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Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada (JSBTC) Update from the Office of the Bishop 11786 Fentiman Pl. Richmond, B.C. V7E 6M6 Web: www.livingdharmacentre.ca
Jan '09 | Feb '09 | Mar '09 | Apr '09 | May '09 | June '09 | July '09 | Aug '09 | Sep '09 | Oct '09 | Nov '09 | Dec '09
Winter Olympics is just around the corner and the Vancouverites are very anxious about snow as they enjoy balmy weather and see flowers coming up. May you all enjoy good health and spirits in the light of compassion of Amida Buddha.
Our mother temple Hongwanji will start commemorating the 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin (1173-1263) in April 2011 in Kyoto, which will last until January 16, 2012. And our national organization plans to commemorate in four different locations and dates; May 29-30 in Toronto, September 12 in Manitoba, September 25-26 in BC and November 13-14 in Alberta. These are excellent opportunities to promote our tradition Jodo Shinshu in this country.
About 800 years of history of Jodo Shinshu have nurtured innumerable Nembutsu followers and some of them are called Myoukounin, outstanding and exemplary people who have cherished the teaching of Nembutsu.
I would like to introduce one of them whose name is Shouma of Sanuki (present day Shikoku Island). Although he couldn't read or write, nor count the money very well, he had a good habit of attending the temple regularly to listen to the Buddha-Dharma. He even memorized the Gobunsho, the letters of messages written by Rennyo Shonin.
His buddies once tried to embarrass him in public by asking him to read a paragraph from the Larger Sutra. Without hesitation he accepted the Sutra humbly and told everyone, "This Sutra tells me that Amida Buddha never fails to save Shouma as I am.”
And once he went before the shrine of Amida Buddha and lay down side ways on the mat as he was tired. Some people around him accused him of his bad manners in front of the sacred shrine. His reply was, "We are all here before Amida Buddha, our Oyasama, Parent of all parents. So let us make ourselves at home.”
In gassho, Namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
みなさまご承知のように来年２０１１年４月９日から２０１２年１月１６日まで宗祖親鸞聖人の７５０回大遠忌法要が京都で勤まります。その前に今年カナダ開教区では東部、マニトバ、アルバタ、BC州各地で法要をお勤め致すことになりましたので、是非ともご縁にあって頂きたいものです。 浄土真宗のお念仏を慶んで生涯を終えた方々はたくさんありますが、そのなかで妙好人といわれた庄松（しょうま）さんの話を紹介します。 彼は読み書きそろばんもろくに出来ない人でありましたが、お寺参りは誰にも負けない人であり、御文章を何度も聞いているうちに暗記していたそうです。 あるとき意地の悪い友が、庄松さんに恥をかかせようと考えて、お経の本を持ってきて、「これを読んでみてください」と言ったところ、庄松さんはうやうやしくお経本をいただいて、「これには庄松をそのまま救うと書いてあります」と 答えたそうです。 またある時、疲れていたのでしょう，本堂の阿弥陀様の前で、ごろりと横になったので、周りの人が行儀が悪いとたしなめたところ、「親の前じゃ、遠慮はいらん。楽にさせてもらおう」と言ったそうです。ナモアミダブツ。合掌。 Coming events: Feb 27-28 BCA 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin in San Jose, Cal. Mar 4 Rogers Pass Snow Slide Commemoration in Revelstoke, BC 5 Visit to Kamloops Buddhist Temple 14 VBT Higan Service 20 BCJSBCF meeting in Hope, BC Apr 17-18 Hanamatsuri Services in Nanaimo/Victoria 22-25 JSBTC MA, Board, AGM in Steveston, BC
The time and tide waits for no one. The year 2010 is not new anymore and progresses on and on.
Towards the end of the last year I came across a term, "perpetual procrastinator" in the newspaper, which was new to me. According to the dictionary, procrastination means ‘postponement’ or ‘delay’. In the month of December many people go shopping to send gifts to their family members, relatives and friends. But some people hesitate to buy things because they think the price may come down next week, Boxing Day, end of the year or after New Year’s Day. They are perpetually losing the chance to buy.
I guess there are two kinds of people; the first group of people would buy things, because they want things right away, at whatever the cost may be. And the second group of people would wait and see until the price comes down or the commodity, such as computers gets improved the following year. They may postpone the purchase perpetually.
This term reminds me of the teachings by Rennyo Shonin who was the 8th Head Priest of Hongwanji and considered the second founder of Hongwanji tradition. He said, "You have to learn Buddha-Dharma when you are young and sharp.” As you get older, you get hard of hearing and understanding. When it comes to religious education, the younger the age is the better. Also he said, “As for Buddha-Dharma, there will be no tomorrow. You have to make time to learn Buddha-Dharma.”
In the Buddhist community I often see people finding excuses for not coming to the temple; too busy, too young, too far, too old, not interesting and so on. I wonder when people can really learn the truth of impermanence which is the most urgent question of life, so that they can live in peace right Here and Now, hopefully for many years to come.
In gassho, Namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
Special Request: As I was preparing this update, the News came through of the magnitude 7 Earthquake in Haiti. In wake of this devastating tragedy may I urge all of the temples in the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada contact your local Red Cross and raise Earthquake Relief Funds to aid those affected by the Earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for your cooperation.
