(9-Feb-2013)
On June 2 & 3, 2013,
the World Jodo Shinshu Coordinating Council (WCC) will be held in
Calgary. This meeting of the distinguished Sochos (Bishops) and
presidents of the districts, along with senior officials of the
Hongwanji, will be held at the Fairmont Palliser hotel so that it
coincides with the 2013 World Buddhist Women’s (WBW) Representative
Meeting that same weekend.
The
Calgary Temple will be hosting a dinner for the delegates attending the
WBW and WCC meetings on the evening of June 1st so let’s
ensure we extend a true Calgary and Canadian welcome to our
distinguished guests. Let’s welcome them to our Sangha!
2013
National Annual General Meeting
(13-Jan-2013)
The
forthcoming JSBTC and JSBTCWF AGM will be hosted by the
Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta (BTSA) in Lethbridge, AB on Apr. 25 -
28. General
invitation
for those representing temples or planning to attend.
Secondly, there is a
registration form
which should be returned as soon as possible, but no later than April 15 to
assist in the planning. A third item requests
information for
flights to and from Calgary so that rides may be shared in rental cars
to Lethbridge. The fourth attachment is the
schedule for
the AGM week so that delegates are apprised of the various meeting and
meeting times.
Dharma Discussion
Following every
Sunday's service. A relaxed and informal time to share ideas and experiences
from a Shin Buddhist perspective.
About 1 hour in length.
New Year's
Greetings
(15-Dec-2012)
Canada's Bishop,
Grant Ikuta,
and
Jodo
Shinshu Hongwanji-ha
Gomonshu
½ day Retreat (Presence)
(11-Dec-2012)
Calgary Buddhist
Temple will be holding a
½ day
retreat: Saturday January 19, 2013 from 9:00
am until 3:00 pm. The day retreat will be done
in silence. Meditation sessions will be combined:
periods of sitting and walking.
Reflective sessions of
Naikan oriented therapy. A vegetarian lunch and
morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. Cost
is: Members $20.00/person Non-Members $25.00/person
Please register by January 12, 2013 by
Email – Payment by cheque (payable to Calgary
Buddhist Temple) or cash in person or drop in
donation box at the temple.
JSBTC Day - Thank
you!
(25-Oct-2012)
Calgary held their JSBTC Day on
Sunday, Oct 21.
JSBTC Message;
Bishop Ikuta's Message
Jodo Shinshu
Buddhist Temples of Canada
(24-Oct-2012)
Correction to
Release - Tokudo candidates received pre-tokudo
training in Vancouver but received their Tokudo
ordination in Japan.
(19-Oct-2012)
Update/Release (link opens in a new window)
Tuesday, September
25, 2012 7:30pm
Husky Oil Great Hall, Rozsa Centre, University
of Calgary
October
14th - Sarana Affirmation Ceremony at the Temple
(26-Aug-2012) In many forms of Buddhism
including Jodo Shinshu a person may affirm that they
intend to follow a Buddhist path in life. They do
this by 'taking refuge' in the 3 Treasures of the
Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha much as we do
each Temple Service. However, at a Sarana
Affirmation Ceremony, they can stand in front of our
sangha and the Socho in a special Ceremony and also
receive a Homyo or Buddhist name.
As this ceremony requires the Socho (head of the
Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada) to perform,
this only takes place every year or 2 as travel
permits.
Please let James Sensei know before Sept 9th
as there is preparation involved to choose a
suitable Buddhist name for you and other items of
prep. You will need to email him or send an email to
CalgaryBuddhistTemple@gmail.com so it can get to
him. He will contact you back. If you don't hear
from him (some well deserved vacation) please follow
up before Sept 9th!
Cost is a nominal $40 to cover costs and
materials. More
information on Sarana
2012 Alberta Buddhist
Conference to be held in Calgary, AB on Nov 10
(26-Aug-2012) A 1 day conference to
talk Buddhism, meet our friends from the Lethbridge
Temple, and listen to the newest Sensei for Canada,
Christina Yanko-Ringle. More information will
be provided as the date gets closer.
Volunteers Needed for
Japanese Festival
(see
poster)
(1-Aug-2012) The Calgary Buddhist
Temple will be selling Japanese style hot dogs
(Dharma Dogs) as a fundraising event on Saturday,
Aug 18. We are looking for volunteers to work
shifts from 10:30am until 4:30pm as well as
additional volunteers to help with the overall set
up and tear down of the festival. Please
contact us if you can help or let us know via
Facebook.
