the Padma BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE

November 2017 Web Edition

Our Vision A Community Where Our Spiritual Life And True Self Can Be Realized

Our Mission

To Live A Life Of Joy In The Nembutsu And Share The Dharma With Others

TUE WED THU SAT1 2 4

7 8 9 118:30 am Chanting Service9:30 am Dharma Family /

Shotsuki Hoyo Svc

14 15 16 188:30 am Chanting Service9:30 am Hoonko Service

21 22 23 258:30 am Chanting Service9:30 am Dharma Family Svc

28 29 308:30 am Chanting Service9:30 am Dharma Family Svc

Sangha Singers

Gagaku Practice10am

Sangha Singers

For temple matters, please contact Rev. Shibata at (510) 508-0292or the temple office (510) 841-1356.web: berkeleysangha.orge-mail: info@berkeleysangha.orgfacebook: facebook.com/BerkeleyBuddhistTemple

Guest Speaker:Rev. Jay Shinseki

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t h e P a d m aWeb EditionBERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE

November 20172121 CHANNING WAY, BERKELEY, CA 94704

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FUTURE DATES TO REMEMBER On the cover Eitaikyo dharma message by Rev. Matsumoto

Inside November Calendar................ 2

Future Dates to Remember ..... 3

The courageous heart…, Rev. Shibata .......................... 4

President’s Message ............... 5

Shotsuki Hoyo........................ 6

On Interdependence, Diane Ames ........................... 7

Commemorative Services........ 8

Dharma School ...................... 8

Jr. YBA.................................. 8

Ho-On-Ko Service................... 9

Eitaiko................................. 10

Senior Lunch........................ 10

Rummage Sale Thank You .... 11

Toban ................................. 12

October Birthdays ................ 12

Pledge................................. 12

In Gratitude Luncheon.......... 13

Book Club............................ 14

The Ito Sisters ..................... 15

Bazaar Annual Gift................ 16

Board Minutes...................... 18

Together in Gassho .............. 20

Rainbow of Infinite Light....... 21

2017 ITF ............................. 22

November 5: DFS & Shotsuki Hoyo

November 9: Book Club

November 12: Ho-on-ko service Guest Speaker: Rev. Jay Shinseki

December 3: DFS & Shotsuki Hoyo

December 10: Bodhi Day service; In Gratitude Luncheon for Rev. Shibata

December 17: Temple clean-up

December 31: Joya-e (Year End) service

November 2017 Dharma School Schedule

Sun, Nov 5 Regular Dharma School Classes

Sun, Nov 12 Ho-on-ko service; Regular Dharma School Classes

Sun, Nov 19 Regular Dharma School Classes

Sun, Nov 26 Bodhi Day rehearsal (all students)

Support BBT every time you shop with AmazonSmile What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is an easy way to support the Temple every time you shop. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to BBT. It’s free and automatic.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com. Sign in to your amazon account and select Berkeley Buddhist Temple as your designated charity. There is no cost to you or BBT. To read more about the AmazonSmile Foundation and program, go to smile.amazon.com

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Padma Staff: Rev. Shibata, Gene & Vicki Chin, Pauline Fong, Lucy Hamai, Keiko Kawakami, Jon Kawamoto, Emi Matsunaga, Yuki Otake, Mae Takeda, Scott Takeda, Edythe Vassall

“The courageous heart is the one that is unafraid to open itself to the world.”1

September 17th marked a very special occasion for eight of our temple members and for our entire temple as a Sangha. We were honored to have Bishop Kodo Umezu as the guest speaker for our Fall Ohigan service, which allowed us to conduct the Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony and also certify two minister’s assistants. We witnessed a huge step in our temple members’ lives as they took refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and were granted their Buddhist names. In addition, we have been so fortunate that CJ Dunford and Bradley Menda have also taken a gigantic step further in supporting the temple as certified minister’s assistants. I was deeply moved as I witnessed these ceremonies and found myself getting chocked up with emotion as I read each of the participants’ names.

October 8th also marked a very special day for my dear friend, Haruka Beppu. Haruka is a former graduate student at the Institute of Buddhist Studies and lived at the IBS dormitory while I was also in attendance. We easily formed a very close friendship and she quickly became my imōto (妹), little sister. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Japan to attend her wedding ceremony at her family’s temple in Shizuoka, followed by a beautiful reception overlooking Mt. Fuji in the distance. Because of Rev. David Matsumoto’s willingness to be our officiating minister and guest speaker for our Eitaikyo service, in addition to his sincere encouragement to celebrate this milestone in Haruka’s life, I was able to enjoy my time in Japan. I also felt my eyes welling up with tears of joy as I saw her for the first time as she entered her family’s temple while taking her first steps towards marriage with her loving partner.

