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Sangha
President’s
Message Allan Hoshida Meriko and I, together with our invited guests, enjoyed very much the Boy Scouts Troop 50 Crab Feed on January 20. My congratulations to all of the Boy Scouts, parents, families and adult leaders for a great evening of food and fun. Our guests especially commented on how well the crab feed was run/organized and how everyone worked so well together. Great job! Scout Sunday February 4: It is truly gratifying to see so many Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and all of the adult leaders take part in our Scout Sunday program. The backbone of scouting organizations are the parents and adult leaders who take an active interest in the welfare of our young kids. Thank you all for your help and nurturing the lives of our youth and future leaders. I especially want to acknowledge Spencer Wong/Scoutmaster Troop 50, Don Honda/Troop 250 and Jan Goto/Girl Scout Troop 569 together with the rest of the adult leaders. In addition, thank you to the Scout Sunday guest speakers, Tony & Lisa Tomita-Cooper and Bobby Tanaka, for their inspirational talks/messages and to co-chairs Eric Wong and Brooke Muranaka. Continued great success for a wonderful scouting program. Thanks to Molly Kimura and BWA for a delicious luncheon and special memorial service on February 11. Meriko and I very much enjoyed the company of your members and listening to the Dharma talk given by our special guest speaker, Reverend Patti Usuki from San Fernando Valley Buddhist Temple. Reverend Patti’s comment about her obachan and how influential she was to her in her formative years growing up in Canada was an important message. As we are growing up, we know there have been many such positive influences in all of our lives, important people who have nurtured us, taken care of us, looked after us. The BWA, in my opinion, represents all of the wonderful people who have helped us, nurtured us, loved us without hesitation. Thank you BWA members for all that you have done and continue to do for your family, the Betsuin and church community. Please let me know if there is anything I or the Board of Trustees can do for you. New Board of Trustees Members: I would like to acknowledge and thank the following members for accepting new Board of Trustees positions for this year. We look forward to your active participation and counsel in representing the interests of our Betsuin: - Pauline Sing; - Roger Ito; - Robbie Midzuno. I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their generous donations: - ABA Off Broadway Dance Club/George Kashiwagi President, donation of $1,000 for Legacy Endowment Fund and $500 for Student Scholarship Fund. - ABA/Roy Imura President, donation of $1,000 for Student Scholarship Fund. You may have noticed there are two beautiful bronze cranes in the interior landscaped courtyard. These cranes are presents from the Lodi Buddhist Church, thanking our minister’s assistants and Reverend Kaz during their transition period without an in-house minister. Lodi Buddhist Church was so impressed with the help and assistance given by Reverend Kaz and the minister’s assistants that they donated the cranes as a present to our church as a gesture of their thanks and appreciation. Reverend Kaz and minister’s assistants, domo arigato/thank you for taking the time and effort in helping out our neighboring churches. New Families Program: I would like to welcome all of the new families to our Betsuin family. If you are a new member within the last year or so and would like more information about what’s going on at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, its organizations, schedule of events, wedding planning, funeral arrangement information, etc., please check with the office staff, ministers or leave a message for me at the church office. Please let us know how we can be of service to you and your family. Rinban Bob Oshita Hello…and welcome to the month of March. This month we are observing Spring Ohigan. This is the time of year when we begin to feel the seasons are in transition. Although we’ve had a relatively mild and dry winter, from now we leave behind those chilly winter nights … as we begin to feel the warmth of spring. The weather is not too hot ... not too cold; and the long winter nights have slowly grown shorter; until on the very first day of spring, the days and nights became of equal length (12 hours each). Ohigan is a time when the world feels in balance ... in comfortable harmony ... as the seasons change. In the Japanese Buddhist tradition especially, this time of year is thought to be perfect for the contemplation of the Dharma ... the teachings of Buddhism. For we need only open our eyes to see all around us, that within the undeniable Truth of Constant Change is also the harmonious, interdependent balance of nature. Ohigan is considered the perfect time to contemplate the Dharma. And this month, our Buddhist Education Committee is hosting two very special lectures with two exceptional speakers. On Sunday, March 18, we will have Rinban Noriaki Ito of the Los Angeles Higashi Hongwanji as our Ohigan guest speaker. Reverend Ito will also be our special lecturer at 2 p.m. that