Japanese
Festival (Omatsuri/Obon)
(30-July-2012)
Sponsored by the Calgary Japanese Community Association: a summertime
festival for Bridgeland! Saturday, August 18 at the Bridgeland
Community Centre. More info:
http://calgaryjapanesefestival.com (link opens in a new window)
Video Lecture "An
Unfolding Dialogue on Buddhism and Neuropsychology”
(27-June-2012) Was Shakyamuni Buddha
the first published Neuro Psychologist? Dr. Steve Prime correlates studies
in Neuroscience with Buddhist practice and theory. Studies show similar
activation in the medial pre-frontal cortex of the brain (the area that
correlates to Compassion and Empathy) when saying the Nembutsu (NamuAmidaButsu)
and while meditating.
Video site (opens in a
new window) Dr.
Steve Prime - Your Brain on Buddhism
Buddhism
and Psychology
(07-June-2012)
The Calgary Buddhist Temple is honored to have Dr. Steve Prime as a
guest speaker at the Temple on Thursday, June 21 at 7:30pm.
“Your Brain on Buddhism:
An unfolding dialogue on the convergence of Buddhism and Neuropsychology”
Description about the
talk:
Buddhism and Psychology
both offer an explanation of the mind and mental functions that direct our
daily lives. In many ways, Buddhist theories of mind and cognition developed
over the last 2000+ years anticipate theories in contemporary Psychology.
This is especially true with respect to clinical applications in Psychology
(e.g., the equivalent utility of meditation and psychotherapy in alleviating
mental suffering). The purpose of my talk is to describe how Buddhism and
Psychology intersect and inform each other. First, I will talk about how
Buddhist theory and meditation has been implemented in psychotherapy. I will
then show how Neuroscience informs us about what effect meditation has on
the brain. And last, I will argue that Psychology has moved from examining
subjective, personal experience of mental life to objectifying the
individual as a “thing” to study, and Buddhism can offer its analysis of
personal first-person experience back into Psychology.
Steve's bio
Award
Presentation
(23-Apr-2012)
Award presentation to Bob Gubenco of
the Calgary Buddhist Temple who completed the two-year Jodo Shinshu
Correspondence Course in February. This course, presented by the BCA, covers
Jodo Shinshu and Buddhism in general.
Info on the course is at:
http://jscc.cbe-bca.org/
Notice of
Important Dates!
(12-Mar-2012)
At the last Board meeting, it was noticed that
the original date for the AGM of April 8th fell on a long (Easter) weekend
and some people may not be able to attend that may wish to due to family
commitments.
Therefore:
The date of the Calgary Buddhist Temple Annual General Meeting will
now take place on Sunday, April 15th immediately
after Temple Service.
There will be discussion of the Budget, the
addition of 2 Board Members, the retirement of a long-serving Board member,
and discussion around some upcoming proposals for renovations. It's
usually a short meeting, but important for everyone!
Annual Temple Spring Clean Up: Saturday April 21st at
9:30AM
We spend a couple of hours each year before
Hanamatsuri and after the winter melt cleaning up - mop the floors, wipe the
surfaces - please bring cloths, squeegee mops, cleaning items - we have
some, but you may be familiar with your own - LOL.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO
COME AND HELP PLEASE! More people = shorter time cleaning.
Hanamatsuri: Sunday, April 22nd - regular Service time
of 10:30AM
This is our Celebration of the Buddha's
birthday in conjunction with the Japanese Hana (flower) matsuri (festival).
We all participate
in this traditional Service by pouring sweet tea 3x over a small Buddha -
KIDS ARE VERY WELCOME!!
Tax
Receipts
(12-Mar-2012)
To get your receipts for Donations
made to the Temple through CanadaHelps (our online donation ‘button’ on the
Temple website), please do the following:
1) Go to http://www.canadahelps.org/
and choose ‘Log in’ at the top right of this front page.
2) Enter the email address
where you receive your CanadaHelps donation receipts and the password
you chose when setting up the online donation
a. If you can’t remember
the password, choose ‘Forgot your Password?’ and follow the prompts
b. A new password will be
mailed to your email address; use this to log in on the log in page
3) Once logged in, choose the
‘Donations & Receipts’ tab and then choose ‘Get Receipt’
a. You will get a PDF
downloaded to your computer that you can then print out
Thank you for your
generosity in giving regularly to our shared Temple!
Temple Annual General Meeting (AGM)
(07-Feb-2012)
Please attend the 2012 AGM after
Temple Service on Apr 8 - we want to talk about some direction
regarding Temple renovations.
There will be a 2012 Membership mail-out again soon - please help support us
by being a Member in 2012.
Thank you for your Support now and always!
