oneness with Amida came about after he had gone through the moment of death and the funeral. What he means by the moment of death and the funeral is not the actual physical death of the body or a so-called near-death experience but something deeply spiritual, the death of our ego or selfish consciousness. After this mental death Saichi says, Saichi lives in this world with Namu-Amida-Butsu. Namu-Amida-Butsu is the vast activity of Amida Buddha in which Saichi is Amida, Amida is Saichi. Without Namu-Amida-Butsu, Saichi s life in this world would have no meaning. At this deep level, Saichi is living his eternal life far beyond the confines of birth and death. Saichi says: If you like to die, do so, this body! Even if you die, I will not die. I go [to the Pure Land] living in Namu-Amida- Butsu. The Buddha Dharma is Namu-Amida-Butsu in Emptiness the air. How happy I am to meet it! Emptiness the air is Namu-Amida-Butsu. I am in the midst of Emptiness, Namu- Amida-Butsu. BUDDHIST MEN - BWA MEMORIAL SERVICE - Saturday, October 18 3

4 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE December is here and the year is almost over. Thank you to those who stayed after service and helped with the omigaki on October 26, (I m writing this in November.) The onaijin hasn t shined like it now does in quite some time. Thank you, Sei & Yasuko, Tosh & Masako, Milton, Haru, Janice, and Gaylen (who did all the heavy lifting and wiring with Rev. Usuki). This is my last year as President of the Temple and I would like to thank you, the Sangha, and the Board for all your support and assistance you have given me during the last two years. I went into office with some trepidation but with the encouragement from the Sangha, past Presidents, and Rev. Usuki, everything worked out well for me with very few glitches. It has been a great pleasure and honor serving as President of the W.L.A. Buddhist Temple, but please don't ask me again. See you at the New Year service. Thank you, all. With Gassho, Beverly Yahata Gaylen working in the onaijin. Thank you to Rev. Usuki for the photos. 4

5 UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Sunday, November 23 Thanksgiving Service Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony Rev. Kodo Umezu, BCA Bishop 10th Anniversary Rev. Fumiaki Usuki WLABT Resident Minister November 15 (Saturday): Seminar (Gardena) - Rev. F. Usuki December 14 (Sunday): Temple & garden clean-up November (Saturday-Sunday) TEMPLE CLOSED November 17 (Monday): 80+ lunch Happy Thanksgiving November (Wednesday-Sunday) TEMPLE CLOSED December 7 (Sunday): Bodhi Day Service Oseibo Taikai, lunch December 13 (Saturday): Mochitsuki (order form on page 11) December 21 (Sunday): Regular family service Happy Holidays December (Monday-Friday) TEMPLE CLOSED December 30 (Tuesday): TEMPLE CLOSED December 31 (Wednesday): Joya-e service 新年あけましておめでとうございます Happy 2014 January 1 (Thursday): New Year s service January 2 (Friday): TEMPLE CLOSED January 3 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo January 4 (Sunday): Regular family service Year of the ram/sheep/goat 羊 Save the date! New Year Luncheon Sunday, January 11, 2015 following 11:00 am service and cabinet installation cost: $20/bento free: Dharma School students and members of Sangha Teens and Jr. YBA >> Reserve your obento lunch NOW << deadline: Friday, December 26, 2014 Sign up through your organization or the temple office 5