These recent and remarkable events were beautiful and moving as I witnessed them. It truly was an honor to be a part of their special days. In both instances, our temple members, Haruka, and her husband, courageously opened their hearts and minds to these new commitments of their lives. As our temple members received their Buddhist names, they committed themselves to endeavor on the path of the Nembutsu teachings. Their partner on this journey will continue to be Amida Buddha as the light of true compassion and wisdom guides their way. The Dharma will continue to provide insight to their lives as the Sangha offers support and encouragement when needed.

Haruka and her husband have also courageously opened their hearts to each other and have opened themselves up to a world of new possibilities. They too, have committed themselves to walk together through the trials they will face and also during their happiest of days. Their lives, both steeped in the Jodo Shinshu teachings, will continue to be guided by the Buddha-Dharma while also being supported by their Sangha of family, friends and temple members.

Witnessing these ceremonies of commitment from our temple members and by Haruka and her husband have reminded me of my own commitment to my life in the ministry. They have encouraged my heart to continue to be moved by the workings of Amida Buddha in my everyday life and also encourage me to be unafraid of what each fortunate day holds.

In Gassho, Rev. Candice Shibata

1 Jack Kornfield, Quoted from Buddha Doodles.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE   This past October we had the pleasure of welcoming Rev. David Matsumoto back to the temple as the guest speaker for our Eitaikyo service. The Eitaikyo memorial service is a special time in which we remember and honor all of our loved ones who passed away before us and the many ways that they have helped shape our lives today. During the children’s Dharma talk, Rev. Matsumoto passed around a bowl and asked everyone to try and identify what was inside of it. Inside the bowl was a single grain of rice. Rev. Matsumoto explained about the amount of work it takes to produce a single grain of rice. From planting the seeds, to caring for the seedlings, to the final harvesting, so many individuals have spent countless hours to produce that single grain of rice. After hearing that story, I had a deeper sense of appreciation for the single grain of rice in the bowl and to everyone and everything that helped make the grain of rice possible. It made me realize how it is so easy to take the simplest things in life for granted. 

During the Eitaikyo service, the temple also held a special ceremony (Keiro Kai) to express our gratitude to all of our senior members for their countless contributions to the temple and to the community. Currently our temple has 74 members aged 77 years or older. Over 19 of these individuals are 90 years or older and another 4 more are or will be 100 years or older this year. During the Keiro Kai we had the honor of recognizing 30 of the temple’s most respected senior members. As each of the honorees walked up to the incense burner and offered incense, I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation towards each of them. In my mind, I was trying to picture the countless sacrifices that each of these individuals must have endured to make our temple what it is today. I thought that it was fitting for our Dharma School students to present the gifts to our honorees. I hope that each of our senior members know in their hearts that their selfless actions of the past and present make it possible for future generations, like our Dharma School students, to continue to learn about the Buddha Dharma. I hope that our Dharma School students remember the faces of the individuals honored during the Keiro Kai, knowing that those individuals were the pioneers of the temple community. 

I am reminded of the grain of rice and how perhaps in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget about how interconnected we are. I am always eternally grateful to all of our current members for all of their contributions to the temple but often times get so stuck in the day‐to‐day activities of running the temple that I take for granted the contributions of past generations. I forget that I need to step back and realize that without the contributions of many generations before myself, our temple would not exist and I would not be where I am today. As a board member and president of the board, my primary duty is to help ensure the longevity of our temple but more importantly, to ensure that the hard work of our senior members continues to be recognized and that their legacy is carried on for generations to come. Every time I walk into the temple, I am even more thankful for the physical building and the caring Sangha that our ancestors helped construct. 

Gassho, Bradley 

COMBINED DHARMA FAMILY SERVICE &

SHŌTSUKI MEMORIAL SERVICE November 5, 2017

9:30 am

Shōtsuki Hōyō Service – November 5, 2017, 9:30 AM The following persons will be remembered during the Shōtsuki Hōyō (monthly memorial service) for November.

Yoshiko Adachi Heidi A. Boley Isamu Doi Denise Tami Fong Nancy Louie Fujikawa Shizuko Fukada

Chie Fukunaga Sumie Gluck Ayako Hino

Chiyo Hirose Eddie K. Hitomi Rae Imamura Haruko Inadomi Isao Ishikawa George Ishino

Sunae Ishino Mary Iyama Seiichi Kami Sumiko Kawaguchi Shizuko Kawakami Hatsuye Konishi

Fusayo Kono Fujino Kosakura Ayako Kurakazu Tetsuo Kurihara Nicole Lavigne Waiko Lindquist Haruno Marutani Sumie Matsubara Rebecca J. Mayeno

Masakazu Miyamoto Misuko Miyamoto Sadie H. Mizusaki George Morishige Hayao Nakagawa Shigeru Oki

Shizuko Oki Harry K. Okino Uhachi Okubo

Mary H. Ota Tadahiro S. Sameshima Joseph Sasaki Kunikazu Sasaki Joe Shimada Yasue Shimada

Kayo Shinoda Kiyoaki Shinoda Shunji Shinoda Kazuyoshi Sumisaki Wayne T. Sumisaki Kazue Takahashi

Toshie Takahashi Yoshikazu Takahashi Ben Takao Chizuko Mae Tanaka Yukiye Terazawa Frank Masaru Tokirio

Chio Tominaga Mitsuo M. Tominaga Aileen A. Tsukada Kizo Umawatari Fumiye Uyeshima Milton S.Wakayama Ben T.Wakaye Nellie Wralstad Tosao Yamada

Miyeko Yoshimura Nobuo Yoshimura

Note: If there are any additions, corrections or deletions to the above list, please notify the Berkeley Buddhist Temple at 510-841-1356.

