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Sangha
President’s
Message Allan Hoshida On Friday evening, June 6, Rinban Bob, Patti Oshita, Richard Kai and I attended the Affirmation Service and Reception for Socho Ogui and presented/read the following letter to him during the reception. Note: the $50,000 donation to BCA 21st Century Campaign was voted on and approved by our Board of Trustees: To Socho Ogui: Congratulations on this momentous occasion, your Affirmation Service and Reception here at the Jodo Shinshu Center, signifying your second four-year term as Bishop of Buddhist Churches of America. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and members of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, I would like to present to you a check for $50,000 made out to BCA 21st Century Campaign in Support of Jodo Shinshu Center. It is our desire to have this check recognized in two very significant ways: First, for the outstanding leadership and example you have set as our Socho. I met you for the first time four years ago at the San Jose National Council meeting and I have had the opportunity to observe the many wonderful programs, ideas and direction you have started and implemented throughout BCA. It is very refreshing to see and what we need, I believe, in this time and place in our development. Youth Advocacy Summer Retreat, Minister Assistants program especially have been very outstanding programs that have and will have a great impact in the future. I also have used your thoughts in a number of my speeches/communication to others, i.e., “Do not be afraid to try new things” or “No matter what you do, do it with a sense of humor and with sincerity.” These are very simple things, but very powerful words. If we all as temple leaders and ministers can take these words and just practice it in our daily lives, what a better place it would be for all of us. I know that you will do your best and I hope that we can somehow mobilize the rest of BCA, which includes our sangha members and especially our ministers and lay leaders, to really think deeply what and how they are doing and what effect they are having for the rest of our members by their actions. We are but temporary stewards of a wonderful Jodo Shinshu tradition here in America. Let’s see what kind of legacy we leave behind by our actions and deeds. Secondly, the original intent of this donation was to honor our elders on our board and to thank all of the wonderful leaders and past/present sangha members who have contributed so much to our temple in Sacramento. Having served and represented the Buddhist Church of Sacramento the last four years, and having my kids go through the many programs, i.e., Dharma School, sports program, scouting program, ABA, Jr. YBA, etc., I know what a special place our temple is in our community. We have so many wonderful sangha volunteers, dedicating their time, expertise, knowledge, talents and resources to help others and this culture has been with us for so many years and generations. It is due to the many folks who have paved the way for us that we can continue to enjoy what we have today, so by this donation we are saying thank you to all of them. Socho Ogui, congratulations and thanks so much for allowing us to make this presentation to you in person. Keep up the great work. As Robert Frost once wrote, the path one has traveled has made all the difference in the world. Each of us has a unique opportunity and path in life and I am most grateful for having been a part of Sacramento Betsuin and having had the opportunity to meet and work with someone special like yourself. You demonstrate and represent what is truly great and valued in our sangha. Let’s hope that all of our leaders and ministers have the sense of vision, stewardship that you share to make Jodo Shinshu Buddhism a major way of life here in the United States. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do on our behalf. Please let us know how we can help you. Take care. In Gassho, Allan M. Hoshida, President, Temple Board of Trustees, 2007-08 Rinban Bob Oshita Hello…and welcome to the month of July. This will be another event-filled month for our Betsuin. Once again we have been asked to host the YAC Youth Retreat from Monday, July 7 to Sunday, July 13. The retreat will end on Obon weekend with Obon Odori on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning, we will have our annual Obon/Hatsubon Service with our very special guest speaker, Socho Koshin Ogui, Bishop of BCA. As most of you may know, Socho Ogui was one of my early mentors when I began my study of the Dharma. As the minister of the San Francisco Buddhist Temple, he wrote my letter of recommendation to study Buddhism. This was almost 40 years ago. Over the years, he has always been a source of encouragement and I will always feel a great debt of gratitude to Socho Ogui. He once shared an incident that took place when he was a minister with the Cleveland Buddhist Temple. It was mid winter and a heavy snow had fallen. It was night when he heard tires spinning in the parking lot. He looked outside and saw that a car parked in the temple lot was stuck in the snow. He put on some clothes, boots and a jacket, picked up a snow shovel and went outside to clear the snow away for the driver. Later, after Socho had shoveled the snow away clear to the gate and the car was no longer stuck, the stranger thanked Socho and asked, “So, what are you? (asking for racial identification)” Socho