June 2018 VITAMIN D I m sure that many of you take vitamin supplements to ensure that you are getting a balanced diet in case we don t eat properly. Throughout our long winter months I take supplements of vitamin D. It is recommended by doctors because our natural source of vitamin D, sunshine, is in short supply due to the shorter days and longer nights. Once we get into the longer days I generally stopped taking it although some people recommend that we continue even through the summer months. I suppose the question is always to be asked, Am I getting enough vitamin D? To be on the safe side I could always take supplements throughout the year as the cost is small and the potential benefit is great. Similarly, I might also ask am I getting enough vitamin Dharma? The Dharma guides us through life and keeps us healthy in mind and spirit. A daily dose of Dharma goes a long way towards maintaining an attitude of gratitude and a balanced outlook on life. It doesn t take a lot of effort to have a daily dose of Dharma nor is it expensive. Having Buddhist iconography and artwork in my house gives me a chance to pause and reflect on the Buddhist teachings as I go through my daily routines. Just having the daily sayings on my BDK calendar (the one we hand out at the beginning of the year) provides me with a short topic of contemplation as I flip the pages day by day. The cost is minimal and the benefit is great in the long-term. In this Issue Sensei Message P.1 Announcements P.2 CBC Canada Reads - Forgiveness P.2/3 Upcoming Events P.3 Ongoing Groups, Clubs & Events P.4 Volunteers P.5 Annual General Meeting P.5/6 Temple Calendar P.7 Donations P.8 Get Your Name Buttons! P.8 Buddhaful Day T-Shirt P.8 Have you had your daily dose of vitamin Dharma today? In Gassho -- Sensei James Calgary Buddhist Temple 658-1 Avenue N.E. Phone: 1-403-263-5723 Mailing Address: 207-6 Street NE Calgary, AB Canada T2E 3Y1 Web: calgary-buddhist.ab.ca Email: calgarybuddhisttemple@gmail.com
Announcements Your Board of Directors Our Temple is fortunate to have a dedicated and active Board of Directors. Returning this year as Directors are: Doug Cruikshank (Treasurer), Doug Hironaka, Lester Ikuta (President), Mickey Ikuta, Kerry Nagata, Ken Nishi (Secretary), Yuko Ono, Jackie Robb, Laura Sugimoto (Vice President) & Charlene Wright. Joining the Board this year is Cari Vaughn. Welcome Cari! And leaving the Board after doing stellar work for the Temple are: Robert Alexander & Jennifer Medlock. Thank you Robert and Jen! Roy grew up near the Vancouver Cannery with other Japanese Canadian families until 1942, when his family was relocated from the West Coast to Welling, AB, during World War II Roy was proud of his heritage and strongly valued honesty, hard work, and higher education. He was always quick to offer a helping hand to friends and strangers alike. He received numerous achievement and humanitarian awards over the years, culminating in an Emperor s Award, presented to Roy in Japan by Emperor Akihito in 2005. The Calgary Buddhist Temple wishes to convey our deepest sympathy to his wife of 62 years, Luri (Nee Oishi); daughter Cindy Nagata-McMillan (Bryan); son Kerry (Erin); grandchildren, Maelle, Jona, and Shephard and extended family. Fundraising As we head into late spring, the Fundraising committee is gearing up for our annual events. We are requesting once again for your participation and help. SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - TEMPLE GARAGE SALE We are asking for donation of garage sale items for our annual garage sale on June 23 rd. If you have items to donate we will gratefully accept items other than clothing, books and large furniture. Two ways to drop off items: 1. Bring them to the Temple on Days (Sundays or Thursdays). 2. Arrange for a drop off outside of those days or a pickup by contacting: Jean at j.masuda95@gmail.com or 403-975-6087 Mickey at mhkuta@outlook.com or 403-271-8824 SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 - CALGARY JAPANESE FESTIVAL We are also taking donations of new or gently used Japanese items for our sales table at the Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri. Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto - WINNER of CBC Canada Reads When the Second World War broke out, Ralph MacLean chose to escape his troubled life on the Magdalen Islands in eastern Canada and volunteer to serve his country overseas. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Mitsue Sakamoto saw her family and her stable community torn apart after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Like many young Canadian soldiers, Ralph was captured by the Japanese army. He would spend the war in prison camps, enduring pestilence, beatings and starvation, as well as a journey by hell ship to Japan to perform slave labour, while around him his friends and countrymen perished....continued on page 3 Page 02
