rev. usuki`s page - West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple

mail: [email protected]
web: http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org
Vol. 59, No. 1
January 2016
REV. USUKI’S PAGE
Buddhist View of the Universe
In many ways, Buddhism is a unique religion and worldview. Compared with
the modern scientific view of the world, the Buddhist perspective is considerably
colored by religious and practical concerns: it sees the natural world in terms of its
relationship to human destiny. Unlike other religious interpretations—Christianity, for
example—Buddhism does not see the hand of God in the existence of the universe,
and is pessimistic, believing that suffering is intrinsic to the world.
Akira Sadakata, Buddhist Cosmology, Philosophy and Origins (1999, p. 173)
Happy New Year, everyone. I
hope you enjoyed the long holiday season and are looking forward to upcoming activities
with reenergized vigor. As we
reflect on the events of the past
year and see that today is simply a wonderful extension of them, we cannot
help but be grateful for everything we have in
this world. While acknowledging our privileged
existence we realize that we are also continuing
to improve and learning to appreciate even more
the new and the unexpected that will open up
for us. Thus we call this moment in our lives the
beginning of a “New” Year.
As Forrest Gump sagely philosophized with his
famous quote, “Life is like a box of chocolates:
You never know what you’re going to get,” we
wake up to something profound each day. This
is the fundamental teaching of the interdependence and impermanence of all things that
Shakyamuni Buddha clearly revealed to us.
Therefore, no matter how much we may like to
think that our lives are predictable based on our
knowledge and experience, we must continue to
adjust our attitudes and behavior to what will
be tomorrow.
There are many writings in the sutras and commentaries about the Buddhist outlook on the
universe of hundreds and even thousands of
years ago. Although the authors lacked today’s
technology and resources, they were very astute
in their observation of the world and its relationship to all living things. Although the methodology is calculated in numbers, time and
space, what they represent is symbolic, mythical and infinite. These complicated and very
creative systems are so unique and unbelievable
that they should be made into an epic movie or
series today. Over time, they may have also
become outdated and irrelevant and may not
make much sense, yet the religious implications
are still real and timeless. Whether based on
well-calculated reasoning or observations, Buddhism has some similarities to the scientific
view of the universe. Here are some fascinating
concepts:
These Buddhist texts (Abhidharmakosa,
ca. 100-150 C.E.) discuss particles called
atoms (paramanus), defined as the “smallest part of matter, uncuttable, unable to be
destroyed, taken up, or grasped. They are
neither long nor short, neither square nor
round. They cannot be analyzed, seen,
heard, or touched.” …
All matter is said to be made up of the
“f our great elements” (catvari mahabhutani): earth, water, fire, and wind. …
They are not the physical earth, water, fire,
and wind that we see or feel around us;
they are invisible, though they do occupy
space.
Sadakata (1999, pp. 20-21)
[cont’d on page 2]
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
Buddhist cosmology skillfully combines the scientific and the religious, unremittingly
concerned with the nature of human suffering and deliverance from that suffering. Modern
cosmologies have forgotten about the happiness factor, but Buddhism never has. Of course,
many of the scientific elements in Buddhist cosmology have become outdated as a result of
scientific progress, and so have lost their usefulness. But its science is not dogma, and it can
change at any time according to new knowledge. The religious ideas of karma and rebirth,
suffering and deliverance, are completely compatible with the new science.
Sadakata (1999, p. 183)
Our vision of the universe, even with the aid of the telescope, is very limited. In Buddhism, the vastness of our universe is described as “Three Thousands of Thousand Great
Worlds.” The sun and the stars with their respective universes are called one thousand small
worlds. When this is multiplied by one thousand, we have one thousand large worlds. Three
thousand of these one thousand large worlds make up the Buddhist conception of the
universe. This, of course, is a figure of speech which attempts to express the incomprehensible
vastness of space.
Gyodo Haguri, The Awareness of Self (1967, pp. 14-15)
Maitreya (Miroku Bodhisattva). In northwest India around the third century C.E., the
belief grew that Maitreya would be the next Buddha, following ģœkyamuni. At present accumulating religious training as a bodhisattva, Maitreya is the focus of hope of those born too
late to enjoy ģœkyamuni’s salvation. All the same, he is not due to appear until 5,670,000,000
years after ģœkyamuni’s death.
Sadakata (1999, p. 109)
Humans by nature have an inquisitive mind,
wishing to know everything and often becoming
frustrated and irrational in such pursuits. So
how are we to take all this in and make sense of
it today while applying it to “My” Buddhism? A
suggestion is presented by Thich Nhat Hahn as
he relates the Parable of the Poison Arrow:
The Buddha always told his disciples not to waste their time and energy in metaphysical
speculation. Whenever he was asked a metaphysical question, he remained silent. Instead, he
directed his disciples toward practical efforts. Questioned one day about the problem of the
infinity of the world, the Buddha said, “Whether the world is finite or infinite, limited or
unlimited, the problem of your liberation remains the same.” Another time he said, “Suppose a
man is struck by a poisoned arrow and the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately.
Suppose the man does not want the arrow removed until he knows who shot it, his age, his
parents, and why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until he know who shot
it, his age, his parents, and why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until all
these questions have been answered, the man might die first.” Life is so short. It must not be
spent in endless metaphysical speculation that does not bring us any closer to the truth.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhazen101.tumblr.com
Edward Conze further elaborates:
As for the first (who created the Universe), Buddhist tradition does not exactly deny the
existence of a creator, but it is not really interested to know who created the Universe. The
purpose of Buddhist doctrine is to release beings from suffering, and speculations concerning
the origin of the Universe are held to be immaterial to that task. They are not merely waste of
time but they may also postpone deliverance from suffering by engendering ill-will in oneself
and in others.
