B U S S E I S C R I P T

Transcription

1 Buddhist Temple of San Diego B U S S E I S C R I P T 2929 Market Street, San Diego, California / info@btsd.net Volume CIV, No. 12 December 2008 CONTEMPLATING HATSUMAIRI by Rev. Yushi Mukojima, Resident Minister Last month, I took two weeks' vacation and went back to Japan with my family. We felt a little uneasy about making the trip with our two-month-old daughter, Kurumi, but there weren't any of the problems her doctor had told us could happen. Although she sometimes cried because of hunger, she was in a good mood and seemed to enjoy the journey the entire time. What a sturdy baby! Our parents, who wanted to meet their granddaughter right away, had been waiting impatiently at the airport for our arrival. Then, as soon as they saw Kurumi in my wife's arms, they were moved to tears. I think that they had been worried so much about her, born in a foreign land. Seeing our parents' joy, tears came into our eyes, too. How grateful we should be. After that, they took turns holding their grandchild, saying tearfully to her, "Thank you for being born." Kurumi responded with a smile for each of her grandmothers and grandfathers she was meeting for the first time. It was the happiest moment, filled with our parents' love. To change the subject a little, during our stay in Japan, we stayed mostly in Obama city which is my hometown. To my surprise, Obama city had strangely livened up for the U.S. presidential election more than I had expected. A statue of candidate Obama had been erected in front of a department store and there were many banners for him along the street by the station. Things like T-shirts printed with his image and manju (Japanese cakes) stamped with his face were being sold in order to reinvigorate the city's economy. It is well-known that last year Obama city organized "an association that supports Senator Obama our own way"; sent a thank you letter to him for spreading the name "Obama" over the world; and received a thank you letter for their support from candidate Obama. I heard that the day Senator Obama won the presidency, citizens of Obama city were excited and the whole town made boisterous merrymaking that night. According to my parents, shouts of "Yes, we can!" were heard everywhere. What a peaceful story that is. Sorry to deviate from my message. One of the reasons for our return to Japan this time was to have the Hatsumairi at our family temple, Renkoji. It is an important ceremony that wishes that a child, no matter what might happen in life, can rejoice in their birth and live a fruitful life of the Nembutsu teaching by encountering Amida Buddha and accepting everlasting ties with Buddha. Under the direction of my father who is the resident minister, the Hatsumairi was held with only our family present. We chanted the "Sanbujo" and "Jusei-ge" as Kurumi kept silent, all the while looking at the statue of Amida Buddha in Renko temple which she was experiencing for the first time. However, when my father started the Dharma talk, she became fretful and, at last, started crying loudly as if saying, "Please finish up soon. I got tired!" My father was embarrassed by her crying so he hurried to extend congratulations and finish the short Dharma talk to us, thus ending the service. It seemed that the ceremony was a little long for a two-month-old baby. After that, a photographer came to the temple and we had a photograph taken to commemorate this occasion before Amida Buddha. We really appreciate my parents who gave us such a wonderful ceremony. Although I was not able to listen to much of my father's message because I was preoccupied by Kurumi who had suddenly started crying, he used the words, "cultivating the seed of Dharma" in his short message. To put it simply, it means, "Bring up the child to rejoice in the Nembutsu." You may know of the famous story about two girls a long time ago in India who were called wolf children. Although human, they had been raised by wolves. As a result of this upbringing, they were not able to return to a normal human way of life. They had been born human but because they had wolves as parents, they had never learned to live like humans. In the end, to live as humans do was shut off for them. What a sad story. As we learn from this story, children can become any kind of person by how their parents raise them. Therefore my father expressed his wish that we build a wonderful family which is filled with the Nembutsu. This we must do in order that our baby becomes a person with a rich mind who can share the suffering, sadness, and happiness of others through the teachings. And lastly, my father said that we shouldn't forget that parents and children are the same age. No matter how old a person gets, if he doesn't have a child, he is not called a parent. Only a person who has a child can be called parent. When one becomes a parent, an awareness begins to grow in our hearts and we learn to take care of our child, protect our child, love our child and grow with our child. We gradually form a parent-child relationship through the experience. It is not important who she or he becomes. What is important is the process. Therefore, the environment in which the child is raised is the most important. As parents, we want our child to have a wonderful life. However, it makes no sense if we only vacantly wish for their growth. In bringing up children, parents also experience learning and growth. Children are raised by their parents, and parents grow by raising their children. This explains the saying that parents and the child are the same age. The Hatsumairi ceremony was our new starting point as parents. We really appreciate Kurumi who provided the wonderful opportunity to vow to become good parents before Amida Buddha. As children are raised by their parents, and parents grow through their children, we sincerely want to build a wonderful family which is filled with the Nembutsu, laughing together, crying together, and learning together. There are few days left in this year. We would like to express our deep gratitude for all of the Sangha members' continual support throughout this year. Especially, we were deeply moved by your warm thoughtfulness when Kurumi was born. Although we are still inexperienced as parents, we sincerely hope all of you will give us your guidance. Please look forward to welcoming a wonderful New Year. In Gassho...

