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LIGHT OF THE DHARMA Steveston Buddhist Temple 4360 Garry Street, Richmond, B.C. V7E 2V2 Tel: (604) 277-2323 Fax: (604) 277-0313 www.steveston-temple.ca Email: [email protected] July 2011 Resident Minister: Rev. Grant Ikuta Editor: Hiroko Yoshihara Obon has Come Again With the summer weather in full swing, we have come to the midpoint on our Calendar Year. July is the month that we traditionally commemorate the Obon service. This year we will be holding the Obon weekend on July 16th and 17th. The Obon service is based on the Ullambana Sutra (or Urabon-kyo 盂蘭盆経 in Japanese), which tells the story of Maudgalyāyana (Mokuren Sonja 目連尊者 in Japanese) and his mother. Maudgalyāyana was known as one of the ten great disciples of Sakyamuni Buddha and was said to be renowned for his extrasensory abilities. According to the traditional rendition of the Sutra, one day while Maudgalyāyana was meditating on the whereabouts of his deceased mother, he was astounded to see her suffering in the realm of the Hungry Ghosts. Being shocked to see his mother suffering so, Maudgalyāyana begins by trying to relieve his mother from her state of suffering by sending her a bowl of food. However, each time his mother tries to put the food to her mouth it bursts into flames. Unable to help his mother, Maudgalyāyana seeks the Buddha for advice. The Buddha tells him that his mother is suffering now because of her actions while she was on this Earth. Maudgalyāyana asks the Buddha for guidance in helping his mother from her suffering. He is told that he would need the assistance of all the monks to help his mother and is told to make an offering of food to the Sangha Council gathering, known as the Pravarana, held during the rainy season (The monsoon season in India was traditionally said to end around mid-July). It is said that upon completing this task Maudgalyāyana sees his mother and seven generations of his ancestors being liberated from their suffering and out of great joy he begins to dance. Hence, it is said that the “Bon Odori” is an expression of joy and gratitude to our ancestors for all they have sacrificed during their lifespan so that we could lead the life that we have today. What is interesting about Obon is how it continued to evolve as it spread through Asia. According to the book, “Traditions of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha” co-authored by Rev. Mas Kodani and Rev. Russell Hamada of BCA, the tradition of monks gathering to hold retreats during the rainy season continued in China, and at the end of the retreat, on July 15th offerings of food and clothing were made to the monks to commemorate the custom of Obon. It so happened that July 15th was also an auspicious date to the Taoists as it was the Observance of Chung Yuen (中 元) a midsummer Lantern Festival. During this festival, offerings of food and light were given to the spirits of the earth. From this tradition, the lanterns were introduced to Obon observance. Also, from this tradition, in Japan midsummer continues to be a time of gift giving to people who have helped one out throughout the year. It is a gift of appreciation and is known as Chūgen, the Japanese reading for the Chinese word Chung Yuen. Email: [email protected] Page 1 DHARMA LIGHT July 2011 Also in Japan, the outdoor folk dancing tradition of Bon Odori was added to commemorate the Obon Festival. The Bon Odori is a lively affair with a central stage known as Yagura with a Taiko Drum in the middle keeping the beat for the Bon Odori Dancers. Usually also lanterns are strung from the Yagura filling the evening air with bright colours while the dancers wear the traditional summer wear called the Yukata. With the lively music and bright colours, Bon Odori is the most festive tradition within Japanese Buddhism. The Obon weekend is a time for us to get in touch with our past, expressing our true joy and gratitude to not only to our immediate ancestors, but to all the past causes and conditions that have allowed us to be here today. It is the ultimate recognition and celebration of the Oneness of life that has existed in the past and that we continue to be a part of today. As we commemorate Obon, let us recite Namo Amida Butsu out of gratitude for the working of Amida Buddha right here and right now. In Gassho, Grant Ikuta satiated, always thirsting for more. The typical depiction of a hungry ghost is an individual with a pot belly, not from overeating, but from malnutrition and having a pinhole for a mouth. 