Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo

Before I went to Kyoto, I had the opportunity to visit the Ghibli Museum which was located in the Tokyo suburb of Mitaka. This was easily reached from Shinjuku by express trains.

Once you arrive at the Mitaka station, the Ghibli magic starts to unfold. I could see the signs for the Ghibli bus, but I believe the "catbus" was not working that day, so I hiked the 2000 meters to the museum.

It was very easy to figure out how to get there, there are signs from the beginning that told you how many meters away you are from the museum, all done in the same Miyazaki style. In front of each sign, in the concrete-bricked sidewalks, were some with footprints of Ghibli characters. Every 250 meters were these sign posts and footprints.

The walk was very nice as it followed a little creek and the homes and businesses here were rather large (by Japanese standards) homes or two story buildings. The Ghibli Museum is located in a park and has a very woodsy feel.

When you reach the museum by foot, you will be greeted by Totoro at the corner of the museum. Part of the museum is underground so it is not taller than the buildings surrounding it. Everything seems to be part of the environment. In fact the theme of the museum is "let's lose our way together." Therefore, there is no set map to explore the museum, and every visitor has his or her own to explore.

One of the rooms has dioramas and simple mirror maquettes to demonstrate the elementary elements of animation. (No picture taking was allowed inside the museum.) Everyone is given a ticket to see the exclusive short inside the theatre. The movie theatre upon entering is lit and airy. Wait a minute, how could they show a film inside this room, which was decorated with vines and greenery. Before the short started, the windows closed up! The short had no conversation, we just watched a girl walk along a path and sounds are all we heard. The sounds were emphasized by katakana. As in most Miyazaki films, the gifls ends up befriending a spirit, who in turn gives her a gift on her way home.

Another room in the museum recreates the messy studio of Miyazaki with a lot of details. There was another room that was only open for children but had the worlds largest stuffed cat bus where kids could climb in and out of like the girls in the "Totoro."

Of course, there were things to buy in the store and bookstore. Outside there was a concession stand and a small restaurant called the Straw Hat. I think most of the girls in Miyazaki films wears a kind of hat. Even the beer that they sold had on it a label done in the Ghibli style, and of course, I brought one home (empty) as a souvenir.

It was museum that made sense in the world of Ghibli.

"Lets lose our way together."

Hongwanji Overseas Representatives Seminar 2

It was my first time at morning services, but fortunately the BCA ministers had taken their Tokudo training at Hongwanji and was familiar.

It is the custom to bow towards the o-naijin when entering the complex at the gate (also when leaving).

The Hongwanji has two halls - Amida-do, the largest one, and the Gyoei-do. Both are used at the services, however the Gyoei-do is under restoration and not currently used.

You take your shoes off before climbing the stairs to the Amida-do. You could use the plastic bags to take them inside with you, but there aren't that many people, so I just left mine outside. TIP: It is a good idea to wear shoes that you can slip on and off easily, because it is something that you will do all the time in Japan, especially in Kyoto.

Bow, before entering the hall and you will notice several things. It is huge and covered with tatami that run across the hall. There are no chairs, however, folding chairs are provided to use on the tatami - since even most Japanese no longer sit on the floor. Also there are no heaters and very low light. As we learned later in our orientation, this is the reason gold is used inside the halls to reflect any available lighting.

Part one of the service starts with entrance of the priests (which including students, are many) and the sutra Sanbutsuge is chanted in front of the statue of Amida Buddha.

Part two of the service is the chanting of Shoshinge in front of Shinran, and usually done in the Gyoei-do, but since it is under renovation, the naijin is set up to the left of the Amida Buddha. The priests all move to a new position. Usually six wasans are included and the numbers are posted on the pillar. Then the Gobunsho is brought down and one of the letters from Rennyo is read. Then the lecturer will give a Dharma talk. (All in Japanese.) There are service books that you can borrow, but you have to remember to pick one up on the way in, or bring your own.

No you don't have to sit "seiza" (Japanese-style), but I even find sitting cross-legged to be a numbing experience.

After this service, we went to get breakfast at the Royal Host, which served American-style pancakes and had a drinks bar. It took us awhile to figure out the coffee machine, and we found out that you could make your own iced coffee.