answered, “I’m Japanese.” The stranger said, “Oh, you Japanese are very nice.” Then Socho said to him, “I am Chinese.” The stranger said, “What do you mean? Which one are you, Japanese or Chinese?” Socho Ogui said to him, “Does it matter Chinese or Japanese? Why don’t you just think, ‘Here is Kindness coming out in the cold snow to help me….’” The man shook his head, laughed and said, “You are very strange.” Then he drove away. The next Sunday, Socho was surprised to see this man sitting in the back row of the Hondo. And in the years that passed, he became a very supportive member of the Cleveland Buddhist Temple. As I have traveled down the road of my life, I have found that the many kindnesses of strangers remain vivid and much-appreciated memories. As Reverend Gyomay Kubose once wrote, “World peace begins with gassho.” In other words, world peace begins with me. It begins with my peace of mind and my acts of kindness to others. Let us all try to be more like our Socho Ogui and make the effort to manifest in our lives, kindness, patience and great sense of humor. Socho Ogui is very strange…and he is very kind; but most of all, he is very real. I look forward to welcoming Socho Ogui to our Betsuin as our Obon/Hatsubon guest speaker on July 13. See you there! Michiko Yukawa One of our cherry trees refused to bloom this spring. Although all the other trees that line both sides of the street in front of the Tacoma Buddhist Temple blossomed beautifully in May, the tree in front of the parsonage refused to open the countless buds that covered its branches. Then in late May, long after the other trees had dropped their flower petals in “pink snow” that covered the grounds below and the new green leaflets had begun to appear, the flowerless tree slowly began to blossom, one or two blossoms at a time, like a sleeping giant slowly opening its eyes after a long hibernation. This reminded me of an article that Reverend Shinjun Fukuma had written for the March 2004 issue of the BCA Wheel of Dharma. Although it was written three years ago, it had left a deep impression with me and I would like to share it with you. Sensei wrote: “This happened about 15 or 16 years ago. During the Spring Ohigan season of that year, my home town experienced an unseasonally heavy snow storm. On the grounds of my friend’s temple, there were several cherry trees. Due to the heavy snow, a very large branch on one of those trees had become bent and appeared almost completely broken. Although it was on only one of several trees, this large branch was particularly nicely shaped and outstandingly beautiful when in full bloom. My friend together with his father, the jushoku or head minister of the temple, felt that although it was extremely mottainai or sad and wasteful, the branch could not be saved. So saying, they took a saw, reluctantly cut off the branch and placed it behind the temple. The jushoku then quietly stated that when the snow melted, they would cut it up, perhaps for firewood or something. “About two or three weeks later, I received a call from my friend who asked if I remembered the incident of the broken cherry tree branch and that I should come over immediately. Vaguely remembering and without completely understanding, I went to my friend’s home. There, in front of the temple hondo, was placed that cut branch and it was completely covered with beautiful blossoms. According to the jushoku, when he was cleaning the temple grounds that morning, he suddenly remembered the cut branch discarded behind the temple. He went over and peeked behind the building and was astounded to find the fallen branch full of blossoms. That location was shielded all day from the full sun and regardless that it was without any roots, the blossoms had fully opened. Upon seeing that, the jushoku, speechless, deeply moved and emotionally touched, immediately brought the branch to the front of the hondo. I, too, when I had previously seen the bent and broken branch weeks before, had thought it was surely a dead branch. Therefore, I was greatly surprised and amazed to see it blossoming so beautifully. Although it had been in a hopeless situation, the branch had not given up on the life that it had been given. To witness the determination to diligently complete its life moved me deeply and gave me profound inspiration.” Curious about the lone tree, we asked our Tacoma Temple groundskeeper, Mr. Fujita, if he knew the cause of the “late bloomer” in front of the temple. He replied, without hesitation, “Oh, the tree is dead. Don’t know why it died when none of the other trees have died, but that one’s gone.” This time it was my turn to be moved and inspired by a tree that had “not given up on the life it had been given; to witness the determination to diligently complete its life” fully and profoundly. And it was my turn to resolve to live my life as fully and best I can, with gratitude and with the guidance of infinite wisdom and compassion. Greeters' ProgramFall 2008 September 7 Roy Imura Diane Muranaka Shirley Sekeres September 14 Eddie Imai Roger Ito Diane Shimosaka September 21 Steve Kawano Brian Okamoto Sheryl Kajioka September 28 Gordon Nitta Bob Tanaka Mark Umeda October 5 Mary Ann Miyao Ted Yoshimura Robbie Midzuno October 12 Frank Hirota Shigeko Tanaka Marc Ely October 19 Mark Amioka Richard Kai Kelvin Mark October 26 Don Honda Ken Koyama Denis Ishisaka November 2 Valerie Fong Allan Hoshida Keith Kato November 9 Don Honda John Fujimoto Ken Furukawa November 16 Roy