February 2012

When, after a long absence,
A person safely returns home from afar,
Their relatives, friends and well-wishers
Welcome them home on arrival.
Dhammapada

I am sitting in the house warm and cozy, watching the rain fall. The air is crisp and fresh. You can hear frogs croaking somewhere in the distance and the quail sometimes follow me to church. It is these little bits of wilderness that make the experience here so fulfilling and joyful. I have been so fortunate to be able to live in such a beautiful area. But I start to wonder about Shinran Shonin and how he survived his time in Echigo. He lived in an area far different from where he started. He lived through snow, ice, freezing cold and a language barrier, he did not have central heating or the luxuries that we have today. I wonder how he could have survived without a car.

Yet he survived and he was still able to spread the Buddha Dharma to people who were poor, rich, high-brow, low-brow and anyone who wanted to hear the Dharma. So similar to the Buddha, Shinran Shonin did not discriminate, nor did he give up. Even though he never intended to have followers or become a "founder", he continued with the spreading of Jodo Shinshu. How fortunate we are to continue hearing his teachings and words.

Being able to hear his lessons, we have been trying to reschedule a regular time for Dharma school again. However it has been a difficult problem. We have been confronted with sports, school activities, holidays and many other events. We have developed a “non-habit” (is this a word?) of not attending Dharma school. The two teachers have been working very diligently to hold class for all the various ages we have. I congratulate these two for their compassion and selfless giving. They keep trying and we now have to make Dharma school a habit.

We are hoping that with a regular schedule, the students will be able to find at least find some time to come and attend. We want them to participate in the teaching by ringing the kansho, help in chanting using the seitaku and chairing the service. It is not so much as participation but helping them to be more confident when speaking in front of others and building their self-esteem. The church is a place of safety and warmth. We can be so proud when we see our children, grandchildren, niece, nephew or just our friend taking control of his or her goals. That is what we try and want for the students.

Like Shinran Shonin, our children are mapping out a new path for themselves. We try to impress upon them the importance of Nembutsu. But it is difficult when we cannot define it for ourselves. We continue to teach and learn. Maybe this is the time we can find answers together. In the meantime as we search out our definition, we share our Nembutsu with gratitude and respect. We continue to recite Namu Amida Butsu and some day, some time we will be able to find truth and heart in the teachings and Nembutsu.
As in most Asian countries, a Goo Hay Fat Choi and Namu Amida Butsu.

