Volume 40, Issue 4, April 2008

Volume 40 , Issue 3
April 25, 2008
Kelowna Buddhist Temple
The New Dharma Express
PO. Box 22092, RPO Capri Centre
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9N9
phone 250-763-3827
www.kelownabuddhisttemple.org site supported by Canada Web Hosting
Monthly Memorial
Special points of interest:
• Thurs. May 1, TSS
Meditation 9:30am
• Fri. May 2, TSS Meditation 9:30am
• Sun. May 4, Dharma
School 10:30am
• Wed. May 7, TSS
Meditation 9:30am,
Temple Board Meeting 7pm
• Thurs. May 8, TSS
Meditation 9:30am
• Fri. May 9, TSS Meditation 9:30am
• Sun. May 11, Dharma
School 10:30am,
Monthly Memorial
2pm
Master
Mr.
Mr.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Miss
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mrs.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Masaharu Terai
Kinai Kita
Shichigoro Hayashi
Tomeno Oikawa
Mitsu Hayashi
Yukiko Yokota
Iwajiro Yoshikawa
Bunzo Sakamoto
Shojiro Yamaoka
Suekichi Koga
Katsuzo Hayashi
Kuniyoshi Tamura
Yazo Atagi
Robert Kawaguchi
Roy Tanemura
Takeko Kimura
Masaichi Terai
Masaru Tamaki
Shuo Yamaoka
• Fri. May 16, TSS Meditation 9:30am
• Sun. May 18, Dharma
School 10:30am
• Wed. May 14, TSS
Meditation 9:30am
• Wed. May 21, TSS Meditation 9:30am
• Thurs. May 15, TSS
Meditation 9:30am
• Thurs. May 22, TSS Meditation 9:30am
• Fri. May 23, TSS Meditation 9:30am
Clean-up Altar Toban
Group #1
Mr. Albert Tainaka
M/M Minoru Mori
M/M Morio Tahara
Mr. Shig Tahara
Mr. Sumio Tahara
Mrs. Joan Tanaka
Mrs. Amy Ueda
M/M Bill Omae
Mr. Terry Hikida
M/M Alec Pelletier
Mr. Ken Ueda
Mr. Jack Ueda
Ms. Peggy Tanaka
Mr. Rick Suzuki
Mr. Shayne Erikson
Inside this issue:
Sensei’s Message
2
From Editor
3
Calendar
4
BCC Update
5
Rambling
6
YABA Update
6
Temple Report
7
Donation
8
Lawn Cutting
Gord Lacey—May 3
Harry Tonn—May 10
Jim Nishi—May 17
Herb Tanaka—May 24
Ken Ueda—May 31
• Sun. May 25, Dharma
School 10:30am,
Gotanye Service 2pm
• Wed. May 28, TSS
Meditation 9:30am
• Thurs. May 29, TSS
Meditation 9:30am
• Fri. May 30, Flea
Market Pricing &
Sorting 9am, TSS
Meditation
9:30am
• Sat. May 31, Annual Flea Market
and Plant Sale
8am to 2pm
Volume 40 , Issue 3
Page 2
From Sensei: Spring Has Come!
Spring has finally come, and the signs of new
life are emerging in many ways. The flowers and
trees are in bloom. Each day the snow on the mountain tops seems to be gradually receeding, as the temperature gradually becomes warmer. Spring is such a
beautiful time of year.
When I hear “Spring has come” it reminds
me of a story about a young woman named Haru
(meaning “Spring”) who married a man in a village
far from her home. The newlyweds lived along with
the husband’s parents. Haru had not been home since
her marriage, and had been away from her mother
and father for almost a year. They missed each other
very much. One day, as she looked through the window of her home Haru’s mother announced “Haru ga
kita” (“Spring has come”) Her husband answered
“it’s not time for Spring yet.” His wife smiled and
said “yes, she is here--- our daughter, Haru, she is
here at our front door.”
Haru was happy to see her parents after such
a long time. As they talked together, Haru’s mother
asked “ how is everything? how is your husband ?
Haru replied, “my husband is fine, we are both
happy, he is a good man.” Haru’s father then asked “
how about your in-laws, do they treat you well?”
