HikaritheLight January 2015 NEW YEAR’S GREETING As we mark the beginning of a new year, I extend to you my greetings. Last year, since having succeeded the Jodo Shinshu tradition in June, I have taken on the posts as the resident jushoku minister of Hongwanji and the Monshu of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanjiha. Living among today’s society in which the conditions are quickly changing, I shall help share the Jodo Shinshu teaching with as many people as possible, so that it will become a principal religious foundation for daily living. To do so, I humbly ask for your support. The Jodo Shinshu teaching was expounded by Shinran Shonin. Since then, the teaching has been transmitted for well over 790 years, reaching us here today in this present day and age. This is because regardless of time and location, the Nembutsu teaching has always been able to serve any persons as a spiritual guidance to their life. Buddhism detaches from self-absorption and encourages living a life based on the Dharma. However, due to our own limitations being unable to put this into practice, we are faced with sadness and suffering. Shinran Shonin has taught us that it has been predetermined that we will be led to the Pure Land and attain Buddhahood through the working of Amida Buddha. With the working of Amida Buddha’s infinite wisdom and compassion, we are enabled to realize one’s true self through the Truth. In closing, let us live a life reciting the Nembutsu as we receive the Dharma. OHTANI Koshin Monshu Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha 年頭の辞新しい年の初めにあたり、ご挨拶申し上げます。昨年、６月に法統を継承し、本願寺住職・浄土真宗本願寺派門主となりました。社会状況の変化が激しい現代社会において、浄土真宗のみ教えがより多くの方にとって生きる依りどころとなるよう、伝えてまいります。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。浄土真宗の教えは、親鸞聖人によって説かれました。以来、7 9 0 年以上にわたり受け継がれ、今日の私たちに届いています。それは、み教えが、時代や場所に関係なく、すべての人にとって生きる依りどころとなってきたからです。仏教は、自己中心的なとらわれを離れ、真理に基づいて生きる生き方を明らかにしています。しかし、そのようにできない私たちは、様々な悲しみや苦しみを抱えることになります。親鸞聖人は、このような私たちを必ず仏にならせようと阿弥陀様がはたらいていて下さると教えてくださいました。この阿弥陀様のはたらきによって、私たちは、真理に気づき、わが身の姿を省みることが出来ます。本年も、み教えを聞き、お念仏申す生活を送らせていただきましょう。 2 0 1 5 年 1月1日 BTSA Minister: Rev. Yasuo Izumi 403.382.7024 • yasuo123@shaw.ca 470-40 St S • Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z5 403.327.1260 • www.theBTSA.com 浄土真宗本願寺派門主　大谷光淳 A Happy New Year to you, all readers of Hikari, The Light! 新年にあたり明けましておめでとうございます。新年の初めを、仏様の限りない光 ( 智慧 )と命 ( 慈悲 ) の働きの中で迎えさせて頂いたことを、まず、よろこばさせて頂きましょう。そして南無阿弥陀仏と感謝で応えさせていただきましょう。お念仏 ( 南無阿弥陀仏 ) は、私たちの愚かさを心配して下さる仏様の働きが、私たちに届いている姿です。人に聞かせるものではありません。自分が聞きながら、自分が返事させて頂くものです。私たちの愚かさは底なしです。世間で少し人の上に立つような地位で At the beginning of 2015, I recite a familiar phrase with gassho (putting palms together in one) “Take refuge in Buddha’s immeasurable life (Namo Amida Butsu)!” in front of my family o-butsudan. This means “To return to the life which is true, real and sincere.” I am sure that many of you recite the same phrase either before your family o-butsudan or the temple shrine. The phrase appears at the very beginning of Shoshinge (Song of True Entrusting Heart) written by Master Shinran (1173-1263). In the original Japanese, there is no subject in the phrase. It is common in Japanese sentences to omit the subject. We understand that the subject of the phrase is “I” or “We”. But do we mean what we recite? Would we rather take refuge in the things in our secular life, such as money, health, social position, human relationships and so on? Although we intellectually know that from the moment we become attached to these things, our worry, frustration and even fear will begin, our sense of attachment and clinging mind is so deep that we are hardly able to let things go. These days, I often hear the words “let go” among those in the West. But by saying it, they again become attached to the notion of “letting go”. It is easy for us to say “let go” but are we actually able to “let go”? Do we really mean what we say? Master Shinran’s struggle on this point is depicted as follows: “The waves of senses rise and fall incessantly in spite of my endeavours to calm the water, and clouds of delusion hide the moon though I wish to see.” What he experienced in his despair and spiritual blindness was that the great compassion of the Buddha expressed in Namo Amida Butsu has been working for such a human being. No wonder the subject is omitted in the first phrase of Shoshinge. Yes, the phrase “Take refuge in Buddha’s immeasurable life” (Namo Amida Butsu) is actually a beckoning call of the Buddha of unconditional compassion toward us who are unable to “let go”. Only when we hear the call of the Buddha, are we able to be brought to the life which is free from the bondage of the notion of “letting go”, thereby able to live in peace and serenity. Always in gassho! Yasuo Izumi, Minister Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta　2 も得ると、権力の乱用、公金の乱費等がはじまります。