With fondness and love Rev. Naomi

SLO Buddhist Temple: February 2012 Home ..............President's Message... ........ . February Calendar..............president@slobuddhisttemple.org... ..................................................
Minister's Message by Rev. Naomi Seijo Nakano
When, after a long absence, A person safely returns home from afar, Their relatives, friends and well-wishers Welcome them home on arrival. Dhammapada I am sitting in the house warm and cozy, watching the rain fall. The air is crisp and fresh. You can hear frogs croaking somewhere in the distance and the quail sometimes follow me to church. It is these little bits of wilderness that make the experience here so fulfilling and joyful. I have been so fortunate to be able to live in such a beautiful area. But I start to wonder about Shinran Shonin and how he survived his time in Echigo. He lived in an area far different from where he started. He lived through snow, ice, freezing cold and a language barrier, he did not have central heating or the luxuries that we have today. I wonder how he could have survived without a car. Yet he survived and he was still able to spread the Buddha Dharma to people who were poor, rich, high-brow, low-brow and anyone who wanted to hear the Dharma. So similar to the Buddha, Shinran Shonin did not discriminate, nor did he give up. Even though he never intended to have followers or become a "founder", he continued with the spreading of Jodo Shinshu. How fortunate we are to continue hearing his teachings and words. Being able to hear his lessons, we have been trying to reschedule a regular time for Dharma school again. However it has been a difficult problem. We have been confronted with sports, school activities, holidays and many other events. We have developed a “non-habit” (is this a word?) of not attending Dharma school. The two teachers have been working very diligently to hold class for all the various ages we have. I congratulate these two for their compassion and selfless giving. They keep trying and we now have to make Dharma school a habit. We are hoping that with a regular schedule, the students will be able to find at least find some time to come and attend. We want them to participate in the teaching by ringing the kansho, help in chanting using the seitaku and chairing the service. It is not so much as participation but helping them to be more confident when speaking in front of others and building their self-esteem. The church is a place of safety and warmth. We can be so proud when we see our children, grandchildren, niece, nephew or just our friend taking control of his or her goals. That is what we try and want for the students. Like Shinran Shonin, our children are mapping out a new path for themselves. We try to impress upon them the importance of Nembutsu. But it is difficult when we cannot define it for ourselves. We continue to teach and learn. Maybe this is the time we can find answers together. In the meantime as we search out our definition, we share our Nembutsu with gratitude and respect. We continue to recite Namu Amida Butsu and some day, some time we will be able to find truth and heart in the teachings and Nembutsu. As in most Asian countries, a Goo Hay Fat Choi and Namu Amida Butsu. With fondness and love Rev. Naomi
Installation Dinner
Installation dinner is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., February 5th, after service at the Upper Crust Trattoria, 11560 Los Osos Valley Road, in the Laguna Shopping Center, San Luis Obispo. We will be calling to get your reservation. There will be a choice of four entrees, Sun-dried Tomato Penne Pasta (Grilled chicken and fresh grilled asparagus spears, in a house-made sun-dried tomato sauce with a splash of cream); Linguini and Clams (Linguini with whole Manila clams sautéed in a garlic wine broth with fresh parsley); Lasagna (home-made lasagna with the freshest ingredients and topped with their secret marinara sauce and parmesan cheese); Chicken Marsala (medallions of tender chicken breast sautéed in butter with Marsala wine, mushrooms and a dash of cream, served with fresh vegetables and penne pasta). Dessert, tea and coffee are included. The price for this scrumptious meal is $15.00 per person which will be collected at the door. The Temple will cover any additional tax and tip. Please mark your calendars for an afternoon of fine food and great company. It's one of the few times we all are able to get together and relax over lunch. Please call Janis, 528-4410, or email her at jnaeto@gmail.com, if you have any questions.
Dharma School Food Bank The San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church Dharma School’s county food bank community service pro-ject is on-going. Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected year-round. Please contrib-ute items for the food bank project in the orange tub or large box located in the lobby of the temple. The Food Bank distributed 5.5 million pounds of food this past year and experiencing even more demand. Your food donations help those who are in need of nourishing food during hard, economic times. All donations are greatly appreciated. In Gassho, SLOBC Dharma School	Basic Buddhism Class Starting February 22 at 7:30 pm and continuing on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Class will be approximately 1 hour long. Just getting off of work? Bring you dinner or refreshments. $5.00 donation/person gladly accepted
Our History Last month we ended in 1986 and the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church had been without a minis-ter since 1984. May 1986 was the groundbreaking for the new min-ister‟s residence. The Board of Directors, lead by President Nori Kawaoka, had approved the building of “suitable living quarters for a new minister”. Mr. Ralph Branton and Mr. Mits Fukuhara were appointed as General Chairman. Many temple mem-bers donated countless hours to get the building completed and ready for occupancy. Sept. 1986 was the start of a new era for the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church. Reverend Jim Yanagihara was assigned as the resident minister. Weekly services were held. The Temple resumed an active focus both spiritually and socially under his leadership. Rev. Jim (as everyone calls him) is an American-Japanese. For the first time, we had an English speaking minister who also spoke Japanese. He and his wife Patsy and son Dale (Boku) were the first to move into the new residence. The Buddhist Women's Association (BWA) sometimes referred to as Fujinkai, worked hard and tirelessly to provide great dinners at Obon, luncheons after special services, and any event that invariably required food preparation. The BWA also hosts the annual Keirokai lunch, a party to honor the elders of the Temple. In 1988, the Temple was approached by leaders of the People's Kitchen, an organization that serves daily meals to the homeless in San Luis Obispo. Patsy Yanagihara and Margaret Eto were the original coordinators. The first meal was prepared on February 5, 1988! … and they are still serving a hot meal once a month. Another noteworthy date in our history is the 1st Saturday in August, our Obon Festival. Obon was celebrated at the Temple (on French Rd, what is now Madonna Rd). In 1957, it was opened to the public for the first time and held at the Veteran's Memorial Building in SLO. In 1987 two special committees were formed by President Ralph Branton and Rev. Jim. The Buddhist Education Committee (BEC) and the Activities Committee. Activities Committee included representatives from the Temple Board, BWA, Dharma School and Sangha. The function of the committee is to plan, promote and coordinate activities of the Temple. Some of the functions of the Activities Committee include the Annual Crab Feed (now in its 24th year), the Wisteria Festival (ended a few years ago), bingo, bowling, cooking classes, and trips to local performances and productions. The Activities Committee also helps purchase taiko drums, appliances, computers and cameras. In 1989, the Eitaikyo Fund was started. Eitaikyo Memorial donations are made in the name of loved ones at the service in November each year. This fund can only be used for catastrophic emergencies. Until next time…..