Dharma Message Archive

	Dharma Message Archive
	Rimban George Matsubayashi \| Reverend Briones BY RIMBAN GEORGE MATSUBAYASHI JIHO JULY-AUG, 2006 Joy Over Completion of all Centennial Celebration Projects "Service to Install Objects of Reverence in Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life, and Wisteria Chapel Successfully Concluded" During August of last year we conducted a great service commemorating the centennial of our temple’s existence. Following that service, on October 1, we shipped the Obutsudan and “object of reverence” temporarily installed in the newly-constructed Memorial Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life, and in the Wisteria Chapel, to the Wakabayashi Buddhist Altar Equipment Company in Kyoto, Japan, for refurbishing. That work was completed on schedule and on May 16th of this year, both objects were safely returned to our temple. The service to install the objects of reverence in both our newly-constructed structures was held on May 21 of this year. It was held together with our Gotan-e Service, which celebrates the birth of the Venerable Master Shinran, the founder of our Jodo-Shinshu teaching. In addition to the staff ministers of our temple, we were fortunate to have Reverends Shoki Mohri (the 6th Rimban of our Betsuin), Seikan Fukuma (the 7th Rimban), and Harold Oda (former Betsuin minister) participate. I cannot express how grateful I am about how successful this event was. I can only place my hands in gassho towards all of you for helping make that service what it was. * * * * * The date when the Obutsudan installed in the Wisteria Chapel was made is not known with certainty. Based on records kept at our Betsuin and conjecture by specialists in such matters, however, it is considered to be at least a hundred years old. When the predecessor of our Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple, the Nanka (Southern California) Buddhist Association, was established during 1905, services were held in the old Yamato Hall located in Little Tokyo. Because that hall was used for other activities, the Obutsudan could not be kept permanently in one place. Accordingly, the Obutsudan is believed to have been placed in a container (Ozushi) and brought out whenever and wherever required. Because the Obutsudan was constructed so long ago, it was not in very good condition when we shipped it back to Japan. According to the artisans who repaired it, almost all of the materials from which it was constructed had to be replaced. When our Betsuin (although it was not a Betsuin at the time) temple on First Street and Central Avenue was constructed during 1925, the Obutsudan in its container was installed in the basement. When our present temple structure was constructed in 1969, it was installed in our old Wisteria Chapel just as it was. Now that we have a splendid structure to house it, however, we installed the newly-refurbished Obutsudan in our new Wisteria Chapel. The “object of reverence” that was installed in our newly-constructed Memorial Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life was originally installed in the hondo main worship area of our old temple when it was constructed during 1925. It is believed to have been constructed some twenty years after the Obutsudan in our Wisteria Chapel. This supposition comes from determining the aging of materials and how much of it had to be replaced, in comparison with the Obutsudan enshrined in the Wisteria Chapel. When our present temple structure was built in 1969, this Obutsudan was installed in the Lotus Chapel located in the basement of our temple. Now refurbished, it is presently installed in our newly-constructed Memorial Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life where it will forever honor the Buddha and inspire and cultivate all those who follow us. Onaijin altar accessories such as the upper table, front table, incense-burner stand and sutra stand have also been refurbished. These historical accessories that are up to a hundred years old, have served generations of the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren of our original temple members. Each Buddhist implement mentioned above carries with it the Buddha’s sacred wishes for all of us, for which we should be extremely thankful. Mr. Fujiyoshi Yamamoto, former President of our Betsuin, who presided over the Obutsudan installation service, said that following at the time: “The Obutsudan and associated Buddhist implements have been so beautifully refurbished that they seem to have just been created. A monetary value cannot be placed on them. Because of them, however, I seem to feel the sacred desire of the Buddha for all of us, and the life of all who have preceded us, reverberating deep within me!” I cannot help but bow my head in complete agreement. * * * * * Together with the newly-refurbished Obutsudan and “object of reverence,” a series of panels made of woven silk titled, “Heavenly Deities Coming to Welcome us (to the Pure Land)” designed and donated by the world-famous Yuzen-tradition artist, Yasuhiro Chiji, was installed in our newly-constructed Wisteria Chapel. Mr. Chiji is well known for his depiction of heavenly deities, and he says he wishes to make “Buddha-dharma” the theme of his future designs. The reason for this direction in his art began 35 years ago when he joined his father, the Buddhist artist Hideya Chiji, when his father spent three years painting the Buddhist murals that decorate our Betsuin hondo walls. I am sure all of you have seen and admired these murals that depict the life of the Buddha. Mr. Chiji, who was then just 19 years of age, said