Next: Hongwanji Orientation.

Hongwanji Overseas Representatives Seminar 1

On arrival to Kyoto, the representatives from the BCA (five lay representatives and two ministers) spent the night in the dorms at the Kokusai Center (Hongwanji International Center). It is the same dorms that overseas students would stay while they are studying at the Hongwanji.

The Kokusai Center is also the office that coordinates activities with each of the overseas districts - Canada, Hawaii, South America and the BCA. It also serves as the welcome center for anyone from these districts. It is located about two blocks east of the Hongwanji, along the street that also servers as the northern border of the main complex.

It was late for most of us to get dinner, so we had gone to the local Lawsons (a convenience store chain) for some food, drinks and supplies.

The next morning, our session didn't start until 10:00 am, but we woke up in time for the 6:30 am Asaji (Morning Service) at the Hongwanji.

Next: Morning Service

Time to Travel

I'll be leaving this weekend, followed by Rev. Nakano for this Hongwanji Overseas Meeting and Seminar in Kyoto.

I think I have everything in order. Today is the day to make sure everything at work is ok to leave. Tonight to make sure everything I need to get for church is done.

I checked the weather in Kyoto and Tokyo. The high is around 62 degrees. At first I didn't think it was that bad, but this morning the temperature in Los Angeles was around 62 degrees, and I thought this would be too cold. It has rained in Japan last week too.

The hard part is to travel light. So I've been adding and tossing things in/out of my bag all week. Its hard when you have to pack coat and tie among your clothes. I rechecked the flight times and the other tickets I have, rail pass and ticket to the Ghibli Museum.

The Ghibli Museum is everything about the studio that produced "Totoro" and "Kiki's Delivery Service." The admission is only JPY1,000, but tickets can be purchased in advance overseas through JTB (and they tack on a $5 fee) or in Japan through special offices.

September 30, 2007

Laughter Yoga...
Laughter is so good for you. At the Southern District Conference yesterday in San Diego (Fantastic job!), one of the workshops was on Laughter Yoga. Simple games that encourages the kid in you to play and of course, laugh.

A few of us thought it would be a great idea to share the laughter games with the rest of the Sangha, so we wrote down several of the games and shared that with Rev. Nakano, who could not attend this workshop because she was giving a Dharma talk for the elementary school kids at the same conference.

One thing led to another, so I ended up trying to share these games with the Sangha at church the next day. It was a lot of fun. To see the adults laugh like kids seemed so healthy and so good.

Gassho

Hongwanji - Jokoji Temple

I plan to take a side trip to Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, primarily to visit Jokoji Temple. This temple was founded by Shinran Shonin during the period of his exile from Kyoto. Although if you read the link below, he was in Ibaraki Prefecture. This temple moved a few times before its current location.

This Website has more information on this temple.
http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/english/contents.files/Jokoji.html

Joetsu City itself is a new city. It was created from different towns in the area not too long ago. The area has many onsen and ryokan, but not on the regular tourist map. JNTO and JTB could not book me a ryokan, so I will have to contact one when I get there.

Thank You!

Thank all the volunteers for their hard work to make this year's Obon Carnival a huge success! We did about 5% better than last year.

Our Obon Dance is huge. It is probably the largest Obon Dance in the United States, according to a guest from the San Jose Buddhist Betsuin, which he thought was the biggest until he came to Gardena this year.

I have pictures, but they are not with me now. I'll add them in later.

And Thank All of You for coming to our Obon.

Obon Obon Its Festival Time!

Our Obon Festival ended yesterday. I am exhausted. I have some pictures to upload so I'll be working on those for the next few days.

Thank you all who came, and thank all the members and friends who gave up their time to help pull this feat all together with their volunteer hours.

We probably had around 1,000 dancers on Saturday and over 900 on Sunday. And there were still as many watching the dancers as there were still on the church grounds getting dinner and playing bingo.

More later...
-- Gassho

Hongwanji - Getting There

The Hongwanji Overseas meetings are in November. I had to decide when and how to get there. I decided I'll do some of my own sightseeing around Japan, so I am making it a 111-day trip.