2 BTSD 2008 DECEMBER CALENDAR DATE TEMPLE UPCOMING EVENTS TIME PLACE 12/2 Tue Shigin Practice - 詩吟 1-3 p.m. Annex /3 Wed Minyo Group Practice - 民謡クラス Noon Annex /5 Fri Buddhist Study Class A w/rev. Mukojima 9:30 a.m. Conf. Room 12/6 Sat VFW Year End Party 11:00 a.m. Annex Hall Jr. YBA Chow mein Prep. Temple Kitchen Koto Practice ーお琴教室 10:00 a.m. Sangha Hall 12/7 Sun Bodhi Day Service 10:00 a.m. Hondo Shotsuki Hoyo-monthly memorial 祥月法要 Jr. YBA Chow Mein BWA Mtg. Noon Conf. Room 12/8 Mon Ways & Means Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Conf. Room 12/9 Tue Shigin Practice - 詩吟 1-3 p.m. Annex 1.2 Southern District Minister's Meeting/Bonenkai (Year-end party) 10:00 a.m. LA Betsuin 12/10 Wed Minyo Group Practice - 民謡クラス Noon Annex /11 Thu Board of Directors Meeting 6:30 p.m. Conf. Room 12/12 Fri Mochitsuki Prep (Rice Washing) 餅つき準備 1:30 p.m. 12/13 Sat Mochitsuki Prep (Equipment setup) 餅つき準備 11:00 a.m. 12/14 Sun Mochitsuki 餅つき大会 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Temple Rev. Mukojima guest speaker at Sacramento Betsuin 12/15 Mon Bussei Script deadline 12/16 Tue Gomeinichi ご命日法要 10:00 a.m. Sangha Hall Shigin Practice - 詩吟 1-3 p.m. Annex /17 Wed Buddhist Study Class A w/rev. Yanagihara 9:30 a.m. Conf. Room Minyo Group Practice - 民謡クラス Noon Annex /20 Sat Koto Practice ーお琴教室 10:00 a.m. Sangha Hall BWA Bounenkai Noon Kanpai Restaurant 12/21 Sun FAMILY SERVICE 10:00 a.m. Hondo 12/28 Sun Temple Cleanup [NO SERVICE] 8-11 a.m. Joya-E (Year-end Service) 7:30 p.m. Hondo Joya No Kane (Year-end Bell Tolling) 11:30 p.m. Shelter Island HIGHLIGHTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN JANUARY Jan Thu SHUSHO E (New Year service) 10:00 a.m. Hondo 4-Jan Sun Dharma School/Family service 10:00 a.m. Hondo Shotsuki Hoyo-monthly memorial 祥月法要 11-Jan Sun General Membership Meeting (Potluck luncheon) 11:45 a.m. Annex Hall 18-Jan Sun HO ONKO / BTSD New Year Party 10:00 a.m. Hondo

3 December, 2008 BTSD BUSSEI SCRIPT PAGE 3 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS On November 13, 2008, the Board of Directors met and the following items were discussed: 1. Membership chair reports 280 members with 92% paid for Treasurer reported maintenance costs alone have increased $2,200 this year. She requested all 2008 invoices be submitted as soon as possible for November 30 balance. 3. Over the coming quarter, W&M Committee chair will coordinate an assessment of the temple's yearly fundraisers. 4. W&M will finalize New Heights income/costs to date and come up with a repayment schedule to present the Sangha by the December board meeting. 5. After review of this year's bingo dinners, the Board voted to prepare four bingo dinners in Tentative months are January, March, June and September. 6. Board voted to continue participation in the Kiku Gardens Friday lunch program in 2009 with approx. nine lunches to prepare. We thank Ruth Voorhies and Nancy Martinez for coordinating events/activities calendar is finalized and will be made available at the General Meeting. 8. BTSD General Meeting, a potluck, is set for Jan. 11. All orgs. should submit their year-end reports to Ralph next month. 9. Joyce has set a Temple Affairs meeting for Nov. 24 at 6;30 p.m. to discuss the 2009 Board of Directors slate. 10. BTSD's sales of BCA Raffle tickets will conclude at the end of November when BTSD's 50/50 Raffle begins. 11. Buddhist Study Group A under Rev. Mukojima will begin study of the Tannisho using Rev. Unno's translation. BEC will invite additional participation. 