WHEEL OF DHARMA - Buddhist Churches of America

WHEEL
OF DHARMA
Official Publication of the Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
VOLUME 37 DECEMBER 2011 ISSUE 12
Letter by Tom Nishikawa
BCA Fundraising Committee, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Dear Dharma Friends:
As we approach the new
year, 2012, we have much to be
grateful for. The Jodo Shinshu
Center (JSC) in Berkeley, CA
has been all that we could have
imagined it would be. One
might think that the JSC is just
“brick and mortar” but it is
much, much more than that. It
is the facility, in the form of the
Institute of Buddhist Studies
(IBS), that nurtures and
develops ministers to propagate
our Jodo Shinshu religious
Executive
Committee
Message
By Susan Bottari,
San Mateo Buddhist Temple
BCA Vice President
I Give to The
BCA Because…..
I have the opportunity to further my understanding of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism through various
seminars, programs and conferences held at the Jodo
Shinshu Center – the hub of educational activities
I have the opportunity to meet and interact with
other Jodo Shinshu followers within and outside the
BCA
I have the opportunity to work with groups of
enthusiastic and committed youth who create their own
programs so they themselves can deepen their awareness
and appreciation of their chosen religion.
Here are testimonials from a few individuals within
the BCA who have benefited by our donations:
BCA has provided me with many opportunities to
explore Jodo Shinshu Buddhism as a young adult. I have
been able to travel to California for various retreats and
seminars and to Hawaii in the summer of 2008 to share my
experience as a participant of YAC and YMA programs. My
involvement in these programs has also motivated me to
actively participate at my temple as a member of the board.
As a participant of YAC and YMA programs I feel lucky
and grateful to have had experiences sharing the Dharma
with friends, ministers, and Socho Ogui thanks to the
efforts of BCA – Kelsey Asato, White River Buddhist
Temple
I support the Debt Relief because I truly feel the Jodo
Continued on Page 6
tradition. Just a few years back,
one of the big BCA concerns
was the lack of trained, English
speaking ministers for our many
temples. The IBS now has a
record number of seminarian on
the ministerial track! What a
great positive change from our
past. Not only are we training
new ministers but also IBS
programs have reinvigorated
some of our resident ministers
with various on-going training
to improve their skills. The JSC
also hosts the training of
prospective minister coming
from Japan to sharpen their
English skills as well as understanding our American society
and ways.
The JSC is also the home of
the Center for Buddhist
Education (CBE). The CBE
hosts many seminars, programs,
lectures and retreats to bring
our lay membership closer to
Shin Buddhism. Lay, and
especially the youth, are
invigorated, rededicated and
reaffirmed with the teachings of
Shinran Shonin. One only has
to ask anyone who has visited
the JSC to see and experience
the many activities held there to
get a true picture of what the
JSC really is. What happens
within the walls of the JSC is
truly amazing. People learn
about the dharma and specifically the teaching of Shinran.
They connect with fellow
travelers, they experience the
joy of what it means to be a
Shin Buddhist. It is a magical
experience that almost defies
explanation. The Minister’s
Assistant Program (MAP)
Continued on Page 5
Dramatic Growth of
American Buddhism:
An Overview (Part 2)
If we add up all three groups (Buddhists, nightstand Buddhists, and those strongly
influenced by Buddhism), they amount to about thirty million people in America.
By Dr. Kenneth K. Tanaka
Musashino University
Three Periods in History
Let me now paint a quick picture
of Buddhist development in the
United States, which can be divided
into three periods.
First period. The first period
began in 1844 when a chapter from
the Lotus Sutra was translated from
French into English, and in the same
year Professor Edward Salisbury of
Yale University delivered the first
comprehensive paper on Buddhism
at the annual conference of the
American Oriental Society. In the
world of American literature, such
eminent figures as Ralph Emerson,
Walt Whitman, and Henry Thoreau
were attracted to and made positive
references to Asian religions and
Buddhism.
Soon more Americans became
interested in Buddhism, such as
Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907) and
Paul Carus (1852–1919). Both of
them devoted their lives to propagating Buddhism. Carus produced
numerous publications through his
Open Court publishing house, while
Olcott, a Theosophist, traveled to Sri
Lanka and became a Buddhist in
1880. He later contributed to the
revival of Buddhism in that country.
An epoch-making event was the
World’s Parliament of Religions held
in Chicago in 1893. It was an
Continued on Page 6
Jodo Shinshu Center’s 5th Anniversary to be held
Dear BCA Temple Members
and Friends:
You are invited to attend a 5th
Year Anniversary Commemorative
event at the Jodo Shinshu Center on
Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011.
The first five years of operation
was challenging for all of the Jodo
Shinshu Center staff.
We’ve come a long ways in
establishing our respective depart-
ment programs, and we are prepared
to meet today and tomorrows fellow
travelers and fellow seekers.
We realize the distance and time
may not make your attendance
possible but we wanted to thank you
all for your past and present support.
The Jodo Shinshu Center 5th
Anniversary Commemorative
Event
Date: Sunday, Dec. 4th 2011
11:00AM – 3:00PM
BCA Debt Relief
Congratulations we have raised just over $630,000 to date. Thanks to
all of you who have made your donation to the BCA Debt Relief fund!
We made a $500,000 principle payment on our loan with California
Bank & Trust at the end of August and were able to reduce our monthly payment from $19,902 to $16,658. We are hoping to be able to make another
$500,000 payment by the end of this year.
11:00AM: Commemorative Service:
KODO
12:00PM: Reception – Lobby
1:30PM – 3:00PM:
Building Construction Commemorative Plaque
Displays, & Tour of Facility
Book Talk
Gassho,
Glenn Kameda
Facility Manager
Let’s see if we can raise another $370,000 by the end of the year so
we can reduce the principle and our monthly payments again. If you have
not made your donation yet it is not too late! Every dollar is important in
reaching our goal of paying off the Bank debt. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Donations may be sent to:
BCA HQ
1710 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-4341
Attn: BCA Debt Relief
SAVE THE DATE:
2012 BCA NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
SACRAMENTO, CA. FEB. 22, 2012
JSC Fundraiser golf tournament Feb. 23; Ministers Association General Meeting, Feb. 24-25;
National Council meeting followed by Eitaikyo Service and closing banquet on Feb. 25.
Foot steps; be mindful what people have left for us.
By Rev. Kazuaki Nakata
Ekoji Buddhist Temple
Hi everyone,
Thanks for reading my
article.
I came to the United States
from Japan in 2003 to begin
serving as a Kaikyoshi minister
with the Buddhist Churches of
America. Today the BCA’s
membership is ethnically more
diverse, but as most of you
know, our sangha was started
by Japanese immigrants in the
1890s.
I really did not know
anything about Japanese
American history until I
selected the subject of “The
history of the BCA and
Japanese Americans” as the
topic for my graduation thesis.
Even though I was an undergraduate majoring in Shin
Buddhism, I decided to do
research on the BCA and
Japanese Americans from a
historical and sociological
perspective especially in
relationship to the WWII
internment camp experience.
There is virtually no
mention of the history of
Japanese in America in the
Japanese education system.
Students in Japan do not have
much occasion to learn about
Japanese Americans, the reason
being that the experience of
persons of Japanese ancestry
born and raised in America is
not Japanese.
Since coming to America I
have continued my personal
research on the camps, and
when my scheduled allowed,
I’ve made visits to the actual
camp sites such as Manzanar,
Amache-Granada, Topaz,
Poston, Gila and Flagstaff.
Since the Gila and Flagstaff
sites are currently located on
Native American reservation
land, I was required to have
special permission to visit
those locations.
In late September of this
year I spent four days traveling
to Arkansas for fieldwork at
the Jerome and Rohwer
internment camp sites.
Currently, I am living in
Virginia near Washington,
D.C. Do you know how far it
is from Virginia to Arkansas?
Driving through Tennessee,
Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to reach Arkansas took
me two days! I would like to
share several pictures.
While in 1944, the
population of Jerome was
8,400 people, most of who
were there by government
decree, but today there are
only 46 people residing there.
During this visit I realized that
there were always railroad
tracks near the camp sites. I
am not sure why this was the
case.
At the Jerome camp site
there were several fish farms.
