HANAMATSURI - Walnut Grove Buddhist Church

[email protected]
HANAMATSURI
We were honored to have the Bishop Kodo Umezu as our guest speaker, who performed
both a Kieshiki Ceremony and a Minister’s Installation
Ceremony prior to his Dharma Talk.
Three people received their Buddhist Names on Sunday April
17. The great-grandchildren of long time member Dorothy
Koga participated in the naming ceremony that preceded the
Hanamatsuri Service. In a charming moment, the youngest,
upon receiving her name, thanked the Bishop in her very tiny
but very distinct voice. He said it was the best thank-you he
had ever received. The elder read the pledge for the trio, with
very impressive oratory skill. A new member, Linda Dewey was
the third of the the group. She and the families of the other two
worked with Rev. Kusunoki to choose part of their name, and the other part was chosen by
Rev. Kusunoki from the sutra. We share in their joy of the Buddha Dharma.
Darcy Nishi was installed as the Minister’s Assistant, also on April 17, by Bishop Kodo Umezu.
Darcy has been a Youth Minister’s Assistant, working
closely with our minister’s, even giving a Dharma Talk in
the last year. We are so fortunate to have Darcy and
her family as members here in Walnut Grove.
Congratulations Darcy!!
The Hanamatsuri Service was then enjoyed by all
attendees. Bishop Umezu’s Dharma Talk more than
met our expectations, both in its complexity and
simplicity. This was probably the only chance to have
him as our guest minister in this capacity, so if you were
there you enjoyed a one time treat!
We welcomed two members at the service, the previously mentioned Linda Dewey, and
Maureen Wong, both from Brentwood, CA.
WOMEN OF JODO SHINSHU MEMORIAL SERVICE
Everyone is invited to attend this Buddhist Women’s Association sponsored Service.
Previously called the Annual Lady Otani/Eshinni/Kakushinni Memorial Service, the name was
changed because of the addition of another leader we want to commemorate, Lady Takeko
Kujo. Kujo was the youngest daughter of Koson Otani, the 21st Monshu (head Abbot) of the
Nishi Hongwanji. In the 1920s she established the Fujinkai for Nishi Hongwanji, now known as
Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA), with her sister-in-law Kazuko Otani. We are looking
forward to having Rev. Patti Oshita (another great JSB woman!!) as our guest speaker.
ANNUAL PICNIC POTLUCK
Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.
The Walnut Grove Buddhist Church will hold this ever evolving event on Sunday May 15th,
starting at 12 PM. Please see the flyer in this newsletter, which includes an RSVP on the back
of the form. Either use the envelope we provided or email us.
We are looking forward to seeing you all.
MEMORIAL DAY CEMETERY VISITS
On Monday, May 25, Reverend Katsuya Kusunoki and Reverend Roy E. Mayhugh will conduct
brief services at various cemeteries and at our Nokotsudo, adhering as closely as possible to
the schedule shown on this newsletter calendar.
The Buddhist Church of Lodi and the Walnut Grove Buddhist Church are jointly sponsoring
a Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund to help the many injured, and devastated by the
earthquakes on April 14 & 16th in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Please make your check payable to your temple and they will send one check to the BCA
HQ. They in turn will send our donations to Japan. Write “Kumamoto Earthquake” in the
memo box.
Gassho
WALNUT GROVE BUDDHIST WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
We would like to express our condolences to our fellow BWA member Nancy Nakahara for the
loss of her brother Alan.
The WGBWA gratefully acknowledges a donation from Rev. Katsuya and Ayano Kusunoki for
their donation of $100.00 in memory of Rev.’s father Tatsuya Kusunoki.
Please attend our next meeting on Sunday May 1, at 11:00 AM. The busy time of year for our
church has begun, and we need the support of all our members, so that the load is not too
heavy for too few. Toban for this month are Yuri Yokoi, Christy Ishizuka, Mitsuko Norikane and
Mary Oda.
DHARMA STUDY AND SCHOOL NEWS
We had a very nice gathering for April’s Dharma Service and Adult Study. Reverend Roy had a
full plate as he was also officiating and chairing the Hanamatsuri Service which followed our
activities. Our discussion group extended into a potluck lunch of sandwiches and sides, and we
greatly enjoyed our sharing time.
The 2016 FDSTL Conference will be on April 29 – May 1, 2016 in Sacramento Dharma School
students Darcy, Audry and Blythe Nishi have created a card game entitled “Cards for
Buddhism.” They will be presenting their card game as one of the Saturday Night Activities.
The card game will also be shared with all of the Northern California Dharma Schools that have
students in grades 7 – 12. Hopefully we will hear a full report on how it was received for our
next newsletter.