12. For events involving food sales, chairs are asked to try to avoid over supply. ABA NEWS Our November breakfast meeting was canceled. Not much happened that month. Next month the Temple will need our help with the Mochitsuki on Sunday, Dec. 14th. Hope you can help. We will be having a brunch meeting at 10 a.m. on Sat. Dec. 6 at IslandsCafe in Tierransanta. You can have a choice of breakfast or lunch. If you would like to attend, please let Motoo Tsuneyoshi know. Hope to see you there. BWA MEETING No meeting was scheduled in the month of November. The next meeting will be on Dec. 7 at 12 noon in the conference room. Group C is responsible for light refreshments. We will be supporting the Jr. YBA chow mein luncheon. DHARMA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Dharma School students Ellie and Emma Yanagihara presented the All Life Forms Memorial box to the ministers at the Eitakyo/All Life Forms Memorial Service on November 9. Rev. Jeanette Shin, U.S. Naval Chaplain, was the guest speaker and gave a wonderful message and related well to the Dharma School students who have lost pets. Rev. Shin lost her pet ferret, Abu, during her six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf. She read the poem, "Rainbow Bridge," which describes how owners and pets are separated by death, but eventually will be together again. Following the service, students and parents participated in a potluck luncheon welcoming Rev. Shin back to San Diego. On November 16, Mrs. Nancy Martinez gave the "I am Safety Smart" presentation to the 2nd-4th grade class, discussing electrical safety. Parents also were invited to attend. Family Days in Balboa Park were held Nov. 16 and 23. Dharma gift card and a special scrapbook illustrated by the Dharma School students with advice for her parents on how to take care for her. There were such suggestions as, "Don't forget to bring your baby with you", "Give your baby lots of toys", and "Please play with her!" Prior to the luncheon, sensei shared a video entitled "Shinransama". The anime video, with English subtitles, depicts the life of Shinran Shonin. It was produced by the Hongwanji in Kyoto. More Activities The annual Halloween party was held on Oct. 25 and everyone enjoyed dinner, games, crafts, and costume contests. Thank you to the Jr. YBA, Sr. YBA, Parent Teacher Council, Glenn Torio, Floyd and Kaytee Sumida, and all who helped with set up and clean up. On Nov. 9, the temple will observe the Eitakyo service and the All Life Forms Memorial. Dharma School students are encouraged to provide a photo or names of their dear pets and other life forms that have passed away. Submit your request to your teacher. Dharma School students, family and friends are invited to a bowling activity on Nov. 30 at Kearny Mesa Bowl. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board. Dharma School students are free and others are $15 per person. At the September 21 New Heights Dedication service, Dharma School student Jade Flores participated in the Chigo procession. Gassho, Ann Ong, Assistant Superintendent JR. YBA NEWS In November, the group will conduct its annual Thanksgiving Basket food drive. Please donate nonperishable food items or monetary gifts. Proceeds will be given to a local charitable organization which can distribute the food to families in need so that they can have an enjoyable Thanksgiving. On December 7, we will have our delicious Chow Mein Luncheon fundraiser. Tickets are available for $6 from any Junior YBA member. We will have a holiday meeting in early December, time and place to be determined. Our group will help out at the Temple's Mochitsuki on December 14. In January, we are scheduled to co-host Seminar One for Southern District Junior YBL. Details to follow. The Jr. YBA is the Temple's organization for youths ages If you have children, grandchildren or know of Sangha youths who are eligible to join the group, please contact the temple. The new Jr. YBA term begins September Our next meeting is Sunday, November 16, at 11:30 a.m. Please visit the Southern District Junior YBL website at OSEIBO Last month, our Sangha was mailed a letter regarding an Oseibo offering the temple is collecting through December 22. In Japan, Oseibo is a customary year-end expression of deep appreciation and gratitude. We would