仏様の光に照らされた者は、「周りの人のことを考え、思いやる」やさしい心が生まれると言われています。そのことは、他の宗教でも言われています。今のローマ法王は、質素を生活の中心におき、バチカンの官僚制の根本的改革を目指し、教会を「野戦病院」にたとえています。損得、愛憎という戦いのような世間にあって、教会は、心身ともに安らげる場とならねばならない、と言われるのです。お寺もまた、聴聞を通して、安らぎを感じさせる場となるよう、新年に当たり心新たにしています。いよいよ、み仏の心を聞かせていただきましょう。合掌南アルバータ仏教会開教使泉康雄 CHAIR SCHEDULE January & February 2015 Jan 01 NEW YEAR’S SERVICE Rev. Izumi Jan 04 Chair: John Dubbelboer Audio: Sway Nishimura Jan 11 2PM HOONKO/SHOTSUKI Chair: Sway Nishimura Audio: Akira Ichikawa Jan 18 Chair: Florence Senda Audio: Brenda Ikuta Jan 25 Chair: Katie Nakagawa Audio: Tak Okamura Feb 01 SHOTSUKI Chair: Robert Takaguchi Audio: Sway Nishimura Feb 08 Chair: Sylvia Oishi Audio: Brenda Ikuta Feb 15 NIRVANA DAY/ PET MEMORIAL Chair: Val Boras Audio: Akira Ichikawa Feb 22 Chair: Sway Nishimura Audio: Tak Okamura MC designates: if you are unable to chair on your assigned date or have made other arrangements on your own, please inform Sway Nishimura. Thank you. A note from the WBWC Convention Committee: Although the deadline to register for the 15th World Buddhist Women’s Convention was Nov 29/14, there is still space available! Online registrations are continuing to be accepted. Everyone, including family and friends are encouraged to register as soon as possible. BTSA NOTES A cordial and heartfelt Happy New Year to everyone. The dawn of a new year always promises great things, but it’s well to remember that they won’t occur on a clean slate. As is so often noted, we build on our past where auld ( as in Auld Lang Syne) acquaintances aren’t forgotten. Even as we bid farewell to 2014, its activities and relationships inform and serve as solid foundations for 2015. As in 2014 and years previous, BTSA looks to its membership for its vitality and strength in the new year. We share a culture that often refers to the 12-year Chinese animal zodiac cycle and the imputed animal characteristics that are thought to shape the days ahead. 2015 is the Year of the Sheep...or the Goat...or the Ram. The confusion seems in part to arise from translations of the Chinese to other Asian cultures adopting the idea. But, whatever the designation, a healthy and fruitful 12 months for BTSA are something we can all toast. Looking ahead, the major 2015 event is the World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Calgary on May 30 and 31. Our members have been planning for years with the organizing committee to host the get-together that will attract delegates from all countries with a substantial Jodo Shinshu presence-besides Canada, the United States (including Hawai’i), Japan and Brazil. BTSA undertakes a financial obligation with the $200,000 loan it approved to the Calgary Buddhist Temple which is in the midst of a renovation program in advance of the convention. Look over the related article about this elsewhere in this Hikari. Planned events in the past--among them chow mein suppers, annual picnic, bake and craft sale, and sandai hoyo (the three major holidays of Ho-onko, Hanamatsuri and Obon)-continue as mainstays of the temple, along with numerous other activities. The human power required to put on these events is considerable and their success rests with our reliable and enthusiastic member volunteers. We are truly fortunate to have had the eager participation of great numbers of members and friends since the dedication of the temple in 2009. May it always be so. The Year of the Horse--2014--faded into the night with the New Year’s Eve bell-ringing at the Nikka Yuko Garden, and we welcomed the Year of the Sheep/Goat/Ram with the New Year Service at the temple on the first day of 2015. Please check the following article for the Ho-onko service on Jan. 11 at 2 p.m., followed by the New Year’s Party. Ho-onko is combined with the monthly memorial for January. Reminder: the 2015 membership fee remains at $100 an individual and is payable to the temple. Although April will be the official membership campaign month, renewals will be accepted anytime. Repeating warm wishes to everyone for a Happy New Year. Akira Ichikawa Ho-onko Service On January 11 Ho-onko--one