Services

Each Sunday, beginning at 9:30 AM, a Family Service is held for all ages to attend.

Following the service, the Dharma School (Sunday School) classes are held for students to learn more about the Dharma.

On the first and third Sunday of each month following the Family Service, Adult Dharma Sessions are held.  These sessions are informal and anyone interested in learning more about Buddhism is welcome to attend.

Weekly services are held in Japanese at 11:30 AM, with the exception of major services, which begin at 1:30 PM.  

Special Services

Special services, held to recognize or commemorate significant events for Buddhists, often feature guest ministers from other churches.  The dates are normally on the Sunday closest to the actual date.  Please call the temple office for date and time.

January 1 - New Year's Day (Shusho-e)

In the Buddhist tradition each moment is a new beginning.  The calendar year is an attempt to measure time that is infinite.  However, New Year's Day is celebrated to renew our resolution to live with Nembutsu gratitude.

February 15 - Nirvana Day (Nehan-e)

The passing of the historical Sakyamuni Buddha into Nirvana is observed.

March/September - Higan

Higan, meaning Other Shore, is a service conducted in the spring and fall, on or about the vernal and autumnal equinox.  the practice of the Six Paramita is emphasized on these occasions.

April 8 - Buddha's Birthday (Hanamatsuri)

This service is held to commemorate the birth of Prince Siddhartha, who later became the historical Sakyamuni Buddha.

May 21 - Shinran Shonin's Birthday (Gotan-e)

The birthday of our founder, Shinran Shonin, is commemorated.  Our church conducts a musical service with nine-year-old boys and girls participating in the chigo procession.

July - Obon

A Buddhist Memorial Service during which those who have died in the past year are especially memorialized.  Also, a bon dance is held to express joy of enlightenment assured by Amida Buddha.

October - Perpetual Memorial Service (Eitaikyo)

This service is held in memory of church members who have passed away.

November - Shinran Shonin Memorial Service (Hoonko)

Hoonko, meaning a gathering to repay the debt of gratitude, is a service in memory of our founder Shinran Shonin.

December 8 - Bodhi Day (Jodo-e)

On this day, 566 BC, Siddhartha Gautama, as he meditated under the Bodhi Tree, attained Enlightenment and became the Sakyamuni Buddha.

December 31 - New Year's Eve Service (Joya-e)

This service is held to express gratitude for the countless blessings received throughout the year.

Greeters’ Program Assignments:          Winter 2006/ Spring 2007

During the Dharma School session, the following Betsuin Board members will warmly welcome visitors to Dharma Service on Sundays:

January 1                     No Dharma Class                  Happy New Year

January 7                     Frank Hirota                        Shigeko Tanaka                Marc Ely

January 14                   Mark Amioka                       Richard Kai                       Kelvin Mark

January 21                   Pauline Sing                        Ken Koyama                      Denis Ishisaka

January 28                   Valerie Fong                        Allan Hoshida                   Keith Kato

February 4                   Don Honda                          John Fujimoto                  Ken Furukawa

February 11                 Roy Imura                           Diane Muranaka                Shirley Sekeres

February 18                 Eddie Imai                           Roger Ito                          Diane Shimosaka

February 25                 Steve Kawano                      Brian Okamoto                 Sheryl Kajioka

March 4                        Don Masuda                         Bob Tanaka                      Mark Umeda

March 11                     Mary Ann Miyao                   Ted Yoshimura                

March 18                     Frank Hirota                        Shigeko Tanaka                Marc Ely

March 25                     Mark Amioka                       Richard Kai                       Kelvin Mark

April 1                          Pauline Sing                        Ken Koyama                      Denis Ishisaka

April 8                          Valerie Fong                        Allan Hoshida                   Keith Kato

April 15                        Don Honda                          John Fujimoto                  Ken Furukawa

April 22                        Roy Imura                           Diane Muranaka                Shirley Sekeres

April 29                        No Dharma Class                  Dharma Teachers Conference

May 6                           Edddie Imai                         Roger Ito                          Diane Shimosaka

May 13                         Steve Kawano                      Brian Okamoto                 Sheryl Kajioka

May 20,                        Don Masuda                         Bob Tanaka                      Mark Umeda

May 27                         Mary Ann Miyao                   Ted Yoshimura

June 3                          No Dharma Class: JACL Picnic

June 10                        No Dharma Class: Dharma School Picnic