|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
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 19. This is a great fundraiser that we look forward to every year. To the scouts, scout leaders and families, please enjoy this time together and continue the great scout spirit of cooperation. Great job, everyone. Please join me in thanking the Legacy Endowment Fund Board (LEFB) members for their hard work this past year: Ted Yoshimura, board chair, Valerie Fong, Ken Furukawa, Kelvin Mark, Marcia Matsuda, Ruth Seo, Mark Umeda. Reverend Bob and I are ex-officio members. Joining this group this year is Joyce Sahara, who will be taking the place of Hank Nishikawa. As you may recall, Legacy Endowment Fund pamphlets/packages were sent out to all of our temple members late last year. The LEFB is a separate, independent board and it is the efforts of many that will help guarantee a strong future for our Sacramento Betsuin well into the next century. If there are any questions/concerns or you would like to help donate, please contact the church office and one of the fund board members will get back to you. I would like to extend my congratulations to Krystal Ishii, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School. On January 20, as part of her senior project, she organized/led/participated in a BloodSource blood donation drive here at our kaikan. According to Kelvin Mark, Board of Trustees social services co-chair, through Krystal’s initiative and wanting to help others, we had one of the most successful blood collections we have ever had at our Betsuin. Thank you so much, Krystal, for your leadership and helping to save lives through your community service project! Thank you to the ABA-Off Broadway Dance Club/President George Kashiwagi for their generous donations: - $1,000 for the Legacy Endowment Fund; - $500 for the Student Scholarship Fund. Also, thank you for an anonymous major donation of $5,000 to the General Fund. Discussions are under way to replace our older tables and/or chairs in the kaikan with part of this donation. Any other organization/individuals that would like to help with this project are asked to contact Richard Kai, Board of Trustees administration chair, who will be coordinating the effort. A reminder to the Board of Trustees, elders, affiliated and sponsored organization representatives, minister assistants: On Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m., prior to our regular board meeting, we will be having our annual Board of Trustees group photos. Please join us if you can. Rinban Bob Oshita Hello…and welcome to the month of March. For we who enjoy the game of basketball, this is the month of “March Madness.” From the NCAA and the ACC to our own Betsuin Sports Program, basketball tournaments will fill our hours of rest and recreation this month. As I look forward to this month of basketball, I’ve found it interesting that although the Super Bowl has been over and done for some weeks now, still people are talking about that remarkable “Giants vs. Patriots” game. We are taught in Buddhism that if we open our eyes, the whole world is constantly teaching us the Dharma. And so it is. As 12 ½ point favorites to win, the Patriots were going into the Super Bowl undefeated. But the Giants had played them well in their last meeting. These factors made this 42nd Super Bowl the most watched football game in the history of the sport. Most of you know the results. The low-scoring game was played with great defense. With less than two minutes left in the game, the Patriots scored a touchdown to put them ahead by 4 points. For both teams there were only seconds left to the season. Eli Manning and the Giants orchestrated a drive downfield with only a minute and 40 seconds left on the clock. Each and every play was strategic. And although many will point to that unforgettable pass reception by Tyree holding the ball pinned to his helmet, every play and every player had to do their part and play beyond their very best. When Plaxico Burress caught that 13-yard pass from Eli Manning to put the Giants up 17-14, I know football fans around the world jumped out of their seats. This was perhaps the best Super Bowl ever. Eli Manning and the Giants knew with seconds to go, if they were going to do something, they had to do it now — not tomorrow; not next week; but right now. As I have shared before, unlike the games we enjoy, in living life, we never know when we’re in the fourth quarter. We don’t know if we are in the bottom of the ninth inning. We don’t get a two-minute warning. And in watching games like Super Bowl XLII, we are reminded again that we should try to live our lives as best we can every day. How do we do this? It’s very simple. In Jodo Shinshu, it is to live not taking for granted the love of family, the companionship of friends or the gift of each day. In living with our dharma eyes open, we live with awareness of life’s impermanence…and appreciation for this moment that never comes again. We call this “a life of Nembutsu.” Namo Amida Butsu, RB Tim Castle Welcome to March and the return of our minister assistants article! So where was last month’s article? The answer to follow…. When talking about our Jodo Shinshu tradition, we often use the term mindfulness. Throughout