Download Dharma Conference P-NBT Obon celebration Upcoming events

LOTUS
The newsletter of the Portland Nichiren Buddhist Temple
No. 279
2025 SE Yamhill St. Portland OR 97214 (503) 232-8064
August 2009
Dharma Conference
P-NBT Obon celebration
The Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church hosted a
Dharma Conference sponsored by the Nichiren Order
of North America (NONA) on July 18 and 19, 2009.
Sensei and Jason attended and returned with pictures
and stories of interaction with the greater Nichiren
Buddhist community. The theme of the conference was
the Rissho Ankoku and Odaimoku Kechi'en
(Transmission of Odaimoku Brings Peace to Society
and Happiness to All).
Portland NBT celebrated Obon service on July 12th. At
Obon time we remember our ancestors through prayer.
By acknowledging them with respect we draw strength
and good fortune. Just as a building can not stand
without a firm foundation, we could not exist if not for
our families that came before us. Memorial prayers and
Toba were prepared. We will hold a burning of the
Toba ceremony - Otaki Age on August 9th after the
Sunday service.
The conference opened on the 18th with a service led
by Bishop Shokai Kanai, with the assistance of Rev
Chisin Hirai, Rev Myosho Obata, Rev Kanjin Cederman
and Rev Ryunin Sorenson. This was followed by a
lecture on the Rissho Ankoku Ron by Rev Hirai, wasan
training by Mrs. Kumiko angya (walking chanting)
through Chinatown and shakyo (copying the sutra, in
this case a portion of the Rissho Ankoku Ron). The day
concluded with dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant.
Chanting while walking and keeping a steady drum
beat is no small task.
We read from the Lotus Sutra chapter 10 in which a
great king travels to increase his understanding. In the
process Buddha brings the practice of Buddhism to
women of faith for the first time in the Lotus Sutra.
Our Sangha celebrated the holiday, Sensei's return
from Japan and Sensei's Birthday with a Fujinkai
sponsored dinner of seafood rice and many sides and
desserts.
Upcoming events
-We celebrate a close to the Obon season with burning
of the Toba on August 9th.
-Nikkei Community Picnic, Oaks Park. Aug 16th Noon
– 4:00 p.m. Free
-Fall Ohigan memorial service is coming up- we will
hold the Fall Ohigan prayer service on September 20th.
Look for the prayer forms in the next newsletter
-The Belmont Street Fair fundraiser is Saturday
September 12. The Fujinkai will hold a preparation day
in advance of the event. Details to be determined.
LOTUS 1
Dharma Talk : Butsudan (Family Buddhist Altar)
Butsudan is like the Buddha’s house and is the alter dedicated to the Gohonzon ,the statue of Nichiren Shonin
and our ancestors. The Butsudan also shows us the Buddha’s world.The Butsudan expresses our faith. The
Butsudan leads the family closer to Buddhism and shows us the relationships between the Gohonzon
,Nichiren Shonin and our family.
Arrangement of the Butsudan
1. The Gohonzon must be enshrined in the Butsudan. The statue of Nichiren Shonin should be placed
directly below the Gohonzon. When we enshrine the Gohonzon or statue of Nichiren Shonin , we should
invite our minister to come to our residence to perform the Eye-opening Ceremony.
2. The Butsudan is the place where we put the name tablets (Ihai) of our ancestors and perform services for
them. It is the place where we hope that our ancestor’s souls are protected and saved by the teachings of
the Buddha and our Founder, Nichiren Shonin. It is also the place where we express our daily gratitude to
the Buddha, our Founder and our ancestors.
3. Flower vase
4. Incense burner
5. Candle holder
Service to the Butsudan
1.
Let us always keep our family altar orderly and clean.
2.
Candle:
To brighten and break the darkness makes us feel at ease.
It brightens our home and breaks our ignorance.
3.
Incense:
To offer the fragrance of incense to the Buddha and also purge us with its fragrance.
4.
Flower:
To offer beauty and to ornament the Buddha.
Colorful flowers or greenery must always be fresh and alive.
5.
Water :
A cup of water should be offered.
You may also offer fruits or cakes.
Sincerely with Gassho.
Rev. Myosho Obata
Koden:
Sincere thanks and acknowledgement to the following on their Koden rememberance for Bernice Okazaki:
Abhi & Linda Talwalkar
Frank and Janet Fujitani
Brenda Hongo-Ellis
Emiko Fujimoto
Mr and Mrs Tex Irinaga
LOTUS 2
Home visit program to start for community outreach
In the past our Temple elders would receive visitation from Sensei Akahoshi on a periodic basis. In discussions
member brought up the idea of making the visitation a regular activity and that in addition to just the Sensei, we
would have a member or two accompany Sensei to the vistiation on a rotating basis. The hope is that the visit
would take on a more social element and for sharing news of Temple and personal life. To make this happen we
are embarking on a process to gather names of those that might enjoy a visit. If you know anyone who you think
would benefit from this, please fill in this form and bring or mail it to the Temple.
I want to volunteer :
Please visit this person:
Name:
Name:
Phone:
Address:
Times/days that are best
Phone:
Times/days that are best
Portland Nichiren Buddhist Temple
2025 SE Yamhill Street
Portland OR 97214
ADDRESS CORRECTON REQUESTED
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