REV. USUKI’S PAGE - West Los Angeles Buddhist...
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(cont’d on page 2) Vol. 56, No. 12 December 2013 REV. USUKI’S PAGE Mindfulness for the Holiday Season Culture makes all things complete. It also releases the intense blessing of light, which comes from faith that confers such satisfying peace to the heart. It is where modern man tries to measure or infer the essence of culture by the external form of civilization that, although he is endowed with power, he laments because his life is not truly blessed. But rather than saying that our lament is due to our modern lifestyle, it would be more correct to say our lament exists because we have neglected nurturing our spiritual life. Takeko Kujo, “Culture,” Muyuge, Flower without Sorrow (p. 69) What is your current state of mind as you welcome another busy holiday season? Are you excited, humbled, gracious, and can’t wait for the excitement? We are challenged in many ways as the season beckons us to do something, feel something, and also feel the frenzy. People all around the world will op- erate at warp speed as they prepare for the gift- giving, the gatherings, and the celebrations, even as they pause for a simple reflection on the time of year. And why not? After hundreds of years we have accepted this season to be a uni- versal one of sharing and caring with compas- sionate participation. We are grateful to have some special time and events that help us to elevate our daily activities and rituals to include a heartfelt wish for peace and joy for all beings. It gives us a unique opportunity to reflect and to redefine our attitudes with serene minds. In this regard, Buddhism suggests to us a par- ticularly deep and moving practice of mindful- ness. As stated so eloquently above by Ms. Takeko Kujo, it is easy to point our finger at others and at society for the inequity of life or even for our own personal woes. Sakyamuni Buddha taught that each of us is responsible for our own thoughts and actions. If even one indi- vidual could become enlightened with this wis- dom, then there is great potential for all beings to awaken to peaceful existence. Is this what the holiday season suggests to you? We just enjoyed another Halloween Family Fun Night at the temple, watching the kids and adults laughing and having fun with each other. Halloween kick-starts the holiday season, which goes on for another two months. The weather changes and cues our minds and bodies to the advent of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. During this interval, we experience a lot of joy, but we are also brought to reflect on how quickly time passes, reminding us of our age and perhaps lost time. Yet, what would we do without this annual season that helps us to be mindful and redirects our attention to the question of self, family, society, and the world? Monday through Sunday, our bodies and minds are set on routine automatic pilot. We are condi- tioned to do what we’ve programmed ourselves to do. Throughout the week we function like a well-oiled machine and we don’t have to think much about our daily activities, from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to bed. Although it may seem monotonous, it is a necessary part of keeping individual and socie- tal order. Without it we could be a mess. Thus, we are grateful that there are holidays, birth- days, anniversaries, vacations, memorials, and various religious observances that help break mail: [email protected] Web: http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org
Transcript of REV. USUKI’S PAGE - West Los Angeles Buddhist...
(cont’d on page 2)
Vol. 56, No. 12 December 2013 REV. USUKI’S PAGE
Mindfulness for the Holiday Season
Culture makes all things complete. It also releases the intense blessing of light, which comes from faith that confers such satisfying peace to the heart.
It is where modern man tries to measure or infer the essence of culture by the external form of civilization that, although he is endowed with power, he laments because his life is not truly blessed. But rather than saying that our lament is due to our modern lifestyle, it would be more correct to say our lament exists because we have neglected nurturing our spiritual life.
Takeko Kujo, “Culture,” Muyuge, Flower without Sorrow (p. 69)
What is your current state of mind as you welcome another busy holiday season? Are you excited, humbled, gracious, and can’t wait for the excitement? We are challenged in many ways as the season beckons us
to do something, feel something, and also feel the frenzy. People all around the world will op-erate at warp speed as they prepare for the gift-giving, the gatherings, and the celebrations, even as they pause for a simple reflection on the time of year. And why not? After hundreds of years we have accepted this season to be a uni-versal one of sharing and caring with compas-sionate participation. We are grateful to have some special time and events that help us to elevate our daily activities and rituals to include a heartfelt wish for peace and joy for all beings. It gives us a unique opportunity to reflect and to redefine our attitudes with serene minds.
