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Okazu |
SLO BUDDHIST TEMPLE |
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6996 ONTARIO RD., SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405 |
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Aside from August when San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church (SLOBC) holds its annual Obon Festival, the months of April and May are special because we celebrate Hanamatsuri (the birth of the historical buddha), have our annual Crab Fest, and hold our annual Golf Tournament. This year in May we will also have a Bon Odori where we will be just dancing to some of our favorite folk songs. Coming Full Circle Back in 1962 before our present temple was constructed, the landscape at the site was one of native oak trees, wild flowers and shrubs. Rev. Kenshi Iwao, the minister at that time, planted many Monterey Pines on the hillsides and lovingly nurtured them in the following years. As these trees grew, the landscape changed to one of towering pines and mature oaks. Unfortunately, because of the recent drought and onslaught of beetle infestation, more than 20 pines had to be cut down at considerable expense to our church ($10,500). Some of the dead pines were close to the temple and posed a great risk of potentially damaging the structure should they fall during a storm. A novel idea was hatched to cut up some of these pines, split the pieces, and sell them as firewood to the public. However, rather than “selling” them, a more appropriate term was needed to solicit donations, so a sign was made saying, “Firewood Honor System.” A square steel post with a slot for money was then cemented into the ground just outside the front gate. The sign was placed on top of the post and stacks of firewood placed next to it. Soon people were taking the firewood daily for their homes or for use at the beach. As human nature would put it, some people left donations and others didn’t. These donations ranged from 25 pennies to $20. A good month saw $85 collected in that post. Now that almost all the firewood is gone we are left with huge mounds of wood chips in the clearing near the barbeque pits. We would like to get rid of it and landscape that area so if you want wood chips for your yard, bring a pick-up truck or garbage barrels and help yourself. Yes, if you want to make a donation, you can leave it in the steel post. The hills around the temple are back to native oaks and shrubs with the Monterey Pines just a memory. Hail and Farewell Despite the recent passing of several longtime SLOBC members, we did gain 4 new members. They are David Crampton, Jennifer Hooper, Avery Kintner and John Rooney. Church President Tom Nishikawa recently wrote about David who retired from the computer manufacturing industry and had been a member of San Mateo Buddhist Church prior to coming to the Central Coast. Last year I wrote about Jennifer who is a full time medical microbiologist but also a passionate Iaido instructor who holds classes at our temple every Tuesday evenings. Avery lives in Carlsbad, CA and is a Financial Manager for a general contractor in SLO and also a Senior Consultant with a sustainability firm in San Francisco. John came from Venice, California where he owned a business in El Segundo fabricating devices for the diagnostics, biomedical and aerospace industries. We welcome our new members and look forward to seeing them at our services and social events. Bits & Pieces For those of you who missed seeing “Lives Well Lived” at the SLO Film Festival, you will get another chance on June 4th at the Palm Theater. This is an entertaining documentary featuring people from 75 to 103 years in age as they reflect on their lives and share how they are staying active, optimistic and upbeat. Susie Eto-Bauman is one of those featured and gives a moving “performance.” SLOBC will be holding a Rummage Sale in September so it’s not too early to start gathering together items that you can donate. We hope to start collecting them soon.
. SAVE THE DATE The following are upcoming SLOBC activities: April: In gassho, Gary Hongo
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