Edward Conze, Buddhism, Its Essence and Development (1951, p. 39)
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
Shinshu Corner
Buddhist View of the Universe
Measurement of time in Buddhist Cosmology
First, as regard to the extent of Time, they measured cosmic time not in years, but in Kalpa or Aeons. A
kalpa is the duration of time which elapses between the origin and the destruction of a world system.
The length of a kalpa is either suggested by way of simile, or reckoned by way of number. Suppose there
is a mountain, of a very hard rock, much bigger than the Himalayas; and suppose that a man, with a
piece of the very finest cloth of Benares once every century should touch that mountain ever so
slightly—then the time which it would take him to wear away the entire mountain would be about the
time of aeon. …
As for numbers, some say that a kalpa lasts only 1,344,000 years, others reckon 1,280,000,000 years,
and no general agreement has been arrived at. In any case, a very large and almost incomputable
stretch of time is intended.
During the course of one kalpa, a world system completes its evolution, form its initial condensation to
the final conflagration. One world system follows the other, without beginning and end, quite interminably.
Edward Conze, Buddhism, Its Essence and Development (1951, p. 49)
As man slowly became conscious of himself and his environment, his intellectual powers developed, and
in the dawn of human awakening the hopes for security and fulfillment arose. As he emerged from a
barbaric stage to a progressively civilized stage, this yearning for security and fulfillment became
intensified. Furthermore, with the passages of time what was once a mere personal desire was expanded
into a universal quest for peace and happiness on earth.
Gyodo Haguri, The Awareness of Self (1967, p.16)
We claim to be civilized and cultured, yet we seem unable to establish a peaceful world, free of hatred
and prejudices, inequalities and strifes. The basic reason for this situation is that we have praised the
outward progress of humanity but have failed to fully understand the inner nature of man which is
essentially self-centered and has not changed. When we are ignorant of this basic fact and act accordingly, we carry the seeds of our own destruction in ourselves.
Haguri (1967. p. 17)
Hence, those who endeavor in the gate of the Path of Sages in the present age become weary and withdraw in their attempt to attain the enlightenment of becoming Buddha with this present body. In remote
anticipation of the birth in this world of Maitreya, the Compassionate One, they look to the dawning sky
5,670,000,000 years in the future, or awaiting the appearance of even later Buddhas, they become lost
in clouds of the night of countless transmigrations through innumerable kalpas.
Seikaku, “Essentials of Faith Alone,” The Collected Works of Shinran, Vol I (1997, p. 685)
Silence of the Buddha
When the questioner himself was not in a position to understand the real significance of the answer to
his question and when the questions posed to Him were wrong, the Buddha remained silent.
The scriptures mention a few occasions when the Buddha remained silent to questions posed to Him.
Some scholars, owing to their misunderstanding of the Buddha's silence, came to the hasty conclusion
that the Buddha was unable to answer to these questions. While it is true that on several occasions the
Buddha did not respond to these metaphysical and speculative questions, there are reasons why the
Buddha kept noble silence.
When the Buddha knew that the questioner was not in a position to understand the answer to the question because of its profundity, as if the questions themselves were wrongly put in the first place, the
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
Blessed One remained silent. Some of the questions to which the Buddha remained silent are as
follows:
Is
Is
Is
Is
the universe eternal?
it not eternal?
the universe finite?
it infinite?
Is soul the same as the body?
Is the soul one thing and the body another?
Does
Does
Does
Does
the Tathagata exist after death?
He not exist after death?
He both (at the same time) exist and not exist after death?
He both (at the same time) neither exist nor not exist?
The Buddha who had truly realized the nature of these issues observed noble silence. An ordinary
person who is still unenlightened might have a lot to say, but all of it would be sheer conjecture based
on his imagination.
The Buddha’s silence regarding these questions is more meaningful than attempting to deliver thousands of discourses on them. The paucity of our human vocabulary which is built upon relative experiences cannot hope to convey the depth and dimensions of Reality which a person has not himself
experienced through Insight. On several occasions, the Buddha had very patiently explained that
human language was too limited and could not describe the Ultimate Truth. If the Ultimate Truth is
absolute, then it does not have any point of reference for worldlings with only mundane experiences and
relative understanding to fully comprehend it. When they try to do so with their limited mental conception, they misunderstand the Truth like the seven blind men and the elephant. The listener who had not
realized the Truth could not fathom the explanation given, just like a man who was blind since birth will
have no way of truly understanding the color of the sky.
The Buddha did not attempt to give answers to all the questions put to Him. He was under no obligation
to respond to meaningless questions which reflected gross misunderstanding on the part of spiritual
development. He was a practical Teacher, full of compassion and wisdom. He always spoke to people
fully understanding their temperament, capability and capacity to comprehend. When a person asked
questions not with the intention to learn how to lead a religious life but simply to create an opportunity
for splitting hairs, the Blessed One did not answer these questions. Questions were answered to help a
person towards self-realization, not as a way of showing His towering wisdom.
According to the Buddha, there are several ways of answering various types of questions. The first type
of question is one that requires a definite answer, such as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. For example, the question, ‘Are
all conditioned things impermanent?’ is answered with a ‘Yes’. The second type of question is one requiring an analytical answer. Suppose someone says that Angulimala was a murderer before he became
an “Arahant.” So is it possible for all murderers to become Arahants? This question should be analyzed
before you can say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Otherwise, it will not be answered correctly and comprehensively. You
need to analyze what conditions make it possible for a murderer to become a saint within one lifetime.