We meet on Sunday May 15th beginning with 10 AM Meditation. We will hold to our usual
schedule, and then move right into the Annual Picnic Potluck event. Don’t worry about snacks
this time as we don’t want to ruin our appetites!
五月祥月法要
May Shotsuki
Deceased
Shigeko
Miyoko
Matsue
Fusae
Toyokichi
Sue
Takao
Nancy
Toyokichi
Juzo
Tsuna
Shigeto
Florence
Ohara
Kunisaki
Okamura
Hirakawa
Hirotsu
Sakai
Shoji
Iwanaga
Shinmoto
Ando
Ando
Ando
Ando
大原
国崎
岡村
平川
弘津
坂井
小路
岩永
新本
Moshu (Chief Mourner)
成子
美代子
マツエ
ふさえ
豊吉
すえ
隆雄
ナンシー
豊吉
Masaru
Ohara
大原 マサル
James
Gary
Gene
Hirakawa
Hirotsu
Sakai
平川 ジェームス
弘津
Iwanaga
Mikio
Nellie
Nellie
Nellie
Nellie
Family
Nagoshi
Kawamura
Kawamura
Kawamura
Kawamura
岩永家
名越 幹雄
河村 ネリー
河村 ネリー
河村 ネリー
河村 ネリー
The Walnut Grove Buddhist Church Gratefully Acknowledge
The Following Donations
HANAMATSURI
Jean Yokotobi
Bob Matsumoto
Sue Hori
Toshiko Hamada
Aki Ito
Shoji & Sumiko Oda
Sonia & Nancy Tokuyoshi
Kaz Tokuyoshi
Darrell Yoshimi
Tom Shinmoto
Hiroko Sugimoto
Sachi Hiromoto
Tom Okamoto
Ken and Sharon Sano
Gale Hamatani
Charlene Hamada
Ted and Mary Oda
James Hirakawa
Janice and Lindley Toyama
Gerald & Sharon Yokoi
Elleen & June Okada
Janet Sakata
Toshiko Sakata
Gladys Katsuki
June Matsubara
25.00
30.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
50.00
25.00
25.00
50.00
30.00
50.00
25.00
50.00
50.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
50.00
25.00
20.00
25.00
35.00
25.00
SHOT SUKI
Helen Shinmoto
25.00
Christy & David Ishizuka
25.00
In Memory of Yuri Ishizuka
Kaz Tokuyoshi
25.00
GiGi & David Ito
50.00
Gale Hamatani
20.00
Nancy Tokuyoshi
20.00
Ted & Mary Oda
25.00
Tom Okamoto
50.00
Bob Matsumoto
100.00
In memory of Rev. Tatsuya Kusunoki
Frances Nakahara
Miwako Yamashiro
Craig Nakahara
Holly Pauls
David & GiGi Ito
Anonymous
Ruby Kawahara
Linda Kawahara-Matsuo
Kaz Omoto
Shizue Nagoshi
Mikio Nagoshi
Dorothy Koga
Souris Nishi
Christy & David Ishizuka
Mitsuko Norikane
Sandra Kawamura
Nellie Kawamura
Linda Soliven
Lorraine Mizuno
Lillian Matsuoka
Carol Tang
Gene Sakai
Roy & Yuri Yokoi
Patricia Nishite
Brentwood Dharma Gathering
50.00
30.00
50.00
20.00
40.00
20.00
50.00
40.00
25.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
20.00
25.00
25.00
15.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
15.00
50.00
25.00
50.00
25.00
60.00
SPECIAL DONATIONS
Trenton Tanioka
100.00
Brentwood Dharma Gathering 210.00
Miguel & Sayra Flores
20.00
Ken & Sharon Sano
100.00
In honor of Dylan & Araya Shem receiving
their Buddhist Names
Reverend Kusunoki’s Korner
<Heart playing in the Pure Land>
My father, Rev. Tatsuya Kusunoki, passed away on March 16th at 3:25 AM (Japan Time) at the age of 77 by Acute Subdural Hematoma. My
father’s funeral service was held on March 18th in Nagasaki, Japan and his memorial service was also held at the Buddhist Church of Lodi on April
10th. I would like to express my deepest appreciation for all of the people who sent us their sincere condolences. ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA.
On March 15th, my father went to some members’ houses to conduct memorial services as usual. Because he had some free time in the
afternoon, my father and my mother went to the Nagasaki historical museum. On the way back to their home, they stopped at a café. My mother
ordered a cake and coffee and my father ordered a glass of coca cola. They talked about the future of our family temple, Kogenji. It became the
last time they would share together. After that, my father went to see a doctor for a regular check up. At night, he went out for a meeting of the
Nagasaki Inter-faith association. He had dinner and also enjoyed drinking “SAKE” with the members of the association. He eventually left for home
around midnight. He got out of a taxi at the bottom of a hill. He started to walk up the hill to the temple where he lived. Halfway up the hill, he
fell down and hit the back of his head. He died there, alone.