Some of larger ponds are still
filled with water. I stood in
front of one of the ponds, and
closed my eyes in meditation
imagining the internees’ living
Continued on Page 6
Berkeley Buddhist Temple Centennial
O
ver 300 people
gathered on Oct. 22 to
commemorate “A
Century of Gratitude and Joy”
at the Berkeley Buddhist
Temple. The event culminated a
three-year project highlighted by
many temple improvements, a
centennial lecture series, and a
temple history project that
included interviews with
members, a historical photo
display and a commemorative
booklet. In addition, a Founders
Rock and new statue of Shinran
Shōnin were dedicated at the
temple.
The Commemorative
Service began as a procession of
ministers, led by Socho Koshin
Ogui, entered the hondō to the
accompaniment of the No.
California Gagaku Group.
Three families, representing all
generations of the temple’s
members, then brought offer-
ings of candle light, flowers and
fruit to adorn the onajin.
The entire congregation,
consisting of Bay District temple
ministers and representatives,
former Berkeley ministers,
guests and temple members,
chanted “Sanbujō” as they
scattered colorful flower petals
made for the occasion by the
students of the Dharma School.
Following Socho Ogui’s offering
of the hyōbyakumon, sutra
chanting, and oshōkō by
representatives, the Berkeley
Sangha Singers led the congregation in a rousing rendition of
the gatha, “Arigato.”
Commemorative and
congratulatory messages were
then offered by Rev. David
Matsumoto, the temple’s
resident minister, and Socho
Ogui. The service ended with
the singing of “Ondokusan” and
words of acknowledgment by
By Hiroko Tsuda
Buddhist Church of Sacramento
O
Members of the Sacramento BWA with Socho Koshin and Mrs. Mayumi
Ogui. From left to right: first row, Tokie Sunahara; second row: Sachiko
Nodohara, Midori Ito, Hiroko Tsuda, Molly Kimura, Mayumi Ogui, Socho
Koshin Ogui; third row: Virginia Uchida, Alice Kataoka, Lynn Kurahara,
Fusako Takahashi, and Mary Ann Miyao.
believes helped her to receive
this award. She stated that her
Oral History book is not only at
the California State University
Sacramento (CSUS) Japanese
American Archival Collection
(JAAC), but was placed in the
Japan NHK archives, also.
Following her remarks many
well-wishers presented her with
Robert Noguchi
Campaign BCA –
The 21st Century
to End on Dec. 31
At this year’s BCA National
Council meeting, it was decided to
terminate Campaign BCA – The 21st
Century at the end of 2011. BCA
leadership has decided to take the
organization in different direction,
one that eliminates the need for a
fundraising professional on-staff. I
will be available to assist donors and
members until Dec. 31, 2011.
It’s been my honor and pleasure
to serve the temples, ministers and
members, and to meet and personally
thank so many dedicated supporters
throughout the BCA. To date, we’ve
raised over $19.4 million, established the beautiful Jodo Shinshu
Center in Berkeley, and funded
several programs and endowments
for the BCA. Much has been accomplished over the past 8 ½ years!
To all the members, ministers
and friends, I thank you for your
support! Namu Amida Butsu.
Gassho,
Robert Noguchi
BCA Fundraising manager
(510) 809-1453
[email protected]
Photo credit Suzie Sakuma
Dr. Art Nishimura, the temple’s
co-president.
A Centennial Banquet was
later held in the ballroom of the
Oakland Marriot City Center.
The luncheon featured a slide
show of the temple’s 100 year
history, a peace quilt raffle by
the Berkeley Buddhist Women’s
Association, the performance of
“The Same Tree,” a play and
songs composed by Dii Lewis,
and a sing-along led by the
Sangha Singers.
Centennial Committee
co-chairs Emiko Katsumoto and
Judy Kono brought the day to a
close by thanking all of their
committee members, temple
members and supporters, who
contributed to a wonderful and
joyful celebration.
Molly Miyako Kimura Receives Japan Foreign Minister’s Commendation
n a beautiful Nov. 8
autumn day in the city
of San Francisco at a
Conferment Ceremony, Consul
General Hiroshi Inomata
conferred upon Ms. Molly
Miyako Kimura the Japan
Foreign Minister’s Commendation. Consul for Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Takemichi
Nagaoka served as the Master of
Ceremony. Following the
Conferment Ceremony, Consul
General and Mrs. Inomata and
their staff hosted a fine reception, which was enjoyed by all
in attendance.
Molly thanked everyone for
attending this ceremony and
reception. She thanked her late
husband, Kazuo for his support.
She declared that this was the
highest recognition that she has
ever received. She expressed her
gratitude to the Florin JACL
and its initiating the Oral
History Project, which she
DECEMBER 2011
Campaign
Report
PAGE 2 WHEEL OF DHARMA
floral bouquets; overseas
congratulatory messages were
read; congratulatory speeches
were given; and the ceremony
concluded with a resounding
toast to Molly’s success. She had
spent a life-time of promoting
peaceful international relationships between Japan and U.S.,
while imparting the essence and
beauty of the Japanese culture.
Presenting floral bouquets
were: Mr. Koso Nodohara,
Hiroshima Nikkeijin-kai
treasurer; Mrs. Virginia Uchida,
Ikenobo Tachibana Club
Student; Ms. Mary Ann Miyao,
Senator Lions Club president;
Mrs. Lynn Kurahara, Sacramento Buddhist Women’s
Association president; and Mr.
Ralph Sugimoto, Sacramento
Matsuyama Sister City Corporation president.
Molly had received professional names from the following
masters who sent their congratulatory messages from Japan:
Forty-fifth Headmaster Sen’ei
Ikenobo; Second Headmaster of
Chikuzen Biwa, Kyokushu
Tachibana; and Creator of
Yoshikawa School of Sand
Painting, Kashu Yoshikawa.
The Governor Hidehiko
Yuzaki of Hiroshima Prefecture
wrote an eloquent congratulatory letter. He praised her for all
the work that she has done to
Continued on Page 6
We gratefully acknowledge
contributions to
the Wheel of Dharma
by the following donors:
Spokane Buddhist Church ................................ $60
Robert Nishimura, San Jose ............................. $25
Wheel of Dharma
(USPS 017-700)
Official Publication of the Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel.: (415) 776-5600
Fax: (415) 771-6293
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Email: [email protected]
Wheel of Dharma (USPS 017-700) is published monthly by Buddhist
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mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WHEEL OF
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Authors who submit articles for publication in the Wheel of Dharma (“WOD”)
thereby grant WOD a royalty-free non-exclusive paid up license, worldwide, in
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article(s) and to grant sublicenses to any 3rd party to do so on the same terms.
WOD grants 3rd parties an identical License to republish its articles so long as
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English Editor: Rev. Ron Kobata
Japanese Editor: Rev. Kodo Umezu
Print Production: Jeffrey Kimoto
DECEMBER 2011 WHEEL OF DHARMA
PAGE 3
December 2011・News and Highlights
Ministers’ Continuing Education
Thank You Rev. Kodo Umezu, CBE Director
We are extremely fortunate to be able to receive the profound Nembutsu teaching
from our predecessors. It is our privilege and joy to share it with all those who come
to hear it.
Okagesama de, we have established substantial core programs, even with our
limited staff. As we enter our fourth year of programs, I would like to keep two things
in mind; one is to go back to basics, and the other is to keep everything simple.
Buddha:
We need to remind ourselves that we are here to take refuge in the Three Treasures.
The first and the foremost Treasure is the Buddha. Everyone without exception, together, needs to look up to the ever abiding Light of Wisdom called Amida Buddha.
Dharma:
We need to encourage each other to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the
Nembutsu teaching by creating more opportunities for everyone. By internalizing the
true essence of the teaching, we should be able to share it using everyday language.
Sangha:
We need to create a community Sangha that can welcome all those who would like to
hear the teaching.
Ten BCA ministers took part in the October 25-27 MCE session designed especially for ministers from Japan. Front row (left to right): Rev. Kodo Umezu, Socho Koshin Ogui, and Rev.
LaVerne Sasaki (emeritus). Middle row (l. to r.): Rev. Kazuaki Nakata (Ekoji), Rev. Tatsuya
Aoki (Canada), Rev. Yuki Sugahara (Florin), Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki (Lodi), Rev. Shousei
Hanayama (Watsonville), Rev. Ryuta Furumoto (San Mateo), and Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara
(Hongwanji). Back row (l. to r.): Rev. Henry Adams (Oxnard), Rev. Kojo Kakihara (Tacoma),
Rev. Yushi Mukojima (San Diego), and Rev. Koho Takata (Arizona).
As we come to the end of 2011, I would like to thank each and every one of you
for your continued support and guidance. I look forward to working with you in the
coming year. I wish you a very happy, meaningful 2012.
