|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Sangha
President’s
Message Allan Hoshida July marks the mid-term of my year as your 2007 Betsuin Board of Trustees president. With graduations, summer vacations, end of Dharma School term, etc. comes a time of reflection on the first half of the year (how quickly it has passed) and what we need to work on and prioritize for the balance of the year. Certainly we here at the Betsuin are very fortunate to have so many folks volunteering/helping out our temple and sangha in so many different ways. It is truly remarkable that we are able to continue the many wonderful programs, i.e., Dharma School, Sakura Gakuen, Cub Scouts, Boy and Girl Scouts, sports program, minister assistants program, seniors, educational seminars/lectures, etc., that gives opportunity to all who wish to be involved. The level of volunteerism, helpfulness, lending a hand creates a great sangha community feeling. So in addition to your close friends/family, as you may meet new folks coming to our temple, please extend a warm welcome and invite them to participate in whatever activities may be of interest. It is this continuing influx of new families/friends into our sangha that will keep our Betsuin strong and vital. It was quite evident when a special committee of the board was recently convened and went through some very good reviews/discussions relative to the long-term welfare of our Betsuin, facilities, programmatic needs, etc. Several major issues/thoughts came to the surface: - The Betsuin facilities, originally built in the late 1950s, serve our needs now, but must be kept up/maintained. Is this the best location for the future? Will the membership outgrow the current facilities? What physical improvements should be considered now to meet needs? Currently, the building and equipment committee of Eddie Imai, John Fujimoto, Frank Hirota, Don Honda, Roger Ito, Roy Imura and Gary Traganza have established a list of potential improvement projects throughout our facilities and they are slowly implementing that program. Some issues such as parking availability, over-crowding at certain services will have to continually be monitored and improved. Please let us know if there are any other required issues and/or improvements. - The Betsuin must be financially secure to be able to even think about any major future expansions and/or relocations. (The recent Jodo Shinshu Center building and the financial problems we are going through with that project have been on the minds of the board members in not overcommitting beyond our means/resources.) The Board of Trustees established the Legacy Endowment Fund and a separate board to oversee our long-term needs. This fund will take a while to build up, but in the future will be a resource that our sangha can tap into as needs arise. Ted Yoshimura and his Endowment Board are working on the marketing brochure and will be distributing information to everyone in the near future. The Finance Committee, led by Treasurer Richard Kai, is reviewing our overall financial health and working to invest our resources wisely for long-term future needs. Thank you very much to both the Endowment Fund Board and Finance Committee for their good work. Some clarification regarding donations: As you may be aware, donations in addition to the Bazaar and annual membership dues constitute a substantial portion of our annual budget. Most all of the donations received for funerals, memorials, major services, special appreciations, shotsuki hoyo, etc. (if not specifically indicated) goes directly into our general fund, which is used for ongoing operations. If specific requests are indicated, i.e. Building Fund, those funds go into the general fund but with specific separate accounts dedicated to the requests. Any funds received for the Nokotsudo and endowment go directly into the Endowment Fund. Note: the intent of the Endowment Fund is to maintain/grow the principal and use only the interest/income for future distribution. Some miscellaneous items: · Congratulations to Reverend Kaz and Michiko on their