like to begin this practice here in appreciation of our temple staff which includes Rev. Mukojima, Rev. Yanagihara, Rev. Hata, Mai Kawaguchi (office secretary) and the temple gardener. If you wish to participate in the temple s newly-initiated Oseibo, a contribution of any amount will be much appreciated. Please send your gift to the temple or drop off your envelope at the office on your next visit. Please make your check payable to the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. We realize that some individuals and families are already aware of the Oseibo tradition and like to give a personal gift to the temple staff each year-end. We certainly do not want to discourage such a nice personal practice and encourage families doing so to continue this fine tradition. We apologize for not acknowledging this in the letter. If you choose to participate in the temple's Oseibo collection, we are deeply grateful. Gassho.

4 PAGE 4 BTSD BUSSEI SCRIPT December, 2008 MOCHITSUKI Mochitsuki is just days away! The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot. Dharma School students, Jr. YBA, YBA, YABA, ABA, BWA, families and community friends are encouraged to participate in a Japanese tradition that the temple has maintained for over 30 years-making sweet rice cakes for the New Year. Volunteers will be needed in many areas including washing, steaming, grinding and pounding the rice. We also need help cutting, shaping, cooling and packaging the mochi. Here is the work schedule for the weekend of December 12-14: Friday, Dec Mochigome rice washing, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec Set up equipment, 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec Mochitsuki Day, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. We expect to cook 1,000 pounds of mochigome, producing approximately 1,500 pounds of mochi. Orders for Komochi and Kasane are being accepted until Sunday, Dec. 7. Donation for Komochi is $4.50 per bag (approximately one pound). Donation for two-piece Kasane Mochi is $6. Please fill out the attached order form and send it to the temple along with your payment. Monetary donations ($75 suggested) are being accepted for the purchase of mochigome and other supplies. Please make your check payable to the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. Contact co-chairs Glenn Negoro or Ralph Honda if you have questions. Thank you for your support! We look forward to your participation. 50/50 RAFFLE The Board of Directors and other temple committee members are selling tickets for the annual 50/50 Raffle fundraiser. Tickets are on sale from now through Sunday, February 15, Donation is $50 per ticket. The winner will split one-half of the proceeds with the Temple. Only 200 tickets are being sold so your chance of winning is 1-in Pretty good odds!. Net proceeds from your donation will help BTSD fund its daily operations. With the holiday season and the New Year just days away, what a wonderful way to give a gift and support the Temple at the same time. Purchase your tickets today. GENERAL MEMBERSHP MEETING IS JANUARY 11 This is a friendly reminder that the annual Buddhist Temple of San Diego General Membership meeting will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 12 noon. Later this month, temple members will receive an official letter explaining the format of the meeting. All members are encouraged to attend this review of 2008 activities and finances and 2009 budget. It will be a potluck luncheon so attendees are invited to share a favorite dish. In the meantime, all affiliated organizations and committees are instructed to submit their 2008 reports between Dec. 22 and 31. Please e- mail your reports to Ralph Honda (rkhayh@aol.com) or drop off your report at the temple office so that they can be duplicated for the meeting. Please call the office if you have any questions. The temple looks forward to your