In gassho.
Anyone can expect challenges when relocating to another country. It is not easy to be a
minister in a culture different from the one in which you were raised. To help address
this situation, CBE’s Ministers’ Continuing Education (MCE) program holds sessions
specifically for BCA ministers from Japan. Working together under the guidance of
Rev. Umezu, the ministers are able to learn how to take on the cultural challenges they
may encounter in America.
Socho Koshin Ogui spent time with the reverends after the opening service. The
next day, each gave a Dharma message in English and received feedback from CBE
and JSC staff. Sessions with Rev. Koji Sahara of the Sycamore Congregational United
Church of Christ in El Cerrito, and Dr. Don Drummond of Ryukoku University Berkeley Campus (RUBeC) helped educate the ministers about Christianity.
Rev. Dr. William Masuda (Palo Alto) and Ms. Edythe Vassall (CBE) discussed
other aspects of American culture with the group. Rev. Tatsuya Aoki of the Vancouver
Buddhist Temple (Canada) joined the BCA ministers for part of the seminar.
Rev. Kuwahara noted, “This is a great occasion to deepen our friendship. We can
exchange our opinions and thoughts, and we can get great insights from one another.”
MCE ministers have shared their chanting skills by uploading videos of Junirai
and Shoshinge on the Vimeo website. Go to http://vimeo.com/user6711637/videos to
view the videos. These recordings were made on March 29 and October 24, 2011.
CBE 2012 Tentative Calendar of Events (January - June)
January 15: Ho-onko Services
March 2-4: TechnoBuddha Conference: “Who Am I?”
March 22-25: Minister’s Assistant Program (MAP II & II-T)
March 29-April 10: CBE 2012 Japan Tour (see ad below)
April 10-13: International Hongwanji Overseas Propagation Exchange (IHOPE)
April 19-22: Minister’s Assistant Program (MAP I & III)
April 28-May 4: Seminar for Temple Leaders
May 4-6: Crossing Over to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism: “Jodo Shinshu 101”
May 12: Japanese Seminar
June 22-23: Women’s Seminar
CBE ONLINE: Get all the details on upcoming CBE events, download flyers and
registration forms or register online. Find Dharma school lesson plans. Get Buddhist
education and caregiver resources from the recent Baby Boomers’ seminar. For all
this and more, visit www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org and click on the CBE link.
Dates and programming subject to change
The Institute of Buddhist Studies and Center for Buddhist Education present:
Holiday Gift Idea!
Itadakimasu
Aprons
$20 Donation
Checks payable to BCA-CBE
Contact: [email protected]
Ph: (510) 809-1460
Please add $2 per apron for shipping.
Proceeds benefit
Buddhist Churches of America
CENTER FOR BUDDHIST EDUCATION
Thank you for your support!
CBE Educational
Japan Tour: March
29-April 10, 2012*
Step back into history as we
visit Kagoshima. We will visit
sites of the “Kakure Nembutsu” underground movement from the samurai era
when the Nembutsu teaching was banned, and peace
memorials and other sites at
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
We will spend four days in
Kyoto and attend “751st”
Shinran Shonin memorial
services on April 8 at the
Nishi Hongwanji.
If you are interested in this
tour, please contact Judy
Kono at 510.809.1460, by
email: [email protected],
or Mieko Ogata of JTB at
415.986.4764, or by email at
[email protected].
*This tour was originally planned
for April, 2011 but had to be rescheduled due to the East Japan
Earthquake of March 11, 2011.
Dharma School Teachers,
Temple Leaders, YAC, YBA, College YBA:
ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!
Winter Pacific Seminar 21st Century
“A Life of Shinjin”
Saturday, January 28, 2012
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
(Nishi Betsuin) 815 East First Street, Los Angeles, California 90012
Reverend Dr. David Matsumoto, keynote speaker
with panelists Rev. Yushi Mukojima, Rev. Patricia Usuki,
Rev. Henry Adams, and Rev. John Iwohara
Registration donation of $20 includes lunch
$10 student discount
Deadline: January 15, 2012
Please make checks payable to CBE and mail to
CBE, 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704.
For details and online registration, visit: www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org
Hosted by the BCA Southern District Ministers’ Association
______________________________
Additional FREE Dharma Session: Friday, January 27, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
at the Gardena Buddhist Church
1517 West 166th Street, Gardena, California 90247
Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto (English) and Rev. Kodo Umezu (Japanese)
Center for Buddhist Education 2140 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 www.BuddhistChurchesofAmerica.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 510.809.1460
PAGE 4 WHEEL OF DHARMA
DECEMBER 2011
Buddhist Temple of San Diego
Commemorates 85th Anniversary
By Ralph Honda, Chairman
Buddhist Temple of San Diego
T
he year 1926 was memorable.
In Japan, the Showa
Period began when Hirohito was
crowed emperor. The St. Louis
Cardinals won baseball’s World
Series. Silent film star Rudolph
Valentino died. And, the
Buddhist Church of San Diego
opened its doors for the first
time.
On Sunday, October 16,
2011, the temple commemorated
85 years with a celebration. It
included 41 Sangha members
who received their Buddhist
names in a Kieshiki Affirmation
ceremony conducted by Socho
Koshin Ogui.
Visitors came from as far
away as Central California to be
a part of the temple’s “low key”
celebration. For Midori Koga
(formerly Koba) of Parlier and
her family, it was important for
the native San Diegan to be in
her hometown for the occasion.
“This was a very wonderful
event. I’m glad that I was able to
attend,” Midori said.
Activities began on Saturday,
Oct. 15 with a BEC-sponsored
lecture featuring Socho Ogui
speaking to an audience of
around 40 on the topic “Shin
Buddhism as a Major Religious
Tradition in America.” Later that
evening, the temple hosted a
welcome dinner for Socho and
Mrs. Ogui at the Spaghetti
Factory in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Sunday morning began with
individuals participating in the
Kieshiki ceremony. Of the 41
recipients, the youngest was
two-year-old Abigail Okita. The
eldest was 90-year-old (soon to
be 91) Umeko Kawamoto.
“I was five years old when the
temple was established,” Umeko
reminisced. “It is nice that I am
able to be a part of the commemoration and receive my
Buddhist name.”
A contingent of 20 young
Dharma School children
marched in an O Chigo procession signaling the start of the
anniversary service. Scouts,
Trevor Muraoka, Sean Tokunaga
and Chad Sasaki led the ministers and O Chigo into the
hondo. Along with Socho Ogui,
resident minister Rev. Yushi
Mukojima, retired ministers Rev.
Akira Hata and Rev. Jim Yanagihara, former resident minister
Rev. Akio Miyaji, and temple
president Michael Kinoshita were
part of the procession.
Service chairman Peter
Masuda opened with remarks
explaining the meaning the O
Chigo parade and the colorful
costumes that the young children
were dressed in. Many attendees
who packed the hondo, witnessed for the first time, Jodo
Shinshu rituals that are conducted only at special religious
events.
Rev. Mukojima gave a
congratulatory message to the
Sangha. Socho Ogui addressed
the Dharma School and adults
with two meaningful messages.
At the end of the service, Rev.
Mukojima and Socho Ogui
personally thanked each individual for their attendance.
Following the service,
approximately 215 people
crowded into the Annex Hall for
the celebratory luncheon. The
program included entertainment
from the BTSD taiko group and
the Dharma School Pre-School
and Kindergarten classes. Rev.
and Mrs. Mukojima, dressed as
Our Practice is the Sangha
By Rev. Mas Kodani,
Senshin Buddhist Temple
W
hen Jodoshinshu
people meet other
Buddhists, we are
always asked “What is your
practice?” The pat answer is
that our everyday life is our
practice. A more precise answer
would be that our activity in
our sangha is our practice. Since
our tradition is based on the
experience that our ego-centered
self can hardly be relied upon to
break through the self, it is an
awakening to, and reliance on,
something other than our
ego-self that brings us to this
connective awakening. In other
words, what we come to
understand about Jodoshinshu
teachings must be put to the
test on a regular basis by
interacting with our fellow
members of the Sangha – our
“friends and fellow travelers on
the Dharma road.” Sense and
sensibility is here different from
logic and reason. We are not
simply a thinking machine or a
non-thinking machine – we are
far more complex than that.
We were the first Buddhists
to part from monasticism. We
do not agree that the business of
Bodhi awakening requires
full-time effort by full-time
monks or nuns who commit to
a lifetime of study and meditative practices. Such an insistence very often results in
Buddhist elitism and arrogance.