1.Hell 地獄 (Jigoku) - Classical image of hell. Dear Sensei, Every year around this time I hear about the story of Obon and I often wonder about the mother of the Buddha’s disciple who is suffering in the realm of the ‘Hungry Ghost’? Please tell me what exactly is this realm of the ‘Hungry Ghost’? Signed, Hungry for Knowledge Dear Hungry, Thank you for your timely question. Indeed, in the story of Obon we talk about Maudgalyáyana and his mother suffering in the ‘Realm of the Hungry Ghost’. This ‘Realm of the Hungry Ghost’ comes from the Tendai Buddhist teachings, the school of Buddhism under which Shinran Shonin had spent twenty years studying as a monk. According to the Tendai Teaching there are ten ‘Realms’ of existence from ‘Hell’ at the bottom to ‘Buddhahood’ at the top. It is said that the bottom six ‘Realms’ represent the realms of suffering and that we are transmigrating in these six realms until we encounter the Buddha Dharma and proceed on the path of the Dharma. Realms 7 to 10 (Sravakas to Buddhahood) are the realms one may attain upon attaining the Bodhi mind, which is the aspiration to become a Buddha. Ten Realms of existence are: 十界(Jikkai) 10. Buddha 佛 (Butsu) - state of Buddhahood, Nirvana. 9. Bodhisattvas 菩薩 (Bosatsu) - Stage before Buddhahood, Bodhisattvas’ make vows and fulfill them in order to become a Buddha. In making the vows, they forego their own Buddhahood, until all sentient beings are liberated from suffering. 8. Pratyekabuddhas 縁学 (Engaku) - attains emancipation without the guidance of a teacher by observing the principles of 12 causations. 7. Sravakas 聲聞 (Shómon) - One who follows a teacher and attains emancipation by observing the Four Noble Truths. 6. Heavenly Beings 天上 (Tenjō)- A realm of materialism in which beings have all they want materialistically, yet in the end suffer a lonely death with five marks of decreptitude: 1. dirty clothes, 2. flowers in headdress whither, 3. body emits foul smell, 4. sweating under the arms, 5. disinclination to sit properly with proper posture. 5. Human Beings 人間 (Ningen) – able to live with a conscience, able to listen and understand the Dharma. 4. Fighting Spirits 阿修羅 (Ashura) - demi-gods who are always fighting. 3. Beasts 畜生 (Chikusho) - Live on instincts alone, do not have conscience for their actions. 2. Hungry Ghosts 餓鬼 (Gaki) – A realm in which one’s lust and greed leaves one never Email: [email protected] Although the above are known as the ten realms of existence, it has been said that these realms exist simultaneously within each of us and they are a reflection of our inner self. It was in the realm of the Hungry Ghost which Maudgalyáyana found his mother suffering. Email your question to: [email protected] or drop Sensei a note at his office. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Bud Sakamoto Although the weather does not reflect it, the summer season is upon us and it is once again Obon time. This year we will be celebrating Obon over a two-day period starting Saturday, July 16th with Bon Dance (Bon Odori) and concluding on Sunday, July 17th with the formal Obon Service. On Saturday the gates will open at 4 pm with food and games and the dancing will begin at 5 pm. This year a variety of foods will be prepared mainly by temple volunteers and games will be organized for the children. Volunteers are needed to carry out a successful Matsuri. If you can come and volunteer an hour or two, and join in on the celebration please leave a message for Joyce or Francis through the temple office. On Sunday, July 17th, the Obon Service will be held at 10:30 am followed by the traditional Otoki for family and friends to enjoy a moment of informal togetherness. Rev. Fujii from Toronto Buddhist Page 2 DHARMA LIGHT Temple will be our guest minister this year. We look forward to seeing you all at both events. In gassho, Bud Sakamoto July 2011 Thank you to Rainer Mehl, Setsuo Hayashi, Roy Akune and Ken Yoshihara for their help at the end of the afternoon! And to the Fujinkai ladies: we are grateful for your support. Congratulations!! Shinmon sama and Shinurakata sama have officially announced the birth of their son Takashi. He was born on Thursday, May 12 at 12:50 am. Majority of the leftover Japanese items were donated to Nikkei Place for their annual sale. Jeanne Ryan thoughtfully took the boxes to Nikkei Place. The staff there was grateful for our donation. Some small items suitable for Dharma School were put aside by Mayumi Iwase. NOTE: The recipe for apple cake served at the Garage sale will be posted on the bulletin board (or ask Hiroko for a copy). HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JUNE BOARD MEETING - Hiroko Yoshihara 1. The work on the Steveston Buddhist Temple history book is in the final edit stage. The committee with be working with the publisher on any enhancements. 