successful interviews in Tokyo and getting their “green cards.” · Thanks to Dharma School for the well-attended year-end picnic held at William Land Park on June 10. Congratulations to all of the many attendance award recipients and the graduation awards to the high school seniors. Special thanks to Mark Ely for chairing the scholarship committee. Thanks to Richard Kai, Carol Tamai and Ken Koyama for again volunteering to run the Dharma School program for next year. Enjoy your good health, appreciate each and every day. Have a wonderful, safe summer vacation. Rinban Bob Oshita Hello…and welcome to the month of July. This month we will be observing our Obon Odori (dance) and Obon-Hatsubon Service on the July 14-15 weekend. Please note this change on the schedule. Our Obon, like our Bazaar, takes place on the second full weekend of the month. This month of July, by popular demand, our Betsuin will be hosting a special Reunion Retreat for the participants of the Youth Advocacy Committee Retreats that we hosted in 2005 and 2006. The incredible success of these retreats has encouraged Socho Ogui, the Bishop of BCA, to make a special “Bishop’s Request” for all temples and districts to consider hosting such events. It is so often said that “the children are our future….” Of this there is no doubt. Our Sacramento Betsuin is a thriving example. With the hundreds of young children in our Dharma School program, Scouts and sports program, we know well that our temple has a vibrant future. We are truly fortunate to have been enjoying such success. However, we should not simply rest on our proverbial laurels. Now is the time that we must also be planning for an even more successful future. About 10 years ago, we had an opportunity to purchase some adjacent property for about $500,000. We discussed and deliberated and finally felt it was just too large a debt to incur at that time. Today, if a similar opportunity arose, it would cost us about $4 million. Ten years ago, we were unprepared…and we missed that chance. I would very much like to see our Betsuin more prepared to take advantage of future growth opportunities, whether in property or in developing meaningful new programs. With this in mind, Reverend Yukawa encouraged the development of the Betsuin Legacy Endowment Fund and we are also now trying to develop a Property Expansion Fund. As I mentioned earlier, we are truly fortunate to be enjoying such success. However, it is during this time that we must plan for a Betsuin that will continue to be vibrant and meaningful for the generations of children to come. RB Michiko Yukawa On the first evening of our recent trip to Japan, we rode the subway in Tokyo to check out rumors of the bronze Hachiko statue at the Shibuya station plaza having been stolen. Hachiko, an Akita dog born in 1923, was owned by Eisaburo Uyeno, a professor at the Imperial University in Tokyo. Each morning, Hachi would accompany the professor to the train station when he left for work, and each evening, his tail wagging, he would eagerly wait at the station for the professor’s return. One day in 1925, the professor became ill at the university and unfortunately died before he could return home. However, Hachiko returned to the station each day to wait for the professor’s return. His continued devotion touched many who passed through the station daily, including the station master, who provided Hachiko a place to sleep, and Professor Uyeno’s gardener, who always made sure Hachiko did not go hungry. Finally after over 10 years of waiting, Hachiko died on March 8, 1935 on the very spot where he had last seen his master. People were so moved by the story of Hachiko’s long vigil and loyalty that they erected a life-sized statue in his honor at the Shibuya station entrance. He had become a symbol of unconditional loyalty and devotion. The statue has become a popular meeting place for the people of Tokyo. We were very relieved to find the statue still there and later learned that the rumor was an April Fool’s joke, published by a Tokyo newspaper. The following day, we toured the Imperial