same afternoon. Then, on Monday evening, March 26, at 7 p.m., we are fortunate to have Dr. Toshikazu Arai as our special guest lecturer. He was an instructor for our minister’s assistants when they studied in Japan in 2003, and he has received their highest approval. During this month of Ohigan, we will have many opportunities to encounter the Dharma. Looking forward to seeing you at the Betsuin. Gratefully, RB Carol Castle In February, Senseis Patti, Tim and I attended a four-day training session at the World Jodo Shinshu Center as part of our preparation for obtaining Kyoshi certification. There, we joined nine other participants from Northern California, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Southern California to study, practice and learn! We missed all our dharma buddies here at home, and we so appreciated Reverend Bob, Reverend Kaz and Senseis Grace and Koichi for their support and hard work taking care of the Sacramento and Florin temples. Just like the minister’s assistants program, the Kyoshi training program involves attending lectures, conducting services and participating in discussions. The day starts off with morning service at nine followed by a full day of lectures and discussions. We usually finish up between eight and nine in the evening, which is good because our brains are pretty mushy by that time. We are extremely fortunate to have had opportunities to work closely and listen to very talented speakers and Buddhist scholars, including Reverend Nobuo Haneda, Reverend Tetsuo Unno, Reverend David Matsumoto, Reverend Kodo Umezu, Dr. Satsuki Ina, Iko Miyazaki and our own Reverend Bob, just to name a few. Some lectures focus on the works of Shinran Shonin, others focus on the Pure Land sutras, and still others offer the rare opportunity to look within and focus simply on what it is to be human. Sitting in class, sometimes I am overwhelmed by the incredible knowledge and insight that stands before me. Sometimes I find that I’ve stopped taking notes because I just want to sit and soak it all in. And sometimes I have to admit I get a little lost and have to ask someone to explain it to me later. But each and every time, I am blown away by the passion and dedication of these great teachers. I feel very humble and small, and I am so grateful that they’ve come to sit with us and share what they know. In addition to the lectures and discussions, we conduct services, practice chanting and prepare for the tests that we will eventually face in Japan. During these sessions, we have to set aside our egos and self-consciousness and just focus on doing our best. And although it can be hard to do, we have to open ourselves up to making mistakes and accepting criticism because that’s the best way to learn and improve. When I think of our experience so far on the Kyoshi path, I think of Socho Ogui’s words: “Challenge yourself to search in the midst the uncertainties of work and life, and do not be afraid to try new things or make mistakes along the way.” So many of the Kyoshi requirements involve things that are new and foreign to us, and we all kind of feel like elephants on roller skates. But the thing is, we are all in it together. We lean on each other … we laugh together … and we help each other stay strong. We know that if we stumble and fall, someone will be right there to help us get back on our feet. There is so much to learn and we still have a long way to go. This experience has opened our eyes yet again to the incredible wisdom and caring that surrounds us all. None of this would be possible without the love and support of our senseis, our family and friends, and the countless others whose efforts are making this all happen. For this, we feel gratitude beyond words and will continue doing our best. Greeters’ ProgramWinter/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 From The OfficeReiko and Gladys would like to thank Steven Sasaki, Marty Sakata and others for cleaning up their kitchen. They did a beautiful job! Thank you so much. Out “dynamic duo,” Billy Hatano and Ted Ito, helped us mail out the pamphlet, “The Heart of the Dharma Buddha.” Thanks! If you have not received your copy, please let the office know. Church MaintenanceEd Imai Over the past month, the following members performed maintenance on the Betsuin’s facilities. The Betsuin is sincerely appreciative to the following members for volunteering their time and hard efforts: - John Fujimoto, Frank Hirota, Ed Imai and Gary Traganza for repairing ceiling lights in kaikan. (Note: Any lights that are not functioning are likely due to faulty electrical ballasts; however, since we will be replacing all ceiling lights, we will not be doing any costly interim repairs.) - Don Honda and Roy Imura for removing tree in southeast corner of parking lot. - Don Honda for cleaning debris off Reiko's kitchen building. With son, Jared, sealed roof leak around skylights in main facility. Also, reinstalled smoke alarms in Annex and extended roof drain pipe in roof over Classroom 1. - Frank Hirota & Gary Traganza replaced oven hood & range motor & fan at Reverend Kaz’s house. Bazaar61st ANNUAL JAPANESE FOOD & CULTURAL BAZAAR! Date: August 11th & 12th Time: Noon till 9:00pm Admission: FREE!
