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The

WVol. 71 |ay No. 3 April & May 2019

HIGASHI HONGANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE | LOS ANGELES BETSUIN

TEMPLE SCHEDULE hanamatsuri craft fair APRIL sunday, april 28 28 10:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Hanamatsuri Craft Fair 10am - 3pm MAY come out to shop and enjoy! 5 10:00am Shotsuki Service 12 8:30am Mother’s Day Breakfast 10:00am Mother’s Day Family Service 19 10:00am Tanjo-e/Hatsumairi Service 26 10:00am Sunday Service Mother’s Discussion Group Tanjo-e + JUNE Day 2 10:00am Shotsuki Service Hatsumairi 9 10:00am Sunday Service Breakfast & Discussion Group Family Service Service 16 10:00am Father’s Day/ Graduation Family Sunday, May 19, 2019 Sunday, May 12th, 2019 Service & Lunch 10:00am 23 10:00am Sunday Service BREAKFAST | 8:30 - 9:45 am 30 10:00am Sunday Service SERVICE | 10:00 am 1:00pm Lumbini Graduation ThVolume 71 e| Number Way 3 | April & May 2019 HIGASHI HONGANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE • LOS ANGELES BETSUIN The Birth of My Son and the Teaching of Immeasurable Life Rev. Masashi Fujii

There have been many changes in this world.” may be below our income and social in our lives during the two and a half Certainly, as Nāgārjuna said, we status. We suffer when we compare years in Los Angeles for me and my cannot be parents without the birth of what we have or don’t have to others. wife. The biggest change was the birth a child. So, I am really grateful to my Though we think that we are living of our son who was born on October son who gave us the opportunity to be separate and independent lives, in fact, 24th of last year. parents. there are so many people working on On the day my son was born, at In addition, Nāgārjuna’s teaching our behalf. Growing and vegetables, around 2:30 in the middle of the night, about the existence of the parent and the building our homes and our cars, all my wife said that she was feeling some child is a good example to understand take place behind the scenes of what kind of pain. I tried to calm down as the Buddha’s teaching of 縁起pratītya- we see. If those people didn’t exist, if much as possible, and made a phone samutpāda, all things are related to each there was no air or water, human beings call to the hospital. I then got in the car other by causes and conditions. could not live. with a bag with changes of clothing The Buddha said that “life” is sup- Therefore, we must be aware that prepared in advance. About 12 hours ported not only by people, but also many each life is precious and equal, in the later, a healthy boy was born at 1:38 pm. other things such as food, air, and water. sense that our “life” cannot exist without For the past 40 weeks, our baby Furthermore, it is said that the presence everything there for us, as the Buddha resided inside of my wife’s body. Seeing of our “life” itself exists due to all of the said. And when this teaching is truly the baby who was crying right then and conditions connected from the past to understood by ourselves, I think that there in front of me lying on my wife’s the present. we will be able to live a life of gratitude stomach, feelings of relief and joy came However, if we are financially inde- without the suffering caused by our to me. And at the same time, when I pendent, we tend to have the illusion that comparing our lives with others. witnessed the moment that one “life” we are living in this world by ourselves, At the beginning of the Shōshinge, was born, tears flowed from my eyes by our own capabilities. If you have a Shinran Shōnin shared his understand- naturally. In my short 32 years of life, it job, some money and place to live, then ing of this world in which myriads of was the moment I realized that “life” is you can live by your own means. You can lives are connected and supported by the most precious thing. buy food, you can go on a trip on your each other by translating the Sanskrit Generally speaking, children are day off. But if you take it for granted, word Amida to Ki-Myō-Mu-Ryō- born from their parents. However, unlike then you don’t even think about words Ju-Nyo-Rai. Mu-Ryō-Ju means “Im- common