In this regard, Buddhism suggests to us a par-ticularly deep and moving practice of mindful-ness. As stated so eloquently above by Ms. Takeko Kujo, it is easy to point our finger at others and at society for the inequity of life or even for our own personal woes. Sakyamuni Buddha taught that each of us is responsible for our own thoughts and actions. If even one indi-vidual could become enlightened with this wis-
dom, then there is great potential for all beings to awaken to peaceful existence. Is this what the holiday season suggests to you?
We just enjoyed another Halloween Family Fun Night at the temple, watching the kids and adults laughing and having fun with each other. Halloween kick-starts the holiday season, which goes on for another two months. The weather changes and cues our minds and bodies to the advent of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. During this interval, we experience a lot of joy, but we are also brought to reflect on how quickly time passes, reminding us of our age and perhaps lost time. Yet, what would we do without this annual season that helps us to be mindful and redirects our attention to the question of self, family, society, and the world?
Monday through Sunday, our bodies and minds are set on routine automatic pilot. We are condi-tioned to do what we’ve programmed ourselves to do. Throughout the week we function like a well-oiled machine and we don’t have to think much about our daily activities, from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to bed. Although it may seem monotonous, it is a necessary part of keeping individual and socie-tal order. Without it we could be a mess. Thus, we are grateful that there are holidays, birth-days, anniversaries, vacations, memorials, and various religious observances that help break
mail: [email protected] Web: http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org
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up the routine so we can celebrate life univer-sally. After all, let’s not forget that this earth, universe, and cosmos are all part of total exis-tence, and we don’t live alone or separate from it.
Although it is constantly suggested that we be mindful of each moment and conscious of ever
present wisdom and compassion, we also seem to need our organized societal calendars to exist in some uniform order. So in this upcoming holiday season, please do not forget yourself. Thich Nhat Hanh offers some very simple, moving, and humble words to us:
Being truly here is very important—being here for yourself and for the ones you love. Fortunately, being here is not a difficult thing to accomplish. It is enough to breathe, and let go of thinking or planning. Just come back to yourself, concentrate on your breath, and smile. You are here, body and mind together. You are here, you are completely alive. That is a miracle.
You are Here: Discovering theMagic of the Present Moment
Gassho,
Rev. Fumiaki Usuki
Shinshu Corner
Wisdom for the Holiday Season
There is an old saying: “Keep your mind level. If the mind is level, the whole world will be level.” Consider these words. Realize that all the distinctions of the world are caused by the discriminating views of the mind. There is a path to Enlightenment in those very words. Indeed, the ways to Enlightenment are unlimited.
The Teaching of Buddha (2000, p.176) Opinions
When we hold on to our opinions with aggression, no matter how valid our cause, we are simply adding more aggression to the planet, and violence and pain increase. Cultivating nonaggression is cultivating peace.
Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart (p. 109) In Jōdo Shinshū the practice is in everyday life; others spend more time on the academic aspects and in [meditative] practice. We do it in a very simplistic way: you live your life and try to follow the Jōdo Shinshū philosophy [of mindful awareness]. You’re not at that level where you’re trying to reach perfection, nirvana, at a sustained level. You might reach the “Aha!” stage once in a while as you live your life, but it’s not like you’re always at that stage and we feel we’re not that way because we’re humans.
Patricia Kanaya Usuki, survey comment, Currents of Change (pp. 84-85) Our attempt to understand the heart of Amida is just like bringing out the flashlight to see how bright the sun is.
Rev. Kodo Umezu, Great Compassion, The Essence of Shin Buddhism (p. 129) Farmer’s Wisdom (He may have been a Buddhist)
When you play with pigs, expect to get dirty. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’. Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. Words that soak into your ears are whispered … not yelled.