THE SACRAMENTO BETSUIN BUDDHIST EDUCATION COMMITTEE Presents Two Special Lectures “The Essence of Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu” REV. NORIAKI ITO Rinban, Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin Los Angeles, CA Sunday, March 18, 2007, 2:00 PM at the Sacramento Betsuin 2401 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento, CA
This Special Ohigan Lecture is Sponsored by the Sacramento Betsuin Buddhist Education Committee
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THE CENTER for JODO SHINSHU BUDDHIST STUDIES Presents “KARMA and DHARMA” Special Lecture by Dr. Toshikazu Arai Professor & Chairman, Religious Department Soai University in Osaka, Japan Monday, March 26, 2007, 7:00 – 9:00 PM At the Sacramento Betsuin 2401 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento, CA This event is Sponsored and Supported by The Center for Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Studies of the Buddhist Churches of America and Hosted by the Betsuin Buddhist Education Committee
************************************************************************************** Professor Toshikazu Arai was one of the instructors for our Minister’s Assistants while they were in Japan in 2003. They highly recommend him and look forward to his coming. He received a Ph.D. in history from the University of Hawaii and completed his doctoral studies in Jodo Shinshu at Ryukoku University. He has M.A.s from both Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan and the University of Baroda, India. He has a B.A. in Indian language from Osaka Foreign Language University. These two lectures are open to the general public and free of charge. All donations received will go to the Sacramento Betsuin Legacy Endowment Fund. Sakae Shintaku In Memory of Father Masami Iwasa In Memory of Hisata Iwasa Rieko Inaba Joyce Sasaki In Memory of Conrad Sasaki Hiroshi & Fujie Urakawa Paul Higuchi M/M Frank Ikemoto In Memory of Mother & Father Mitsuye Okubo In Memory of Jack Okubo Kay Shimada In Memory of Tokiko Shimada Shizue Shinkawa In Memory of Ed Shinkawa Sally Hamatake Joan Hisamoto Gloria Inaba Harley & Judy Inaba In Memory of Inaba Family Misao Inaba Ritsuko Iwasa In Memory of Hisata Iwasa Toshie Kobata Shiro Masunaga Tom & Pat Matsumoto In Memory of Yoshio Matsumoto Bessie Matsuo In Memory of Father, Asajiro Matsuo Eleanor Nobuye Teri Yamaichi In Memory of Yukio Kikumoto Kiyoye Higashino In Memory of Haruki Higashino Sadao Nagao Tokiko Okano Hattie Sumida In Memory of Kajiro Kitaguchi Misako Takeuchi Ruth Toyota In Memory of Grace Kagawa Alan Wu All you basketball fans — Let’s get ready to rrrrruuuummmmmble! It is March and that means we have tournaments everywhere you look coming out of our eyeballs. The very first weekend of March is our very own 36th annual tournament, followed by the SJUMC tournament, followed by the SASF tournament…Whew. I’m tired just typing about them all. Wait a minute, this is the year 4705, I should say: whew, I’m tired just word processing about them all. Hey, has anyone seen my sliderule? Or my skate key? Or my church key? (No, not the set of church keys that always seem to get lost.) Sorry, but I digress. Now where was I? This year we will be playing at 18 different basketball courts and have 16 different age brackets, consisting of 10 boys divisions and six girls divisions ranging from the 3rd graders playing in E Division to high school seniors playing in the B Division. So, you have the option to watch the little tykes, some of which are playing in their first tournament, or to watch the seasoned veteran high school kids, perhaps playing in their very last church tournament. The fact of the matter is, there are so many games to be played that weekend, you can catch all the age groups that you can handle. So, you’ve decided that you want to hit all the games. Well, we’ve come up with this new invention called the “list.” In it, you will find where all the games will be played all weekend. Here it is. Plan wisely: Age Division School Address & Cross Street 10th-12th Grades B-Boys Gold Rosemont High-Main Gym 9594 Kiefer & Bradshaw B-Boys Silver Rosemont High-Aux Gym 9594 Kiefer & Bradshaw B-Girls