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WCBT's Autumn Ohigan: Longing for the Other Shore

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WCBT's Autumn Ohigan: Longing for the Other Shore THE WEST COVINA BUDDHIST TEMPLE GATEWAYOctober 2013 - - Vol. XLVII No. 10 Living Dharma News www.livingdharma.org Over the years, the Gateway has gone through several metamorpho- ses—one of them being this very column, which was a by-product of the website, itself created in 1997. But lest you believe that just because the Gate- way hasn’t changed that much recently, that this means it isn’t “changeable,” please be assured it’s always open to change and to new ideas and new con- tributions. This is, after all, a Buddhist publication! We welcome any ideas and submissions that might be of interest or helpful to our Sangha. Submission deadline is usually the 3rd Sunday of the month. Gassho, Rev. Peter Hata Above: At WCBT’s Autumn Ohigan Service, Rev. Patti Usuki gave a well-received dharma Selected E-mail message. From = Laura Subject = School Project Message = To whom this may concern, WCBT’s Autumn Ohigan: Longing for the Other Shore My name is Laura and I am writing to West Covina Buddhist Temple held Buddhist Women Speak Out on Jodo you in regards to my Year 12 research its Autumn Ohigan service on Sunday, Shinshu, he mentioned a memorable assignment in Stage 2 Religion Studies September 22, 2013 and enjoyed a nice conversation the two had several years at Mary MacKillop College. I would turnout and, for a change, nice weath- ago where she had encouraged him to truly appreciate if you responded to my er—it finally has begun to cool off a bit continue to work as hard as possible for questions as it will give me a greater in the East San Gabriel Valley! his temple. It came at a time in his life understanding of the Buddhist view on Following the opening message by that helped clarify his priorities. the afterlife. My research is based on chairperson Dr. Kurt Kowalski, kada In her dharma talk, Rev. Usuki spoke the question What are the differences sutra chanting was led by Rev. To- eloquently about the relevance of ohi- and similarities between Buddhist moyuki Hasegawa and then the chant- gan, which refers to the “other shore” and Catholic beliefs on the afterlife? ing of the Shoshinge was led by Rev. of enlightenment, to our contempo- Thank you for your time and effort, all Peter Hata. Also assisting in the chant- rary lives. In one example, and which responses will be taken into consider- ing was Rev. Fred Brenion, newly-or- Please see OHIGAN, con’t on page 4 ation and used only for the research dained Higashi priest Michael Jitosho, Temple Event Highlights: assignment. and our guest speaker, Rev. Patti Usuki, Questions: minister of the San Fernando Valley •Oct. 6 Shotsuki Service 1. What is your understanding of the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, a popular •Oct. 13 Sunday Service afterlife? Buddhist Churches of America temple •Oct. 26 NAD Local Retreat 2. In what form do you consider hu- in the city of Arleta. mans might exist after death? After the gatha singing and recital of w/Rev. Miyoshi@Betsuin 3. My understanding of the Buddhist the Three Treasures, Rev. Peter intro- •Oct. 27 Sunday belief is that you believe in Reincarna- duced Usuki-sensei. Besides noting her Service&Halloween Party tion and Nirvana. If this is correct, can status as the author of the influential •Please See Temple News Please see L.D. NEWS, con’t on page 4 book. Currents of Change: American October 2013 Page 2 THE GATEWAY DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS Many of us old-timers remember reciting , “I am a link in the Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love…” We would like our children to learn these beauti- ful words by reciting them on the last Sundays of the month. It will be at this time that we would like to dedicate a special portion of the service for our young students who range from 3 – 6 years of age. We are planning to slowly learn the gatha, “I’m a Link in the Golden Chain” as well. We are also making preparations for a fun-filled Halloween party on the 24th of Oct., along with a special reading of the wonderful Giving Tree by Ms Claire Hansen to our students and parents. It has been our experience that read alouds offer entertaining and deep in- sights for young and the not-so-young Clockwise from top left: Claire Hansen, simultaneously! Diane Hata, Ruby Kagawa and Merry Jitosho plan the Dharma School cur- riculum for the upcoming year; Michael Gassho, Jitosho with his friend Kiyoka who was Diane Hata visiting from Japan; Mika Ito and Byron Yamada at their wedding reception and Rev. Enoki from Newport Beach Higashi Honganji presents Merry Jitosho with the first place trophy at the recent Newport Beach Golf Tournament. Quote of the Month There is a