2012
National Annual General Meeting
(07-Feb-2012)
The Manitoba Buddhist Temple will be hosting the Ministerial
Association, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada and Women’s Federation
delegates and representatives in Winnipeg between April 26th and 29th.
Dharma friends from across Canada will meet and work together for the
benefit of our Jodo Shinshu sect on a National level.
Pre-Tokudo Orientation
(11-Jan-2012)
A Pre-Tokudo
Orientation Program was held at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple from January
5th ~ 8th.
At present,
there are four individuals across Canada who are preparing to receive their
Tokudo Ordination in 2012; they are, Prof. Jeff Wilson associated with the
Toronto Buddhist Temple, Mr. Ken Madden associated with the Calgary Buddhist
Temple, Ms. Joanne Yuasa associated with the Vancouver Buddhist Temple and
Ms. Christina Yanko, the JSBTC Ministerial Candidate. In addition, Mr.
Dennis Madokoro from Toronto Buddhist Temple and Ms. Jessica Main with the
Vancouver Buddhist Temple will be joining this orientation program. Both
Dennis and Jessica are on different parts of their spiritual journey and
they were asked to join the orientation program to assist in their
development.
Thanks to the concerted effort by a number of people, the
weekend went very well.
Season's Greetings from the Bishop
(24-Dec-2011)
Season’s Greetings to you all.
I hope this email finds all of you being able to spend some
quiet time with family and friends. It is hard to believe that 2011 is
almost coming to an end. May I thank all of you for your dedication and
commitment to the Jodo Shinshu movement here in Canada. I have completed the
latest Socho’s Update and am attaching it to this e-mail. Please use it at
your descretion. As you will notice in the Update, we have received news
that Rev. Orai Fujikawa has received his posting as the minister with the
Salinas Buddhist Temple in California. Sensei’s work visa was approved last
week and he and Mrs. Fujikawa will be moving to the States in January. Also
please note the item regarding the IHOPE program. It will be up to each
minister and temple to register for this program, but I would like to ask
the temples in your understanding to allow the ministers to attend this
program and to assist with their travelling expenses.
As the year comes to an end, may I wish all of you a very
Peaceful Holiday Season and all the best in the coming year.
In Gassho,
Grant Ikuta, Bishop
Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada
Tannisho & Beginner's Mind Talks - Opportunities not to
be missed!
(10-Dec-2011)
The
Tannisho is one of the most widely read works in Japanese Buddhism, known
not only as a religious but literary classic. Compiled several decades after
his death by a disciple named Yui-en, this work consists of 18 sections.
Reading the Tannisho is perhaps the most meaningful way for
today's Shin Buddhists to touch the thought of Shinran Shonin, who founded
the tradition in 13th century Japan.
Please join Ikuta Sensei in reading and discussing this Shin
Buddhist classic on Thursdays, January 12 & 26, 7:30 – 8:30 at the
Calgary Buddhist Temple.
Special guest speaker, relationship counsellor and sex
therapist, Mary-Jean Malyszka
February 9 - Opening into Beginner’s Mind
To view a situation with fresh eyes is to discover
possibilities previously unseen. Beginner’s mind allows for opinions,
beliefs, and preconceptions to be put aside and a fresh creative
intelligence to emerge. We will play with ways to bring the experience of
beginner’s mind into our daily lives.
February 16 - Rediscovering Relationships with Beginner’s
Mind
Relationships can become predictable....it is likely we’ve
all experienced that at one point or another. While beneficial in many
ways, this predictability can also narrow the range of ways of relating and
lead to living within automatic assumptions. By starting from a place of “I
don’t know”, it is possible to see ourselves and those around us with a new
awareness. This new awareness can enliven and deepen both new and lifelong
relationships to others as well as our relationship with our self. Come
ready to open your heart through beginner’s mind....Valentine chocolates
included!
Toshi Koshi Time
(06-Dec-2011)
Ring in the New Year with a family party at the temple.
Traditional long noodles for long life followed by a short service and
Kansho (big bell) ringing. Sangha are invited to participate in the ringing
as the 108 imperfections are read off. For families with young children
please come early to assist with the noodle making!
-
5:00
pm – Noodle preparation
-
6:00-
7:00 pm – eating for long life
-
7:30-
8:30 pm – Service and Kansho ringing
-
8:30
pm - ? – socialize with the Sangha
Mindful Retreat - Start the New Year in a sane frame of mind!
(06-Dec-2011)
Had enough of the silly
season with too much partying, eating and socializing?
If not, carry on, but if
you are in need of a retreat to recharge and refresh, consider joining us
for a short day of meditation, reflection and silence at the temple on
Saturday, January 14.