his Collected Works, Shinran Shonin often describes the recitation of Namo Amida Butsu as the simplicity of being mindful. Many of our daily practices in and around the altar are also a reminder to be mindful. When we enter and exit the hondo, our fourth grade Metta/Padma kids will tell you that we bow as an act of being mindful of the special place we are entering or leaving. Did you know that when you oshoko, you should approach the incense burners beginning with your left foot, and when you are done, you should leave with your right foot first? As minister assistants and ministers, you will see us bow slightly whenever we cross in front of the Amida Buddha statue in our altar, and again when we walk past the side altars and the Amida statue. When we enter and exit the onaijin (altar area), we pause slightly, bow and enter the altar with our left foot and leave with our right foot first. Are there any secret meanings hidden in these practices? No, just the practice of being mindful of where we are and to remember that we are in a special place. When we were in Japan for Kyoshi, we participated in many new services. These services contained practices that are very different from the traditions we practice here in the U.S. We often expressed to each other that we thought we may never participate in these services again. But besides learning something new, we also knew that there were other lessons to be learned in practicing these rituals. The teaching process itself was a lesson in being mindful. As a group, our “foreigner” group would usually observe a new service, take notes on the parts that were assigned to us, go through at least one practice service, then perform the service under the watchful eyes of our teachers. This was serious stuff that was not to be taken lightly. Those who were mindful would focus, take notes, practice, and then hide their nerves during service. Regardless of our inability to be perfect, there were never harsh words for those who showed their sincerity, heart and mindfulness. We would often joke that we made the Buddha statue smile during our services, not because of our ability, but because we tried our best, with mindful hearts. So why all of these little tidbits of Jodo Shinshu trivia? Mindfulness! As we often hear on Sunday mornings, there is nothing more important than coming to the hondo, being able to hit that pause button, and for a short time during the week, simply be mindful of our actions, block out the rest of our busy schedules, and listen to the Dharma. The lesson of mindfulness is something that we should practice every day, wherever we are. So with these simple thoughts and reminders of mindfulness, the lack of a minister assistants article in February was simply my lack of being mindful. OK, in simple terms, I blew it! My resolution for the rest of 2008: check the Sangha article schedule and be mindful of the due date…and remember Shinran’s words: “The genuine mind is mindfulness”. Namo Amida Butsu Greeters’ ProgramSpring 2008 From The OfficeChurch 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:
BazaarTee-Shirt Design Contest 62nd Annual Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar NEEDED: Adult & Children’s Tee-shirt Logo Design - Two creative designs — one for adult tee-shirts and one for children-sized tee-shirts. - Bazaar themed and related to Japanese culture. - Designs no larger than 8½ x 11. Limited to 3-4 colors. - Computer-generated designs will be accepted; however, please keep in mind any copyright infringements. - Awards will be presented to the winners for an adult design and a children’s design. - Winners will be announced at the Dharma School End of Year Picnic on June 8. Deadline & Design Submission: Entry must be submitted by April 11, 2008 For more information regarding this contest, see additional flyer located at http://www.buddhistchurch.com/events/Bazaar.htm Or contact the church office at 446-0121 and leave a message for someone to return your call. Sponsored by Sacramento Buddhist Church Dharma School and the SBC Bazaar Steering Committee Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet Roy Imura To commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a 9th annual celebration dinner was held in his honor at the Sacramento Convention Center. Reverend Dr. Ryo Imamura gave the following thanksgiving talk: Good evening. I am honored to have been asked to say a few words of thanksgiving before we begin our meal. As a Buddhist priest of the Jodo Shin or True Pure Lane sect, let me point out that a great deal of love and respect existed between the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and the Buddhist world. Firstly, you should know that Reverend King is considered by Buddhists worldwide to be a Bodhisattva, a living example of wisdom and compassion. And it should be noted that, in a published graduate school paper, he explored the tenets of Mahayana Buddhism and clearly associated Buddhism’s ethics and popular appeal with the ideals of Christianity. In his power speech titled “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” delivered at the Riverside Church in New York City in 1967, he strongly supported the noble Buddhist peace effort in Vietnam directed toward liberation from