On Interdependence By Diane Ames

One of the many implications of the Buddhist doctrine of interdependence

is that everything affects and is affected by everything else. To illustrate:

Imagine that there is a delightful land we will call Northern

California. It has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, which means that it

only rains in the winter if it rains at all. Attracted by this and by the

region’s prosperity, all who can move there and build lots of houses.

Now imagine that for over a century, industrialized nations have burned fossil fuels as if

they were stoking the furnaces of Hell. The carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere rises, creating

a greenhouse effect which causes average temperatures to rise, too. In Northern California, this

brings more heat spells and makes droughts worse by increasing evaporation of the water in the

reservoirs, snowpacks, and soil. When the rainclouds do come, they tend to pick up more and

more water vapor from the steadily warming ocean and dump it on the land as heavy rain. By the

2010s things get serious. There is a drought so severe that trees die by the forestful and stand

there drying out. The winter rains that break the drought are so torrential that grasses grow like

mad. The following summer brings record-breaking heat and, of course, no rain. The luxuriant

grasses become so much desiccated hay, withering beside the dead trees. When the usual

parching winds of autumn begin to blow, some of the now numerous humans in the area generate

sparks, igniting all that tinder. Unprecedented wildfires rage through the land. Houses burn;

people are killed. Between the sheer size and number of the fires and the fact that firefighters are

kept busy trying to save all those people and houses, the flames prove hard to control.

In a major metropolitan area a hundred miles from the conflagration, smoke begins to

replace the air. Patients with lung or heart trouble board ambulances. A typical septuagenarian

asthmatic whom we’ll call Diane feels awful and finds that her shortness of breath gets worse

with every smoke-filled day. While this is a disappointing setback after months of therapy and

exercise that had slowly improved her breath control, she knows that she is getting off much

more lightly than many other victims of the disaster. Of course this has been an oversimplified account of the complex tangle of causes and

conditions that led up to our imaginary conflagration and its catastrophic impact on many lives. But it may convey some idea of what is meant by interdependence and how it functions in our complicated world. It may also serve as a sort of wake up call. 

HO-ON-KO SERVICE November 12, 2017

9:30 am

Guest speaker Rev. Jay Shinseki

Resident Minister at Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple Coffee social following service

Dharma School by Stacy Uyeda

October Reminders • Saturday, Oct. 21: Dharma School Halloween

Party, 5:30pm. Please bring a dish to share. • Sunday, Oct. 22: No Dharma School classes. • Sunday, Oct. 29: Eshinni/Kakushinni service.

Bishop Umezu teaches us about everyone having a different ruler.

November Reminders • Sunday, Nov. 5: Regular Dharma School classes • Sunday, Nov. 12: Regular Dharma School classes • Sunday, Nov. 19: Regular Dharma School classes

(day of Berkeley Half Marathon; be prepared for traffic and parking alternatives)

• Sunday, Nov. 26: Bodhi Day rehearsal (all students) Our Dharma School garden is blooming!

Jr. YBA by Victoria Sakai

This month, JYBA went to the Alameda County Food Bank in Oakland and bagged produce for victims of the Napa fire. Together, our chapter and other volunteers bagged over 1000 lbs of produce to be shipped out the following Monday. We are also are planning to attend a conference in Fresno next month. We made a song parody of “Nice Guys” to the theme of sticking together like gohan (rice). We are all very excited to attend the conference in November!

Berkeley Buddhist Temple 2121 Channing Way Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 841-1356

October 17, 2017 Dear Members and Friends of the Temple, The Fall season is upon us and we hope you are enjoying the brisk weather and changing leaves. On November 12, 2017 the Berkeley Buddhist Temple will be observing HO-ON-KO (Feast of Thanksgiving and Gratitude) commemorating the attainment of Nirvana by Shinran Shonin who handed down to us the teachings of the Buddha. For this year’s service we are fortunate to have as guest speaker, Rev.Jay Shinseki, resident minister at Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple. We hope you will attend the HO-ON-KO family service on November 12, 2017 at 9:30 AM. A coffee social will follow the service. The Temple would appreciate your special donation for HO-ON-KO. An envelope is attached for your convenience. In gassho, Berkeley Buddhist Temple

Eitaikyo

A capacity crowd Oct. 8 at the BBT greeted the return of Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, the beloved former resident minister for 11 years who is now Institute of Buddhist Studies Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Rev. Dr. Matsumoto was the BBT's guest speaker for the Eitaikyo and Keirokai service.