of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism’s three important memorials*--is scheduled for Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. The occasion commemorates the death of the founder, Shinran Shonin (1173 - 1263), and is usually accompanied by the chanting of Shoshinge composed by him. The service will be combined with the monthly memorial for January. Those who lost family members or friends during that month are asked to bring the document bearing the deceased’s homyo or Buddhist name to display in the naijin. The day’s activities will include a meal which also will be part of the temple’s annual new year’s party. For entertainment, there will be bingo to round out the day’s activities. Please plan on attending this solemn as well as joyous event. (*The other two memorials are Hanamatsuri in April that celebrates the birth of the historic Buddha and Obon in July that honors ancestors. The three together are called sandai hoyo in Japanese.) Having a temple reassures members that when the time comes, it will be available to meet their spiritual needs. In keeping with its main rationale, the temple looked after numerous funeral and family memorial services in 2014. The death announcements in successive issues of The Hikari indicate we said our goodbyes to 22 Dharma colleagues during 2014. Among them were stalwarts such as Kyojo Susumi Ikuta sensei, a long-time minister and a former bishop of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada; and Robert Hironaka, a onetime chancellor of the University of Lethbridge, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Nikka Yuko Garden. We keenly miss their presence and those of our deceased Dharma friends, all of whom contributed mightily to the wellbeing of the temple. HikaritheLight Memberships to Dec 19, 2014 - 225 Other Donations Shotsuki Hoyo Donations Joyce Adachi Mitsuko Arizona Jim & Atsuko Hagihara Hatanaka Family Marshall & Sally HIronaka Tucker Hironaka Family Robert B & Margaret Hughes Rumiko Ibuki Haruko Ikeda Sue S Kado Esther Kanegawa Anna Kert-Kravitz Dave & Val Kunimoto Lethbridge Karaoke Club Akira & Misae Masuda Douglas & Susie Mikado Shig & Katie Nakagawa Kazuo & Nancy Nakamura Mac & Reyko Nishiyama Norreen Nishiyama Arlene Oishi & Jeff Coffman Heidi Oishi Sut & Neva Oishi Lyal & Dawn Sakamoto Roy & Pat Sassa Florence Senda Soni Takasaki Barbara Takeda Elaine Tanaka Jim & Irene Tanaka Masaye Tanaka Yuko Tsuji Wayne & Amy Tsukishima December 2014 Dorene Gordon Shinako (Sheila) Higa Neil Hinatsu Marie Hirashima Gene Horii Terry Horii Violet Horii Akira & Lorita Ichikawa Tom & Lily Kaga Eleanor Katakami William T & Setsuko Nagai Shig & Katie Nakagawa Sway & Toshiko Nishimura Mac & Reyko Nishiyama Kimiko Ohno May Ohno Heidi Oishi Lilly Oishi Evelyn Osaka Jaglit S (Jack) Panesar Hisae Price Darcee Richardson Ken & Nancy Setoguchi Emily Stitt Noris & Sachiko Taguchi Tom & Tsuyako Tajiri Barbara Takeda Eichi & Betty Tanaka Glen & Pamela Tanaka George Tokuda Keiko Kay Tsukishima Total $1,575 December 2014 BUDDHIST Q & A Is Buddhism idol worship? 仏教は偶像崇拝ですか？ Definitely not, although this is a common misunderstanding. Buddha’s statue is not only a form but also a body of wisdom and compassion. Even Buddhists, however, who should know better think that Buddhism is idol worship and pray to try to fulfil their own desires. They ignore the law of cause and effect. Our selfish desires often use whatever we see for our own sake. We are greedy. Even a head of a fish becomes an object of worship to fulfil our endless desires. This is called blind faith. There is a Japanese proverb: “If you believe in even a head of a sardine and worship it, your desires will be fulfilled.” The proverb always gives us a good lesson. Blind faith, I think, results from failing to listen to the Dharma. Listening to the Dharma means to hear Buddha’s compassion in our heart of egocentricity. The mind of egocentricity is the direct cause of our suffering, affliction and frustration and creates even more suffering. For such beings the Buddha of boundless compassion is working. Total - $5,807 We try to be as thorough as possible but occasionally make errors. Please inform us if your name has been omitted from or misspelled in the donation lists. Anyone wishing his/her name not be acknowledged in print, please let us know so it won’t be published. Thank you. 2015 Membership Form Full Membership Student Membership* ($100 