Beginning
at 9:00 am, there will be alternating periods of sitting (chair, bench or
cushion) and walking meditation, a midday meal (vegetarian), cleaning
meditation, exercise on gratitude awareness (all in silence) with departure
at 4:00 pm.
Cost
is $20/ person - Payment can be made via a donation envelope. Please print
Retreat along with your name on the outside and drop in the donation
box at the back of the temple by January 7, 2012. Participants limited to 15
To register please send a name and
email address to:
calgarybuddhisttemple@gmail.com
New Year's Eve
(27-Oct-2011)
Fun for the whole family! Get on
your party hats and join us for Toshi Koshi Soba!
Join in making (and eating of
course!) a traditional Japanese New Year’s noodle dish followed by a short
service, bell ringing (108 times), a party and home by 10:00 pm so you can
get up in time for the New Year’s Day service @ 2:00 pm!
It
doesn’t get any better than this!
Night of Buddhist Chanting
(26-Sept-2011)
The
Interfaith Network of Calgary is a group of different faiths seeking to
understand and share in each others traditions. As a means to come together
the IFNC will host a series of sessions beginning with a night of Buddhist
chanting at the Calgary Buddhist Temple.
Everyone is invited to join us for an hour of informal chanting, commentary
and insight into the ways and reasons for continuing this ancient tradition.
The session will be on Thursday, Oct 6 at 7:30 pm.
Shamatha Meditation
(25-Sept-2011)
A Tibetan Buddhist group uses the space
of the Temple and are inviting us to attend "A special meditation course
will be offered on Fridays, October 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 7:00 pm -8:30 pm
at the Calgary Buddhist Temple. Shamatha Meditation training (Calm
Abiding Meditation) will be conducted by Kusho Lobsang Dhamchoe, spiritual
director of Gaden Samtenling Tibetan Meditation Society in Edmonton since
2000.
Kusho Lobsang Dhamchoe studied Buddhist philosophies for more than 30 years
at Namgyal Monastery in India which is the Principle Monastery of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Cost for the 4 sessions is $75."
Ministers and JSBTC Board Working Together
(23-Sept-2011) Ministers
from across Canada and the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada (JSBTC)
Board members met last week, September 17-19, at the Buddhist Temple of
Southern Alberta. We combined the semi-annual minister meeting on Thursday
with the interim board meeting on Saturday. In between, we had a
team-building workshop with everyone.
The meetings were terrific which should
increase our productivity in the coming months. This was due to an excellent
team-building workshop facilitated by Trudy Gahlinger, a Calgary Buddhist
Temple member who led us through the team-building. And to the open-ness of
all the ministers and the board members and the BTSA members who catered to
our needs during a very busy week for them.
In order to work together we have to trust,
respect, encourage and challenge each other. That is what we accomplished
last week. A couple of the initiatives that are going to be happening are
that we are working on a strategic plan that will help improve the
ministers’ training requirements and retirement issues as well as setting up
a teleconference line that the different committees and affiliated
organizations (Ministers Association and Women’s Federation) can use to have
teleconference meetings. And much more.
Thank you to MA Chair Rev. James, President
Dave, Trudy, members of the BTSA and everyone who made this a memorable week
and made us proud to be members of your board. We all hope we can continue
to build on our progress. -David Major, JSBTC Secretary
JSBTC Day in Calgary - October 23, 2011
(21-Sept-2011)
With school back into session, we are reminded
that Fall is here and that the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada (JSBTC)
Day is before us.
The JSBTC Day, held annually in October, marks
the founding of this national organization that brings all Jodo Shinshu
followers together in one group so we can draw on each other’s strength and
wisdom. This organization was founded in October, 1974. It is the official
organization by which the mother temple, the Nishi Hongwanji, supports the
efforts of Jodo Shinshu followers in Canada.
JSBTC Day also gives us the opportunity to
commemorate and express our gratitude to the pioneers and past members who
were active in the propagation of Buddhism in Canada.
The selection of the service date to
commemorate this occasion is flexible and will be announced separately for
each temple. The donations received at the temples from this special JSBTC
Day go toward the education of present and future ministers and other
initiatives of the National Board. Indeed, without the support from
contributors there would be a financial challenge for the Board to undertake
programs.
Please note that, to be environmentally
friendly, JSBTC Day Konshi envelopes have not been printed. Donations can be
brought to the temple or cheques payable to JSBTC can be sent to: Jodo
Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada 11786 Fentiman Place, Richmond, B.C. V7E
6M6
I am sure you will learn more about the
significance of JSBTC Day by listening to your minister. We look forward to
your attendance and support on this very special Day.