foreign aggressors and drew vivid parallels with the Civil Rights struggle in America. And lastly, just three years after he received the Nobel Peace Prize, he nominated the Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Nhat Hanh for the same award. Let me repeat that a great deal of love and respect existed between the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and the Buddhist world. With the strong and warm association made between Reverend King and Buddhism, may I ask you now to please bow your heads in silent contemplation: Once again we have come together in memory of the great Bodhisattva or wonderful being of wisdom and compassion, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Another year has passed. As you look around, you notice many familiar faces, a few more wrinkles, and a little less hair. You also notice that a few faces from previous years are no longer here with us. Realizing the nature of our existence to be brief and constantly changing, let us fully appreciate this incomparable gift of life with its many blessings and precious moments of beauty, laughter, love, discovery and meaning. Let us appreciate and enjoy the delicious food and drink, the warm fellowship and the entertaining program, which we share tonight as a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience, which can never be repeated. We realize that the blessings we receive are not rewards for the modest amounts of love and kindness we have shown others in our lives, but rather should serve as wonderful sources of energy and encouragement so that we, like Reverend King, can go forth with increased vigor and resolve to make our unique contributions to the peace and happiness of all beings. Also, we realize that there are countless beings who are not as fortunate as we are, and we send forth to them oceans of sympathy and love. Namu amida butsu. Itadakimasu. Masami Iwasa In Memory of Hisata Iwasa Misao Inaba In Memory of Flu Inaba Hisako Nishimura In Memory of Ichiro Nishimura Natsuye Yamaguchi In Memory of Shigeto Yamaguchi Rieko Inaba Mary Takako Ito Family Sadao Nagao Eleanor Nobuye In Memory of Brother Mitsuye Okubo In Memory of Jack Okubo Hiroshi & Fujie Urakawa Dorothy Fujimoto In Memory of George Fujimoto\ Sadaka Hamatake Harley & Judy Inaba In Memory of Flu Inaba Isamu Kobata M/M Shiro Masunaga In Memory of Toshiko Inaba M/M Tom Matsumoto In Memory of Yoshio Matsumoto Bessie Matsuo In Memory of Father, Asajiro Matsuo Ray Onga Gloria Inaba Tokiko Okano Kay Shimada Misako Takeuchi Ruth Toyota In Memory of Grace Kagawa Alan Wu It is March again and the big storm is about to hit Northern California! There is little time left to baton down the hatches, so pay attention, we’re going to be moving fast! First of all, Thanks Rod. Now, here is a quick rundown of what March has in store: The first weekend is the 37th Annual Betsuin Tournament, the second and third weekends are filled with the SJUMC Tournament, the San Jose Ninja Tournament sneaks in on the fourth weekend, and then the SASF tournament closes out the month on the fifth weekend of March. Yes, this year March has five weekends, and yes, this year March has the world famous Easter holiday, and yes, this March has the even more famous Spring Break from school, and let’s don’t forget about that little NCAA Tournament. So, no matter how you look at it, this March is jam packed with all kinds of stuff, and if you don’t watch out, you will be swept away! Oh, did I forget to mention that thanks go out to Rod? Since our tournament is the first of the month and most important (to us), here is where you need to go to see all this action: Age Division School/Location Address & Cross Street 10th-12th Grades B-Boys SASF 9040 High Tech & Laguna B-Girls Kennedy High-Main Gym 6715 Gloria & Florin 7th-9th Grades C-Boys Gold McClatchy High-Main Gym 3066 Freeport & 6th Avenue C-Boys Silver SASF 9040 High Tech & Laguna 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 Rosemont High-Main Gym 9594 Kiefer & Bradshaw D-Boys Silver Rosemont High-Aux Gym 9594 Kiefer & Bradshaw D-Boys Bronze Kennedy High-Aux Gym 6715 Gloria & Florin D-Girls Gold Valley High Main Gym 6300 Ehrhardt & Center Pkwy D-Girls Silver Valley High Aux Gym 6300 Ehrhardt & Center Pkwy 3rd-4th Grades E-Boys Gold Didion K-8 School 6490 Harmon & Park Riviera E-Boys Silver McClatchy High-Aux Gym 3066 Freeport & 6th Avenue E-Girls Gold Florin High-Main Gym 7956 Cottonwood & Elsie E-Girls Silver Florin High-Aux Gym 7956 Cottonwood & Elsie (All the above information is subject to change without notice, limited to stock on hand, prices may vary, on approved credit only, and no rainchecks.) As a reminder, the Annual Coaches Appreciation Dinner will be held on March 16 at SASF at 5 p.m. See your local Team Mom for details. Okay, so catch as many games as you can at the most important tournament of the month, chow down at our concession stands and we’ll catch up with you at the Hanamatsuri service and annual theatrical extravaganza presented by our Dharma School. By the way, did I say thank you to Rod? Also, please remember that no Betsuin team may play on Buddhist holidays. I can tell by the storm clouds on the horizon, it is time to go, so until next time, think pure and beautiful thoughts. Important