The third type of question is one where it is necessary to ask a counter question to help the questioner
to think through. If you ask, “Why is it wrong to kill other living beings?” the counter question is “How
does it feel when others try to kill you?” The fourth kind of question is one that should be dropped. It
means that you should not answer it. These are the questions which are speculative in nature, and any
answer to such questions will only create more confusion. An example of such a question is “Does the
universe have a beginning or not?” People can discuss such questions for years without coming to a
conclusion
Study and Practice Group, www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
New Year Luncheon
Sunday, January 10, 2016
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: Monday, December 28, 2015
Year of the monkey ⊮
Sign up through your organization
or the temple office
December 12 (Saturday): Mochitsuki
January 15 (Friday): Bingo
January 17 (Sunday): Ho-onko - Shinran Shonin
memorial service
January 24 (Sunday): Family service
January 25 (Monday): 80 Plus lunch
Dec. 13 (Sunday):
Temple and garden
clean-up
(no service)
January 30 (Saturday): Winter Pacific Seminar
East Meets West: Jodo Shinshu
from the Higashi and Nishi Perspectives
(see flyers on pages 11 [Eng.] and 17 [Jpn.])
December 20 (Sunday): Family service
January 31 (Sunday): Family service
Happy Holidays
February 6 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo
December 22-26 (Tuesday-Saturday)
TEMPLE CLOSED
February 7 (Sunday): Nirvana Day service
December 27 (Sunday): No service
December 28 (Monday): No 80 Plus lunch
December 31 (Thursday): Joya-e service
૎ࠚǀǏǼǕǤLjǿǥǦDŽǒǔǂǼǗ
Happy 2016
February 14 (Sunday): Family service
January 1 (Friday): New Year’s service
February 19 (Friday): Bingo
January 2-4 (Saturday-Monday)
TEMPLE CLOSED
February 20 (Saturday):
Southern District Jr. YBA seminar
January 9 (second Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo
February 21 (Sunday): Family service
January 10 (Sunday): Family service,
Temple board installation,
New Year lunch (pre-order)
February 28 (Sunday): Family service
February 29 (Monday): 80 Plus lunch
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January 2016
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
JANUARY SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016 (second Saturday)
Abe, Ichiro
Akutagawa, Kazue
Ando, Florence
Baba, Hiroshi
Barbeiro, David
Doi, Shunji
Fujimoto, Ken
Hanamoto, Michiye
Hashimoto, Gizo
Hirano, Alan
Ichiho, Kameichi
Ii, Fukuso
Ikeda, Takeo
Ishiwata, Hiroshi
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
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
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
FEBRUARY SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016
Akutagawa, Hidemi
Akutagawa, Hidetaro
Akutagawa, Karoku
Akutagawa, Kinu
Akutagawa, Misuno
Akutagawa, Shinpei
Akutagawa, Tetsuo
Akutagawa, Torako
Arita, Kayo
Arita, Kosaburo
Doi, Yaeno
Endo, Kathleen
Fukumoto, Furi
Gomez, Frances
Hatanaka, Ben
Hatanaka, Haru
Hayashida, Minoru
Higa, Risa
Ikkanda, Tsuma
Minato, Chiyo
Mochizuki, Hama
Morikawa, Mitsuru
Morimoto, Shizue
Morita, Masato
Nakamoto, Hiroshi
Nakashima, Dan
North, Joyce
Ohara, Kageo
Ohkawahira, Richard
Okitsu, Kazue
Onami, Masato
Oshinomi, Masato
Oshinomi, Ted
Ouchi, Moto
Ozamoto, Sae
Sakahara, Shigenobu
Sasaki, Chitose
Shimasaki, Masateru
Ishibashi, Tama
Ishibashi, Yoshio
Ishioka, Wakano
Iwasaki, Toshio
Kato, Yasutaro
Kawaguchi, Natsuto
Kawai, Ichisaburo
Kobuke, Yoshio
Koda, Takao
Kojima, Kenzo
Kokado, Robert
Kokuryo, Atsushi
Kudo, Goro
Marumoto, Hamaye
Marumoto, Rokuichi
Matsuno, Tosa
Matsuura, Yoshinori
Mihara, Gunzo
Mihara, Katsuji
Soga, Toshiye
Takeda, Ichizo
Takeda, Paul
Takemoto, Katsumi
Takenaka, Akiyo
Tanaka, Kenjiro
Tanaka, Tetsuji
Tanaka, Yoshiye
Terashita, Sueko
Uchida, Jue
Yagura, Katherine
Yamamura, Yaeno
Yamanaka, Sotaro
Yamane, Sadako
Yanokawa, Mary
Yoshii, Masuki
Yoshino, Kikuji
Yoshino, Kikuno
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF:
Charles Nakagawa
April 1, 1919 - October 31, 2015
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Mary Furuto
October 31, 1926 - November 20, 2015
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Connie Yahata
The onaijin, or altar area, is to
be treated with deep reverence
and respect, because it represents the Pure land to which we
aspire. Although the ornate style
of the onaijin may or may not
suit your taste, it is traditional
in the sense that it reflects Buddhist decorative design through various cultures
and ages. Generations of artists and artisans
have poured their lives into perfecting their craft
to produce what we have, from woodcarvers and
carpenters, to specialists in the art of lacquer
and gold leaf application. Thus, our onaijin is
more valuable in the spiritual sense. It would be
of little value monetarily to anyone who did not
appreciate its symbolism.
as innocent as sliding something across the incense tables will leave indelible scratches in the
lacquer.