for each member) Last Name: _____________________________First Names(s): ___________________ Last Name: _____________________________First Names(s): ___________________ Home Address:_________________________________________________________________ City, Province, Postal Code:_____________________________________________________ Telephone No.:___________________________________________________ Cellphone No.:___________________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________ Check to receive The Hikari newsletter by Email only. 4 (Y.I.) Please send this form and your remittance to: Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta Treasurer 470 40th Street South Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z5 Notes *Student membership is limited to persons 18 years or older who are currently registered in a recognized educational institution. It is free of charge with a valid student ID card. Student Members are not entitled to vote at general meetings or to hold office in the BTSA and this category of membership does not include membership in the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada. LET’S EXPAND THE CIRCLE OF THE DHARMA! Food Bank Box Filling Up Into its second month, the annual food bank donation box in the multipurpose room at the temple is slowly filling up. The collection period runs another month before the goods are turned over to the Lethbridge Food Bank, this year’s destination. Thanks to all members who have placed food parcels in the box thus far. We invite all those able to contribute to help out. The estimated value of the donated goods will be matched with a cheque from BTSA, as in past years. Most wanted items are posted on the box. While perishable goods are included on the list, we request that only non-perishables be given since the temple doesn’t have the facilities to keep perishables for such a long period of time. The donations (food and cheque) will be given to the Food Bank in February. REGULAR EVENTS Southern Alberta Buddhist Choir Scheduled practice January 4 Contact: Pat Sassa 403.329.3105 or Katie Nakagawa 403.327.4296 Tonari Gumi Tuesdays, 12-3pm Taiko Class Tuesdays, 6:30 (Youth) and 7pm (Adult) Contact: David Tanaka at 403.330.1548 or david@eyesquared.com The Lethbridge Karaoke Club Wednesdays, 1pm Minyo dancers Tuesdays, 4-6pm Contact Pat Sassa 403.329.3105 PROGRAMS Gentle Beginning Yoga for Seniors Thursdays 9 - 10 am Restorative Yoga for Seniors Thursdays 10:30 – 11:30 Both yoga classes are for four weeks February 5-26 An eight week session will begin in April Contact: lorita.ichikawa@gmail.com ANNOUNCEMENTS Condolences The BTSA expresses heartfelt sympathy to those who have lost loved ones: Sumie Itaya (83) Oct. 02 Tucker Hironaka (90) Dec. 8 William Hisao Kikuchi (95) Dec. 12 Mikaeri Buddha (The Buddha of Compassion looking back) 見返り仏 : 都の禅林寺(永観寺堂)所蔵　This particular Buddha’s statue is preserved at the Zenrinji Temple (Eikando Temple)in Kyoto. The Buddha seems to call Monk Eikan, “Eikan, are you all right? Listen to my call. Come to me, to my life which is true, real and sincere. Please come as you are. Don’t be late, Eikan!” TOBAN UPDATE The toban lists are currently being updated. If you are not on a toban call list and would like to help in any way, please contact lorita.ichikawa@ gmail.com or 403.327.1668 Both members and friends are welcome! Toban 2015 Schedule JAN Toban 3 FEB Toban 4 MAR Toban 2 APR Toban 4 MAY Toban 2 JUNE Toban 3 JULY Toban 2 AUG Toban 4 SEPT Toban 3 OCT Toban 2 NOV Toban 4 DEC Toban 3 Soup Kitchen 2015 Coordination Wed, March 18 Toban 4 Jan/TakOkamura Wed, April 1 Toban 3Pat/Roy Sassa Fri, May 22 Toban 2Judy/Robert Takaguchi Tues, June 23 Lily Oishi Soliciting Temple-Related Articles for the Hikari Temple members are encouraged to submit articles to the Hikari for publication. We ask that they be pertinent to the temple and its activities or to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Submissions may be artwork, book reviews, reminiscences, or related topics. We ask that they not be too long because of space restrictions and that they be submitted by the 23rd of the month if they are intended for the following month’s edition. Some editing may be involved before publication. Submission may be sent to the temple. HikaritheLight BTSA Loan to Calgary Temple In a letter from Lester Ikuta, president of the Calgary Buddhist Temple, BTSA has been assured that a letter of agreement