During his Dharma talk, Rev. Dr. Matsumoto described the meaning of Eitaikyo -- the perpetual memorial -- and spoke about the meaning of awareness, harmony, interconnectedness with all beings, and authenticity.

He began his talk by passing around a bowl -- containing a single grain of rice -- and to reflect and pay gratitude regarding all the factors involved in creating the food -- the sun, the wind, water, the land, farmers, drivers, all the people past and present, the effort to

Rev. Dr. Matsumoto with Minister's Assistants (and BBT President) Bradley Menda and Tara Umemoto!

harvest the rice and package it for consumption. And, finally, cooking the rice and consuming it for nourishment. After the adult Dharma talk -- which was marked with Rev. Dr. Matsumoto's trademark playing of a song by Okinawan singing star Rimi Natsukawa -- the Sangha gathered in the Social Hall. The BBT's Sangha Singers paid tribute to Rev. Dr. Matsumoto -- by singing two popular songs by Rimi Natsukawa!

The BBT also recognized its many and valued Keiro members, seniors who are age 77 and above -- led by 100-year-old Kimiko Kaneko!

Photos courtesy of Jon Kawamoto

Senior Lunch The BBT honored its senior members with a special Senior Lunch on Sept. 29.

A total of about 30 people turned out to enjoy a delicious lunch of lasagna, garlic bread, green salad, soup and pound cake and strawberries.

And the seniors had a wonderful time playing bingo after the lunch - with prizes!

A big thanks to the organizers of the event: Rev. Candice Shibata, Bradley Menda, CJ Dunford and Tara Umemoto. And many thanks to the many tireless Sangha volunteers: Lucy Hamai, Lena Yin, Mimi Kagehiro, Emi Nakao, Karen Sugiyama, Robin McGuire, Sandra Takeda and Florence Yokoi.

THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL RUMMAGE SALE!

Our recent rummage sale was a huge success, thanks to the many folks who donated their treasures and to the many hard-working volunteers who moved, sorted, and priced items for a full week-and-a-half prior to the sale. A very special thanks to the ladies who fed us and kept us energized: Yuki Otake, Caroline Fernandez, Sadako Delcollo and Florence Yokoi. This effort was a recycling effort on a super grand scale, and despite the hard work, many of us were not only able to part with our stuff but also found many new items to bring back home!

Michiko Anzai Robin, Mali & Noel McGuire Buchholz Family Bradley Menda Vickie & Gene Chin Lorene Nakagiri Sadako Delcollo Emi & Aki Nakao Caroline Fernandez Millie, Takashi, Skye & Mia Nikaidoh Judy & Bill Fujimoto Gayle Nishikawa Naomi Fukumori Art Nishimura Noreen Fukumori Kathy & Alan Oda Wes Fukumori Gary Oda Ted & Laraine Gempf Steve Okano Denise Gervais Yuki & Gene Otake Craig Griffin Emily Otake Barbara Hedani-Morishita Barbara & Ralph Reid Ron Hiraga Rev. Candice Shibata Kazuko Hishida Elaine & Toshi Steimetz Patricia and Michael Karen Sugiyama Sayaka Inaishi Scott Takeda Ellen Jorgenson Pat Takeda Mimi & Ron Kagehiro Sandra Takeda Erin Kagehiro Jane Tanamachi Denise Kaneshiro Lam (Kate) Tsoi David Katsumoto Emily Ushijima Kiyoshi & Emiko Katsumoto Edythe Vassall Jon Kawamoto Irene & Russell Wells Judy Kono Kathleen Yee Julie Kono Lena & George Yin Aiko Kurokawa Florence Yokoi Mary & Eric Lindquist Maya & Paul Yonemura Marikit Mayeno Apologies for any inadvertent omissions

Thanks to all for your wonderful help! - Lena, Mimi, Karen, Bradley & Emiko

TOBAN Coordinators

Lena Yin & Pat Takeda

NOVEMBER TOBAN Chairperson

Mimi Kagehiro Cochairs

Denise Lapidus Susan Kajiwara

Toban Grant & Rosalyn Tonai Din

Janey Egawa Sady & Amy Hayashida

Yo Hiraoka* Dina Honda

Jeff & Mashi Johnston Ron & Mimi Kagehiro

Susan Kajiwara Denise Lapidus Nikki Lethridge Pam Matsuoka Molly Momii* John Oshima

Shizuye Yamasaki* Liane Yasumoto*

DECEMBER TOBAN Chairperson Vicki Chin Cochairs Gary Oda

Irene Wells Denise Gervais

Toban Gene & Vicki Chin

Alfred & Arline Chinn Suzanne Furuya Denise Gervais Annette Lys*

Albert Kutchins & Mari Mayeda Amiko Mayeno

Art Mayeno* Judy Nakaso

Gary Oda Mae Takeda*

Kimi Toji* Yosh & Julia Tokiwa* (WA)

Dennis & Alberta Tsuchida (NY) Russell & Irene Wells

Milton & Dianne Furuya Wong

* Denotes disabled and/or elderly Toban duties optional

One of the most important duties at the BBT is the work of the monthly Toban, who help prepare the coffee, tea, lunch, fruit and snacks after every service in the Social Hall. And because the Toban does its prep work while the service is going on, the work is often overlooked -- but is always appreciated.