Continued from page 3...Back in Canada, Mitsue and her family were expelled from their home by the government and forced to spend years eking out an existence in rural Alberta, working other people s land for a dollar a day. By the end of the war, Ralph emerged broken but a survivor. Mitsue, worn down by years of back-breaking labour, had to start all over again in Medicine Hat, Alberta. A generation later, at a high school dance, Ralph s daughter and Mitsue s son fell in love. This book is an excellent read for anyone familiar with the history of the Japanese Canadians who were forced into internment camps during the second world war and also offers a historical account of the Canadian government s actions and treatment of everyone with Japanese ancestry during the war. From a Buddhist perspective suffering (dukkha) is history repeating itself. A powerful component of conceptually understanding Amida Buddha is to recognize that forgiveness is an essential means of healing for the sake of all beings. -- A copy of Forgiveness is available in the Temple Library -- Upcoming Events World Buddhist Women s Convention - 2019 August 30 September 1, 2019, the Buddhist Churches of America Federation of Buddhist Women s Associations (BCA FBWA) will host the 16th World Buddhist Women s Convention at the San Francisco Marriott Grand Marquis in San Francisco, California. The Convention is an opportunity for Jodo Shinshu followers to gather together on an international level; meet new people, learn together, share experiences, and spread the circle of Dharma followers today and for generations to come. Originally, the Convention was held for women only; however, over the years, it has welcomed all, men and women, in the Jodo Shinshu Sangha or spiritual community. If you think you may be interested in attending, please email Susan at JSBTCWF. shuntley@gmail.com to ensure you re kept in the loop regarding further details and announcements. Our Family Day Picnic will be at Edworthy Park June 17th Join us for some games, races, camaraderie and sunshine. Pack a lunch and be ready to share as it usually ends up being a potluck affair. As so many of us know our family units now often include beings that are not human but are still so very important to our family regardless. A short service will be held at 11:30 to reflect upon all the sentient beings that have been a part of our journey through life and have supported us through good times and bad. If you have a pet you would like to bring along or perhaps a memento of a pet that has passed please bring that and we will take a moment to reflect upon all the non human beings that have supported our existence and asked for so little in return. Access is best from the south side of the park off of Bow Trail. From the north side walk across the bridge and look for the pack at site # 1. Page 03
Ongoing Groups, Clubs & Events Temple Library Come for tea, stay for a book! Because of the Father s Day picnic June 17th, THE LIBRARY WILL BE OPEN ON JUNE 10 TH. Come downstairs to browse through our Temple library while you have a cup of tea. We also invite you to sit and talk about a Buddhist book you ve read. Our newest book is Dharma Breeze by Nobuo Haneda. This is the next book in the Living Dharma Centre Virtual Book Club. Haneda says in the preface, One of the basic reasons Shin Buddhism has not been adequately appreciated... is that its key concepts have not been explained in English in a comprehensive manner. This book does that in a very readable format. Also, if you have books borrowed from the library, could you please return them soon. Thanks -- Belle Dharma Time4KIDS A goal for Dharma Time this year is to host an activity for the kids every Sunday. Lessons will be approximately every-other week, and informal play time/social time for the kids with games and puzzles will be on the other Sundays. Please check the Temple website as it will post more specific information as planning progresses. Federation of Dharma School Teachers League Conference (FDSTL) 2018 Hosted by The Bay Area District Dharma School Teachers League. April 27-29, 2018 Greetings from one of your dedicated Dharma school teachers! I had the pleasure and great honour to be sponsored to attend this year s 67th annual FDSTL conference. This year s theme was Intersections. What does that mean you ask? Intersections