A Buddhist military sangha of our armed oforces are being formed by Captain Rev. Jeannette Shin, a naval chaplain and Jodo Shunshu miinster. I met Capt. Rev. Shin through Rev. Nakano at a National Council Meeting. Rev. Shin is wonderful. Since she is now on active duty, she had to resign her ministerialship at Florin Buddhist Church.
If you like more information, check out her blog
http://buddhistmilitarysangha.blogspot.com/
and you may learn something about yourself.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Obon Dance Practice starts tonight!
Tonight is the first of 13 practices for Obon Dance. The Southern District coordinates and learn most of the same dances, with a few variances or favorites at each temple. When you travel the rounds for Obon this summer, you will be familiar with most of the Obon dances.
We start our practices early to give our Sangha an opportunity to dance at the other temples starting with this weekend, schedules are available at any Southern District temple. Otherwise, people come to practice for the social aspect and for the exercise, oftentimes we get as many as 300 to 400 for practice.
Between 7 and 9 pm, every Tuesday and Thursday, until we start preparing our parking lot for our Obon carnival itself.
Gassho,
We start our practices early to give our Sangha an opportunity to dance at the other temples starting with this weekend, schedules are available at any Southern District temple. Otherwise, people come to practice for the social aspect and for the exercise, oftentimes we get as many as 300 to 400 for practice.
Between 7 and 9 pm, every Tuesday and Thursday, until we start preparing our parking lot for our Obon carnival itself.
Gassho,
Monday, June 23, 2008
The History of Hongwanji
The Hongwanji was not founded by the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran. Shinran was commemorated at the family shrine after death, which later became the Hongwanji. So the history of Hongwanji starts after Shinran.
Jodo Shinshu had devoted and popular followers. So much that it was considered a threat to the other Buddhist denominations, and even the samurai goverment thought so too. There was a time in its early history, that the Hongwanji had to be dismantled and taken to another location.
It finally found itself on a small hill and the junction of two rivers in the sleepy little town of Osaka, which originally meant "little hill." Its influence grew that the town grew around it. Oda Nobunaga, the great general wanted that land for his own, but was defeated by one of his generals, a peasant name Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who in the end, could not become Shogun because of his humble beginnings.
He persuaded Hongwanji to move back to Kyoto to sizable land that he will donate just south of the Capital. And in is place in Osaka he built Osaka Castle. This wasn't done peacefully, but the Gomonshu relinquished and agreed to the move. So the Hongwanji moved for its final time to its present site in Kyoto.
(A side note: the Gomonshu's oldest son, against his father's command, continued the fight, and later he was not given the title of Gomonshu. Shortly after, when Tokugawa Ieyasu gained control of Japan and became Shogun, did this son because Gomonshu of Higashi Hongwanji.)
Because Hideyoshi was a believer in Jodo Shinshu, he gave to the Hongwanji many possessions that he had controled. Within the Hongwanji compound today is the Floating Cloud Pavilion. Since the Ashikaga shoguns previously build pavilions of their own, Gold and Silver, Hideyoshi built for hiimself a "teahouse." The design of the Floating Cloud Pavilion have both Chinese and traditional Japanese elements in it. Hideyoshi, himself, was a follower of Tea and was a student of Sen no Rikyu, the founder of Senke schools of Tea. See earlier post on "Rikyu." There is also a tea house and a bell tower within the garden.
The Hongwanji also has many other treasures, which combined are National Treasures of Japan. The Hongwanji has several Noh stages, and the famous Karamon Gate of Kirin. It has the Imperial crest on it as it was used by Imperial messengers. The Kirin on the gate was also the inspiration for the Kirin brand of beer
The Hongwanji was instrumental in continuing the traditions of two cultural arts of Japan, Noh and Chanoyu.
Gassho,
Jodo Shinshu had devoted and popular followers. So much that it was considered a threat to the other Buddhist denominations, and even the samurai goverment thought so too. There was a time in its early history, that the Hongwanji had to be dismantled and taken to another location.
It finally found itself on a small hill and the junction of two rivers in the sleepy little town of Osaka, which originally meant "little hill." Its influence grew that the town grew around it. Oda Nobunaga, the great general wanted that land for his own, but was defeated by one of his generals, a peasant name Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who in the end, could not become Shogun because of his humble beginnings.
He persuaded Hongwanji to move back to Kyoto to sizable land that he will donate just south of the Capital. And in is place in Osaka he built Osaka Castle. This wasn't done peacefully, but the Gomonshu relinquished and agreed to the move. So the Hongwanji moved for its final time to its present site in Kyoto.