profound power that is awakened in us by contemplating impermanence and death. We are inspired to practice the dharma in everything we do and not to waste another moment of our precious lives.” -Keanu Reeves October 2013 Page 3 THE GATEWAY TEMPLE NEWS Akimatsuri Kiku Crafts & Food Fair The ESGVJCC Akimatsuri will be WCBT will sponsor our 4th Annual GATEWAY Staff on Saturday, October 5, from 12 – 8pm. Kiku Crafts & Food Fair on Sunday, Layout & Editing: Rev. Peter Hata, Hisako WCBT will again be in charge of the November 3 from 10am–3pm. Asian Koga, Claudia Haraguchi, Rev. Tomoyuki Hasegawa Chicken Teriyaki Plate. If you haven’t inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, Contributors: Rev. Fred Brenion, Diane signed up to help, please contact Dick giftware, unique wood items and lots Hata, Merry Jitosho, Joanie Martinez Koga at (305) 305-2545 or dickkoga@ of delicious food will be offered. Each Circulation: Mary Hatakeyama, Joy Kitaura, gmail.com. vendor will be handling their own Kimberly Kitaura We’d like to see everyone come out sales and not all take credit cards so West Covina Buddhist Temple Mission Statement: and support the Temple and the Center. come prepared. WCBT members are In the spirit of universal brotherhood, welcomed to shop early from 9:30 a.m. West Covina Buddhist Temple provides the opportunity for all to listen to and The Study Class Come for some holiday shopping. Stay for the fun and food! share the Teachings of the Buddha in order The Study Class (formerly known that we may awaken to our true selves, For more information or if you can as Bonbu Class) will meet on October living our lives fully and dynamically. help, please contact Hisako Koga 909- 8 and 22 at 10:00 AM. Discussions will The Temple’s mailing address is: 626-6131 or [email protected]. continue to focus on the Sho Shin Ge. West Covina Buddhist Temple The class meets on the second and P. O. Box 1616 fourth Tuesday of every month. November Shotsuki Service & West Covina, CA 91793 (626) 337-8373 For more information, please call Board Meeting Website: www.livingdharma.org Rev. Peter, (626) 337-8373 November Board Meeting will be Facebook: facebook.com/westcovinabuddhisttemple held on November 10 at 8:30am fol- E-Mail: [email protected] Osaisen Project lowed by the Shotsuki Service at 10am. Every year, as part of an ongoing fund-raiser by the BCA Southern Dis- Ho-onko Service trict Dharma School Teachers, all the Our Ho-onko Service will be held osaisen collected on the second Sunday on Sunday, November 17, at 4:30 pm of October is dedicated to the Bishop’s with Rinban Noriaki Ito as our special Special Project Fund. This year that speaker. Please join us as we welcome Sunday falls on October 13. back Rinban Nori and stay for the Everyone please remember to donate complimentary Otoki dinner that will thoughtfully that day with the Dharma follow the service. School children in mind. NAD Local Retreat A North American District Joint Lo- cal Retreat will be held on October 26 at the Los Angeles Higashi Betsuin from 9:30am – 4:00pm. Rev Nobuko Miyoshi will be the special speaker. The fee for OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS the retreat will be $12. Ethan Ezaki, Kelly Please see Rev. Peter for more infor- mation. Yamashita, Traci Takemura, Glenn Halloween Our annual Halloween party will fol- Nakatani, Diane Hata, low the Sunday Service on October 27. Jane Earley, Kimio There will be fun and games and prizes so get in the Halloween spirit and come Earley, Miyo Takahashi, dressed in your favorite costumes. Rev. Peter chats with WCBT’s former Erik Akuna, Melissa There will be refreshments for everyone minister Rev. Motohiro Kiyota during his so join us in the fun! recent visit to Southern California. Kozono, Melanie Pai October 2013 Page 4 THE GATEWAY OHIGAN, con't from pg. 1 L.D. NEWS, con't from pg. 1 you please explain how this aspect is significant to your beliefs in the after- life? 4. Do humans enter into a special rela- tionship with a supernatural being in the afterlife? 5. Can you please explain your belief towards animals and the afterlife? 6. Do you believe in Karma? If so do you believe it plays a significant role in regards to afterlife? 7. Do you believe there are any con- nections between the Buddhist and Catholic beliefs regarding the afterlife? Could you please identify the elements which you consider to be similar? Dear Laura, Above L-R: Dharmatones Rev. Peter Hata, Lynette Godoy, Edith Ariza, Aiko Enoki, Diane Thank you for writing. You have asked Hata, and Joanie Martinez perform at the Ohigan Service. very thoughtful and interesting questions seemed to resonate greatly with the eryone with a couple of beautiful songs and I have had to give careful thought on sangha, she spoke of her heightened in 3-part harmony, led by Rev.
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