2. Obon planning committee headed by Kent Suzuki is working on this year’s two day event. Refreshments will consist of chow mein, teriyaki chicken and hot dogs prepared by temple members. Gyu don (tasty recipe from restaurant in Japan) and takoyaki will be offered by members of the Takarajima group. Former Bishop Fujikawa has been invited to do calligraphy. 3. Update in regards to the aftermath of Japan earthquake/tsunami: School supplies are being sent by the Rotary Club through contacts in Wakayama. Socho Ikuta has given the donation given by a friend of Mitts Sakai to the Hongwanji to be used for earthquake relief. Sendai Betsuin has set up a relief centre with teams looking after water/supplies and clearing debris. 4. The proposed senior complex is being investigated by Bud Sakamoto. 5. The new temple taiko group is named “Jodo Shin Taiko” and is in the learning stage. Formal guidelines are to written for this group. FUJINKAI NEWS - Hiroko Yoshihara Garage sale on June 11 netted approximately $740. Initially it was intended to be a smaller than usual event but family treasures came from the families of Mr. Morimoto, Mr. Miyazaki, late Nancy and Roy Sakamoto. Thank you! In addition to the Sakamoto family items, there was a new butsudan worth $500 so possibly there will be eventually approximate revenue of $1200. Email: [email protected] The Soft Goods Drive concluded on the following Monday, June 13. Everyone at the Garage sale helped to put the bags in the centre of the gym and pack boxes with the remaining items. On Monday, June Ikuta and Sally Masuhara came to help to make sure that we had met the quota of 151 bags and equivalent boxes as we had been credited for only 129 bags in 2010. We creatively adjusted the size of the bags and contents of the boxes so this year despite missing some bags kept in storage, 152 bags/boxes were put into the Developmental Disabilities truck to ensure $3 per bags versus $2 per bag. Thank you everyone for your contributions! These two events have been opportunities to recycle and reuse. The contents of the garage sale and soft goods drive were saved from the garbage dump and hopefully have gone to good future use or treasured by the purchasers. Bus trip on June 20. Twenty-two individuals went on a carefree casino bus trip on a cloudy cool morning which turned into a sunny afternoon. They were able to visit two casinos in the Lower Mainland and try out their luck. We do have some winners each year. Japanese Groceries New items: Somen (454 gm) $2.50 Tawashi (small) $2.50 Large $2.75 Takuan honboshi miso (500 gm) $3.75 In stock: Rice, maguro, low sodium soy sauce SHOP & SUPPORT GIFT CARDS With the popularity of food and gas cards, additional Esso, Petro, Safeway and Superstore cards have arrived. Also available are Cactus Club, Earls, M&M Page 3 DHARMA LIGHT Meats, Shopper’s, Starbucks, Subway and White Spot. Please see or call Misaye at 604-590 6187 DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS - Misaye Hamaura Sunday, June 12 was a busy day at Dharma School. First, a wonderful talk by Grant Sensei was listened to in the Hondo. Then a busy session of making Fathers’ Day gifts took place. Following that, the children planted beautiful flowers along the west fence opposite the classroom. Almost a full roster of children attended to make it a great morning. The last Dharma School session before summer break was held on Father’s Day weekend, June 18 – 19. A campout on temple grounds started on Saturday evening. Due to the uncertain weather, this year everyone slept indoors instead of in tents. The kids played some baseball, had a campfire, making Smores, and watched a movie. On Sunday morning the fathers made a delicious pancake breakfast. After morning service, games and races started with a Treasure Hunt. The busy morning culminated with a potluck