In Gassho, Namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa 昨年の暮れでした。新聞の記事の中に｢永遠に買えない人｣というのが目に留まりました。あるものを買いたいと思うのですが、ちょっと値段が高い、ひょっとしたら明日にでも、いやボクシングデーには、もしかすれば新しい年のセールのときには、もっと安くなるかもしれないなどと考えているうちに、結局伸ばし伸ばしになって、何も買わないでいる人がいるそうです。 本願寺の八代目の門主でありました、蓮如上人が申しておられます。｢仏法は若いときに聞け。年をとると歩行もおぼつかなくなり、耳も遠くなる｣ また、｢仏法には、明日はなき候｣とも言われています。 私たちは、「まだ若い、大丈夫、お寺参りをする年ではない。忙しくてお寺参りなど出来ない」などと後生の一大事を聞かせていただくことを、後回し、後回しにしてはいないでしょうか？ 浦島太郎ではありませんが、いつの間にかアッという間に年をとり、あわてても後の祭りです。早めに信心をいただき、毎日慈光のなかで、生きてよし、死んでよしと いう人生を送りたいものです。合掌。
Coming events Jan 23-24 Visit to Kelowna Temple Feb 27-28 BCA 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin in San Jose Mar 14 Spring Higan Service at Vancouver Temple Apr 22-25 JSBTC MA and AGM in Steveston, B.C. May 11-14 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Hawaii 27-28 Eastern District’s 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin in Toronto Sep 12 Manitoba District’s 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin in Winnipeg 15-16 MA Meeting and Seminar in Winnipeg 24-26 BC Buddhist Convention in Steveston 26 BC District’s 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin in Steveston Nov 13-14 Alberta Buddhist Convention and 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin in Calgary
Welcoming a New Year 2010, I am sending my Season's Greetings to you and your family wishing a very healthy and peaceful year. Along with my greetings, I would like to share the following Haiku poem with you. 今ここに 抱かれてあり ナモアミダ IMA KOKONI IDAKARETE ARI NAMOAMIDA Here I am, being embraced by Namoamida. One of the very unique interpretations by Shinran Shonin in the history of the Pure Land Schools is GEN SHO SHOJO JU, which is the teaching that a person who receives Shinjin enters the stage of the truly settled in this present life. Although you stay physically as an ordinary human being and not quite enlightened yet, you can feel and enjoy the enormous power of virtue coming to you from Amida Buddha as you hear his Vow and recite his Name namoamidabutsu. I would like to quote a few poems called Wasan wrote by Shinran Shonin from Hymns of the Pure Land Masters; The ocean of birth-and-deah, of painful existence, has no bound; Only the ship of Amida’s universal Vow Can we, who have long been drowning, Unfailingly be brought across it.
The unhindered light filling the ten quarters Shines on the beings in the darkness of ignorance And unfailingly brings to attainment of nirvana The person who realizes the one thought-moment of joy.
My eyes being hindered by blind passions, I cannot perceive the light that grasps me; Yet the great compassion, without tiring, Illumines me always.
Have a good and safe holiday season. In gassho, Orai Fujikawa 今ここに 抱かれてあり ナモアミダ ２０１０年の新年を迎えるに当たり、俳句を添えてご挨拶申し上げます。 浄土真宗が他の浄土教と違う点が色々ありますが、その中で特に大切な教えが現生正定じゅでありましょう。私たちは肉体を持っている限りは、煩悩がつきまとい、凡夫でありますが、如来の本願を聞かせていただき、その名号を称えさせていただく身になるとき、お浄土への往生が定まるという教えであります。 そのことを宗祖聖人は「高僧和讃」のなかに讃嘆しておられます。ここに三首を引用いたします。 生死の苦海ほとりなし 久しく沈めるわれらをば 弥陀弘誓の船のみぞ 乗せて必ず渡しける
尽十方の無碍光は 無明の闇をてらしつつ 一念歓喜するひとを かならず滅度にいたらしむ
煩悩にまなこさへられて 摂取の光明みざれども 大悲ものうきことなくて 常にわが身を照らすなり 合掌。南無阿弥陀仏。 I wish to join with many friends to congratulate Mr. Cy Saimoto, Vancouver, BC for his recent honor with Order of Japan. Also I wish to congratulate Rev. & Mrs. T. Aoki for the birth of their third daughter.
COMING EVENTS Jan 16-17 Hoonko at Steveston Temple 24 Hoonko at Kelowna Temple Feb 27-28 BCA 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin in San Jose, CA Apr 22-25 JSBTC AGM in Steveston
May this update find you in good health and spirits in the light of compassion of Amida Buddha as we are experiencing wintery weather across the country.
"Gunman's motives unclear in mass shooting" that was one of the top news in this morning’s paper and it reminded me of a sign posted at the entrance of a home in downtown Toronto. Back in 1980 when I was serving the Toronto Temple on Bathurst St, I remember seeing many signs reading 'Be Aware of Dog’ in front of the homes in the neighborhood. But one of the homes had a unique sign saying 'Be Aware of Human Being', which gave me such a strong impression that I can’t forget even today.
The gunman in the recent shooting in the US said he was opposed to the US-Iraq War. Having a Palestinian background he was a US citizen and US army psychiatrist who had just been promoted to major. He killed 13 soldiers and wounded 30 at the army base in Texas.
In the Tannisho, “Notes Lamenting the Divergence”, Shinran Shonin states in chapter 13; It clearly states the working of the causes and conditions of the past karma may make you commit any evil. We all think we are good, ordinary, and harmless citizens, but at the same time we know that we are selfish, greedy, hateful, envious, explosive and dangerous and may do anything at any time depending on the circumstance.
Let us walk step by step carefully with namoamidabutsu. In gassho, orai fujikawa 皆様、家の玄関口に「犬にご注意」というサインを見かけられたことがあるでしょう。ところが以前東部駐在のころ、トロントの町のある家の入り口に「人間にご注意」という張り紙を見つけたことを思い起こします。びっくりするような言葉であり、大変なメッセージで今でも忘れられません。特にごく最近アメリカのテキサス州での米兵による信じられないような虐殺事件のニュースを耳にした時、本当に人間はいつ、どこで、どんなことをするか分からない、恐ろしい生き物であることを今更ながら思い知らされます。 親鸞聖人の教えを良く聞いていますと、人間は欲も多く、怒り腹立ち、妬む心も多い、煩悩具足の凡夫であり、宿業の縁あれば人殺しもやりかねない、地獄ばかり造っている自分に気付かされます。そういうものがまさか自分の力で仏になろうと考えるだけでも傲慢な思いであることが頷かれます。 煩悩具足が知らされるとき、素直に本願の忝（かたじけ）なさがうなずかれ、お念仏を唱えざるを得ない自分が発見されることであります。 合掌。
Coming events: Dec 12-13 Visit to Manitoba Buddhist Temple Jan 16-17 Steveston Buddhist Temple Hoonko 24 Kelowna Temple’s Hoonko Feb 27-28 BCA 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin in San Jose, CA Mar 14 Vancouver Temple’s Higan Service Apr 22-25 JSBTC AGM in Steveston
May each and everyone across Canada enjoy beautiful autumnal season as we see the leaves changing colours.
