The Newsletter of Ekoji Buddhist Temple alavinka Fairfax Station, Virginia - Established 1981

Vol. XXXIII, No. 7 July 2014 BCA Voices - August 27, 1981 By Rev. Kenryu Tsuji This month, we are changing the column up a little heat, it gave shelter to countless insects, even giving and including a poem by Rev. Kenryu Tsuji, former a part of itself to the hungry bugs. Ekoji Resident Minister and former Bishop of the Bud- And now, it is that time of the year. dhist Churches of America. According to Ekoji’s for- mer librarian, Valorie Lee, this piece “is one of Rev. But before it falls from its branch, it prepares for the Tsuji’s writings that may be the closest he ventured in future, for next spring, a fresh green leaf will shoot the direction of poetry. It originally appeared in the out from the same branch. In its twilight hours it Kalavinka and then was included in The Heart of the displayed to the world, without pride, without self- Buddha Dharma. Not titled in the Kalavinka, but re- consciousness, its ultimate beauty. quiring one for the book, I used the date of the Kala- vinka issue in which it appeared.” Does the human spirit grow more beautiful with each passing day? Or does it become more engrossed August 27, 1981 in its mortality by creating stronger hands of self- attachment? It is that time of the year. Is my life reflecting a deeper beauty as I grow older? A single red maple leaf performs a graceful ballet What karmic influences will I leave for the good of in the cool autumn breeze before it finally joins the the world? other leaves on the ground. I wonder. In the quiet of the night… I recite the During the warm spring days and in the hot summer Nembutsu. HATSUBON- The First Obon On Sunday, July 13, at 11:00 a.m., we will be ob- memory and gratitude for the loved one who has serving Obon Service, a memorial service when we passed. The loved one could be a family member or remember those who have passed away before us a dear friend who has touched and enriched our lives and express our gratitude for all that they have done with their presence. for us. During the service, there is a special time set If you are a Hatsubon Family, please contact Rev. aside for all those families who have lost loved ones Rye or Laverne Imori so that candles can prepared since the 2013 Obon Service. This special time is and you and your loved one can be remembered in called the Hatsubon or first Obon. Families are called Nembutsu a few weeks prior to the Bon Service. In forward so that they can light a memorial candle in gassho.

In this issue:

Sangha News and Events Page 2 Ekoji President’s Message Page 4 Nen Daiko: Part of a Sangha Page 3 Dana List Page 5

Note: The 84,000 Thoughts column will resume in August 2014. July 2014 KALAVINKA Page 2 Sangha News and Events July and Future Events our Ekoji sign. July 2: 7:30 pm: Dharma Exchange (Howakai) at • Kalavinka Editor: Andrea Walter Ekoji (Hondo) • Dharma School: Maya Horio, Superintendent, and July 6: all our volunteer teachers. Most of all to the Dhar- • 9:00 am: Temple Clean-Up ma School students and parents for showing up! • 10:00 am: Buddhism 101 • Office Management: Jane Blechman • 11:00 am: Shotsuki Service • Pay Officer: Gail Kondo • 12:30 pm: Bon Dance Practice • Wisteria Lane, Library and Three Treasures Gar- July 12: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: BON ODORI den: Heidi Forrest July 13: OBON • Temple Supplies: Nora Nagatani • 10:00 am: Buddhism 101 • Onaijin Set-Up and Clean-Up: Minister’s Assis- • 11:00 am: OBon Service tants and Heidi Forrest under the leadership of Er- July 16: ick Ishii and Rob Fike • 10:00 am: Oasaji Service (Hondo) • Dharma Talk Recordings: Michael • Please Note: the Dharma Ex- Galvin change at Rockville is cancelled for • Hondo Clean-Up: All of our Sangha July and August Members and Dharma School Students July 19: Seabrook Bon Odori who participated in the clean-up. Thank July 20: you! • 10:00 am: Buddhism 101 • After-service refreshments: Thank • 11:00 am: Regular Service you to all who contributed refreshments, July 27: prepared coffee and tea and cleaned up af- • 10:00 am: Buddhism 101 terward! • 11:00 am: Regular Service • Thank you to those who volunteered • 12:30 pm: Board Meeting to be service leaders, rang the kansho, and August 29-August 31: Eastern Bud- helped collect dana. Special thanks to Yuko dhist League (EBL) Annual Conference hosted by Keicho, Greg Nakamura and Samanthie Silva for Ekoji (find out more at www.ebl2014.weebly.com) playing the piano. September 21: Shuki Higan-E Service, Autumn My apologies if we missed any names. We are, indeed, Equinox fortunate to have so many volunteers assisting with October 4: FALL SEMINAR Temple activities. Laverne Imori Reverend Kodo Umezu, BCA Bishop Sangha Member News October 5: Kieshiki (Affirmation) Ceremony by Rev- • Best wishes for a speedy recovery to member John erend Kodo Umezu Ohta after his recent surgery. November 16: Pet Memorial Service • Farewell to Captain Audrey Sato who completed December 7: Bodhi Day Service her residency and leaves the area at the end of December 31: New Year’s Eve Service summer. We thank her for her energy and support In-kind Donations and Thanks of the YBA. We’ll miss you, Audrey and hope Thank you to the following individuals who donated you’ll stay in touch. their time and skills to help out the temple: Please submit news such as special honors or awards, • The many volunteers who are working hard to weddings, births, graduations, etc., to Laverne Imori at make Bon Odori 2014 a success! [email protected], so we can share with the Sangha. • Scott Fugitt for his work to repair and illuminate