His life ended so quickly and easily. I truly learned that our life is fragile and fleeting. Why didn’t he come back earlier? Why didn’t he get
out of the taxi at the top of the hill? Why did he die so quickly even though he was full of energy and very healthy? Why didn’t I ask more
questions to learn about his life and to know what he thought? Why didn't I spend more time with him? My regret ceaselessly comes up in my mind.
However, at the same time, I truly appreciate that my father left a lot of things for me. The conversations which we had, the travels which we went
on together, the books and dharma talks which my father wrote; the attitude; action, and spirit which he showed me; all of them are my precious
treasure.
Thinking of his death, I feel that it was his own special way of ending his life. On the very last day, he went out with his wife. At night, he
had a meeting and dinner with his friends who shared his passion. He drank “SAKE” which he liked very much. He came back to “KOGENJI” temple
where he loved to be. He died there in front of Amida Buddha and Shinran Shonin who he liked from the bottom of his heart. He died just as he is.
My father’s INGO (Posthumous Honorary Title) is KOYU-IN （光遊院）and his HOMYO (Buddhist Name) is SHAKU-TATSUYA（釈達
也）. “SHAKU” of his Buddhist name came from Shakyamuni Buddha. All Jodo Shinshu followers are given the name of “SHAKU”. “TATSUYA” is the
same as his first name, which means “to achieve”. The INGO is conferred by the Hongwanjii upon the deceased for his or her contributions to the
Buddhist cause. The first Kanji character of his INGO is “光” (KO) which means light. This Kanji character came from my family temple’s name “光
源寺”(KOGENJI) and the Dharma School’s name “光子供会” (HIKARI KODOMOKAI). He had been the resident minister of “KOGENJI” over 50 years
and he devotedly conducted the dharma school every Saturday at 7:00 PM. The Dharma School was passed from my grand father and my uncle to
my father. It has a history of over 100 years. We also use “光HIKARI” to express Buddha’s wisdom.
Another Kanji character “遊” (YU, ASO-bu) was one of my father’s favorite Kanji characters. “遊” (YU, ASO-bu) means “playing”. My father
gave my younger brother his name “遊也”(YU YA). Some people may think that “遊” (YU, ASO-bu) has the meaning of lazy and insincere, but I
believe that my father’s understanding of “遊” (YU, ASO-bu) was different. My interpretation of “遊” (YU, ASO-bu) is “freely” and “unhindered”. When
I see kids playing, they enjoy playing freely without thinking about anything else. They use 100% of their energy to play. The Kanji character of
“遊” (YU, ASO-bu) expresses my father’s life. He always made every possible effort in everything he did. He was freed from religious denomination. He
used to freely convey his appreciation of Namoamidabutsu and his passion for peace to anybody, anywhere.
Our founder, Shinran Shonin, wrote in his Wasan,
“Having heard the transcendent, compassionate vows, Are we still beings mired in birth-and-death?
Though our defiled selves have not changed at all, Our hearts play in the Pure Land.”
The Jodo Shinshu teaching says that a person who died is born into the Pure Land and attains Buddhahood, and comes back to this world
to guide us to the truth. I recite Namoamidabutsu appreciating that my father, now, is a Bodhisattva, as KOYU-IN SHAKU-TATSUYA, he comes back and