Imura Diane Muranaka Shirley Sekeres November 23 Eddie Imai Roger Ito Diane Shimosaka November 30 Steve Kawano Brian Okamoto Sheryl Kajioka December 7 Gordon Nitta Bob Tanaka Mark Umeda December 14 Mary Ann Miyao Ted Yoshimura Robbie Midzuno December 21 No Service December 28 No Service From The OfficeOur thanks to Katsuko Herota and Reverend Kaz for helping us mail out the Annual Bazaar tickets. Also, thanks goes to Billy Hatano and Ted Ito for getting the Obon letters out for us. What would we do without our volunteers?!? Church MaintenanceEd Imai Bazaar62nd Annual Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar AUGUST 9TH & 10TH NOON TIL 9:00PM FREE PARKING FEATURING: SACRAMENTO TAIKO, SECOND WIND, AND MANY MORE! 13th Annual Sacramento Buddhist Church Senior’s Golf Tournament Teal Bend Golf Course Wednesday, August 20, 2008 ALL SENIORS AND FRIENDS OF SENIORS ARE WELCOME! Modified Shotgun start at 7:30 am. Four Player Scramble Format. Each team will consist of high low handicaps to make the teams “even.” Don’t worry about making up a foursome. $65 per player Includes Greens Fee, Cart, Closest-to-the-Hole Contests, Prize Fund and a delicious lunch prepared by Reiko and Crew! Check payable to Brian Hatano, 8959 Sonoma Valley Way, Sacramento, CA 95829, or leave at church office, attn: Sr. Golf Tournament c/o Grace Hatano. Deadline: August 5. Chairpersons: Brian and Cindy Hatano, Leland Kato and Marty Yasuda. For more information, contact Brian at fourhats@comcast.net.Masami Iwasa In Memory of Kiichi Tomotoshi Junko Egi In Memory of Tatsuo Egi Jim & Yuki Hashisaka In Memory of Eijiro Okamoto Masami Iwasa In Memory of Masao Kawamura Masami Iwasa In Memory of Minoru Ouye M/M Eichi Okamoto In Memory of Eijiro Okamoto Fusaye Yokoyama Reiko Inaba Frances Kondo 3rd Year for George Kondo Mary Masumoto In Memory of Masato Morinaga & Hideo Masumoto Koji & Keiko Nishimoto In Memory of Mother Mineko Nishimoto In Memory of Nobu Hamaguchi Shuny Sagara Joan Hisamoto In Memory of Helen Hisako Inaba Roy Shintani Hiroko Takamoto In Memory of Jack Takamoto Rose Takata In Memory of Tom Takata Hisae Ichikawa Hattie Sumida In Memory of Yurino Kitaguchi Hattie Sumida In Memory of Yukio Kushida Ruth Toyota In Memory of Mikio Toyota Dorothy Egi In Memory of Tatsuo Egi Alan Wu Happy July, happy 4th of July! It’s July…the month of our nation’s independence…the month of our Obon…the month of our Bazaar construction! It should also be noted as the month of searing heat in the valley; however, this year it has been rather mild, so let’s keep our fingers crossed, and if your dexterity permits, cross your toes too, for nice and mild weather for our annual Obon Odori. So far we had a few days of hot hot heat back in April, yes, the last weekend of April, and a few days in June were rather warm, yes, the second weekend. Those few days in June happened to be during the Central Cal Cobra tournament where it reached around 102 degrees Fahrenheit — yes that’s Fahrenheit. The cool thing about it however (yes, pun intended), is that nowadays, most of the gyms in Fresno/Clovis are air conditioned, yes, air conditioned. The Fresno State Rec Center, also known as the SaveMart Center, must have been a very nice 68 degrees Fahrenheit, yes 68. Very nice for the players and spectators, but I heard that there were a couple of scorekeepers that after 8 hours of 68 degrees, they were shivering and chilled to the bone so much that when riding in the car afterward, they rolled the windows down and demanded that the a/c be turned off so they could soak up that 102 degrees Fahrenheit, yes, demanded no a/c. You know, they were told that it might be cool in there, so dress accordingly, but noooo, they know everything and got cold and monku’d like forever……sorry but I got off on a tangent. Anyway, once again the Sacramento Betsuin was well represented by many of our teams. It seemed like no matter which gym you went to, you saw an SBC team, and by all indications it appeared that all our teams and players had a good time. The kids had a great time at the Saturday night social at the Blackbeard’s Amusement Park, and there was even a slight breeze blowing to cool off the evening. And there was even the usual and customary number of parents that headed out to “who-knows-where” for their own social activity with the bright lights, bells, whistles, and felt-covered tables. Hopefully they all had fun too — yes, winning $ = fun! Now that the Central Cal tourney has passed, I think we can all agree that the basketball season is finally over, so we need to collect all the Betsuin uniforms from all the players. Hopefully by now you returned your basketball uniform to your team mom and/or your division coordinator. If you still have the Betsuin uniform lying around your house, please get it to your team mom as soon as possible; the next season is just around the corner! Our equipment coordinator will be publishing a list of all those families that did not return the uniform, so you don’t want to be on that list! Now that Obon is quickly approaching, I am sure that you have been attending the practices and will be all geared up and ready to dance your happi coat off at the real thing on July 12. Now that the tent has been raised for our summer events, we want to thank all those who came out and lifted that barge and toted that bail. And to please come out and help with the Bazaar equipment pullout and construction on July 25-27. Remember, we are a TEAM, which means: Together, Everyone