he was extremely impressed that his then 80-year old father would wake at 5:00 every morning, give himself a brisk cold-water rub, and chant sutras before concentrating on the work of creating the murals. Seeing that personal practice of Buddha-dharma first-hand lead Mr. Chiji to appreciate the depth of the Buddhist teaching, and to follow it himself. “Thirteen years have passed since that father of mine and also my mother, left this world,” Mr. Chiji said. “Because that memorial anniversary year coincided with the centennial of the founding of the Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple, I would like to donate this mural of “Heavenly Deities Coming to Welcome us (to the Pure Land)” to this temple. I am sure that more than anyone, my parents will take great joy in this.” An article about Mr. Chiji and the murals that he donated to our Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple appeared in the January 10, 2006 edition of the Hongwanji Shimpo Newspaper, published in Kyoto. In it, Mr. Chiji was quoted as saying, “Buddhist services attended by the entire family are held every Sunday at the Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple. The members hear Dharma Talks and engage in friendly conversation after the service. This is something that is no longer seen in Japan, and I wish to express that wonderful world in my art …” With the blessed Dharma received from the founder of our religious tradition, the indebtedness to all our predecessors, and the great efforts of each and every one of you members of our most wonderful Betsuin Buddhist Temple, we were able to completely and satisfactory celebrate the first centennial of our temple’s existence. I cannot begin to express my great gratitude I feel towards all of you for assisting in this effort. * * * * * We are honored to have a calligraphic sign in the Nokotsu-do with the words, “Hall of Immeasurable Light and Life” (Muryo Koju-do) personally brushed by His Eminence, Monshu Koshin Ohtani. In the Wisteria Chapel we have another sign with the words, “Light of Wisdom, Refreshing Purity” (Eko Myojo”) personally brushed by the former Monshu Kosho Ohtani. And in the Hondo of our temple, we have a third sign with words, “Revealing the Great Way (the teaching of the Nembutsu)” (Kenji Daido) personally brushed by late Honorable Sonyu Ohtani. All three of these calligraphic signs relate to our centennial slogan, “Embraced by Amida… Rejoicing in Gratitude. I cannot help but feel how appropriate these calligraphic signs are expressing the great joy of constantly being within the embrace of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow, and thus being allowed to walk the unobstructed path of the Nembutsu. * * * * * There is no way we can know the depths of our indebtedness to the founder of our Buddhist tradition and those who have preceded and cultivated us in it – all we can do is bow our heads in gratitude. The time of year when we fondly recall those who preceded but are no longer with us – Obon – is now upon us. This tradition which is both refined and nostalgic, began in India, was transmitted to China, then to Japan and is now celebrated here in the United States. The Obon tradition began with a story told in the “Urabon Sutra,” in which a personal disciple of Shakamuni Buddha named Mokuren was reunited with his deceased mother because of devotion and filial piety. It is said that Mokuren was able to see his mother being saved through holding a memorial service conducted by the Buddhist priests for his mother. According to the “Urabon sutra,” we can save our fathers and mothers, and ancestors going back seven generations in this way. For us today it is a time to reflect nostalgically on all those who preceded us, and what they did to cultivate us along the way. We have now completed construction of the structures to commemorate our centennial, installed the objects of reverence in them and held services to commemorate this activity. With the deepest of gratitude that all this activity was successfully completed, we will conduct the first Obon Service of our second hundred years of existence this coming July 8th (Saturday) and 9th (Sunday). A service will be conducted at 2:00 on both of these days in memory of the approximately 140 persons with close ties to our temple on this, for them, their first Obon anniversary. Our annual carnival will be held following these services, starting at 3:00 on both days. Our very popular Obon dancing will be held beginning at 6:30 on both days. The following week, July 16th (Sunday), an Obon Service will be conducted with Dharma Talk in English at 10:00, and another service with the Dharma Talk in Japanese at 1:30. The English talk will be given by Reverend Masao Kodani of the Senshin Buddhist Temple and Japanese talk by the former Rimban of our Temple, Reverend Seikan Fukuma. I am looking forward to seeing you all at these important services. Namo Amida Butsu
