Rimban George Matsubayashi  |  Reverend Usuki  |  Reverend Briones

BY RIMBAN GEORGE MATSUBAYASHI
JIHO JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2003

Thank you for your enthusiastic support of our temple activities throughout this past year. I join our ministerial staff in thanking you for all your help because, actually, without you, we are nothing. We are truly grateful for your efforts and look forward to your continued support again this coming year.

Last year suffered a truly great loss when Zen Monshu Kosho Ohtani, the 23rd Monshu of our Hongwanji organization, passed on to the Pure Land at the age of 90. He is now referred to as Shonyo Shonin, Master Shonyo. 

Just ten months before Master Shonyo's passing, August 18 of the year before last, my wife and I were privileged to have a private audience with him. I reported to him about purchasing the land west of the Betsuin and the celebration of the 100th year since the establishment of our Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple during the year 2005.

Master Shonyo was overjoyed to hear about our plans. "Ah, I'm so happy to hear that," he said. And with a broad smile, he continued, "Congratulations! I'm sure it will take a great deal of effort to accomplish, but I'm also sure you will do a great job of it ... Please give my regards to all the members of the Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple and let them know I am with them in their efforts to make your celebration the great success that I am sure it will be." 

How thrilled I was to hear Master Shonyo's encouraging words! I repeated them again and again, planting them deeply in my mind and heart as I left the Hongwanji headquarters temple.

Master Shonyo's cordial words and his compassionate face as he said them remain in my cars and are engraved in my memory, never to be erased. They will remain with me as long as I live.

This year is the 98th since our temple was established. My hope is that we continue “tasking” the great joy of living within the Nembutsu and the resulting peace of mind as we make preparations to celebrate the 100th year since our founding. Without that joy we have nothing to celebrate.

Finally, my sincere wish is that you remain in good health as you greet this New Year. May you and your family continue living with the light and life of Amida’s Vow that makes all things possible.

Happy New Year again!

Gassho

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BY REV. FUMIAKI USUKI
JIHO JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2003

This season marks a time when we traditionally reflect on the events of our past year and ponder our aspirations for the months ahead. While every new day is an opportunity to take stock of ourselves and remember our goals in life, this time of year gives us a chance toexpress these thoughts. I would like to convey my sincere thanks to everyone at the Betsuin, and at Hollywood and Sun Valley Temples. It was tremendously exciting and challenging to work with the various member groups, study classes, youth, scouts and parents as well as individual members and staff. Your participation has meant shared growth for all of us throughout the year.

Let us approach the new challenges of 2003 in the same spirit of mutual caring and cooperation and try to end each day with gratitude and a profound sense of fulfillment. Relying on the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, as well as on our families, let us remember our kinship with all sentient beings in our aspiration for the end of all suffering and frustration in this world. May you live in peace and happiness this year and always.

Gassho

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BY REV. WILLILAM BRIONES
JIHO JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2003

The festivities surrounding New Year’s Day symbolizes all our hopes and dreams. It manifests that which we hold dear to our hearts and minds. It is a time for families and friends to gather and enjoy the best of company and food. So as we begin 2003, I wish you all the best, and hope that this New Year will be full of health and prosperity for all of you.

And as we come to a close to 2002, I would like to thank all of you for making my first year at the Betsuin a most rewarding, meaningful and joyous year. I can’t thank Rinban Matsubayashi, Revs. Abe and Usuki enough for their guidance and support through out the year.

As we enter the new year, let us reflect and contemplate the innumerable causes and conditions that have brought us together this New Year, so that we may awaken to what is true and real and that we may live our life in gratitude and awareness.

Namoamidabutsu

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Copyright © 2003  by Nishi Hongwanji L.A.