Achieves More, and the more hands helping, the easier and quicker the job gets done. Have a safe and sane 4th of July! Important dates to remember: June 30, July 1-3: Obon practice July 4: Fourth of July July 7-10: Obon practice July 12: Obon July 25-27: Bazaar construction begins August 7: Skewer beef and prep for Bazaar August 9-10: Bazaar weekend August 11: Bazaar cleanup Denis Ishisaka Summer is here! Pack 50 Cub Scouts will be keeping busy this summer with activities, camps, and helping at the annual Bazaar. To kick off the summer events, 66 members comprised of Pack 50 Cub Scouts and families boarded the USS Hornet aircraft carrier docked in Alameda on May 31 and spent the evening aboard the ship. Aboard this national historical landmark, the Cub Scouts were able to view many of the aircraft that operated from the Hornet, the many areas of the ships such as the bridge, officers’ quarters and exhibits. They also enjoyed the special dinner prepared for them, “Hornet Steak” (aka meatloaf). The boys and families were also treated to special opportunities aboard the ship. Brandon Mark’s grandfather, Wing Lieu, provided the boys with stories of his experience while serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the Hornet. Also, the boys were able to learn about the famous 442nd Regimental Combat and MIS Unit. Troop 50 Assistant Scoutmaster Jim Tabuchi and his sons, Nick and Timmy, provided an overview of this famous unit and their contributions during World War II. A great time was had by all who attended. A special thank you goes to Dr. Kelvin Mark for coordinating this event for Pack 50. Also a big thank you goes out to Wing Lieu and the Tabuchi family for sharing experiences and history with the boys! Just the beginning of the summer events. More to come! A special thank you to Bobby Tanaka for his very generous donation to the Pack. Thank you, Bobby. We greatly appreciate your support! Masako Thomas Fall semester is from September 8, 2008 to January 19, 2009. Our classes are designed for busy people like you: once a week, small class size (6 to 15 students per class), offering classes for beginners, and up to kanji level 3. Tuition is $160 per semester class. Registration fee for a new student is $10. Register early by mail before the Fourth of July and save $10. Please check Sakura Gakuen adult classes website. Contact Masako Thomas at 482-8770, or sakurahanami@hotmail.com. Richard Kai The annual picnic-in-the-park and attendance awards certificate presentation was held at William Land Park, marking the Dharma School’s final activity for the 2007-08 school year. The Dharma School greatly appreciates Reiko, Gladys and the kitchen crew once again; the food was delicious and plentiful as always. Thank you very much for giving your precious time and generous donations throughout the year. An estimated 250 Sangha members and their families were in attendance to recognize the 51 Perfect Attendance Award recipients and the seven seniors who received the Betsuin’s Education Award and matching Ronald McDonald scholarship. These seniors received a certificate of accomplishment from the Education Committee along with $1,000 to the college of their choice. Congratulations, grads! Award presentations were made to students who achieved perfect attendance ranging from the first year to those on their 13th year of such accomplishment. Certificates were presented to: 1st Year Perfect Attendance Miya Ikemoto – Nursery I Jordan Shimosaka – Nursery I Kyle Wong – Nursery I Brady Muramoto – Kindergarten Brook Muramoto – 2nd Grade Ryan Ikami – 3rd Grade Jarod Bartlett – 4th Grade Brett Muramoto – 4th Grade Kyle Fujii – 4th Grade Nicholas Siu – 4th Grade Haley Arakaki – 5th Grade Yoshi Correa – 5th Grade Emma Maron – 8th Grade 2nd Year Perfect Attendance Cara Ishisaka – Nursery II Marcus Yamamoto – Nursery II Sydney Hosokawa – 3rd Grade Daniel Okino – 3rd Grade Kaelyn Hosokawa – 6th Grade Courtney Matsuo – 6th Grade Josh Honda – 8th Grade 3rd Year Perfect Attendance Mason Oto – Nursery II Thomas Ito – 2nd Grade Michael Horita – 4th Grade Gregory Ito – 5th Grade Lauren Morita – 5th Grade Tanner Sasaki – 5th Grade 4th Year Perfect Attendance Morgan Yamamoto – 1st Grade Melissa Otow – 2nd Grade Corey Tanaka – 2nd Grade Chad Wong – 2nd Grade Andrew Ikemoto – 2nd Grade Tyler Ito – 3rd Grade Jason Otow – 4th Grade Sydney Kajioka – 6th Grade 5th Year Perfect Attendance Morgan Oto – 1st Grade Allison Tanaka – 2nd Grade Amanda Borges – 4th Grade Annika Ohta – 4th Grade Gillian Ohta – 6th Grade Jennifer Yip – 7th Grade 6th Year Perfect Attendance Brian Ishisaka – 4th Grade Steven Tanaka – 5th Grade 7th Year Perfect Attendance Jamie Adachi – 4th Grade Niki Fujimoto – 4th Grade Brianna Fujimoto – 6th Grade Stacey Lee – 6th Grade Melissa Shinfuku – 7th Grade NaOmi Furukawa – 8th Grade 8th Year Perfect Attendance Meghan Yamamoto – 6th Grade Sienna Horita – 7th Grade Mika Ishisaka – 7th Grade 9th Year Perfect Attendance Russell Okino – 7th Grade 11th Year Perfect Attendance Erin Okino – 9th Grade 13th Year Perfect Attendance Kristen Adachi – 9th Grade Katie Adachi – 12th Grade This upcoming school year could be the end of term for Ken and me unless Carol convinces us that we have to go beyond the 2008-09 school year. It’s not likely with Ken having as many years as the treasurer of the Dharma School and me taking on the position of president-elect and the future president of the Betsuin. A few good people need to step to the plate to take