Ichimi

Watsonville Buddhist Temple

Inside this issue

Dharma Youth ............................. 2

Board Meeting Notes ................. 8

Monthly Memorial ...................... 5

Donations ................................... 7

Special points of interest

March 4th Ohigan & Shotsuki Hoyo (Monthly Memorial)

March 6th Temple Board Meeting

March 8th ABA Meeting

March 10th Levee Cleanup

March 13th, 20th & 27th

Meditation Sessions

Ohigan—Spring Equinox Welcome to the month of March! Can you believe it is already

the month of March and spring is here! This month we will

experience warmer weather and longer days of sunlight. It is a

perfect time to view and contemplate the harmony of nature.

I recently had a conversation with a good friend and the idea of

itadakimasu. I mentioned that everything that we consume has

been a part of our existence. Because of that we say itadakimasu.

We thank everyone for their hard work, and we thank the food for

giving its life. In some traditions there is the belief that every-

thing on earth was placed here for our benefit. This is especially

true when it comes to the things we eat.

Buddhism teaches us that all things in life, animal, vegetable and

inanimate objects have their own existence. They have their own

reason for their existence and are not here for our convenience or

for our benefit. They are not here for us to do as we please.

(Continued on page 3)

Ohigan Levee Cleanup In cooperation with the city of Watsonville, the Watsonville Bud-

dhist Temple will hold a Ohigan (Spring Equinox) cleanup of the

levee across the street from the temple. (continued on page 9)

March 2018 Volume XXXXIV, Issue 3

Udon Feed 2018

Dear Watsonville Bud-dhist Temple Sangha: Everyone from the volunteers who came earlier in the week to help with prep, to the volunteers who came to help long hours on Sat-urday, and those who ate like there was no tomorrow, we appreci-ate all of you.

With deepest gratitude,

Nancy Kuratomi, Alice Tanimoto & Bruce Yamamoto Co-Chairpersons

Two Thousand Eighteen

Welcome to the world of Two Thousand Eighteen, With good wishes for your happi-ness and well-being. Make "The Joy Of Living," your ultimate goal And leave nega-

tive thinking out in the cold.

"I will try to be a much better person," Is said to be this year's Number One resolu-tion. If your daily grind is causing worry and stress, Try practicing meditation or

mindfulness.

In the days before dot com and dot gov, Our lives were filled with laughter and love. Now nothing is private and nothing is sacred, But for our grand'children's sake, let

us end hatred.

There is one other issue that has me confused. Is the evening news real or is it fake-news? We can't tell who's lying or telling the truth. It is more painful than pulling a

tooth.

Do you ever doubt that my words are true? Shucks! How in the world can I lie to you? If you never believed in a marshmallow sky, Would you believe that cows can

fly?

Yes, imagination is a wonderful thing. It can paint a picture or turn Winter into Spring. Or fill your mind with beautiful thoughts, And not let the small stuff tie

you up in knots.

Lately a lot has been said against Pot. Pot holes, pot stickers, pot luck and pot shot. I can barely retain what little I've got, So if it's good for my brain, I say, "Why not?"

There is much to look forward to in 2018. We will still have sunshine and the free-dom to dream. To end all talks about The Bomb, Remember, "The Power Is In The

Calm."

janice tao

Dharma Youth Program: March 4, 2018

The Dharma Youth Program is designed to teach youth funda-

mental Buddhist concepts and give them an opportunity to par-

ticipate in the ritual. Families are invited to attend and join the

service.

Hi Dharma Youth Participants! Thanks for coming out on

Sunday February 11th.

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU LIFT AN ELEPHANT WITH

TWO HANDS?

(Answer on page 6)

Hope to see you and your family at our next Dharma Youth Pro-

gram on MARCH 4 at 10:00 am

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ABA NEWS Thank you to all those who helped with our ABA memorial service and with the Udon Feed. 31 have paid their ABA membership dues ($5). Please drop off your dues at the temple. March 2nd will be Movie Night at 3pm and again at 7pm in the conference room. March 4th will be Dharma Youth, Shotsuki Hoyo and Higan Services. ABA has donated the funds for new Hondo doors which will be in-stalling this month. Our next ABA event will be the Obon noodles in July. The temple needs your help for the Hanamatsuri sushi preparation in April.