regarding the $200,000 loan from BTSA is forthcoming. (It may have been received by the time this item is being read since it was expected at the beginning of 2015.) The letter also noted that the temple would offer a promissory note of repayment in place of the temple building. The letter is addressed to several temples, including BTSA, from which loans were sought. The key paragraphs are quoted as follows: “We do need to clarify the question of security. Our Board has agreed that we cannot mortgage the Temple. A mortgage would create priorities and inequities between the Temples that have agreed to lend us funds as well as with our donors, some of whom have given very substantial sums. We cannot encumber the title to the building and land. We think that we are all agreed that no one within the Buddhist community in Canada would ever foreclose on a Temple, that a Buddhist-to-Buddhist transaction is based on trust and honesty as well as in the spirit of giving and understanding. “We of course understand that as Directors of your Temples’ Boards, you have a fiduciary duty to handle your Temple’s funds in a transparent and fiscally prudent manner. We would not expect anything less, and, indeed, we apply stringent financial guidelines to our own Temple finances. “It is in light of that fiduciary duty that we are prepared to provide a promissory note...to be duly formalized in writing. Repayment will occur as the pledge donations come in, as we continue our fundraising work, including our regular casinos which raise in the order of $60,000 each, and as we put in place a rental program for the renovated building to generate an income stream. “ While the foregoing alters slightly the wording of the BTSA resolution that approved the loan by deleting the reference to the temple as security, the primary objective of a written agreement that includes a promissory note would fulfill the intent of the resolution. The board at its December meeting did agree that the expected agreement should meet our original requirements. It’s hoped that the transaction will be completed in early January, 2015. For most recent developments of the Calgary temple building, please refer to: http://us8.campaignarchive2.com/?u=50c1e3be09ff4 43fe2fccc7ae&id=076661239d&e=3e5c2e3d6f 6 What’s Happening With the Renovation? The re-building phase is now underway. Recently, Ken Nishi took a picture of construction that was in progress on the back section of the building (see top picture). The second picture shows the removal of the old roof and trusses in November. With the new building permit in place we should see some significant progresses in the new year so keep posted! We are still on schedule to move in before the conference. THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA children & youth dharma classes FOOD BANK SHOPPING in December HikaritheLight Schedule 光 January & February 2015 Monthly Shotsuki Memorial Service 祥月法要 (service in English) Please bring Homyo (Buddhist Name) of your loved one. 法名をご持参ください。 JANUARY: TOBAN 3 Sunday JAN Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday 10:30am New Year’s Day Service 10:30am Regular Service BTSA Choir practice 12pm Tonari Gumi 4pm Minyo Dance 7pm Taiko 4 2pm Hoonko Shotsuki Monthly Memorial Service New Year’s party 11 10:30am Regular Service 12 19 10:30am Regular Service Sunday 6 12pm Tonari Gumi 4pm Minyo Dance 7pm Taiko 7 12pm Tonari Gumi 4pm Minyo Dance 7pm Taiko 26 Monday 2 8 9 10 16 17 1pm Karaoke 15 1pm Karaoke 20 21 22 23 1pm Karaoke 27 Tuesday 28 29 Wednesday Thursday Friday 3 12pm Tonari Gumi 8 10:30am Nirvana Day/Pet Memorial Service 15 10:30am Regular Service 9 10:30am Explore Buddhism 8 6 10:30am Restorative Yoga 7 10:30am Explore Buddhism FEB 6:30/7pm Taiko 10 12pm Tonari Gumi 4:30pm Minyo 16 6:30/7pm Taiko 17 6:30/7pm Taiko 23 5 9am Yoga for Seniors 1pm Karaoke 12pm Tonari Gumi 22 4 31 Saturday 10:30am Restorative Yoga 10:30am Regular Service 24 30 9am Yoga for Seniors 2 10:30am Explore Buddhism 10:30am Explore Buddhism 10:30am Shotsuki Service 1 3 Correctional Centre Visit 7pm BTSA Board 13 Meeting 14 12pm Tonari Gumi 4pm Minyo Dance 7pm Taiko 25 1 1pm Karaoke 5 18 FEBRUARY: TOBAN 4 Wednesday 7pm BTSA Board Meeting 11 12 9am Yoga for Seniors 1:30pm Karaoke 10:30am Restorative 7pm BTSA Board Yoga Meeting 18 19 13 14 1:30pm Correctional Centre Visit 20 21 27 28 9am Yoga for Seniors 1:30pm Karaoke 24 10:30am Restorative Yoga 25 26 HikaritheLight