Haru suddenly looked sad and quietly answered “ no,
my mother-in-law is a difficult woman, she treats me
badly, in fact sometimes I have even thought about
leaving their house --- I actually hate her--- I wish
that she were dead”
Haru’s parents were concerned. Her father
said, “we are really sorry to hear that. Maybe all of
you need more time to adjust. Why don’t you be a
little more patient with your mother-in-law.” Haru
replied “no, she is mean to me. I just can’t stand it, I
have to do something,” Haru’s father thought about
this for a while, then he said to her “ then maybe you
should --- maybe you should just get rid of her”
Haru’s mother looked shocked. However, Haru’s
father continued speaking “ yes, the more I think of
it, the more I am convinced that you should get rid of
her, you should just do that” He went over to a chest
of drawers, and after a short time, he came back with
a small bottle. “This is a special kind of poison that
nobody can detect. It takes only one drop. Why don’t
you take this home with you, and slip it into her
food.” Haru’s eyes widened as her father continued
speaking “ But you need to make sure that you
don’t do it for a while, otherwise everyone will
know that you were the one who did it. Why don’t
you wait for a while. Why don’t you just pretend to
get along with your mother–in-law, to avoid any
future suspicion? Haru appeared relieved. Before
she left her parents’ home, her father said to her
“hide this away where no one can find it until the
time comes. I will tell you when to do it. In the
meantime, you need to pretend to get along with
your in-laws, to show to all the village people that
things are OK.
Haru went back to her husband’s home.
Spring came, and then Summer, Fall, and Winter
went by before the parents saw Haru again. After a
year or so, Haru came to visit her parents. Her father asked her “how are you getting along with
your in-laws?” Haru replied. “OK--- at first things
were hard, but now were are getting along. My
mother-in-law is now kind to me, in fact I love her
now. I don’t know why I complained about her before.” Haru’s father smiled. The real Spring had
come to their family. Her father never had to tell
her that the small bottle that he had given her was
nothing other than pure water.
Buddha used many skillful means or upaya
(skillful or expedient means) to convey His message to all of us. Upaya, has often been used as a
way to open the person’s eyes to the nature of the
self, and humam suffering. Buddha was our great
teacher, who used many parables and stories to
open our minds to his message. The story of Haru’s
father upaya is like the story about “The Burning
House,” that is described in the Lotus Sutra. We all
know this story about a rich man who came home
to find his house on fire with his children inside,
immersed in their play, unaware of their danger.
Despite his attempts to get the children out of the
burning house, they continued playing. Finally in
desperation, he enticed them outside by promising
that he had brought them toys that he had placed
just outside the house. The children then ran from
the burning house and were saved from the flames.
The Lotus Sutra tells of Buddha’s dialogue
with his disciple, Shariputra, about this story.
“What do you think, Shariputra? ---was the rich
man guilty of falsehood or not?” Shariputra re-
Volume 40 , Issue 3
Page 3
Sensei’s Message continued:
sponded “No World Honoured One, This rich man
simply made it possible for his sons to escape the
peril of the fire and preserve their lives. He did not
commit a falsehood--why? Because this rich man
had already made up his mind that he would employ
an expedient means to allow his sons to escape.
In the midst of the struggles that we all must
encounter in our lives, we exhaust our efforts to ac-
tualize eternity in the here and now. Everything that
we encounter is our life. Every situation and condition in our lives contains the seeds of our enlightenment. All that we encounter is the work of Buddha’s
Upaya. With this realization, the real Spring has
come!
In Gassho Rev. Yasuhiro Miyakawa
Message from the Editor
What a game… World Women’s Curling—Canada
versus Japan in the Semi-finals! Now I couldn’t be
in two places at the same time, what with the Najin
workshop at the Temple and Curling in Vernon, a
short 45 minutes away (possibly the only time I
would be able to see live).
Sorry, but going to the curling game was worth the
sacrifice… it was a exciting and suspenseful game.
With just two ends to play, Japan was up 3 and Canada wasn’t doing good… then Canada scored two to
be one down without the hammer on the 9th end…
they stole one to tie the match and in the extra end
stole another to win and gain a spot in the Final
match.