4:30 am- cook

Ohigan—Spring Equinox

Continued from page 1

All existence is the result of a great number of causes and condi-

tions. No two things share the exact same causes and conditions

and therefore everything is unique and has its own value.

A great religious philosopher Hideo Kishimoto wrote in his dairy

about how he did not want to be just another human life that

passes through this world “like the sands of the Ganges”. He

wanted to convey the unique value of each life of each existence.

He described a beautiful scene in the mountains. As the viewer

approached a lush green valley surrounded by tall mountains cov-

ered with snow. At the foot of the mountains are tall trees and

the beautiful blue sky above has scattered white billowing clouds.

Normally our reaction to such a scene might be “Wow how beau-

tiful”. But for Kishimoto his reaction was “Sabishi na”. How

lonely. And then he wrote, “Within all this great splendor one

simple blade of grass is struggling to survive. This great splendor

is due to that single blade of grass”.

Kishimoto said, “How lonely” not because that one blade of grass

was alone, but since the existence of that scene could only be

possible because of the unique existence of one single blade of

grass he said “Sabishi na”.

Kishimoto’s statement is a tribute to the true value of each unique

existence. That this moment would not be possible without my

existence is a deep realization of our life in relation to all things..

This is how we should view the lives of others, but also my life

and my life of responsibility. This is why we say itadakimasu,

so that we can receive and be made aware of the sacrifices for my

benefit. How grateful I am.

Namoamidabutsu,

Rev. Shinseki

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KOKORO NO GAKKO

It's that time of the year

again!! Please join us

for the annual summer

session of Kokoro no

Gakko. Registration is

currently open.

Kindergarteners (who

have completed kinder-

garten by June 2018)

through 6th graders

may enroll. The ses-

sion is between June 25

through July 6th, Mon-

day through Friday be-

tween 9:00 a.m. to

noon at the Watsonville

Buddhist temple.

There is no school on

July 4th. The cost is

$275.00 per child with

an early bird special of

$250.00 if payment is

made by March 15,

2018. Please visit our

website for more infor-

mation on how to regis-

ter:

\http://

www.kokoronogakko.o

rg/

If you have any ques-tions, please do not hesitate to contact Zoo-ey Io or Irene Potter at kokoronogakkowat-sonville@gmail.com. Thank you.

Hanamatsuri 2018

Hello Everyone! It's that time of year already and before you know it, our annual Hanamatsuri Festival will be here! This year, Watsonville’s Festival will be on Sunday, April 8th from 11:00am-2:00pm. Checking in to see if everyone is on board to participate so that we can once again have a successful festival with wonderful displays, demonstrations, entertainment, food, and great company! Volunteer help is crucial and the more volunteers we have, the quicker and easier we all can complete the tasks involved in all the preparations. PLEASE come out to help and learn so we can con-tinue to share and be proud of our temple's traditions for the commu-nity and future generations to enjoy. And like our Temple President Barbara Shingai said at the New Years Potluck, “PLEASE don’t wait to be called, anyone and everyone is encouraged to come out and help.” Please keep these dates available: Friday March 30th 5m- set up the main hall-tables, linens on tables & walls putting up panels on tables, set up utensils & cups forself-serve tea area, stock supplies in the bathrooms & all paper towel dispensers, clean and mop stage, etc. Friday April 6th 8:00 am-12Noon- sushi prep Saturday April 7th 8:00 am- sushi prep; line wooden trays 1:30 pm- wash rice Sunday April 8th 4:30 am- cook/cool down rice 5:30 am- help with sushi making, washing/ drying any kitchen items, clean up I will keep you updated on dates and times. If you have any ques-

tions Please feel free to contact me at: kimyosh546@aol.com or 239-7541 THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH because with your participa-tion we will have such a successful, Hanamatsuri Festival for our Temple members and community to celebrate Amida Buddha’s Birthday. Sincerely, Kim Yoshida, Chairperson & Hanamatsuri Committee

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1 and 2-Bedroom Temple Apartments

► One or two bedroom/one bathroom; Living Room, kitchen, and dining area

► Rent includes water and garbage ► On-site laundry facilities (coin-operated) ► Preference given to Temple members Interested parties are asked to contact Barbara Shingai, c/o Apt. Committee at 831-840-3301. Availability depends on the unit. All rental applications will be reviewed by Temple Apartment Committee.