McClatchy High-Main Gym 3066 Freeport & 6th Avenue 7th-9th Grades C-Boys Gold JFKennedy High-Main Gym 6715 Gloria & Florin C-Boys Silver Eddy Middle School 9329 Soaring Oaks & Bruceville C-Boys Bronze Sutter Middle School 3150 ‘I’ Street & Alhambra C-Girls Gold Johnson High-Main Gym 6879 14th Avenue & 65th Street C-Girls Silver Johnson High-Aux Gym 6879 14th Avenue & 65th Street 5th-6th Grades D-Boys Gold Valley High Main Gym 6300 Ehrhardt & Center Pkwy D-Boys Silver Jackman Middle School 7925 Kentwall & Valley High Dr. D-Boys Bronze Valley High Aux Gym 6300 Ehrhardt & Center Pkwy D-Girls Gold Sat-Monterey Trail Main 8661 Power Inn Road Sun-Elk Grove High Main 9800 Elk Grove Florin Road D-Girls Silver Sat-Monterey Trial Aux 8661 Power Inn Road Sun-Elk Grove Aux 9800 Elk Grove Florin Road 3rd-4th Grades E-Boys Rutter Middle School 7350 Palmer House & Florin JFKennedy High-Aux Gym 6715 Gloria & Florin E-Girls Didion K-8 School 6490 Harmon & Park Riviera JFKennedy High-Aux Gym 715 Gloria & Florin While you out catching all those games, DO NOT stop at any eating establishment; don’t you dare! At each gym location we will have our world famous concession stands all set up ready to serve you hot food and cold drink and maybe hot drink too, if it is a cold and blustery March day. Enjoy our tantalizing tasty treats, and it is guaranteed that you will not go away hungry. Please stop by and support our tournament food stands. After you’ve spent your Saturday running around watching basketball, come down to the church on Saturday evening to relax and socialize at our annual Family Social in Classrooms 1-4 across from the kaikan. The kaikan is where the dance will be, so stop by and kick back while your kid is cutting a rug! (How many of you have never heard that expression before?) Anyway, come to the Family Social and just hang out from 8:30 to midnight. We recognize that our coaches spend a lot of time and energy, and perhaps spill a lot of blood, sweat and tears coaching our children. Accordingly, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation for all that they do for our program at our annual Coach’s Appreciation Dinner on March 18. Please join us in honoring our coaches for making our program what it is today. Your team mom will have all the details. Bobby Tanaka On February 16, Pack 50 held a special 35th Anniversary Blue and Gold Celebration. The Blue and Gold event is held every year by all Cub Scout packs in the month of February to commemorate the birth of the Cub Scout program, which was established in 1930. Also at this event, Pack 50 celebrated its 35th anniversary. The pack was started in 1972. The featured speakers for this celebration were 1972 Cub Scout Mark Umeda and Rinban Bob Oshita, who gave outstanding messages. Also, Reverend Kaz Nakata and Temple President Allan Hoshida, a former Pack 50 Cubmaster, made wonderful opening remarks. During the event, Reverend Bob was honored for his years of guidance and support to the pack and for teaching the Metta/Padma class for 23 years. He was presented with his very own, highly decorated Boy Scout uniform. Reverend Bob was active in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs in his youth and is an Arrow of Light recipient and Eagle Scout. At this event, special recognition was given to all 1972 Pack 50 leaders. Current Scouts who have ties to these leaders presented beautiful bouquets and expressed appreciation for the work these founding leaders had done 35 years ago. The 1972 Pack 50 leaders were: - Ken & Hazel Kamada – presenter, Steven Tanaka; - Hodge & May Kawakami – presenter, their grandson, Jason Nishimura; - George Hamamoto (and the late Kiyo Hamamoto) – presenter, Brian Ishisaka; - Herb & Evelyn Umeda – presenter, Gregory Ito; - Sam & Misao Abe – presenter, their grandson, Kyle Fujii; - Mitch & Ginny Okamoto – presenter, their grandson, Jason Okamoto. The evening’s events also included uniform inspections, Scout awards, skits, a slide show, and refreshments. A great time was had by all. Open registration for Pack 50 is just around the corner! All interested boys, ages 6-9, will have an opportunity to join this fine organization. The Pack is tons of fun, and the boys will