Services

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

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

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

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

Printer friendly version of the "Guide" to our typical Dharma Service

Special Services

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

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

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

February 13 - Nirvana Day (Nehan-e)

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

March/September - Higan

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

April 10 - Buddha's Birthday (Hanamatsuri)

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

May 15 - Shinran Shonin's Birthday (Gotan-e)

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

July - Obon

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

October - Perpetual Memorial Service (Eitaikyo)

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

November 20 - Shinran Shonin Memorial Service (Hoonko)

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

December 4 - Bodhi Day (Jodo-e)

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

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

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

Greeter Schedule & Safety Assignments (below Greeters) 2012

2012
January 1 (Shusho-E)	Brian	Gordon	Robbie
January 8	Marty	Shirley	Sheryl
January 15	Bobby	Gary	Mark U.
January 22	Alan W.	Mary Ann	Ted
January 29	Don	Valerie	John
February 5	Ken	Mark A.	Allan H.
February 12	Sherman	Roger Ik.	Eddie
February 19	Roy	Denis	Roger It.
February 26	Richard	Sheryl	Keith
March 4	Kelvin	Steve	Kathy
March 11	Brian	Gordon	Robbie
March 18	Marty	Shirley	Diane S.
March 25	Bobby	Gary	Mark U.
April 1	Frances	Kathy	Ted
April 8	Mark A.	Valerie	John
April 15	Ken	Don	Allan H.
April 22	Sherman	Roger Ik.	Eddie
April 29	No Dharma Service:  FDSTL Conference
May 6	Roy	Denis	Roger It.
May 13	Richard	Diane S.	Keith
May 20	Kelvin	Steve	Mary Ann
May 27	Brian	Gordon	Robbie
June 3	No Dharma Class:  JACL Picnic
June 10	No Dharma Class:  Dharma School Picnic
July 15 (Obon)	Marty	Shirley	Sheryl

Safety Assignment Schedule

If you cannot greet or be a safety monitor on your assigned date,
please find your own replacement.