The momentum shifted from team to team and in the
final analysis… I think it was team Canada’s ability
to deal with the pressure and never lose hope that
they could come back from certain defeat.
Alan and Barb Yamaoka also were there rooting for
Japan… it was hard not to root for both teams as they
both deserved to be in the worlds curling match and
they both deserved to win.
I’m sure Japan will be back, more experienced, and
more determined than ever… it was great seeing
these athletes compete and how they managed pressure and loss.
If they aren’t Buddhist, they should be, they showed
faith in the Dharma, for it teaches courtesy and respect for others and it frees them for the bondage of
circumstances and gives them courage to meet hardship. They will go away with more wisdom and understanding… life is suffering, without which you
cannot truly appreciate happiness.
Good luck team Canada—as I write, I’m not aware of
the outcome—they are all winners in Buddha’s eyes.
In Gassho, Jiro
The Teaching of Buddha
Nothing in the world is permanent or lasting; everything is changing and momentary and unpredictable. But
people are ignorant and selfish, and are concerned only with the desires and sufferings of the passing moment.
They do not listen to the good teachings nor do they try to understand them; they simply give themselves up to
the present interest, to wealth and lust.
GENERAL CALL FOR YOUR DONATION OF FLEA MARKET ITEMS
May 31st, 2008 we will be having our Annual Flea Market and Plant Sale
As in the past M/M T. Ogi have generously supplied us with the Plant Inventory,
however we will need your help in rounding up Flea Market Items please,
plus your assistance in supporting this Temple initiative.
We are planning on advertising space or tables being available for individuals to purchase.
Please contact either Gord Lacey (861-6383) or Jerry Takeda (861-5626)
Or Email—[email protected]
Volume 40 , Issue 3
Page 4
May 2008
Sun
Mon Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
30
1
2
3
TSS Meditation TSS Meditation TSS Meditation Lawn Cutting: Gord Lacey
9:30am
9:30am
9:30am
4
5
Dharma School
10:30am
Taiko
7pm
11
12
6
19
Dharma School
10:30am
Taiko
7pm
25
26
Dharma School
10:30am
Gotanye Service
2pm
Taiko
7pm
8
9
10
TSS Meditation TSS Meditation TSS Meditation Lawn Cutting: Harry Tonn
9:30am
9:30am
9:30am
Temple Board
Meeting 7pm
13
Dharma School Taiko
10:30am
7pm
Monthly Memorial 2pm
18
7
14
15
16
17
TSS Meditation TSS Meditation TSS Meditation Lawn Cutting: Jim Nishi
9:30am
9:30am
9:30am
20
21
22
23
24
TSS Meditation TSS Meditation TSS Meditation Lawn Cutting: Herb Tanaka
9:30am
9:30am
9:30am
27
28
29
30
TSS Meditation TSS Meditation Flea Market
9:30am
9:30am
Pricing &
Sorting 9am
TSS Meditation
9:30am
31
Annual Flea Market & Plant
Sale 8am to 2pm
Lawn Cutting Ken Ueda,
Yamaoka Memorial Service 3pm
Volume 40 , Issue 3
Page 5
BCC Update:
A monthly update from the national headquarters of the Shin Buddhist Churches of Canada
11786 Fentiman Place, Richmond, B.C., V7E 6M6
Ph: 604-272-3330 fax: 604-272-6865
e: [email protected] or [email protected] web: [email protected]
Although we see cherry blossoms in full bloom in the West Coast, we continue to have cool temperature with
wet weather, and the sudden surprise of hail storms and even the occasional large fluffy flakes of snow!
During my recent trip to the East, I visited Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and Montreal. As Fujii Sensei drove
me to Ottawa and Montreal, I saw a lot of snow on the roadside and fields. Officially this was my first visit to
Ottawa. There I attended the Spring Higan Service at Japanese Cultural Centre where fifteen people gathered.
It’s reassuring to know there are people who are interested in continuing their insight into the Buddhist Way of
life and continue by attending regular services.