Palace. In the plaza facing the Palace stands a large statue of Kusunoki, Masashige, a 14th century samurai who fought for Emperor Go-Daigo, who sought to take rulership of Japan away from the Kamakura shogunate. In his final battle, Kusunoki, knowing full well that his own strategic battle plans could easily overcome the superior enemy forces, chose instead to obediently follow the Emperor’s foolish orders, which resulted in his own death. Kusunoki’s ultimate act of unconditional samurai loyalty, courage and devotion to the Emperor became legendary and an example for future soldiers. At the end of our trip we toured Kyoto, which included a visit to Ohtani Mausoleum to hold services at the niches for the Sacramento Betsuin and other BCA temples. On the path leading to the gate to Ohtani Hombyo stands a small bronze statue of Shinran Shonin. He seemed to be welcoming us to Kyoto and to this temple enshrining his gravesite. Shinran Shonin, at the age of 35, allowed himself to be exiled to the cold and remote northern part of Japan in 1207, due to his deep conviction in the teachings of Honen Shonin and unconditional devotion and belief in his teacher. On our final day, we visited the Nishi Hongwanji complex where we had a service in the traditional and awe-inspiring Amida Hall, built around the beautiful gilded statue of Amida Buddha. Sitting in the large hondo while listening to the quiet din of the hundreds of voices murmuring the Onembutsu, our chanting seemed to be Shinran Shonin’s voice urging us, encouraging us to “Listen, truly listen and become aware. You are surrounded by the ultimate unconditional love and devotion, the ultimate unconditional Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha.” Namo Amida Butsu. Greeters’ ProgramFall 2007 During the Dharma School session, the following Betsuin Board members will warmly welcome visitors to Dharma Service on Sundays: September 9 Frank Hirota Shigeko Tanaka Marc Ely September 16 Mark Amioka Richard Kai Kelvin Mark September 23 Pauline Sing Ken Koyama Denis Ishisaka September 30 Valerie Fong Allan Hoshida Keith Kato October 7 Don Honda John Fujimoto Ken Furukawa October 14 Roy Imura Diane Muranaka Shirley Sekeres October 21 Eddie Imai Roger Ito Diane Shimosaka October 28 Steve Kawano Brian Okamoto Sheryl Kajioka November 4 Don Masuda Bob Tanaka Mark Umeda November 11 Mary Ann Miyao Ted Yoshimura Robbie Midzuno November 18 Frank Hirota Shigeko Tanaka Marc Ely November 25 Mark Amioka Richard Kai Kelvin Mark December 2 Pauline Sing Ken Koyama Denis Ishisaka December 9 Valerie Fong Allan Hoshida Keith Kato December 16 Don Honda John Fujimoto Ken Furukawa December 23 No Service December 30 No Service From The Office- Our osaisen box cover mysteriously disappeared! Harry Kashiwada was nice enough to make us another cover, and then, our custodian, Bob Chavez, found the original cover in a room we hardly use. We would like to thank Harry for making us another cover, which we will keep as a spare. Thank you so much, Harry! - We would also like to thank Keri Castle for helping put postage on all the raffle tickets being mailed out. Thank you, Keri — you were a great help to us. - Our “threesome” helped with the mailing. Thanks fellows — you know who you are. 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: - Nick Shebert (crew leader), James Garcia, Kevin Miller, Carlos Talamontes removed old movie screen in the kaikan and replaced it with a new automatic screen. Special thanks to Sachi Sawada for donating lunch to this church work crew. - Gary Traganza repaired horizontal clearance bar in the parking lot. Also replaced stop check valve in toilet in main men's bathroom. As a note, please mark your calendars to help out with the Bazaar construction on July 27 at 6 p.m. and July 28 at 7 a.m. The more help we have, the easier it is on those who are helping…. So, please come out to help your fellow member/friend. Bazaar61st ANNUAL JAPANESE FOOD & CULTURAL BAZAAR! Date: August 11th & 12th Time: Noon till 9:00pm Admission: FREE! Message from the Sacramento Buddhist Church Legacy Endowment Fund