Download November 2002 - Steveston Buddhist Temple

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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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]
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Tani, Mikie
Taniwa, Fusae
Taniwa, Kazuo
Teramura, Kinue
Teranishi, Hatsu
Toyoda, Kiyoko
Uchida, Fumiko
Uyeyama, Fukujiro
Yamamoto, (Tom)
Yutaka
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• Hirose, Tahei
• Hirose, Toku
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• 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
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• Matsushita, June
• Oura, Miyoko
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• Mukai, Unosuke
• Oyama, Seiwa
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• Nakade, Sode
• Oye, Yazaemon
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• Nakatsu, Kannosuke
• Ryomoto, Hisashi
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• Nakanishi, Takaharu
• Sakai, Kazuichi
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• Narukami, Katsujiro
• Sakai, Tsune
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• Nishi, Fusae
• Shiyoji, Yakichi
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• Nishihama, Shigeharu
• Tabata, Inao
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• Nishii, Kinue
• Takeshita, Tamie
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• Nomura, Fuji
• Tani, Kazuo
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• Ogawa, Tokiko
• Taniwa, Itsuko
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• Ohara, Chiyo
• Terai, Cheryl
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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]
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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]
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Email: [email protected]
July 2011
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