	Back to: Top \| Rimban George Matsubayashi \| Reverend Briones BY REV. WILLIAM BRIONES JIHO JULY-AUG, 2006 "Thoughts on This Hatsubon" “There are three occasions when it is impossible for a parent to save their child or a child to save their parent. These three occasions are the time of sickness, the time for growing old, and the moment of death. How can a child take the place of ones parent when they are growing old. How can a parent take the place of their child when the child is sick. How can either help the other when the moment of death approaches? No matter how much they may love each other or how intimate they may have been neither can help the other on such occasion.” On July 8 and 9 at 2:00 PM our Betsuin will be observing Hatsubon. Since the Obon of 2005, many of us have experienced the death of a parent, spouse, friend, brother, sister and as a result, our lives have changed and will never be the same. A feeling of aloneness and helplessness continues to overwhelm our hearts and minds. Unfortunately, there is no set timetable that tells us when to get on with our lives nor a period of time that our lives are no longer void and empty. The reading I began with are the words of Shakyamuni Buddha. He tells us that there are three occasions in life when we would be totally unable to help a loved one: 1) declining health; 2) growing old; 3) and death. When you think of your own loss this past year, Shakyamuni words are very sad, yet true. The emptiness in our life is a reminder that things will never be the same. Our loved ones are no longer be there to visit, talk to, share laughs or tears with. Yes, physically they are no longer with us.Yet, as painful as it may be, your loved ones death has given you this opportunity to awaken to the mind and heart that transcends time and space so that we may continue to experience the embrace of our loved ones through their thoughts, words and actions. It means becoming aware of your loved one’s continued influence, and how their life will continue to be manifested in your daily life. As Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, Hatsubon as well as other family memorial services are a time to reflect upon our lives and how we are continually being influenced by our loved ones. For the Hatsubon family and friends, or for that matter all of us, because death has touched each and every one us, the realization of impermanence of the physical body leads us to a better understanding that your Father, mother, husband, wife, daughter, son’s life is continuing to work and influence you. As you reflect on the pain of the lose of your loved one, you come to the realization that we should live each day and savor every moment for we don’t know what tomorrow or the next moment will hold. The pain of your loss will always remain in your hearts but too, all the good times and fond memories of your loved one will continue to be part of you. As we celebrate Obon at the many Buddhist Temples in the area, we should reflect upon the Truth of our existence, the Truth that our loved ones are continuing to influence and take effect upon our lives within every breath. It is a time to awaken to gratitude. Obon is a time to express our gratitude for being given those conditions to live this life. Hatsubon is an expression of the appreciation and gratitude that arises when we embrace the Truth of those causes and conditions of your life. Namo Amida Butsu
	Back to: Top \| Rimban George Matsubayashi \| Reverend Briones Copyright © 2006 by Nishi Hongwanji L.A.

	Dharma Message Archive
	Rimban George Matsubayashi \| Reverend Briones BY RIMBAN GEORGE MATSUBAYASHI JIHO JULY-AUG, 2006 Joy Over Completion of all Centennial Celebration Projects "Service to Install Objects of Reverence in Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life, and Wisteria Chapel Successfully Concluded" During August of last year we conducted a great service commemorating the centennial of our temple’s existence. Following that service, on October 1, we shipped the Obutsudan and “object of reverence” temporarily installed in the newly-constructed Memorial Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life, and in the Wisteria Chapel, to the Wakabayashi Buddhist Altar Equipment Company in Kyoto, Japan, for refurbishing. That work was completed on schedule and on May 16th of this year, both objects were safely returned to our temple. The service to install the objects of reverence in both our newly-constructed structures was held on May 21 of this year. It was held together with our Gotan-e Service, which celebrates the birth of the Venerable Master Shinran, the founder of our Jodo-Shinshu teaching. In addition to the staff ministers of our temple, we were fortunate to have Reverends Shoki Mohri (the 6th Rimban of our Betsuin), Seikan Fukuma (the 7th Rimban), and Harold Oda (former Betsuin minister) participate. I cannot express how grateful I am about how successful this event was. I can only place my hands in gassho towards all of you for helping make that service what it was. * * * * * The date when the Obutsudan installed in the Wisteria Chapel was made is not known with certainty. Based on records kept at our Betsuin and conjecture by specialists in such matters, however, it is considered to be at least a hundred years old. When the predecessor of our Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple, the Nanka (Southern California) Buddhist Association, was established during 1905, services were held in the old Yamato Hall located in Little Tokyo. Because that hall was used for other activities, the Obutsudan could not be kept permanently in one place. Accordingly, the Obutsudan is believed to have been placed in a container (Ozushi) and brought out whenever and wherever required. Because the Obutsudan was constructed so long ago, it was not in very good condition when we shipped it back to Japan. According to the artisans who repaired it, almost all of the materials from which it was constructed had to be replaced. When our Betsuin (although it was not a Betsuin at the time) temple on First Street and Central Avenue was constructed during 1925, the Obutsudan in its container was installed in the basement. When our present temple structure was constructed in 1969, it was installed in our old Wisteria Chapel just