Board Donate From Your IRA and Avoid Taxes on the Distribution Law Expires at End of 2007 Under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, individuals who are 70½ or older may transfer up to $100,000 during 2007 from their IRA or Rollover IRA to qualified charitable organizations, like the Sacramento Buddhist Church, and avoid paying income tax on that money. The transfer counts toward the donor’s required minimum distribution, but does not generate the personal taxable income that a distribution or withdrawal would. It also does not provide a tax deduction, so a donor does not need to itemize their tax returns in order to take advantage of this benefit. The law expires at the end of 2007, so act now if you would like to take advantage of this new opportunity to make a charitable gift to the Sacramento Buddhist Church Endowment Fund. For more information, contact your personal financial or tax advisor or call the Sacramento Buddhist Church office, 446-0121. Mary, Ray & Sam Orite In Memory of George Orite Kaoru Bernice Ouye In Memory of Minoru Ouye Mr. & Mrs. Masami Tomotoshi In Memory of Koichi Tomotoshi Jim & Yuki Hashisaka In Memory of Eijiro Okamoto Mr. & Mrs. Masami Iwasa In Memory of Masao Kawamura Mr. & Mrs. Masami Iwasa In Memory of Minoru Ouye Eiichi & Michiko Okamoto In Memory of Eijiro Okamoto Al & Hiroko Shimizu Shizuko Koshimizu In Memory of Makoto Koshimizu Masumoto Family Koji Nishimoto In Memory of Matsuko Nishimoto Mineko Nishimoto In Memory of Nobu Hamaguchi Kazuko Dote Steven T. Egi In Memory of Tatsuo Egi Mrs. Joan Hisamoto In Memory of Helen Kiyoko Inaba Ken Matsumoto In Memory of Frank Matsumoto Ms. Eleanor K. Nobuye Kaoru Bernice Ouye In Memory of Masao Kawamura Shuny Sagara Roy Shintani Mr. & Mrs. Makoto Shirai In Memory of Kiichi Tomotoshi Rose Takata In Memory of Tom Takata Kazuko Uyeminami In Memory of Joe Uyeminami Fusaye Yokoyama In Memory of Makoto Koshimizu Fusaye Yokoyama In Memory of Raijiro Yokoyama Mrs. Etsuko Dote Dorothy H. Egi In Memory of Tatsuo Egi Akiko Ikemoto Shizuko Koshimizu In Memory of Raijiro and Chiyono Yokoyama Tokiko Okano Hattie Sumida In Memory of Yukio Kashida Hattie Sumida In Memory of Yurino Kitaguchi Alan Wu Welcome to the July installment of the Sangha, more specifically, the July Sports Committee article that is supposed to update you on all the latest happenings in and around the world of sports. Somehow July just seemed to sneak up out of nowhere. June was gone in a flash. And now with the bell tolling, it tolls for thee. There is no time left to sweep together all the little thoughts into one big pile of coherent thought, so what’s left? Just the obiter dictum running through my mind…as I sit here trying to remember what happenings happened: - Please turn in uniforms to your division coordinator. - Don’t eat yellow snow. - Announce the vacant positions on committee. - “I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok.” — Shaquille O'Neal - Never spit into the wind. - Must maintain 60 percent attendance to play. - “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” — Tim Duncan. - There are 2 extra credit attendance days in September. - Lefty loosy, righty tighty. - “They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.” — Wilt Chamberlain. - Please help out at Bazaar construction on July 27-29. - Rubber baby buggy bumpers. - There is no “i” in t-e-a-m. - What’s a rolling calendar? - “If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball.” — Phil Jackson I think that just about says it all. Important Dates to Remember July 9-13: Obon practice July 14: Obon July 27: Bazaar equipment “pullout” July 28-29: Bazaar construction August 9: Skewer beef prep for Bazaar August 10: Final prep for Bazaar August 11-12: Bazaar weekend August 13: Bazaar clean-up Bobby Tanaka Masako Thomas Contact Masako Thomas at (916) 482-8770 or e-mail: sakurahanami@hotmail.com. Richard Kai
12th Year Perfect Attendance (From left) Grace Hatano, Carol Castle, Katie Adachi, Rinban Bob Oshita, Kristen Adachi, Richard Kai, Tim Castle, Koichi Mizushima, Reverend Kazuaki Nakata.