Eventually, our onaijin furnishings and ornaments, like each of us, will be no more, but we
should take care of what we have and treat it
with reverence and respect. If it were not for the
selfless generosity of past temple members, we
would not have our wonderful temple today.
Our onaijin carries the heart of countless people
who must have had the wish for the dharma to
continue for all of us into the future.
Needless to say, the items in our onaijin are
treasured works of art and badly in need of
restoration. To mitigate further deterioration
and damage to our onaijin, our Board voted to
begin the Onaijin Restoration Campaign.
Although our Eitaikyo Fund can cover some of
the costs, donations would be appreciated to
help defray the expense of this rarely-done, but
m uch-needed w or k. Our g oal i s t o r ai se
$150,000.00 to cover the cost of restoration. It
is our hope to begin the restoration process
during the 4th quarter of 2016; however, it all
depends on the success of our campaign.
Recently, Rev. Usuki conducted a “tour” of the
onaijin for the Board members. Although our
onaijin looks flawless when viewed from the
pews, it was evident that our onaijin furnishings
showed definite signs of aging and wear. It’s not
surprising, given the fact that the altar is over
50 years old. Of course, time is the biggest culprit causing cracks and distortions in the wood,
along with well-meaning people who inadvertently polished the gold leaf and layers of lacquer away during cleaning. Due to the fragile
nature of the gold leaf and lacquer, something
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Let us show our gratitude and appreciation to
our predecessors by following their footsteps to
preserve our temple for generations to come.
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BWA NEWS by Connie Yahata
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt
gratitude to the members of
WLABT who donated gifts
towards our annual holiday gift
dr iv e. I especially w ant t o
thank Girl Scout Troop 5325
and the sangha of Venice Hongwanji Buddhist
Temple for contributing the majority of gifts collected this year. The photo at the right does not
adequately show how many gifts were donated.
Due to your generosity, the children of Vista del
Mar Family Services will have a very joyful
holiday!
Next meeting: January 17 at 11:00 a.m. See you there!
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
BUDDHIST MEN
FROM THE DESK OF:
DR. JACK FUJIMOTO
Publicity Chairman
THE LAST HURRAH!
President Milton Iwamoto announced at the
November 2015 Longevity Party, sponsored by
the Buddhist Men, that the doors are shutting
on the Buddhist Men organization and that
starting in 2016, we will be invited to join a
“new” organization within the Temple.
some, like me, who have fewer chewing teeth,
could eat them without much gnawing. Thanks,
Milton, Hidemi, Tosh, Neal, Richard, and Ichiro
for your help in making this longevity party a
‘last hurrah’! Thank you to Mas Sasaki for the
photos (below and on the next page).
At the Longevity Party, the Buddhist Men
honored Stanley Ikeda, 102 years of age, along
with Yutaka Ohigashi at 91, Isamu Hada at 90,
and Ichiro Ouchi at 88 years of age. The steaks
and salmon were of high quality inasmuch as
During its 57 year tenure, 72 members were
recognized at the Buddhist Men Memorial Service in October. Of note is the 36 year longevity
of Ichiro Ouchi, who kept the treasury with a
positive balance.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
80 PLUS LUNCH - Monday, November 16 - photos by Masao Sasaki
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WINTER PACIFIC SEMINAR - 21ST CENTURY
Presented by the Institute of Buddhist Studies,
BCA Center for Buddhist Education & Shinshu Center of America
EAST
MEETS
WEST
Jodo Shinshu from the Higashi and Nishi Perspectives
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2016
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
(Doors open at 8:30 am - LA Hompa Hongwanji)
THIS SEMINAR TAKES PLACE AT TWO HISTORIC TEMPLES IN LA’S LITTLE TOKYO.
Registration, morning sessions & lunch are at LA Hompa Hongwanji. Afternoon sessions are at Higashi Honganji.
Los Angeles
Hompa Hongwanji
Buddhist Temple
815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Higashi
Honganji
Buddhist Temple
505 East Third Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS & PANELISTS:
Dr. Mark Blum Japanese Studies, University of California, Berkeley (English/Japanese)
Rev. Henry Adams Resident Minister, San Mateo Buddhist Temple (Japanese/English)
“THE HISTORY OF THE SPLIT” PRESENTED BY:
Rev. David Matsumoto Director, Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies, IBS
(English)
Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara Co-Director, BCA Center for Buddhist Education
(Japanese)
PANEL IN ENGLISH:
PANEL IN JAPANESE:
Dr. Mark Blum - Keynote Speaker
Rev. Noriaki Ito - Bishop, Higashi Honganji North American District
Rev. Marvin Harada - Orange County Buddhist Church
Rev. Henry Adams - Keynote Speaker
Rev. Kodo Umezu - Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America
Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi - West Covina Buddhist Temple
Moderated by Rev. Matsumoto
Moderated by Rev. Kuwahara
REGISTRATION: $40 (Includes lunch) DEADLINE: JANUARY 21, 2016
Southern District Temple members: Please register through your temple.
Checks are payable to “SD BEC” Memo: “Winter Pacific Seminar 2016” Mail to LA Hompa Hongwanji at the address above.
Contact: Rev. William Briones Email: [email protected] Ph: (213) 680-9130
General Registration:
Visit www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org for online registration, forms and schedule.