(A side note: the Gomonshu's oldest son, against his father's command, continued the fight, and later he was not given the title of Gomonshu. Shortly after, when Tokugawa Ieyasu gained control of Japan and became Shogun, did this son because Gomonshu of Higashi Hongwanji.)
Because Hideyoshi was a believer in Jodo Shinshu, he gave to the Hongwanji many possessions that he had controled. Within the Hongwanji compound today is the Floating Cloud Pavilion. Since the Ashikaga shoguns previously build pavilions of their own, Gold and Silver, Hideyoshi built for hiimself a "teahouse." The design of the Floating Cloud Pavilion have both Chinese and traditional Japanese elements in it. Hideyoshi, himself, was a follower of Tea and was a student of Sen no Rikyu, the founder of Senke schools of Tea. See earlier post on "Rikyu." There is also a tea house and a bell tower within the garden.
The Hongwanji also has many other treasures, which combined are National Treasures of Japan. The Hongwanji has several Noh stages, and the famous Karamon Gate of Kirin. It has the Imperial crest on it as it was used by Imperial messengers. The Kirin on the gate was also the inspiration for the Kirin brand of beer
The Hongwanji was instrumental in continuing the traditions of two cultural arts of Japan, Noh and Chanoyu.
Gassho,
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Day Two of no power for the Hondo.
Despite the lack of power to run lights, the organ and the air conditioning (the temps were in the 90s), we went ahead with our services. Today, we honored the high school graduates of our Dharma School and awarded the GBC Scholarships.
We ran extension cords from the Social Hall to run the PA system and some lights on the naijin. We still do not light candles, a tradition that goes back to 1980s when the Hondo burned down (but it was due to an arsonist, not burning candles). Still the glow of the naijin is quite impressive. The brass item
s in the naijin are polished once a year, half at a time, so we have two "O-Migaki" days. That and the gold used reflect the light.
In place of the messages from our ministers, we honored the high school graduates, of which we had six. We also gave out three scholarships.
When the Dharma School studens were dismissed, we had a combined English and Japanese session and practice for the first time - Walking Nembutsu. Most Buddhists practice this as a way to Enlightenment, which is not a practice of Jodo Shinshu-ists. Jodo Shinshu-ists us
e Walking Nembutsu as a way to remind us of the Nembutsu, which is the primary way of enlightenment.
The adults walked around the Hondo in a circle, chanting the sutra, Ju Ni Rai, in measured steps. Starting with the left foot, take three steps and stop. It took a full circle to complete. When you pass the center of the Naijin (at either side of the circle), you turn to bow to Amida Buddha.
It was a little difficult to manage the service book and a fan and to see, since the Hondo was darkened, it was a great experience and people went home with a new look at Nembutsu.
The kids who were also affected by the power outage in the classroom buildings, were cooling off in the Social Hall watching "My Neighbor Totoro." Sunday Social, hosted this week by the Sangha Teens, was also held in the Social Hall.
The day was a reminder that Nembutsu is alive, and that it goes on no matter what crisis could occur. Could it be that it was only 25 years ago that the Hondo was reopened after being rebuilt from the ground up after the devastating fires that destroyed the preceeding Hondo? Although it was simply a day without electricity, we could have been reminded that despite that loss, we could still hold services.
Next week, the Dharma School is holding its Recycle Day - Part II and collecting aluminum cans and plastic bottles. This day was a reminder that we rely so much on electricity, yet the Nembutsu does not. It does not need the electricity, Amida Buddha does not need air condition. What a wonderful thing that we have learned that we could rely on!
Gassho,
Despite the lack of power to run lights, the organ and the air conditioning (the temps were in the 90s), we went ahead with our services. Today, we honored the high school graduates of our Dharma School and awarded the GBC Scholarships.
We ran extension cords from the Social Hall to run the PA system and some lights on the naijin. We still do not light candles, a tradition that goes back to 1980s when the Hondo burned down (but it was due to an arsonist, not burning candles). Still the glow of the naijin is quite impressive. The brass item
s in the naijin are polished once a year, half at a time, so we have two "O-Migaki" days. That and the gold used reflect the light.In place of the messages from our ministers, we honored the high school graduates, of which we had six. We also gave out three scholarships.
When the Dharma School studens were dismissed, we had a combined English and Japanese session and practice for the first time - Walking Nembutsu. Most Buddhists practice this as a way to Enlightenment, which is not a practice of Jodo Shinshu-ists. Jodo Shinshu-ists us
e Walking Nembutsu as a way to remind us of the Nembutsu, which is the primary way of enlightenment.The adults walked around the Hondo in a circle, chanting the sutra, Ju Ni Rai, in measured steps. Starting with the left foot, take three steps and stop. It took a full circle to complete. When you pass the center of the Naijin (at either side of the circle), you turn to bow to Amida Buddha.