I believe there is Freedom of Religion and there are three kinds of freedom; The first is the freedom of not having religion, the second is the freedom to choose religion, and the third is the freedom to come out of religion.
We often talk about the importance of having religion, but just because you practice your own faith, you can’t force your faith to your friends and neighbors. Otherwise you may create antagonism and conflicts. It seems that there are a lot of people today who haven’t contacted any faith and do without it. And of course you have freedom to change your faith and choose a new one in the course of life. I know some of the Buddhist friends who did change their faith at the relocation centre during the war because the Christian people helped them in school. Interesting fact is many of those people continue to come to the Buddhist Temple as ‘Christians’, even though they had been baptized in their youth.
I often hear the conflict between individuals and some organized religions. The individuals are hesitant to join organized religions for fear that it would be very difficult for a person to leave it once he/she becomes a member. In some extreme cases I have even heard of threats and violence taking place when an individual expresses desires to part with an organization. Also, another deterrent seems to be the large amount of duties and responsibilities placed upon new members, soon becoming a burden for those individuals, leading to burn out syndrome.
Keeping the above points in mind, I hope our Jodo Shinshu tradition in Canada is in accord with the freedom of Religion while we continue our mission to share the Nembutsu.
In gassho, namoamidabutsu Orai Fujikawa 仲秋の候紅葉もきれいな時期、皆様いかがですか？ 今月は信教の自由について考えてみましょう。三種類の自由があると思います。 まず、宗教は個人の問題であり、無宗教であってもよろしいこと。世の中には宗教に無縁なお方もたくさんあります。そういう方に自分の宗教を押し付けてはいけません。 二番目は、人生の途中で宗教を変える自由もあります。仏教から他宗へ、また他宗から仏教へ変わる自由です。戦争中に収容所で仏教からキリスト教に変わった人を何人か知っていますが、面白い事にその人たちは洗礼は受けていながら今でも仏教会にお参りして下さっています。 三番目はいったんある宗教に入信すると、なかなか出ることが難しく、暴力とか恐喝が行われる場合があります。それは本当の宗教とは言えないでしょう。 カナダの浄土真宗がこれからも健全な宗教として伝道されますよう念じます。 合掌。釈往来 COMING EVENTS Oct 30-31 JSBTC Board Meeting in Richmond Nov 4 Fraser Valley Buddhist Temple Monthly Memorial Service 14-15 Vancouver Buddhist Temple’s 105th Anniversary Alberta Buddhist Convention in Lethbridge, Alta Dec 12-13 Visitation to Manitoba Buddhist Temple
As we are going to welcome Fall, the season of harvest, may this Update find you all in good health and spirits in the constant light of compassion of Amida Buddha.
We ministers held our semi annual seminar/meeting in Steveston on September 16-17 and the Hongwanji, our mother temple, kindly dispatched Prof.Toshikazu Arai of Soai University in Osaka for our seminar. I was very happy to see him again in Canada as both of us used to study Hindustani and Indian culture in the same class 49 years ago in Osaka. Those days we didn't have much time to talk to each other, but according to him, after graduation he had worked for a shipbuilding company for a while, studied archeology in India and further studied Indian history in Hawaii before encountering with the teaching of Jodo Shinshu at the age of 35 years old. Since then he has concentrated his effort on the study of Shinran Shonin to become a professor.
A very inspiring story that he told us is that he had been totally without direction in his life until he was 35 years old when he finally came across Namoamidabutsu and now he looks very happy and pleasant. I really congratulated him for the transformation through the working of the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha.
May each one of us truly encounter the Primal Vow in the course of our lives and live the life of spiritual liberation.
In gassho, namoamidabutsu Orai Fujikawa
COMING EVENTS Nov 7 Visitation to Fraser Valley Buddhist Temple 14-15 VBC 105th Anniversary/Alberta Buddhist Convention Dec12-13 Visitation to Manitoba Buddhist Temple
Jodo Shinshu Day in Canada As we commemorate lOSth Jodo Shinshu Day, first of all I wish to join with each and everyone across Canada in paying tribute of sincere respect and appreciation to the pioneers for their enthusiasm and insight to light the torch of Nembutsu in this country. Although in recent years we have witnessed the decline of membership, what each one of us cannot forget as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists is to continue to cherish the teaching of Nembutsu ourselves in order to truly share it with our family, neighbours and friends, so that this Jodo Shinshu teaching will eventually flourish in the hearts and minds of the people. Keeping this in mind, my recommendations for this Jodo Shinshu Day are as follows:
This Jodo Shinshu Day message will be the last one for me as Socho as I will be stepping down from the office next spring. May I take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for your support for the last eight years. I hope you can continue to give good support to the incoming Bishop Shigenori Makino.
In gassho, namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
Ryoichi Yoshida 1960 Kimie Shibata 2months old Dec 29 1927 Hayato Maruno 1941 Kazuyo Koyama 1960 Hiroshi Tanino 1918-1929 Itsuko Hamanishi Oct 1930 – May 1931 Yoshiharu Teranishi Baby Oct 1938
The above are the markers that I found at the Nanaimo Cemetery. I have just come back from Vancouver Island Obon Services at old cemeteries such as Cumberland, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Chemainus, Duncan, and Ross Bay in Victoria. As you see there are old gravestones in memory of many young people in the early pioneer days. It was probably because they used to live in the remote area far away from the hospitals and also because the parents were too busy to look after young ones.
Whenever I visit those cemeteries, I am reminded of the hardships and challenges that those pioneers had to meet in the new country, as well as their outstanding perseverance supported by the Nembutsu, the calling from Amida Buddha.