Hosted by the BCA Southern District Ministers Association & Buddhist Education Committee
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
Nikkei Senior Gardens
Monthly service conducted by
Rev. Patricia Usuki
Thursday, November 19
Rob Kafka and Rev. Fumiaki Usuki standing behind
Rev. Akira Hata, who served WLABT,
Rev. Hata’s daughter Tissa Uchiyama,
and Atsie Murayama
Installation of 2016 BWA Cabinet - Sunday, December 6
Connie Yahata: Treasurer, Publicity Chairperson, Ex-Officio;
Beverly Yahata: Co-President, Vice President - Religious; Jacqueline Pierce: Historian;
Haru Matsumune: Co-President, Secretary; Rev. Fumiaki Usuki: Advisor
missing: Mary Hahn and Silvia Diaz-Perez: Co-Vice Presidents - Temple Activities;
Diane Ohkawahira: Membership Chairperson; Shirley Ito: Obon Chairperson
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2016 CALENDAR - WEST LOS ANGELES BUDDHIST TEMPLE
>> Schedule subject to change. Please confirm date and time prior to event. <<
REGULAR WLABT SCHEDULE (exceptions listed in calendar below)
Rev. Usuki’s days off: Mon and Tue
rd
nd
last Mon Bingo:
3 Fri
SDMA Meeting (LA Betsuin): 2 Tue 80 Plus Lunch:
No Lunch: July, December
No Bingo: July, Aug., Dec.
Family Service, Dharma School
every Sun ABA:
(TBD) Shigin:
every Tue
st
nd
Shotsuki Hoyo:
1 Sat BWA:
monthly
(Sun)
WLA
Youth
Club:
2 Wed
nd
Jan., Mar., Jun., Sep., Dec.
2 Sat Sangha Teens:
(TBD)
Study Class (Eng):
every Thu Jr. YBA Class: monthly (Sun) Professional Temple
st
st
rd
Temple Board Meeting:
1 Wed Taiko:
Cleaning:
1 and 3 Wed
every Thu
rd
Omimai:
3 Thu
rd
2016 WLABT Obon planning meetings (7:30 pm, 3 Wed, tentative): April 20, May 18, June 15
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
TEMPLE CLEAN-UP ASSIGNMENTS
Temple: Onaijin, Minister’s room, pews
ABA: Mop floors, clean patio area, dumpster area, parking lot, garage
BWA: Kitchen, office
Dharma School/PTC: Classrooms and upstairs hallways
Jr. YBA, Sangha Teens: All windows: main building and sangha hall
Taiko: Basement and stairways
Garden Maintenance Group: Temple and minister’s residence gardens
JANUARY
Temple members not in any organizations are encouraged to help at these
general Clean-ups. There are many
other areas that need attention.
Clean-up dates are
March 27, June 26,
and December 18
BULLETIN FOLDING
Dharma School Parents
1 Fri
8:00 am doors open
10:00 am New Year’s Day Service (toban: Temple)
2-4 Sat-Mon
Temple closed
9 Sat
10:00 am Shotsuki hoyo (2nd Saturday)
10 Sun
11:00 am Service, Installation of Temple Cabinet, and Temple New Year Party
13 Wed
7:00 pm Temple Annual General Meeting
17 Sun
9:30 am Ho-onko Service (toban: BWA)
24,31 Sun
9:30 am Family service
30 Sat