(cont’d on page 3)
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Do not corner something that would normally run from you. You cannot unsay a cruel word. Every path has a few puddles. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time. Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance. The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every
mornin’. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
Tom Boleware
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Beverly Yahata I realize I’m a month late with this announce-ment but here it is—Rev. Usuki started his 10th year with WLA as of November 2013. Let’s give him a great big THANK YOU. We should all be thankful that we have Rev. Usuki at WLA. Stop by his office and give him your thanks.
Hope all of you had a fabulous Thanksgiving and ate a lot of turkey and pumpkin pie.
Don’t forget December 8 is Bodhi Day service, with Dharma school providing us some enter-tainment for Oseibo Taikai. Everyone must come out for December 14 Mochitsuki—we need all the help we can get. As the members get older,
we aren’t seeing the younger generation out there helping. Please come out for Mochitsuki.
Also in December we have the Temple and Gar-den clean up on the 15th. We, older folks, would appreciate it if all you younger members, who help at mochitsuki, wouldcome out and help us clean up.
And of course December 31 ends with Joya-e service. Let’s all come out for this service and participate in ringing the bell to close out 2013.
I hope you all had a great and happy 2013 and look forward to seeing you in 2014.
Have a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
More Family Fun Night photos by Hannah Nishimoto on pages 11-12.
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Please drop off your gifts at WLABT by Sunday, November 24, 2013. Thank you!
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UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS November 15 (Friday): Bingo November 17 (Sunday): NO service
Matinee with BWA (see flyer on page 13) November 18 (Monday): 80+ lunch November 24 (Sunday): Thanksgiving service
Oxnard, Pasadena, and SFVH BTs visit WLABT
Happy Thanksgiving
November 27-December 1 (Wednesday-Sunday) TEMPLE CLOSED
December 7 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo
Rev. Ensei Nekoda (J) Rev. F. Usuki (E)
December 8 (Sunday): Bodhi Day Service December 14 (Saturday): Mochitsuki
(order form on page 14)
December 15 (Sunday): Temple & garden clean-up
December 22 (Sunday): Regular family service
Happy Holidays
December 24-26 (Tuesday-Thursday) TEMPLE CLOSED
December 29 (Sunday): Regular family service December 30 (Monday): TEMPLE CLOSED December 31 (Tuesday): Joya-e service 新年あけましておめでとうございます
Happy 2014
January 1 (Wednesday): New Year’s service
January 2-3 (Thursday-Friday) TEMPLE CLOSED
January 4 (Saturday): Shotsuki hoyo January 5 (Sunday): Regular family service
2014: year of the horse 馬
Save the date!
New Year Luncheon
Sunday, January 12, 2014 following
11:00 am service and cabinet installation
$20/person free: Dharma School students and
members of Sangha Teens and Jr. YBA
>> Reserve your obento lunch NOW << deadline: Friday, December 27, 2013
Sign up through your organization or the temple office
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NOVEMBER SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2014