Shinran Shonin states in his main work of Kyogyoshinsho;
“The great practice is to say the Name of Amida Buddha of unhindered light. This practice, embodying all good acts and possessing all roots of virtue, is perfect and most rapid in bringing them to fullness. It is the treasure ocean of virtues that is suchness or true reality. For this reason, it is called great practice.”
Also he explains the meaning of ‘great’ because it can be practiced by each and everyone, including the ignorant, the sinners, and the weak like ourselves. It is not just for the intellectual elite.
Let us continue to say the Name and meet whatever the challenge may be.
In gassho, namo amidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
先週末、三日間バンクーバー島のお盆墓参りに行ってきました。カンバーランドから始まり、ポートアルバーニ、ナナイモ、チメイナス、ダンカン、そして最後はヴィクトリアの六ヶ所を回りました。戦前のお墓で目立つことは、幼児や若い子供さん、そして働き盛りの人が多く亡くなっていることです。田舎で病院が遠かったか、親が忙しくて手が回らなかったのでしょう。 そういう墓を見るたびに、先輩開拓者達は､ 心身ともに大変なご苦労をされた事が想像されます。しかしながら常にアミダ様の呼び声でありますお念仏に励まされて、いくたの困難を乗り越えて下さいました。
宗祖はその著、『教行信証』の中に、「大行とは無碍光如来の名を称えることなり」と言い、その名号には善根功徳が具わっているとたたえられています。 称名が大行であるのは、私たちのような、愚かな者、罪深い者、そして弱き者でも行ずる事ができる、つまり易行であるからであると説かれています。
私たちも、この名号を称えつつ、この人生を強く明るく生き抜きたいものです。 合掌。
COMING EVENTS Aug 22-23 Visitation to Kamloops and Vernon Temples 29-30 Calgary Obon Service Sep 4-6 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s 120th Anniversary 12 Interfaith Gathering, Pre-Parliament of World Religions, Surrey, B.C. 15-17 JSBTC MA Seminar/Meeting in Steveston, B.C. 25-27 BC Buddhist Convention in Kamloops, B.C. Oct 11-12 Visitation to Manitoba Temple 13-15 Overseas Ministers and Temple Members’ Seminar in Kyoto Oct 31 JSBTC Board of Directors’ Meeting in Richmond, B.C. Nov 14-15 VBC 105th Anniversary/ Alberta Buddhist Convention in Lethbridge 2010 Apr 23-25 JSBTC AGM in Steveston, B.C.
May this Update find you all, the Dharma Friends, in good health and spirits while enjoying good summer within the embrace of Compassionate Light of Amida Buddha.
As it is the Obon season in our communities, I am sure you will visit gravesites and pay tribute to the ancestors as well as Amida Buddha for his spiritual guidance.
I believe the Obon gives us a great opportunity to learn and be reminded of many things. Amongst the many, I think there are two fundamentals we are made aware of; they are ‘Reunion’ and ‘Giving’.
At the time of Obon, the family and relatives get together and visit gravesite and then attend the Obon Service at the temple to listen to the Dharma and also meet many old friends as well as make new acquaintances. It is not only the reunion of the living people, but also the reunion with the loved ones through the meditation of Nembutsu.
Like Moggallana, who gave offerings to the Sangha, as instructed from Shakyamuni Buddha, ‘Giving’ is the fundamental practice in Buddhism, symbolizing Non-ego and Great Joy. Yes, ‘Giving’ is a great joy. Our parents and grandparents worked hard with a lot of perseverance and patience in order to give us our present existence.
After Obon is over, it is the time to reflect on what we can do now to respond to our ancestors as well as Amida Buddha.
In gassho, namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
暑中お見舞い申し上げます。
トンボに乗ってはるばると お浄土からのお客さま 一年ぶりのお客さま。 夏たけなわ､ 各地でお盆法要が勤められています。
お盆は､ 倶会一処の楽しみと布施の喜びを教えられるよいご縁であります。家族､ 親戚が集い､ 先祖のお墓参り、念仏に亡き人々の声を聞き、そしてお寺参りをして久し振りに新旧の友に出会い語り合い､ 一緒に踊る楽しみ。 日ごろ我利我利根性の自分を反省し、無我行としての布施､ 自分の持っているものを縁ある人々と分け合う喜びを教えられるよい機会です。それは生活に則した宗教行事であります。
このお盆の伝統がこれからも続いて参りますことを念じます。合掌。
Bon Voyage to Rev. Grant and nine young people, Anthony Chor, Kyle Ohori, Kyle Ikuta, Jorden Nishi, Nathan Ikuta, Mackenzie Hanna, Crystal Anzai, Amy Okada, and Lori Okada to Hongwanji, Kyoto.
COMING EVENTS Aug 7-9 Vancouver Island Obon Cemetery Services 7 Fri 1:00pm Cumberland Cemetery 3:30pm Port Alberni Cemetery 6:00pm Nanaimo Fellowship Obon Service 8 Sat 9:30am Nanaimo Cemetery 11:00 Chemainus Cemetery 2:00 Duncan Cemetery 9 Sun 2:00pm Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria Aug 22-23 Visitation to Kamloops and Vernon Temples 29-30 Calgary Obon Service Sep 4-6 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s 120th Anniversary 12 Interfaith Conference; Parliament of World Religions, in Surrey BC 15-17 JSBTC MA Meeting/Seminar in Richmond 25-27 BC Buddhist Convention in Kamloops Oct 11-12 Visit to Manitoba Buddhist Temple 13-15 Overseas Ministers and Members’ Seminar in Kyoto (Rev. James Martin and three members in Calgary) 31 JSBTC Board Meeting in Richmond Nov 14-15 VBC 105th Anniversary/ Alberta Buddhist Convention 2010 Apr 23-25 JSBTC AGM in Richmond
Please plan to join the JSBTC Tour Group to attend 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin on May 15, 2011 and World Buddhist Women’s Conference May 16-17 in Kyoto.