September Toban Photo courtesy of Jon Kawamoto

October Birthdays

Molly Momii, 90+ and Don Matsubara, 90 celebrate with the sangha

Pledges Received Sept 15th thru Oct 15th, 2017 The temple would to gratefully acknowledge the following members for their generous contributions. Thank you for your dana.

Akio & Chiyoko Fujinaga, Al & Susan Gabriel, Yae Yedlosky, George & Lena Yin

Thank you for your generous and continuing support! If you have any questions, please contact Mimi Kagehiro at

info@berkeleysangha.org or 510-841-1356.

L ARE OR

2121 CHA NING WAY, ERK L

BBBBT MMMMEEEEMMMMBBERS & DDHHHAAARRRMMMMAAAA SSSSCCCCHHHHOOOOOOOOL ARE CORDIALLLLYYYY INVVVIIIITTTEEEDDD TO

AT THE BERKKKEEELLLEEEEYYY BUUUDDDDDHHHIIISST TEMPLE2121 CHANNING WAY, BERKELEY, CA 94704

FOLLOWING BODHI DAY SERVICE // SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2017

Please RSVP by Friday, December 1st, 2017to LENA YIN

Please l ist al l that are attending:

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1.

Phone: Email:

2121 Channing WayBerkeley, CA 94704

info@berkeleysangha.org or (510) 841-1356

BOOK CLUB Every Second Thursday

Do you enjoy reading? Come join us! The Berkeley Buddhist Temple is excited to announce the continuation of our book club. Every second Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30 PM, we will meet to review the assigned reading of our selected book and have an open discussion about the covered material.

We will continue reading River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism by Rev. Dr. Taitetsu

Unno. Copies of the book are available for sale at the BCA Bookstore located at the Jodo Shinshu Center. Our next meeting will cover Chapters 34-38.

Please contact Rev. Candice Shibata at (510) 841-1356 if you have any questions.

What: Berkeley Buddhist Temple Book Club When: November 9, 2017 @ 6:30 PM Where: Berkeley Buddhist Temple 2121 Channing Way

1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Antonia Grace Glenn antonia_glenn@yahoo.com (510) 847-0898 www.itosisters.com

New Documentary Film THE ITO SISTERS to Have Festival Premiere as Part of 2017 Berkeley Video & Film Festival, Screening Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

The feature-length documentary tells one family’s story of becoming American,

in the face of a series of natural and man-made disasters LARKSPUR, CA, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 Unwashed Masses Productions is pleased to announce that the new documentary feature film, THE ITO SISTERS, will have its festival premiere as part of the 2017 Berkeley Video & Film Festival, and will screen on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the East Bay Media Center, 1939 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94704. A Q&A will follow the screening. Directed and produced by Antonia Grace Glenn and produced and edited by Gregory Pacificar, THE ITO SISTERS captures the rarely told stories of the earliest Japanese immigrants to the United States and their American-born children. In particular, the film focuses on the experiences of Issei (or immigrant) and Nisei (or first generation born in the US) women, whose voices have largely been excluded from American history. At the center of the film are three Nisei sisters: Natsuye (Nancy), Haruye (Lillian) and Hideko (Hedy), who were born on a farm in the Sacramento River Delta and whose lives were directly impacted by some of the most significant events of 20th-century America, from the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 to the Great Depression to World War II. The film also explores the lives of the women’s parents, Yetsusaburo and Toku Ito, who came to the United States to earn money and then return home to Japan, but whose plans were repeatedly thwarted. These personal narratives are set against the backdrop of the anti-Japanese movement in California, a 60-year campaign by politicians, journalists, landowners, labor leaders and others that culminated in the evacuation and incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Featuring interviews with the three sisters conducted in their 80s and 90s the film is also brought to life through family and archival photographs and documents; verbatim quotes from prominent historical figures, performed by a cast of talented voice-over artists; commentary and analysis from renowned scholars; and artistic illustrations. THE ITO SISTERS reveals a little-known chapter of American history, focusing on life in what was essentially a California plantation system between the world wars, with Asian and Mexican laborers working the fields of white landowners.