6 DECEMBER SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2014 Abbott, Glenn Asai, Taijiro Bodnar, Florence Cook, Helen Dowdy, Joseph Fuchiwaki, Satsuo Fujikawa, Masami Hamada, Sadahisa Hashimoto, Shizu Hatanaka, Betty Hayashi, Sachiko Hayashida, Yukino Ikkanda, Shunichi Ikkanda, Tazu Kamibayashi, Suga Kimura, Yukiko Kiriyama, Sugi Kishi, Shoko Kiyama, Mary Kiyohiro, Ayame Kofuku, Ato Kofuku, Yoshiyuki Kosaka, Tomiko Kotake, Eric Kubota, Masako Kuroda, Choichiro Maruko, Kazuo Masuda, Eiko Masuda, Kenichi Masuda, Shoichi Matsumoto, Toshimitsu Minazumi, Takashi Miyada, Masu Miyada, Reigyu Miyata, Ren Muramatsu, Mae Murayama, Yasuhiro Nakamura, Chikano Nakamura, Hideko Nakamura, Kanichi Nakamura, Kiyoko Nakashima, Akira Nakazaki, Tobei Narahara, Shinobu Nekoda, Masako Niida, Tom Nimori, Masatoshi Nishida, Goichiro Nishikawa, Hatsuko Nishimoto, Burt Noda, Ayano Ohkawahira, Hite Oshinomi, Shizuko Sakaguchi, Isao Sakai, Thomas Seike, Toyoichi Shinto, Bunsuke Shiosaki, Kenji Sugimura, Tsune Suzuki, Kenny Takayama, Kameyoshi Tamura, Ben Toguchida, Kei Toya, James Tsuboi, Joe Uchida, Juhachi Yamauchi, Masao Yasuda, Margaret JANUARY SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 Abe, Ichiro Akutagawa, Kazue Ando, Florence Baba, Hiroshi Barbeiro, David Doi, Shunji Fujimoto, Ken Hanamoto, Michiye Hashimoto, Gizo Hirano, Alan Ichiho, Kameichi Ige, Takeo Ii, Fukuso Ikeda, Takeo Ishiwata, Hiroshi Iwasaki, Chito Iwashita, Takamori Kaba, Tadashi Kageyama, Kiyoko Kajiwara, Rinzaburo Kakehashi, Rokuzo Kawai, Kiyoshi Kawasaki, Toshio Kawasaki, Yukio Kimura, Kazuyoshi Kosaka, Ichitaro Kuramoto, Hiroshi Masuda, Minoru Matsumoto, Ruby Mayeda, Hisa Mayetani, Toki Middo, Masunaga Middo, Sakae Middo, Wasaku Minazumi, Yoshiko Misono, Sukenari Nakagawa, Chita Nakagawa, Gisuke Nakagawa, Ichino Nakamura, Kiyoko Nakamura, Natsue Nakamura, Yutaro Naramura, Marveene Nomura, Sekizo Nomura, Toshihiro Nunokawa, Yuriko Ohara, Kiku Oka, Noboru Okumoto, Kanzaburo Oshinomi, Michiko Ozamoto, Keijiro Ozamoto, Sadako Sakahara, Gosaku Sakahara, Rose Sakamoto, Marie Sasaki, Fumiko Sasaki, Kameji Shirai, George Sunada, Teruko Suzuki, Yoshifuru Takami, Sakutaro Takami, Suye Takamura, Kazue Takata, Tsuruo Takazumi, Teruo Takeuchi, Norie Takimoto, Kumaichi Tanaka, Takako Tochioka, Tadao Toma, Yoneko Totani, Tokumatsu Toya, Craig Uyeda, Ine Uyeda, Mitsutaro Uyekubo, Ichiro Watarida, Itaro Yahata, Nobu Yahata, Tsuneko Yamanaka, Koyomi Yamane, Nobuko Yamatoku, Kazuo Yoshida, Miyo Yoshida, Nancy Yoshimi, Isamu Mr. Kazuhiro Timothy Baba July 27, October 11, 2014 Mr. Masaye Toyama December 22, October 22, 2014 Mrs. Jane Nitta July 21, November 3, 2014 Mr. Hideyo Henry Nishitani May 10, October 13, 2014 Mrs. Miyo Ohara May 11, October 24,