In Gassho,
Dave Ohori, President
Bishop
Grant's message regarding JSBTC Day
Numata Chair - Inaugural Leslie S. Kawamura Memorial Lecture
(09-Sept-2011) The Numata
Chair in Buddhist Studies presents The Inaugural Leslie S. Kawamura Memorial
Lecture with Dr. Jonathan Silk, Leiden University, on "Toward a Meaningful
Academic Study of Buddhism". Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 7:30pm Husky Oil
Great Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary.
POSTER
Omatsuri Festival Follow-up
(Sept-2011)
The CJCA and the Calgary Buddhist church
hosted the first outdoor Omatsuri festival in August 27th at Bridgeland-Riverside
community Centre. It was organized in very traditional Japanese way that
included demonstrations of marshal arts such as karate, kendo and Aikido as
well as cultural performances of Taiko, Koto and Bon-odori. We also had
Kintaro and Momotaro play performances
for children as well.
The fried noodle, Dharma dogs, squids, frozen
fruits and drinks were all sold out by the end of the day. Handcrafted
Japanese items, children's games and gifts, some of them were shipped
directly from Japan were very popular among visitors. Many young people
enjoyed sumo-wrestling matches in inflated costumes. People also enjoyed the
Kimono fashion contest on the stage. We
finished the day with dancing traditional bon-odori.
It was a beautiful summer day.
This was the first outdoor omatsuri here in
Calgary and the responses were just overwhelming. We had, in our rough
estimation, over 1200 people, many of them wearing Kimono, taking part in
it. The organizers thank all of you who participated in it. You made a day!!
Summer "OBON" Festival
(17-June-2011) This Festival is a joint effort by the Calgary Buddhist
Temple, the Canadian Japanese Community Association (CJCA), and the National
Japanese Community Association (NJCA) to be held on
Saturday, August 27 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Bridgeland-Riverview
Community Centre (917 Centre Avenue NE). Admission is FREE! Traditional foods,
crafts, cultural
displays, kid's activities, karaoke, sumo wrestling, martial arts
demonstrations, taiko drumming, and more including
"Bon Odori" (Dancing) for everyone to enjoy!
Please note that Bon Odori is for EVERYONE!
You do not need previous experience; instructors will lead and guide the
dance. All you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to have fun! Bon
Odori will be held between 1:30 & 3:00pm.
Schedule (as of Aug 20/11):
11:00 am Play “Peach Boy” Momotaro
11:30 am Calgary Aikikai
12:00 pm Hiro’s Judo Club
12:30 pm Introduction of Consulate
General
12:45 pm Obon Odori / Kaede dance
group
01:30 pm Calgary Kendo Club
02:00 pm Koto performance
02:15 pm Play “Goldon Boy”
Kintaro
02:30 pm CJCA Renshikan Karate Club
03:00 pm Midnight Taiko Group
03:30 pm Onon Odori with Midnight Taiko
Group
If you would like to volunteer and assist with
this event, please contact
Sensei James.
Family
Picnic held June 19, 2011
(19-June-2011)
Held at Edworthy Park in Calgary. "What a
great picnic....so neat to see families and friends gather and enjoy food,
games, sunshine, rain and dogs, Thanks to everyone who worked to make it
work!" say Sensei James. Pictures from the event courtesy of K. Madden
(clicking on a picture below will enlarge and open the image in a new
window)
Chanting - Back by Popular Demand
(27-May-2011) Just a short
'heads-up' to let everyone know that after the last 4 week series of
chanting sessions proved so popular, we will again be meeting on Wednesday
evenings in June to chant some more! To wit: there will be another 4
session of Chanting Shoshinge and 'select' gathas starting June 1 - 22,
Wednesday nights @ 7:30. As usual it will be fun and easy on the vocal
chords!
Casino Fund-raiser - Aug 19 & 20, 2011 - Volunteers
Needed!
(27-May-2011) We have been
assigned our casino dates, they are:
Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20,
2011 at: Cash Casino – 4040 Blackfoot Trail
Laughter Yoga is Returning
(13-Apr-2011)
With all the trouble in the world don’t you
need a good laugh? Wednesday evenings, May 4th – 25th (7:30-9:00)
come out for a hoot and good old belly laugh! Fif and Hamish of Laughter
Yoga Canada (http://www.laughteryoga-canada.org/)
will once again lead us in discovering the positive effects of laughter.
Improved state of mind and physical benefits are just two good reasons to
take part. No experience necessary (although if you have laughed before it
may help) and this is not Yoga that requires any level of fitness.
All 4 sessions $30 or
$10/session
Rummage
and Bake Sale – June 8 & 9