I would have to miss a USC home football game on Nov. 3 and the Southern District ABA "Fun-Food-Friendship" on Nov. 10, for this opportunity. Oh well. Namo Amida Buddha.

Airfares are not cheap. In fact, traveling to Kansai International (which is the closest to Kyoto) from Los Angeles is about $200 more than flying to Narita (Tokyo). But since I wanted to take a side trip to the Sea of Japan coast and do some personal stuff in Tokyo, I opted to fly to and out of Narita and use a Japan Rail Pass.

The web-based prices were no different than from the traditional travel agents...at least one airline, United Air Lines, was consistent in coming up with the lowest fare, yet they charge a "fuel fee" which brought the total closer to what other airlines were charging. I ended up using JTB online to book the ticket.

I put together a quick and affordable 11-day itinerary that I'll cover in the future.

to be continued...

Gassho...

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Head Minister Rev. Miura subbed for Rev. Nakano today and also did a Japanese-English sermon for the adults.

His topic: "Teaching of Enlightenment." He gave an analogy by ringing a bell. The clear tones represented the day you were born. Later in life, the sound becomes unclear. When you reach enlightenment - the bell sound is clear once more.

Traditional Buddhists believe enlightenment is achieved through meditation and purification. The Shin-Buddhist tradition is very simple, "know oneself." Self-awareness is the key to enlightenment.

Got G.A.S.? "G" is for "greed," "A" is for "anger," and "S" is for "stupidity." These things are not the way to enlightenment, however if you are awareness of these things you are practically there.

Shinran's favorite word is "shin-jitsu". The kanjji for "shin" is "true" and the kanji for "jitsu" is "real." Which could really mean "not to decieve oneself." Sometimes you have to be something for someone, for work or school, for parents. But "are you really doing "you?" "Are you doing the right thing?" Without the deception you cannot live, meaning you are an employee, a parent, a child, a teacher, etc., but "what is you?"

To be true to oneself is what Shinran has taught to be the highest goal to achieve.

Self-awareness.

Gassho...

Sunday, July 22, 2007 - Obon Service

Sunday was our temple's Obon Service.

A time to remember ones who have passed away. The Jodo Shinshu tradition of Obon is slightly different than most Japanese Buddhist traditions. Traditionally, Japanese (non-Shin buddhists) believe that family members' souls return for a visit during the O-Bon period.

In Japan, it is time for homecoming, as most Japanese return to their roots to pay their respects. The ceremonies surrounding the festival including welcoming the spirits back home and sending them off.

Traditionally, O-Bon is celebrated with a dance as originated by Mogallana to help his departed Mom find her way.

Our O-Bon service featured guest speaker, Rev. Hata, a retired minister now living in the San Diego area. His sermon was about the poem, "A Thousan Winds." As noted below, it is thought to be a Native American poem or attributed to an Ohioan named Mary Frye. It has been rewritten into a song by Mitsuru Arai, a Japanese songwriter, who also recorded this song. He had heard the poem, and decided for a friend who had parted that he would write it into a song. His friend's daughter used the song as part of her wedding day, because it reminded her that her late mother was "around."

The song became very popular in Japan.

These aren't the translated lyrics of the song, but a version of the poem...

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Written at least 50 years ago, this poem has been attributed at different times to J.T. Wiggins (an English emigre to America), two Americans: Mary E. Fry and Marianne Reinhardt, and more recently to Stephen Cummins, a British soldier killed in Northern Ireland who left a copy for his relatives. Others claim it is a Navajo burial prayer.

The following was taken from The London Magazine December / January 2005:
"Mary Elizabeth Frye nee Clark was born in Dayton, Ohio, on November 13th 1905. She dies on September 15th 2004. Mary Frye, who was living in Baltimore at the time, wrote the poem in 1932. She had never written any poetry, but the plight of a German Jewish girl, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who was staying with her and her husband, inspired the poem. She wrote it down on a brown paper shopping bag.

Margaret Schwarzkopf had been worrying about her mother, who was ill in Germany. The rise of Anti-Semitism had made it unwise for her to join her mother. When her mother died, she told Mary Frye she had not had the chance to stand by her mother's grave and weep.