participation. NEW HEIGHTS REFLECTIONS AND FUNDRAISING By Ralph Honda, General Chairman With 2008 set to come to a close, we can reflect on the New Heights project that has brought change to the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. Since its completion in May, the elevator has transported many Sangha members and friends to and from the Hondo for Sunday services and special events. The terrace walkway, connecting the temple and Annex Hall, is serving its function well. It has been useful at the Japanese Cultural Bazaar, Bon Odori, Food & Music Festival, and private gatherings. With the refurbishing of the center Onaijin, creation of a quiet room in the Hondo foyer, relocation of the business and minister's offices, the facilities of Phases I and II are complete. Financial Challenge and Commitment Now we continue our push forward with the fundraising portion of the project. I wish to thank the many temple members and friends who are participating in the project financially. Your gifts are truly enabling the temple to realize its goal. With the instability of our nation's economy, the challenge of meeting the financial obligations of the project may be a bit more difficult than it was a year ago. Pledges and new gifts continue to be received each month despite economic hardships. If you have not joined the fundraising, I strongly ask for your consideration to join the effort. To date 55% of the temple membership is participating in the fundraising effort. Members are supporting the financial project with various options. Some are donating in one lump sum. Others are taking advantage of a payment plan for up to five-year period. Some have donated stock. A list of all our donors appears in this issue. Over $750,000 in cash has been received to date. An additional $85,000 is projected through pledges reported, bringing the total to $835,000 as of November 1. The overall project's goal is $2 million. Tax Savings Opportunities This month is your final opportunity in 2008 to take advantage of possible tax saving strategies. This is the time to consider making your gift to the New Heights campaign. Two-year personal IRA rollover extensions were approved for gifts through December 31, 2009 when President Bush signed the $700 million bailout bill. This gives individuals ages 70½ and older the opportunity to contribute charitable funds. An article in the November Wheel of Dharma explains the process. Please contact your tax advisor if this method of giving is best for you. The temple avoided taking out a commercial loan to pay for the $1.3 million project. Instead we borrowed against ourselves. The streamline of donations received are now helping replenish the funds that were borrowed. Fundraising solicitation will continue until December Pledging your gift will continue until the payment schedule you have chosen is completed. We deeply appreciate your donation and gift consideration with a sincerest amount of gratitude. We know that with your heartfelt efforts the temple will eventually achieve its goal. Gassho. GIFT CARDS MAKE GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS Now is the time to order your holiday gift cards and gift certificates through BTSD's easy Scrip Program. You can find hundreds of merchants and brand name stores for every type of product and service imaginable! There is a complete list at the temple so if you don't attend regularly, call the office and ask that one be mailed to you. Or go to and click on "Retailer List." You'll be amazed at the choices! Then just fill out one of our order forms and mail it with your payment, ATTN: SCRIP ORDER, to the Temple. You can phone or your order, too. Orders made Monday arrive by the end of the week. We'll keep saying it till you get it: the Scrip Program is just about the simplest way to benefit the Temple. Just by making purchases you would anyway, BTSD automatically gets a percentage.

