Vol.XXVIII No. 3 March 2015 Buddhist Church of Lodi Newsletter 23 North Stockton St., Lodi, CA 95240-2214 (209) 368-5589 [email protected] http://lodibuddhist.org/ Sunday, March 1, 2015 No Service Tuesday, March 3, 2015 1:00 PM Dharma Discussion (Annex) “River of Fire River of Water” Chapter 5 Sunday, March 8, 2015 (Daylight Savings Time Begins) 8:30 AM Chanting & Meditation 9:30 AM Shotsuki Service 10:30 AM LBWA meeting Sunday, March 15, 2015 8:30 AM Chanting & Meditation Shinran’s Monthly Memorial Service (Oasaji) 9:30 AM Spring Ohigan/Dharma School Guest: Sensei Tadao Koyama (Florin Buddhist Church) After the service, the LBWA Sushi Sale Sunday, March 22, 2015 8:30 AM Chanting & Meditation 9:30 AM Family Sunday Service (DS/AD) 10:30 AM Introductory Class on Buddhism Lecturer: Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki Sunday, March 29, 2015 8:30 AM Chanting & Meditation 9:30 AM Family Sunday Service (DS/AD) <SAVE THE DATES> BCL Annual Obon Bazaar Saturday & Sunday June 27th & 28th The newsletter is a monthly publication of the Buddhist Church of Lodi, 23 N. Stockton Street, Lodi, CA 95240. There is no subscription charge for members and friends, but donations are welcome. 23 Vol.XXVIII No. 3 MESSAGE FROM REV KATSU [The 70th Anniversary of A-Bomb] The first A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima city on 8:15 AM, August 6th, 1945, and the second one was dropped on Nagasaki city on 11:02 AM, August 9th, 1945. About one-third of each city’s population were instantly killed; about one hundred and forty thousand people in Hiroshima and seventy thousand people in Nagasaki. Seventy years have passed since then. My father, Rev. Tatsuya Kusunoki, who is a survivor of the Nagasaki’s Abomb, was 6 years old at that time. His unceasing desire is to share his experience and his wish for peace with others. I would like to introduce the local newsletter articles of my father’s reminiscence of the A-bomb written in 2013. <Overcome the religious barrier and wish for peace> Every year, the night before August 9th, in Nagasaki, religious leaders of various faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, Shinto (the traditional polytheistic religion of Japan), Islam and others, gather together at the Nagasaki’s Peace Park to have a peace assembly and memorial service for victims of the A-bomb hosted by the Nagasaki Inter-Faith organization. Rev. Tatsuya Kusunoki (75), who is the president of Nagasaki Buddhist Association, has been in charge of the Inter-Faith Peace gathering since 2012. His family temple is located 3.5km (2.2 miles) southeast from the ground zero. The temple suffered huge damages from the bomb blast and many people took refuge at his family temple, Kougenji. He mentioned the relationship between religion and war. “Within the history of human, religion has been the cause of war. During the WW2, our country, Japan, used Shinto for the war and the other religions also supported the war.” Nagasaki is a small town where many different faiths exist. Buddhist ministers attend Christian church for Christmas. Shinto priests and Christian pastors visit the “Hanamatsuri” (Shakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday) to celebrate. All religious groups have emphasized Love for the humankind March 2015 yet at the same time, they have fought and killed each other. The Nagasaki Inter-Faith organization was formed to overcome such a history of religion. The organization has kept working for peace. “Overcome the religious barrier and wish for peace. It is the proper aspect of religion.” <Enjoy playing the game “KAMIKAZE”> There is a street with many Buddhist temples in Nagasaki. The Kougenji temple, which is Rev. Tatsuya Kusunoki’s family temple, is located on this street. The temple is famous for an old story that the ghost of a mother came out from her grave and went to buy some candy to raise her baby. Rev. T. Kusunoki was the third son of his father, Rev. Monshin Ecchu, who was the resident minister of his family temple. He would wake up early in the morning and chanted a sutra since he was a little boy. He was already able to chant a sutra by memory when he was five years old. His oldest brother is Rev. Tetsuya Ecchu (91) who is a famous Nagasaki historian. He has been calling his brother “Ecchu Sensei (Teacher Ecchu)” because his brother was his teacher, greater than his schoolteacher. The Kougenji temple was a very lively, crowded temple. Besides his family, there were also ministers, housemaids, boarding students, and beggars all living together. During those days, he liked to play the game of war everyday. It was called, “Playing as a Kamikaze air corps”; he would spread his arms out and butt into the other players. Another game was to break the roofing tiles, and throwing them at each other. He had longings for war and soldiers. However, his longings have changed in 1944 because the war situation was getting worse. Provisions were running short. People, who lived together, were