Abe, IchiroAkutagawa, KazueAndo, FlorenceBaba, HiroshiBarbeiro, DavidDoi, ShunjiFujimoto, KenHanamoto, MichiyeHashimoto, GizoHirano, AlanIchiho, KameichiIge, TakeoIi, FukusoIkeda, TakeoIshiwata, HiroshiIwasaki, ChitoIwashita, TakamoriKaba, TadashiKageyama, KiyokoKajiwara, RinzaburoKakehashi, Rokuzo
Kawai, KiyoshiKawasaki, ToshioKawasaki, YukioKimura, KazuyoshiKosaka, IchitaroKuramoto, HiroshiMasuda, MinoruMatsumoto, RubyMayeda, HisaMayetani, TokiMiddo, MasunagaMiddo, SakaeMiddo, WasakuMinazumi, YoshikoMisono, SukenariNakagawa, ChitaNakagawa, GisukeNakagawa, IchinoNakamura, KiyokoNakamura, NatsueNakamura, Yutaro
Naramura, MarveeneNomura, SekizoNomura, ToshihiroNunokawa, YurikoOhara, KikuOka, NoboruOkumoto, KanzaburoOshinomi, MichikoOzamoto, KeijiroOzamoto, SadakoSakahara, GosakuSakahara, RoseSakamoto, MarieSasaki, FumikoSasaki, KamejiShirai, GeorgeSunada, TerukoSuzuki, YoshifuruTakami, SakutaroTakami, SuyeTakamura, Kazue
Takata, TsuruoTakazumi, TeruoTakeuchi, NorieTakimoto, KumaichiTanaka, TakakoTochioka, TadaoToma, YonekoTotani, TokumatsuToya, CraigUyeda, IneUyeda, MitsutaroUyekubo, IchiroWatarida, ItaroYahata, NobuYahata, TsunekoYamanaka, KoyomiYamane, NobukoYamatoku, KazuoYoshida, MiyoYoshida, Nancy
DECEMBER SHOTSUKI HOYO, 10 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013
Abbott, GlennAsai, TaijiroBodnar, FlorenceCook, HelenDowdy, JosephFuchiwaki, SatsuoFujikawa, MasamiHamada, SadahisaHashimoto, ShizuHatanaka, BettyHayashi, SachikoHayashida, YukinoIkkanda, ShunichiIkkanda, TazuJeffers, LilliKamibayashi, SugaKimura, Yukiko
Kiriyama, SugiKishi, ShokoKiyama, MaryKiyohiro, AyameKofuku, AtoKofuku, YoshiyukiKosaka, TomikoKotake, EricKubota, MasakoKuroda, ChoichiroMaruko, KazuoMasuda, EikoMasuda, KenichiMasuda, ShoichiMatsumoto, ToshimitsuMinazumi, TakashiMiyada, Masu
Miyada, ReigyuMiyata, RenMuramatsu, MaeMurayama, YasuhiroNakamura, ChikanoNakamura, HidekoNakamura, KanichiNakamura, KiyokoNakazaki, TobeiNarahara, ShinobuNekoda, MasakoNiida, TomNimori, MasatoshiNishida, GoichiroNishikawa, HatsukoNishimoto, BurtNoda, Ayano
Ohkawahira, HiteOshinomi, ShizukoSakai, ThomasShinto, BunsukeShiosaki, KenjiSugimura, TsuneSuzuki, KennyTakayama, KameyoshiTamura, BenToguchida, KeiTominaga, ChiyonoToya, JamesTsuboi, JoeUchida, JuhachiYamauchi, MasaoYasuda, Margaret
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF:
Chiyoko Nittadec. September 30, 2013
Reiko KimotsukiNovember 4, 1937 - October 30, 2013
Hideko YamajiJanuary 2, 1915 - October 10, 2013
Mary HaenschkeSeptember 21, 1938 - October 11, 2013
Harry TashimaFebruary 18, 1921 - October 10, 2013
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FROM THE DESK OF: DR. JACK FUJIMOTO Publicity Chairman
BUDDHIST MEN NEWS BM/BWA Memorial Service
At the October 19 Memorial Service, Hidemi Ohkawahira, Membership Chairman, read the names of 76 past Buddhist Men members start-ing with Bill Sahara. This is over the course of 50+ years. For the 2014 Service, which the Buddhist Men are scheduled to chair, several members are talking about adding faces to names. Longevity Party
The Longevity (Kanreki) Party was held on November 9 in the Temple Social Hall. This year, led by the centenarian, Stanley Ikeda, six BM members were recognized for reaching signifi-cant milestones. Our President, Milton Iwamoto, was one of those persons. In addition, there was Sam Yamashita, Jack Yamaguchi, George Oza-
moto, Sam Hada, Masao Sasaki, and Shinobu Shimomaye. Congratulations and Long Life!
December Events
December 8 – Bodhi Day Service and Oseibo Taikai. BM will participate and thank Rev. Usuki for guiding us through 2013 and helping us in 2014 (Year of Horse).