www.ekoji.org July 2014 KALAVINKA Page 3 Nen Daiko: One Group in a Larger Taiko Sangha Last month’s article detailed the humble origins of Asking then resident minister Rev. Hozen Seki for Ekoji’s own Nen Daiko. However, were you aware a name that would reflect peace, harmony, and work- that Nen Daiko is only one of many temple based tai- ing together, the group was given the name of Soh. ko groups in the United States? Like most Buddhist The group gained early instruction from Rev. Ron Mi- Churches of America (BCA) temples, the associated yamura of ’s Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko taiko groups are also predominantly located on the Group and Rev. Masao Kodani of Senshin Temple’s West Coast. However, a common unifying theme is a Kinnara Taiko in . They taught Soh Daiko close relationship with their associated temples. Just as not only about drum building, but about basic taiko a community of followers makes up a temple’s Sangha, techniques and philosophy, resulting in the group’s some temple- evolution from based taiko a youth to an groups also adult group. come together In the fall in a taiko com- of 1994, mem- munity to form bers of Soh a larger taiko Daiko first Sangha. came to Ekoji Out of all to officially the temple- help create Nen based taiko Daiko. Walk- groups in the ing us through United States, the construction Nen Daiko and assembly of maintains a spe- our first taiko, cial relationship they also pro- with two specif- vided a wealth ic groups: Soh The Taiko Sangha gathered at Seabrook’s Obon in 2013. Photo courtesy of knowledge Daiko of New of Claire Wang. and expertise York Buddhist with regards to Church and Hoh Daiko of Seabrook Buddhist Temple. taiko playing fundamentals, as well as philosophical Being the only other BCA temples on the East Coast, approaches. Ever since, Soh Daiko has remained a and therefore the only other temple-based taiko groups guiding pillar and resource for Nen Daiko as we con- as well, both groups were instrumental in providing tinued our development over the years. instruction, moral support, guidance, and friendship as Hoh Daiko they helped our fledgling group develop. This month Hoh Daiko Drummers of Seabrook, New Jersey we will briefly discuss each group’s history and how was established on February 23, 1991, under the aus- they were instrumental to Nen Daiko’s development. pices of the Seabrook Buddhist Temple. It chose Hoh Soh Daiko Daiko for its name symbolizing the way of the drums. The first taiko group on the East Coast, Soh Daiko The group began by using discarded tires and plastic was formed in December 1979 by members of the garbage cans as practice instruments and on the drum New York Buddhist Church as a youth activity af- made for them by Rev. Ron Miyamura of Midwest ter members of the Young Buddhist Association saw Buddhist Temple in Chicago. Chicago’s taiko group at an Eastern Young Buddhist Their dedication soon found the group making its League convention. Membership chairman Mamoru own taiko from whiskey and wine barrels, learning the Funai and adult advisors Jim Moran and Merle and difficult process from Soh Daiko of New York. Alan Okada started a taiko group with a seed grant Hoh Daiko’s rapid emergence was evidenced from the Church and set about learning to make bar- soon after the national and international coverage of rel drums with help of drum-making instructions from Seabrook Story which was aired in commemoration of other taiko groups that came before them. Continued on page 4. July 2014 KALAVINKA Page 4 Nen Daiko: One Group in a Larger Taiko Sangha Continued from page 3. the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor by Nippon TV Obon Festival – this year held on Saturday, July 19th. and the National Broadcasting Corporation. Since that This festival is eagerly anticipated as an opportunity to time, they have participated throughout the Eastern see each other again, catch up, and enjoy each other’s seaboard at various schools and organizations. company and fellowship. In 1993, prior to Soh Daiko’s first visit to Ekoji, Given our shared history and profile as the only Hoh Daiko helped encourage Ekoji’s Dharma School three BCA temple-based taiko groups on the East students to think about starting their own taiko group Coast, we are happy to have both Soh and Hoh Dai- by holding a beginning workshop that introduced ko as our honored guests for our celebration of Nen them to the experience of playing taiko. Once Nen Daiko’s 20th Anniversary on Saturday, August 30th. Daiko formed a year later, Hoh Daiko again offered Tickets are on sale now, so please come out and enjoy workshops and guidance as to how our fledgling group performances by each group! could further develop our skills. And one last note, until our Anniversary perfor- Soh, Hoh, and Nen Daiko: A Taiko Sangha mance, be sure to come check out Ekoji’s Obon festi- Just as New York Buddhist Church, Seabrook val Saturday, July 12th too! Besides Nen Daiko, there Buddhist Temple, and Ekoji Buddhist Temple histori- is Japanese folk dancing, great food, and an open cally maintained and enjoyed a close relationship with house to view the temple Hondo and learn more about each other, so too have their associated taiko groups Buddhism! For more information, be sure to check out fostered close relationships of mutual support, collab- www.ekoji.org! oration, and friendship. The three temples’ relatively Note: Group information from www.sohdaiko. close proximity to each other meant that all three org, www.hohdaiko.org, www.nendaiko.org groups were able to meet up annually at Seabrook’s