If I have understood the most
abstruse points of Buddhist
philosophy and still belittle
others or kick my pet when I
am frustrated – what’s the point
of it all? The ”I” cannot see
itself clearly, and needs a lot of
help from friends and enemies
alike. It is in a community in
which one can be nurtured and
grow, and our community is not
separated from the rest of the
world. And in a place like L.A.,
where living communities or
neighborhoods are a thing of
the past, our temple sanghas
become more important than
before. Without these sanghas,
what is the point of raising
generations of academics and
scholars to tell us what we once
were or should have been?
Our practice is to participate
in services, funerals, memorial
services, weddings, dharma
schools, seminars, retreats,
workshops, flipping chickens
and rolling sushi, Bon Odori,
arguing, laughing, eating,
cleaning up, setting up, visiting
hospitals, watching each other
grow old as we delight in the
young, and, if you are JA,
complaining, complaining,
complaining all the while. By
the way, don’t take our constant
complaining seriously, it’s just
our way of exercising to keep us
healthy. An active child who
comes regularly to a temple of
300 people grows up with that
many uncles and aunts, jiichans
and baachans, teachers and
friends and is what he or she is
because of them all. It is not
now or never, it is always now.
Now to do everything and
nothing, succeed and fail, be
good and bad, giving and taking
away, loving and hating,
agitated and calm – not either
or, but both, at the same time
sometimes. Namo is Amidabutsu and Amidabutsu is Namo
and yet never the twain shall
meet. What a trippy thing
Jodoshinshu is. No prayer, no
supreme being, no eternal soul,
no protective amulets, no lucky
or unlucky days or signs, no
miracles, no zodiacs, no
benedictions , invocations or
blessings, and no dogmatic
ethics or morals that apply to
everyone. And yet we are the
ones said to have strayed most
from original Buddhism? I
think not. And our sanghas are
proof of it. Most are astoundingly normal, with a cooperative
spirit, good humor, self-effacing, calm in the face of troubles
and death. Without a living
temple sangha there is no
Nembutsu teaching. And a
living sangha only requires
people to gather and be a
community. Big or small,
growing or not growing is not
the issue. The issue is “Is it
alive?” If it is alive to the
mysterious contradiction called
life, whether 20 people or 2,000
people , it is a bona fide sangha
– and the Nembutsu is alive for
another generation because that
generation saw that it was
valued by the generation
preceding it - valued for itself,
not for the future generations.
We tried it for the future
generations and it was a colossal
failure – parents dropping off
their kids at the temple for
Dharma School while they went
off to golf or shop. In effect
saying, “This is good for you,
but when you get to be daddy
or mommy’s age, you get over
it. “ For us, you do have to be a
living part of a living sangha to
understand Buddhism, especially Jodoshinshu.
Gassho
bottles of Ketchup and Mustard
respectively, led 10 costumed
toddlers onto the stage. The
Dharma School children performed dances from the hit
group “The Wiggles.” Socho and
Mrs. Ogui joined the group
dancing the “Hot Potato.”
Master of ceremonies Ken
Muraoka, presented sensei with a
framed front page newspaper
plate from the March 12 edition
of the San Diego Union-Tribune
that featured Rev. Mukojima
when he conducted a service on
March 11 for the Japan tsunami
and earthquake victims. Unveiling of donor wall, dedicated to
all of the donors who contributed to the temple’s New
Heights Project, was announced.
The donor wall lists over 250
names. The project, that has
raised close to $1 million,
enabled the construction of an
elevator from the ground level to
the hondo, connect the main
building and second level social
hall building with a terrace
walkway, refurbished the center
onaijin and upgraded office
space, the minister’s office and
conference room.
There were many shutterbugs
snapping photos and shooting
video during the festivities.
Photos and videos will be edited
into a commemorative DVD that
will be presented to each Sangha
member.
With another milestone
attained, one can only imagine
what the future holds for the
temple as it moves forward
towards the century mark.
In Gassho
SAVE THE DATE
2012 BCA YAC SUMMER RETREAT
(Sponsored by the Youth
Advocacy Committee)
July 9-15, 2012
Hosted by the Sacramento Betsuin
Ages 15-18 Years
Check us out at http://bcayouth.org
Other Questions? Contact us!
Rev. Patti Oshita, [email protected]
Rev. Peter Inokoji-Kim, [email protected]
Revs. Tim & Carol Castle, [email protected]
Sensei Grace Hatano, [email protected]
Sensei Koichi Mizushima, [email protected]
DECEMBER 2011 WHEEL OF DHARMA
PAGE 5
Please Buy My Book
By Rev. Jundo Gregory Gibbs
Oregon Buddhist Temple
I
would like to encourage
some of the readers of the
Wheel of Dharma to consider buying a book of mine that
has just come out. The title is
Becoming Buddhist, Becoming
Buddhas, Liberating All Beings.
The Translation Bureau of
Ryukoku University has been
kind enough to publish this
collection of essays for me. It is
available at the BCA Buddhist
Bookstore, 2140 Durant Ave.,
Berkeley, CA 94704, (510)
809-1436; www.bcabookstore.
com
If you would like to hear me
read essays from the volume,
answer questions and respond to
comments this will be possible at
the Jodo Shinshu Center in
Berkeley on Sunday, Dec. 4, at
1:30 p.m. The Jodo Shinshu
Center, of course, houses the
BCA bookstore at 2140 Durant.
There are many reasons an
author wishes to see his books
purchased by friends, acquaintances and even by those, as yet,
strangers to him. If it were
Jodo Shinshu
Correspondence Course
2012 Spring Enrollment
Applications Now Accepted
The Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course Office is now
accepting applications for their spring 2012 enrollment. The
popular two-year, computer-based program continues to offer
online instruction in the origins and development of Buddhism,
Shinran Shonin’s life and teaching, sutras and masters of the
Pure Land tradition and history of Jodo Shinshu.
An excellent opportunity for beginners or for those who
have already studied Jodo Shinshu, the program reaches out to
people all over the world. Students come from Brazil, Canada,
Germany, Malaysia, U.K., Japan, Nepal as well as Hawaii and
the BCA. With over 80 students enrolled, the course has much
to offer those interested in deepening their understanding of
Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu. The course instructors consist of
14 ministers and professors who specialize in the subjects
taught. An optional August Workshop at the Jodo Shinshu
Center is held every year.
For more information, please visit the course website at:
www.JSCC.cbe-bca.org
Applications may be submitted online through the course
website. Deadline: Wednesday, Feb.15, 2012. Course starts
March 1, 2012.
Questions may be directed to: Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course Office, 2140 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA Tel:
(510) 809-1441, email: [email protected]
Nishikawa
Continued from Front Page
training happens at the JSC as
well. Please come and experience
it yourself by enrolling in one of
the many CBE seminars, lectures
and retreats.
The JSC is also the homeaway-from-home of our mother
temple, the Hongwanji, and the
Hongwanji’s main seminary
Ryukoku University. The JSC
hosts many Ryukoku University
students during the year on
various student exchange programs. Some of these Ryukoku
students, in fact, are planning to
apply to become BCA kaikyoshi!
The JSC has been (and
continue to be) a gathering place
for Shin Buddhists as well as
Buddhists from other traditions.
It keeps us all connected with the
many Buddhist traditions that call
California home.
This wonderful facility, the
JSC, was the BCA’s Shinran
Shonin’s 750th Memorial com-
memorative project. It is going a
long way to make Jodo Shinshu a
major religious tradition in the
United States of America. This is
only possible because of the
generous support of the many
members of the BCA. We are very
thankful to those that have given
in the past. We now ask that you
redouble your efforts to completing the task of owning this facility
free and clear. We invite those
that have yet to participate in
contributing to this most important and truly incredible facility
that makes Jodo Shinshu “happen.”
During this holiday season we
ask that you open your hearts and
make a commitment to the JSC.
Earlier this year a plea was made
to help retire the bank mortgage.
Now is a great opportunity to take
advantage of the tax breaks by
making your donation before the
end of the year.
May all beings be happy
– Namu Amida Butsu
Steven King or James Patterson
we were talking about, part of
the motivation would be financial. Actually, I will make no
profit on this book. It is one of
the first books to be published in
Sendai after the tsunami and if
there were profits I would give
them to the disaster relief effort.