December 14 – Mochitsuki. BM are urged to help with the preparation and making of the rice so that the year-end festivities have mochi. Also, help with the consumption of mochi.
December 15 – Temple Cleanup and Garden Maintenance. As in past years, BM are urged to come out and help. [President’s note: Thank you to Dr. Jack Fujimoto for his recent donation to Buddhist Men.]
3I GROUP
Victor Naramura, Endowment Chairman, Modifies Temple Investments
Over the past few months, several Buddhist Men have served as an informal intelligent (or ignorant) investment advisory group to Victor Naramura who heads the Temple Endowment Committee. With the economy having its contin-ued low interest rates and at times, depending upon the investment, zero or less than zero interest sums, Victor has informed the Temple
Board of Directors of different directions to take Temple investments. Members of the investment advisory group have been attending financial seminars to become knowledgeable about the risks involved in investing conservatively. Victor has been reporting growth in Temple invest-ments this year.
More FBWA delegates’ meeting photos by Masao Sasaki on pages 9-10.
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BWA NEWS by Connie Yahata
On October 12, the 2013 BCA FBWA Delegate’s meeting was held at the WLABT. It was truly a wonderful gathering of minis-ters, delegates, spouses and friends. The day started with an array of breakfast goodies
for all to enjoy prior to the Opening Service. Rev. Kodo Umezu, Bishop of the BCA, was his usual, delightful self during his dharma message.
The morning speaker was Rev. Marvin Harada. His topic was “Buddhist Edu-cation: At the Center for Bud-dhist Education and What You Can Do at the Local Chapter Level.” The afternoon speaker was Rev. Shoko (Angela) Oh and her topic was “Buddhism and Social Justice.” Both speakers were excellent and well received. Speaking of well received, the planning commit-tee decided to stray from the usual bento lunch and served tacos instead. It was delicious. Maybe we can serve tacos at our New Year’s Party … or not.
Throughout the day, attendees were able to speak with representatives from JTB and Kin-
tetsu travel companies regarding the upcoming World BWA Convention in Calgary in 2015.
We also sold Panko and the sales went ex-tremely well. The ongoing Panko fundraiser was started to help reduce the registration fee for the 2014 combined national and district confer-ences, which will be held on October 10-12, 2014 in Irvine.
IF YOU NEED PANKO, ASK FOR CONNIE YAHATA.
I AM YOUR SOURCE.
Our next BWA meeting is on November 17 at 11:00 am. This is an important meeting since we will be presenting the slate of offi-cers for the 2014 cabinet and voting as well. I hope all BWA members will be able to attend.
Please remember to bring your gift donation(s) by November 24 (see attached flyer and wish list). A collection box has been set up in the social hall. Also, for those who are handy at knitting or crocheting, we are collecting scarves in support of Operation Gratitude. It is to help support deployed troops, veterans and wounded warriors. The scarves should be 5-6 inches wide and approximately 48 inches long. PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY FRINGE. Please keep the colors on the subtle side—blues, browns, olives, grays, maroon, and black—and state the fiber content of the scarf. If you would like to add a note, it would make the gift even more special for the recipient. Thank you!!