Ekoji President’s Message - The Essence of OBon By: Laverne Shidou Imori Interdependence is one of the tenets of the Buddha Mrs. Honda’s passing. Dharma. OBon is an expression of our gratitude to We hope you will also loved ones who have passed on before us and with- take time to reflect on Ekoji, out whom we would not enjoy the lives we are liv- our “Gift of Light” from the ing today. As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we strive to late Reverend Yehan Numa- live a life of gratitude and compassion. ta, whose dream was to share We will commemorate OBon 2014 with danc- the Buddha Dharma. Bon Odori is Ekoji’s biggest ing (odori), good food, entertainment, and in the fundraising event to pay for Temple operating ex- company of friends on Saturday, July 12th, at Ekoji penses so we can continue to support Numata Sen- Buddhist Temple. We hope you can join us in this sei’s dream. celebration and at the OBon Service on Sunday, On behalf of the Ekoji Board of Directors, July 13th at 11 am. thank you to the many members and friends of Eko- During our candle lighting service at the end of ji who have stepped forward to volunteer their time Saturday’s Bon Odori, we will pause to reflect on to support OBon activities. If you have not yet done the many gifts we have received from departed fam- so, please consider donating your time or providing ily and friends. This year’s service will be extra spe- financial support to help us continue the legacy of cial as we remember Mrs. June Honda, who started those who built Ekoji and those who work so hard the tradition at Ekoji. Our thoughts will be with to support Ekoji’s Dharma activities. Reverend Shojo Honda, son Tamon, and Tamon’s Gratitude is the very essence of Obon. wife, Marisa, as they observe this first OBon after With much gratitude and in gassho, Laverne Ekoji Dana List - June 2014 Kalavinka Ajit and Samanthie Silva Peter Golemboski Allen A. Thomsen Rachael Lang Harris Managing Editor: Andrea A. Walter Anna Chulaki Reiko and Hisao Assistant Editors: Rev. Kurt Rye, Anna Tecson Matsumoto Ken Nakamura, Laverne Imori Art Politano Rev. Shojo Honda Bert and Nancy Motonaga Ron and Nora Nagatani Sangha members and community businesses can Bob Shimokaji Sharon Kosai publish advertisements in Kalavinka. Please Curtis Rothrock Shigeko Walton contact us for information! Cynthia Gurey Stuart Ott Erick Ishii Susan Grimes Kalavinka is published by the Ekoji Buddhist Erni Diez-Fugitt Thomas Griffin Temple, 6500 Lake Haven Lane, Frank Swithers Wolf Run Foundation Fairfax Station, VA 22039, (703) 239-0500 Heidi Forrest Jane Yuko and Toshiaki Keicho www.ekoji.org Blechman Janelle Curtis Helen Berger for Masoko Joy Aso Imamura Join us at Ekoji! Jussara Cohen Ron and Nora Nagatani for Adult Service: Sundays at 11 a.m. Laura Clapsaddle June Honda Meditation: Thursdays at 8 p.m. Laverne Imori Yoga: Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Lawrence Anderson Children’s Dharma School (Sept. through Mark LaWall June): Mark Nagy 10 a.m. family service and 11 a.m. classes Michelle Amano Norm and Gail Kondo Consult the Ekoji website for the complete event Paul Q. Piper calendar at www.ekoji.org.

EKOJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE 6500 Lake Haven Lane Fairfax Station, VA 22039

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED FIRST CLASS