are referring to the way in which our identities exist at the intersections of all of our varied community, social, cultural, ethnic, and family groupings. Most urgently, this requires us all to examine the concept of privilege and implicit bias. Understanding privilege and implicit bias will inform our ability to be wise, aware, and compassionate in a way that recognizes we are all members of Buddha s golden chain of love. My next steps after this conference include review of the heavy volume of Dharma School manuals that were given to our temple at the conference (materials from pre-school to Grade 6!) and the creation of a yearly guide to Dharma lessons. By August I endeavour to have a link posted where all Dharma volunteers are able to seek out suggested lesson plans and associated materials to feel confident in delivering a Dharma inspired lesson. Once I complete my manual review they will also be available in the Dharma classroom. In Gassho -- Nicole Chen Calgary Buddhist Temple Page 04
Volunteers Volunteering Opportunities! Running a temple is not easy! A successful temple requires effort from many people, most of whom are volunteers. Toban (Japanese for it s your turn ) is a way to spread the work of the temple among all the members. If you have a flexible schedule and are able to help out for various events or temple needs, please consider signing up for our Sign-Up Genius List, by emailing Yuko Ono at yu.yukoono@gmail.com. Obon - August 26 th Laura Sugimoto Dan McCormack Belle Auld Lloyd Tsukishima Toban List Bodhi Day - December 9 Doug & Cheryl Caldwell Lester & Mickey Ikuta A Special Thank-you!! Belle Auld is another of our invaluable Sangha members who quietly steps up to volunteer help wherever she sees a need, and has done so for many years Belle is our Library Lady whom you may have had the pleasure to meet and speak with after on the third Sunday of each month. Belle organizes and lends books from our growing library. On library Sunday, she makes tea, opens the library and hosts a book talk with an available Sensei and whomever is interested. Each month she highlights a book in our newsletter. Belle helped organize the National JSBTC AGM which was held at our Temple at the end of April. She was also wore several volunteer hats to make the four day event a success. Belle organized the name button station at our Stations on March 11, and continues to encourage us to make and wear the buttons at Temple s and events to get to know our fellow Sangha members. You will see Belle at on Sundays, and volunteering to help at all of our Temple events. Please be sure to say hello and let her know how grateful we are for her constant support. Thank you, Belle!! Annual General Meeting Report from the 2018 JSBTC WF AGM The Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada Women s Federation Annual General Meeting (AGM) this year was hosted by the Calgary Buddhist Temple. It s always nice to meet new people and renew acquaintances from across Canada as well as exchange thoughts and ideas. WF AGM highlights: Over $4,000 collected this year from the WF Dana Day! Because of returned funds from the previous year, the amount of $3,000 was designated to go to the Canadian Red Cross and $3,000 to Indspire (Indspire helps Indigenous students in Canada complete their post-secondary education for a successful future.) The last batch of used stamps collected from across Canada were valued at $300. The proceeds were forwarded to the Save the Children Fund. Foreign Coin Collection is ongoing. This leftover change goes to the Air Canada Foundation which supports causes and programs such as the Children s Miracle Network and member pediatric hospitals across Canada. Sustaining Fund interest/proceeds are used to support our Canadian ministerial training. No applicants this year but foresee possible financial support being required by Rev Ouchi and Rev Calgary Buddhist Temple Page 05
Annual General Meeting...Cont d Gubenco as they continue their studies. Youth Dharma Assistance One applicant last year, Miriah Conway of Frazer Valley Buddhist Temple, received $500 towards her attending the Hongwanji sponsored Japan Youth Tour. 2019 World Buddhist Women s Convention Update: August 30-September 1, 2019 in San Francisco (Marriott Hotel) $350 USD registration fee; Keynote speakers have been identified (see poster) The WF Executive Committee will designate someone from the executive to set up a working committee which will organize selection of a panel speaker, district attire and stage performance, etc. Terms of Reference for JSBTCWF A subcommittee was formed (Susan Huntley, Maureen