Mary Frye circulated the poem privately. Because she never published or copyrighted it, there is no definitive version. She wrote other poems, but this, her first, endured. Her obituary in The Times made it clear that she was the undisputed author this famous poem, which has been recited at funerals and on other appropriate occasions around the world for seventy years. A 1996 Bookworm poll named it the Nation's Favourite Poem"[London Magazine Editor, Sebastian Barker]

(This was also substantiated by research conducted by the staff of Dear Abby. -- Alan)

Reprint of "Itadakimasu" Cookbook

Phase One was to reprint the original "cookbook from about 30 years ago that the Dana Mothers published. The reprints are available for $15 each.

To make sure that each copy was perfect, after receiving them from the printer, members of the cookbook committee checked each page for missing pages, printing errors, smudges, etc.

We have about 2,500 left to sell.

Phase Two will be to print a new version of the cookbook with new recipes. The cookbook committee is gathering recipes now. Turn one in to the church office with your name and contact number.

Obon Dance Practices

Our Obon Carnival and Dance is getting nearer and our practices are becoming more important.

We could get as many as 500 for practice, Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:00 pm.

Gardena Buddhist Church Obon Carnival and Dance is August 4 (3:00 to 9:00 pm) and August 5 (2:00 to 8:00 pm). Obon Dance is on Halldale Street and starts at 6pm on both days.

Hongwanji Overseas Meeting in November

Although I did not actively sought this, I was fortunate enough to be nominated as one of the lay representatives of the BCA to attend the Overseas Meeting at the Hongwanji in Kyoto in November. I said "Ok," and there I go ... I will be joined by six other lay reps and a few ministerial representatives, including our own Rev. Nakano.

So from time to time, I think I will write not only about the meetings, but because I decided to spend a few extra days "exploring" places that I think could be possible places to take a group, especially to attend the 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin in 2011. It may be of interest to some since I don't intend to do "normal" things.

First things first - I had to renew my expired passport. Worried that the normal procedure could take months, I renewed with a rush order - paying almost double. Well I got it within four weeks so I guess I'm lucky.

These days you could take your picture almost anywhere - I opted for the U.S. Post Office mobile truck that came to USC (where I work) and made it easy for me to do it. I wonder if I could have saved money by not paying for the rush and still get it in ontime?

If you are thinking of joining us around 2011 for the group tour, consider the time table to renew your passport - it has taken four, five, six months.


to be continued...

Sunday, July 14, 2007 - Self-Reflection

Who am I? Can you really see yourself? Is a mirror a true reflection of what you are? No, you cannot really see yourself. But only you can describe yourself the best. What you appear to be to other people may not really be your true yourself.

So begins today's sermon on "Self-Reflection." To illustrate, Rev. Nakano put foil on the back of a "lighted" uchiwa...although not a clear reflection, and maybe distorted, it is probably the most accurate reflection of who you are.

Who am I?

"Matsuri" at Sahara Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

Just in case you are going to be in the Las Vegas area sometime soon, check out "Matsuri" at the Sahara Hotel and Casino.

Japan's No. 1 musical production, the revue first came to Las Vegas for a short time at the Riviera. Now on an indefinite run at the Sahara, this revue features a company of athletes performing to music - mostly contemporary versions of Japanese classics. Acrobatics is the key feature, but the company includes a champion yo-yo, bike tricker and a hulahoop record holder (for the largest hoop to be hula'd).

Not your traditional art, but nevertheless familiar to those who watch Asian television. The energy is high. The "taiko" was innovative and different.

http://matsuri.musclemusical.com/

I saw it last Friday and it was great fun. Look for 2-for-1 when you arrive in Las Vegas.

BCA Website

(I'm back from vacation and discover I have lots to do.)

FYI - the Buddhist Churches of America has redesigned their website.
http://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org

There are pictures of all the temples in the temple gallery.

Obon dance practice continues Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting at 6pm every week until the Tuesday before our Obon on August 4 & 5.

Our Obon conflicts with the LABCC Camp so many of our young Dharma School students will be AWOL during our Obon Carnival and Dance. So we need the volunteers to fill in for them.