learn so much! An orientation/registration meeting will take place in late April. For more information, please contact Parents Committee Chairperson Barbara Sasaki at saksneg@yahoo.com or Cubmaster Bobby Tanaka at betanaka@pacbell.net. Masako Thomas Contact Masako Thomas at (916) 482-8770 or e-mail: sakurahanami@hotmail.com. Richard Kai With the month of March comes the madness of basketball tournaments. We’ll see our young Dharma School students replacing their Sunday school apparel for baggy shorts and tank tops with numbers (sometimes you can’t notice the difference). Yes, it’s March Madness month again. The Hondo will be absent the voices of our many young giving their air and physical space to the senior set. Finally, peace at last, but then again what would our Sangha be without the younger crowd. Come back soon. We love you! Reverend Bob’s remarks at a recent Dharma Talk session at the planning committee meeting for the 2007 Federation of Dharma School Teachers’ League Conference focused on the principle of oneness, living in the moment, and the three poisons: Greed, Anger and Ignorance (or stupidity). My mind as he talked focused on discussions from the day before at the monthly Board of Directors meeting. I could not help but walk away after listening to both sessions with the feeling of how difficult it is to live a life of Nembutsu. It seems only matters affecting the BCA and/or our Temple’s relationship with the national organization can lead to discussions that peak at the 10 p.m. hour or later. The Board agenda item — a replay from many prior meetings — included renewed efforts by the BCA to raise funds to relieve the near-term debt (interest and not principle) on the Jodo Shinshu Center and a series of motions of which one is to assess each BCA member a certain dollar amount if the fundraising campaign falls short of its target. Our Board members may choose to bring a sleeping bag or midnight snacks to survive future discussions on this item. Some may question my tactic to use the monthly Sangha news article to voice an opinion regarding relieving the massive debt created to build the center. It is not my intention to overly criticize the actions that have caused the current grave financial situation, but to point out how difficult it is to lead a Buddhist life by even those who are considered knowledgeable leaders of the Dharma, its teachings, and national leaders and administrators of the BCA. Even the most learned persons of the Dharma are not nearly as awake as we should hope; they cannot resist the temptation to take an occasional sip from the poisoned well. They are people, like you and I, who are focused on a target so that they ignore the basic principles of the Dharma and its teachings. Temples or individuals who raise questions about the selected financing plan and short-term and long-term solutions are labeled as not supporting the BCA leadership. They are guided to this conclusion by the number of dollars contributed to the campaign rather than listening to the voices raised by these temples and Sangha members. Their actions, leadership during crisis, willingness to listen and allow others to question adds to their inability to think clearly and create a climate of harmony to resolve the problems at hand. Instead, the path of selfishness, greed and anger has set the stage for a vote at the upcoming National meeting on three motions that do not provide long-term relief. I guess it could be argued that’s how one lives in the moment. Hard it is to be born into human life; now we are living it. Upcoming Events March 4: Betsuin Basketball Tournament March 11: SJUMC Basketball Tournament March 18: Spring Ohigan Service – No Class March 25: SASF Basketball Tournament April 1: Hanamatsuri Class Party April 8: Hanamatsuri Service – No Class Dharma School “courtyard” gratefully acknowledges donations from the following: Barons Molly Kimura Lois Nishimura Eleanor Nobuye Mary Orite Kiyo Tanaka Fusaye Yokoyama Boy ScoutsScott Yasuhara On January 12, the troop had a Greenbar at 6:30 p.m. and a troop meeting following the Greenbar. On January 13, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. had a Patrol Leader Training at Assistant Scoutmaster Gordon Lee's clubhouse. January 19 the troop from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. set up for the crab feed. January 20 we had our yearly crab feed, which always starts at 6 p.m. January 26 the troop had no meeting and was replaced with a patrol able to hold patrol meetings at the church. On Friday, February 2, the Scouts rehearsed for the Scout Sunday event. February 4 the Scouts at 8:15 a.m. held the Scout Sunday event. February 6 from 7:45 p.m.