sense, Nāgārjuna who is one of gratitude for anything you get on a measurable Life.” Since Ki-Myō-Mu- of our tradition’s seven masters said, “If daily basis. On the contrary, it is hard Ryō-Ju-Nyo-Rai is also a translation of a child is born from his parents, there for us to stop comparing ourselves with Namuamidabutsu, the nenbutsu which will be parents before a child is born. others, and without any consciousness, means to live life to the fullest in the But there are no parents without a child we tend to look down on people who world that cannot exist if even one life is missing, and is immeasurable. (Please see ANY DAY, page 4) When you touch such a world of life visit our website at that cannot be measured or enlightened SUBMISSION DEADLINE! by Amida, you have the opportunity to reevaluate yourself, to reconsider that hhbt-la.org Submissions for The Way are due the 10th of each month for the following month’s life that we are living, hurting each other facebook.com/hhbt.la issue. Articles and announcements for by comparing ourselves to others. We our July Issue are due June 10th, 2019. are able to realize that each and every Submissions may be subject to printing person, every living thing is supported @higashihonganjila restrictions and staff approval. Thank by each other and lives as part of the you and we look forward to hearing precious life. It is then that the nenbutsu from you! as an expression of gratitude comes out (Please see BIRTH, page 4) Th e Way E-Mail Page 2 [email protected] Betsuin News

Mother’s Day Spring Ohigan DHARMA SCHOOL Breakfast & Family Service Service & Seminar UPDATE Please join us on Sunday, May 12th The Spring Ohigan Service was held th Dharma School will participate in for our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast! on March 24 , with a Dharma Talk by the LABTF Hanamatsuri Art Contest We will be serving breakfast from 8:30am Rev. James L. Fredericks, Ph.D, Emeri- again this year. In April, we will have until 9:45am (about 15 minutes before tus Professor of Theology at Loyola our Hanamatsuri Family service at the service), so come early and bring your Marymount University. Toban 1 served Betsuin where we will have a chance to whole family! The delicious breakfast takikomi gohan (mixed rice) with as- pour sweet tea over the Buddha and cel- will be prepared by ABA and other sorted and salad for otoki ebrate Hanamatsuri with our members. non-mothers, so be sure to bring mom lunch. Following otoki, Shinshu Center At the end of the month, we will help at to service early! of America hosted a special public lec- the Hanamatsuri Craft Fair. Please come Following breakfast, we will have ture with guest speaker Dr. Fredericks out and support our youth groups! our Mother’s Day Family Service with a in place of our regular Spring Seminar. Our ministers and lay leaders give special message in honor of our mothers. He spoke on the theme “Practicing with Weakness: Reflections on the Origins in talks to the Dharma School children at every Shotsuki and Family Service. Tanjo-e & Hatsumairi Compassion in Buddhism and Christi- anity.” Thank you to all of our members Please join us on Sundays for Dharma Service who attended our Spring Ohigan events. School lessons! Both new and active members and friends are always wel- On Sunday, May 19th, we will have come! our Tanjo-e and Hatsumairi Service. DID YOU KNOW? Tanjo-e is a special service that celebrates In 1976, our current temple opened. the birth of Shinran Shōnin, the founder That year, people made an offering of WEDDING of our Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition. a dollar as they approached the altar to ANNOUNCEMENTS Shinran was born around this time near burn incense. Most of us still do. But Kyoto, Japan in the year 1173. Special that dollar has been eroded by inflation. Takeo & Elisa Miyagishima sermons will be delivered by our min- Now, in 2019, to match the dollar from isters for this occasion. 