Bodhisattva by Steely Dan

BODHISATTVA

Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes I'll be there
Bodhisattva

The Dharma of Star Wars

Some people inquired about a book club that we could start at our temple. There are a number of good books to start and good suggestions. But if I was going to be part of a book study group, then for the first I would have to choose "The Dharma of Star Wars" by Matthew Bortolin.

I have thought about this ever since I first saw Star Wars at the Plitt Century Theatre in Century City. Maybe George Lucas didn't have all the Buddhist facts at hand, maybe he received some philosophy watching all those Japanese samurai films as a student at USC, but whatever, Star Wars brought up some interesting points, at least I thought so then when I was in Jr. YBA.

The following five films and series of books fleshed out The Force a bit more, so if Matthew Bortolin thought there could be comparisons between Star Wars and Buddhism, why not?

Except for L. Ron Hubbard, religion is not usually covered in our exploration into the future in science fiction, at least religion that we know of today. But if these religions have lasted for 2,000 years, then why could they not be around 2,000 more? And why only Hubbard is going around talking about it and no one else?

I remember a book I picked up that was about the future and the nine Buddhist paradises. I can't even find the title of the book. It had to do with levels of enlightenment, although it was also vaguely similar to Dante's trilogy as well.

If anyone is interested please email me. Once we get started, I'll post our discussion and our relevations here.

You are never alone...

If all you do is think about yourself, then even if you are in a room of people you will still be alone. If you are always thinking of others, then even if you are by yourself you are never alone. (E.Y.)

Megumi, December 2008

As I See It
By Alan Kita, Chairman of the Board

We just had our general meeting in November. We received a letter from the Bishop’s
Office, so we know we won’t be without a head minister for very long.
Our guest speaker for Obon Service, Rev. Shinji Okada, had his retirement luncheon
November 15, 2008. We had a few of our members attend – I had a conflict of schedule
with ---

“Fun Food Friendship 2” – the Adult Buddhist Association event at Orange County
Buddhist Church. I picked up our Laughter Yoga leader, Antoin Rodriguez at the
Anaheim Station (he came from San Diego County). When I was getting near Anaheim, I
noticed all of the sudden that the sky was dark brown instead of the bright blue that it was in Gardena. By the time I got to the train station, the sky was dark and thick with smoke
and ash.

Some of the guests had difficulties getting to OCBC for the event, but we did have a good time getting into laughter. Antoin said that laughing was good to help clear our minds. It is like saying Nembutsu.

After the dinner of handmade tortillas and tacos, we got into dancing, with the help of Ms. Gerri Simmons, we started with some instruction on basic line dancing. The laughing and the line dancing really broke the ice for those who were able to venture out of the firestorm to attend.
* * * * *
In February the BCA National Council will meet at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, hosted by
Southern District and Orange County Buddhist Church. For that event, the ABA will be
hosting “Odorimasho” a dance for all at the hotel, February 28, 2008. The cost is $30 and the proceeds will help the Campaign 21. Meeting rates are available to anyone for that one night. It’s a good idea since the National Council Eitaikyo service the next morning is open to all Southern District members. (This will be in place of services at our temple – look for bus details later.)

The following year, the BCA National Council Meeting will be held in conjunction with
the BCA 750th Memorial Service for Shinran Shonin. That event will be hosted by
Central District and San Jose Betsuin. I hope people will attend that event, too.
And … that is not enough, every 50 years is the memorial service at Hongwanji in Kyoto.

The last time it was held in 1961, incidentally the year I was born. So I plan to be there in 2011, and I hope you will join me too. There will be groups going, so I hope we can organize a group from our temple – so start putting money aside.
* * * * *
We received a thank you note from the Miura family for our contributions to the funeral service. We also received a thank you note from Hanford Buddhist Church for our hospitality when they came to attend the services.
* * * * *
I attended the Dharma School teachers installation luncheon which was postponed
because of the funeral service. Also, the Jr. YBA installation dinner and recently, the installation luncheon for Hui Aikane. Each one was enjoyable to attend.
* * * * *
Each organization are thinking of ways to expand their membership. This is good news. It is important to spread the Nembutsu. We have a responsibility for others to hear the Dharma.

I am taking a class entitled, “Urban Conservation Biology.” We are studying the
importance of native wildlife and environment areas of southern California. It really
makes you think of the cycles of life and the impermanence of nature. Wildfires are also part of the southern California environment and is very important to the environment. On the other hand, we, as humans, must learn how to live with our environment. The Gardena Willows, Madrona Marsh, the Harbor wetlands and the dunes along Torrance and Redondo beaches are remnants of a vast ecosystem that existed before humans got here and it is important that we care for what is left, so that we can coexist together.
* * * * *
The budget that was past is very tight. I can see that the new minister could plan a good Buddhist Education program from it, and we are able to make improvements to our
facility. We do need members to give their dana and not only stay as members, but help
us by getting more people to join. If there are types of education programs you like to see for adults, please let me know.
Thank you.
Gassho

From Megumi, November 2008

As of today, the BCA is still considering our request for a new head minister. It will probably be a long process. Of course, in the meantime, we will have to make do.

So what do we have to do to prepare ourselves in the coming months?

We have around 750 members, the majority of which are in their 70s and 80s. That’s a lot of Dharma talks. In absence of a head minister, we will have to take it upon ourselves to make sure that we have what we need. So if a member needs some comfort, all we have is each other, so please take it upon yourself to visit someone who we have not seen at temple. Check in with them and see if they are all right.

Read. There are lot of books written about the Dharma and about Jodo Shinshu. You can find them at Hongwanji Place in Little Tokyo, or order them from the BCA Bookstore. Maybe, just maybe, we can form book clubs so we can read them together and ask each other questions.

Come to temple. Sundays, it’s a gathering place. Or donuts. Once a week, we can have a donut. Its all about nembutsu.

Remember to bow before entering the Hondo, and even bow before entering the grounds – we do that at Hongwanji in Kyoto, we bow before entering the gates! Remember to step in with your left, exit with your right. When you pass in front of the center of the Hondo, remember to bow.

And think how lucky you are that you can do all that. Sometimes, I sit before the o-naijin and remember all the different ministers that have come before us, the guest speakers, the special services. The funerals, the weddings…all these things that have been witnessed. It’s amazing.

As an adult coming back to Gardena, it has been quite an experience. Now as the chairman of the board, I wanted to make sure that we take a leap into the future. At that time Rev. Mayeda gave the English-language sermons, and Rev. Miura had just started (with a ponytail!) And in my first year of my term, both are gone within a year of each other! It doesn’t seem fair, does it? I miss them both.

But we practice perseverance and we would be moving on. Those were great moments, and we will have more moments.

We all know what we have to do, and that is to practice what we have learned – “to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to do pure and beautiful deeds and to say pure and beautiful words.” Sure sometimes, we forget and maybe our thoughts aren’t as pure and beautiful, nor we do things that are pure and beautiful, and sometimes we may not say pure and beautiful words, but we are just One Sangha, and the Dharma lives.

So in this interim, while we figure out where we will be… please take care of each other.

In Gassho,

The New Normal

I still don't have any news, but there a few things we can do as a temple to prepare ourselves for the future.

While we wait for an answer, we do need to talk and ask ourselves what we like about ourselves, what we don't like about ourselves and what we see about ourselves in the future. No, not individually but as a Sangha as a whole.

This is a good time for us to do this. So if you are thinking, let me know.

Remember Me ...

Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all.
Laura I. Wilder