Daitoku, Mary Eto, Takashi Etow, Mary Fujii,Tadashi Fujii, Linda Fujii, Kosaku Fujita, Kikuko Hamada, Choichi Hamamoto, Tatsuhiko Patrick Hamamoto, Yuichi Hasebe, Setsuko Betty Hashimoto, Nami Hashimoto, Tsuneno Hosada, Shizayo Ishimaru, Yuichi Iwamasa, Yoichi Iwami, Hideo Charles Kadotani, Kimiyo Kadotani, John Kaita, Kinu Kamitani, Muneichi Kamitani, Soichi Katsuyama, Toshiya Kawasaki, Isamu Kimoto, Tokumatsu Kishimura, Kyoshuke Kitamura, Masao Kobara, Shoichi

Kodama, Hatsu Kokka, Noriyuki Kunishige, Nobuyo Kusumoto, Kajito Mametsuka, Moi Matoba, Shizuo Matsuda, Masayoshi Matsunami, Itsuko Mayeda, Kamenoshin Mio, Masujiro Morimoto, Kenji Nakamura, Kozuye Niiyama, Yakuichi Nishita, Kimiko Oda, Yaeko Oka, Kazuo Okamura, Sueko Saiki, Saburo Sakaguchi, Shioki Sakai, Isao Sakamoto, Katsue Sasaki, Masami Sasaki, Tadaichi Sera, Kikuno Sukekane, Frances Akiye Sumida, Tsune Takemoto, Dr. Katsumi Takemoto, Itaro Tamaki, Miyeko

Tanaka, Mina Tanimasa, Jiro Tao, Howard Tao, Keitaro Tao, Yotsuo Terasaki, Yoneko Toriumi, Shigezo Tsukiji, John Tsuchiyama, Yoshito Uemura, Itsuo Ura, George Masaru Yamakoshi, Helen Yamamoto, Iwakichi Yamamoto, Jintaro Yamamoto, Saikichi Yamanishi, Kunimatsu Yamashita, Kenji Yamashita, Tommy David Yoshida, Kikuno Yonemura, Kimiko Yoshida, Morisaburo

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Apartment for Rent

MARCH SHOTSUKI HOYO, FAMILY MEMORIAL

DONATIONS

TEMPLE DUES These generous members donated more than their Temple dues: Akiyama, Jean Eto, Sue Fujii, Nobue Gavin, Jennifer & Kai Hane, Judy Hayashi, Art Hirahara, Satoshi & Jean Kodama, Akira Kodama, Larry Kondo, Gerald & Vicki Kondo, Ross Kowaki, Ritsuko Kuratomi, Reed & Nancy Maemura, Yoko Mitani, Sally Murakami, Tom Nagamine, Akira Nagamine, Mutsuo Nakamura, Larry Okamoto, Itsuko Sakae, Grant & Barbara Takamune, Rosie Tao, Paul & Kim Ura, Esther Uyematsu, Alan & Gayle Yamamoto, Ruth Yamanishi, Sayuri Yamashita, Jackie & Musashi

SHOTSUKI HOYO DONATIONS Akiyama, Jean Akiyoshi, Asayo Akiyoshi, David Fujii, Nobue Izumizaki, Christine Kajisa, Hisako Kyono, Marianna Yuki Matsui, Isao Mito, Ron & Millicent Murakami, Tom Nagamine, Akira Nagamine, Mutsuo Nagamine, Osamu Nakatani, Noburo Nishihara, Eiko Nishihara, Yoshiko Okamoto, Itsuko Sakimoto, Hiroko Takamune, Rosie Tamasu, Chieko Tao, Janice Ura, Esther Yamamoto, Ruth

HOONKO DONATIONS Akiyama, Jean Akiyama, Nobuko Fujii, Nobue Hashimoto, Mas Hattori, Rick & Ellie Hirahara, Kaoru Hara, Fumiko Honda, Sunao & June Kato, Tad & JoAnn Kodama, Akira Kozuki, Ryoko Maemura, Yoshie Matsunami, Sadao Murakami, Tom Nabeta, Caroline Nakatani, Noboru Nishihara, Eiko Nishihara, Yoshiko Nitao, Itaru Okamoto, Itsuko Okuma, Jane Sakamoto, Sam & Yae Shingai, Barbara Suruki, Tatsuro Tamasu, Chieko Tanimasa, Fumi Tanimoto, Ken Tao, Mitsuyo Tao, Janice Umeda, Yoko Wurtenberg, Bill & Gail Uemura, Hisako Yamamoto, Ruth Yamashita, Toshiko Yamashita, Iwao Yoshida, Riiko Yoshida, Perry & Kim

