Minister's Message: by Rev. Naomi Seijo Nakano
And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take goodwill draught (of sake)
For the good old days.
Auld Lang Syne, Scottish folksong
Lyrics by poet Robert Burns, 1788
The Scottish and English celebrate with a drink called ale, but as Japanese, we often cheer with a cup of sake. So I tweaked the lyrics to fit our sense. This song has become a tradi-tion among some English speaking countries.
A translation of Auld Lang Syne is “the Good Old Days.” An elderly man known as Father Time represents the passing of the old year and the New Year is characterized by a baby. We hope for the New Year to be filled with happiness and hope. In the Jodo Shinshu tradition, we have a different idea of bringing in the New Year. We still bring in the New Year with a cheer of sake, yet we see the New Year as a continuation of the old with changes for anew.
On New Year's Eve, we ring the Kansho (big bell). It is rung to remind us of the 108 passions or temptations and we eat toshikoshi soba. We have 108 temptations from our six senses. Yes, six because this includes the mind or consciousness. With each 6, there are the experiences that are positive, negative and indifferent. With these 18 experiences we have pleasure and displeasure. These 36 experiences then have a past, present and future, making 108 passions.
The sound of the Kansho is to remind us to try to overcome that darn 'ol GAS. My minister at Denver Buddhist Temple called this: greed, anger and stupidity. It is said that we eat one soba noodle without breaking it so that we can have good health for the whole year.
We have many rituals and superstitions but one steadfast practice is our gratitude and thankfulness by reciting Namu Amida Butsu. We overcome the other gas by taking medicine but the capital “GAS” is overcome by our trust and heart. We say it is an easy practice but to overcome our passions and to follow the Buddha's teachings is difficult. However Amida Buddha will always accept us “just as we are.” Our Nembutsu should be recited naturally and with compassion.
As we celebrate a new beginning we learn from the old. We share Nembutsu with others in walking the path. As we wish everyone a Happy New Year, let us also share our Nembutsu in giving thanks for always being surrounded with good cheer and well wishes.
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu! Have a Happy New Year filled with joy of Nembutsu and health!
With Love and Gassho, Rev. “Seijo” Naomi
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Dharma School Food Bank
The San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church dharma school’s county food bank community service
project is on-going. Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected year-round. Please
contribute items for the food bank project in the orange tub or large box located in the lobby of the
temple. 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
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Dharma School Happenin’s
By Ruth Vines
The dharma school participated in
the Bodhi Service Dec. 11. Before the
service, each student was given
a flower to offer for the front of the
naijin. Students handed out colored pieces
of paper representing flowers to sangha
members. Just before the chanting of the
Sanbujo, Nic Cano, Sam and Lola Thompson
explained the meaning and significance of
the Sanbujo to the sangha. When chanting
the words “san ge raku”, the colored
papers were tossed into the air simulating
flowers being scattered.
Prior to the Bodhi Day Service, students
decorated the Bodhi day branch found in
the foyer of the temple with messages on
bodhi leaves
The sangha was invited to add their
messages to the branch. Thank you, Kim
Watatsuki, for constructing the branch,
hanging the leaves and providing a beautiful
display for Bodhi Day. With the participation
of the dharma school, this was a time to
remember enlightenment of the historical
Buddha, Shakyamuni.
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Church Dues
It is that time of the year when we pay our church
dues. Unlike other religious organizations, BCA and
SLO Buddhist Church has a yearly dues.
Of the yearly dues, a little more than half goes to
BCA. SLO BC receives the balance to pay for all operation
of the church such as electricity, gas, water,
phone, taxes, etc. Repairs and upgrades are also taken
from this money. The fund raisers we do during the
year pay for the minister and associated costs such as
housing, employment taxes and so forth. Our yearly dues is $180.00 per person or $360.00 per
family. We have a variety of payment plans, monthly,
quarterly. The membership form (in the lobby) has the
different ways dues can be paid.
For new members, it is important to complete the
membership form. This provides information for our
roster and email address for the newsletter.
As a new member, we will schedule a Numon Shiki
service in the coming months. This is a special service
(usually during our normal dharma gathering) where
you are presented with a nenju and okesa.
Please consider becoming a member of our sangha.
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Our History
Last month we spoke about Rev. and Mrs. Hakushi Futaba. This is the first time that both Guadalupe and SLO B.C's shared a minister. Rev. and Mrs. Futaba would travel to SLO to conduct semi monthly services.
In the interim, between services, Dharma School Superintendent Rose Kawaoka along with Dharma School teachers Iku Mayeda and Reiko Fukuhara provided lessons in the Sensei's absence.
January 25, 1976 plans were approved and the project of building a retreat area began. The BCA and Board of Directors worked on the plans for “BCA Retreat Complex” on our grounds.
Mr. Richard Shimamoto was the driving force and contractor behind the construction of the “Shimamoto House” which is directly behind the temple. The Shimamoto House was dedicated Dec. 19, 1976.
The BCA Retreat Complex did not evolve as planned. Care, maintenance and ownership of the Retreat was turned over to the San Luis Obispo Bud-dhist Church some 12 years later in 1988. This was largely due to the efforts of Rev. Jim Yanagihara.
The existing retreat area was cleared in Oct. 1989. Showers and restrooms facilities were built and com-pleted in 1990. Mr. Mits Fukuhara and Mr. Ralph Branton were in charge of this project. The funds for the four huts were donated by members and friends.
Taking a step back now to when Rev. Futaba was appointed Rinban at Sacramento Betsuin, the year was 1983. San Luis Obispo welcomed Reverend Yasufumi Sato. Rev. Sato arrived in March 1983 and stayed until August of that year.
Reverend Shiro Nishii and his family arrived on Sept. 1, 1983 and left in 1984 (no mention as to what month). The records are not clear as to why both of these ministers stay was short, but many were thank-ful for the time they did spend with us.
From 1984 to 1986 our church was without a resident minister. Rev. Tomonori Kaneyasu was assigned as our Supervising Minister. Rev. Kane-yasu would travel from Santa Barbara to hold services.
The Temple Board, Fujinkai (BWA), and Dharma School continued the everyday business and maintenance during this period. The annual Obon Festival, monthly family tobans, weekly Dharma School ser-vices and special services were all planned and held.
Until next month….. |