IBS/CBE Winter Pacific Seminar (Nishi and Higashi)
FEBRUARY
7
12
14,21,28
20
Sun
Fri
Sun
Sat
BULLETIN FOLDING
9:30 am Nirvana Day Service (toban: Dharma School)
7:00 pm Service and SD Council meeting (Gardena)
9:30 am Family service
SD Jr. YBA seminar (host: WLA)
MARCH
GENERAL CLEAN-UP
1-6 Tue-Sun
6 Sun
12 Sat
13
19
20
27
2015.12.09
Sun
Sat
Sun
Sun
BWA
10:00 am
10:00 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
8:00 am
BULLETIN FOLDING
ABA
BCA Ministers’ Assn. and National Council Meetings (Rev. Usuki - Visalia)
NO service
Shotsuki hoyo (2nd Saturday)
- 5:00 pm: Bay Cities Gardeners’ Assn. Cymbidium Show
Family service
-1:30 pm Ohigan Seminar: (E) Rev. Masao Kodani, (J) Rev. Mutsumi Wondra
Ohigan Service (toban: BWA): (E) Rev. M. Kodani, (J) Rev. M. Wondra
General temple and garden clean-up (NO service)
APRIL
BULLETIN FOLDING
2
3
10
17,24
4/29-5/1
Dharma School Parents
Sat
Hanamido preparation (after Shotsuki Hoyo)
Sun
10:00 am Hanamatsuri/Hatsumairi Service (toban: ABA)
Sun
10:00 am Eshinni/Kakushinni/Takeko Kujo Memorial Service (toban: BWA)
Sun
9:30 am Family service
Fri-Sun
FDSTL Conference (Sacramento)
MAY
BULLETIN FOLDING
1,15,29
13
8
13
21
22
23
30
Sun
Fri
Sun
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Mon
9:30 am
7:00 pm
9:30 am
7:00 pm
5:00 pm
Family service
Service and SD Council meeting (Gardena)
Mother's Day and Gotan-e Service (toban: Sangha Teens and Temple)
Service and SD Council meeting (Gardena)
Wine-A-Palooza II
No service (Rev. Usuki - Palo Alto Gotan-e)
12 noon 80 Plus lunch (next-to-last Monday)
Memorial Day Cemetery Services: 10:00 am Woodlawn; 11:30 am Inglewood
Temple closed
JUNE
GENERAL CLEAN-UP
1,8,15,
22,29
4
5,12
6-7
11
Wed
TAIKO
BULLETIN FOLDING
TEMPLE
7:30 pm Taiko practice
Sat
Sun
9:30 am
Mon-Tue
Sat
10:00 am
BCA Ministers’ Assn. meeting (Rev. Usuki - JSC, Berkeley)
Family service
SDMA Fuken (Rev. Usuki - Long Beach)
Shotsuki hoyo (2nd Saturday)
Obon: Arizona
17 Fri
80 Plus Yard Sale set-up
18 Sat
9:00 am - 3:00 pm 80 Plus Yard Sale
Southern District Buddhist Conference (San Diego)
18-19
Obon: Sun Valley
19 Sun
10:00 am Father's Day/Graduation Service and Scholarship Presentation (toban: Jr. YBA)
lunch (toban: Jr. YBA)
25
Obon: West Covina (1 day only)
25-26 Sat-Sun
Obon: San Fernando Valley - WLA Taiko
26 Sun
8:00 am General temple and garden clean-up (NO service)
28 Tue
7:30 pm Start of Bon dance practice every Tuesday and Thursday (4 weeks)
30 Thu
7:30 pm Bon dance practice
JULY
GARDEN CLEAN-UP
2 Sat
3-4 Sun-Mon
5,12,19 Tue
7,14,21 Thu
6,13,20 Wed
9 Sat
9-10 Sat-Sun
10 Sun
16
16-17
22
23
23-24
24
30-31
7/30-8/6
Sat
Sat-Sun
Fri
Sat
Sat-Sun
Sun
Sat-Sun
Sat-Sat
2015.12.09
No PUBLICATION
Obon: Senshin (1 day only)
Temple closed (4th of July)