1976, the offering would need to be $4.42. March 9, 2019 At our Tanjo-e service, we will Everything is more expensive these also observe Hatsumairi, which is held days: a cup of coffee, a movie ticket, a CONGRATULATIONS!! to welcome all new children into our dinner out. This is also true for every- Sangha. The Hatsumairi presentation thing the staff must purchase to keep is traditionally for newborns, but we the temple operating. welcome all children up to six years of Some habits are hard to break, but Our deepest condolences age to participate. If you are interested this one can be easy. When you approach to the family and relatives of … in having your child participate, please to oshoko, remember the cost of your contact the temple office to register. last cup of coffee or movie ticket, and Mr. Robert Isamu Ikuta (77) keep in mind that the temple, too, must February 11, 2019 Father’s Day & keep up with inflation. Thank you. Graduation Family Service Mr. Akira Tanaka (90) March 5, 2019 Please join us for our Father’s Day and Graduation Family Service on Sun- day, June 16th at 10:00am. This service Mrs. Fumiye Masunaga (94) will celebrate and honor both our Dads March 13, 2019 and 2019 Graduates. We welcome all graduates to attend and families to bring their fathers for this special ser- Mrs. May Hideko Hiroshima (90) March 14, 2019 vice! Following service, there will be a light lunch served to honor our grads and dads. We hope that you and your Namu Amida Butsu family will be able to join us! The Way Page 3 YABA Jr. YBA News Made Easy Higashi Jr. YBA Hosts Seminar 2 Workshop Piece in Diversity On Saturday, February 2, YABA On Saturday, March 23rd, Higashi Jr. These, as you may have noticed, are the hosted a hands-on miso-making work- YBA hosted Seminar Two for the South- three main ideas of diversity. Economically shop in the temple kitchen with fer- ern District Jr. YBL. It was the first time we are all are different. We need to learn not mentation expert Yoko Maeda Lamn. that the Higashi chapter has hosted a to judge based on the appearances of others. Although miso is a staple in Japanese seminar on its own without co-hosting We are taught that money isn’t everything, cooking and commonly used in cuisines with another chapter. Our theme was and that it is not about the quantity of the around the world, most of us have “Piece in Diversity” and we welcomed money but about the quality of the person. never tried to make our own at home. 70 high school-aged attendees from 9 When it comes to the sexuality of others The workshop participants received a chapters across Southern California and we need to be aware or open minded of the lesson on making miso from scratch Arizona. We spent every Sunday after ideal that all people are equal. We need to and enjoyed a tasting of service planning in the months leading take a step back and remind ourselves that and a variety of our instructor Yoko’s up to the seminar and all ten of us from everyone in this room or in any room is alike homemade miso pastes. Higashi were involved in the planning in some way. While the process is simple and only as well as facilitating the workshops. Ethnically we all have things in common requires three ingredients, miso-making The seminar began with opening such as our interest in sports, and extracur- is a true test of patience as its fermenta- service and a Dharma Talk by Rev. Ken ricular activities, or our love of rice. Despite tion takes at least six months. Since our Yamada on the theme. We played fun our differences we should always respect each workshop was at the beginning of Febru- ice breakers to get everyone comfortable other because we are all human and we all ary, we’ll have to wait until August to with each other and ready to partici- deserve respect. twist open our experiments. If all goes pate in the workshops. The workshops Interconnectedness. The belief of all liv- well, perhaps we’ll hold a decanting consisted of three sessions on ethnicity, ing things being one. We are all a part of this party to taste-test our creations. YABA socio-economic status, and sexual orien- Buddhist life. We need to have compassion looks forward to more workshops in tation. Each workshop had a different and to care for others as much as we care for the future and hopes to incorporate activity that led to a discussion on that ourselves. We are all links in the Buddha’s a seminar element as well. Miso and given