over for us; it’s not a hard job with Carol on the Board. She’s the mainstay; I’m a figurehead. We also need to replace the Inenagas, who have spent nearly a lifetime as Dharma School teachers with more than 60 years of combined experience. A few new teaching assistants will be needed as well to replace the graduating seniors. Please see me at the Bazaar or when Dharma School reopens in September if you’re interested in teaching or being a teacher assistant. But for now, come out for the Obon; lend a hand with the Bazaar outdoor bussing chores in August, and most of all, have a fun and safe summer. See you in September. Upcoming Events August 9-10 62nd Annual Bazaar September 7 Registration, Dharma School Service Donations Dharma School “courtyard” gratefully acknowledges donations from the following: 8th Grade Students (Ken Furukawa) Abe & Hiromoto Families Boy Scout Troop 50 Brownies #3 Jodi Contreras Chris Hashigami Brian Hatano Ellen Ito Jean Kaneko & Faimly Utako Kimura Kindergarten Class Maynard & Cindy Kurahara Cheryl Mark Ken Okuhara Ruth & Mary Omoto Florence Oto Wong Sueko & Haruo Yamashita Girl Scouts Troop 569
Sheryl Kajioka Hello and welcome to the month of July! This month we will be celebrating our annual Obon Festival on July 12. Please support our Girl Scout booth by purchasing our yummy spam musubi and somen. Other Troop News Congratulations to all our first year Daisy girls for bridging to Brownies! The girls earned all of the 10 Daisy petals this year. Some of our favorites were learning about “Respect Authority” with Officers Maria On and Lily from the Sacramento Police Department and learning to “Make the World a Better Place” by planting flower seeds and donating items to My Sister’s House for their Safe Haven Shelter. The girls have come a long way this year — from being a bit timid and shy at our first meeting to happily reciting the Girl Scout Promise and singing their favorite song, “If You Want to Be A Daisy!” We are so proud as each one of them has grown as Girl Scouts and are looking forward to seeing them experience even more as Brownies. The Brownie 3 Girls earned their Science in Action Try-It by making weird gooey glop, concocting solutions that inflated balloons, experimenting with ink blots, and going on a science/technology hunt. The girls also had their first Girl Scout sleepover along with a few girls from the Daisy troop. Girls from Juniors 3, Cadettes 4, Cadettes 5 and Seniors 3 planned activities for the younger girls. They enjoyed the relay races, an evening at the “spa” (painting their nails and making hair ribbons), caveman paintings, making lanyards, decorating crowns, working with origami, face painting, and making ice cream sundaes. After all of these activities, the girls watched a movie, complete with popcorn. The girls also helped set up and “pitch” tents. To top it all off, the girls had a good, old fashioned pillow fight. A huge thank you to the older girls for making the evening a memorable one for the younger girls! Brownies 4 really enjoyed the Bridging Ceremony, especially that wonderful slideshow put together by Alan Wada. We ended our Brownie year with a pajama and ice cream party at the Takeda house. Collectively the girls decided they would like to see each other over the summer so they planned a swimming party on June 7. We had a great time swimming, running around, and enjoying each other’s company. Thank you to our parents who brought so much food, and to the dads who helped BBQ! We are looking forward to our next get-together, which will be Marine World in July. The following Cadette 1 girls completed and received their Silver Award at the Annual Silver Award Ceremony: Jesse Pease Marisa Otani Karisa Yamamoto Natalie Okuhara The following Cadette 1 girls have completed their Silver Award requirements or are in the process of completing the work: Lauren Shimada Misa Rasmussen Alexis Wu Leanne Castle Teryn Hara Cadettes 5 would like to give a huge shoutout to Becky Tom-Cheng and Daniel Tom for giving them a wonderful and educational tour of Tom’s Printing. The girls (and adults too!) really enjoyed learning about the printing business. While at the print shop, they were able to witness first hand, the step-by-step process of creating a Girl Scout Troop 569 notepad. Visiting Tom’s Printing fulfilled one of their requirements for the Paperworks Interest Project. Another requirement for the Paperworks Interest Project was fulfilled when Rene Kumamoto of Scrap-n-Stamp came to the girls’ meeting to talk about her scrapbooking business and how she got started. Ms. Kumamoto provided supplies and techniques for the girls to create their own unique Girl Scout journals. Needless to say, the girls thoroughly enjoyed listening to Ms. Kumamoto and making the journal. Thank you again to Becky Tom-Cheng, Daniel Tom and Rene Kumamoto for their interesting and inspirational responses to the girls’ numerous questions. Cadettes 5 is forever grateful! As part of their Creative Cooking Interest Project, Cadettes 6 participated in a presentation at Super Suppers, learning about food safety, nutrition and preparing their own dinner entrée. The girls also had fun at their year-end get together at Discovery Kingdom. Legacy Endowment Fund BoardAt the mid year term I wanted to thank and acknowledge the members of the 2008 Legacy Endowment Fund Board committee and their current term of office: Ted Yoshimura, Board Member, Immediate Past Board President (2008) Ruth Seo, Temple member (2006-08) Ken Furukawa, Board member (2007-09) Mark Umeda, Board member (2008-10) Valerie Fong, Board member (2006-08) Marcia Matsuda, Temple member (2008-10) Kelvin Mark, Board member (2007-09) Joyce Sahara, Temple member (2008-10) In addition to Rinban Bob and myself as ex-officio members, the listed members above have been either previously selected or have been asked to serve on the Legacy Endowment Fund Board (LEFB). The Legacy Endowment Fund Board is responsible to develop and enable long-term financial capability for special needs for our temple, organizations and members. LEFB is an independent board that has its own set of bylaws. The bylaws were approved by the General Board of Trustees on October 11, 2005. Thank you all for your participation, help/assistance and guidance in developing the Legacy Endowment Fund brochure, coordinating informational seminars, and overseeing the fund activities. The Sacramento Betsuin is truly fortunate to have so many dedicated, caring members taking on leadership positions. As temporary stewards, the LEFB has planted the seed and is nurturing its early development. We all need to do what we can to help support and continue the wonderful Jodo Shinshu religious tradition and great programs here in Sacramento. Please join me in thanking our LEFB members for their dedicated service as well as those individuals and families that have contributed to the Fund. Let’s continue to grow the Fund so that it may help sustain our temple now and for future generations to come. In Gassho and Okagesama, Allan Hoshida, President Board of Trustees Sacramento Buddhist Women’s Association Utako Kimura SERVICEOur Rinban Bob Oshita and Reverend Kaz Nakata led us in the chanting of the Juseige. A gratifying setting for our monthly meeting. Rinban Bob started with the observation that almost half of 2008 has passed, that indeed, time flies. Rinban Bob continued, telling us that for our service he chose to wear his tokudo okesa — the okesa earned at his ordination. (We were pleased.)The year was 1973, three years before Reverend Kaz was born! When he wears this okesa, he thinks of his parents because they had sent him the money to buy his robes and the okesa. In looking back to those years, he remembers that at the time his mother stayed with them, he was cleaning her room and found her lipstick. He kept the lipstick because there are some things that you just cannot throw away.This brought to mind the stories she used to tell him. One of the stories was his mother telling him that this is not your country. Because it is not your country, they can take everything away from you. The only thing that they cannot take away is what you know, so you need to study hard. When Rinban mentioned this story to his brother and sister, they said mother never told them this story. This made him feel very special. Rinban Bob closed this brief sermon telling us to think of the many lessons our parents have shared and taught us.Rinban Bob led the opening gassho. In the absence of President Fusako Takahashi, President-Elect Lynn Kurahara presided, welcoming everyone. BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA / RINBAN BOB OSHITAReverend Toshio Murakami, former BCA Kaikyoshi, and retired minister of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, passed away on May 26. Reverend Murakami was serving as the resident minister of the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission in Oahu. CORRESPONDENCE, DONATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe remain ever indebted for the generous monetary gifts and thoughtful acknowledgments from our friends and fellow members. We thank each with heartfelt appreciation.Evelyn Suzuki In Appreciation Lillian Kashiwagi Thank You for Nursing Home Visitation CORRESPONDING SECRETARY / SUEKO YAMASHITA AND UTAKO KIMURA We wish to thank fellow members and friends for taking time to let us know their enjoyment reading about SBWA in the Sangha. Your thoughtfulness is important. Thank you to Secretary Virginia Uchida for providing the minutes for the articles. Conferences and Meetings / Alice Kataoka AND HIROKO TSUDA 2009 FBWA Conference – October 9, 10, 11 at the Doubletree Hotel, Sacramento Chairman Tsuda has reported that a video tape has been received from Reverend Diane Johnson, displaying one of her presentations. The video has been duplicated and distributed to NCBWA chapters. It will be shown at the conference committee meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 16 at the Sacramento Buddhist Church. This is the committee’s desire to explore all aspects of a presentation to ensure its goal of a well-rounded event. Related to that thought, members have been invited to suggest possible program participants. RELIGIOUS / MOLLY KIMURA AND FUSAKO TAKAHASHIGotan-e Service on May 18 was chaired by Heidi Sakazaki with Junko Egi as the organist. Mary Inouye and Masako Fukuda chaired the refreshments. Oshoko representatives were Vi Hatano for the 9:30 a.m. service and Masako Fukuda, the 11:30 a.m. service. Social Services / Marcia Matsuda and Mitzie MuramotoA get well card has been sent to Noboru Takahashi, President Fusako’s husband. MEMBERSHIP / DIANE MURANAKA AND SANDY NISHIMURA-YEE Diane Muranaka has provided Board members with a form so we may receive information to assist in updating the SBWA roster. This became an important function when we were politely called to attention, for our listing of “super seniors.” Unfortunately, we listed members