It was a little difficult to manage the service book and a fan and to see, since the Hondo was darkened, it was a great experience and people went home with a new look at Nembutsu.
The kids who were also affected by the power outage in the classroom buildings, were cooling off in the Social Hall watching "My Neighbor Totoro." Sunday Social, hosted this week by the Sangha Teens, was also held in the Social Hall.The day was a reminder that Nembutsu is alive, and that it goes on no matter what crisis could occur. Could it be that it was only 25 years ago that the Hondo was reopened after being rebuilt from the ground up after the devastating fires that destroyed the preceeding Hondo? Although it was simply a day without electricity, we could have been reminded that despite that loss, we could still hold services.
Next week, the Dharma School is holding its Recycle Day - Part II and collecting aluminum cans and plastic bottles. This day was a reminder that we rely so much on electricity, yet the Nembutsu does not. It does not need the electricity, Amida Buddha does not need air condition. What a wonderful thing that we have learned that we could rely on!
Gassho,
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Japanese Language School Graduation
Hours before the graduation of the Japanese Language School students were to take place, an accident took place in front of the Hondo which took out the telephone pole and cut the power to the Hondo. The person and her vehicle were ok. This brought out the fire department, the Gardena Police (to close off the streets), and Southern California Edison.
After making the area safe as possible, which included cutting the power to the minister's residence, the Edison folks made the preparation to repair the pole.
In the meantime, we decided to proceed with the graduation service in the Hondo. The Social Hall was operating as usual, but it was being used for a private party to take place at the same time.
So we ran extension cords from the Social Hall to operate the portable PA system. We passed out the fans that we use for Bon Dancing, and we were set to go.
The reflection of available light is actually very beautiful.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Southern District Conference, June 7, 2008
At the Sportsman Lodge in Studio City, the annual Southern District Conference, "Now in the Present Moment," took place yesterday.
About 400 participate, which also combines District meetings for the Buddhist Women's Assocations and the Dharma School Teachers League.
The keynote speaker in English was Rev. Kuyo Kubose of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. His father too was the minister at the same temple and also was at the Higashi Hongwanji in Los Angeles.
Rev. Kubose believes in the ease of gassho and that it could be done anywhere and anytime. Why not do in the bathroom each morning to start off your day right? Or everytime you shake someone's hand. Some people get self-conscisous about doing nembutsu in public, so why not wring your hands as a form of nembutsu. You may be thinking, "namo amida butsu," but you may be saying out loud, "awright, its time to eat."
Also, if you see football players make a cross with the hands after scoring a touchdown? Why not do the shape of the dharma wheel instead? (a circle with two xs inside.)
In the afternoon, there was a panel of interesting speaker talking about their moments when their lives changed.
The first woman is an 8-year survivor from a brain tumor that was removed successfully. Although she must return for tests every three months, she has a positive attitude about the whole thing.
The second woman lost her husband when he as 31 and a year after giving birth to twin boys, who are now full-grown. She did not expect to raise the boys herself, but she had to overcome that and now participates in many temple activity.
The third speaker survived the World Trade Center September 11, 2001. He was on the 55th floor, and he may not have been the good student in Sunday School classes, he did his best to get out of the building in time and the ordeal days later to return to his family in Los Angeles.
In each, the person did not plan for this critical point to take place. However, they have learned to live the moment each day of their lives. You don't need a critical point to take place to start living in the now.
In recapping the conference, even when you say you are living in the NOW, that moment had already past. You use everything you have learned to live in the NOW, but you don't have to dwell on the past or dwell on the future.
Today, I was listening to a report on an Olympic athlete who will probably be going on to the Beijing Olympics this year. She had stopped training as a weightlifter to raise a family. One of her children is autistic, and she almost could not cope with it. She is of the Mormon tradition and went to her Bishop to say that she had chosen to take of her son. The Bishop, instead, told her that she is the right person to do it, otherwise, she would not have had this child.
She takes the approach in returning to competitive weightlifting. As she competes, it is that moment that counts. It is now what is important.
Every Sunday, we see kids leave the temple to go to their basketball and baseball games. If they remember that it is NOW that is important, I think they have learned a valuable Buddhist lesson.
Namu Amida Buddha
About 400 participate, which also combines District meetings for the Buddhist Women's Assocations and the Dharma School Teachers League.
The keynote speaker in English was Rev. Kuyo Kubose of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. His father too was the minister at the same temple and also was at the Higashi Hongwanji in Los Angeles.
Rev. Kubose believes in the ease of gassho and that it could be done anywhere and anytime. Why not do in the bathroom each morning to start off your day right? Or everytime you shake someone's hand. Some people get self-conscisous about doing nembutsu in public, so why not wring your hands as a form of nembutsu. You may be thinking, "namo amida butsu," but you may be saying out loud, "awright, its time to eat."
Also, if you see football players make a cross with the hands after scoring a touchdown? Why not do the shape of the dharma wheel instead? (a circle with two xs inside.)
In the afternoon, there was a panel of interesting speaker talking about their moments when their lives changed.
The first woman is an 8-year survivor from a brain tumor that was removed successfully. Although she must return for tests every three months, she has a positive attitude about the whole thing.
The second woman lost her husband when he as 31 and a year after giving birth to twin boys, who are now full-grown. She did not expect to raise the boys herself, but she had to overcome that and now participates in many temple activity.
The third speaker survived the World Trade Center September 11, 2001. He was on the 55th floor, and he may not have been the good student in Sunday School classes, he did his best to get out of the building in time and the ordeal days later to return to his family in Los Angeles.
In each, the person did not plan for this critical point to take place. However, they have learned to live the moment each day of their lives. You don't need a critical point to take place to start living in the now.
In recapping the conference, even when you say you are living in the NOW, that moment had already past. You use everything you have learned to live in the NOW, but you don't have to dwell on the past or dwell on the future.
Today, I was listening to a report on an Olympic athlete who will probably be going on to the Beijing Olympics this year. She had stopped training as a weightlifter to raise a family. One of her children is autistic, and she almost could not cope with it. She is of the Mormon tradition and went to her Bishop to say that she had chosen to take of her son. The Bishop, instead, told her that she is the right person to do it, otherwise, she would not have had this child.
She takes the approach in returning to competitive weightlifting. As she competes, it is that moment that counts. It is now what is important.
Every Sunday, we see kids leave the temple to go to their basketball and baseball games. If they remember that it is NOW that is important, I think they have learned a valuable Buddhist lesson.
Namu Amida Buddha
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
750th Memorial Anniversary Contribution
Shinran passed away almost 750 years ago. It is a Buddhist tradition to conduct memorial services every 50 years.
The Hongwanji will be commemorating this event between April 2011 and January 2012. All BCA members are encouraged to travel to Japan in 2011. Members from the overseas Hongwanji districts, including the BCA, can partipate in special services at the Hongwanji in May 2011. These special services will coincide with the 14th World Federation of Buddhist Women's Associations Convention scheduled for May 16-17.
I'm interesting in taking a couple of groups to Japan for these services. Hold for more details later.
In addition, the BCA, districs and temples are encouraged to hold servies and other activities inlcuding district-wide family conferences in 2010 and 2011. The national 750th Memorial Service will be held in February 2010.
To join in the worldwide celebration, the BCA National Council at its annual meeting in Portland this yeasr approved a $400,000 gift to the Hongwanji. This comes to $25 per person, however, each person is asked to give generously through your temple.
Donatoin envelopes are available at each temple. Please make your contribution.
(from a recent letter sent by the BCA.)
The Hongwanji will be commemorating this event between April 2011 and January 2012. All BCA members are encouraged to travel to Japan in 2011. Members from the overseas Hongwanji districts, including the BCA, can partipate in special services at the Hongwanji in May 2011. These special services will coincide with the 14th World Federation of Buddhist Women's Associations Convention scheduled for May 16-17.
I'm interesting in taking a couple of groups to Japan for these services. Hold for more details later.
In addition, the BCA, districs and temples are encouraged to hold servies and other activities inlcuding district-wide family conferences in 2010 and 2011. The national 750th Memorial Service will be held in February 2010.
To join in the worldwide celebration, the BCA National Council at its annual meeting in Portland this yeasr approved a $400,000 gift to the Hongwanji. This comes to $25 per person, however, each person is asked to give generously through your temple.
Donatoin envelopes are available at each temple. Please make your contribution.
(from a recent letter sent by the BCA.)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hongwanji Trip - The Grounds
Nishi Hongwanji complex is large. Although it is probably less than half of the original size. Just outside the current walls is a temple neighborhood of shopkeepers and other service providers to the visitors to the Hongwanji. At one time Higashi Hongwanji and Nishi Hongwanji bordered each other.
When you enter at the gate, remember to bow towards the Amida-do.
Eventually, the shops and temples
around the Hongwanji were given the land. Even the lamposts in the area have a distinctive look.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Rikyu
I saw the film, "Rikyu," last Friday night at the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
The film, directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara, himself an ikebana teacher and a devotee of Urasenke, was produced in 1989 (Japanese) and is about the late stages in the life of Sen Rikyu, the founder of the Omotesenke and Urasenke schools of tea. It starts at the end of Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku Period of Japan and continues with his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Momoyama period). Sen Rikyu was a tea master to both, and spent most of his life avoiding the political life. But in the end, after political manipulations, Rikyu had to divulge his opnions of an upcoming attack on China and opposed Hideyoshi, which had tragic results.
Rentaru Mikuni portrayed Rikyu with the aesthetic passion and simplicity. He was awarded the Japanese equivalent of the Oscars that year.
Teshigahara does a great job in interpreting the story, of course, the importance of Sen is evident in the film. In the end, Rikyu walks to his death dressed in white in a dreamy-like sequence that is very powerful. In contrast to the near end of Hideyoshi, who becomes absorbed with power, playing "ball" with a globe with his son, almost deranged.
Rikyu preached minfulness. His teachings in tea were mindful of the process and the aesthetics of tea.
It is important to note, too, that this is the same period in which Hongwanji was built in Kyoto on land donated by Hideyoshi because he wanted the land in Osaka, on which Hongwanji had stood, for a fortress. This move was also partly a factor later during the Tokugawa period in which Hongwanji was split into two.
The current site of Osaka Castle was one of the last site of the Hongwanji prior to its move to Kyoto. In addition to the strength of the mass the Hongwanji was able to collect in people, this site was formidable in Osaka. The son of the monshu differed and he remained in Osaka to continue his fight. Because of this, he was not selected as the heir to the Monshu, but later plays figuratively in the formation of Higashi Hongwanji as the battle for succesion within the Hongwanji was played out during the Tokugawa shogunate.
One of the teahouses of Hideyoshi remains on the grounds of Hongwanji, the Floating Cloud Pavilion, which also appears briefly in this film.
The film, directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara, himself an ikebana teacher and a devotee of Urasenke, was produced in 1989 (Japanese) and is about the late stages in the life of Sen Rikyu, the founder of the Omotesenke and Urasenke schools of tea. It starts at the end of Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku Period of Japan and continues with his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Momoyama period). Sen Rikyu was a tea master to both, and spent most of his life avoiding the political life. But in the end, after political manipulations, Rikyu had to divulge his opnions of an upcoming attack on China and opposed Hideyoshi, which had tragic results.
Rentaru Mikuni portrayed Rikyu with the aesthetic passion and simplicity. He was awarded the Japanese equivalent of the Oscars that year.
Teshigahara does a great job in interpreting the story, of course, the importance of Sen is evident in the film. In the end, Rikyu walks to his death dressed in white in a dreamy-like sequence that is very powerful. In contrast to the near end of Hideyoshi, who becomes absorbed with power, playing "ball" with a globe with his son, almost deranged.
Rikyu preached minfulness. His teachings in tea were mindful of the process and the aesthetics of tea.
It is important to note, too, that this is the same period in which Hongwanji was built in Kyoto on land donated by Hideyoshi because he wanted the land in Osaka, on which Hongwanji had stood, for a fortress. This move was also partly a factor later during the Tokugawa period in which Hongwanji was split into two.
The current site of Osaka Castle was one of the last site of the Hongwanji prior to its move to Kyoto. In addition to the strength of the mass the Hongwanji was able to collect in people, this site was formidable in Osaka. The son of the monshu differed and he remained in Osaka to continue his fight. Because of this, he was not selected as the heir to the Monshu, but later plays figuratively in the formation of Higashi Hongwanji as the battle for succesion within the Hongwanji was played out during the Tokugawa shogunate.
One of the teahouses of Hideyoshi remains on the grounds of Hongwanji, the Floating Cloud Pavilion, which also appears briefly in this film.
FUN DAY, June 1, 2008
Today is the 2nd Annual Family Fun Day for all generations, with fun games that could be played by all. The theme was "Concrete Picnic" and was well coordinated by Nadine K., Dharma School Teachers, and Donna T., Gardena ABA.
A group of volunteers from different orgniazations helped put up the canopies, tables and chairs for the event. We pulled out a new PA speaker, and another one for music.
After a brief service, we started with some warmup exercise by our own Rev. Miura, and soon started our first game, which was passing water, cup by cup, person to person from one bucket to another.
The other games included a beach ball toss, dressing a teddy bear relay, dressing a person as a "princess (prince)," passing a plastic egg by spoon to spoon and after lunch there were more games - a water balloon toss and bingo.
Each "event" was coordinated by a different group.
Lunch was provided for all. It remined many of the church picnics from way back. I don't know, but maybe we will have a church picnic again someday. We're getting to be very portable.
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