Since I get no money why do I
want you to buy this book? Well,
some authors get a real egocharge out of having other people
read, consider and discuss their
ideas. Could that be a factor
here? You bet!
It is really exciting for me to
realize that dozens of people are
already reading this book. It
charms me to know that they/
you are thinking about ideas I
have expressed concerning
Buddhism, the human condition,
the Buddhist imperative to social
T
action etc. It is not a dry academic text. There are articles
such as “Shakespeare from a
Buddhist Perspective,” “Nietzsche is my Co-Pilot,” which
may sound demanding, but
which are actually quite accessible. Some of the issues I address
are serious, such as – What is the
nature of human subjectivity as
presupposed in Pure Land
Buddhism. But even such topics
as this one are addressed at a level
that anyone with a high-school
education will be able to follow.
Most articles in the collection are
only three or four pages long and
are, I believe, quite readable by a
general audience.
My new, first, and so far,
only book also addresses concerns
such as the problem of suicidal
thoughts and urges, the need for
love and forgiveness, ethnic
diversity in North American
Buddhism, anger management
and such. There are also articles
addressing general religious
concerns such as avoiding
fanaticism and the basic human
need to remain mindful of what
is truly important to us. There
are, of course, articles exploring
basic Buddhist ideas such as
interdependence, reverence for
life, and the deep Oneness of all
life.
If you are free on Dec. 4 and
in the Bay Area, please consider
attending the book reading and
signing at the Jodo Shinshu
Center at 1:30 p.m. on that day.
If you can’t make it that day,
please consider ordering the book
through the BCA Buddhist
Bookstore. In any case, thank
you for taking the trouble to read
this article.
Spokane Buddhist Temple to Host
2012 NW Convention
he Spokane Buddhist Temple is hosting the 2012 Northwest Buddhist
Convention on February 17-19, 2012. We are planning workshops,
opening and closing services, a banquet, and lots of opportunities to
see your dharma friends and meet new ones. We are honored to announce
that our keynote speaker is Reverend Marvin Kenju Harada, of the Orange
County Buddhist Church. We welcome Buddhists from all over the country
and Canada to the convention.
It will be held at the historic Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane, in
Eastern Washington. The hotel has been world famous as one of the
grandest hotels in the country since it opened in September of 1914. Sadly,
it closed in 1985 and was to be demolished. In 2000, it was saved when a
local couple purchased the hotel and restored it. The Davenport Hotel
stands today as a perfect blend of old and new, respecting the best of what
was and embracing the best of what is, as is the Spokane Buddhist Temple.
In 1945, with a nucleus of six dedicated Buddhists, the first Sunday
service was performed by Reverend Eiyu Terao. A shrine, a gift from the
Toppenish Buddhist Church, and a scroll with the inscription “Namu Amida
Butsu” was installed in 1946. On October 3, 1948, the statue of Amida
Buddha was enshrined and the temple was officially dedicated. The
ceremony was officiated by Bishop Enryo Shigefuji.
As the temple membership grew, the current site on Perry Street was
purchased, and it was dedicated in 1966. That Temple was destroyed by
an arson fire in 1992. The original shrine was saved by firefighters and is
still in use in the newly rebuilt church, which was dedicated in 1994. Today,
the temple is grateful for three Ministers Assistants, who lead services on
Sunday under the supervision of Rinban Don Castro of the Seattle Betsuin.
The original six Buddhists have grown to over 60, and like the Davenport
Hotel, we embrace the best of what was and what is.
SAVE THE DATE! SEE YOU IN SPOKANE IN FEBRUARY!
Registration Packets available on our website or by mail
Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry Street, Spokane, WA
www.spokanebuddhisttemple.org, (509) 534-7954
email: [email protected]
Current & Former
White River Buddhist Temple Families & Friends
We want you!
White River Buddhist Temple is commemorating 100 years on May 19,
2012. Help us celebrate! Watch our website www.wrbt.org/ or contact
[email protected] for more information or for a registration form.
PAGE 6 WHEEL OF DHARMA
Rev. Nakata
Continued from Page 2
in this remote area far from
their homes relying on the fish
from this pond to sustain their
everyday life. Wondering about
what thoughts they had about
their lives in the camp, and
their feelings about the future,
brought tears to my eyes.
The road in this picture was
during the camp era one of the
main streets of the Jerome site.
According to the camp map of
the War Relocation Authority,
there was a Buddhist Church on
the right hand side of this
street. I am sure that the
Buddhist Church was a “light of
hope” in the camp. As a present
minister with the BCA, I asked
myself, “am I helping my
temple to be a place that
provides a light of hope?”
Again, I paused in meditation.
Fortunately, I met a nearby
resident John – who remembers
stories about the internment
camp at Jerome and shared
some with me. I also met a man
who was selling milk with his
dad at the Jerome camp site. I
made a short video of the
interview with him.
If you are interested, please
visit: http://www.facebook.com/
photo.
php?v=126820580761469
About forty minutes from
Jerome, there is a small town,
called Rowher. In the center of
the town, there is a Memorial
Cemetery of the Rohwer
Relocation Center. I was
Dr. Tanaka
Continued from Front Page
eye-opening encounter for many
Americans, who for the first
time came face-to-face with the
living representatives of Buddhist and other Asian religions,
which they had largely imagined
to be relics of the past. Instead,
Sōen Shaku from Japan,
Anāgārika Dharmapāla of Sri
Lanka, and others were not only
impressive figures but presented
Buddhism as a modern religion
more in keeping with science
than Christianity. After the
parliament Dharmapāla made
more trips to the United States
over the years to lecture on
Buddhism, and Shaku sent his
disciple D. T. Suzuki to reside
in the United States, who went
on to make enormous contributions to the understanding of
Buddhism, Zen in particular.
Second period. Though it
overlaps in time with the first
period to some extent, the
second period refers to Buddhism brought over by Chinese
and Japanese immigrants in the
second half of the nineteenth
century. They established
numerous temples, mostly on
the West Coast, serving as
important centers of their
religious and community life.
Bottari
Top photo: Rev. Nakata’s threeyear-old daughter Kanon, standing
at the Rohwer Memorial Cemetery.
Bottom photo: The reverend’s friend
named John, stands next to a stone
depicting the location of the Jerome
Relocation Center.
especially interested in visiting
this cemetery during this trip to
Arkansas. Do you know how
“Rowher” is written using
Japanese characters (kanji)? It is
“朗和” in kanji. My first name
Kazuaki is written with the
characters “和朗”. Yes, when I
was doing research on Rohwer I
was surprised to discover that
my name and Rohwer are
written with the same characters, just in reverse order.
Anyway, there were some
graves of Buddhists who died in
camp. According to the information engraved on the grave
markers they were of all ages. I
don’t know what denomination
they may have been affiliated
with, but I decided to conduct a
brief memorial service for those
who are interred at this cemetery. My three-year-old
daughter Kanon accompanied
me on this trip.
We chanted Juseige together
in front of the Rohwer memorial monument. She joined me
in gassho, reciting the Nembutsu, and sang the gatha,
OnDokuSan: “The debt of
gratitude I owe to Amida’s great
compassion, I will proclaim until
my life disintegrates into dust.
The debt of gratitude I owe to my
Dharma teachers, I will express
until my bodily form is finally
The Chinese built the first
Buddhist temple in 1853 in San
Francisco, and more were built
throughout the western United
States wherever large Chinese
communities existed.
By the closing years of the
nineteenth century, Chinese
Buddhist temples began to
dwindle in numbers. This was
due to the decline in the
Chinese population stemming
from discriminatory laws that
prevented further Chinese
immigration, particularly of
women. Also, there were very
few priests associated with these
temples to provide the professional leadership necessary to
endure and prosper in the new
environment.
The group that resuscitated
Asian Buddhism was the
Japanese, who began to establish
temples in large numbers, first
in Hawaii and the West Coast
states. The Japanese differed
from the Chinese in that the
headquarters of the various
Buddhist denominations sent
professional priests as missionaries to the new land. Further,
more Japanese women were able
to accompany the men, enabling them to start families,
which soon led to the need for
religious institutions for their
American-born children.
May Peace and Tranquility
Prevail Throughout
the World
Continued from Front Page
Shinshu Center is our spiritual
home - a place to learn about our
religion, to grow, to share experiences with others, and to establish
relationships with diverse groups –
Sumi Tanabe, San Jose
Buddhist Temple
Participating in BCA sponsored
YBA events has allowed me to meet
friends from all over the Western
seaboard, most of which I expect to
be close with all my life – David
Chin, San Mateo Buddhist
Temple
In the beginning, I had heard
about the Jodo Shinshu Center and
was curious to see the new structure.