topic as it relates to diversity and Golden Chain of Life that stretches around Mindfulness, anyone? Buddhism. the world. This correlates to our idea of piece YABA extends many thanks to our Here is an excerpt of the closing in diversity. instructor Yoko, the temple staff, and message that we wrote and shared with The idea that no two rocks looked alike workshop participants for a wonderful the attendees to wrap up the event. or had the same characteristics show that the morning. We hope to see you at the next Take a second to look around the room. peace sign still represents a whole. If you were workshop! I get it we’re all a bunch of Asians, well, to remove the rock you painted, the peace sign YABA stands for Young Adult Buddhist most of us. But how are we different? What would be incomplete. Therefore, everyone is Association and includes our members in about each other do we not know? Piece in different but when brought together, equally the roughly 25-45 age group. If you would diversity. What does this mean to you? To significant to society. like to be contacted for future YABA events, us it means we are all a piece of something We would like to thank our advi- please let us know at [email protected]. greater, and that each piece is vital to create sors, all of our parents and all of the a whole. Higashi members and former Jr. YBA Economy, Sexuality, and Ethnicity. members who came out to help us host the seminar. Thank you to Lumbini for allowing us to use your classrooms and to our ministers for participating in the service and wrap up. Page 4 The Way

YOUTH HOSHIDAN TOUR Wylie Kasai

As the summer before my first year nembutsu to contextualize and realize of college began, many things seemed to desires as short-term, how do we distin- be up in the air. I was just a few months guish long-term happiness from these? away from what most had told me would Does the idea of long-term happiness fit be the “best four years of [my] life,” and in with Buddhism? I felt rather uncertain as I prepared to Many of the answers that Rev. leave my friends and family to move Conway provided centered on constant across the country. searching and adjustment to promote And one of the things that seemed self-discovery. These internal evalu- to be part of this uncertainty was my ations were particularly comforting relationship with Buddhism. How because they reminded me that practice would my interaction with my religion of Buddhism is heavily guided by the change as I moved thousands of miles self: although we may meet for service away from the temple I had lived 10 weekly, there are many more days in minutes away from my entire life? between where we are provided with Would distance be detrimental to the opportunities to act in accordance with strength of my faith? Buddhist values. As it would turn out, my trip to Our devotion to this daily practice Japan would answer these concerns. of Buddhism was affirmed by the con- I went on the Hoshidan Tour in June firmation ceremony – kikyoshiki – that I with Lindsay Kashiwabara, her sister participated in with Lauren and Lindsay. Lauren, and Reverend Okada. When Although much of the ceremony was (BIRTH, cont. from page 1) we arrived in Japan, we were met by not unlike a regular service, it diverged naturally from ourselves, apart from that three other youths and a minister from from the normal program when we mind that compares ourselves to others. Hawaii who would join us for the rest of each received a Buddhist name that was Through this experience, the birth tour. Besides our stay at the Honzan in picked by Rinban Ito. Rev. Conway also of my son made me realize that every Kyoto, we visited Hiroshima, Miyajima, took time to talk about the meanings of person is precious just as they are. Still, Nara, and Osaka. But as Lindsay has our names during a lecture. (My name, my son is just a baby and he cannot do provided an overview of our itinerary Enbō, essentially means speaker of truth anything by himself. For us, though, he is in her article (see December 2018), I’ll talk – the Dharma – but also encapsulates cute and an irreplaceable life. However, more about my own personal takeaways spreading the Dharma to