7 BWA NEWS by Connie Yahata On behalf of all BWA members, I would like to express our condolences to the family of the late Mrs. Miyo Ohara. She left a treasure trove of wonderful memories with so many of us. She will truly be missed. BWA held their monthly meeting on October 5, We received a very kind Thank You card from Rob Kafka for our donation to the Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation in memory of Kyuja Kay Kafka and also a Thank You from the Venice ABA for our orei for the use of their rice containers. Membership remains the same at 54 members and 4 honorary. As you know, I am working on a project to print a revised WLA cookbook and have been asking for copies of your favorite recipes. I know there are many fantastic cooks at our temple and I would appreciate it immensely if you would share your recipes. Remember, you do not have to be a BWA member to submit recipes. A reminder BWA is collecting new, unwrapped gifts to donate to the Vista del Mar Child and Family Services for the holidays. Many of you donated last year and I hope you will consider doing the same this year. A collection box has been set up in the Sangha Hall. Please see the list below cabinet election results will be reported in the next Bulletin. Our final meeting for the year will be on December 14 at 11:00, followed by our end of the year party. Even if you haven t had a chance to attend the meetings throughout the year, we would love to have you attend the party. General Wish List New, unwrapped holiday gifts (* most needed) collection deadline: Sunday, December 7, 2014 Arts and Crafts / Supplies Athletic Equipment (NBA basketballs, NFL footballs, volleyballs, soccer balls) Baby Clothes newborns through toddlers Baby Toys ages 0 to 3 Back Packs* Beauty Supplies Bedding* Big Wheels, Tricycles, Bikes, etc. Clothes for girls and boys, newborn age 12 Comforter sets (twin size)* Computer/Console/Portable Gaming System sports games hockey, basketball, football, tennis, baseball, etc. Digital Cameras* Disneyland Tickets Disposable cameras* Dolls: Barbie, Bratz, Baby Dolls, etc. White, African American and Latina Dollhouses DS Entertainment Kit Shelf Top Stereo Systems* Educational Toys for toddlers Electronic Games for DS Lites (non-violent) Electronic Games for GameBoy (non-violent) Electronic Games for PlayStation (non-violent) Electronic Games for XBox 360 (non-violent) Gift Cards/Certificates* (Barnes and Nobles, Best Buy*, Blockbuster Video, Borders Books and Music, Sporting goods store, Target*) Hair Products Headphones Hot Wheels Play Sets, Matchbox Cars, Racing Car Sets, Remote Control Cars Karaoke Machines Large Lego Sets, Lincoln Logs, Building Blocks* Musical Instruments for Kids NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB replica jerseys* Portable MP3 players, IPOD Shuffles* Shoes/Sneakers Socks* Sports Pictures and Posters Sports Accessories* (Nike football gloves, swim goggles) Stuffed Animals Sweatshirts without hoods Tonka Trucks, Fire Engines, Plastic Trucks and Cars* DVDs No items with parental advisory messages or that are rated R or NC-17 Toys appropriate for children ages 2-4* 7

8 BUDDHIST MEN - BWA MEMORIAL SERVICE - Saturday, October 18 Thank you to Mas Sasaki for the photos. 8

9 FROM THE DESK OF: DR. JACK FUJIMOTO Publicity Chairman BUDDHIST MEN ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2015 Unofficially, the Buddhist Men officers for 2014 have accepted their continuing roles as officers for The official roster and their installation are forthcoming. 74 BUDDHIST MEN ON THEIR MEMORIAL LIST At the annual Memorial Service, Hidemi Ohkawahira, membership chairman, read the names of 74 Buddhist Men who passed away since its formation as an organization in When the names of past members of BWA, Ladies Guild, and FujinKai are read, more than 300 members have passed away. Thanks to each of them, the Temple continues to provide comfort to each of us. SAWTELLE COMMUNITY NEWS SAWTELLE REUNION III ENJOYED BY MANY Lili Tokuda came from Kona, Hawaii, to see many friends whom she had not seen in 50 years. She and her late husband, Tad, were prominent business people on Sawtelle Boulevard in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The Reunion made possible her seeing many friends, so she said. She looked at the many books and photographs provided by Randy Sakamoto and Yoshie Tachiki. Reunion III was held on Sunday, October 19, 2014, in the Buddhist Temple Sangha Hall. Nearly 200 persons met old friends, made new friends, reflected on times in Sawtelle, and had some wonderful refreshments. Only a few short speeches. A tee shirt designed by Lillian Matayoshi was given to attendees. Hank Iwamoto, chairman, had much help tent setup by Temple Buddhist Men. Refreshments planned by June (Yahata) Fujioka and Aya (Shirasawa) Masada, including wine and beer by Fujio Nakagawa and Norman Tachiki. Hot dogs were cooked by Buddhist Men, Milton Iwamoto and Hidemi Ohkawahira. A good time was enjoyed by many. Photographs taken will be featured later on the Events section of the website of the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle: AD HOC SJA ACTIVITIES The petition campaign to have the City of Los Angeles post Sawtelle Japantown markers has collected signatures to submit for approval. Next move is to determine where and what sign to post. Discussion should continue. Gridlock traffic in Sawtelle is continuing to raise the decibel level to the point that Councilman Bonin and his Transportation Committee need to act. A traffic signal at the intersection of Mississippi and Sawtelle has been approved, but should it be flashing or stationery? Discussion continues. SJA is expressing its opinion. An unofficial parking survey in Sawtelle showed that much of the cars parked on non-metered streets are owned by employees, of the large offices on Olympic Boulevard, who cannot pay the parking meters or the office parking lots. SJA is voicing their petition for a solution. If you haven t done so already, please re-enroll for the contribution cycle (which started Sep. 1). You may enroll on-line at or pick up a barcode letter at the temple office. Thank you! 9