freely plays in my mind. We are still living together in Namoamidabutsu. Gassho, (Palms together)
The evaluation of 2016’s resolution
(E-excellent, G-good, S-so so, B-bad)
Propagate & Advertise Jodo Shinshu S
Take English enunciation class
B
【こころは浄土に遊ぶなり】
Play a golf once a month
B
Win a successive championship
日本時間２０１６年３月１６日午前３時２５
Bake Strawberry Shortcake
E
2016 Memorial Service Schedule
2016 is the memorial year for those who passed
away in:
2015 1 year
2000 17 year
2014 3 year
1992 25 year
2010 7 year
1984 33 year
2004 13 year
1967 50 year
Rev. Katsu: [email protected]
分、父、楠達也が急性硬膜下血腫で亡くなりました。７７歳でした。日本では、３月１８日に葬儀
が行われ、また、ローダイ仏教会でも４月１０日に追悼法要を勤めさせていただきました。多くの方
にお参りならびにお悔やみをいただき、感謝しております。この場を借りて、御礼申し上げます。
３月１５日の午前中、父は、いつものようにお檀家さんのところにお参りへ行きました。午後、空
いた時間があったので、母と二人で、長崎歴史文化博物館へ出かけました。帰りがけに、喫茶店へよ
り、母はケーキセット、父はコーラを注文し、将来のお寺の展望などについて話したようです。それ
が、母との最後のデートとなりました。その後、父は整骨院へ行き、夜は、宗教者懇話会の会合へ出
かけました。その仲間と夕食を食べ、お酒を飲んで、帰宅の途についたのが、深夜１２時頃だったよ
うです。家の前でタクシーをおり、お寺の前の坂を登って行っているところで、転んで頭を打って、
亡くなりました。
なんともあっけない最後で、人の命は、もろく儚いものだなと改めて思い知らされました。なぜ、
もう少し早く帰ってこなかったのか、なぜ、坂の上でタクシーを降りなかったのか、体はどこも悪く
なかったのになぜこんなに早く逝ってしまったのか、あまりにも急なことで、とても無念でありませ
ん。今思えば、もっといろいろ聞いておけばよかった、もっといろんなところに一緒に旅行しておけ
ばよかった、などなど、後悔の念は、後を絶ちません。しかし、また同時に、父からたくさんのもの
をすでにいただいていたなとも思います。これまでした会話、父と出かけた旅行、父が書き残してく
れた本や法話、父が示してくれた父としてまた僧侶としての生き様、その一つ一つが私の宝物です。
今思えば、父親らしい命の終わり方であったのかなとも思います。大好きな仲間と楽しく大好きな
お酒を飲み、大好きなお寺の、大好きな阿弥陀様、親鸞聖人のおられるその真ん中で死んでいきまし
た。なんとも父親らしい最後でした。
父の院号法名は、光遊院釈達也です。法名の釈達也の「釈」は、お釈迦様から一字いただいたもの
で、仏弟子となる事を意味しています。法名の「達也」は、名前と同じです。院号は、生前仏法の普
及に貢献した人に与えられる名前です。父の院号は、光遊院です。父は、光源寺の住職を５０年以上
勤めました。その光源寺で、一生懸命、仏法を子ども達へ伝えてきました。父が、父の父や兄から引
き続いだひかり子供会は、今では、１００年以上の歴史があります。また、仏様の智慧のおはたらき
は、光にたとえられます「光」の一字は、それらから来たのでしょう。もう一字の「遊」は、父が好
きだった漢字の一つです。私の弟の名前にも「遊」という字をつけました。「遊」というと、不真面
目で節操がないというふうに思われる方もおられるかもしれませんが、父の「遊」の理解はそうでは
なかったと思います。私なりに解釈すると、「遊」は自由、なにものにも妨げられないという事では
ないかと思います。子供たちは、ただただ、夢中にのびのびと遊びます。父の僧侶としての、人とし
ての生き様も、「遊」であったように思います。父は、一つ一つのことに、ただただ夢中に全力で取
り組んでいました。宗派、宗教の枠にとらわれることなく、どこへでも飛んで行って、お念仏につい
て、命の尊さについて語っていました。その姿を一言で表すならば、「遊」という一字が、一番当て
はまるように思います。
親鸞聖人のご和讃で
超世の悲願ききしより
有漏の穢身はかわらねど
われらは生死の凡夫かは
こころは浄土に遊ぶなり
と詠っておられます。今、父は、仏として、光遊院釈達也として、自由に私のこころに遊びに来て
くれているのだろうな、そう念じつつ、お念仏申させていただいております。
合 掌
Please join us for a fun filled, relaxing day
On the church lawn.
Weenie roasting, scrumptious potluck items,
toasted marshmallows…
what more could you ask for ?!!!!!!!!!?
Ok…..how about a Craft and Bingo???
PLEASE FILL OUT THE RSVP ON THE BACK OF THIS FLYER, AND
RETURN WITH THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED WITH THIS NEWSLETTER.
Or reply at [email protected]
PLEASE RSVP by May 8, 2016
____
Yes I plan to attend
____
Number of adults
____
Number of children
____
I can bring a salad, OR
____
I can bring a dessert, OR
____
I can bring a hot dish
____
No I cannot attend
Name/s:_______________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Or you can RSVP by email at
[email protected]
Sun
1 11:00 AM
BWA Meeting
Sun
1 1:30 PM
Shotsuki Rev. Roy Officiates
Tue
10 7:00 PM
Wed 11
Board Meeting
Oasaji Cancelled
Sat
14 10:30 AM
Women of Jodo Shinshu Memorial Service
Sun
15 10:00 AM
Meditation Class
Sun
15 10:30 AM
Dharma Study Service, Discussion and Class
Sun
15 12:00 PM
WGBC Potluck Picnic
Mon 30
8:30 AM Memorial Day Cemetery Visits
(Franklin: 8:30 AM; Rio Vista: 9:45 AM; Nokotsudo: 11:30 AM)
Buddha Belly Laughs
WALNUT GROVE BUDDHIST CHURCH
PO BOX 336
WALNUT GROVE, CA 95690