dates to remember: March 1-2 37th Annual Betsuin Basketball Tournament March 8-9 SJUMC Basketball Tournament – Divisions D and E March 15-16 SJUMC Basketball Tournament – Divisions B and C March 16 Coaches Appreciation Dinner March 22-23 San Jose Ninja Tournament March 28-30 SASF Basketball Tournament April 13 Hanamatsuri Service Denis Ishisaka/ Bobby Tanaka At Scout Sunday held on February 3, 12 Webelo Scouts from Pack 50 received their Metta Award. The Metta Award is the Buddhist Religious award for Cub Scouts, and the boys had to complete 10 sessions with Rinban Bob Oshita and the minister assistants to further their knowledge and practice of Buddhism. In addition to the classroom studies, the boys also made an obutsudan for their home. These obutsudans were dedicated at Scout Sunday. The 12 Webelo Scouts from Pack 50 are: Brent Abe, Jarod Bartlett, Kyle Fujii, Brian Ishisaka, Trenton Lee, Adrian Nguyen, Tyler Sakata, Nicholas Siu, Chase Wilkins, Timothy Wong, Davis Yasuda. The Webelo Scouts and parents would like to thank Rinban Bob Oshita, Reverend Kaz Nakata, and the Minister Assistants, Patti Oshita, Tim and Carol Castle, and Grace Hatano, for conducting the classes. Also, a special thank you to Marty Sakata for providing resources to put together some very fancy obutsudans. Congratulations, Webelo Scouts! A job well done. On February 15, Pack 50 held its annual Blue and Gold event. The Blue and Gold 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 78 years ago in 1930. Also at this event, Pack 50, which was founded in 1972, celebrated its 36th anniversary. Pack 50’s honored guests for the evening were Rinban Bob Oshita, Reiko Kurahara and Tak Ito from the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, and District Executive Ricci Dula and District Friends of Scouting Chairman Eddie Braddock from the Boy Scouts of America River City District. The tremendous success of Pack 50 would not be possible without the strong support from the Buddhist Church and the River City District. The evening’s activities included uniform inspections, awards presentations, skits, Pictionary, and refreshments. Den 1 Wolf scouts won the uniform inspections, and Den 3 Webelos 2 scouts won the Pictionary game. All of the boys are to be commended for their participation that night. A wonderful time was had by all! Masako Thomas Contact Masako Thomas at (916) 482-8770 or e-mail: sakurahanami@hotmail.com Richard Kai A writer, pharmacist, dancer and public relations specialist. What are the career aspirations and field of study of four graduating seniors? UC Irvine, UCLA, Stanford and New York University. What are colleges of choice for four young ladies representing half of the number of applicants for the 2008 Education Scholarship sponsored by the Betsuin and Ronald McDonald Charities? These young adults were young children just a few years ago whose sights were on playing basketball, going to dances, socializing, and more socializing without a care in the world except meeting more kids their age and having fun. Now they’ve matured and to a person quite ambitious, looking forward to attend the college of choice, lead a life of independence, and blossom from the opportunities provided by their parents to pursue their dreams. These four applicants, to a person, spoke of the reality of impermanence and how life can change instantly without warning during their interviews with the scholarship panel. Life can change without warning, as these kids so easily understood and talked about during their interviews. One second you’re doing your job, knowing that it’s all in a day’s work, then without warning, you’re clinging to the support of family and friends to help pull you through a life-threatening situation. At this very moment, a very dear friend continues to fight for survival after a freak accident sustained at his auto repair garage; his family, who are members of the Betsuin, and friends continue to pull for him to turn the corner toward recovery. Impermanence — change will happen and your life can turn upside down without warning. Early in my life, I sustained the loss of a childhood friend who decided that his life was too much to for him bear alone. No matter how much we as friends tried to comfort his sorrow, his cries for help were not intended for our ears to hear. He was calling out for parents, both of whom were too busy with their business ventures to hear his voice or see the psychological changes my friend was going through. All the warning sights were there, but seemingly ignored by those he truly sought to help him through the pain he was suffering. Finally, he chose a permanent solution to a temporary problem. His action was interpreted as weakness in a moment’s time; we knew all he wanted was the compassion and wisdom from his parents to see him through a life’s tragedy. A life’s lesson was taught though all this turmoil — listen and learn, don’t chastise and blame your children for their seemingly momentary weakness of character and mind. All they want is comfort and shelter, a shoulder to lean on, and an ear that is tuned in to their cries for help. If given the proper attention, they can find ways to cope with life’s challenges and will lead a life of harmony. Our job as parents is