lunch that mothers and friends provided. Thank you Fathers, for making this weekend special for your children, even though it was Father’s Day! We hope to see everyone on Obon weekend, July 16-17. Have a safe and enjoyable summer! Help needed for Chow mein vegetable chopping for Salmon Festival Wednesday, June 29 at 6:00 pm at Steveston Community Centre Please come with a cutting board and knife. Work session is usually surprisingly brief. The Fujinkai tobans are now smaller so extra help would be deeply appreciated from other younger Temple members (not necessarily Fujinkai) MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Email: [email protected] July 2011 All temple members are asked to renew and submit a 2011 membership form to the office as soon as possible for we would like to keep your information in the filing system. The 2011 membership fee is $80. Forms are available at the office. Thank you for your understanding. NEW MEMBERS ** Welcome to the Steveston Buddhist Temple. We are very happy that you have become a member of the Steveston Buddhist Temple and hope that you will be able to enjoy the variety of activities this temple offers. • Sonoko Takasaki Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course for Sept. 1, 2011 The Jodo Shinshu Centre in Berkeley, CA continues to offer its 2-year computer based correspondence course. The course covers: general Buddhism, the history of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and the teachings of Jodo Shinshu. The course will be of value to those who are interested in learning about Buddhism and to Jodo Shinshu temple members who wish to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Jodo Shinshu. Further information is contained in the new Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course brochure which is available at the Steveston Buddhist Temple. The brochure indicates that the Centre is accepting applications for the next course which starts on September 1, 2011 for which the deadline is August 15th. Additional information can be obtained from Grant Sensei who is one of the instructors for the course or from Elmer Morishita who completed the course in 2010. British Columbia Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples Federation’s Convention September 24-25, 2011 Harrison Hot Springs Join members throughout the province and elsewhere for a relaxing no host convention! Complete information including hotel accommodation is posted on the bulletin board. BCJSBCF Raffle Tickets The BCJSBCF Raffles tickets are out. Please help support our post-secondary education scholarship. Page 4 DHARMA LIGHT Cheques may be written out to: BCJSBCF. Each book is worth $20. Please return your ticket stubs and front of booklet to the Steveston Buddhist Temple by Friday, August 26, 2011. Thank You. Rental Booking – Rental committee Please call the office for any rental inquiries including rental rates and bookings. Thank you for your cooperation. Moe No Kai (Seniors’ Drop In ) We had 12 ladies at the Moe No Kai (Seniors’ DropIn) on Thursday, June 16th. We did a little exercise with a song followed by origami making. Please bring a small shoe box to our next session to make a craft kit container. Our next session will be on Thursday, Sept. 15th. Have a wonderful and safe summer and see you all in September!! SPECIAL DONATIONS The Steveston Buddhist Temple sincerely appreciates and thanks the following for their generous donations: July 2011 Seishi & Kisako Matsuno, Terry & June Beresford, Yoshiko Sameshima, Midori Mizuguchi On the occasion of the Hatsumairi service: Tsuyoshi Shishido, Sayaka Endo, Mike & Chigusa Poppell, Michael & Renako Thompson, Mathier & Marie Aulard-Macler, Kumie Ito, Yuki & Yuka Hayashi, Scott & Noriko Dewaal On the occasion of the 90th Birthday: Kikue Osaka In Memory of: • The late Mr. Fumio Okano: Okano family, Setsuko Yamashita, Kazue Oye, Makoto Ikuta, Glenn Harada, Sazare Morizawa, Eiichi Harada, Chiyoko Morizawa, Kim Kariya, Kuni & June Ikuta, Takemi Miyazaki, Donald & Sharon Tasaka, Peggy Nakano, Miyoko Yamanaka, Rosie Hirose, Kayoko Yamamoto, Andy & Masayo Nakata, Don & Chiyo Narukami, Alice Kokubo, Eiko Akizuki • The late Mrs. Hirako Morishita: Stan Osaka • The 17th year of the late Mr.Yuichi Akune: Shizuka Akune, Shigeaki Kamachi • The 1st year of the late Mr. & Mrs. Itsuji & Kiyoko Hamade: Rob & Elsie Chan, George & Tomi Lum, Yosh & Lynn Tanaka, Fred & Annie John, Tsurue Tamaki, • The 7th year of the late Mr. Masami Matsunaga: Osamu Matsunaga • The late father Yoshio, Mother Sonoye and Sister Eleanor Kariya’s Inurnment service: Kariya & Hamanishi Families * *All donations received after the 15th of the month will be reflected in the next newsletter. Special Donations: Toshio Murao, Rudi Meister, Canadian Gateball Federation, Mike & Suzan Poppell, MONTHLY MEMORIAL SERVICE July 3, 10:30 a.m. (Please bring your "Homyo".) • Akune, Yuichi • Hirota, Mitsuyuki • Morimoto, Chiyo • Amadatsu, Johnny • Ishida, Yokichi • Morimoto, Toshinosuke • Arima, Kenichi • Kishi, Kazuko • Nishi, Tsuta • Atagi, Kaoru • Kitagawa, Kikuye • Nishi, Hiroshi • Clarke, Sandra May • Kitagawa, Masa • Nitta, Kitaro • Domae, Isa • Kondo, Hiroshi • Okano, Koito • Hamade, Taki • Koyama, Chieko • Oura, Toshiharu • Hashimoto, Toyozo • Kung, Laurence • Sakai, Yasuichi • Higo, Saichiro • Matsumura, Eikichi • Sakamoto, Yasue • Hikida, Tazu • Maede, Kikuye • Sakiyama, Toshiye Email: [email protected] • • • • • • • • • Tani, Mikie Taniwa, Fusae Taniwa, Kazuo Teramura, Kinue Teranishi, Hatsu Toyoda, Kiyoko Uchida, Fumiko Uyeyama, Fukujiro Yamamoto, (Tom) Yutaka Page 5 DHARMA LIGHT • Hirose, Tahei • Hirose, Toku • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Maeda, Tomino • Mori, Chiyo Doi, Roy Hamade, Tomekichi Hamaura, Kazuo Haya, Kumae Hayashi, Hirokichi Ikuta, Mino Ishida, Ren Iwata, Roy Motomaru Katayama, Ishi Kimura, Kazuo Kobayashi, Yoshiaki Koyanagi, George Kubota, Toshiko • Takane, Katsu • Tanaka, Koharu AUGUST MEMORIAL SERVICE August 7, 10:30 a.m. (Please bring your "Homyo".) • Maede, Yakichi • Okabe, Satoru • • Matsushita, June • Oura, Miyoko • • Mukai, Unosuke • Oyama, Seiwa • • Nakade, Sode • Oye, Yazaemon • • Nakatsu, Kannosuke • Ryomoto, Hisashi • • Nakanishi, Takaharu • Sakai, Kazuichi • • Narukami, Katsujiro • Sakai, Tsune • • Nishi, Fusae • Shiyoji, Yakichi • • Nishihama, Shigeharu • Tabata, Inao • • Nishii, Kinue • Takeshita, Tamie • • Nomura, Fuji • Tani, Kazuo • • Ogawa, Tokiko • Taniwa, Itsuko • • Ohara, Chiyo • Terai, Cheryl • July 2011 • Yoshida, Inosuke • Yoshida, Yoshie • Yoshida, Takahiko Teramura, Yoshio Tomosada, Kikue Toyoda, Yoshiharu Tsumura, Isao Wada, Chikae Yamada, (Roy) Hideo Yamamoto, Iwakazu Yamamoto, Jukichi Yamamoto, Kazuo Yamamoto, Mamoru Yamamoto, Sadako Yamamoto, Yasu Yoshida, Tsurue Adult Dharma Retreat Saturday, August 27 & Sunday, August 28, 2011 Steveston Buddhist Temple A weekend Dharma retreat is being planned for the Lower Mainland Tri-Temple district. The purpose of the retreat is to give members an opportunity to study and experience the Jodo Shinshu teachings in a concentrated format. If you are interested in learning more about our teachings and traditions in an interactive and in depth retreat, please contact Ikuta Sensei to register. A nominal registration fee of $ 20 will be collected to cover the expenses for lunch and dinner. Space is very limited so if you are interested, please contact the ministers as soon as possible. Detailed schedule will be in the next issue of the newsletter. Registration Deadline: Friday, August 19 OBON お盆 Obon, Obon, its festival day! All our humble thanks, we will here convey, To our dearly loved ones who lived in the past. With Nembutsu, Nembutsu upon our lips, Obon, Obon, its festival day! (From the Gatha of the same title) OBON NOKOTSUDO SERVICE Email: [email protected] Page 6 DHARMA LIGHT July 2011 納骨堂お参り Saturday, July 16th, 10:00 a.m. 7 月 16 日(土曜日)午前 10 時 BON ODORI 盆踊り th Saturday, July 16 , gates open at 4:00 p.m. 7 月 16 日(土曜日)午後 4 時開門 OBON SERVICE お盆法要 Sunday July 17th at 10:30 a.m. 7 月 17 日(日曜日)午前 10 時半 Guest Minister: Rev. Tomofumi Fujii from the Toronto Buddhist Church 御講師はトロント仏教会の藤井朋文先生です Obon, or simply Bon, is a service to express our gratitude to our forefathers and ancestors. On Obon day, tradition calls for temples to observe a memorial service followed by the Bon Odori, the dance of great joy to honor and thank our ancestors. The "Bon Odori" is a festival celebrated by the community. It consists of music and dancing, food for all ages and games for children. As well there will be a performance by our own Steveston temple Jodo Shin Taiko. Address: 4360 Garry St, Richmond BC Phone (604) 277-2323 email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Page 7 DHARMA LIGHT Email: [email protected] July 2011 Page 8