as it was. Now that we have a splendid structure to house it, however, we installed the newly-refurbished Obutsudan in our new Wisteria Chapel. The “object of reverence” that was installed in our newly-constructed Memorial Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life was originally installed in the hondo main worship area of our old temple when it was constructed during 1925. It is believed to have been constructed some twenty years after the Obutsudan in our Wisteria Chapel. This supposition comes from determining the aging of materials and how much of it had to be replaced, in comparison with the Obutsudan enshrined in the Wisteria Chapel. When our present temple structure was built in 1969, this Obutsudan was installed in the Lotus Chapel located in the basement of our temple. Now refurbished, it is presently installed in our newly-constructed Memorial Chapel of Immeasurable Light and Life where it will forever honor the Buddha and inspire and cultivate all those who follow us. Onaijin altar accessories such as the upper table, front table, incense-burner stand and sutra stand have also been refurbished. These historical accessories that are up to a hundred years old, have served generations of the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren of our original temple members. Each Buddhist implement mentioned above carries with it the Buddha’s sacred wishes for all of us, for which we should be extremely thankful. Mr. Fujiyoshi Yamamoto, former President of our Betsuin, who presided over the Obutsudan installation service, said that following at the time: “The Obutsudan and associated Buddhist implements have been so beautifully refurbished that they seem to have just been created. A monetary value cannot be placed on them. Because of them, however, I seem to feel the sacred desire of the Buddha for all of us, and the life of all who have preceded us, reverberating deep within me!” I cannot help but bow my head in complete agreement. * * * * * Together with the newly-refurbished Obutsudan and “object of reverence,” a series of panels made of woven silk titled, “Heavenly Deities Coming to Welcome us (to the Pure Land)” designed and donated by the world-famous Yuzen-tradition artist, Yasuhiro Chiji, was installed in our newly-constructed Wisteria Chapel. Mr. Chiji is well known for his depiction of heavenly deities, and he says he wishes to make “Buddha-dharma” the theme of his future designs. The reason for this direction in his art began 35 years ago when he joined his father, the Buddhist artist Hideya Chiji, when his father spent three years painting the Buddhist murals that decorate our Betsuin hondo walls. I am sure all of you have seen and admired these murals that depict the life of the Buddha. Mr. Chiji, who was then just 19 years of age, said he was extremely impressed that his then 80-year old father would wake at 5:00 every morning, give himself a brisk cold-water rub, and chant sutras before concentrating on the work of creating the murals. Seeing that personal practice of Buddha-dharma first-hand lead Mr. Chiji to appreciate the depth of the Buddhist teaching, and to follow it himself. “Thirteen years have passed since that father of mine and also my mother, left this world,” Mr. Chiji said. “Because that memorial anniversary year coincided with the centennial of the founding of the Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple, I would like to donate this mural of “Heavenly Deities Coming to Welcome us (to the Pure Land)” to this temple. I am sure that more than anyone, my parents will take great joy in this.” An article about Mr. Chiji and the murals that he donated to our Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple appeared in the January 10, 2006 edition of the Hongwanji Shimpo Newspaper, published in Kyoto. In it, Mr. Chiji was quoted as saying, “Buddhist services attended by the entire family are held every Sunday at the Los Angeles Betsuin Buddhist Temple. The members hear Dharma Talks and engage in friendly conversation after the service. This is something that is no longer seen in Japan, and I wish to express that wonderful world in my art …” With the blessed Dharma received from the founder of our religious tradition, the indebtedness to all our predecessors, and the great efforts of each and every one of you members of our most wonderful Betsuin Buddhist Temple, we were able to completely and satisfactory celebrate the first centennial of our temple’s existence. I cannot begin to express my great gratitude I feel towards all of you for assisting in this effort. * * * * * We are honored to have a calligraphic sign in the Nokotsu-do with the words, “Hall of Immeasurable Light and Life” (Muryo Koju-do) personally brushed by His Eminence, Monshu Koshin Ohtani. In the Wisteria Chapel we have another sign with the words, “Light of Wisdom, Refreshing Purity” (Eko Myojo”) personally brushed by the former Monshu Kosho Ohtani. And in the Hondo of our temple, we have a third sign with words, “Revealing the Great Way (the teaching of the Nembutsu)” (Kenji Daido) personally brushed by late Honorable Sonyu Ohtani. All three of these calligraphic signs relate to our centennial slogan, “Embraced by Amida… Rejoicing in Gratitude. I cannot help but feel how appropriate these calligraphic signs are expressing the great joy of constantly being within the embrace of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow, and thus being allowed to walk the unobstructed path of the Nembutsu. * * * * * There is no way we can know the depths of our indebtedness to the founder of our Buddhist tradition and those who