THE ITO SISTERSScreening Sunday, November 5, 4pm26th Annual Berkeley Video & Film FestivalEast Bay Media Center1939 Addison St, BerkeleyTickets go on sale October 1For tickets and more info, go to: berkeleyvideofilmfest.org or call: (510)843-3699

BBT’S Bazaar Annual Gift Committee (BAGC)

This year in an effort to support the community at large, the Berkeley Buddhist Temple donated a portion of the proceeds from the Satsuki Bazaar to a non-profit organization. The 2017 recipient for the Berkeley Buddhist Temple Bazaar Annual Gift was the Bay Area Rescue Mission, Richmond California. The organization provides shelter, food, showers and clothes, computer–aided learning, GED preparation, job skills in culinary arts, warehousing, heavy equipment operation, office work, construction, security, janitorial services, automotive sales, religious class, and other activities. The Bazaar Annual Gift Committee (BAGC) was formed to help designate each year’s recipient. We would very much appreciate hearing from you regarding a deserving non-profit organization. To qualify, the non-profit should preferably serve the Berkeley area. Please help us by submitting the name of a potential recipient that you feel deserves consideration. Fill out the form below and return to Yuki Otake, 2121 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704 or e-mail info@berkeleysangha.org. Deadline for submissions is December 3, 2017. Please note that all nominations are subject to approval by the Berkeley Buddhist Temple Board of Directors. Thank you for your assistance. Bag committee: Mimi Kagehiro

Pat H N Wayne Sugihara

Jr. YBA Yuki Otake PAST RECIPIENTS: 2017 Bay Area Rescue Mission 2016 Maya’s Music therapy Fund 2015 Asian American Donor Program 2014 Women’s Daytime Drop – In Center (WDDC) 2013 Friend’s of Disabled Children, Inc. 2012 Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay (ASEB) 2011 Berkeley Food and Housing 2010 J-Sei 2009 Niroga Institute, George Mark Children’s House 2008 Asian Neibhborhood Design, East Bay Asian Youth Center 2007 North Berkeley Nikkei Senior Center, YEAH (Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel) 2006 Jodo Shinshu Center 2005 Sakura Kai, Westcoast Children’s Center 2004 Japanese American Services of the East Bay (JASEB), Crisis Support Services of Alameda 2003 Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Buddhist Peace Fellowship (Prison Chaplainry) 2002 The Women’s Refuge, Asian Community Mental Health Services (ACMHS) 2001 Spanish Speaking Citizen’s Foundation, North County Women’s Center

Guidelines for Bazaar Annual Gift (BAG) 1) Gift recipient must be a non-profit organization. 2) Preferably, the gift recipient will serve the Berkeley area. 3) Temple members and Jr. YBA will be asked to submit names of potential recipients. 4) Committee members will review all potential recipients and select recipients based on merit. 5) BAG Committee will recommend recipients and amounts of donations, but recommendations will be

subject to temple board approval. We would like to know the following information:

1) Name of the non-profit organization:_____________________________________________________

2) What they do/whom they serve:_________________________________________________________

3) Organization address:_________________________________________________________________

4) Organization phone number or e-mail address:_____________________________________________

5) Why you would like to see them receive our donation:_______________________________________

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 BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE Board of Directors Meeting 

September 5, 2017  

Attendance:  Rev. Shibata, Bradley Menda, Judy Fujimoto, Patty Fujiwara, Lucy Hamai, Don Hamasaki, Ron Hiraga, Emiko Katsumoto, Kiyoshi Katsumoto, Judy Kono, Denise Lapidus, Emi Nakao, Takashi Nikaidoh, Gary Oda, Wayne Sugihara, Karen Sugiyama, Edythe Vassall, Tara Umemoto, David Ushijima, Lena Yin.  Proxies:  Takashi Nikaidoh for Millie Nikaidoh. 

Bradley Menda called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with opening Gassho led by Rev. Shibata. 

JULY, AUGUST MINUTES:  Typographical errors were noted in both the July and August meeting minutes. The corrected minutes for both months were accepted.  MSC J. Kono / R. Hiraga  ONLINE VOTES:  None  MINISTER'S REPORT:  Rev. Shibata presented her report for the period from August 9, 2017 – September 5, 2017, as follows: 

• Services, Meetings & Other Activities 8/10 – Book Club (BBT) 8/11 – Kieshiki Ceremony Preparation Workshop with Rev. Kuwahara & Participants (BBT) 8/13 – No Services (BBT) 8/14 – Departed for Minister’s Fuken (Reno) 8/15‐8/17 – Minister’s Fuken (Reno) 8/17 – Wedding Consultation #1 (BBT) 8/20 – No Services (BBT) 8/22‐8/23 – Days Off, Rev. Harry Bridge Provided Coverage 8/24‐8/25 – Vacation Days (#7 & #8), Rev. Harry Bridge Provided Coverage 8/26 – Mrs. Masayo Oda’s Funeral & Interment Service (Sunset); Mrs. Mary Ota’s 3rd Year & Mr.  Hajime Ota’s 31st Year Memorial Service (Sunset) 8/27 – No Services (BBT) 9/2 – Private Service for Mrs. Masayo Oda’s Relatives from Japan (BBT) 9/3 – No Services (BBT) 9/5 – Religious Committee Meeting (BBT); Board Meeting (BBT) 