May this Update find you all in good health and spirit in the Light of Compassion of Amida Buddha, while enjoying warm sunshine across Canada. I have just come back from Japan after two week trip to attend the World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council and World Buddhist Women’s Representatives Meeting in Kyoto in conjunction with the Commemoration Service of the completion of the Goeido (Founder’s Hall) Restoration. In his message at the Commemoration Service, Gomonshu-sama stated that the Goeido is the spiritual home for all the Jodo Shinshu followers throughout the world, as the statue of the founder Shinran Shonin is enshrined. Speaking about the spiritual home, one of my Buddhist friends from a Chinese Buddhist tradition in Richmond, B.C. once told me that they use the term return to the temple instead of going to the temple. Normally we would say we go to the temple or go to church on Sunday, but the Chinese people feel that they return to the temple. Probably they feel this way because they believe they are always welcomed by Amida Buddha and their ancestors. They also show great respect to the temple as it is their spiritual and final home. You can see why the Chinese Temples are always nice and beautiful. This is something we would like to learn as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists as we continue to do our mission in Canada. Although each one of us has a different home town and different residence, our permanent home must be the Pure Land as we all cherish the teaching of namoamidabutsu. And it is this teaching that Shinran Shonin established about 800 years ago. Namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
ようやくカナダ全土に暖かい夏が訪れ、法友の皆様には慈光照護の念仏を称えつつご健勝のこととお慶び申し上げます。 十年間に亘る本願寺御影堂修復が完成し､その記念法要に参拝するご縁がありましたが、御門主様は､ 御影堂は浄土真宗門徒にとって、ご開山聖人として親鸞聖人のみ跡を慕い､ み教えに生きる私たちの「こころのふるさとであり、宗門の要です」と申されました。 ふるさとと言えば､ 中国系の仏教徒から聞いた話では、普通私たちはお寺に参るとかお寺に行くと言いますが､中国人は「お寺に帰る」と言います。これはすごい表現だと感心しました。仏様と先祖が私をいつも迎えて下さるお寺ですから､ そこは帰ってゆくところであります。私たちの家は一時の棲家であります。念仏者の本籍は阿弥陀如来のお浄土であります。道理でリッチモンドにある中国系のお寺はどれも立派でいつもきれいにしてあります。この点は私たちも大いに見習いたいことだと思います。合掌。
Obituary: Mr Harry Yonekura, former BCC president, June 10, 2009 at the age 87 yrs
Coming events Jul 10-27 Hongwanji Youth Tour led by Rev. Grant Ikuta Aug 7-9 Vancouver Island Obon Cemetery Services 22-23 Visitation to Kamloops and Vernon. Sep 4-6 120th Anniversary of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii 15-17 MA Meeting and Seminar in Steveston 25-27 BC Buddhist Convention in Kamloops Oct 13-15 Overseas Ministers and Lay Members’ Seminar in Kyoto Nov 14-15 VBC 105th Anniversary /Alberta Buddhist Convention 2010 Apr 23-25 JSBTC AGM in Steveston
JSBTC acknowledges the donations with appreciation. Jan Orai Fujikawa, Michika Mizuno, Amy Fukusaka, Mel & June Tanemura Feb Tatsuya Aoki Mar Steveston Buddhist Temple, Jun Hayashida, Keiko Alkire, Nanaimo Fellowship, Apr Donation total at AGM in Lethbridge $2,415. 00 May Akira Ichikawa, Jun & Augustyne Hayashida, Mari Cameron, Karl Meyer
It was a beautiful day on April 26 in Lethbridge, Alberta, although it was a little chilly. All the ministers and delegates across Canada came together with the local communities in conjunction of Annual General Meeting of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada to dedicate the new building of the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta. The service started with the young children’s procession called “Chigo” in traditional costume together with all ministers in their ceremonial robes. This was followed by the silent meditation, chanting, singing, Dharma Talk and the words of appreciation. The total number of people in attendance must have exceeded 400 and there was a full house in the Hondo. After the service everyone enjoyed communion over a bento lunch-box. The guest speaker Rev. Shigenori Makino from Toronto Buddhist Temple quoted the words of Rennyo Shonin, “the flourishment of a temple is not determined by the large number of people gathered. It is determined by adding one person who has true joy of Nembutsu.” What a true and wonderful statement this is! We tend to spend a lot of time and energy in maintaining our organization and talking about the financial situation and the number of membership as the most important agenda item every year, but if you don’t have anybody who truly cherishes the Nembutsu, there is no meaning of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple. Each of us must become such a person. May this new temple as well as your local temple be the spiritual home for many generations, may it be a hub for the community to gather in, but most importantly may it be a centre where you can come to truly listen to the teaching of Jodo Shinshu and hear the voice of the Nembutsu ringing out loud for may years. Finally I wish to congratulate and thank Izumi Sensei and the steering committee led by Dr. David Major for their joint effort and patience to bring several temples to amalgamate into one impressive temple. In gassho, namoamidabutsu Orai Fujikawa 少し肌寒い日ではありましたが、４月２６日のレスブリッジは快晴で､ 浄土真宗カナダ仏教団の年次総会も前日に終えて、南アルバタ仏教会堂落成慶讃法要が勤まりました。かわいらしい衣装の稚児たちに混じって全開教使が盛装で行列、それから黙想、読経､ 讃仏歌、法話、謝辞と進行しました。参詣者はカナダ全土からの代表者と地元の信徒で４００余人で本堂一杯になりました。 トロント仏教会駐在の牧野開教使が法話の中で､ 蓮如上人のお言葉を引用され、「寺院の繁盛は人の多く集まるに非ず。一人でも念仏者を育てることにあり。」確かにそのとうりで､ 人がいくら集まっても､ 念仏の聞こえないお寺は寂しい限りであります。私たち一人一人がその念仏者にならなくてはなりません。 今後このお寺が､ そして皆様のお寺が何時までも心の故里として､ 友と集い喜びも悲しみも分ち合える場となりますことを念じます。合掌。
A few notes from the AGM weekend; *Rev. Shigenori Makino was chosen as the next Bishop starting in 2010. *Dr. Leslie Kawamura joined Ministerial Association as the LDC Director. So now we have 10 Kaikyoshi in Canada. *Mr Dave Ohori, Vancouver, BC was chosen as the new president of JSBTC. *Nice to see Mrs. Grace Nishimura, Nanaimo, BC and her daughter Maya with young children from Maple Ridge, BC participated in the weekend celebration. Three generations in one car driving more than 1000 km. Also I saw Mrs. Yamagishi, 100 yrs old woman in the weekend. *Special thanks go to Rev. Kiribayashi, the supervisor of Hongwanji International Centre, came all the way from Kyoto to observe the meetings as well as joining the celebration.