now leaving for other places. Bells, altar vases, and more altar fittings made of metal were taken for making weapons. When an air–raid warning was issued, his father wrapped the Amida Buddha’s statue in a white cloth and took it to a safe place. It was just like a mummy. It was very strange and scary for him to see the mummified Amida Buddha’s statue. (To be continued) <A Word of Wise Teaching> Forgiveness is a lifetime treasure. Vol.XXVIII No. 3 March 2015 <Monthly Dharma Discussion> A monthly Dharma Discussion is held on the first Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM in the annex. The textbook is “River of Fire River of Water” written by Rev. Taitetsu Unno. Everybody is welcomed to attend. <ORIGAMI Crane> We made Origami cranes for the 199,000 Crane Project hosted by the Peace Committee of Honoka’a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Hawaii. I truly appreciate those who participated your in this project. We collected 3,043 Origami cranes and sent them to the Honoka’a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on Feb 5th. <2015 Resolutions> The evaluation of 2014’s resolution (E-excellent, G-good, S-so so, B-bad) Lodi: Get 24 new members WG: Get 8 new members Give my dharma talk without paper Practice playing “Ryuteki” Practice playing golf S B E E E -The number of attendees (Lodi) Attendees Attendees Date Date th th Jan 25 38 Feb 8 43 Feb 1st 38 Feb 15th 35 2015 Memorial Service Schedule 2015 is the memorial year for those who passed away in: 2014 1 year 1999 17 year 2013 3 year 1991 25 year 2009 7 year 1983 33 year 2003 13 year 1966 50 year In Gassho, Rev. Katsu: [email protected] BUDDHIST CHURCH OF LODI General Meeting February 10th Members present: Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki, Mrs. Ayano Kusunoki, Gordon Nitta, Judy Waters, Hannah Egi, Steve Ogata, Sach Watanabe, Bruce Sasaki, June Shimozaki, Jill Walter, Ann Tanimoto, Noreen Nagao, Corey Okazaki, Steve Sasaki, Shirley Komatsu. President Gordon Nitta called meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Gordon Nitta led Gassho. Minutes The minutes of the January 13, 2015 meeting were approved as published in the church’s monthly newsletter. (M/S/P) B. Sasaki/C. Okazaki Correspondence: Gordon Nitta Thank you letter received from Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara for inviting him as lecturer for the Winter Seminar. Thank you for year-end oreis from Nagako Sumida, Harriet Matsumoto, Ken Egi, Shirley Komatsu, Frank Teranishi, David Morimoto, June Shimozaki, Rev. Kusunoki. Thank you note from Past President Ron Oye for gift of onenju w/carrying case. Christmas card from Terry and Judy Klimko. Treasurer’s Reports: General – Bruce Sasaki Bruce went over the January entries and pointed out: Items under misc. income were year-end oreis from LBWA $1,000 and Shinyukai $200 and Winter Seminar signups of $350. He reported 2015 dues have been coming in steadily. Under expenses, he reduced expenses with reimbursement for 85th anniversary room, $895 and Year-end Orei check that was donated back to the church, $600. Special – Steve Ogata Steve reviewed his report. He transferred additional funds into the BCA Custodial Account. He has also received additional 85th anniversary celebration donation. Both reports accepted: (M/S/P) J. Waters/J. Shimozaki Minister’s Report – Reverend Kusunoki January 14th through February 10th: 1 pillow service, 1 49th day service, 1 yearly memorial service, Shinran’s monthly memorial service (OASAJI), Shotsuki service, 3 FSS (DS/AD), 4 Chanting and Meditation services, Japanese Dharma Discussion (OCHANOMI HOZA), monthly cleanup, Nihongo Gakko, cooking gathering, and Winter Seminar at BCL; conducted Shotsuki service, Shinran’s monthly memorial service (OASAJI) at the Walnut Grove Buddhist Church; I also Vol.XXVIII No. 3 conducted a service at the ACC Green Heaven Terrace. I participated in NCDC meeting, NCBWA meeting, NC ministers’ New Year’s party, LBWA meeting, LBWA New year’s and New member’s luncheon, Shinyukai and Propagation Committee meeting. I was invited to the Stockton BC’s crab feed. Sensei Roy conducted 1 memorial service, 1 dharma school and adult study class at the Walnuts Grove Buddhist Church. LBWA Report – June Shimozaki The LBWA had their New Year’s Lunch prepared by the members under the direction of Toshi Yoshioka. Many thanks, Toshi. The menu included many delicious Japanese dishes and chow mien from Golden China. Thanks also to Mitsuko Kishi for her delicious kuromame. Our thanks also for raffle and door prize donations made by Sue Morita, Susan Nitta, Sumi Okuhara, Mitsuko Kishi, Sandy Tessare of Avenue Florists, David & Janet Morimoto, Rose Sasaki, Shirley Komatsu and Toshi Yoshioka. We will have Sushi Sale after the Ohigan Service. Sushi packages include combination inari and maki sushi, all maki sushi, all inari and spam musubi. We will assist the Dharma School with the coffee and tea for the hamburger luncheon following the Hanamatsuri