The Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada Women's Federation (JSBTCWF) was established in the late 1970's to communicate and exchange ideas with Buddhist women’s groups across Canada.  It was felt that a harmonious women’s group could set an example.

The JSBTCWF now consists of 10 chapters across Canada with many active members within the Calgary Temple itself.  The JSBTCWF strives towards increasing awareness of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism as well as supporting other worthwhile charitable organizations.

“Truly, we live a life of joy in the Nembutsu to come to understand it and share it with others.”

Aims and Objectives | 2011 WBWC | Dana Day | Postage Stamps | Foreign Coins | Shop & Support | T-Shirts

JSBTC Women's Federation (WF) Aims and Objectives

The purpose of the JSBTCWF shall be to promote harmony within the Sangha of Jodo Shin Buddhism.

A)   The JSBTCWF shall promote close liaison among Canadian Buddhist women.

B)   The JSBTCWF shall strive to raise to higher awareness “living the life of Buddhist Women”.

C)   The JSBTCWF shall participate and assist both district and nationally affiliated groups in its activities, in keeping with the spirit of expanding the Buddhist Fellowship.

The JSBTCWF shall strive to propagate the Buddha Dharma.

^New Thank You and beautiful all-occasion Wisteria cards available for purchase as a fundraiser - available at the Temple.

It's official! Calgary is the host city for the 2015 World Buddhist Women's Convention (WBWC)!

2011 World Buddhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) in Kyoto, Japan

There were 22 ladies and 4 men from Canada who attended the World Buddhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) in Kyoto on May 16 & 17, 2011.  There were around 4,000 people in attendance that came from the United States (mainland), Hawaii, Brazil, Canada, and of course, Japan (who made up the majority).

May 16th from 12:00 Noon to 8:00 pm: Spent the day at the Kyoto Pulse Plaza (Kyoto’s Convention Center) for the events day of the WBWC. Various workshops and activities such as kimono wearing, calligraphy writing, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, scented sachet making, magic shows, and a marching band took place between 1-5:00 pm. A very simple boxed bento was provided for dinner followed by entertainment of Odori dancing by an all male dance troupe and performances by the various districts represented. The Canadian delegation sang two songs: “Namu Amida Butsu” and “I Believe” (the theme song from the Vancouver Winter Olympics).

May 17th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm: The Official Day for the WBW Convention. In the morning, there was an opening service followed by keynote addresses by Monshu Ohtani  Koshin and Lady Ohtani Noriko.  After the service, speakers followed and included our own Kaz Kobayashi of the Kamloops Buddhist Temple.

In the afternoon, a report was made on the WBW Delegates’ Meeting held on the 15th and this was followed by the closing ceremonies.  As part of this ceremony, a video presentation done by Fujii Sensei and Toronto was shown to promote the 2015 Convention followed by a brief speech by Grant Ikuta Socho.  The WBW Association Flag was then passed from the Japan Chapter President to the representative for Canada to much waving and cheering.

And so, a very successful 14th WBWC closed with final remarks of appreciation for everyone’s participation and a safe journey home.

There's also a video available online to watch of the 14th WBWC convention; here's the steps:

1) Go to website www.hongwanji.or.jp
2) Go to bottom of page - 2 boxes on right, click on webtv news
3) DOUBLE click on picture "WBWC" then click on gold bar just below with japanese lettering on. Play will start the convention program.

 

750^th Shinran Shonin Memorial

On May 15, 2011, 46 Canadians, including 5 from the Calgary Buddhist Temple, traveled to the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha (our mother temple) to attend Shinran Shonin’s 750th Memorial.  Nine individuals represented Canada in the Engi (parade) prior to the service. It was a magnificent service to commemorate this auspicious occasion and those in attendance felt honored to be there.

JSBTCWF Dana Day

Annually, across Canada, the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple of Canada Women's Federation (organization) designate one day when all donations go to the JSBTCWF for designation to worthwhile causes supporting the propagation of Buddhism. Dana is to give without desire of receiving something in return.

 Stamp out Waste – Recycling Postage Stamps

Millions of stamps are thrown away every day which is a real waste of a valuable resource.

The WF have long supported children in developing countries by donating stamps to Save the Children.  The charity sells the stamps to dealers and can raise around £1.50 a kilo for British stamps and up to £12.50 a kilo for foreign stamps, and stamp duplicates are not a problem.

So, next time you’re about to throw your unwanted envelopes into the garbage, take a couple of minutes to recycle the stamps and save them from going to waste!

A jar is available at the back of the temple for you to drop off any and all used stamps.  A quarter-inch margin around the stamp would be appreciated.

Foreign Coins:  Do you have left-over foreign coins that you won’t be using in the future?  The JSBTCWF is also collecting foreign coins in a fundraising effort for UNICEF, and can be left in the "stamp" jar as above.

Shop and Support

Raising Funds While You Shop!

As many of you know, the 2015 World Buddhist Women’s Convention will be held in Calgary. One of the major fundraising initiatives is the sale of cards where a percentage from each card sold will go towards the convention.

The declining balance cards, which do not expire, are available on specific dates at the temple. Please email shopandsupport@calgary-buddhist.ab.ca for more information, to purchase or to find out what additional retail cards are available.

JSBTCWF Canada T-shirt

With the 2015 theme of Oneness, the Women’s Federation has made a T-shirt for part of the Fundraising for the 2015 Convention. The ladies wore these T-shirts during our presentation at the 2011 World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Kyoto Japan, in May to promote the 2015 World Buddhist Women’s convention.

The price of the T-shirt is $15 and the choices of color for the T-shirts are white, light blue or light pink, and sizes come in Small, Medium, Large, or XL.

T-shirt for sale are available in the merchandise cabinet at the Calgary Temple - pick up one today!

11/05/12