COMING EVENTS May 16-18 Manning Park Family Retreat 27-28 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Kyoto May 28 World Buddhist Women’s Representative Meeting in Kyoto Jul 10-25 Hongwanji Youth Tour led by Rev. Grant Ikuta Aug 7-9 Vancouver Island Obon Cemetery Services Sep 15-17 MA Meeing/Seminar in Steveston 25-27 BC Buddhist Convention in Kamloops Oct The date to be announced soon. Overseas Ministers and Lay members’ Seminar in Kyoto led by Rev James Martin Nov 14-15 VBC 105th Anniversary/ Alberta Buddhist Convention 2009 Apr 23-25 JSBTC AGM in Steveston
May this Update find you all in good health and spirits despite the persistent wintry weather across Canada. Traditionally, May is the month in which we commemorate the birth of Shinran Shonin, known as Go-tan-ye in Japanese, as he was born on May 21, 1173.
There are many things we can learn from his life of 90 years during the Kamakura period in Japan. One of the most important events, I believe, is his decision to give up the Path of Sages that he had faithfully followed on Mt Hiei for 20 years before encountering Honen Shonin, who introduced the Pure Land Path to him.
Giving up what you have accumulated for many years is a very difficult thing to do. Today, you are encouraged to begin to learn as early as possible in whatever you do, such as soccer, baseball, golf, mathematics, language, musical instrument and so on. However, there is another important factor which can not be ignored, that is the timely advice from the experienced professional.
In the case of Shinran Shonin he didn’t seem to have anyone to consult on Mt. Hiei and he simply followed the traditional way for many years. Naturally, he got stuck in a maze. I understand he had been in a spiritual dilemma; the more he practised, the farther the goal seemed to be.
Zonkaku, the son of Kakunyo Shonin the 3rd Monshu of Hongwanji, wrote to praise the virtue of Shinran Shonin in the Tan-doku-mon; “Although he did every effort to see the calm water, his mind was constantly waving. And as he meditated on the moon, the obsessed clouds covered his mind.”
As the rest of the story goes, Shinran Shonin was able to make 180 degree turn after meeting Honen Shonin who was preaching the Buddha’s Power instead of self-power.
In gassho, Namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa 四月に入ってもカナダ各地で依然として冬型の異常気候が続いていますが､法友のみなさまにはお変わりなきこととお察し申し上げます。 鎌倉時代に９０年の生涯を全うされました宗祖親鸞聖人から多くのことを教えられますが､中でも大切なことは､ 比叡山で２０年間修行されました聖道門を捨てて､ 法然上人の浄土門に帰依されたことであります。永年真剣に積み重ねてやってきたことを､ やめてしまうことは中々難しいことであります。今日、何でも若いときから才能を発掘すると言うことで、サッカー、ベースボール、ゴルフ、語学､ 音楽など習うことが奨励されていますが、その場合専門的な良き指導者との出会いも大切であります。 宗祖親鸞聖人のひ孫に当る存覚上人は､ その著『嘆徳文』のなかで、「定水を凝らすといえども識浪しきりに動き、心月を観ずといえども妄雲なお覆う」と比叡山当時の宗祖の心境を 述べてあるように、良き指導者に恵まれず行詰まり悩める姿が窺えます。いよいよ決心をされ山を降り、良き師法然上人に出会い、めでたく本願他力の信心に遇われることになりました。 五月二十一日は宗祖の誕生をお祝いする降誕会です。その頃にはもう暑い暑いと不平が出る気候になっているでしょう。合掌。
Coming events Apr 12 Hanamatsuri Service at Montreal Buddhist Temple 19 Hanamatsuri Service at Hamilton Buddhist Temple 23 JSBTC MA Meeting in Lethbridge 24 JSBTC Board Meeting 25 JSBTC AGM 26 JSBTC Memorial and the Dedication of the new temple of BTSA May 16-18 Manning Park Family Retreat 27-28 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Kyoto Jul 10-25 Hongwanji Youth Tour led by Grant Ikuta Sensei Aug 7-9 Vancouver Island Obon Cemetery visitation Sep 5-6 Honpa Hongwanji of Hawaii’s 120th Anniversary and 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin 15-17 MA Meeting/Seminar in Steveston 25-27 BC Buddhist Convention in Kamloops Nov 14-15 VBT 105th Anniversary/Alberta Buddhist Convention
Alas! Two months of the New Year have passed by very quickly and it is already mid March. I hope all of you are enjoying good health and spirits in the Light of Compassion of Amida Buddha. Recently I read a quote from a Jodo Shinshu minister in Japan who said that there are three kinds of hills (saka) in the journey of human life; The uphill (nobori-zaka), the downhill (kudari-zaka), and the hill of unbelievable and unexpected (masaka). The uphill is usually very tough to travel whether we are walking or running. Young parents have to work very hard to give good education and care for their children. Especially in this very competitive society, one must study or practise hard in order to excel in whatever one does. In contrast, the downhill is often easy to travel, but it also refers to the old age and the decline of health, energy and enthusiasm. Unlike either of the two previous hills, the hill of unbelievable or unexpected is something we witness everyday in the newspaper and TV. This is what Gautama Siddhartha discovered through his intensive meditation under the Bodhi Tree; “Everything is constantly changing, therefore you must do your best everyday.” We all wish for good fortune, benefit, health, but in reality what we get is the series of unbelievable and unexpected events, things don’t always go as we wish or plan. Because of this reality, we must realize how important it is to hear the way of peace and tranquility in whatever happens at anytime and any place. In this sense, we are very fortunate to have been nurtured in the community of the Nembutsu by which we can cross over the hills of life reciting the Name of Amida Buddha. In gassho, namoamidabutsu Orai Fujikawa