to pay attention. Upcoming Events March 1-2: Betsuin Basketball Tournament March 8-9: SJUMC Basketball Tournament March 16: Spring Ohigan Service – No Class March 22-23: SASF Basketball Tournament April 13: Hanamatsuri Service – No Class Donations Dharma School “Courtyard” gratefully acknowledges donations from the following: Gladys Adachi Boy Scouts Boy Scout Troop 50 Dharma School – 2nd Grade Dharma School –3rd Grade Dharma School – 5th Grade Dharma School – 9th Grade Fumi Ishihara Terry Kagiyama Alice Kataoka Reiko Kurahara Ken Okuhara Mary Orite Oto’s Marketplace Ellen Shinfuku Kiyo Tanaka Tim & Louie Watanabe Haruo & Sueko Yamashita Fusaye Yokoyama Boy ScoutsJimmy Tsuruoka Winter’s snow is starting to melt and spring fills the air. January 18 was the Crab Feed Set-Up when the troop and all the supporting parents met at the Sacramento Betsuin Church at 6 p.m. to either set up the tables in the Kaikan, to arrange the raffle prizes, to fold bibs in the classrooms, clean dishes, or to prepare food. The Crab Feed, which was on January 19, was a great success due to all of the help from the Boy Scouts and the parents and mostly from the chairs of this year’s Crab Feed, Val Toppenberg and Laura Soohoo. The Scouts and the parents were always on the move, either setting up the salad and crab dishes at certain times in the classrooms for the waiters to bring out to their assigned tables, or preparing pasta bowls and cleaning dishes in the kitchen. To all our Boy Scout supporters, thank you for all your support of the Troop 50 program! There was a tentative Patrol Meeting date on January 25. Assistant Scoutmaster Jim Tabuchi held another Personal Management Merit Badge class on February 1. On the same day, there was Scout Sunday Practice and the Troop 50 photo shoot from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. February 3 was the actual Scout Sunday and of course, we had to have some comical speaker to speak and possibly, regrettable things we were sure to remember due to our selective hearing. On February 8, we had a Greenbar meeting at the usual time, 6:30 p.m., and then our troop meeting. The theme of the month for January, “Emergency Preparation,” carried on into February, which has ‘Hobbies’ as the theme of the month. At the troop meeting we had to deal with fictional emergency situations, such as an emergency preparedness activity. Like always, we discussed the ABCs of an emergency and we were then sent to our stations, which had prepared victims who we had to aid. There will be a lot more troop activities that will come forth in the future. Girl Scouts Troop 569Shirley Gee, Cadettes 2 Greetings from Troop 569! Troop 569 recently completed the pre-order of Girl Scout cookies a few weeks ago and cookie pickup was scheduled for February 22. Site sales will soon be held at various local restaurants and stores. Please be sure to look for your favorite Girl Scout troop and pick up a few of those boxes you’ve forgotten to order or would like to try. Thank you for supporting Girl Scout Troop 569! Next month will be the annual Thinking Day Program. It is scheduled for Friday, March 14, and Cadettes 4 is in charge of the program. It will be a very unique type of program this year with each scouting level performing an activity related to a country and Olympic sport. Rehearsal was scheduled for Friday, February 29. The Spring Food Festival is coming up also on Sunday, March 9. Troop 569 Girl Scouts will be manning the pastry booth and selling delicious pastries. Be sure to swing by and look for your favorite treat. Here are a few updates from various troops: In conjunction with Misa Rasmussen, Cadettes 1, the Brownies 3 girls worked on the Animal Try-It. They had a great time making dog biscuits, playing animal charades, and talking about caring for pets. During March, the girls will tour one of the SPCA facilities to fulfill the requirements to earn the Try-It. Brownies 1 has been busy creating signs and banners for their upcoming site sale at the end of the month. They also will be busy rehearsing and preparing for their Thinking Day activity. The girls are looking forward to the scheduled council event, “Brownie Fishing Fun,” this month. Brownies 4 wrapped up January with the Senses try-it — the girls just loved smelling and tasting different things! They were able to participate in the Scout Sunday service in early February with the many other scouts from the Betsuin. The girls will be completing their Around-the-world try-it also, as part of their preparation for Thinking Day. They are now busy rehearsing for that fun program! Thank you again to all our family and friends for supporting our troop’s cookie sales! Sacramento Buddhist Women’s Association Utako Kimura