2007 Scholarship Recipients (From left) Tim and Carol Castle, Rinban Bob, Grace Hatano, Keith Okasaki, Courtney Kashiwagi, Tadao Koyama, Kristen Kai, Marc Ely, Courtney Hori, Kevin Mori, Brooke Muranaka, Richard Kai, Koichi Mizushima, Reverend Kaz. Boy ScoutsBenjamin Fong From May 18-20, some of the potential patrol leaders for next year attended a weekend of National Youth Leadership Training. At this camp they learned how to become better leaders to serve the troop and to become better Scouts. They also met Scouts from other troops and had a chance to talk with them and be with others who also enjoy Scouting. At the same time on Friday, May 18, there was a troop meeting and a Greenbar, and on Sunday, May 20, was the Pacific Rim Festival. At the Pacific Rim Festival, the Scouts offered a helping hand in serving the community. They performed such tasks as directing traffic, handing out brochures, and lots of other things in order to enhance the visitors’ visits to the festival. The Scouts also used this time to bond with each other. Memorial Day, May 28, was a day off for most students. Having so much free time on their hands, some of Troop 50’s scouts decided to use their holiday as a way to give back. Assistant Scoutmaster Warren Yasuhara offered a chance of community service for the scouts to perform a special flag ceremony. Practicing flag ceremonies quite often, the Scouts took on the job easily. Good job to those Scouts who wanted to give up their day off. On June 1, there was another troop meeting and a parent meeting. June 8 included a Greenbar and a troop meeting. On Saturday, June 9, there was another round of community service. This event was led by Assistant Scoutmaster Roger Ito. The Scouts helped with a pullout at Walnut Grove Buddhist Church. They left from Lake Crest Shopping Center at 7:45 a.m. and returned at about noon. Troop 50 has really had a lot of community service events lately and the Scouts are increasingly eager to help out. Girl Scouts Troop 569Obon Eats Girl Scouts will be selling spam musubi, chicken bowl, somen and mochi during the Obon festival. Bazaar Pastry Booth The Girl Scouts would appreciate any donations of baked goods for their pastry booth at the Bazaar. Please bring donations to the kaikan on Saturday or Sunday. Sacramento Buddhist Women’s Association L. M. Ito Dharma Message Rinban Oshita reported that he had good news. Reverend and Mrs. Nakata were the happy recipients of their green cards, so their trip to Japan was a success. He also reported that the minister assistants Tim and Carol Castle and Patti Oshita would be taking their Kyoshi test. Rinban Oshita stated that he felt they would do well. They felt an added pressure to do well because they are proud of their temple, and grateful for all the dedication, hard work and support provided by the women’s association. Correspondence Thank you notes for the annual visitations were received from the following people: Butch Kozumi, Mary Furukawa and Tamie Muraoka. Mitchi Mitani wrote on behalf of the NCDSTL to thank all those members who provided food for the hospitality room during the Dharma School Conference. Campaign BCA wrote to acknowledge the SBWA pledge. Donations Memorial Family of Yoshiko Doi In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Ruth Seo and Family In Memory of Father, Takeo Yamasaki Yoshiko Morisawa In Memory of Father Special June Matsuo Special Committee ReportsConferences and Meetings/Alice Kataoka and Hiroko Tsuda Social Services/Marcia Matsuda and Mitzie Muramoto Yoshiko Doi passed away on May 7. The family declined the okuyami visitation. A private memorial service was held on May 12. A sympathy card and okoden were sent to the family. A get well card was sent to May Kurimoto. Religious/Fusako Takahashi and Midori Ito Thank you to the following members for their Gotan-e service participation. Chairperson Heidi Sakazaki; Organist Machiko Kimura; Oshoko Representatives: Fumie Ishihara - 9:30 a.m. service and Masako Fukuda - 11:30 a.m. service, Refreshment servers: Mary Inouye and Masako Fukuda. We would like to express our gratitude to Katsuko Hirota for her enjoyable and memorable slideshow presented on May 22. Approximately 40 people had the opportunity to view the slides of Northern India where the historical Buddha traveled, spreading the Dharma. After the show, a potluck was served. Thanks to the many people for their help and