本願寺の布教使の法話で、人生には三つの坂があると聞いたことがあります。上り坂、下り坂、さて三つ目はどんな坂でしょう。それはマサカという坂であると申されます。 なかなか上手に、しかも仏教的に、人生の旅路を表してあると感心しました。上り坂は山登り、マラソンなど大変です。自転車でも苦しいものです。小さい子供さんを持つ両親は、子供達の健康や教育、更に行儀、しつけなどで心痛します。しかし楽あれば苦あり、下り坂で楽をすることもあります。とはいえ人生の下り坂では、体も衰え、健康を失うこともあります。 さてマサカとはどんな坂でしょう。マサカこんなことになろうとは？マサカ自分がこんな目に会おうとは？マサカあの人があんなことをするとは？世の中には信じられないこと、思いがけないことが次から次へと起こりますことは毎日の新聞やテレビニュースでお分かりでしょう。 釈尊は『すべてのものは絶えず移り変わっている。だから常に努力せよ』と諭されています。 私たちは自分に都合がいいように、他人に負けぬように、損をしないように色々考えながら生きていますが、なかなか思うように物事は進みません。マサカ、マサカの連続と言っていいでしょう。 言葉を換えれば、何時、何処で、どんなことが起こるかもしれないこの人生で、何時、何処で、どんな事があっても大丈夫という真実の教を聞いておくことの大切さを痛感します。 幸い私たちは三つの坂を乗り切る道として、ナモアミダブツの名号を阿弥陀様の呼び声として頂いています。これはまた私たち先達や父母の励ましの声でもありましょう。 合掌。
Coming events Mar 21-22 Visitation to Nanaimo and Victoria Fellowships Apr 11-19 Visitation to Montreal, Toronto, and Hamilton Temples 23-26 JSBTC Ministerial Association, Board of Directors, AGM and the new temple dedication of Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta in Lethbridge May 16-18 Manning Park Family Retreat 27-28 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Kyoto Jul 10-25 Hongwanji Youth Tour led by Grant Ikuta Sensei Sep 15-17 Ministerial Association Meeting/Seminar in Steveston
May this March Update find you all in high spirits before welcoming warm spring sunshine very soon. Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu, quoted in the Kyo-Gyo-Shin-Sho a passage from Commentary on Amida Sutra by Master Yuan-chao;
“Needless to say, our Buddha Amida grasps beings with the Name. Thus as we hear it with our ears and say it with our lips, exalted virtues without limit grasp and pervade our hearts and minds. It becomes ever after the seed of our Buddhahood, all at once sweeping away a koti of kalpas of heavy karmic evil, and we attain the realization of the supreme enlightenment. I know truly that the Name possesses not scant roots of good, but inexhaustible roots of good.”
Jodo Shinshu begins with the Name, namoamidabutsu, and ends with namoamidabutsu. Not only in the temple, but also in our daily life we take every opportunity to hear and say the Name and naturally its virtues become our flesh and blood, so that we will be able to live in peace and tranquility. The Name is the dynamic, yet easy and simple form of tool given to every one of us as the reminder of the constant working of Great Compassion. As it is written on paper, you can see and read it. As it is uttered, you can hear and say anytime and at any place. May you continue to live everyday by hearing and practising the Name that is coming from Amida Buddha.
With gassho, namoamidabutsu, Orai Fujikawa
宗祖はその著『教行信証』の中に、元照律師の「弥陀経義」から引用されています。 「いわんやわが弥陀は名をもって物を接したもう。ここをもって耳に聞き、口に誦するに、無辺の聖徳、識心に覧入す。永く仏種となりて頓に億劫の重罪を除き、無上菩提を獲証す」
和訳（アミダ如来様は名号をもって、衆生を済度してくださいます。名号を聞いて、称えれば、限りない功徳が私たちの心に満ちて、それがやがて仏になる種となって下さり、過去の限りない罪を除いて、この上ない悟りへ導かれます。）
浄土真宗の教は、なもあみだぶつで始まり、なもあみだぶつで終わると言われます。お寺だけでなく毎日の生活の中で、名号を聞き、称えて、それを血とし肉とすることにより、安穏な生活が恵まれてまいります。名号は如来様の慈悲の働きが私たちに向けられている姿であります。 お互いに如来様の呼び声である名号を聞き、名号を称える生活をいたしましょう。 合掌。
Congratulation to Fred Ulrich Sensei for his 10th Anniversary serving Manitoba Buddhist Temple. Congratulation to Mark Courtney who successfully completed Lay Leader Program at Manitoba Buddhist Temple in January. COMING EVENTS Mar 21 Higan Service of Nanaimo Fellowship 22 Higan Service at Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria Apr 11-19 Visit to Montreal, Toronto, and Hamilton Temples 23-24 Ministerial Association Meeting in Lethbridge 25-26 JSBTC AGM and the Dedication of the new temple of Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta in Lethbridge New address of Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta 470 40 Street South Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z5 Tel 403 327 1260 Fax 403 327 7587 May 16-18 Manning Park Family Retreat 27-28 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Kyoto Jul 13-21 Hongwanji Cultural Exchange Program for Youth led by Grant Ikuta Sensei Sep 15-17 Ministerial Association Meeting/Seminar in Steveston 26-27 British Columbia Buddhist Convention Nov 14-15 Alberta Buddhist Convention
Although we just welcomed the New Year, 2009, by exchanging season’s greetings, we have been inundated with negative news such as the ongoing Middle East conflict, the friction between India and Pakistan, as well as the prolonged war in Afghanistan and Iraqi. And the financial crisis looks like it will continue on for a few more years.
Despite the fact that we always long for Peace and Tranquility throughout the world, we seem to face challenges one after another every year. Can we have even one day of peace out of 365 days?