• Memorial Announcements   None • Upcoming Events & Activities 

9/8 – College Welcome Dinner (BBT) 9/10 – Wedding Consultation #2 (BBT) 9/10 – Chanting Service/DFS (Welcome Back Icebreaker) (BBT) 9/12 – Communications Committee Meeting (BBT) 9/14 – Book Club (BBT) 9/17 – Chanting Service/DFS/ Fall Ohigan (Bishop Umezu Guest Speaking) (BBT) 9/20 – BDMA Meeting (PABT) 9/21 – Departing for Seattle 9/22 – Day Off (Seattle) 9/23 – Guest Speaking At The Women In Buddhism Conference (Seattle Betsuin); Returning from Seattle this Evening 9/24 – Chanting Service/DFS (BBT) 9/26‐9/29 – WEHOPE (JSC) 9/29 – Senior Lunch & Bingo (BBT) 10/1 – Chanting Service/DFS/October Shotsuki Hoyo (BBT) 10/4‐10/10 – Days Off and Vacation Days (#9, #10, #11) to attend wedding in Japan, Rev. David Matsumoto to cover 10/8 – No Chanting Service; DFS/Eitaikyo (Rev. Matsumoto Officiating/Guest Speaking) 10/10 – Board Meeting (BBT)  

Rev. Shibata asked the Board to consider funding the acquisition of robes and Monto Shikisho for the two new minister’s assistants.  The Board agreed to cover the cost for each.  MSC E. Katsumoto / L. Yin 

TREASURER'S REPORT:  Takashi Nikaidoh published the income/expense report for period from 1/1/2017 – 8/31/2017 and the itemized categories report for August 2017.  August income includes the Bazaar and rummage sale proceeds.  We remain in line with budget projections. 

CORRESPONDENCE:Bradley Menda reported the following correspondence: • BCA Update • BCA Office of the Bishop: Correction from the Hongwanji on the 850th Anniversary of Shinran Shonin’s birth. • BCA: Information on 403(b) Retirement Plan • BCA Endowment Foundation: Custodial Account Statement • J‐Sei: September Events • Raffle tickets from the Japanese Benevolent Society 

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION REPORTS: 

J‐SEI:A report of upcoming events was received. • Sunday, September 10, 12‐4pm:  J‐Sei Family Festival 

6th Annual Family Festival in honor of Keiro no Hi; food booths by affiliate organizations, cultural performances, and hands‐on activities. El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito 

• Saturday, September 16, 2pm:  Book event: “The Little Exile” A memoir written by Jeanette Arakawa about WWII confinement experience of Japanese Americans as seen through the eyes of a young child. 

• Saturday, September 23, 2pm:  Film Screening: Arnold Knows Me: The Tommy Kono Story Film about American weightlifter Tommy Kono, directed by Ryan Yamamoto; Co‐hosted by Contra Costa JACL East Bay Free Methodist Church, 5395 Potrero Ave, El Cerrito 

DHARMA SCHOOL:  No report received.  Classes will start on September 10th.  A group trip is being planned to see the musical “Peace on Your Wings” in San Francisco on 10/1. 

JR. YBA:  No report received. 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE:The committee submitted their report for September 4, 2017. • Chairpersons’ position is filled through the end of 2017.  Chairpersons and speakers for 2018 was discussed in a religious committee 

meeting prior to the BBT Board Meeting (see Ministerial Transition below). • Mrs. Kimiko Kaneko celebrated her 100th birthday at the North Berkeley Senior Center on August 12 (her actual birthday was August 26). 

Edythe suggested recognizing her at our September 10 Sunday service. • The Holiday Crafts Sale proposed for November is in a tentative status. 

PLEDGE/MEMBERSHIP:  No report received.  

BUILDING MAINTENANCE:Nothing to report. 

GARDEN MAINTENANCE:Nothing to report. 

APARTMENTS:  Ron Hiraga submitted the apartment report for September 2017.There is one vacancy (2328 Fulton, Unit #2).  

COMMUNITY OUTREACH:  Tara spoke on the September 2017 report.  Volunteers are being solicited to help with the College Welcome Dinner (9/8) and the Senior Lunch & Bingo (9/29). 

August • June 23rd‐September 11th: Food Drive 

o New Barrels Arrived: July 31st o Pick up date #2: September 11th 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM o Outreach: Last call email went out beginning of September (last day to donate September 10/11) o What? Donate non‐perishable food! o Why? Alameda County Food bank receives less donations during this time period, so it would be great to help them out 

when they need it most. o Successes:  2 overflowing barrels already picked up! 2 to go! Thank you everyone! 

September • September 8th:  College Welcome Dinner 

o Who? College Students o What? Dharma Talk, Ice breaker, dinner and Jeopardy o Outreach: Padma, announcements and IBS, NSU, CJC, New members, CSA, MSW students o Need: Volunteers to help cook and donate dessert. 

• September 24th: Yosakoi Workshop – after service o Who? Everyone is welcome! o What? Japanese style dance based on Obon Odori dancing. One hour workshop lead by Jeremy Chan, Ito director. It will be 

held after service. • September 26th:  A’s Tailgate – Not enough people. • September 29th: Senior Luncheon 

o What? Lunch and bingo o Outreach: Padma and announcements. o Need: Volunteers to help cook. 