Our 6:45 p.m. service began with Reverend Kazuaki Nakata’s welcome and leading us in chanting the Juseige. In his sermon, Reverend Kaz shared a concern recently at a doctor’s appointment for Michi — yes, Reverend and Michi will welcome an addition to their family tree in late spring. The anxiety was what appeared to be the baby’s irregular heartbeat. Following another examination by Doctor Christine, they discovered the baby was hiccuping. Isn’t it remarkable the procedures available to examine a concern? A happy delivery — of good news and great relief. Reverend stated he realized the importance of the words in the Three Treasures: Hard is it to be born into human life. Now we are living it. He added that although we often recite these words, we do not listen to the meaning. It is so true that we are fortunate to be alive — we forget the gift of life. We need to keep within us the spirit and wisdom of the words in the Three Treasures.Reverend Kaz led the meeting opening gassho. President Fusako Takahashi thanked everyone for attending the meeting. CORRESPONDENCE, DONATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe generosity and thoughtful gestures in memory of loved ones and friends warm our hearts with thankfulness.Frances Kondo .................................................... In Memory of Brother, Masahiro ‘Butch’ Kozumi Sam and Jean Kaneko............................................ In Memory of Mother, Shigeyo Yamasaki Florence Lufti..................................................... In Memory of Mother, Tomiko Yokoi Miyoko Carter..................................................... In Memory of Husband, George Carter Heidi Sakazaki.................................................... In Memory of Masahiro “Butch”’ Kozumi Heidi Sakazaki ................................................... In Memory of George Carter Heidi Sakazaki ................................................... In Memory of Tomiko Yokoi Mary Ann Kashiwagi.............................................. Appreciation Federation of Buddhist Women Assn........................ Acknowledgement of Contribution to the Center for Buddhist Education, Jodo Shinshu Center BYLAWS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES/HEIDI SAKAZAKI The annual end-of-the-year event, memorial service and installation of officers, as well as the Bonenkai, will be held on the first Sunday, December 7. CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS/HIROKO TSUDA AND ALICE KATAOKA· 2009 FBWA Conference Committee met on Tuesday, January 22, at our church. 2007 FBWA Conference leaders Yukiko Otake and Michi Mukai traveled from the Bay Area to share their experience in planning, preparation and actual event. Their most informative discussion will be of invaluable assistance in the NCBWA’s work for the 2009 FBWA Conference to be held at the Doubletree in Sacramento. Refreshments were served. Alice Kataoka thanked Junko Egi, Fumie Ishihara and Tomi Tanaka for their help with the refreshmentsSacramento BWA has been assigned the task of getting workshop leaders for the 2009 Conference. A meeting has been scheduled for February 19 at 1 p.m. at our church. Members are invited to attend to assist in this important assignment. Committee chairs are Shirley Kato, Lynn Kurahara and Ruth Seo. · A CD of the 2007 FBWA Conference guest speakers’ presentations should be available shortly. Please contact President Takahashi if you are interested in getting a copy. · President Takahashi provided information regarding the April 19 Northern California District Council-NCBWA Conference at the Placer Buddhist Church. The theme is Kokoro to Kenko. Registration fee is $25 and the deadline April 3. At our February 6 meeting, a sign-up sheet was circulated for those interested in possible going by chartered bus. RELIGIOUS/MIDORI ITO AND FUSAKO TAKAHASHI On February 10, a service was held in memory of Eshinni-ko, Kakushinni-ko and Lady Yoshiko Ohtani. Our guest speaker, Reverend Shoyo Taniguchi of the South Alameda Buddhist Church, spoke about the importance of our physical and mental health. Physically, to be aware of the effects of blood pressure, weight, chloresterol and exercise. Mentally, that it is equally important to be concerned and aware of our attitude and speech — to live the life of Nembutsu. A luncheon preceded the service. SOCIAL SERVICES/MARCIA MATSUDA AND MITZIE MURAMOTOSympathy card and okoden have been sent to families of members who we list here.· Haruko Janet Shintaku passed away on January 4. No funeral service was held. · Tomiko Yokoi passed away on January 11. A memorial service was held on January 19. · Tazuko Kamikawa passed away on January 26. Private services were held. The family requested no okoden. Get well cards have been sent to Misao Abe, Katsuko Hirota, Lillian Ishii, Dorothy Kunisaki and Yuki Tomita. SPECIAL EVENTS/FRANCES KONDOChair Frances Kondo is pleased to report the 2008 chairs for special events:· Eshinni-ko, Kakushinni-ko and Lady Yoshiko Ohtani Service and Luncheon: Reiko Kurahara and Heidi Sakazaki.· Spring Food Festival: Mary Inouye, Sandy Nishimura-Yee, Virginia Uchida. · Summer Bazaar: Lynn Kurahara, Irene Takeda. · Hoonko: Fumie Ishihara · Bonenkai: Midori Ito and Norrine Okamoto Spring Food Festival/Virginia Uchida· Prices will remain the same.· Food preparation has been scheduled for Saturday, March 8 from 7 a.m.; Sunday, March 9, 1:30 a.m. We would appreciate members’ help during this time.· Sunday, March 9 is the start of daylight savings time — move clocks forward one hour.