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BCA FBWA 2013 DELEGATES’ MEETING Saturday, October 12 - hosted by SDBWA at WLABT
photos by Mas Sasaki
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FAMILY FUN NIGHT - Saturday, October 26 photos by Hannah Nishimoto
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WLABT Mochitsuki 2013 Saturday, December 14, 2013 ORDER FORM The West LA Jr. YBA will be having its annual Mochi Tsuki on Saturday, December 14, 2013. The cost of the mochi will be $3.00 per pound. The okasane will also be $3.00 per pound. To accommodate all orders, please order your mochi and/or okasane by December 8, 2013. Please make checks payable to “WLA Jr. YBA.” Please pay for your mochi order in advance only. We will charge you for the okasane when you pick up your order. Mochi/okasane will be available for pick up between 12:30pm and 3:00pm on December 14. We appreciate your support and look forward to filling your mochi/okasane orders this year. We would also appreciate any help from the temple members. For more information, please call Vance Nishimoto at 818.831.4922 or Jim Shimomaye at 310.210.2407. Please mail order forms and check by December 8 to: Mochi Tsuki c/o West LA Jr. YBA 2003 Corinth Avenue West Los Angeles, CA 90025 Please fill out the order form below and detach along the dotted line. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Name_______________________________Phone ( )______________________
Address____________________________Suite/Apt. No.___________________
City_____________________________________State________Zip____________
# of Mochi_______________________@ $3.00/lb. = $____________________ Okasane: Please indicate the quantity of each: SMALL (Base is 3” in diameter) ________________________ MEDIUM (Base is 4” in diameter) ________________________ LARGE (Base is 5” in diameter) ________________________
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本 願 寺 新 報
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December 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
Temple closed
2 Rev. Usuki off
3 Rev. Usuki off
4 7:30 pm Service and board meeting
5 1 pm Study Class (E) 7:30 pm Taiko
6 7
10 am Shotsuki hoyo Rev. Ensei Nekoda (J) Rev. F. Usuki (E)
8
9:30 am Bodhi Day service, Buddhist Men and BWA installation, Oseibo Taikai, lunch
9 Rev. Usuki off
10
10:30 am SDMA mtg at LA Betsuin, Bonenkai
11 12 1 pm Study Class (E) 7 pm B-Men meeting
7:30 pm Taiko
13 14
8 am Mochitsuki
15
NO service
8 am Temple and garden clean-up
10 am BWA meeting, lunch
16 Rev. Usuki off
17 Rev. Usuki off
18 19
10 am Omimai
1 pm Study Class (E) 6:30 pm Taiko party
20 NO bingo
21
22
9:30 am Family service
23 Rev. Usuki off
24
12/24-26 (Tue-Thu):
25
TEMPLE CLOSED
26 27 28
29
9:30 am Family service 6 pm Kubota Nikkei memorial svc/dinner
30
TEMPLE CLOSED NO 80+ lunch
31 6 pm Joya-e service
[January 1, 2014] 8 am door open 10 am New Year service
Bulletin folding
toban: Temple
Office hours: 10 am - 4 pm
phone: 310-477-7274 e-mail: [email protected]
website: http://westlosangelesbuddhisttemple.org/
2013 年 12 月 日曜日 月曜日 火曜日 水曜日 木曜日 金曜日 土曜日
1
お寺休み
2
宇宿先生休み
3
宇宿先生休み
4
午後 7:30 サービス
幹部ミーテング
5
午後 1 スタデークラス(英)
午後 7:30 タイコ
6 7
午前 10 祥月法要
猫田円整先生(日)
宇宿文章先生(英)
8
午前 9:30 ボーデー
デイサービス
おせいぼ大会
ランチ
9
宇宿先生休み
10
午前 10: 30 開教師会
西別院
11 12
午後 1 スタデークラス(英)
午後 7ブデスト
メン•ミーテング
午後 7:30 タイコ
13 14
午前 8餅つき
15
[NO サービス]
午前 8 お掃除
午前 10 BWA ミーテング,ランチ
16
宇宿先生休み
17
宇宿先生休み
18 19 午前 10おみまい
午後 1 スタデークラス(英)
午後 7:30 タイコ パーテー
20 NO ビンゴー
21
22
午前 9:30 サービス
23
宇宿先生休み
24
12 月 24-26 日:
25 お寺休み
26 27 28
29
午前 9:30 サービス 6 pm Kubota Nikkei memorial svc/dinner
30
お寺休み NO 80+ 中ランチ
31 午後 6:30 除夜会
[2014 年 1 月 1 月]
午前 8:00 ドア•オプン
午前 10:00 新年サービス
会報作リ
当番:
仏教会
オフィス時間：
午前 10 時 — 午後 4 時 電話：310 - 477 - 7274