yet to reach the “four score.” Yes, also omitted those who, indeed, have arrived or were already in the “super senior” category. We are contacting each member of record, and asking for your help in accurately maintaining our membership data. Please know that reaching the “super senior” class is a proud and unique achievement. Additional items on the form relate to our phone tree and helping on the Board, committee and activities. SPECIAL EVENTS / FRANCES KONDO 62nd Annual Bazaar Meeting May 19. Frances Kondo attended this meeting, chaired by our ever-cordial leader, Steve Kawano. Eighteen others attended. Of interest to all of us: - Raffle – three top prizes are: First Prize – a seven-day trip to Hawaii and $1,500; Second Prize - $2,000 gas card; Third Prize – Broadway Show tickets. - Food Prices – due to increase in costs, there will be a price increase. The cost of a 50-lb. sack of rice increased from $16.50 to $25.80. - The back parking lot is being repaved. Tamale Fund Outing Thursday July 10, 2008 – A REMINDER Ride: 1:00 p.m. - South Land Park Drive at 35th Avenue (between the IGA Market and the Land Park Branch of the U.S. Post Office). Permission has been received to park there. 1:30 p.m. - The Sacramento Buddhist Church parking lot. Please notify the church office if you park in the lot. If you are not there at either pick up point – please meet the group at the Music Circus, 1510 J Street, Sacramento.Dinner: After the show, board the bus to be taken to the Mizu Japanese Seafood Buffet in Natomas. After dinner, board bus for the ride to the two pick-up locations for your ride/drive home. Unable to Attend: If, for any reason you are unable to attend, please notify Mary Inouye at 451-9771 or Alice Kataoka at 442-2433. Mary or Alice will contact those on the waiting list. 2008 Tamale Fundraiser is scheduled for October 4 and 5. The cost of a box of 10 tamales will be $10. SCHOLARSHIP / VI HATANOScholarship recipients will have been announced at the William Land Park Dharma School event on Sunday, June 8. This honors information will also be available at our July 2 meeting. CRAFTS FOR CHURCH BAZAAR / SHIRLEY KATO AND MASAKO FUKUDAShirley Kato will be selling uchiwas, happi coats, yukatas and obis at the obon practice on July 7, 8 and 9. Shirley extends appreciation and a huge thank you for the generous donations from Rose Hara for rice sacks, Judy Inaba for uchiwas; Frances Kondo for rice sacks; Kiyo Tanaka for sewing the happi coats; and Donna Wong for fabric material and uchiwas. APRIL 19, 2008 NCDC-NCBWA CONFERENCE WRAP-UP MEETING The April 19 Northern California District Council-Northern California Buddhist Women’s Association Conference Committee held its wrap-up meeting on May 20. Of the approximately 200 attending, 61 were from Sacramento. Sacramento BWA was responsible for the opening service, luncheon, centerpieces (hand-made figurines created by Mrs. Ikuko Sakazaki were given to conferees seated in a chair with colored dots), and the photography/slideshow presentation. Helpers from Sacramento were at least Irene Hoshiko, Mary Inouye, Midori Ito, Richard Kai, Shirley Kato, Machiko Kimura, Molly Kimura, Frances Kondo, Reiko Kurahara, Myra Okasaki, Jean Ota, Norrine Okamoto, Fusako Takahashi, Tomi Tanaka, Gerry Tsukiji, Virginia Uchida. While we know it takes the hard work of many volunteers to organize and present any successful event, a special recognition to Alan Wada and his wife Marta for their outstanding job videotaping the conference, and following up with a DVD for the seven NCBWA chapters. Thank you, Alan and Marta, for your kindness and caring ways. Lodi and Stockton BWAs will host the 2009 NCDC-NCBWA Conference. FBWA STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM – JAPAN AND BCA Hiroko Tsuda reported that the Eastern District BWA has been unsuccessful in naming a student to participate in the exchange program for a several weeks study in Japan. She has since reported that the Mountain District has a student who has accepted to participate and will go to Japan. This is an exchange program where a student from BCA is selected to study for a few weeks in Japan and the following year, a student from Japan is hosted by BCA for the several weeks stay. A positively rewarding program. ASIAN COMMUNITY NURSING HOME DONATION The SBWA will again donate $250 — Pearl Sponsorship — to the Asian Community Nursing Home fundraising event to be held at the Elks Lodge on Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento on September 13. TID BITS / PRESIDENT-ELECT LYNN KURAHARA- Thank you to fellow members for the “health for all treats” for our meeting: Jean Kaneko, Molly Kimura, Utako Kimura, Lynn Kurahara, Reiko Kurahara, Patti Oshita, Heidi Sakazaki and Hiroko Tsuda. - Alice Kataoka and Tomi Tanaka chaired Sacramento’s registration and arranged for the transportation to the NCDC-BWA Conference on April 19. Thank you to Alice and Tomi. - Reiko Kurahara, Gladys and Sam Adachi were in charge of the Sam Kaneko Memorial Service Otoki, Thank you to Reiko, Gladys and Sam. To Fumi Ishihara, Alice Kataoka, Utako Kimura, Frances Kondo, Mollie Oto, Heidi Sakazaki and Fusako Takahashi an added thank you for helping Reiko, Gladys and Sam. - Only the Brave, a film produced by Lane Nishikawa, will be featured at the Crest Theatre on June 14. Proceeds will benefit the VFW 8985 Hall renovation project. - July 2 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 Nakata led the Closing Gassho. Matthew Nitta Over