I first visited the JSC in 2008 and
toured the facility with our ABA
group. Seeing the building had an
effect on me as I proceeded to attend
seminars, lectures, services as well as
meetings. Now I “feel” the importance of this sanctuary and the
future of Jodo Shinshu – Ken
Nakano, Mountain View Buddhist Temple
shattered.” I hope she will
someday understand the
significance of why I made this
trip.
As I was visiting these camp
sites, I felt a deep sense of
gratitude for the dedication of
those Nembutsu followers who
persevered through the camp
experience. Without their
devotion, we might not have the
current BCA temples as lights
of hope.
namo
These sets of dynamics
allowed the Japanese Buddhists
to grow in numbers through the
first half of the twentieth
century and even into the war
years. Ironically, the hostile
environment of the larger
society contributed to making
the temples even more of an
important emotional and social
center for the immigrants and
their children. In fact, the
Japanese Buddhists were the
only group that managed to
prosper and actively keep the
torch of Dharma lit throughout
the first half of the century in
the face of the decline in the
number of Chinese Buddhists
(for reasons previously mentioned) and Caucasian Buddhists, whose interest in
Buddhism waned, for it came to
be perceived as being too
pessimistic and not socially
active enough for the American
mentality.
Reprinted with permission
from the Buddhist magazine
Dharma World, a June, 2011
issue on the dramatic growth of
American Buddhism. For more
details see http://www.rk-world.
org/dharmaworld/dk_home.aspx
This is serialized and will continue in the next issue of the Wheel
of Dharma.
The Buddhist Churches of
America (BCA) is not just a body
Kimura
Continued from Page 2
promote friendly relationships
between Californians and the
citizens of Hiroshima.
From the Buddhist Churches of
America, Socho Ogui related his
personal congratulatory remarks;
Professor Alice Tom, Dean of
English as a Second Language at
CSUS thanked Molly for her
involvement with the Jinan
Sacramento Sister City Corporation. This helped CSUS recruit
students from China to the
university; Ms. Marielle Tsukamoto, president of Florin JACL and
vice chair of the CSUS Library
JAAC explained how the preservation of the oral histories such as
Molly’s is pertinent for the future
generations. The students learn
about the Japanese culture which
has enriched the American culture,
and the personal account of the
Japanese internment experience;
Mrs. Hiroko Tsuda, representing
friends, expressed how Molly has
been a loyal friend and mentor to
many, and, by example, has shown
all how to promote goodwill and
peaceful international relationships
abroad. Mrs. Susanne Kunibe
Sharpneck, niece, expressed
congratulations in behalf of the
family and extended family, and
thanked everyone for rejoicing with
Molly for her special recognition.
The official part of the ceremony
was concluded with a toast to Molly
led by Mr. Robert Nitrio, member
of Sacramento Ikenobo Tachibana
Club.
Molly was born gifted with
multiple talents and interests. She
2012 BCA Calendars are on sale
at the BCA Bookstore for $5 each
(includes shipping
and handling).
Call the BCA
Bookstore at
(510) 809-1435
or email at sales@
bcabookstore.com
DECEMBER 2011
of policy and budget making
individuals or the Bishop. The
BCA is YOU and ME, not
“they”, but WE. People often ask
“What does the BCA do for me”?
The answer is we receive as much
as we give.
Over 100 years ago, there were
people like you and me, who took
the initiative to band together,
raise money and build the temples
we have today. These people, our
founding and sustaining members,
donated their time, land, labor
and money so their families could
continue the Jodo Shinshu
Buddhist tradition in America.
We are benefiting from their
efforts to this day.
Let us continue in this
tradition. Each one of us should
take responsibility to look beyond
today and towards the future of
the BCA so that our temples can
flourish and our membership can
thrive. Let us not forsake what our
pioneer members sacrificed to
provide for us – we exist today
because of their determination
and hard work.
I give and will continue to give
to the BCA; I believe in the future
of Jodo Shinshu in America.
concentrated on learning and
teaching Jodo Shinshu Buddhism;
Ikenobo Ikebana/flower arranging;
Biwa/Japanese lute music; and
Sunae/Japanese Sand Painting. She
received a teacher’s certificate in
each of the above.
In 1994, in Kyoto, she received
her Tokudo ordination and was