others.) even if he is a very cute baby boy now, from the trip. In participating in the confirmation, there will be a time for him to grow up. For me, the greatest learning experi- not only did we receive these names, What if he gets bad grades in school or ence of the tour was undoubtedly our but we were affirmed as members of the does bad things. Will I think that my son conversations with Reverend Michael Sangha. And though this was something is a bad son, and not as cute or lovable Conway. During our stay at the Honzan, I always considered myself to be, this as he was when he was a baby? I cannot we had around eight hours of lectures process admittedly felt more official – a imagine how I could become like that with Rev. Conway regarding many formal welcoming and further solidifi- right now. But I feel like it is important facets of Buddhism – from reviewing cation of my place in the community for me to continue to listen to the Bud- the story of the Sakyamuni Buddha’s that I was brought up in. In this sense, I dhadharma by going to the temple like I enlightenment to breaking down the was assured that being away for college do now since I’m a very forgetful person. meaning of Namu Amida Butsu from would not affect my membership nor In order to repay the gratitude of the an etymological standpoint. However, my relationship with Buddhism. Buddha who taught us about the pre- my favorite part of these lectures came Rather, my days at school would ciousness of this life, Shinran Shōnin and toward the end when we were able to ask be similar to those Mondays through the people before us who transmitted questions outside of the chosen topics. Saturdays at home – I may not be at these teachings, I would like to regard Much of what Rev. Conway taught Higashi, but my actions remain heavily the birth of my son as a good opportu- us was already prompting questions guided by Buddhist principles. Even if I nity to restart my life by receiving the of application as we enter adulthood, may not be physically with the Sangha, life that cannot be measured day by day. specifically incorporating religion into there is no doubt that I am still part of it. a happy but ethical life. If we use the The Way Page 5 19th Annual Golf Tournament

Higashi Honganji volunteers ar- TOURNAMENT SPONSORS FRIENDSHIP SPONSORS rived at the Via Verde Country Club in Arthur & Marilyn Sakioka Emily Matsumura Mika Ito & Byron Yamada the early morning of March 4th, 2019. Faria Farms, LLC. George & Lisa Sugimoto In-Kind Donors Volunteers prepared for the arrival of al- Team Pichi Pie (Mas Kozai) Ace Beverage Company Aquarium of the Pacific most 100 golfers early Monday morning. Marv Kozai • Rudi Gomez They unloaded trucks while the coffee Arthur Sakioka Scott Webb • Stuart London Bachan’s Takeout brewed and goodie bags, donuts, spam Team Shang Bishop Noriaki & Janet Ito musubis, mini pastrami sandwiches, Michael Hayashi • Ron Shimoide Carol Tanita apples, oranges, and bananas crowded Tadashi Okumoto • Rick Yoshida Elaine Barbod the check-in area. GOLD TEE SPONSORS Elaine Harada Elaine Jackson Our cheery volunteers registered AGRX | Chris Oliva Hatakeyama Family First Choice Bank golfers outside. The weather was nice for Food Connect In Memory of Mark Kozai | Elaine Barbod early March. It was cold in the morning, Fugetsu-Do JACOM Credit Union but warmed up to the mid-70s during George & Susan Kashiwabara Plum Vista, L.P. | Murata Family Grace Yamashiro the day. Tee signs were displayed on the Union Bank Higashi Honganji Dharma School & Sangha Teens course at all of the holes. Sponsorships Yamamoto Family | Kevin T. Yamamoto Higashi Honganji Jr. YBA raised funds for our youth programs and SILVER TEE SPONSORS Japanese American Cultural & Community Center temple maintenance. Thank you to all Bishop Noriaki & Janet Ito Japangeles Jon & Annette Kitayama of our generous tee sponsors! David & Kathy Ikeda Ena Realty Group Kathy Ikeda After 18 holes out in the sun, golfers Fukui Mortuary Kazuko Higashi were eager to sit down for a Western- Glenn M. Nakatani - A Professional Law Corp. kisanoreen | Kisa Ito style barbeque buffet lunch! They Higashi Honganji ABA Leslie Nicho & Leland Lau Mika Ito & Byron Yamada made their way to the banquet room Higashi Honganji Fujinkai Higashi Honganji YABA Nancy Kurihara-Johnson that overlooks the course where tables Steve & Makiko Nakasone New Japan Travel Center were overflowing with valuable prizes TEE SPONSORS Plum Vista, L.P. | Murata Family for our raffle and donations from gen- Aihara & Associates Insurance Services, Inc. Qris Yamashita Board Member & Sons Rafu Bussan erous members and merchants in the Red Shell Foods community. Everyone was treated to a Chuck & Trish Nicholson Elite Graphics Rev. Peter & Diane Hata well-deserved lunch with lots of meat, First Choice Bank Ron & Becky Sato chicken, and sides of corn on the cob, For My Grandson Andrew Webb | Love, Baba Ron & Diane Kato Gary Kanemoto Rosa Kawahira baked beans, rolls, and salads. While Sam’s Town Hotel | Las Vegas stories of the narrow course were shared George & Susan Kashiwabara Higashi Honganji North America District Sharilynn Jung amongst the golfers, Shin Ito announced Higashi Honganji Otani Choir Star Mazda | Tad Okumoto the tournament and raffle winners. Hiromichi Sakioka Tokio Marine Management, Inc. In Memory of Bill & Yeiko Matsumura | Carol Tanita Union Bank Closest-to-the-pin winners were Via Verde Country Club Hiko Miyake, Tom Umemoto, and Clay- In Memory of Mary Yamada | Elaine Harada In Memory of Masaharu Kozai | Rudi Gomez Warren Okada & Karen Lau ton Tamura. Closest-to-the-line winners In Memory of Shig & Miyo Nakagawa | Yamasa Enterprises were Garrett Quon and Janet Ito. The Henry & Lin Miyake Jeanne Tong GOLF VOLUNTEERS Low Gross winner was Garrett Quon. Annette Kitayama st John & Irene Ota Elaine Barbod The Ladies 1 place winner was Violet Jon Kitayama Keith & Grace Yamashiro Elaine Harada Kelly Komatsu Uyeda. The top three tournament win- Leland Lau, CPA Diane Hata rd Nancy Kurihara-Johnson ners were Brian Kito in 3 place, Kevin Lumbini Child Development Center Rev. Peter Hata Leslie Nicho nd Mas & Grace Kurihara Kathy Ikeda Yamamoto in 2 place for a second year Karen Okada st Nancy Kurihara-Johnson Janet Ito in a row, and Matt Bryan in 1 place. Warren Okada Newport Beach Higashi Honganji Mika Ito Ron Sato Congratulations to all of our golfers! Olivia Nevarez Rinban Noriaki Ito Clayton Tamura The Higashi Honganji Golf Tourna- Penny Murata Shin Ito Elaine Tamura Produce International Elaine Jackson ment continues to grow thanks to all of Kayla Tamura Rev. & Mrs. Toshihisa Enoki Gary Kanemoto the volunteers who do so much behind Kyle Tamura Ron & Becky Sato George Kashiwabara Carol Tanita the scenes work before and during the -Gen Lindsay Kashiwabara Grace Yamashiro tournament as well as our tee sponsors Tadahide & Rosa Kawahira Susan Kashiwabara Qris Yamashita and donors. Thanks to the support of Takemura & Hashimoto Optometry, Inc. Rosa Kawahira our golfers who continue to come out The Tom Umemoto Family Toyo Griffith Park Florist year after year, we were able to put on West Covina Buddhist Temple another fun and successful event. Wilhelm Restaurants Group, Inc. Page 6 The Way LUMBINI CORNER In March, we celebrated Girls Day by making special “sakura ” with sweet pink sticky rice and red bean. We also went upstairs to visit the Hinamat- suri doll display in the temple foyer. In April, we will observe Hanamatsuri by participating in the Hanamatsuri Art Contest and learning about the Buddha’s birthday and going upstairs to the hondo to pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha. We will see the beautiful hanamido and elephant from the Buddha’s birth story. We will celebrate Spring with parties and lots of colorful crafts! If you are interested in enrolling a child between the ages of 2½ to 5 years of age in Lumbini’s program, please contact the school at 213-680-2976 or LumbiniCDC.org for more information. LUMBINI CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 1/2 TO 5 YEARS TEL: 213-680-2976 FAX: 213-626-6850 applications EMAIL: [email protected] available! WEBPAGE: http://LumbiniCDC.org facebook.com/lumbinicdc open year round: Call today to set up a MONDAY through FRIDAY visit to the school! 7:30am to 6:00pm closed national holidays

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