have preceded and cultivated us in it – all we can do is bow our heads in gratitude. The time of year when we fondly recall those who preceded but are no longer with us – Obon – is now upon us. This tradition which is both refined and nostalgic, began in India, was transmitted to China, then to Japan and is now celebrated here in the United States. The Obon tradition began with a story told in the “Urabon Sutra,” in which a personal disciple of Shakamuni Buddha named Mokuren was reunited with his deceased mother because of devotion and filial piety. It is said that Mokuren was able to see his mother being saved through holding a memorial service conducted by the Buddhist priests for his mother. According to the “Urabon sutra,” we can save our fathers and mothers, and ancestors going back seven generations in this way. For us today it is a time to reflect nostalgically on all those who preceded us, and what they did to cultivate us along the way. We have now completed construction of the structures to commemorate our centennial, installed the objects of reverence in them and held services to commemorate this activity. With the deepest of gratitude that all this activity was successfully completed, we will conduct the first Obon Service of our second hundred years of existence this coming July 8th (Saturday) and 9th (Sunday). A service will be conducted at 2:00 on both of these days in memory of the approximately 140 persons with close ties to our temple on this, for them, their first Obon anniversary. Our annual carnival will be held following these services, starting at 3:00 on both days. Our very popular Obon dancing will be held beginning at 6:30 on both days. The following week, July 16th (Sunday), an Obon Service will be conducted with Dharma Talk in English at 10:00, and another service with the Dharma Talk in Japanese at 1:30. The English talk will be given by Reverend Masao Kodani of the Senshin Buddhist Temple and Japanese talk by the former Rimban of our Temple, Reverend Seikan Fukuma. I am looking forward to seeing you all at these important services. Namo Amida Butsu
	Back to: Top \| Rimban George Matsubayashi \| Reverend Briones BY REV. WILLIAM BRIONES JIHO JULY-AUG, 2006 "Thoughts on This Hatsubon" “There are three occasions when it is impossible for a parent to save their child or a child to save their parent. These three occasions are the time of sickness, the time for growing old, and the moment of death. How can a child take the place of ones parent when they are growing old. How can a parent take the place of their child when the child is sick. How can either help the other when the moment of death approaches? No matter how much they may love each other or how intimate they may have been neither can help the other on such occasion.” On July 8 and 9 at 2:00 PM our Betsuin will be observing Hatsubon. Since the Obon of 2005, many of us have experienced the death of a parent, spouse, friend, brother, sister and as a result, our lives have changed and will never be the same. A feeling of aloneness and helplessness continues to overwhelm our hearts and minds. Unfortunately, there is no set timetable that tells us when to get on with our lives nor a period of time that our lives are no longer void and empty. The reading I began with are the words of Shakyamuni Buddha. He tells us that there are three occasions in life when we would be totally unable to help a loved one: 1) declining health; 2) growing old; 3) and death. When you think of your own loss this past year, Shakyamuni words are very sad, yet true. The emptiness in our life is a reminder that things will never be the same. Our loved ones are no longer be there to visit, talk to, share laughs or tears with. Yes, physically they are no longer with us.Yet, as painful as it may be, your loved ones death has given you this opportunity to awaken to the mind and heart that transcends time and space so that we may continue to experience the embrace of our loved ones through their thoughts, words and actions. It means becoming aware of your loved one’s continued influence, and how their life will continue to be manifested in your daily life. As Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, Hatsubon as well as other family memorial services are a time to reflect upon our lives and how we are continually being influenced by our loved ones. For the Hatsubon family and friends, or for that matter all of us, because death has touched each and every one us, the realization of impermanence of the physical body leads us to a better understanding that your Father, mother, husband, wife, daughter, son’s life is continuing to work and influence you. As you reflect on the pain of the lose of your loved one, you come to the realization that we should live each day and savor every moment for we don’t know what tomorrow or the next moment will hold. The pain of your loss will always remain in your hearts but too, all the good times and fond memories of your loved one will continue to be part of you. As we celebrate Obon at the many Buddhist Temples in the area, we should reflect upon the Truth of our existence, the Truth that our loved ones are continuing to influence and take effect upon our lives within every breath. It is a time to awaken to gratitude. Obon is a time to express our gratitude for being given those conditions to live this life. Hatsubon is an expression of the appreciation and gratitude that arises when we embrace the Truth of those causes and conditions of your life. Namo Amida Butsu
	Back to: Top \| Rimban George Matsubayashi \| Reverend Briones Copyright © 2006 by Nishi Hongwanji L.A.