ordained as a Jodo Shinshu
Hongwanji-ha minister. She has
served as a Dharma School teacher
for 30 years and has held positions
as superintendent of the Sacramento
Betsuin Dharma School, as well as
the Northern California District
DSTL. She also served as the
Sacramento BWA president. For
the Sacramento Betsuin Bazaar she
has served many years as the
Cultural Arts chairperson. For the
monthly Shotsuki Hoyo/Monthly
Memorial Service, she has served
the temple by conducting services
in Japanese and English, as requested by Rinban Bob Oshita.
Also, Molly has held Howa/Dharma
Talks privately in her home for
many years.
In addition to supporting the
church, she has been active in the
community. She has served as
President of the Sacramento
Hiroshima Nikkeijin-kai and the
Senators Lions Club. She was a
charter member of the Matsuyama
Sacramento Sister City Corp., Jinan
Sacramento Sister City Corp. and a
co-founder of the Sacramento
Chapter Ikebana International.
Molly is a remarkable and an
influential woman. Because of her
untiring efforts in passing on
Japanese cultural arts to Americans,
she has been duly awarded this
special recognition.
PAGE 2
WHEEL OF DHARMA
DECEMBER 2011 今月の法話
ぜんゆう
おこ
がお
善友の怒り顔
つね
よ
ほ
ゆうじん
い
いったい
なん
ゆうじん
かんが
じぶん
いごこち
じつ
まちが
たし
かんが
こうい
わる
かた
じぶん
ゆうじん
おこな
とも
げんどう
ゆうじん
よろこ
となり
たいへんきけん
あいて
とが
おな
まちが
こころ
たの
も
あやま
にんげん
かんが
うらぎ
も
るい
ものどうし
なに
に
とも
あつ
つごう
さ
よ
わる
と
とも
た
とも
ゆうとう
まわ
ぐたいてき
い
とも
ことば
とも
じぶん
かんげん
りえき
かた
そんとく
いた
じぶん
おも
しんけん
かんが
くわ
ちから
の
にんげん
とも
ひょうめん
とも
こと
むきりょく
ちょうし
おちい
とき
した
とも
おし
くだ
おお
ぞんじ
わたしたち
ゆうじん
じんせい
えいきょうりょく
さゆう
ちから
皆さんもご存知のように、友人の影響力というのはと
も
ゆうじん
も
ひと
て つ も な く 大 き く 、 私達 の 人生 を 左右 す る ほ ど の 力 を
じんせい
き
かごん
とも
も
持っています。どんな友人を持っているかで、その人の
とも
まな
とも
人生が決まるといっても過言ではありません。友を持つ
えいきょう
う
じんせい
みち
とも
あゆ
たが
じこ
と い う こ と は 、 友 から い ろ ん なこ と を 学 び 、 友 か ら い ろ
けいせい
とも
いっしょ
んな影響を受け、人生の道を共に歩みながら互いに自己
なに
まな
なに
よろこ
なに
かな
なに
きょうかん
を形成させてゆくということです。ですから、友と一緒
じゅうよう
よ
とも
つ
あ
に何を学んで、何に喜び、何に悲しみ、何に共感して い
たが
うやま
たが
たす
あ
たが
みと
あ
くかということが重要なのです。善き友と付き合うこと
せいしん
つちか
せいしん
つね
じんせい
おお
ちから
で 、 互 い に 敬 う 、 互 い に 助 け 合 う 、 そ して 互 い に 認 め 合
わたしたち
すす
みち
しめ
うという精神が培われ、その精神が常に人生の大きな力
あくゆう
まじ
あゆ
みち
ふ
はず
と な っ て 、 私達 の 進 む べ き 道 を 示 し て く れ ま す 。 し か
わたしたち
つちか
とうと
ざいさん
すべ
うしな
し 、 悪友 と 交 わ る こ と に よ っ て 、 歩 む べ き 道 を 踏 み 外
しゃか
ゆうじん
えら
たいせつ
し 、 私達 の 培 っ た 尊 い 財産 を 全 て 失 っ て し ま う の で
す。
くわ
と
どうじ
ねんぶつ
おし
とお
このように、お釈迦さまは、友人を選ぶことの大切さ
わたしたち じしん
もはん
ぜんゆう
つと
を詳しく説かれると同時に、お念仏のみ教えを通して、
い まし
とも
くる
とき
たの
とき
ゆうじん
私達 自身 が 模範 と な る よ う な 善友 に な れ る よ う に 努 め
たす
なさいとも戒めておられます。
とも
じぶん
おも
はなし
とも
おも
助けてくれる友、苦しい時にも楽しい時にも友人でい
とも
まわ
じぶん
ほんとう
こと
ゆうじん
しんけん
しか
ぜんゆう
てくれる友、自分のためを思って話をしてくれる友、思
みな
更に詳しく述べますと、（１）友が無気力に陥 ってい いやりのある友、これが本当の友人です。
さら
みな
に間違った心を持った人間であって、「類は友を呼ぶ」 も取ってゆく友、（２）言葉だけの友、（３）甘言を語 あると教えて下さっています。
くうかん
ゆうじん
もっと具体的に言いますと、（１）自分の利益や損得
というように、誤 った考えを持った者同士が集まって、 る友、（４）遊蕩の友。
お
その空間を楽しんでいるだけにすぎず、何か都合の悪い
みみ
だいじ
いか
よっ
れい
あ
こうさい
なん
ま ず 、 交際 し て は い け な
い 人 と し て 以下 の 四 つ を 例 に 挙 げ て い ま す 。 （ １ ） 何 で
ひと
なに
たいせつ
しんゆう
謗る人を阻んで、友を褒める人を広めてくれる人間。こ
よんしゃ
れらの四者は何よりも大切にしなくてはならない親友で
難波別院『群生海』より
私を見ていてくださる
人があり
私を照らしてくださる
人があるので
私はくじけずに
こんにちをあるく
る友人は大事にすべきだと思います。
る と き に 力と な っ て 、 友に な す べ き 事 が き た 時 に は 、 友
皆さんの周りに自分の事を真剣に叱ってくれる善友は
ひつよう
にばい
ざい
あた
にんげん
とも
い
ま
す
か
？
の必要とする二倍の財を与えてくれる人間、（２）共に
ろっぽうらいきょう
がっしょう
う
あ
とも
ひみつ
かく
『 六方礼経 』 と い う ひみつ
合掌
秘 密 を 打 ち 明 け 、 友 の 秘 密 を 隠 し 、 ど ん な こ と が あ って
ぶっきょうきょうてん なか
しゃか
一口法話
とも
みす
とも
ため
いのち
ぎせい
仏教経典 の 中 で 、 お 釈 迦 さ
も 友 を 見捨 て ず 、 友 の 為 で あ れ ば 生命 を 犠牲 に す る
しさんか
むすこ
あるく
あく
ふせ
ぜん
い
き
ま は 資産家 の 息子 で あ る シ にんげん
大阪 榎本栄一翁
人間、（３）悪を防いで、善に入らしめ、いまだ聞いて
ゆうじん
えら
かた
とうと はなし
き
しんじつ
いた
みち
おし
ン ガ ー ラ に 友人 の 選 び 方 に
い な い 尊 い 話 を 聞 か せ 、 真実 に 至 る 道 を 教 え て く れ る
ていねい
おし
さと
とも
ふこう
よろこ
とも
せいこう
よろこ
とも
つ い て 丁寧 に 教 え を 諭 し て にんげん
人間、（４）友の不幸を喜ばず、友の成功を喜び、友を
います。
そし
ひと
はば
とも
ほ
ひと
ひろ
にんげん
ゆうじん
も、耳が痛かろうとも、自分のことを真剣に考えてくれ
ことでも起きたら友人を裏切ってでもすぐ逃げ去ってし だけで立ち回るような人間、（２）表面では調子よく親
ゆうじょう よそお
とき
つごう
わる
サンディエゴ仏教会住職
向嶋裕史 まいます。
しげに友情を装 っているが、いざという時や都合の悪い
あくゆう
ひごろ
なか
とき
お
とも
うらぎ
に
にんげん
ま た 、 悪友 と い う の は 、 日 頃 は 仲 が い い で す が 、 時 に
にほん
こ と が 起 き る と 友 を 裏切 っ て で も 逃 げ て し ま う 人間 、
あいて
おとしい
なに
ちゅうこく
日本のことわざに「 相手を陥れるために何も忠告しないことがあります。で
あくじ
さんせい
ぜんじ
どうい
あいて
あくゆう
えがお
ぜんゆう
（３）悪事には賛成するが、善事には同意しない、相手
ゆうじん
なに
い
こと
ちょうし
悪友の 笑顔 より 善友 の すから、友人が何も言わないことをいい事にあまり調子
めんぜん
ひと
おこ
がお
の面前ではへつらっておだてあげるが、その人のいない
の
あし
じたい
怒り顔」というものが に 乗 っ て い る と 、 足 を す く わ れ て と ん で も な い 事態 に
わるぐち
い
にまいじた
にんげん
つね
さけびた
ところでは悪口を言う二枚舌の人間、（４）常に酒浸り
あります。これは
みま
ほんとう
き
けいばなど
か
ごと
だいす
あそ
ぶっきょう
しそう
き
見 舞 わ れ る こ と が あ り ま す 。 本当 に 気 を つ け な く て は な
で 、 カ ジ ノ や 競馬等 と い っ た 賭 け 事 の 大好 き な 遊 び
仏教 の 思想 か ら 来 て りません。
にんげん
たいへん
いっぽう
ほんき
しか
ゆうじん
わたしたち
しんけん
人間。
いるもので すが、大変
一
方
、
本
気
で
叱