· Board members are asked to please activate the phone tree for the festival.Tamale Fundraiser: Mary Inouye stated that this year’s Tamale Trip suggestions received to date are San Jose Nikkei Matsuri and a Music Circus matinee show — Sound of Music — and dinner. The committee invites other suggestions. SCHOLARSHIP/VI HATANOInterviews are being held for scholarship applicants. CRAFTS FOR CHURCH BAZAAR/SHIRLEY KATOMembers are invited to Shirley Kato’s home for the first craft meeting on Wednesday, February 27 from 7 p.m. 2007 BONENKAI REPORT/MIDORI ITO, NORRINE OKAMOTO Co-chair Midori Ito is pleased to report that 185 members and guests had a fun time at this happy event — 34 special guests, 80 honorees (aged 80 years young), plus 71 other members. As Rinban Oshita stated, “Congratulations and thank you to our 200+ ‘Super Seniors’ for their dedication to successfully accomplish the task at hand and their unwavering loyalty.” Members and guests enjoyed the oishii obento, entertainment by Reverend Kaz leading a sing-a-long, and the Sacramento Taiko, along with a mountain of raffle prizes! We add that despite the best effort of everyone, apologies to several members who should have been or not have been included among the honorees, due to our records. Through our membership, the plan is to update information to ensure accuracy VISITATIONS/VI HATANOThe committee is working to schedule the visits to care homes, assisted living facilities as well as homebound friends. The committee asks for your help in bringing up-to-date the list of residents in these facilities. Vi may be reached at 451-5000 or vihatano@sbcglobal.net. SBWA SANGHA/UTAKO KIMURAMany members play an important role in the successful reporting of SBWA news for the Sangha. A grateful thank you for the generosity and time devoted for the special quality work by Virginia Uchida, Tomi Tanaka, Leilani Ito, Joanne Morita, Jean Ota and Heidi Sakazaki. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESIDENT FUSAKO TAKAHASHI· President Takahashi reported that as of December 25, 2007, the FBWA donation to the Center for Buddhist Education of the Jodo Shinshu Center is $52,492.46. SBWA participates in this project. · We thank fellow members’ contributions to the “health and welfare” of its members in the form of treats at our meetings: Machiko Kimura, Molly Kimura, Utako Kimura, Frances Kondo, Reiko Kurahara, Diane Muranaka, Patti Oshita, Jean Ota, Heidi Sakazaki, Gerry Tsukiji. · Internment Camp Baseball Teams: Elaine Yoshikawa reports that her husband, John, is working with Wayne Hironaka to get names of teams and players in internment camps as well as before Evacuation. The Sacramento River Cats plan to honor these teams and players on June 15, 2008 at Raley Field in West Sacramento. John would appreciate receiving any information/leads to create an accurate list for this special event. He can be reached at 383-4755 or spyron@aol.com. · 2006 BWA World Conference Booklets will be available at our church in the very near future. Distribution will be made at that time. · March 5 is the next SBWA meeting with the service to begin at 6:45 p.m. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at our church. Reverend Kaz led the closing gassho. John Yoshikawa The tentative plan: Japanese baseball players from the Sacramento Valley will be honored during the River Cats game on June 15 at Raley Field. Prior to the game, there will be a BBQ for the honorees, and Kerry Nakagawa’s film, “The American Pastime,” will be presented on the center field screen. I am assisting Wayne Hironaka, who is coordinating this event. Please assist me in identifying those players who played in Camp and in an organized team, such as JACL, Florin AC, etc., in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. We will need their names, addresses, telephone numbers and the period of time they played. The River Cats organization will be mailing the invitations thereafter. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me. Please e-mail, telephone or mail the information to me. Thank you for your time, John Yoshikawa 8645 Glenroy Way Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 383-4755 (home) (916) 320-2111 (cellular) ABA Sponsors Signups for Kundalini Yoga Beginner’s Class ABA will be sponsoring the second in a series of Kundalini Yoga classes, beginning on Wednesday, March 19, and continuing through May 21. Held from 10-11 a.m. in the kaikan, the cost is $5 per class; if the entire 10-class series is paid in advance, the cost is only $40 ($4 per meeting). Jim Deneff was certified to teach Kundalini yoga by Dr. Siri Gian Singh Khalsa in 1998 and has been teaching for almost 10 years. He currently instructs Kundalini at the Sacramento Yoga Center and at the Sacramento City Parks and Recreation Department. People of all ages and levels of ability will benefit from this ancient practice. Active movement and stretching is combined with many powerful and effective breathing techniques. Kundalini Yoga tones and strengthens the body, creates flexibility in the spine, improves and maximizes breathing and circulation and generally promotes a state of well-being, while inducing a natural, calm, meditative state of mind. Bring a small, firm cushion for sitting, a thick blanket and a yoga mat. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. It is advisable to eat only lightly, if at all, for two hours prior to class. For more information about Kundalini Yoga, please visit www.PriyaYoga.org. Join our fun exercise class and meet old and new friends! Please contact: Buddhist Church office: Meri or Tak, (916) 446-0121 ABA: Sharon Yoshimura, (916) 421-4740/601-3000 Funerals Tomiko Yokoi Family In Memory of Tomiko Yokoi Al Sakuma Family In Memory of Al Sakuma Akio & Yoneo Miura In Memory of Hajime Miura Kenneth Miura In Memory of Hajime Miura Takenaga Family In Memory of Sakon Roy Takenaga Tominaga Family In Memory of Jim Tominaga Diane Tomoda, Linda & Henry Toy In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Miyoko Carter In Memory of George Carter Lorna Fong In Memory of Rosie Tomoda Clinton & JoAnn Jung In Memory of Sakon Roy Takenaga Ed & Judy Okubo In Memory of Sakon Roy Takenaga Dennis & Diane Shimosaka In Memory of Rosie Tomoda Art & Kim Stryke In Memory of Sakon Roy Takenaga Edwin & Arlene Toy In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Karen Yee In Memory of Sakon Roy Takenaga Jonathan Fong In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Kimiye Ishii In Memory of Butch Kozumi Angela Minniefield In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Joan, Kerry, Randy & Brian Mori In Memory of Rosie Tomoda Kevin & Suzanne Okubo In Memory of Sakon Roy Takenaga Kenneth Wing, Dorien Sarles In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Hamilton & Elisabeth Wong In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Mae Kim In Memory of Butch Kozumi Jene & Nobuko Tamura In Memory of Butch Kozumi Eddie & Janie Fong In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Machiko Kimura In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Calvin Matsumoto In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Larry Matsumoto In Memory of Jean Miyano La Roy McCoy In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Hank & Joan Nishikawa In Memory of Al Sakuma Joe Urokogata In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Steven & Nilda Valmores Guanzon In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda M/M Masao Fujikawa In Memory of Hajime Miura Marcia Haratani, Tracy Ching In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Teiko Matsuo In Memory of Masahiro "Butch" Kozumi Michael & Sheryl Perrin In Memory of Hajime Miura Kikuye Imura In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Christine Umeda In Memory of Rosie Aiko Tomoda Memorial Goichi Hamamoto, Max Hamamoto, Harry Hamamoto, George Hamamoto In Memory of Sakaye Hamamoto Kawamura Family 49th Day for Caroline Kawamura Bettay Araki Family 1st Year for Bettay Araki Kanji Nishijima In Memory of Shizuye Nishijima on her birthday 1/27 Kenneth Takata In Memory of Sanaye S. Takata Tom & Kathy Kodakari 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Keith & Jill Sato 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Bruce & Bridget Shibata 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Bob & Denise Tai 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Tom & Ichiko Fujishima 13th Year for Miyuki Yanagawa Tom & Jeanette Inouye Family In Memory of Midori Inouye Masami Iwasa 49th Day for Caroline Kawamura Tsutomu Kubo 49th Day for Sumi Kubo John & Julie Lefler 49th Day for Jean Miyano Teruko Makishima 49th Day for Jean Miyano Bessie Nakano In Memory of Toki Matsuura Haru Osaki 49th Day for Allen Osaki Reiko Osaki 49th Day for Allen Osaki Herbert & Evelyn Umeda In Memory of Shigeyo Yamasaki Louie & Emi Watanabe 49th Day for Jean Miyano Flo & Sam Lutti In Memory of Tomiko Yokoi Bob Ariyasu In Honor and Memory of Tazuko Kamikawa Alan & Judy Inouye In Memory of Midori Inouye Midori & Kenneth Ito, Suzanne Ito 3rd Year for Sanaye S. Takata Rusty & Clara Kaihara 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Susan Kawamura 49th Day for Caroline Kawamura Frank & Jane Kono 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Darryl & Sally Kuroko 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Doris Kuroko 13th Year for Lily Nagai & 17th Year for Hisashi Nagai Shimosaka Family 1st Year for George Matsui M/M Akito Masaki In Memory of Tazuko Kamikawa Eddie & Kelli Lee 1st Year for Yo Kumasaki M/M Yoshio Iwasa 49th Day for Caroline Kawamura M/M Yoshio Iwasa In Memory of Hisata Iwasa Melvin & Norrine Okamoto 49th Day for Toki Matsuura Paul, Jackie & Kyle Wakabayashi In Memory of Matsuko Baba Sally Yamaichi In Memory of Yukio Kikumoto M/M Masao Fujikawa In Memory of Tazuko Kamikawa Mike & Kathi Goto 1st Year for Yo Kumasaki David & Edith Matsuoka In Memory of Sakaye Hamamoto George & Bette Morita In Memory of George Carter George & Bette Morita In Memory of Kai Maruyama George & Bette Morita In Memory of Hattie Nishikawa Masae Murai In Memory of Kikue Yamauchi Kinya & Helen Noguchi In Memory of Masahiro Kozumi Kinya & Helen Noguchi In Memory of Jean Miyano $20 Jason & Lisa Taira 49th Day for Caroline Kawamura Robert & Engho Iwasa 49th Day for Caroline Kawamura Fusaye Yokoyama In Memory of Butch Kozumi Special Aichi Kenjin Kai Special Donation Japan Travel Bureau Special Donation Eiko Takemoto Special Donation Fred Hirotani Special Donation Glenn & Keiko Negoro Special Donation for Ojuzu repair Glenn & Keiko Negoro Special Donation Northern California Dharma School Teachers' League Special Donation Tom Nakagawa In Appreciation of Graveside Sevice for Al Sakuma Akiye Sakamoto Happy New Year Helen Yamamoto &n |