While I was in Toronto I participated in the Keiroukai in which we honour, respect, and appreciate the senior
members in the community. MC called about 50 names who are 90 years and older. And there are some of
them who are still active. I am very proud of their dedication and appreciation for continuing their Jodo Shinshu traditions. I also would like to add that my son has a new baby less than two months old, so I am a proud
grandfather.
We have to remember the fact that, regardless of age, 90 years old or a new born baby, we are all standing on
the same starting point of human life as of this day. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, or even next moment? Each and everyday is a precious day and brand new day. May you the members of Jodo Shinshu tradition enjoy good health and spirits with the constant working of Amida Buddha.
With Gassho, Namo Amida Butsu
西部沿岸では桜が満開ですが、依然として気温は低めで、雨の多い気候が続いています。各地の
法友の皆様には如来様の働きであるお念仏と共に、ご健勝のこととお察し申し上げます。
三月には東部訪問をしまして、トロント、ハミルトン、オタワ、モントリオールの皆様とお彼岸
のご縁を結びました。東部はまだ寒く雪もたくさん積もっていました。トロント仏教会では敬老会
が催され、多くの先輩方に会うことが出来ました。９０才以上の方が約50人あるそうです。私事で
すが最近初孫が生まれてまだ二ヶ月たらずです。
この人生においては、90才でも、赤子でも、年齢には関係なく、明日と言うものはありません。
何時何処でどんなことが起こるか判りません。皆が人生と言う同じ出発点に並んでいるわけです。
今日の一日が尊い、ありがたい一日であります。「み仏と、いつも二人の良い暮らし」と言う言葉
があります。阿弥陀如来の呼び声であるお念仏と共に、日々を強く明るく生き抜きましょう。
合掌。なもあみだぶつ
Coming events
May 19-20 Governor Deguchi of Hongwanji visits Southern Alberta
21-23 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in San Fransisco
Jun 18-19 BCA MA Seminar in New York (Izumi Sensei represents BCC MA)
Sep 27-28 BC Federation 53rd Buddhist Convention in Vancouver
Oct 19 Toronto Dana’s 50th Anniversary
25-26 Steveston Buddhist Temple’s 80th Anniversary
Nov 8-9 Buddhist Federation of Alberta Convention
20 -22 Oversea Ministers’ and lay persons’ Seminar in Hongwanji,
Kyoto (Aoki sensei represents BCCMA)
Volume 40 , Issue 3
Page 6
Just Rambling
Just before I left Chilliwack, our family attended the
Nikkei Heritage Centre sponsored children's day. I
probably enjoyed the event as much as what my
grandchildren did. There was a Jan-Ken- Pon ( Paper-Scissors -Stone) contest, Karuta card picking up
game, instructions on Origami (Paper folding) &
several other games. Most of the volunteer helpers
were young girls from Japan, mainly students & immigrants.
Yesterday, April 19, I woke up to a big surprise. It
was snowing quite hard. In my 80 plus years, I don't
recall ever seeing at lake level, snowfall this late in
the spring. It must be global warming.
Until 60 years ago, the cow pasture where my condo
is now located used to be under water almost every
spring. Similar conditions also applied to many
homes on the lakeside of Abbott Street. In 1948,
large areas of Western Canada were flooded. That
year, my girl friend who later became my wife was
attending Business College & was house working at
a home by the hospital. The lake rose to the level
where the water was actually splashing against the
doors when it became windy. Many sandbags had to
be placed to keep the water out. These problems
have since been rectified with the dredging of the
行
事
案
内
５月 １日（木）午前９時半 千部経三昧
２日（金）午前９時半 千部経三昧
４日（日）午前１０時半 日曜学校
７日（水）午前９時半 千部経三昧
午後７時
仏教会役員会
８日（木）午前９時半 千部経三昧
９日（金）午前９時半 千部経三昧
１１日（日）午前１０時半 日曜学校
午後２時
５月祥月法要
１４日（水）午前９時半 千部経三昧
１５日（木）午前９時半 千部経三昧
river between
Okanagan &
Skaha Lakes.
The yard clean
up prior
to Hanamatsuri
was more like
a picnic for
me. I relaxed
while basking
under a sunny sky. The others as usual worked their
butts off. It's my pleasure to thank the young ladies
who prepared the delicious breakfast which included
bacon & eggs, sausage, hash browns, French toast,
juice, coffee & several kinds of fruit.
Recently, I was asked what was the reason that I became a Buddhist. There were two main reasons. The
first, my ancestors were Buddhists for countless generations. It is also my opinion that Buddhism is synonymous with compassion & if everyone on earth
had similar sentiments, there would be everlasting
peace.
Namu Amida Butsu.
In Gassho, Suey
１６日（金）午前９時半 千部経三昧
１８日（日）午前１０時半 日曜学校
２１日（水）午前９時半 千部経三昧
２２日（木）午前９時半 千部経三昧
２３日（金）午前９時半 千部経三昧
２５日（日）午前１０時半 日曜学校
午後２時
降誕会
２８日（水）午前９時半 千部経三昧
２９日（木）午前９時半 千部経三昧
３０日（金）午前９時半 千部経三昧
３１日（土）午前８時ー午後２時 フリーマーケットセール
午後３時
山岡家追悼法要
Thank to all that came out for the Spring Temple Yard Clean-up—we had a great breakfast
prepared for by the YABA ladies and our work load was made a little lighter, by the perpetual care of professional landscaper, Ken Yamada… thank you
Volume 40 , Issue 3
Page 7
YABA Update
A belated Happy Hanamatsuri Everyone!
Saturday, April 12 was a day of fresh beginnings.
Our hard-working members came to spruce up the
yard in preparation for our Sunday service. Thank
you Isao, Jerry, Suey, Yuki, Nathan, Kaichi and Min
for your help. Thanks to Laurie, Shirley, Linda
Uemoto, Haley and Kelsey Uyeyama, and Barb for
making a delicious breakfast. Thank you to L&D
Meats and Don & Joyce Favell for the donation of
their specialty sausages. mmm good.
Please note the lawn-cutting schedule in this issue of
the newsletter. If you cannot cut the lawn when
your turn comes up, please contact the next person
on the list and try to arrange to trade weeks. Please
be considerate and try not to miss your week and
make extra work for someone else. Thank you.
The Semi-Annual General Meeting will be coming
up soon. It’s a sure sign
Spring is here, even though
our weather isn’t cooperating.
In Gassho
Temple Executive Message:
I’m sitting in front of my computer writing this article and looking out the window at the snow falling
and covering our magnolia blossoms. It’s hard to
believe that it is mid April. However, there is one
certain sign that it is really April – our annual Hanamatsuri service.
Prior to the service a group of twenty children and
adults visited Kelowna General Hospital and Cottonwoods spreading happiness and distributing daffodils to the patients. I’m sure all the patients were
very appreciative and happy to see our goodwill ambassadors.
At the service a number of individuals were recognized. Twelve of our members were honored with
lifetime memberships. Congratulations to Sugino
Hatanaka, Shizue Hayashi, Aiji Hokazono, Sakae
Nishi, Hideo Tainaka, Ayame Tanaka, Sachiko Tanaka, Chiyoko Yamaoka, Mitsuko Yamaoka, Suteo
Yamaoka, Toshio Yamaoka and Jinchiro Yokota and
thanks to you all for your many years of devotion to
the Temple and leadership and guidance you have
provided all of us.
Alexandra Erikson was presented at the Hatsumairi
service by her proud parents, Shayne Erikson and
Annika Potter. Congratulations to Alexandra and her
family.
Yuki Tanemura received the “Meditation Sutra”
Mandela in recognition of the completion of fifty
cycles of the three sutras
which Miyakawa Sensei began presenting in October
2006. Congratulations to
Yuki and a sincere “thank you” to Sensei for his
never-ending efforts and service to the Temple.
Kobe Nishi received a special recognition from the
Dharma School for his mastery of “the Seven Patriarchs of Jodo Shinshu”. Good work, Kobe.
We must express our appreciation to a number of
individuals. Thank you so much to Martha and Kim
Kendal of “Rick’s Garden World” for donating the
many lovely daffodils. You made many hospital patients happy and added colour and beauty to our
Temple.
Thanks also to Isao Terai, Yuki Tanemura, Kaichi
Uemoto, Jerry and Nathan Takeda, Suey Koga and
Min Mori who came out to help at the yard clean up
on April 12th and of course, to Barb Yamaoka, Laurie Takeda, Kelsey and Haley Ueyama, Linda
Uemoto and Shirley Tanemura for preparing a delicious gourmet breakfast for the hard-working troops.
One final reminder – we are conducting our annual
flea market on May 31st and would welcome your
generous donations of articles to sell at the market.
We would also love to see you there as we can always use a helping hand.
In Gassho,
For those that have the alarm code for the Temple—please remember to use it (there have
been a few times the alarm was not set) Thank you—Temple Executive
With Gratitude the Temple and Affiliated Organizations
Acknowledge Your Contribution and Apologies
for any Errors
GENERAL: Mrs. Sakae Nishi $100, Mrs. Sugino Hatanaka $80,
Mr. B. Kitaura (Chow Mein Donation) $50, Glenda Mason $25, Mrs.
Sugino Hatanaka (Chow Mein Donation) $20, Mrs. Genevra Cavanaugh $20, Mike Kimura $20,
OHIGAN—ETAIKYO: Michiko Taguchi (Yoshi Mizushima) $50,
Mrs. S. Nishi $30, M/M H. Tanaka $30, Mr. J. Ishikawa $30, M/M
Y. Tanemura $30, M/M A. Yamaoka $25, Mr. A. Tainaka $25, M/M
M. Mori $20, M/M T. Suzuki $20, Ms. T. Murata $20, Mr. T. Itani
$20, M/M S. Sugie $20, Mr. A. Hokazono $20, Ms. K. Yamauchi
$20, Mr. B. Kitaura $20
MONTHLY MEMORIAL: Mrs. S. Nishi $30, M/M Roy Teramura
$25, Mrs. E. Nishi $25, M/M Y. Tanemura $25, M/M K. Ohashi, Mr.
A. Tainaka $20, M/M K. Uemoto $20, M/M S. Sugie $20, M/M M.
Mori $20
MEMORIAL: M/M Tim Tahara (In Appreciation in Memory of
Sam Tonogai) $300, M. Minoru Tamagi (in Memory of Genzaburo
Tamagi) $25, Mrs. Matsuko Wada (in Memory of Yoshitaka Wada)
$25
YABA has for Sales: Obusudan—
Large $425, Small $225 complete as
shown—please see Sensei to place
your order
HANAMATSURI: $50 (M/M J. Takeda, M/M Y. Terada, M/M T.
Omae, M/M K. Ohashi, M/M A. Yamaoka, M/M Y. Tanemura), $40
(M/M T. Suzuki, R. Suzuki/Peggy Tanaka, Mr. S. Koga), $30 (Mrs.
S. Hayashi, Mrs. Sugino Hatanaka, Mrs. S. Nishi, M/M M. Tahara,
M/M K. Uemoto), $25 (Mr. E. Nishi, M/M M. Mori, Mr. A. Tainaka,
M/M N. Yamaoka, M/M S. Sugie) $20 (Mr. J. Ishikawa, Ms. Lindsay
Favell, Mrs. A. Ueda, Mr. A. Hokazono), M/M M. Koga, Janice
Richardson $45
MEMBERSHIP: Mr. B. Kitaura $140, M/M Herb Tanaka $300,
Mr. Jim Nishi $150, M/M Joe Uyeyama $250, M/M Jack Tahara
$275
NEWSLETTER: Mr. A. Tainaka $75, Mrs. Sakae Nishi $30, Mr.
B. Kitaura $30, Mrs. Matsuko Wada $25, Mrs. Sugino Hatanaka $20
FUJINKAI: Vernon Curling Club $150 (Bento Boxes)
YABA: M/M Isao Terai $10 (Membership)
Recent legislation enacted by the Provincial Government restricts organizations from divulging personal information without the
approval of the individuals affected. The donations generously made by Temple members and friends fall under the realm of personal information. Therefore, if you object to your donations being published in the Temple Newsletter, please let us know and we
will cease doing so (Mail or Email your wish to be omitted from the published list). In Gassho, Temple Board of Directors