7:30 pm Bon dance practice
7:30 pm Taiko practice
Obon: Oxnard (1 day only)
Obon: LA Betsuin
9:30 am Obon/Hatsubon Service (toban: BWA)
(J), (E)
Obon: Santa Barbara (1 day only)
Obon: OCBC, Venice
7:00 pm Tent set-up
Obon Cemetery Services: 9:30 am Woodlawn; 11:00 am Inglewood
Obon: Pasadena, Vista
8:00 am Garden clean-up, booth construction, and lunch (NO service)
WLABT Obon Festival and Bon dance (also Higashi)
LABCC camp
AUGUST
BULLETIN FOLDING
BWA
No Family Services, No Dharma School, No Study Classes, No Taiko, No Bingo
1 Mon
6
13-14 Sat-Sun
16-18 Tue-Thu
TBD
7:00 pm Obon take-down, clean-up
Obon (1 day only): Las Vegas, San Diego
Obon: Gardena
BCA Ministers’ Assn. Fuken (Rev. Usuki - JSC, Berkeley)
Rev. Usuki vacation
SEPTEMBER
BULLETIN FOLDING
3-4 Sat-Sun
3-5 Sat-Mon
9 Fri
7:00 pm
10 Sat
10:00 am
11,25 Sun
17 Sat
9:30 am
- 1:30 pm
18 Sun
10:00 am
SD Jr. YBA Conference (LA Betsuin)
Temple closed (Labor Day weekend)
Service and SD Council meeting (Gardena)
Shotsuki hoyo (2nd Saturday)
Family service
Ohigan Seminar: (J)
(E) Rev. Gregory Gibbs
Ohigan Service (toban: ABA), lunch (toban: ABA)
(J) , (E)
OCTOBER
2,9,
16,23
7-9
22
23
29
30
Sun
BULLETIN FOLDING
Fri-Sun
FBWA Conference (Seattle)
Sat
11:00 am TBD: Buddhist Men - BWA Memorial Service (toban: ABA)
Sun
Sawtelle Reunion
Sat
5:00 pm Family Fun Night (toban: Jr. YBA and Dharma School)
Sun
TBA Family service, no Dharma School (Gardena 90th)
6 Sun
11 Fri
13 Sun
14 Mon
20 Sun
23-27 Wed-Sun
BULLETIN FOLDING
Sun
Sat
Sun
Thu
Sat
Sun
Fri-Tue
Thu
Sat
ABA
9:30 am Family service
7:00 pm Service and SD Council meeting (Gardena)
10:00 am Eitaikyo Perpetual Memorial Service (toban: Eitaikyo Committee)
(J) , (E)
(NO family service or Dharma School)
12 noon 80 Plus lunch (2nd Monday)
9:30 am Thanksgiving Service (toban: Temple)
Temple closed (Thanksgiving)
DECEMBER
2015.12.09
TEMPLE
9:30 am Family service
NOVEMBER
4
10
11
15
17
18
23-27
29
31
JR. YBA
GENERAL CLEAN-UP
10:00 am
10:00 am
9:30 am
6:30 pm
8:00 am
8:00 am
BULLETIN FOLDING
Bodhi Day Service, Oseibo lunch (toban: Dharma School)
Shotsuki hoyo (2nd Saturday)
Family service
Taiko Party
Mochitsuki (Jr. YBA and Temple)
General temple and garden clean-up (NO service)
Temple closed
5:30 pm Kubota Nikkei Mortuary memorial service and dinner
6:00 pm Joya-e Year-End Service (toban: Temple)
TEMPLE
෤Ꮨࣃࢩࣇ࢕ࢵࢡࢭ࣑ࢼ࣮
⡿ᅜ௖ᩍ኱Ꮫ㝔࣭⡿ᅜ௖ᩍᅋ௖ᩍᩍ⫱㒊࣭࢔࣓ࣜ࢝┿᐀ࢭࣥࢱ࣮(┿᐀኱㇂ὴ) ඹദ
EAST
MEETS
WEST
ίᅵ┿᐀ᮏ㢪ᑎὴࠊ┿᐀኱㇂ὴࡑࢀࡒࢀࡢどⅬ࠿ࡽ
᪥᫬䠖㻞㻜㻝㻢ᖺ㻝᭶㻟㻜᪥䠄ᅵ䠅㻌㻌㻌
㻥㻦㻜㻜㻌㼍㼙㻌㻙㻌㻠㻦㻟㻜㻌㼜㼙㻌 㻔㛤ሙ㻌㻤㻦㻟㻜㻌㼍㼙㻌㻌 ᪊䠖䝻䝃䞁䝊䝹䝇ู㝔㻕㻌
ࡇࡢࢭ࣑ࢼ࣮ࡣ2ࡘࡢ఍ሙࢆ౑࠸⾜ࢃࢀࡲࡍࠋཷ௜ࠊ༗๓ࡢࢭࢵࢩࣙࣥࠊ᫨㣗ࡣ
ᮏὴᮏ㢪ᑎ⨶ᗓู㝔࡟࡚ࠊ༗ᚋࡢࢭࢵࢩࣙࣥࡣ㺹㺙㺻㺜㺼㺷㺛ᮾᮏ㢪ᑎู㝔࡟࡚⾜ࢃࢀࡲࡍࠋ
ᮏὴᮏ㢪ᑎ⨶ᗓู㝔
815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
ᮾᮏ㢪ᑎࣟࢧࣥࢮࣝࢫู㝔
505 East Third Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