-9 p.m. there was 12 Steps to Be an Eagle seminar. February 9 the troop had a 6 p.m. Greenbar, followed by a troop meeting and parent meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. February 10 there was a snow camp training session by Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Lowe. A patrol tentative meeting was scheduled for February 16. On February 17 was the Council Recognition Dinner - Assistant Scoutmaster Warren Yasuhara –“Silver Beaver” starting at 6 p.m. February 17-18 there was snow camping led by Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Lowe. February 23 there was a normal troop meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. February 24-25 was the back-up date for the snow camping trip. March 2 there will be a troop meeting and a parent meeting, both starting at 7:30 p.m. March 9 there will be a Greenbar at 6:30 followed by a 7:30 troop meeting. March 10 there will be the family ski outing. Also on March 10 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. there will be Pocket Emergency Preparedness volunteer positions. March 11 there will be a Spring Food Festival. Girl Scouts Troop 569Tani Cantil-Sakauye Happy Spring! On Scout Sunday, February 4, three speakers — Bobby Tanaka, Tony Cooper and Lisa Cooper — shared the lifelong values and lessons learned from scouting. All speakers were impressive and inspirational. We thank the speakers for sharing their wonderful experiences with us. We are all very excited about the Afghanistan community service project! Bridget Maron, a parent from Cadettes 4, presented a wonderful community service project at the Leaders Meeting. As many of you know, Dr. Ken Furukawa left for Afghanistan in early January 2007. Bridget offered to coordinate efforts to send “care packages” to him, as well as colleagues, soldiers and civilian patients that include women and children. The “care packages” can be in the form of food/staples (that would be shared with his colleagues, etc.), phone cards, magazines, reading material, puzzles, toiletries, clothing, small toys, stuffed animals for the children. Bridget was able to secure boxes from the Post Office that can be shipped at fairly minimal cost to the military base, which will then transport the packages to Dr. Furukuwa. We have been very fortunate because many of the troops have signed up to collect donations for the care packages: Cadettes 3 – February; Seniors 1 – March; Juniors 3 – April; Juniors 1 and Cadettes 1 also in March and/or April; Daisies – May; Cadettes 5 – June; Brownies 1 – July; Brownies 2 – August; Cadettes 2 - October. The months of September, November and December are open. If any other Girl Scout or Boy Scout troops, or other organizations in the Sangha are interested in participating, please contact Bridget Maron. Also, at the end of February, Brownies 5 finished their “Make it, Eat it” try-it. The girls were able to make their own recipe books, which hopefully we will keep adding to as the years progress. They also enjoyed making a Fruit Fizzy Punch, which about 50 percent of the girls really enjoyed (interesting combinations!). All the girls enjoyed experimenting with different juice combinations, though, to make something “just right.” All the girls have planted their own seed in their tiny pots, and are enjoying the “sprouts” of their labor. Hopefully in a couple of months we will all be enjoying fresh peas, rosemary, beans and basil that our girls planted! March for Brownies 5 brought our very first Thinking Day ceremony. The girls had a great time singing a song in German, and being with the older Brownie troops. We wanted to thank the other Brownie troops for helping us with our Thinking Day songs and costumes — the