Obon Dance Practice

Obon dancing is made for anyone to come in and participate ... but for ease of mind, we are having free community dance practices to learn the dances that most temples in the Southern District are doing, every Tuesday and Thursday until our Obon carnival on August 4 & 5, 2007 in our parking lot.

GVJCI Carnival, June 23-24, 2007

The GVJCI Carnival was this past weekend.

Every year at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute Carnival, the church helps out at this community fundraiser in two ares. - game management for Bingo on both nights of the Carnival, and making and selling sushi (chirashi and inari) on Sunday only.

The sushi-making started on Saturday. Some of the ingredients could be prepared ahead of time and refridgerated.

The rice-cooking starts early in the morning on Sunday which I was in charge of. I open up the Social Hall Kitchen, and start the first batch of five 32-cup pots of rice. It takes about an hour before it is ready for the vinegar and the rest of the process, so that's why the rest of the rice-cooking team gets there later.

Then the whole assembly line gets going, using about 50 volunteers to make everything and have it delivered to the JCI.

Why don't we "modernize" the process, make shortcuts here and there? Well, as long as there are able-bodied volunteers to help why not? It is a social thing and its good to catch up on the latest gossip as well as simply seeing people.

Little by little, the process of making sushi is opening up to people of all ages, genders and walks of life - and that is important about being part of the Sangha.

---------------------

Because I woke up early to get to church, after bringing home late the Jr. YBA from their seminar in Oxnard the day before, I will admit was "in deep meditation" during part of Rev. Nakano's family sermon. At least the "meditation" was in silence. I couldn't recap what was said, but I'm sure she had good things to say.

Namo Amida Butsu

Losing A Friend

This past week we lost a friend. He was a member of former GABAs and had always encouraged the YABA leadership to move up, because eventually it would be these YABAs that would be the leaders in the church. Not to long ago, after an unusual day for him while preparing for Obon, he undergone some tests and was later diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease."

What it is it? From the ALS - Greater LA Chapter website, it is "a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed."

A year later his family and friends supported him in the annual ALS-Los Angeles fundraiser, Walk to D'Feet. It had been a 4 mile walk around Santa Monica, last year it became a 2.3 mile walk around the USC campus, sponsored by the Phi Delta Theta, the same fraternity that Lou Gehrig was a part of at Columbia University. Every year, members from our temple, supported by the ABA, had also joined the walk.

This year the walk will take place again on the USC campus on Sunday, October 7. Info is at http://walkgla.alsa.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=2770.

In many ways, the merging of the GABA and the YABAs was probably a Dan Shikuma idea. So a few years later, here they are, one group, and still encouraging the next generation of church leaders. If anything, Dan left us a legacy to laugh and have fun. It is not work, if we are having fun. In the last few years, ALS had gotten the best of him, and he had not been around much but even then his spirit still outshined us all. We have been missing him, but we've been ready for that. The funeral service is set for Friday at 10:00 am.

Gassho.

Hollywood Bowl Fourth of July Concert

Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl Fourth of July Concert, "A Tribute to Gene Autry and John Wayne," on Monday, July 2 with fireworks are still available from the Gardena ABA. It is a joint activity with Los Angeles Betsuin ABA. Check with a member for tickets or email me.

If anyone has any news or comments, email me and I'll get them included here.

Southern District Conference Fundraiser

The Buddhist Temple of San Diego and Vista Buddhist Temple, our hosts for the Southern District Conference, have an opportunity drawing to help defray costs. Please email me for information.

Also, each organization is gathering registrants for the conference to be held on September 29, 2007, in San Diego. If you are not a member of one of the church organizations, and still like to attend, contact the church office or email me.

June 17, 2007

Congratulations graduates! We recognized the six high school graduates from our Dharma School during our family service. Also we celebrated Father's Day with the Jr. YBA serving hot dogs for lunch for everyone. Thank you Jr YBA and parents for making that happen. It is real nice to sit down and share a meal with everyone in the Sangha.

We are helping out at the JCI Carnival by selling chirashi this Sunday, June 24, 2007. Anyone who can help with rice-cooking and rice-mixing should call the church office or reply by email here, info@gardenabuddhistchurch.org. We start working at 4:00 am in the morning.