service on April 12th. We will be updating the Keirokai members for the luncheon after the Gotan-e service. Next Meeting: March 8th Toban: Group – February Dates to remember: February 15th- Nirvana Day/Dana Day Service March 15h – Sushi Sale following Ohigan Service April 12th – Hamburger Luncheon following Hanamatsuri Service May 17th – Keirokai Luncheon following Gotan-e Service Shinyukai Report – Mrs. Ayano Kusunoki, CoPresident January luncheon included tuna sashimi with shredded daikon, nikujaga (potato, onion, carrot, ground beef stir-fry okazu), rice and zenzai (red bean sweet soup with mochi) for dessert. Forty-five people really enjoyed fresh sashimi and new dish. Tuna sashimi donated by Mark Shimozaki and Kazuko Shimozaki. Zenzai donated by Ayano March 2015 Kusunoki. Oranges donated by Kazuko Shimozaki. Tangerines donated by Rose Sasaki. Next Shinyukai will be Tuesday February 24th. February luncheon will include udon with age, kamaboko and green onion; kabocha with ground chicken and ice cream for dessert. Ayano is going to shop. Dharma School Report – Jill Walters Dharma School will be opening each class with a short mindful meditation and will generate a question for the Reverend to answer. We will be bringing refreshments and desserts for Spring Ohigan, learn how to cook a new dish from either Ayano or Warren and then engage in Spring activities that include weeding the area in which we have planted the Daffodil bulbs. Hannah would also like to go over the proper etiquette for Oshoko. Jill will be posting flyers for Reverend Kusunoki’s introductory Buddhism class in various post offices, businesses, in and around our area. The Dharma School Dana flyer will be included with the next newsletter. The students are working on a box, which will be placed in the hondo foyer to accept the donations. Propagation Committee Report – Reverend Kusunoki The Winter Seminar had 24 people attend lecture. The Welcome Brochure has been updated and copies placed in the church hondo. The monthly study class will begin Tuesday, March 3rd from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in the annex. Reverend has received a white board donated by the Stockton Buddhist Church that will be placed in the annex. Building Maintenance – Sach Watanabe Sach has requested a replacement for his position as soon as possible. He reports the stovetop and oven replacements are done, bathroom window installed in the minister’s residence, but shutters not yet installed. Judy Waters found gas leaks in the annex the day before the Fujinkai’s New Year’s luncheon and thanked Sach for calling the plumber and having him fix it that day so we were able to cook Friday and Saturday. We need to fix broken window upstairs in office building. Vol.XXVIII No. 3 Old Business: National Convention in San Diego: Reverend and Gordon will be attending. Gordon reports two items under consideration: a. Dues increase of $10.00 per member to cover the cost to install solar panels at IBS Center. b. Changes in By-Laws, i.e. resident minister designation not be used any longer, use designation of “Kaikyoshi” instead. 1. Funeral Committee call list: pending 2. Old Photos: Old photos of memorable occasions, i.e. 25th, 50th anniversary celebrations, etc. be mounted flat on acid free boards to preserve. Gordon and Steve will get estimated cost. 3. NCDC Meeting: Budget was passed. David Ito (Walnut Grove) elected President. Next Chicken Throw down set for November 14th. Each chapter is requested to bring 2 dozen cookies for the February 21st lecture in Florin. June Shimozaki volunteered to bring cookies. New Business: 1. Office doorbell: Gordon checked and will install wireless bell for about $20. 2. JACL parking lot: JACL and church exchange activity calendars. We are to advise JACL when we have activities involving the use of the parking lot. When JACL rents out the building, the parking lot is for the use of the renters and we are to avoid parking there. 3. Buddhist Banners: Reverend reported his father has donated $1,000 to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the temple and Reverend, his wife and father would like to purchase Buddhist banners to put up when we have special services/events. These colorful banners will be placed above the entrance door, side of the hondo and the fence in front of the courtyard. The approximate cost of $2,000 will be supplemented with the funds left in the 85th anniversary celebration fund. Motion accepted. (M/S/P) J. Shimozaki/C. Okazaki Upcoming events: Spring Ohigan, March 15, 2015 with LBWA sushi sale after service. March 2015 Next Church monthly meeting: Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 7:00 PM There being no further business, the general meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM and meeting was turned over to Corey Okazaki for the 1st Obon Planning Meeting. Rev. Kusunoki led closing gassho. Respectfully submitted, Shirley Komatsu, recording secretary. LBWA UPDATE – June Shimozaki The attending LBWA members enjoyed the New Year’s Lunch including many delicious Japanese dishes and chow mein from Golden China. Thank you to Toshi Yoshioka for chairing the event and all the ladies and gentlemen who helped prepare/cook the wonderful meal. We all had a great time. Save the Date: March 15th. Sushi Sale after the Ohigan Service. Sushi packages include combination inari and maki sushi, all maki sushi, all inari sushi, and spam musubi. Next meeting: March 8, 2015 Toban: Group F – February LBWA SURVEY Included in this newsletter is a survey (yellow page) to determine the number of individuals that are interested in taking part in social activities that are being planned for the LBWA members. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and return it to Joyce Nagata or the church off before Monday, March 9th. Further plans and arrangements cannot be made until this survey is returned. DHARMA SCHOOL – Jill Walter Dharma School will be opening each class with a short mindful mediation and will generate a question for the Reverend to answer. We will be bringing refreshments and desserts to the Spring Ohigan, learning how to cook a new dish from either Ayano or Warren, and then will be engaging in Spring activities that include weeding the area in which we have planted the Daffodil bulbs. Hannah would also like to go over the proper etiquette for Oshoko. Vol.XXVIII No. 3 SHINYUKAI UPDATE - January 27th Birthday Donations: Rose Sasaki $20.00 Merry Sasaki 20.00 Special Donations & Contributions: Rose Sasaki Oranges Kazuko Shimozaki Tangerines Mark Shimozaki Sashimi for the main meal Ayano Kusunoki Zenzai for the dessert The Shinyukai made year end donation of $200.00 to the Buddhist Church of Lodi PROPAGATION NEWS The church has recently purchased books for the library that may be of interest to our Sangha members. Remember, you can check out any of the books in the library and return when you have finished reading them. Titles include: Shinran’s Gospel of Pure Grace When Things Fall Apart – Heart Advice for Difficult Times What Makes You Not a Buddhist (PB) Bearer of the Light Hearing the Buddha’s Call Going Home – Jesus and Buddha as Brothers Living Buddha Living Christ Mysticism – Christian and Buddhist No Death No Fear – Comforting Wisdom for Life Wherever You Go There You Are – Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life Bringing the Dharma Home The Kindness Handbook – A Practical Companion The Heart Sutra We have quite a collection of books in our library. Please stop by and take a look. SCRIP UPDATE In March, Yume restaurant will be offering a 15% bonus benefit. Enjoy a delicious lunch and/or dinner out and participate in our easiest fundraiser ever! March 2015 In addition to the gift cards, Raley’s has a new electronic scrip program and you don’t need a card to participate! It is called Extra Credit and is part of the Something Extra rewards program. To enroll, please sign up for a Something Extra rewards account at www.somethingextra.com. After enrollment, you can visit Extra Credit and select the church (listed as Buddhist Church of Lodi) as a scrip beneficiary. Thank you to all who are using their SaveMart SHARES card. Every time you shop, your card is scanned and the church receives a 3% benefit. Please contact me if you would like a card – the SHARES cards are free! Like Raley’s, SaveMart is not able to provide reports by individual contributions for their SHARES program. In 2014, the church earned $1,122, as a result of purchases with your SHARES card. If you purchase SaveMart gift cards (2% benefit), we can continue to track your individual contributions. Thank you to all who are participating in the program! If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Yamane at 365-7124 or any of the scrip supporters listed below. Scrip orders will be due by 10 a.m. on the order date. February Scrip Supporters Ayano Kusunoki Chris Smith Hannah Egi Haru Onishi Janet Morimoto Joy Sasaki Kelly Yamane Mitsuko Kishi Nagako Sumida Nancy Burgess Pam Kriter Terry Oga Calendar Dates: Scrip orders due: 3/6 at 10 a.m. (Friday) Scrip pick-up: 3/16 (Monday) THANK YOU Vol.XXVIII No. 3 The First Friday of the Month Clean Up Crew: Rose Sasaki, Frank Teranishi, Sach Watanabe, Ken Egi, David Morimoto, Anne Tanimoto, Hannah Egi, Sergio Torres, Nagako Sumida, Shirley Komatsu, Reverend and Mrs. Kusunoki. The ladies who have been arranging the beautiful flowers in the tokonoma for the Sunday Services: Mary Tsutaoka, Rose Sasaki, Mitsuko Kishi and the cut flowers donated by Kiyono Nitta and Irene Furuoka. Sach Watanabe for getting the plumber to fix the gas leaks in the Annex right away so the Fujinkai ladies could use the kitchen to cook the delicious food for the New Year’s party. Dr. Kimi Sakai for the donation of two display showcases that have been placed in the church library. The cases are displaying various Buddhist items that may be purchased. March 2015
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