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The Roots of Shinran's Joy a Time of Thanksgiving Volume 74 Number 2

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The Roots of Shinran's Joy a Time of Thanksgiving Volume 74 Number 2 Volume 74 The Roots of Shinran’s Joy Number 2 You’ve heard me say often in Sunday services that Rev. NOVEMBER 2559 BE Gyomay Kubose showed the “flower of Buddhism,” that is, the (2017 AD) beauty and brightness of everyday living in harmony with oneness. It’s understandable that he wanted to accentuate the positive at a Articles time (the 1950s-60s) when Americans’ image of Buddhism was of Rev. Patti Nakai The Roots of emotionless monks living in isolation from the world. However, Resident Minister Shinran’s Joy, by while the flower Rev. Kubose showed attracted many new people Rev. Patti Nakai ..1 to Buddhism, Rev. Gyoko Saito felt it was important to look at the For more writings A Time of by Rev. Nakai, Thanksgiving, by roots of this flower. The flower is able to develop and bloom visit her blog, Bill Bohlman .......1 because of the roots that sink deep into the dark soil of our Taste of Chicago Buddhism, at: New Glasses: No struggles and sufferings. Both Rev. Kubose and Rev. Saito tinyurl.com/chibud Prescription Required, by Ann Yi appreciated the flower and roots of their teacher Akegarasu Haya, .........................5 but it was Rev. Saito who emphasized looking at the roots as Namaste – Gassho necessary for each of us to do. – Asaalam Alaiykum In this month of November, we observe Ho-on-ko, the .........................6 memorial of Shinran Shonin. We could praise Shinran as a flower—he was such as selfless, hard-working man full of This article News & Items gratitude and joy. “But how did he come to that state?” is the continues Ho-on-ko Special on page 7 Events ...............5 question I’ve asked and keep returning to. at column 1. It was at the weekly study class at our temple when I heard Dr. Regular Features Color white before print. Prevents table merging. Keep at bottom of every table. Events ...............2 A Time of Thanksgiving Mission Statement .........................2 All life has suffering. This basic Buddhist teaching, the First Temple News ......3 Noble Truth, has been sadly evident during the past year. Thank You! .........3 Hurricanes, earthquakes, war, terrorism, and the threat of nuclear Calendar ............8 holocaust have filled the daily news. Amidst all this turmoil, we sometimes lose sight of the things for which we should be grateful. Bill Bohlman Autumn is in full swing and soon the holiday season will begin. BTC President Thanksgiving signals the start of this season of celebration. Address: Contact Bill at 1151 W Leland Ave. Amidst the food, drink and fun we take time to be thankful. How budtempchi Chicago, IL can we make every day a day of gratitude, a day of thanksgiving? @aol.com 60640-5043 or find him most “Every day is a good day.” This saying seems to make no Sundays after Telephone: sense. We have all had “bad days,” haven’t we? But, is it the day service at the 773-334-4661 information desk that is bad? If the weather and the events of the day meet our Online: & bookstore. BuddhistTemple wishes the day is good. If our wishes are not met, the day is bad. Is Chicago.org the day any different? Unfulfilled expectations cause us to suffer. The Dharma teaches us to change our expectations. Resident Minister Buddhism has a long tradition of gratitude. For centuries, Rev. Patti Nakai monks followed the example of Gautama Buddha and his President This article Bill Bohlman disciples. Their worldly possessions consisted of three robes and a continues begging bowl. The only food they ate was that which the people of on page 7 the town gave them. If they received no food they did not eat. at column 2. Depending on others for survival, they were grateful for whatever Color white before print. Prevents table merging. Keep at bottom of every table. NOVEMBER 2017 Temple Events & Activities Guide See Calendar (page 8) for specific dates. Up-to-date details/last-minute changes are available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/budtempchi ALL EVENTS ARE FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and held at the Temple (unless otherwise noted). Color white before print. Prevents table merging. Keep at bottom of eery table. Special Temple Services and Events Introduction to Buddhism—offered periodically Introduction to Buddhism – This 4-week course is held throughout the year. Email Nancey Epperson: periodically throughout the year. E-mail Rev. Nakai at Ho-on-ko Service (Shinran Shonin memorial service)— [email protected]. [email protected]. Buddhism Study Class – Every Wednesday, 7 to 8:30 Sundays, 11 am. Meditation—Sundays, 9:00 am and Thursdays, 7:30 pm. rd pm. No previous Buddhism study required. Lay Speaker Sunday—Usually 3 Sunday every First-timers: come 10 minutes early for instruction. month, 11 am. Meditation – Sundays at 9 am and Thursdays, 7:30 pm. Sutra Study Class—2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month, Sutra Study Class – Generally 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the Regular Temple Services 12:30 to 2 pm. No previous Buddhism study required. month, 12:30 to 2 pm. No previous Buddhism study Religious Service (in English)—Sundays, 11 am. Social & Cultural Activities required. This month: May 15. rd Cultural Activities Lay Speaker Sunday—Usually 3 Sunday every Asoka Society (refreshment service, social club, outings, month, 11 am. etc.)