girls had a wonderful time! Sacramento Buddhist Women’s Association L. M. Ito Dharma Message Reverend Kaz spoke of his wife, Michi, and how when she was sick he had to do much of the housework and cooking. H remarked that when he was single he didn't think much about it, but with Michi sick he had an opportunity to appreciate how much she helps him in his daily life. This realization led to a deep gratitude, a feeling of Namo Amida Butsu to her. Itsu mo Arigato. President’s MessageMolly Kimura expressed thanks for all the work and preparation that made the Eshinniko/Kakushinniko and Lady Ohtani Memorial observation such a success.Correspondence Thank you notes were received from the following: Fumiko Hironaka, Tom Wada, the Yokoi Family, Jane Miyoko Tsuchida, Meri Fong, and Laura Soo Hoo. Donations Memorial Esther Sakata 13th Year Memorial for Ted Sakata Tsutomu Hironaka In Memory of Fumiko Hironaka Heidi Sakazaki In Memory of Sam Isamu Muranaka Special Norrine Okamoto Wedding of Daughter Patrise to Andrew Nakamura Kimi Burns Appreciation Committee ReportsBylaws / Heidi Sakazaki presented changes proposed by Kiyoko Tanaka regarding reimbursements to the attendees of the World BWA conference. Conferences and Meetings / Alice Kataoka and Hiroko Tsuda Mark your calendar for the FBWA Conference October 12-14 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott. The guest speaker for English will be Reverend Patti Nakai and for Japanese Reverend Yukiko Motoyoshi. The theme is “Buddhism open mind, open heart.” Social Services / Marcia Matsuda and Mitzie Muramoto - Yoshito Kumasaki passed away on December 22, 2006. A sympathy card with okoden was sent to the family. - Toshiko Nakagawa passed away on December 29, 2006. A sympathy card with okoden was sent to the family. - Paul Matsumura passed away on January 20. A sympathy card with okoden was sent to the family. - A get well card was sent to Reiko Kurahara along with our best wishes for her speedy and complete recovery. Religious / Fusako Takahashi and Midori Ito Thanks were extended to all those who helped make the Eshinniko/Kakushinniko and Lady Ohtani memorial service such a success. Special Events / Frances Kondo and Virginia Uchida The Spring Food Festival will take place on March 11. Preorders will be available two weeks prior to the event. We will be having the teaching table led by Mollie Oto for those members who wish to learn how to roll sushi. Food prep will start on Saturday, March 10 at 7:30 a.m., and on Sunday, March 11 at 2 a.m. (Be aware that Sunday is also daylight savings time.) Clean-up will take place on Monday, March 12. Mary Inouye is planning a fun trip to Southern California as part of our outreach program. Exact dates and information will be announced at a later time. Special donations from the following people were gratefully appreciated: Kiyo Tanaka, Utako Kimura, Mollie Oto, Heidi Sakazaki, Molly Kimura, Lynn Kurahara, Mr. & Mrs. Hatano, Mr. & Mrs. Kaneko and the Betsuin Sports Committee. Funeral Paul Matsumura Family In Memory of Paul Matsumura Lois Nishimura Family In Memory of Ken Nishimura Hiroshi Yokota Family In Memory of Hiroshi Yokota Susan Tominaga In Memory of Tatsuo Tominaga Gerald & Diane Muranaka In Memory of Sam Muranaka Paul Matsumura Family Mike Nagai, oshoko representative, donation to Sacramento Betsuin Thomas & Nancy Shimizu In Memory of Tatsuo Tominaga Memorial James & Fumie Satake 49th Day for Michael Keikoan Julia Matsui Family 49th Day for George Matsui Frank Yokoi 49th Day for Yuki Yokoi Esther Sakata 13th Year for Ted Sakata Tsutomu Hironaka, Bryan & Joni Hironaka, Jim & Linda Ficenec & Family In Memory of Fumiko Hironaka Imai Family In Memory of Neal Watanabe Bruce Keikoan Family 49th Day for Michael Keikoan Kenji Nakatani 17th Year Asako Nakatani Kay Shimada 3rd Year for Tokiko Shimada Hisayo Takimoto, Steve Takimoto Family, Kawata Family 49th Day for Hideo Takimoto Brian & Carol Shimada Family 3rd Year for Tokiko Shimada Michael Tsuchida In Memory of Mark & Jane Tsuchida Sacramento Ikenobo Ikebana In Memory of Yuki Yokoi Paul Higuchi 50th Year for Chiye Higuchi Hirahara Family 49th Day for Sumi Hirahara Mitsuji & Tokie Hironaka 49th Day for Fumiko |
