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.
It takes a little time to write up something, and of course, if there was something to write up it would make it easier.
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.
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.
The translations of the sutras are interesting, and you wonder how the ancient people memorized these sutras so that we can read them today.
In Gassho,
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Nembutsu Seminar: Socho Koshin Ogui, Bishop, BCA
"My life is not only my life but the lives of others' sacrifices, kindness, thoughtfulness and patience."
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.
Think about it, and I'll add additional thoughts and words from the seminar in this space.
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.
Think about it, and I'll add additional thoughts and words from the seminar in this space.
Monday, March 29, 2010
April 10 $ 11, 2010
We are fortunate to have as our guest, Bishop Koshin Ogui, socho of the Buddhist Churches of America, for the weekend.
He will present a Nembutsu Seminar on April 10 at 1pm, "Meditation Practices in Jodo Shinshu." The BWA is providing refreshments for this seminar.
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.
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.
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.
The bishop will later meet with the temple elders and return to the Bay area on Monday.
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.
In gassho
He will present a Nembutsu Seminar on April 10 at 1pm, "Meditation Practices in Jodo Shinshu." The BWA is providing refreshments for this seminar.
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.
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.
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.
The bishop will later meet with the temple elders and return to the Bay area on Monday.
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.
In gassho
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Obon, Obon, It's Festival Time
Thank 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.
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.
Until next year ...!
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.
Until next year ...!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Jodo Shinshu Creed
I affirm my faith in Amida's Infinite Wisdom and Compassion. Reciting his Sacred Name, I shall live with strength and joy.
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.
I shall follow Amida's Teachings. I shall understand the Right Path and resolve to spread the true Teachings.
I rejoice in Amida's Wisdom and Compassion. I shall respect and help my fellow men and work for the good of my community.
(The Ryoge-mon - Jodo Shinshu Creed - is the affirmation of faith and should be recited after sermons and devotionals.)
Namo Amida Butsu
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.
I shall follow Amida's Teachings. I shall understand the Right Path and resolve to spread the true Teachings.
I rejoice in Amida's Wisdom and Compassion. I shall respect and help my fellow men and work for the good of my community.
(The Ryoge-mon - Jodo Shinshu Creed - is the affirmation of faith and should be recited after sermons and devotionals.)
Namo Amida Butsu
Japanese American Living Legacy
The 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.
http://www.jalivinglegacy.org/main.cfm?stg=home
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybe we should partner with groups like the JA Living Legacy to learn how to obtain and manage an oral history database.
Just some thoughts to ponder.
In Gassho
http://www.jalivinglegacy.org/main.cfm?stg=home
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybe we should partner with groups like the JA Living Legacy to learn how to obtain and manage an oral history database.
Just some thoughts to ponder.
In Gassho
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