っ
て
く
れ
る
友
人
ほ
ど
私
達
の
こ
と
を
真
剣
よんしゃ
み
め
なか
ゆうじん
に
きょうみぶか
いみ
も
かんが
わたし ようしょう
こ
れ
ら
の
四
者
は
、
見
た
目
こ
そ
仲
の
い
い
友
人
に
似
て
いま
興味深 い 意味を 持 って に考えてくれているのではないでしょうか。私は幼 少の
ほんとう
わたしたち
じんせい
あくえいきょう
およ
きけん
そんざい
みな
みみ
ころ
ちちおや
しか
とき
ちち
くちぐせ
すが、本当は私達の人生に悪影響を及ぼす危険な存在で
います。皆さんは耳にしたことがあるでしょうか。
頃 、 よ く 父親 か ら 叱 ら れ ま し た が 、 そ の 時 の 父 の 口癖
まさ
じんせい
てき
もの
なに
い
まえ
あり、正しく人生の敵であるというのです。ですから、
しんい
せつめい
わる
ゆうじん
わたしたち
は
、
「
ど
う
で
も
い
い
者
に
は
何
も
言
わ
な
い
。
だ
け
ど
、
お
前
きけん
みち
さ
かれ
とお
その真意を説明しますと、悪い友人というのは、私達
たいせつ
そんざい
しんけん
しか
危
険
な
道
を
避
け
る
よ
う
に
、
彼
ら
を
遠
ざ
け
な
く
て はなら な
きげんと
えがお
う
あま
ことば
が大切な存在だから真剣に叱っているんだ」というもの
けっ
あいて
おし
くだ
のご機嫌取りに笑顔を浮かべ、甘い言葉をささやいてい
なん
ほ
ゆうじん
ちが
じぶん
けってん
い。決して相手にしてはならないと教えて下さっていま
した
ふるま
かんじん
わたしたち
でした。何でも褒めてくれる友人と違って、自分の欠点
す。
つ も 親 し げ に 振舞 う の で す が 、 肝心 な と こ ろ で 私達 を
せいかく
わる
ぶぶん
してき
きび
ゆうじん
いっしょ
うらぎ
みす
いっぽう
よ
ゆうじん や 性格の 悪 い部分 を 指摘 して く る厳 し い 友人 は 一緒 にい
裏切ったり、見捨てたりします。その一方で、善い友人
おもしろ
いごこち
わる
つぎ
しゃか
しん
とも
ひと
わたしたち
わる
い まし
おこ
てもあまり面白くはありませんし、居心地が悪いもので
次 に お 釈迦 さ ま は 、 真 の 友 と は ど う い う 人 を い う の か
と い う の は 、 私達 の 悪 い と こ ろ を 戒 め 怒 る こ と が あ る の
くち
ゆうじん
き ょり
いか
よっ
あ
おし
たよ
ふゆかい
おも
けっきょく
ちゅうこく
す。ですから口うるさい友人とはついつい距離をおきが を以下の四つを挙げて教えておられます。（１）頼りに
で、不愉快に思うことがありますが、結局はその忠告が
まわ
じぶん
わる
とも
くらく
とも
りえき
わたしたち
たいへんありがた きょうくん
ちになってしまうのですが、周りに自分の悪いところを なる友、（２）苦楽をともにする友、（３）利益になる
私達にとって大変有難い教訓になるということです。で してき
ひと
いったいだれ
わたしたち
ただ
おし
とも
よ
こころ
も
ぬし
おも
じんせい
お
ゆうじん
えら
たいへんじゅうよう
指摘してくれる人がいなければ、一体誰が私達を正しい ことを教えてくれる友、（４）良い心の持ち主で思いや
すから、人生に於いて友人を選ぶことは大変 重要なので みち
みちび
しょうしょうしか
とも
道 へ と 導 い て く れ る の で し ょ う か 。 少々叱 ら れ よ う と りのある友。
す。
みな
じぶん
皆さんにとって良い友人というのは一体どんな友人で
き
し ょ う か 。 自分 を 常 に 褒 め て く れ て 、 言 う こ と も 何 で も
とが
聞 い て く れ る 、 た と え 自分 が 間違 っ た 考 え 方 や 行 い を し
ゆうじん
ても、咎めることなく、そのような行為をも共に喜んで
とも
くれる友人ではないでしょうか。確かに自分の隣にそん
かんが
な 友 が い て く れ る と 居 心地 が い い か も し れ ま せ ん が 、 よ
ゆうじん
くよく考えてみると、実はそのような友人こそ大変危険
そんざい
しんけん
な存在なのです。なぜなら、そういう友人こそ相手のこ
きょうかん
とを真剣に考えていないからです。悪い言動を咎めない
いっしょ
で、一緒に共感できるというのは、その友人も同じよう
2011年度教化標語
発行所 米国仏教団
Buddhist Churches of America
1710 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
電話(415) 776-5600 FAX (415) 771-6293
E-メール住所 [email protected]
世の中安穏なれ
2011年
仏
12月号
の こ ど も た ち
サンディエゴ仏教会で
川本うめ子さんは現在91歳。『こ
の 仏教 会がで きた とき私 は5 歳でし
た。』と語るうめ子さんは、サン
ディエゴ仏教会開基85周年を記念し
て行われた帰依式で、小杭総長より
法名を授かり、正式に仏弟子となっ
た。この式は10月16日に行われ、2歳
から90歳の会員41名が仏のこどもと
して新しい道を歩みだした。当仏教
会は昭和の幕開けと同時に創立さ
れ、以来多くの人たちの心の支えと
なって今日まで歩んできた。
なお、帰依式とは、仏・法・僧の
三宝に帰依することにより、生きる
方向を決める大切な儀式である。同
時に法名を授かり、同じ釈家の家族
の一員となる。仏のこどもとして互
いに敬い、人生を大切に生きていく
ことを誓うのである。
（写真中央は小杭総長夫妻、小杭夫人の右は柳原ジム師、総長の左が向嶋開教使、前列一番左端が川本うめ子さん。－写真は仏教会提供）
れた。この方の枕元でハーモニカ独奏。「赤とんぼ」「夕焼け小焼け
特別寄稿
親鸞聖人七百回忌、七百五十回忌法要
で」を吹いた。おじいさんは、危篤のうちから手を上げ日本の童謡を喜
んでおられた。
プラサー仏教会駐在
青山 徹之
家族親戚の方たちが、私の訪
１９６０年、龍谷大学に入学した私は、大宮学舎から深草学舎に通学 問を喜んで下さった。
この度の訪日では、団体で沖
するようになった。それは龍谷大学が深草学舎を、親鸞聖人７００回忌
記念として深草学舎を開校されたからである。当時の深草学舎は、進駐 縄巡拝をした。メリスビル仏教
会会員の谷本茂さんが第二次世
軍の使用していた建物をそのまま教室に使用したものであった。
龍谷大学入学当時は、苦学生であった私は大阪の寺から通学して、仕 界大戦のおり、二世部隊で沖縄
事の関係から授業を受けれないことも度々あった。そのうちに京都の平 で活躍されたが、私の訪日２週
安高校で仕事が見つかり、ようやく授業も受けれるようになった。そん 間前亡くなった。亡くなる数日
な時に、西本願寺で親鸞聖人７００回忌が行はれたのである。大学に入 前病院訪問すると沖縄の洞窟の上で日本の方たちを援助しようと日本語
学して以来学校と仕事で一度も里帰りしていない時、富山の父が７００ で呼びかけておられたとか。谷本さんに私が沖縄巡拝をすること、洞窟
回忌参拝団体をつくり西本願寺へ参拝された。浄明寺門徒の方たちと共 でおまえりをすることと、ハーモニカで「しんらんさま」を独奏するこ
に平安高校の私の事務室を訪問された。富山浄明寺住職弟慶雄の手紙に とを約束し、２５名の団員とおまえり、ハーモニカを吹いた。
一日だけ、富山の自坊にもどり亡き母の１３回忌をさせていただい
よると、青根の角地さんが私に会いに来て下さっていたとか。そして、
父の参拝団と共に私ははじめて里帰りをしたことをおぼえている。私に た。親戚、兄弟、兄の長女夫妻が出席。アメリカから、わざわざ来てく
れたと、私が母の思い出と法話をさせていただいた。そして、法話の中
とっては、親鸞さまの大法要は本当にうれしかった事でした。
もう一つの思いでは、歌手島倉千代子さんが本願寺会館で「親鸞さ で、「しんらんさま」のハーモニカを独奏した。
亡き母も喜んでくれているだろうと念仏合掌させていただいた。
ま」の歌を歌われ私達龍谷大学生が聞きにいったことを懐かしく思い浮
かべている。
このたびの大法要には、私の兄弟が全員おまえりさせていただいた。
５０年後の今年、２０１１年５月１６日、私は妻紀美子と米国仏教団 ドイツの兄は、ヨーロッパ真宗関係の団体を引率、私はアメリカから、
開教使４５年目にご本山の親鸞聖人７５０回忌に参列し、第１４回世界 富山の弟、京都の妹は四回、船橋の弟は二回、北海道の直樹も参拝。
仏教婦人会大会に参加した。北米、ハワイ、カナダ、南米の海外開教区 青山家と親鸞さまは、世界に渡って人々に話しかけております。
と日本仏婦会員四千人が参加。東日本大震災のため参加者がへったが私 しんらんさまは、アメリカの病室でも働いて下さっています。
の教区からは２５名参加した。
昨年ハリウッド映画監督が私達のハーモニカ教室にみえ、私達を撮影さ
最近、日本から中国の二胡奏者ジャンシャウインさんのCD「幸せへ れ、インタビューをされました。最近インタネットの「ユーチューブ」
の扉」慈しみの心をいただいた。その中に、５０年前本願寺会館で聞い でそのドキュメンタリーとして入っています。読者の方は、「ユー
た島倉千代子さんの「しんらんさま」の曲が入っていた。私は三年前か チューブ」を開けてみてください。
最後に、伯父館熈道さんの書「花なれば」の文を紹介しよう。
ら高齢者教室でハーモニカを学んでいる。ジャンシャウインさんの二胡
の演奏に合わせてハーモニカを吹いてみると、綺麗な音色で演奏が出来
る。ハーモニカ教室でこの曲を独奏すると、皆さんが喜んで下さる。そ
「思えば、私に聞こえて下さる念仏は仏さまの声でありそして祖師の
んなことから、仏教会会員の方が病院に入院されると、病院訪問しハー 声であります。悩みにくれ途方にくれる私に聞こえて下さるのが念仏で
あります。その念仏は８００年の年月に風化した念仏ではありませ
モニカを聴いてもらうようにしている。
私は、ローズビル市のサター病院のチャップレン相談員を勤めてい ん 。 念仏なからば行方もしらずさすらふはずの私が泣きながらでも笑
る。病院では、最近音楽療法を始めている。悩む病人の部屋にハープ奏
みながらでも、峠を越えようが谷を渡ろうが、くずれないでゆがまない
者が赴き演奏する。私は、病室に赴きハーモニカで「しんらんさま」を
で、はるか浄土をのぞんで生きているのであり、それこそが私の真実の
独奏する。
先日も、１０５歳のおじいさんが危篤だから至急訪問してくれと頼ま 生き様であります」と。