—3rd Saturday every month, 1 pm. This month: Nov. 18. Chinese Movement (Qigong) – Tuesdays, 11 am to noon. Call Dennis Chan 312-771-6087 for info. Temple Meetings & Community Service Iaido (Japanese Swordsmanship)—Mondays, 7-9 pm. nd Crafts Group – Third Saturdays, 10 am to noon. This Bulletin mailing—2 to last Friday every month, 10 Kumihimo (Japanese braiding. This month: Nov. 4. Email month: May 21. am; volunteers welcome. This month: Nov. 17. Nancey Epperson: [email protected]. Japanese Fencing (Kendo) – Dojo sessions held every Bulletin submissions—Deadline for notices and Ukulele Group—Tuesdays, 1 pm. Call Ruth 773-784- Tuesday from 8 to 10 pm at Bethany United Church. Call articles: every month, 6 pm, the Thursday 15 days prior to 0239. Bob Kumaki, 847-853-1187 for info. mailing. This month: Nov. 2. Qigong (Chinese Movement)—Tuesdays, 11-12:30pm. Japanese Language School (children or adults) – Every Saturday, 10 am. Call Temple to register. Temple Board Meeting—Once a month, Sunday, Call Dennis Chan 312-771-6087 for info. 12:30 pm. This month: Nov. 26. Taiko (BTC Kokyo Taiko Drum Troupe)—Adults, Upaya Helpers (refreshment service, community Fridays, 7-9 pm. Email [email protected] to confirm. outreach, ping pong, etc.) Call. Children, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays at 11. Email Cook It Forward (feeding unhoused persons)—Mary [email protected] for appointments. Harvey https://www.facebook.com/groups/CookItForward/ Meditation & Buddhist Education Buddhism Study Class—Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 pm. NO classes Nov. 22 and Nov. 29. Color white before print. Prevents table merging. Keep at bottom of every table. Mission Statement BTC Bulletin Founded in 1944 as an administratively independent temple, Team Rev. Patti Nakai, Darryl Shishido, Nancey The Buddhist Temple of Chicago aspires to the following: Epperson, Ann Yi To present and explore the Three Treasures of Buddhism – the Feedback & Submissions Questions, comments, Buddha (teacher), the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha corrections and suggestions are welcomed. Submissions (community). are encouraged—articles, essays, book reviews, photos, To be guided and inspired by the historical Buddha, Gautama poetry, news items, announcements, drawings, etc. Shakyamuni, and the teachers who have followed – Shinran Submissions will be reviewed for suitability and space Shonin, Manshi Kiyozawa, and Haya Akegarasu. availability. Anonymous submissions will not be To present the Buddha-Dharma in a language and manner published, but author’s names may be withheld from relevant and understandable in contemporary America. publication upon request. To welcome all who seek the Dharma without any exceptions. To be a positive presence in our local community working to Contact E-mail [email protected] or enhance the vitality of our neighborhood. speak with anyone on the BTC Team To honor and continue the traditions of our founding members. © Copyright 2017 BTC Bulletin, except where To always live the Nembutsu – Namu Amida Butsu. otherwise noted. Color white before print. Prevents table merging. Keep at bottom of every table. Pag e 2 www.BuddhistTempleChicago.org BTC Bulletin Temple News September 2017 (continued from previous column) 9/01-9/03 Rev. Nakai and several temple members Temple Keepers attended Eastern Buddhist League conference at the Maintaining Temple inside and out: Tomio Tademoto Midwest Buddhist Temple. NO Sunday service. Cleaning Hondo & Nokotsudo: Michael Yasukawa th 9/06 Rev. Nakai conducted 49 day service for Mieko Cleaning washrooms: Helene Rom, the L family Kotake. Emptying trash, putting it out for disposal: Sue Balsam, 9/10 September memorial and Dharma School service. Adam Kellman, Nancey Epperson, Upaya Group Cleaning *** Chanting class met. minister’s residence: Miriam Solon, Diana Schoendorff 9/11 Catholic-Buddhist dialogue committee met at Weeding/Picking up litter: Wendy and William Fawcett BTC to plan for an upcoming event. Setting up and taking down chairs & tables: Too many to 9/14 Nancey Epperson attended ONE-Northside thank, thank you all! meeting at North Shore Baptist Church. 9/16 Asoka Society met. Service & Hospitality 9/17 Fall Ohigan service. *** Sutra Study class met. Sunday Service Participants: Carrie Breitbach, Nancey 9/22 October bulletin mailed. *** Rev. Nakai Epperson, Wendy Fawcett, Glenn Fujiura, Amy Kato, Lynn participated in memorial celebration for the late Lisa Oda at Maruyama, Diana Schoendorff, Darryl Shishido BTC. She is survived by husband Stanley and daughter Lay Leaders: Karen Baier, Sue Balsam, Bill Bohlman, Clea. Wendy Fawcett, Nancey Epperson, Lynnell Long, Helene 9/24 Dharma School service – Nancey Epperson was Rom, Elaine Siegel, Darryl Shishido, Miriam Solon, Ann Yi lay speaker.
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