10 FAMILY FUN NIGHT - Saturday, October 25 Decorating cookies Danish royalty Hot Potato - pumpkin version Ghostly minister Racing with ball on a spoon YOU try eating mini-donuts on a string with no hands! 10

11 WLABT Mochitsuki 2014 Saturday, December 13, 2014 The West LA Jr. YBA will be having its annual Mochi Tsuki on Saturday, December 13, The cost of komochi will be $3.00 per pound. Each one pound package contains 8-10 pieces. The okasane will $1.50 for small, $3.00 for medium, and $5.25 for large. To accommodate all orders, please order your mochi and/or okasane by December 7, Please make checks payable to WLA Jr. YBA. Please pay for your order in advance. Your order will be available for pick up between 12:00pm and 3:00pm on December 13. Any order not picked up that day will be kept in the freezer until arrangements can be made for pickup. We appreciate your support and look forward to filling your mochi/okasane orders this year. We would also appreciate any help from the temple members or anyone who wants to experience this annual Japanese cultural event. For more information, please call Vance Nishimoto at or Jim Shimomaye at Please mail order forms and check by December 7 to: Mochi Tsuki c/o West LA Jr. YBA 2003 Corinth Avenue West Los Angeles, CA Please fill out the order form below and detach along the dotted line. Name: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: Komochi: Number of Pounds = x $3.00/pound = Okasane: Number of Small 3" = x $1.50 each = Number of Medium 4" = x $3.00 each = Number of Large 5" = x $5.25 each = Total:

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14 December 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Bulletin folding toban: Temple 1 2 [1-3 pm Shigin] pm Study Class (E) am Shotsuki hoyo Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 7:30 pm service and board meeting 7:30 pm Taiko :30 am Bodhi Day service, Buddhist Men and BWA installation, Oseibo Taikai, lunch Rev. Usuki off 10:30 am SDMA Bonenkai, LA Betsuin [1-3 pm Shigin] [7pm WLAYC] 1 pm Study Class Rev. S. Kojima meditation session 7 pm B-Men meeting 7:30 pm Taiko 8 am Mochitsuki NO service 8 am Temple and garden clean-up [1-3 pm Shigin] 10 am Omimai 1 pm Study Class (E) 11 am BWA meeting, lunch Rev. Usuki off Rev. Usuki off 6:30 pm Taiko party NO Bingo :30 am Family service 12/22-26 (Mon-Fri): TEMPLE CLOSED 28 NO service 29 NO 80+ lunch 6 pm Kubota Nikkei memorial svc/dinner 30 TEMPLE CLOSED 31 6 pm Joya-e service [January 1, 2015] 8 am door open 10 am New Year service Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm phone: westlabt@verizon.net website:

15 2014 年 12 月 日曜日 月曜日 火曜日 水曜日 木曜日 金曜日 土曜日 会報作リ当番 : 仏教会 1 宇宿先生休み 2 [ 午後 1:00 詩吟 ] 宇宿先生休み 3 午後 7:30 サービス幹部ミーテング 4 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) 午後 7:30 タイコ 5 6 午前 10:00 祥月法要 7 午前 9:30 成道会サービスおせいぼ大会ランチ 8 宇宿先生休み 9 午後 10:30 開教師会西別院 [ 午後 1:00 詩吟 ] 10 [7pm WLAYC] 11 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) 午後 7:00ブデストメン ミーテング午後 7:30 タイコ 午前 8 餅つき 午前 10 おみまい [NO サービス ] 午前 8 お掃除午前 11 BWA ミーテング, ランチ 宇宿先生休み [ 午後 1:00 詩吟 ] 宇宿先生休み 午後 1:00 スタデークラス ( 英 ) 午後 7:30 タイコパーテー NO ビンゴー 午前 9:30 サービス 12 月 22-26( 月 - 金 ): お寺休み 28 お寺休み 29 NO 80+ 中ランチ 6 pm Kubota Nikkei memorial svc/dinner 30 お寺休み 31 午後 6:30 除夜会 [2015 年 1 月 1 月 ] 午前 8:00 ドア オプン午前 10:00 新年サービス オフィス時間 : 月 - 金午前十時 午後四時電話 :