5 PAGE 6 BTSD BUSSEI SCRIPT December, 2008 B T S D M O C H I O R D E R F O R M Mochitsuki is Sunday, December 14, th Annual NAME: PHONE: ( ) KO-MOCHI PACKAGE: X $4.50 = COST: $ (KO-MOCHI is sold by the package, not by weight. Each package contains approximately one pound.) KASANE MOCHI 2-Pc. SET: X $6.00 = COST: $ TOTAL COST: $ Send completed order form and check for the total amount to: Buddhist Temple Of San Diego/Attn: MOCHI, 2929 Market St., San Diego, CA Thanks for supporting our annual traditional Mochitsuki. Deadline for orders is Thursday, December 4. Orders received after the deadline will be placed on stand-by. All orders must be picked up at the Temple on Sunday, December 14, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Orders not picked up by 4 p.m. will be subject to resale. Questions? Call (619) or info@btsd.net. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * N E W Y E A R G R E E T I N G S FOR Submission Deadline: December 15, 2008 Mail to BTSD or place in the Kaiho mail slot in the office. Greeting from: Greeting addressed to: MESSAGE (up to 40 words): Suggested donation enclosed: $10 Other Check no. [Sample greeting] To Our Sangha and Dharma Friends Thank You For Your Patience and Support Over The Past Year. Best Wishes For a Wonderful 2006! Gassho, BUSSEI SCRIPT STAFF & MAILING CREW WALKING THE NEMBUTSU PATH TO- GETHER DONOR LIST The Buddhist Churches of America s BCA 21st Century Campaign has announced the following organizations and individuals from BTSD have made a contribution to their ongoing campaign as of November 12, (This list does not include individuals who have purchased tickets for the Campaign s 2009 raffle ticket fundraiser.) BTSD and the BCA thank you for your suppport and invite other temple members to contribute to this important campaign. BTSD ADULT BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION BTSD BUDDHIST WOMENS ASSOCIATION MICHAEL DOI JOHN & TSUNEKO HASHIGUCHI REV. AKIRA HATA RALPH & AVIS HONDA UMEKO KAWAMOTO MR. & MRS. GEORGE MASUMOTO LESLIE MORIBE SEYMOUR ROY MURAOKA REV. & MRS. YUSHI MUKOJIMA MR. & MRS. FRED NABETA MARY L. NARANG YOSHIRO NISHIUYE MR. & MRS. K. OGATA SUSAN YANAGIHARA SCHRAEDER THE ESTATE OF KATSUMI J. TAKASHIMA BILL & JOYCE TEAGUE FREDERICK TSUJI and MASAKO TSUJI RUTH U. VOORHIES ROSE Y. WATAMURA JANE YAGADE KENGO YAMAMOTO MR. & MRS. TOM YANAGIHARA

6 BUSSEI SCRIPT BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SAN DIEGO 2929 MARKET STREET SAN DIEGO, CA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA PERMIT NO. 396 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED BODHI DAY SERVICE & DECEMBER MEMORIAL SERVICE On December 7 at 10:00 a.m., the Buddhist Temple of San Diego invites its membership and Dharma friends to the BODHI DAY SERVICE. Dharma School students will present a special program to celebrate the day the Buddha experienced enlightenment after many years of searching for the answer to life's profound questions: Why do we suffer and die? Is there a way to transcend suffering and death? If there is a way, what is it? We gather at the Temple as an expression of our deep gratitude to the Buddha's great awakening to the truth of existence and for sharing his realizations with us. In conjunction with the Bodhi Day Service, we will also have the December Shotsuki Hoyo, the memorial service for all loved ones lost in past Decembers. At noon the same day, the annual JR. YBA CHOW MEIN LUNCHEON will be held in the Annex Hall. Eat in or take out a delicious lunch of pork chow mein with pan-fried noodles, $6 donation. Though available tickets will be sold at the door, it's best to get your tickets early from a Jr. YBA member because this fundraiser is always a sell-out! YEAR-END OBSERVANCES Rev. Yushi Mukojima invites the Sangha to participate in Temple s year-end and New Year observances. On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the Year-End Service (Joya-E) will be held in the Hondo starting at 7:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the service, attendees will have the opportunity to ring the temple bell. Following the service, everyone is invited to enjoy our tasty year-end tradition, soba noodles prepared by Mika Mukojima and her friends. Later that evening, the annual Bell-Ringing Ceremony (Joya No Kane) will be conducted at the San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Friendship Bell on Shelter Island. The activities begin with a service at 11:30 p.m. The public is invited to this popular ceremony. Then start off 2009 by attending the New Year's Day Service (Shusho-E) on Thursday, January 1, at 10:00 a.m. Regular Family Services and Dharma School will resume January 4. An envelope is included with this mailing if you wish to make a Bodhi Day or year-end offering. The Temple is deeply appreciative of your attendance and support.