Hatanaka, and Brenda Ikuta) to draft and distribute a copy to each chapter by September 30, 2018. Adjustments to be made by January 30, 2019 for distribution and approval at the 2019 AGM. JSBTC WF Executive Committee voted in for 2018: June Asano, Dianne Mark, Darlene Rieger, and Myra Takasaki all from the Toronto Buddhist Temple The 2019 AGM will be held in Vancouver; the 2020 AGM in Lethbridge. Sincere gratitude to the many volunteers of the Calgary Buddhist Temple for providing such a welcoming atmosphere and looking after all our needs. The weekend went so smoothly thanks to you all! Submitted by Susan Huntley Dear James Sensei, Lester, Laura and Dan, A note of appreciation and gratitude is extended to all of you as well as your AGM Planning Committee and all the temple volunteers for hosting such a wonderful set of meetings for the Ministers, the Living Dharma Centre and JSBTC Board as well as the WF and JSBTC AGMs. Your newly rebuilt and renovated temple is amazing! I heard numerous positive comments and praise for all the hard work and effort expended in creating such a wonderful temple... kudos to all of you and your congregation! T he hospitality and warmth extended to all who went to Calgary was genuine and this warm and welcoming attitude created a common sense of harmony and grace for all of us to do our best for the Canadian Kyodan. I would kindly ask that you extend the gratitude of our JSBTC Board to others at your temple for providing all of us with a home away from home and for working so hard to contribute to the success of our meetings so that we can all continue to successfully spread the Dharma. With Gratitude and in Gassho, Larry Wakisaka -- JSBTC President On behalf of the JSBTC Board of Directors A huge thank you to everyone who helped out at the JSBTC AGM at the end of April. T his was a lot of work and involved many people from the Temple, who drove delegates and Ministers, helped organize meetings at the Temple, brought food, cooked, washed dishes, moved furniture, set up equipment, and generally were all around great hosts for people from other Temples across Canada. Everyone who attended commented on how great our Sangha and our volunteers are, and we got many compliments on how well the whole AGM went. Special thanks to the organizing committee: Dan McCormack (Chair), Belle Auld, Lester Ikuta, Kerry Nagata, Ken Nishi, Harvey Tanaka, and Charlene Wright. Page 06
Temple Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday JUNE 01 02 9:10-9:40 Sitting Meditation 10:00-11:00 Shotsuki 9:10-9:40 Sitting Meditation 10:00-11:00 Morning 03 10 04 11 05 12 06 Meditation 13 07 7:30-8:30 Evening 14 7:30-8:30 Evening 08 15 09 16 Library is open NO TEMPLE SERVICE Family Day Picnic 17 18 19 20 Meditation 21 7:30-8:30 Evening 22 23 9:10-9:40 Sitting Meditation 10:00-11:00 Morning 24 25 26 27 Meditation 28 7:30-8:30 Evening 29 30 JULY 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 9:10-9:40 Sitting Meditation 10:00-11:00 Shotsuki CLOSED Meditation CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 CLOSED CLOSED Meditation CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 CLOSED CLOSED Meditation CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 22 23 24 CLOSED CLOSED 25 Meditation 26 27 CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 28 29 30 31 CLOSED CLOSED Calgary Buddhist Temple Page 07
Anonymous Robert Alexander Paul Anscombe Belle Auld Doug & Cheryll Caldwell Yuri Delisle Athena Elton Chris Greer Jane Hilton Keiko Hinatsu April Donations Apologies for any errors or omissions Russ Hironaka Dave & Tam Horiguchi Susan Huntley Jill Kartushyn Yanjae Kim Alice Kimura Mike Kitagawa Susan Kitagawa Angela Kolkott & Grant Pollock Regular Donations Lido Kondo Misae Masuda Dan McCormack Dixie Miquelon Eiji Nishihata Earl Odagaki Yo Odagaki Brett Olexiuk Kim Orlesky Fumi Ota Neil Sabine Pasley Danielle Ryan Tobie Sakamoto Rika & Kevin Saruwatari Takako Sugimoto Harvey Tanaka Peter Theuerkauf KC & Lil Yoneda Capital Campaign Mike & Susan Kitagawa - in memory of Amy Kitagawa Canada Helps Donations Melanie Giggs Bob McCullagh Laura Sugimoto James Martin Ken Madden Matthew Stewart Get your name buttons and support the temple! For $3 you can get a button with your first name printed on one of these backgrounds. This is a mini-fundraiser so it will help support the Temple (it will also help Belle remember people s names ) Connect with Belle for more information: belleauld@gmail.com Purchase a Have a Buddhaful Day T-Shirt Gassho Contact Mickey at mhkuta@outlook.com to purchase yours today! Cost: $20.00 Calgary Buddhist Temple Page 08