ᇶㄪㅮ₇ㅮᖌ
࣐࣮ࢡ࣭ࣈ࣒ࣛᩍᤵ㸦ຍᕞ኱Ꮫࣂ࣮ࢡ࣮ࣞᰯ㸧
࣮࣭࣊ࣥࣜ࢔ࢲ࣒ࢫ㛤ᩍ౑㸦ࢧ࣐ࣥࢸ࢜௖ᩍ఍㸧
ࠕᮾすᮏ㢪ᑎศ⿣ࡢṔྐࠖㅮᖌ
ⱥㄒ㸸ࢹ࣮ࣅࢵࢻ࣭ᯇᮏᩍᤵ㸦⡿ᅜ௖ᩍ኱Ꮫ㝔㸧
᪥ᮏㄒ㸸᱓ཎίಙ㛤ᩍ౑㸦⡿ᅜ௖ᩍᅋ௖ᩍᩍ⫱㒊㸧
ⱥㄒࣃࢿࣝࢹ࢕ࢫ࢝ࢵࢩࣙࣥ
᪥ᮏㄒࣃࢿࣝࢹ࢕ࢫ࢝ࢵࢩࣙࣥ
࣐࣮ࢡ࣭ࣈ࣒ࣛᩍᤵ - ຍᕞ኱Ꮫࣂ࣮ࢡ࣮ࣞᰯ
ఀᮾ᠇᫛┘╩ - ┿᐀኱㇂ὴ໭⡿㛤ᩍ༊
࣐࣮ࣅ࣭ࣥཎ⏣㛤ᩍ౑ - ࢜ࣞࣥࢪ㒆௖ᩍ఍
ࢹ࣮ࣅࢵࢻ࣭ᯇᮏᩍᤵ - ⡿ᅜ௖ᩍ኱Ꮫ㝔
࣮࣭࣊ࣥࣜ࢔ࢲ࣒ࢫ㛤ᩍ౑ - 㺙㺻㺭㺡㺓௖ᩍ఍
ᱵὠᗈ㐨⥲㛗 - ⡿ᅜ௖ᩍᅋ
ぢ⩏ಙ㤶㛤ᩍ౑ - ࢚࢘ࢫࢺࢥࣅࢼᮾᮏ㢪ᑎ
᱓ཎίಙ㛤ᩍ౑ - ⡿ᅜ௖ᩍᅋ௖ᩍᩍ⫱㒊
ཧຍ㈝㻌䠖㻌㻐㻠㻜㻌䠄᫨㣗௦㎸䜏䠅㻌㻌㻌㻌⏦㎸⥾ษ㻌䠖㻌㻞㻜㻝㻢ᖺ㻝᭶㻞㻝᪥㻌
༡㒊ᩍ༊䛾䝯䞁䝞䞊䛾᪉䛿ᡤᒓᑎ䜢㏻䛧䛶䛚⏦䛧㎸䜏ୗ䛥䛔䚹㻌
䛭䛾௚䛾᪉䛿㻌㼣㼣㼣㻚㻮㼡㼐㼐㼔㼕㼟㼠㻯㼔㼡㼞㼏㼔㼑㼟㼛㼒㻭㼙㼑㼞㼕㼏㼍㻚㼛㼞㼓㻌䜘䜚䛚⏦䛧㎸䜏ୗ䛥䛔䚹㻌
ཧຍ㈝䛾䝏䜵䝑䜽䛿䛂㻿㻰㻌㻮㻱㻯䛃ᐄ䛶䛸䛧䚸䝯䝰ḍ䛻䛂㼃㼕㼚㼠㼑㼞㻌㻼㼍㼏㼕㼒㼕㼏㻌㻌㻿㼑㼙㼕㼚㼍㼞㻌㻞㻜㻝㻢䛃䛸䛤グධୗ䛥䛔䚹㻌
㏦௜ඛ䛿ᮏὴᮏ㢪ᑎ⨶ᗓู㝔䠄ఫᡤୖグཧ↷䠅䜎䛷䛚㢪䛔䛔䛯䛧䜎䛩䚹㻌㻌㻌
㐃⤡ඛ䠖䜴䜱䝸䜰䝮䞉䝤䝸䜸䝛䝇㍯␒㻌㻌㻌㻱䝯䞊䝹㻦㻌㼙㼍㼘㼕㼗㻢㻝㻡㻬㼙㼟㼚㻚㼏㼛㼙㻌㻌㻌㟁ヰ㻦㻌㻔㻞㻝㻟㻕㻌㻢㻤㻜㻙㻥㻝㻟㻜㻌
༠㈶㸸⡿ᅜ௖ᩍᅋ༡㒊ᩍ༊㛤ᩍ౑఍࣭௖ᩍᩍ⫱ጤဨ఍
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
18
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
19
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple
January 2016
20
January 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
Bulletin folding
toban:
Dharma School
parents
3
Temple closed
5
6
17
11
12
10:30 am SDMA
mtg., LA Betsuin
Rev. Usuki off
18
9:30 am Ho-onko
service
[1-3 pm Shigin]
19
7
8
2
1/2-4 (Sat.-Mon.):
Temple closed
9
10 am Shotsuki hoyo
1 pm Study Class (E)
[1-3 pm Shigin]
7:30 pm Taiko
Rev. Usuki off
11 am Family
service, temple
board installation,
New Year party
Saturday
8 am door open
10 am New Year
service
4
10
Friday
13
14
15
16
1 pm Study Class (E)
[7 pm WLAYC]
7 pm service and
annual general mtg
7:30 pm Taiko
7 pm Bingo
20
21
22
23
29
30
Winter Pacific Seminar
10 am Omimai
[1-3 pm Shigin]
1 pm Study Class (E)
11 am BWA mtg
Rev. Usuki off
Rev. Usuki off
24
25
26
9:30 am Family
service
12 pm 80+ lunch
12 pm Shigin Dokokai
new year
31
9:30 am Family
service
[1-3 pm Shigin]
Rev. Usuki off
7:30 pm Taiko
27
28
1 pm Study Class (E)
7:30 pm Taiko
East Meets West: Jodo
Shinshu from the Higashi
and Nishi Perspectives
Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm
phone: 310-477-7274
e-mail: [email protected]
website:
http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org/
2016 ᖺ 1 ᭶
᪥᭙᪥
᭶᭙᪥
ⅆ᭙᪥
Ỉ᭙᪥
ᮌ᭙᪥
఍ሗసࣜ
ᙜ␒㸸
ࢲ࣮࣐͌ࢫࢡ࣮ࣝ
3
4
࠾ᑎ ఇࡳ
10
༗๓ 11 ࢧ࣮ࣅࢫ
࠾ᑎᖿ㒊ᑵ௵ᘧ
᪂ᖺᐗ఍
17
༗๓ 9:30
ሗᜠㅮࢧ࣮ࣅࢫ
༗๓ 11 BWA
࣑࣮ࢸࣥࢢ
24
31
༗๓ 9:30 ࢧ࣮ࣅࢫ
6
7
2
8
9
1 ᭶ 2-4 (ᅵ-᭶):
࠾ᑎఇࡳ
༗๓ 10 ⚈᭶ἲせ
༗ᚋ 1
ࢫࢱࢹ࣮ࢡࣛࢫⱥ
༗ᚋ 7:30 ࢱ࢖ࢥ
12
༗๓ 10:30 13
㛤ᩍᖌ఍
すู㝔
[7pm WLAYC]
༗ᚋ 7 ࢧ࣮ࣅࢫ
>༗ᚋ 1 リྫྷ@
Annual ࣑࣮ࢸࣥࢢ
14
18
Ᏹᐟඛ⏕ఇࡳ
19
>༗ᚋ 1 リྫྷ@
Ᏹᐟඛ⏕ఇࡳ
20
25
26
>༗ᚋ 1 リྫྷ@
Ᏹᐟඛ⏕ఇࡳ
27
80+୰ࣛࣥࢳఇࡳ
ᅵ᭙᪥
1
༗๓ 8:00
ࢻ࢔͌࢜ࣉࣥ
༗๓ 10:00
᪂ᖺࢧ࣮ࣅࢫ
11
Ᏹᐟඛ⏕ఇࡳ
༗๓ 9:30 ࢧ࣮ࣅࢫ
12 pm Shigin Dokokai
new year
5
>༗ᚋ 1 リྫྷ@
Ᏹᐟඛ⏕ఇࡳ
㔠᭙᪥
16
༗ᚋ 7:30 ࢱ࢖ࢥ
15
༗ᚋ 7 ࣅࣥࢦ࣮
21
22
23
29
30
Winter Pacific Seminar
༗ᚋ 1
ࢫࢱࢹ࣮ࢡࣛࢫⱥ
༗๓ 10 ࠾ࡳࡲ࠸
༗ᚋ 1
ࢫࢱࢹ࣮ࢡࣛࢫⱥ
༗ᚋ 7:30 ࢱ࢖ࢥ
28
༗ᚋ 1
East Meets West: Jodo
Shinshu from the Higashi
and Nishi Perspectives
ࢫࢱࢹ࣮ࢡࣛࢫⱥ
༗ᚋ 7:30 ࢱ࢖ࢥ
࢜ࣇ࢕ࢫ᫬㛫㸸
༗๓༑᫬̾༗ᚋᅄ᫬
㟁ヰ㸸310 - 477 - 7274