generosity, especially: Hiroko Tsuda, Alice Kataoka, Frances Kondo, Midori Ito, Lynn Kurahara, Heidi Sakazaki, Utako Kimura and Tomi Tanaka. Obon/Hatsubon Service is scheduled for July 15. Our guest speaker will be Sensei Mutsumi Wondra, currently serving as a minister’s assistant at Orange County Buddhist Church. Thank you to the following SBWA members for their participation in the service: Chairperson Molly Kimura; Organist Machiko Kimura; Oshoko representatives 9:30 a.m. service: Heidi Sakazaki; 1:30 p.m. service: Ikuko Sakazaki; Refreshment servers: Ikuko Sakazaki and Fusako Takahashi. Special Events Summer Bazaar Crafts Booth/Shirley Kato Crafts continue the last Friday of the month from 1:30-3:30 p.m.in the Sacramento Betsuin classrooms. The Asian Community Center (ACC) bus has kindly been made available to those who live between the Betsuin and the ACC and wish to have transportation to this event. A small donation is suggested. Please contact (916) 393-9026, ext. 33 to make reservations. Lillian Ishii, Kiyo Tanaka and Fusako Takahashi have made donations that have resulted in several happi coats that will be available for sale at the Obon dance practices. Donations Many thanks to the following kind and generous people for their donations at the meeting: Reiko Kurahara, Gladys Adachi, Patti Oshita, Gerry Tsukiji, Molly Kimura, Utako Kimura, Teiko Matsuo and Midori Ito Due to the July 4 holiday, the next board meeting will be Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 6:45 p.m. service, meeting at 7 p.m. Save the Date! Join the Fun on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 the day the 12th Annual Sacramento Betsuin Seniors Golf Tourney will be held. Application/registration will be available in the next Sangha and on the bulletin board in the hallway of the Betsuin. Funeral Carolyn Nakagawa In Memory of Kimiye Nakagawa Yoshiko Doi Family In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Shizue Takeda Family In Memory of Shizue Takeda from her children M/M Hachiro Yasumura In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Lauren Hashikuni In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Renee Tanaka In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Tokiko Okano In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Gladys & Sam Adachi In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Bob Ariyasu In Memory of Yoshiko Doi George & Amiko Kashiwagi In Memory of Yoshiko Doi M/M Isamu Kobata In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Koji & Keiko Nishimoto In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Shoya & Ikuko Sakazaki In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Memorial Carolyn Nakagawa 49th Day for Kimiye Nakagawa Ronald Shintaku 49th Day for Sakae Shintaku 49th Day for Jack Iseri Bessie Nakano 17th Year for Eddie Nakano Jane Kakigi In Memory of Harumi Kakigi Ben & Grace Kotani In Memory of Helen Morishita Hiroko Takamoto 7th Year for Jack Takamoto Shigeyuki Tanaka Family 1st Year for Yuki Tanaka Tom Tokubo 1st Year for Toshiko Tokubo Billy & Grace Hatano Family In Memory of Parents, Kaneto & Shizuko Yamamura, and Brother, Masaru Kushida & Sumida Families In Memory of Yurino Kitaguchi Ichimoto Family 1st Year for Shigeko Ichimoto Irene Kishaba Family In Memory of Kaneto & Shizuko Yamamura Fred Kushida 13th Year for Yurino Kitaguchi Steve Nishimura In Memory of Yoshio Nishimura Ets Okasaki In Memory of George Okasaki Sakauye Family In Memory of Jack Iseri Art & Kim Stryke 1st Year for Irene Kazuko Takenaga Stryke Roy Takenaga 1st Year for Irene Takenaga Stryke Mickey Tanaka In Memory of Joichi & Sayo Tanaka Mickey Tanaka In Memory of Kikuno "Kiki" Hamatani Tanaka Teraura Family 49th Day for Tomio Teraura Umeko Tsushima 1st Year for Kenichi Tsushima Harry & Phyllis Yamamura In Memory of Kaneto Yamamura Harry & Phyllis Yamamura In Memory of Shizuko Yamamura Teruo Shintaku In Memory of Akino Shintaku Philipp & Jodi Embuido Famil In Memory of Grandpa & Grandmother, Kaneto & Shizuko Yamamura & Uncle Mas Yamamura Clinton & JoAnn Jung 1st Year for Irene Stryke Ed & Judy Okubo 1st Year for Irene Stryke Dennis & Diane Shimosaka 49th Day for Kimiye Nakagawa Karen Takenaga Yee 1st Year for Irene Takenaga Stryke Harry & Phyllis Yamamura In Memory of Masaru Yamamura Sam & June Yamamura In Memory of Kaneto & Shizuko Yamamura Ed Imai Special Donation Tsugiye Imoto In Memory of Toshiko Tokuno
|