DONATIONS FOR: Bodhi Day – Uemura, Hisako Nirvana Day - Kawasaki, Kiyo & Aileen

110-Year Celebration Dona-tion Mito, Ron & Millicent

Answer to riddle from page 2: No elephant has two hands

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VAN FOR SALE TEMPLE DUES

SPECIAL DONATIONS

TIME TO PAY YOUR 2018 TEMPLE DUES! Single membership - $270; Couple or Family membership - $540; San Juan-Hollister Howakai: - Single rate - $135 - Couple/family rate - $270 (All rates above include $10 per person for

cleaning fee)

Watsonville Buddhist Temple gratefully appreciates your gener-ous support: In memory of Roy Kaita – 3 yr memorial service - Ikegami, Dennis & Susan - Ikegami, Lester & Patti - Kaita, Emiko - Matsushita, Ted & Laurie In memory of Miye Yamashita, 49-day service - Yamashita Family - Richard & Kyoko Oba - Tok & Claire Yamashita - Toshi Yamashita Mito, Ron & Millicent – In memory of Frank Mito, 25-yr mem’l Sakamoto, Sam & Yae - In Appreciation Yagi, Chiyo – In memory of Helen Yoneyama

2010 DODGE GRAND CARA-VAN FOR SALE

White Gold color; black interior 74,000 miles; automatic transmis-

sion Very Good condition

$8,500 Contact Bill W (831-750-2906) or

Barbara S (831-840-3301) for further information

JOB OPPORTUNITY Seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant for temple office. Gen-

eral office & administrative duties.

Days & Hours of Work (with some flexibility): Tues, Wed, & Thurs. 9:30 am to 12Noon

Interested candidate to submit a cover letter with current resume, detailing work experience & qualifications. Position requires com-

puter proficiency in Word & Excel. Email: info@wbtemple.org

ABA Donation from Yamashita Family: In memory of Miye Yamashita Memorial Donations Fumi Tanimasa June Honda Tee Yamamoto Jean Akiyama Janice Tao Eiko Nishihara Yoshiko Nishihara Mitsuyo Tao Yoko Umeda Sam Sakamoto Shizuko Tao Noboru Nakatani Reed Kuratomi Toshiko Yamashita Judy Hane Fumie Hane Akira Kodama Itaru Nitao Mas Hashimoto Isao Matsui Alice Misumi Kazuko Sakai Nobue Fujii Ruth Yamamoto Chiyoko Yagi

Highlights of Temple Board Meeting – Feb. 2018 Financials: Overall temple finances good. BCA Investments have done well over past 4+ years. Ministers’ Report: Ohigan Levee Clean-Up – Sat. Mar. 10, 2018 @ 9am: Event is being coordinated in con-junction with City of Watsonville, Watsonville High School SAVE (Help the Environment), Boy Scouts Troop 558. City will provide garbage bags, gloves, sticks, etc. for clean-up. Asking for anyone to help serve refreshments that morning Meditation Sessions: To start Tues., Mar. 13 @ 7pm, except for nights of Board meetings. Nirvana Day, Shotsuki, Dharma Youth Program, Pet Memorial Service: Sun., Feb. 11 @ 10am. National Minister’s & National Council Meeting: Feb. 21-25, 2018 in Sacramento Buddhist Study Class: Last class on Mon., Feb. 12. BCA Report: Detailed discussion took place regarding issues that will be addressed at up-coming National Council meeting. Ken Tanimoto presented items with background infor-mation for board members. BCA Leadership Workshop, Berkeley: Held on Jan. 19-21 at the Jodo Shinshu Center, which Barbara Shingai & Perry Yoshida attended. Good opportunity to meet with 19 other temples & share ideas. Udon Feed: Very successful event on Sat., Feb. 3rd. Sold out at 6:15 pm. Special thanks to Nancy Kuratomi & Alice Tanimoto for chairing this event along with all who came out and helped. Movie Night: Fri., Mar. 2 @ 3pm Matinee and 7pm showing: “Like Father Like Son” Temple Administrative Assistant Recruitment: Part-time 9:30a-12N 3 days a week. Still looking for office replacement. Please make any referrals to President Barbara Shingai. Temple will be getting new front Hondo doors in Feb. 2018. Many thanks to ABA for their generosity in purchasing these doors. ABA Report: ABA Memorial service was held on Sun., Jan. 21. Rev. Shinseki gave a moving Dharma message about why we read the names of the loved ones who have passed away. It reminds us of our loved ones, their desire for us to live a full life and to listen to the Dharma, as some day we will all be joined in the Pure Land. A delicious curry rice luncheon was served. Watsonville Hanamatsuri Festival: Sun., April 8 @ 11am – 2pm. Chairperson: Kim Yo-shida. Festive displays, food sales and entertainment will be provided. Kokoro No Gakko: Registration is open online for 2018 session: June 25 to July 6, 2018. New Projector Screen has been donated for the Hondo by Perry & Kim Yoshida.