•  September 30th: Buddhist Global Relief: Walk to Feed the Hungry o Who? Everyone is welcome! o What? You can either join and walk with us or donate, just go to this link (click here)! o Where? Gold Mountain Monastery, 800 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA o Outreach: Temple announcements, Padma and monthly announcement email. 

  October • October 14th: Alameda County Food Bank volunteer day 1:00 PM ‐ 4:00 PM 

o What? Packing and sorting food at the Alameda County Food bank  Future Projects (next year) • TBD: Submissions for “What does it mean to be Buddhist” and Exhibit 

o Who? Open to everyone. Possible Dharma school project. o What? Picture, photo, illustration, poem, essay, sentence, whatever you want it to be! o Need: People who would like to help plan this activity. o Click here for Tara’s work in progress Brainstorm of project. 

OTHER COMMITTEES: • Rummage Sale:  Emiko was acknowledged for her leadership of this very successful event.  She, in turn, thanked all those who 

donated goods and helped with the preparations, sales, and cleanup. • Landscaping Committee:  The report was put on hold for this month.   

NEW BUSINESS 

A. Ministerial Transition:  Bradley spoke about “what’s known”, reported on his communications plan and announced the new Transition Subcommittee (Bradley Menda, Takashi Nikaidoh, Kiyoshi Katsumoto, Ron Hiraga, Judy Kono, and Lucy Hamai).  He also prepared a draft “FAQ” for the Board to review.  The Ministerial Transition FAQ covers both general information about the employment relationship between the temple and its resident minister and the specifics of Rev. Shibata’s transfer to the Buddhist Church of Florin.  The final version will be distributed as a handout at the Ministerial Transition Q&A session to be held after the service on September 10th.  A copy will also be included in the 2nd communications mailing which will be sent out after the confirmation of the supervising minister. 

Edythe summarized the results of the Religious Committee meeting held prior to this Board meeting.  The weekly Dharma Family Services will be led by the minister’s assistants and may include lay or guest speakers.  Service preparations will be performed by the minister’s assistants and/or lay persons.  Chanting sessions will be held monthly and led by CJ Dunford.  CJ will also continue to lead the book club meetings.  Officiants of the Shotsuki and other special services will be coordinated through the supervising minister.The supervising minister will be the primary contact for funeral and memorial services and will work with the Funeral Arrangement Committee (FAC).  Memorial services will be tracked on an online calendar. 

Other temple administration items were discussed: • Meetings and conferences • The scheduling of Shotsuki services • The minister’s message in the Padma • Drafting of a MOU with the supervising minister (including compensation guidelines) • Chapel of the Chimes notification – Rev. Shibata will send an advisory email • Ron Hiraga was asked to query other district temple about their practices regarding o‐rei for guest speakers, minister’s 

assistants and Dharma School. B. Additional Items: None 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM with closing Gassho led by Rev. Shibata. 

Respectfully submitted, Karen Sugiyama, Recording Secretary 

* * * * * * * * * * * (Please contact a Board member if further clarification of these minutes is required.) 

 

Services And Information Berkeley Buddhist Temple

Services Our regular Sunday program begins with a Family Service at 9:30am. A Dharma talk is available afFamily Service while Dha

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Special Ser

January 1 Shusho-e New Year's Day ServicFebruary Nehan-e Nirvana Day March Ohigan Spring Equinox April Hanamatsuri Flower Festival May Gotan-e Birthday of Shinran July Kangi-e Obon September Ohigan Autumn Equinox November Hoonko Shinran Shonin MemoDecember Jodo-e Bodhi Day December 31 Joya-e Year End Service

A Shotsuki Hoyo (Monthly Mefi

Dharma School Our Dharma School (Sunday School) has classes from preschool through high school. Our teachers are happy to discuss the afo

Monthly Discussions In our discussions, we strive to experience the Buddha-Dharma with our entire selves – with our bodies (quiet sitting and other forms of meditation), voices (chantin

and other liturgy) and minds (study and discussion).

Our sessions focus on ways in which Buddhist teaching and practice can impact our everyday lives. Each sessionwill take up a different topicattend any or all sessions.

Visitor Information Please feel free to ask any of our greeters for information. We are here to assist you withlevel of participation you may be seeking.

Whether you are here to satisfy a slight interest or to make a more personal connection, we wish yh

Membership Information Membership is open to all who view our Temple religious home and seek the Buddha-Dharma.

To join, complete a membership form, have your name entered on the membership roll and through a pledge and participation.

To inquire about becoming a membo

Berk ple

Berkeley, CA 94704

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facebook.com/BerkeleyBuddhistTemple

eley Buddhist Tem2121 Channing Way

Office Hours

Monday – Friday :00am – 1:00pm

510-841-1356

o@berkeleysangha.orberkeleysangha.org