the last month, Troop 50 has been working hard to advance its leadership skills and doing fun activities. Some of the major activities that some of the older Scouts have done are NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training), USS Hornet Overnighter, the Walnut Grove Pullout, and the Alcatraz Overnighter. The Scouts have really enjoyed their opportunities and hope to continue them. On May 16, some of the older Scouts were able to go to NYLT. There they got to learn many skills that they would use in the following years to lead the rest of the Scouts. They went to Camp Pollock and stayed overnight to go to class and got to meet new people. Also, Scouts from all over come to get a chance to work at their leadership. On May 31, the Scouts were able to go to stay on the USS Hornet. There, the Scouts got to take a merit badge and stay on the Hornet overnight. Everyone who took the Aviation Merit Badge earned it. The following weekend, some of the Scouts went to Walnut Grove to their Buddhist church. Senior Scout Jimmy Tsuruoka said, “We had to put the tarps up and pull out everything they need to set up their booths.” Later that day some of the other Scouts would go to Alcatraz. While they were there, the Scouts got to tour the island and get an even deeper tour that isn’t given to just anybody. Troop Historian Keith Ikami said, “I was scared to stay in the cell overnight. I didn’t get very much sleep, but I had a lot of fun. I would definitely do it over.” Den Chief Kyle Fong said, “It was fun and I hope that we get to do it again. I thought that the tour and staying in the cells were the best part of that whole trip.” In June, the Scouts had even more to look forward to. The Scouts were to attend outings such as the Smurf Outing and the Yosemite trip, summer camp at Royaneh and even Obon setup. Funerals Howard Harris In Memory of Yoshiko Harris David & Gordon Abe In Memory of Toshiko Abe Christine Hashigami, Carlos & Jody Contreras In Memory of Larry Hashigami Emi Koshimuzu & Fusaye Yokoyama In Memory of Shizuko Koshimizu Tokita Family In Memory of Yoko Upton Tokita Frank & Teresa Yokoi-Fong In Memory of Roy Muraoka Masako Fukuda In Memory of Kaz Kimura Hattie Sumida In Memory of Roy Muraoka Memorial Richard & Irene Wada In Memory of Pamela Kimi Wada M/M Tak Muraoka 49th Day for Roy Muraoka Morisawa Family 49th Day for Midori Morisawa Lucy Akiyama In Memory of Thomas Akiyama Molly Kimura 49th Day for Kazuo Kimura Betty Nakayama 3rd Year for Yoshio Nakayama Tom Tokubo 3rd Year for Toshiko Tokubo Urokogata Family 50th Year for Kamekichi Urokogata & 8th Year for Hatsu Urokogata Kazuko Uyeminami 25th Year for Joe M. Uyeminami Ron Ishimoto 1st Year for Eiko Ishimoto M/M Frank Bunya 17th Year Memorial for Mrs. Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Frank M. Daikai Family In Memory of Frank M. Daikai Carolyn Guro 49th Day for Roy Muraoka Doris Kuroko 17th Year Memorial for Mrs. Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Maki Family In Memory of Yoneo Maki Garen & Susan McCune 49th Day for Ruth Miyahara Carolyn Nakagawa 50th Year for Kamekichi Urokogata & 8th Year for Hatsu Urokogata M/M Roy Nakatani 17th Year Memorial for Mrs. Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Sachiko & Steve Nishimura In Memory of Yoshio Nishimura Wendy Notsinneh, Walter Akiyama In Memory of Thomas Akiyama M/M Mits Okamoto 17th Year Memorial for Mrs. Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Clyde Owen 49th Day for Tetsuo Iida Shimosaka Family Urokogata Family Service M/M Tom Yego 17th Year Memorial for Mrs. Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Jackie Yamashiro In Memory of Ruth Kiyo Yamashiro Walter Akiyama 50th Year for Kamekichi Urokogata & 8th Year for Hatsu Urokogata Yoshie Kyhos In Memory of Father Midori Sunahara In Memory of Chiyoko Grace Miura Junichi & Satsuki Yamamoto In Memory of Yoshiko Doi Hideo Tokunaga Family 49th Day for Midori Morisawa Anonymous In Memory of Yosh Nakayama Koji & Keiko Nishimoto 49th Day for Kazuo Kimura Randy & Jody Guro 49th Day for Roy Muraoka Don & Lillian Ishii 49th Day for Kazuo Kimura George Morita 49th Day for John Iida Asa & Martha Shintaku 25th Year for Joe Uyeminami Midori Sunahara In Memory of Willie Sakamoto Al & Sue Bray Family 17th Year for Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki John & Lynn Hosokawa Family, Fred & Julie Gonzales 17th Year for Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Joe & Alice Kataoka 49th Day for Kazuo Kimura Russ Kuroko, Michael Tsumura 17th Year for Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Yoshiko Morisawa 49th Day for Midori Morisawa Masae Murai In Memory of Senjiro Yamauchi Kinya Noguchi 49th Day for John Iida Bruce & Sandra Sano Family 17th Year for Natsuko Nakatani & Betty Ozaki Masaaki Tademaru In Memory of Tetsuo Iida Special Art & Eva Kawada Family Wedding of Kristen Kawada & Rich Lopez Matsuyama Boy Scouts In Appreciation for the fried rice breakfast Ted & Tak Ito Recovery Rev. Kazuaki and Michiko Nakata Hatsumairi for Kanon Nakata Bernard & Judy Sakamoto For Justin Takeshi Wallace Patrick & Kristen Wallace For Justin Takeshi Wallace Joe & Alice Kataoka Hatsumairi Reiko Kurahara Ochigo for Cody Kurahara Midori & Ken Ito Ochigo Attire Hanamatsuri Paul Wakabayashi Hanamatsuri Nokotsudo Service Jean Kaneko In Memory of Sam Kaneko Ted & Tak Ito Nokotsudo Service Katsumi Takashiba Kaneo Yamamoto Floral for Nokotsudo Mickey & Susan Bennett Joyce Sasaki Memorial Service |