Highlights of Temple Board (Continued) Tri-Temple Hanamatsuri Public Lecture (Sat., April 21 from 2-4pm) and Sunday Service/Luncheon (Sun., April 22 @ 10am) at Buddhist Temple of Salinas. Guest Speaker: Rev. Hen-ry Adams from San Mateo Buddhist Temple. Carpooling will be provided for Watsonville members who wish to attend. Contact the Temple office if interested. ICHIMI newsletter continues to undergo some changes. Any feedback is welcomed to Rev. Shinseki.

Ohigan Levee Cleanup (Continued)

Spring Ohigan is a wonderful time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and

appreciate the beauty and harmony of nature. Join us on March 10th at

9:00—11:00 am with a neighborhood clean up of the levee area

across from the temple. We will be joined by our neighbors, Wat-

sonville High School SAVE club members, Boy Scout Troop 558, and

middle school students.

The Love Bug

We have bravely weathered the Winter storms; The wind and rain and chilly morns,

But now we are faced with a cough and a sneeze Brought on by the pollen from Acacia trees.

Did you catch a glimpse of the Super Blue Moon?

It is a good sign that love is in bloom. Have you ever wondered how love got it's start ?

Didn't it begin with a Valentine Heart?

The essence of love thrives in everything. In the Winter, Summer, Autum and Spring,

So we must be wary of a warm February, For that is when love is most legendary .

Love is in laughter and a smiling face,

A chirping bird, a kind word, a warm embrace. In children and pets on whom we lovingly dote,

'Burgers and fries and a root beer float.

In happiness, rainbows, a bouquet of roses, Poetry, romantic novels and itchy noses.

Honey bees, apple trees and seasonal showers, In music, the movies and beautiful flowers.

The Love Bug is prevalent from May to December. It may be a nuisance but it's a bug to remember. To remind us ; If we had no love to pass around,

Our lives would not be as profound.

When we were kids we would scream and shout, "The Love Bug will get you if you don't watch out."

But true love is not a game of chess, So if you are loved, you are very blessed.

If you happen to catch a passing bug,

Show it some love with a great big hug. Although the Love Bug may slip away,

It will always return on Valentine's Day. janice tao

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Watsonville Temple Information Watsonville Buddhist Temple

Thank you to all those who helped with our ABA memo rial service and with the Udon Feed. 31 have paid their ABA mem bership dues ($5). Please drop off your dues at the temple.

March 2nd will be Movie Night at 3pm and again at 7pm in the conference room.

March 4th will be Dharma Youth, Shotsuki Hoyo and Higan Services.

ABA has donated the funds for new Hondo doors which will be in stalling this month.

Our next ABA event will be the Obon noodles in July.

The temple needs your help for the Hanamatsuri sushi preparation in April.

Watsonville Buddhist Temple

Primary Business Address

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Phone: 555-555-5555

Fax: 555-555-5555

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The Temple office email is info@WBTemple.org Go to www.wbtemple.org and check out what’s going on!! Temple Directories are available to Temple members. Please call 831-724-7860 or come by the office.

Follow us on Twitter @WatsonvilleBT

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