I always believe that each one of us has to work hard in order to attain and sustain peace. It is not something we can wait on and hope to attain at some time. Peace and Tranquility is not something that is given to you from an outside source. What we Buddhists must keep in mind is that peace is to be attained not by the use of force and arms, but through wisdom and compassion; the wisdom of understanding and respecting each other and the compassion to all beings. Shinran Shonin wrote in his book The True Teaching, Practice and Attainment of the Pure Land Path or Ken Jodo Shinjitsu Kyo Gyo Sho Monrui (abbreviated as Kyo Gyo Shin Sho) in Japanese, that all of us are “brothers and sisters in the four oceans”.
It may take many more years to achieve true peace, but we must not give up as it is in accord with the Vow of Bodhisattva Dharmakara, which is the spirit of Namoamidabutsu.
In gassho, Orai Fujikawa
Contact person is Mrs. Tomoko Tatsumi 557 Kingsford Ave Winnipeg MB R2G 0K1
つい先日新年の挨拶を交わしたばかりでありましたが、早くもイスラエルとパレスチナとの闘争、またインドとパキスタンとの紛争、依然としてアフガニスタンやイラクでのテロ事件、その上世界的な経済不況のニュースが続々と伝えられ暗い気持ちになります。私たちは一方では、常に心の安らぎと、世間の穏やかなことを願いながら、年がら年中次から次へとチャレンジの連続であります。 いつも思うことですが、平和とか安穏というものは、棚からぼた餅が落ちてくるのを待っていて与えられるのではなく、常に努力して手に入れるものでありましょう。ただし仏教徒として忘れてはならないことは、努力といっても、武器とか圧力をかけて獲得するのではなく、智慧と慈悲に依るものでなくてはなりません。それはお互いを理解する智慧と、すべての衆生への慈悲の心でなくてはなりません。親鸞さまはその著書「教行信証」に「四海はみな兄弟」といわれました。 いかに永い時間がかかっても、諦めることなくそれに向かって行くことが、法蔵菩薩さまの願いに叶った念仏の道であると確信します。 合掌。 ウィニペグ市の故西村了観開教使の奥様、節子夫人が十二月二十五日、９９才でご往生されました。お悔やみ申し上げます。
COMING EVENTS Feb1 2009 Visitation to Manitoba Temple Apr 11-20 Visitation to the Eastern Temples 23-24 Ministerial Association Meeting in Lethbridge 25-26 JSBTC AGM and the Dedication Service of Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta May 27-28 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Kyoto Sep 15-17 Ministerial Association’s Meeting/Seminar in Steveston
It is my sincere wish that the New Year 2009 will be a very Happy and Peaceful one to you and your family in the constant working of the Compassionate Light of Amida Buddha.
One of the keys to understand Jodo Shinshu tradition is to believe in “Jodo”, the Pure Land. What and where is “Jodo”? It is the realm that Bodhisattva Dharmakara vowed to establish to welcome all the sentient beings, so that they will be able to complete their aspiration to attain Buddhahood.
Can you find such a realm on this earth? Looking at the history of mankind, it seems to have been proven impossible to attain enlightenment in this present world except Gautama Siddhartha who was enlightened 2500 years ago in India.
Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu, had tried to attain enlightenment in his youth for 20 years on Mt. Hiei near Kyoto in the 12th century and failed to do so. As a result, he had to give up the Path of Sages and chose an alternative path called the Pure Land Path, relying solely on the working of Amida Buddha. Therefore “Jodo”, the Pure Land, must be somewhere BEYOND this present world which is contaminated with five defilements; time, view, blind passion, sentient beings, and life.
Shinran Shonin praises in the his hymn; The cloud of light is unhindered, like open sky; There is nothing that impedes it. Every being is nurtured by this light, So take refuge in Amida, the one beyond conception.
In Jodo Shinshu tradition, therefore, we are told that each and every one of us will be welcomed into the Pure Land by Amida Buddha as soon as we close our human life. Then we will be able to attain Buddhahood before coming back to this world to guide relatives and friends to the path of Nembutsu.
Personally, as I get older and physically weaker, “Jodo” the Pure Land appears to be getting more familiar and realistic in my life, especially when I give my thoughts to the loved ones such as father, mother, and uncles and aunts and many friends who have gone to the Pure Land. We all can meet in the Pure Land through the meditation of namoamidabutsu.
Once again, Happy New Year and let us continue to practise the Nembutsu.
慈悲の光に照らされて、ご健勝にて新年を迎えられますことを念じます。
浄土真宗の教を聴聞いたしますとき、浄土とは何ですか？何処にありますか？と言う疑問が出てまいります。浄土という世界は、法蔵菩薩さまが発願され､ 建立されたものですが、それはすべての衆生を残らず迎えて、仏にしてやりたいとの願いから出来上がったものです。 従って､ 浄土は人間の住んでいるこの世界､ つまり五濁悪世を越えた清浄の国土でありますから、私たちの想像も及ばない世界であります。
浄土和讃に聖人は次のように詠っておられます。
光の雲は無碍にして虚空の如し 一切のさわりあることなく この光に浴さぬものはなし 思議を越えた阿弥陀さまに帰命せよ
親鸞聖人も若い頃は比叡の山で､ 仏の悟りを得ようと２０年間､ 聖道門の苦行に励まれましたが、それは不可能な道であると体感され、ついに浄土門へ帰依されることになりました。浄土門は、阿弥陀如来の本願に帰依して、人間として命終わってから浄土へ生まれ､ そこで仏になる道であります。
私は七十才に近くなり､ 肉体的にも弱ってきました。そのせいですか、最近では､ お浄土がもっと親しみやすい､ 現実的に思えるようになりました。特に今は亡き父親、母親､ 叔父叔母､ 親しい友等と再び会える場所としてのお浄土は待ち遠しいような気分にもなります。 倶会一処としてのお念仏を称えつつ、今年も強く明るくお浄土への道を歩みましょう。合掌。
Coming events; Jan 11 JSBTC Special General Meeting for proposed by-laws in Vancouver Feb 1 Visit to Manitoba Buddhist Temple Apr 23-24 MA Meeting in Lethbridge 25-26 JSBTC AGM and Dedication of the New Temple in Lethbridge May 27-28 World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council in Kyoto Sep 15-17 MA Meeting/Seminar in Steveston
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