American Pastimes

A film worth mentioning and available on DVD is "AMERICAN PASTIMES," directed and written by Desmond Nakano. A look at the life inside the Topaz Internment Camp of WWII, ironically about the American pastime -- baseball, behind barbed wire and ending with a game between the Japanese American internees and a team from the "outside the barbed wire."

See the trailer http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825225/trailers-screenplay-E31846-10-2

A schedule for this summer's "Film Programs at the GBC" is coming soon.

FUNDAY June 10, 2007

After a short service, FUNDAY was well underway.

The first game, "Golden Treasures," was coordinated by the Dharma School Teachers. Divided in teams of 10 people each, each person was sent to the south side of the church grounds to pick little treasure "boxes." Team leaders were sent to open up the boxes and count up the points - the team with the most received medals!

Next up was Hui Aikane and Dana Group's "Bingo" and the Fujinikai "Red/White Balls in the Basket," a traditional game in Japan.

The ABAs built a 1,200 square foot maze under the canopies called "A Path to Enlightenment." The Jr. YBA did "Gassho Hands" drawings and the Sangha Teens did "Frisbee Game."

The Hui Aikane and Dana Group again coordinated the "Water Balloon Toss" and the Matrons did a "Jan Ken Po Tournament."

The hot dogs finally arrived from Costco and everyone had a good time, reminiscent of the church picnic from the "old" days.

By 2:00 pm, it was all cleaned up. Thank you to the committee, headed by Rev. Nakano, and to each affiliated organization for a wonderful time.

Next week - it is the Father's Day and Graduates Service, and the All-Church Hot Dog Luncheon, provided by the Jr. YBA.

ITADAKIMASU - Cookbook

Part one of the Cookbook Project - reprinting the original "Itadakimasu" has been completed and are available for $15. Check on the website later for details on ordering and shipping costs. If interested, email info@gardenabuddhistchurch.org. The book has not been altered or edited from tis original from 30 years ago, with the exception of the removal of the ads in the first edition.

Part two is an ongoing project of collecting new recipes for the next edition. Needed are recipes for meals that can be completed in less that 30 minutes and for special diets, i.e, gluten-free, sugar-free, etc. Recipes for the new book can be dropped off at the church office - it must have your contact information.

-- Namu Amida Butsu

Sunday June 2, 2007

Rev. Nakano promoted FUNDAY which is next Sunday. Dharma School students were told to check in with their teacher when the come for FUNDAY. There will be a short service starting at 9:30 am. Part of the church parking lot will be closed. Entrances that are open will be the main gate, and the middle gate on Dalton. The Parking Annex will be open as usual.

Southern District Conference - San Diego 9/29/07

Registration materials are in the office if you are interested in attending the Southern District Conference and BWA Meeting. $65 for adults. Different prices for Dharma School students. The BWA has their own registration materials that the Fujinkai and Matrons have.

Starts at 9am and end at 4:30pm. Afterwards there will be additional activity at Legoland and/or Indian casinos.

We will have a bus that will leave after 4:30pm. Cost per person is estimated at $15, paid separately.

To help keep costs down, the host committee has opportunity drawings. Come to services for information.

Memories of Tomorrow

"Memories of Tomorrow," produced by and starring Ken Watanabe is about a man who has been diagnozed with early onset alzheimers. http://www.memoriesoftomorrowmovie.com/ The award-winning film opens in Los Angeles on Friday, June 8 in Japanese with English subtitles at the Laemmle Theatre in Santa Monica, ending on June 14. The book is by Hiroshi Ogiwara, which is not available yet in English translation.

"FUN" Day

Instead of regular services, on June 10, 2007, Gardena Buddhist Church is having a "fun"day where all ages will enjoy games and a lunch without having to "work." There will be a short service in the Hondo at 9:30 am, and then the festivity will begin outside. Each affiliated organization has coordinated an activity, which includes a "Maze to Enlightenment" by the Adult Buddhist Association (ABA).

Starting Out

Welcome to the Gardena Buddhist Church. We are a Shin Buddhist sangha and part of the Buddhist Churches of America. We are located in the City of Gardena in California, about 14 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles.