tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20505611770377444182024-02-06T21:58:06.559-08:00Gardena Buddhist ChurchA Shinshu Buddhism temple in Gardena, California. Part of the Buddhist Churches of America (headquartered in San Francisco, California) and Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha (Nishi Hongwanji) in Kyoto, Japan. This is a layperson's blog on things that are happening at our temple or elsewhere.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-75517116969972095072011-12-05T13:29:00.000-08:002011-12-05T13:44:32.886-08:00Morning ServiceIn Japan, the Hongwanji Temple does a service every morning at 6am (6:30am during the winter0. It is generally a format that was prescribed by the 8th monshu - Rennyo.<br />You begin in the Amida-do (Amida Hall) for a chanting of "Sanbutsuge" then everyone walks into the Goei-do (Founder's Hall) for a chanting of "Shoshinge" then a reading from the Gobunsho (Letters of Rennyo). Usually there is a Dharma Talk.<br /><br />During our recent visit to Kyoto in October, we were able to attend to this service for four mornings. We barely made the end of this service at Tsukji Hongwanji - our walk through the fish market didn't allow us to make it in time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVX2701On2AHlmatWDsDZEB-DFiXt2_3ste3_Ffnz5GriUxD4DKJ2n3V20jGYFyRC-l1r3JIolXy5KaOkUdIsXIC9qCKRCdYuUF2JeUpwi6tpwXet7V_3tVrBZhMtandDibD1mtqcJYs/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252851%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVX2701On2AHlmatWDsDZEB-DFiXt2_3ste3_Ffnz5GriUxD4DKJ2n3V20jGYFyRC-l1r3JIolXy5KaOkUdIsXIC9qCKRCdYuUF2JeUpwi6tpwXet7V_3tVrBZhMtandDibD1mtqcJYs/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252851%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682762022696290562" /></a><br /><br />The Amida-do<br />The central image in the altar is Amida Buddha.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqm5zQxwnMENp9KjoWKT9Oox9y6BQIvZONkmhjN6IoIFLMUaRFtrqmNBWOucyLPu8u2F6ifFauQsQ6sDp_KGHNULV0zSxF9kjmklZFywZFwPHL7WXXVAjvMPy3hO3E7gL3lcE8HX3uTA/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252887%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqm5zQxwnMENp9KjoWKT9Oox9y6BQIvZONkmhjN6IoIFLMUaRFtrqmNBWOucyLPu8u2F6ifFauQsQ6sDp_KGHNULV0zSxF9kjmklZFywZFwPHL7WXXVAjvMPy3hO3E7gL3lcE8HX3uTA/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252887%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682762026228329154" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4xjNXcajmsEQLbqvH1jpidreL9w1o5BXuaRcLeDEFxZYj5OBArbnuxnX3_mVk_zsOmnG_uL_haNsIZmArcEyZ21_aNlaSRJZUBWfnxGRmxoWZ4x3ti2xlKqf-5X2kH_cnN45lLB1avQ/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252888%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4xjNXcajmsEQLbqvH1jpidreL9w1o5BXuaRcLeDEFxZYj5OBArbnuxnX3_mVk_zsOmnG_uL_haNsIZmArcEyZ21_aNlaSRJZUBWfnxGRmxoWZ4x3ti2xlKqf-5X2kH_cnN45lLB1avQ/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252888%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682762031920258482" /></a><br /><br />The walk to the Goei-do from the Amida-do in the corridor connecting the two halls. (One carries one own shoes in a bag, unless you want to return to the first hall when the services end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt5Wm8uzRBOu5VCFY-lJrKsun8XEa_7CEx9348IPFfI5P1qUL3qp8SrmMa7g4HKytfcuWUuyMP8mFNrSfmd2uldFhSXy_p4_aAtf-rmwN-U7eo5BAzB5bgoWD6bhG2yuTOa_teFGF0Yw/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%2528160%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt5Wm8uzRBOu5VCFY-lJrKsun8XEa_7CEx9348IPFfI5P1qUL3qp8SrmMa7g4HKytfcuWUuyMP8mFNrSfmd2uldFhSXy_p4_aAtf-rmwN-U7eo5BAzB5bgoWD6bhG2yuTOa_teFGF0Yw/s200/JPN11+GRP+%2528160%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682762036364926338" /></a><br /><br />On the 16th of every month - the format changes slightly with the Go-Monshu doing a special ritual to honor his ancestor, Shinran, on the anniversary day of his death.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG_bFdsfdryMh9WD4agUSigKo5iFRJwnVYlq2dK3WUnjyGmL3lM-APtdNDeEXJMqoVhMapQmbGoBHMZZd2qtr6VQ8ANmaXFW-DBkmFe4Tj6ckyqGT8ioLh__Xr1D26VqyDaBS-rUYmCE/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%2528139%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG_bFdsfdryMh9WD4agUSigKo5iFRJwnVYlq2dK3WUnjyGmL3lM-APtdNDeEXJMqoVhMapQmbGoBHMZZd2qtr6VQ8ANmaXFW-DBkmFe4Tj6ckyqGT8ioLh__Xr1D26VqyDaBS-rUYmCE/s200/JPN11+GRP+%2528139%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682762041115681026" /></a><br /><br />The central image in the Goei-do (Founder's Hall) is the seated image of Shinran.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireK40Oky-THgd8_bReLXKI9mvzWXUaCeuCxeybxgTXwMuqkV0ywukL2YYsMKp1cbE68i_xCbrBmxmmDJzzbDW3jwFugnRNQKm9T2tExCxkNeIDOdZbDiTAfnT-ai4TSrlUwj0VpEtaf8/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252890%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireK40Oky-THgd8_bReLXKI9mvzWXUaCeuCxeybxgTXwMuqkV0ywukL2YYsMKp1cbE68i_xCbrBmxmmDJzzbDW3jwFugnRNQKm9T2tExCxkNeIDOdZbDiTAfnT-ai4TSrlUwj0VpEtaf8/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252890%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682763185932580242" /></a>Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-76857769795266632022011-11-29T16:52:00.000-08:002011-11-29T17:22:34.680-08:00Memorial Service for Shinran, founder of JodoshinshuMemorial services are held regularly to bring families and friends together for a Dharma talk. It is less of an "ancestral worship" that most people, even Japanese think, in the Jodoshinshu Buddhism tradition. The increments increase until it reaches 50 years, and then for someone like Shinran, every 50 years thereafter.<br /><br />This year it is the 750th year after Shinran's passing that began the process of establishing the Hongwanji as a major Buddhist temple in Japan. And a very special service takes place at the Hongwanji for a whole year, to accommodate visitors from all over Japan and around the world.<br /><br />We were fortunate to be able to attend one of the services in October. <br /><br />But before the group came to the Hongwanji for this service, four of us woke up early to attend the daily morning service at 6 am. Not necessarily heeding any advice, we left at 5:30am to get there in time to stand outside the Amida-do (the Amida Hall), because there was no room inside one of the two temples where the morning service begins. Because of the 750th Memorial service, there are a lot of people coming to this service. So we waited outside, and then when it was ready to travel to the Goei-do (Founder's Hall - also where the Shinran memorial services were to be held), we were practically first in line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qJUBurIfEkBbP5-P1_UU9hF3ATh5zYx_tZI91lRqK2gNgaMz822sT9mkz0yri0Nw3VBfeAGq03BeszHPMqF2TO3YuCFyudansWPhBw3tYA48KONusYIna7XWzIKvxGqVI11QUusPnaQ/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252852%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qJUBurIfEkBbP5-P1_UU9hF3ATh5zYx_tZI91lRqK2gNgaMz822sT9mkz0yri0Nw3VBfeAGq03BeszHPMqF2TO3YuCFyudansWPhBw3tYA48KONusYIna7XWzIKvxGqVI11QUusPnaQ/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252852%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680587732611659074" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Goei-do.<br /></span><br /><br />It amazes us that people know what to do at the morning service, although this is common practice at all Hongwanji temples in Japan. We thought we will try again the next morning but leave earlier. We found out that the gates to Hongwanji opens at 5:30am.<br /><br />So we walked back to the hotel for breakfast and then returned at 8:30 with our group. We met the International Center staff who helped us to our seats (chairs were put into the Goei-do and the front of the hall was extended so to accommodate nearly 4,000 chairs! And because you have to take your shoes off to enter the temple, the Hongwanji gave everyone attending a bag that included a shoe bag so that each person can carry his or her own shoes. For this service, we did not have to move between the two halls.<br /><br />The Amida-do was renovated in time for this occasion, and it was beautifully done - with new gold-leafing and lacquer.<br /><br />We were given receivers to heat commentary and translation by Rev. Sekiya. He and the rest of the International staff took us to our seats - which happened to be in the front!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kTVp_WhybcUjQBlo2Bz9wcXnzxarttitX54AbUyO24D53vZKhXYzpDvvK84757CHe0r9lHLeSrt5MmnoVHODS5k1nhRb2Qh7Y4zFYS0eDFDDQMQ9tPmwWxEHxHovvRXq0ZRua4Iujws/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252859%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kTVp_WhybcUjQBlo2Bz9wcXnzxarttitX54AbUyO24D53vZKhXYzpDvvK84757CHe0r9lHLeSrt5MmnoVHODS5k1nhRb2Qh7Y4zFYS0eDFDDQMQ9tPmwWxEHxHovvRXq0ZRua4Iujws/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252859%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680589546796850434" /></a><br /><br />The Go-Monshu (the head of the Hongwanji) led the service for Shinran alongside his son, the Shin-Monshu, who is likely to be leading the service in 50 years with his own son, who was just born this year. We were familiar with the basic format as we had been "practicing" at home. There were so many participants, including the traditional and modern musicians.<br /><br />It was a beautiful and meaningful service to behold. <br /><br />Afterwards, we took a tour of the Hongwanji which includes buildings that are part of the World Cultural Heritage - facilities that were brought to Hongwanji by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the benefactor of the Hongwanji in Kyoto at the end of the 17th C. One of which this gate, known as the Karamon, and for its colors and depictions of the mythical beast known as the "kirin."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiWaynUChrpKF2ySoSzKBHHwkHM_IR2zmODrjYKPGGPrsuV2hD61ZBMLEmod0zsXiwkArFWjvgDjUDgcGzQB-W9hiRwFsgjMaT1t1hyphenhyphen_2e_PR1GHbm68SnYh8nyNv6Pqq1z-26ckSUEo/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252873%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiWaynUChrpKF2ySoSzKBHHwkHM_IR2zmODrjYKPGGPrsuV2hD61ZBMLEmod0zsXiwkArFWjvgDjUDgcGzQB-W9hiRwFsgjMaT1t1hyphenhyphen_2e_PR1GHbm68SnYh8nyNv6Pqq1z-26ckSUEo/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252873%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680591817879273394" /></a><br /><br />After a vegetarian lunch in a temporary facility across the street, it started to rain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-SM1LKLhXmkCo-POh1nZVXdRZjK9lr8VABe9z7izR2a23zGymiIoC1ppYMUC8ASk2FBWDNsX4y_XUTzcFzj1ayw8QujWdPtFfEGSxPkfwxgCp_DxGP1brRz-9G7jUGL4OtuLugJTq4c/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252874%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-SM1LKLhXmkCo-POh1nZVXdRZjK9lr8VABe9z7izR2a23zGymiIoC1ppYMUC8ASk2FBWDNsX4y_XUTzcFzj1ayw8QujWdPtFfEGSxPkfwxgCp_DxGP1brRz-9G7jUGL4OtuLugJTq4c/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252874%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680592322284955810" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9kfKAO4TuP7ebrkeJAhImV93xu_S9Q_IfVPiHEpzcdkjiBhdMaO3dCxr_jxNxD0FEKWp6p_Xekqe7VXLnH1fnSjpQzPzBHG4SjAryp2_qEt68eiVS2la1fWzEqsl9CcEwqt9CSRw0kQ/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252875%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9kfKAO4TuP7ebrkeJAhImV93xu_S9Q_IfVPiHEpzcdkjiBhdMaO3dCxr_jxNxD0FEKWp6p_Xekqe7VXLnH1fnSjpQzPzBHG4SjAryp2_qEt68eiVS2la1fWzEqsl9CcEwqt9CSRw0kQ/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252875%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680592467139204210" /></a><br /><br />We went across the street to see artifacts in the Hongwanji collection of Buddha and Shinran in the newly-built Ryukoku Museum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKXSqyC93vIMmuksE9RXDCOaSAT3kubKSmVXbG3k050DJSPXcNTthH2JGomT9mk6e-Np13z-cNx4nassfSJUnsds9a7TJXvE-yYanliilS6k1k_SvqPmzitt8N0J7gEuFu3kSJIPgE6s/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252880%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKXSqyC93vIMmuksE9RXDCOaSAT3kubKSmVXbG3k050DJSPXcNTthH2JGomT9mk6e-Np13z-cNx4nassfSJUnsds9a7TJXvE-yYanliilS6k1k_SvqPmzitt8N0J7gEuFu3kSJIPgE6s/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252880%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680592830873249314" /></a><br /><br />Then a walk through the "teramachi" where there were stores catering to pilgrims and a special hall set up by the Hongwanji before returning to our hotel that evening.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-79405626127190696832011-11-28T17:22:00.000-08:002011-11-28T17:40:27.312-08:00Arriving in JapanIn October, a group of us - numbering 12 - went to Japan to attend one of the services held for the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin at Honzan (Nishi Hongwanji) in Kyoto - the main temple for our sect.<br /><br />The first stop is Tokyo. Tokyo is a good place to start for those who have not been to Japan before as it is the most accessible if you do not speak Japanese. Most of the signs are written in Romaji if not in English, many retailers have some knowledge of English, and the facilities are more international, if you know what I mean.<br /><br />Our first stop after a good night's rest at Shinagawa Prince Hotel is a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market. After navigating one train and one subway, we managed to arrive at one end of the fish market and walked through to the other side. Los Angeles is the home of many wholesale markets but none come close to amount of food that is sold at the Tsukiji Fish Market and the outer markets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzngYyoo2fW1gti4_J3QOB6eou-VxfIhz-bHuqjtNRY9RQctF5cmPZTGyn_Wl_VVeMCVdnW7qD38Y4lN5D3U5uqg3T3XNUfdYbx69Bx7eUOlfav_H1ZT8_YTgBThrHW1HjyXtGFrrq2gk/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252811%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzngYyoo2fW1gti4_J3QOB6eou-VxfIhz-bHuqjtNRY9RQctF5cmPZTGyn_Wl_VVeMCVdnW7qD38Y4lN5D3U5uqg3T3XNUfdYbx69Bx7eUOlfav_H1ZT8_YTgBThrHW1HjyXtGFrrq2gk/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252811%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680223754436135410" /></a><br /><br />Even though it was early in the morning, we skipped the hotel breakfast to have fresh sushi at one of the restaurants just outside of the market. Not only was that fun, but since the fish is amazingly fresh, it was quite delicious and quite an experience after arriving in Japan.<br /><br />Also in Tsukiji, we stopped at Tsukiji Hongwanji with its Indian architect. The main hondo was not open as it was being cleaned for a special ho-on-ko service, we got to the kodo (little chapel) in time before the morning service ended. <br /><br />Before we boarded the Nozomi Shinkansen, we had a chance to visit the Ghibli Museum just outside of Tokyo in Mitaka. Here on display is the work and brilliance of Hayao Miyasaki. The purpose of visiting here is to capture a sense of Japan that is harder to find. Miyasaki is fond of telling stories and especially those stories that evoke the folktales of Japan. These are the folktales that were abound when Shinran entered his exile on the Sea of Japan. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYV900KTJe_jT_JpxURi2e5uRptgpnz98Vr1uCuEtdagrops81Ogcgbf4kMQV20a95siNT4rgbkHnrcWRmhpZAF_MgkHD4df7F8FVsHVMMRittWiqcYItdea7lXXJmx1f5j-tQDNT69M/s1600/JPN11+GRP+%252824%2529.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYV900KTJe_jT_JpxURi2e5uRptgpnz98Vr1uCuEtdagrops81Ogcgbf4kMQV20a95siNT4rgbkHnrcWRmhpZAF_MgkHD4df7F8FVsHVMMRittWiqcYItdea7lXXJmx1f5j-tQDNT69M/s200/JPN11+GRP+%252824%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680224801573461970" /></a><br /><br />Then we made it back to Shinagawa Station in Tokyo to catch our shinkansen to Kyoto. The Shinagawa station has been modernized and is a good alternative to catch the shinkansen instead of busier and larger Tokyo Station. There were only three stops on the fastest of all the bullet trains. It was too dark to spot Mt. Fuji along the way.<br /><br />Once we arrived in Kyoto, we had to pick among the many restaurants in the station as well underneath it for dinner. We stayed at the Shin Miyako Hotel, which is very close to Kyoto Station.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-54941179992115008042011-11-14T20:56:00.000-08:002011-11-14T21:18:30.680-08:00Back from JapanActually it has been a couple of weeks. I sorted out my photos and edited from 2,500 to about 1,000. So I am still ways from posting here and on Facebook. <br /><br />12 of us were in Japan to attend one of the services for the 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin at Honzan, the short name for the temple that most people know as Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto. It is rhe mother temple of the Buddhist Churches of America. It was the highlight of the trip and because it onky happens every 50 years, it was truly once on a lifetime. <br /><br />On the other hand, I gave the group a tour of a few of the sites connected to Shinran. It wasn't that hard, as they were expecting visitors attending this service. <br /><br />We had four mornings in Kyoto, so each morning at least four of us attended the daily morning services. Some of the days others in the group were able to join us. It was a bout a 15 minute walk from our hotel, New Miyako Hotel, near Kyoto Staion, to Honzan. <br /><br />The first morning, we got there at 6 pm and already the Amida Hall was full. Because half of the service is in the Amida Hall and the second half is in the larger Goei Hall, we were able to sit in the Goei-do. (The Goei-do is set for the memorial services so their are chairs set up im the enlarged hall.<br /><br />The traditional morning service begins with Sanbutsuge in the Amida-do, then the Sangha walks over to the Goei-do for Shoshinge and 6 of the wasan. then it ends there with a reading from one of Rennyo's letters and a sermon.<br /><br />You must take your shoes off, so we used the bag that we got forthe 750th and carried ournshoes around. I knew at leastbto get chairs for the group. It is becoming more popular even among Japanese to sit on chairs instead of the tatami. <br /><br />The voices in chanting is so strong. All four mornings were similar, except for the six verses of wasana, which are rotated. On the second morning, it was slightly different as it is traditional for the Go-Monshu performs this service, with the toraiban, on the 15th of each month. Honzan provides books for the services, but you have to be able to read the hiragana over the kanji for Sanbutsuge. And thr katakana over the kanji for Shoshinge. I am not sure why it is done this way.<br /><br />In gassho,Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-59815192555746019342011-08-13T21:04:00.000-07:002011-08-13T21:07:00.580-07:00Funeral Service for Rev ShindoThe funeral segice for Rev Hosho Shindo, the beloved resident minister of Gardena Buddhist Church, will take place on Aug. 25 at 3pm. The service is sponsored jointly by the Buddhist Churches of America and our temple.
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<br />In gasshoAlan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-89522263931158468522011-08-13T20:52:00.000-07:002011-08-13T21:04:29.067-07:00Obon, It's Festival TimeIn the Hongwanji tradition, Obon is really a gathering of joy. It is not a homecoming of ancestral spirits. That is why our tradiotn does not welcome them or send them off. But this idea of a spirit homecoming is really an innate Japanese tradition that goes back before the advent of Buddhism from China.
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<br />YhebGathering of Joy is to hear the Dharma, and to bring the Sangha together. In the Hingwanji, when passing, we enter the Pure Land (Jodo) immediately. Thus there is no 'soul' we are joined to Amids Buddha. But as homecoming of the living, Obon is ideal. We dance the Obon dances for joy and having a good time. this really is a festival, or 'matsuri.'
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<br />To have around 1,000 each day of the Obon matsuri is quite an accomplishment for the temple to care for the guests. Yes, it is a fundraiser and it does return some funds into the general budget. But, our Sangha has to support the dancers and their friends and family.
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<br />A big thank you to our Sangha members for putting on this party.
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<br />And to the public, including members of our neighbor temples and churches and the Hongwanji temples in yhe U.S. Who vame, thank you for visitng.
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<br />Although we are missing this year our resident minister, we continue the work that needs to get done - a Dharma lesson.
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<br />In gassho,
<br />Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-90544379049231441842011-07-13T08:58:00.000-07:002011-07-13T09:08:02.064-07:00In the Pure Land...On the day Rev. Shindo passed away, I wanted to go to the hospital but could not because I had a meeting at the temple with Kintetsu about the traveling to Japan in October.<br /><br />Later, that night I had this dream where I was in a town/city that I was exactly sure where it was but it was familiar. All I know I spent the whole time looking for Rev. Shindo. Could not find him down the hall or up the street.<br /><br />Finally, I noticed I was the only one there - I had not seen a single person at all during my search. At this moment, I thought I better wake up, so I did. I never got to know what I was doing or why I was there because I broke the dream by waking up.<br /><br />A week later, Bill Dearth, minister's assistant of Orange County Buddhist Church, came to speak at our temple. In his discussion of an essay on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism written by a Catholic priest, he mentioned that in our beliefs that Amida Buddha had shown us the way and we instantaneously join him on death, and that if we do somehow go to the Pure Land, we would not see anyone there because that is not what believe in.<br /><br />hmmmmm...I must be dreamt about being in the Pure Land, of course, where else would I be to look for Rev. Shindo? But it was not filled with palaces of precious stones and metals of different colors. It was a place that was bright yet familiar, yet unidentifiable. If so, that would be appropriate for the Pure Land to be - nothing. Gee, if I had not have waken up, would I have just remained there forever? No wonder I rushed to wake myself up, I still have tasks to finish here on this shore.<br /><br />Namu amida butsu.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-33811115526123872982011-07-09T12:22:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:33:28.467-07:00Funeral service for late Rev ShindoThe family of Rev Shindo in conjunction with the Bishop's Office of the Buddhist Churches of America and the Board of Directors of the Gardena Buddhist Church has scheduled the funeral service on Thursday, August 25, at 3:00 pm with otoki following in the Social Hall. The BCA announcement will be sent to all temples in the U.S. later.<br /><br />The members of the temple may joined the family at a privste viewing of the casket on Tuesday, July 12 at 3:00 pm, followed by a short service at 4:00 pm at Gardena Buddhist Church.<br /><br />Obon dance practice will continue as usual on Tuesday. <br /><br />The Obon Service for the temple will be held on July 17 and Hatsubon for families that lost a loved one this past year will be later on the same day. The Gardena Buddhist Temple Obon Carnivsl will be held on August 6 & 7, with the obon dance on the street starting at 6:00 pm on both days.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-33427585730551522902011-07-05T23:33:00.000-07:002011-07-07T07:51:55.768-07:00Rev Hosho Shindo - SelflessnessOn Sunday, Rev Harada, supervising minister, talked about selflessness, based on an essay written by Rev Kubose of the Chicago Buddhist Temple. <br /><br />One person who exemplifies this is Rev Shindo. He would be working til late at night prepping for services. Sometimes, I would have to tell him to go home to rest. He worked daily, always thinking of our temple and the people it serves. He did not care to be the center of the center of attention.<br /><br />I wished he hadn't always thought this way. For about one year and ten months, he had been battling a stubborn cancer. I wished we could all been in on it and fight it together. But he probably did not want us to be bothered by it. But he could not win it over and succumbed to it on Sunday. For us who only knew towards the end of service, it was not a surprise. Nor would we ave been surprise to learn that he wanted to come to temple to thank the people. Probably, not really to thank us for the gifts and thoughts of him during this illness, but most likely to thank us all for giving him the opportunity to be a service to us.<br /><br />He really was a selfless person. I am truly blessed to have known him.<br /><br />Also, we truly appreciate Mrs. Shindo, who had gone through all this alone, and probably not of her own wishes, but respecting the wishes of Rev. Shindo. She is a remarkable woman and should be noted. <br /><br />In gassho,Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-53316599995938171722011-06-08T10:37:00.000-07:002011-06-08T10:38:18.649-07:00Isami Taiko at Fujimatsuri, April 30, 2011Here is a link to the performances by Isami Taiko at our Fujimatsuri on April 30, 2011.<br /><br />http://isamitaiko.blogspot.com/p/fujimatsuri-april-30-2011.htmlAlan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-1410112926521752682011-03-15T14:38:00.000-07:002011-03-15T14:50:01.856-07:00Japan ToursThe events that are unfolding in Japan has kept our travel agency busy. We have a group that is leaving for Japan in May to attend the 750th Memorial Service for Shinran and the Buddhist Women's World Congress. Another group, that I'm organizing, is leaving for the same service in October 2011.<br /><br />Shortly, BCA would be sending out letters to members about contributing to a fund that they are sending out. I will post it here when it becomes available.<br /><br />GasshoAlan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-54631613268976754782011-02-23T16:42:00.000-08:002011-02-23T17:08:36.796-08:00Japan 2011 - Hongwanji's Floating Cloud PavilionThe Hongwanji came to Kyoto shortly after the Sengoku Period which unified Japan. The General Oda Nobunaga had come to terms with his enemies, but passes - leaving control of Japan to his no. 1 general, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a man of common beginnings who could not become Shogun. Although the temple had begun as a mausoleum after the death of Shinran, the temple had moved extensively until this point. In the negotiated peace with the Imperial family's blessings, Toyotomi gave Hongwanji in 1584 a tract of land in Kyoto, probably to compensate for the Ishiyama location that eventually becomes Osaka Castle. The temple is complete in 1592 and Hideyoshi also donates works of arts and architectural features to the temple. Construction on Osaka Castle begins in 1593 and completed in 1597, after the passing of Hideyoshi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-Eff1okRlr8RXDlFnfduIBShNSfn_E-os9dH7eyJ-wsiujKIa4KwfuapGqPhbvqq6uxuisCxTsf3jHWxzzHxNNRy76toav7676V4icQ2zgXS_cEXKcTBnb1Ne3ykt5gE4lGo3LwG0wY/s1600/800px-Hiunkaku_Nishi_Honganji.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-Eff1okRlr8RXDlFnfduIBShNSfn_E-os9dH7eyJ-wsiujKIa4KwfuapGqPhbvqq6uxuisCxTsf3jHWxzzHxNNRy76toav7676V4icQ2zgXS_cEXKcTBnb1Ne3ykt5gE4lGo3LwG0wY/s200/800px-Hiunkaku_Nishi_Honganji.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577056321524936178" /></a><br /><br />Hideyoshi is also known as a tea enthusiast, oftentimes, consulting (and eventually disagreeing with) Sen Rikyu the founder of tea schools. Within the grounds of the Hongwanji, he had built the Floating Cloud Pavilion (Hiunkaku)<br /><br /><br />This is part of the National Historical Registry. Japan was a source of inspiration for such designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright and other Arts and Craftsman. In fact, if you go down and see La Brea Bakery at Downtown Disney, you will notice it has a familiar facade.<br /><br />The Hiunkaku features two types of architecture, the angular lines of Chinese architecture popular in Kyoto and the softer curvy architecture of native Japan. It is considered as one of the three great pavilions of Kyoto, albeit most people cannot see this one. The other two are Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-73218367330960893852011-02-16T13:17:00.001-08:002011-02-16T13:17:27.697-08:00Temple Anniversaries2012 is the 30th Anniversary of our Hondo. We will be celebrating with a time capsule that was part of our 85th Anniversary commemoration. Please feel free to contribute anything about our temple and the people it was built for. It could be remembrances or actual journals, videos on DVD, photographs, etc. We will close the time capsule at this celebration and open it at our Centennial, which will take place 15 years later. Our hondo was dedicated in August 1982 after fires that destroyed the previous hondo. <br /><br />This commemoration will coincide with Gardena hosting the 2012 Southern District Conference. I am looking for people to volunteer for the steering committee. One of the first things we need to do is to arrange for a location and select a theme. <br /><br />The komon and sodanyaku hope that we can hire another minister who is a native English speaker. The board did approve establishing a Minister Scholarship Program that will help us with getting another minister in the future. The board has a few more procedures to approve before we can fully implement this. <br /><br />In the meantime, we will start seeing guest ministers for the English sermons at least twice a month and the religious department will also be looking for lay speakers who can speak in English. We do have a volunteer who looks after Rev. Shindo and helps with pronunciation. If others can help please let me know.<br /><br />We have received items in the suggestion box, and we are doing our best to respond to the needs.<br /><br />Our October group to Japan will meet soon. Kintetsu is finalizing the preparations for the May group’s visit, and then we will be scheduling meetings for our tour. Please stay tuned. Anyone interested in traveling to Japan in October for the 750th Memorial Service for Shinran in Kyoto, please contact me.<br /><br />In Gassho,Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-58268544131000639742010-12-07T13:33:00.000-08:002010-12-07T13:46:00.623-08:00December 5, 2010This past Sunday, Rev. John Turner, a minister's assistant from OCBC, was our guest speaker. During the early family service, he spoke to the Dharma School kids on Bodhi Day. Most of the western world, thinks of linear terms, i.e., crossing themselves, usually in a north-south, east-west. The Buddha before he became the Buddha ventured outside of his father's palace in a circular order - he first went out the East Gate, then the South Gate, so on. Therefore he went out East, South, West and North. But it is this symbol of circleness that is emphasized, the cycle of birth and death.<br /><br />He continued this theme in the adult session. The Buddha was enlightened, but after his death, who would be able to take his place? There were four disciples that were closests to the Buddha, Sariputta, Mogallan, Kasyapa and Ananda.<br /><br />Sariputta was brilliant and probably the closest to the Buddha. Mogallana was innately spiritual and is the subject of our O-Bon observances. Kasyapa was very disciplined, akin to a Marine. Ananda was not at a high level of any one thing, but was eminent in many disciplines. He was able to attain this by "listening." Mogallana and Sariputta passed away quickly after Buddha, leaving only Kasyapa and Ananda behind.<br /><br />Interestingly, they did not get along. However, it was Ananda that won over because he was good at many things. Learning and listening is what he advocates and does very well.<br /><br />On this Bodhi Day, we may not be exceptional to attain Enlightement, however, we may do well to listen to the teachings and be good at many things.<br /><br />Namu Amida Butsu.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-48557157647964397782010-11-09T09:08:00.000-08:002010-11-09T09:09:47.870-08:00Thought for the day"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude."- William James<br /><br />William James (January 11, 1842 – August 26, 1910) was a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher who was trained as a medical doctor. He wrote influential books on the young science of psychology, educational psychology, psychology of religious experience and mysticism, and on the philosophy of pragmatism. He was the brother of novelist Henry James and of diarist Alice James. <span style="font-style:italic;">-Wikipedia.</span>Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-48200509978812960642010-11-02T22:59:00.000-07:002010-11-02T23:01:45.559-07:00Three TreasuresNamo kie Bu<br />Namo kie Hou<br />Namo kie Sou<br /><br />The three treasures - Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The Sanga is made up of the 400 alumni.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-60312892170358037132010-06-14T07:37:00.000-07:002010-06-14T07:41:06.455-07:00After life?We want to know about what happens after we die. Will we see others? Where will we be. The sutras that use in Jodo Shinshu describes in great detail what Pure Land is like. But at the same time, Jodo Shinshu says why bother? We don't have to worry about after life because Amida says we don't have to worry about because he guarantees it. Through reciting the nembutsu and with shinjin, we will be reborn in the Pure Land, so don't worry about it.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-46689912405264484232010-05-06T12:11:00.000-07:002010-05-06T12:16:33.900-07:00It's been awhile ....This blog was meant to be an extension of the Megumi and allow visitors to the Facebook page for Gardena Buddhist Church to learn something. So for a short while, I would try to recap what we heard on Sundays.<br /><br />It takes a little time to write up something, and of course, if there was something to write up it would make it easier.<br /><br />Instead of recapping Sunday's Dharma Talk, I hope to add some things that I have heard that you may like to know on your journey along the White Path.<br /><br />Currently, I am reading "The Three Pure Land Sutras: A Study and Translation: by Hisao Inagaki. The study portion is interesting on how the concepts of Pure Land and Nembutsu developed. And why Shinran selected the seven as the Seven Patriachs.<br /><br />The translations of the sutras are interesting, and you wonder how the ancient people memorized these sutras so that we can read them today.<br /><br />In Gassho,Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-4161834650543992682010-04-12T10:04:00.000-07:002010-04-12T10:07:53.291-07:00Nembutsu Seminar: Socho Koshin Ogui, Bishop, BCA"My life is not only my life but the lives of others' sacrifices, kindness, thoughtfulness and patience."<br /><br />The Socho was quite a rascal in the early years of his ministerial career. However, he had come to realize the above and shared that experience with us at our second Nembutsu Seminar of the year at the temple on Saturday, April 10, 2010.<br /><br />Think about it, and I'll add additional thoughts and words from the seminar in this space.Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-1950536760747131112010-03-29T17:42:00.000-07:002010-03-29T17:50:01.415-07:00April 10 $ 11, 2010We are fortunate to have as our guest, Bishop Koshin Ogui, socho of the Buddhist Churches of America, for the weekend.<br /><br />He will present a Nembutsu Seminar on April 10 at 1pm, "Meditation Practices in Jodo Shinshu." The BWA is providing refreshments for this seminar.<br /><br />Socho will also preside over a small gathering for dinner at the new Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance at 6pm. Early RSVP is necessary, so please send an email if you like to attend. The cost per person is $65.<br /><br />Starting at 9am on April 11, temple members can come to the Hondo and pour sweet tea over the small statue of the baby Siddhartha in the hanamido. Hanamatsuri Service, commemorating the birth of the future Buddha, will start at 9:30am. Socho Ogui will give the sermon in English and Japanese. Afterwards, Socho Ogui will assist Revs. Shindo and Nakano with the infant presentation service startine at 11:30am. Hatsumairi (First Service) is the name of this service, and we are expecting 11 participants and their parents. Lunch will be served for the participants by the Dana Group.<br /><br />Then at 2pm, a special kieshiki, or Affrimation Service, conducted by Socho Ogui for participants to receive their Buddhist name, or homyo. Application for this service had passed and 71 will participate in this service.<br /><br />The bishop will later meet with the temple elders and return to the Bay area on Monday.<br /><br />We are looking forward to this weekend. The public is invited to attend the Nembutsu Seminar on Saturday at 1pm and the Hanamatsuri Service on Sunday starts at 9:30am.<br /><br />In gasshoAlan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-69432435505126075902009-09-21T15:07:00.001-07:002009-09-21T15:09:10.410-07:00ABA BingoThank you from the ABA for attending their bingo fundraiser! (September 19, 2009)Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-82309417185993025762009-08-03T10:52:00.000-07:002009-08-03T10:57:22.941-07:00Obon, Obon, It's Festival TimeThank you to those who attended our Obon Dance and Carnival, August 1st & 2nd, 2009. The turnout from the community and the neighboring temples and organizations ware terrific! We had a total of 2,000 dancers for both nights, plus all their friends watching and eating and having a good time.<br /><br />To host such a "party" it takes a huge army of volunteers. A big thank you goes to all of them for their time and effort.<br /><br />Until next year ...!Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-80919785734915498532009-07-20T16:22:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:25:12.373-07:00Jodo Shinshu CreedI affirm my faith in Amida's Infinite Wisdom and Compassion. Reciting his Sacred Name, I shall live with strength and joy.<br /><br /> I shall look up to Amida's Guiding Light. As I reflect upon my imperfect self, I live with gratitude for His Perfect Compassion which surrounds me at all times.<br /><br /> I shall follow Amida's Teachings. I shall understand the Right Path and resolve to spread the true Teachings.<br /><br /> I rejoice in Amida's Wisdom and Compassion. I shall respect and help my fellow men and work for the good of my community.<br /><br />(The Ryoge-mon - Jodo Shinshu Creed - is the affirmation of faith and should be recited after sermons and devotionals.)<br /><br />Namo Amida ButsuAlan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-90312037757397995952009-07-20T16:09:00.000-07:002009-07-21T08:29:42.414-07:00Japanese American Living LegacyThe Gardena Buddhist Church Board of Directors approved the rental of our Social Hall to the Japanese American Living Legacy organization in May 2009 to hold a fundraiser dance for its program. This was after a brief presentation by the presenters to the Board, after an introduction by Rev. Nakano.<br /><br />http://www.jalivinglegacy.org/main.cfm?stg=home<br /><br />They have had similar fundraisers at other Japanese American community and religious organizations. The group started with Sansei wanting to tell the stories for their fathers who had served the United States in World War II. Eventually, they included veterans of later wars, this time including voices of the Sansei generations themselves, and oral histories of non-veterans, too.<br /><br />I am not involved in the group, but I think oral histories are important for our temple, too. In 2026, we will be celebrating our 100th, and I hope by then we will have a library of stories featuring our temple's history of the ministers of years past, how our temple fared during World War II, how the community opened up as our Sangha returned to their homes in the South Bay, and how are current traditions got started. <br /><br />Each year, the group of people to pool our resources get smaller and smaller, so like the work of the JA Living Legacy, the oral histories of our temple's history is important to record and review. We have our own legacies. In our structure, we have komon (counselors) and sodanyaku (advisors) for our temple. Most of them are former board chairs. They are entrusted with our legacy - their combined knowledge is a valuable commodity and resource. They uphold the decisions of the board and are sought for their advice as well.<br /><br />All important decisions have been discussed with the komon and sodanyaku. To participate in an oral history will help preserve this common knowledge, so that future generations of leaders can also learn from them.<br /><br />Maybe we should partner with groups like the JA Living Legacy to learn how to obtain and manage an oral history database.<br /><br />Just some thoughts to ponder.<br /><br />In GasshoAlan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050561177037744418.post-45021270483753392702009-07-17T08:46:00.000-07:002009-07-17T08:54:42.535-07:00Welcome Rev. and Mrs. ShindoThis is long overdue, but here is this blog's WELCOME to our new minister and his wife, Rev. Hosho Shindo and Mrs. Mieko Shindo. It has been six weeks and it has been very exciting.<br /><br />In some ways, we are treating it like a new era, and the temple has started on a few changes. For years, members of the Sangha has spoken about these changes, and very little had been made. But now, with a fresh face, we are able to tackled the challenges of making these changes and the Sangha should be able to see them.<br /><br />We are updating our Bylaws and Rules and Regulations. The temple has so many different procedures that are mandated by various legislative acts that we will have to incorporate them into our R&R.<br /><br />We are still taking suggestions, so we are asking our Sangha to leave them in our suggestion box in the back of the 'Gejin' (the congragation, or sangha, part of the Hondo, or main hall). Or they can be sent to info@gardenabuddhistchurch.org.<br /><br />I'll be keeping up with the posts so check back here for more information.<br /><br />Sincreely in Gassho...Alan Kitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637294450516923771noreply@blogger.com1