January 2017 Volume 56 Issue 1 WHITE RIVER BUDDHIST TEMPLE 3625 Auburn Way N., WA 98002 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 855, Auburn, WA 98071-0855 Living the Life of the Nembutsu Website: www.wrbt.org Facebook: facebook.com/whiteriverbt Email: office@wrbt.org Reverend Koshin Ogui, Resident Minister Temple Phone: 253-833-1442 Email: RevKoshin@wrbt.org Greetings from Reverend Koshin Ogui One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say, Thank you and we wish you the very best for the New Year. Thank you, Thank you! It is indeed true, my life is not only my life, but the life of others sacrifices, kindness, thoughtfulness, and lots of patience. Gassho, Rev. Koshin and Mayumi Ogui Message from the Chairperson I m going to talk about my dog again so if you don t want to hear, skip to the next paragraph! I promise that I ll post a cat picture soon. I love to make costumes and now that my kids are older, I make them for my dog. We recently went to a holiday party where I had the opportunity to dress up my dog. While I was making the costume, I kept trying it on him to get it to fit and he was NOT happy. He would tolerate it, but he d run away as soon as I took the costume off. On the day of the party, he reluctantly stood still while I dressed him in his costume. When I paraded him out in front of the crowd, he was so excited that people were cheering and clapping for him, he completely forgot about the costume and the tortuous fittings that he went through. What he thought would be another terrible experience turned out to be fun and exciting after all! This reminded me how many of us don t want to do something new, uncomfortable, and unfamiliar. In 2017, we will begin working on new projects as part of planning for the future of our Temple. The general membership approved funding to continue to reach out and develop relationships in the Auburn community, create easy to understand introductory documents, implement theme based Buddhist education - to include Dharma talks, and develop a written history of the Temple and its members. While this all may seem like a daunting task, I applaud you for taking the chance on something unfamiliar. I hope that the results will be just as exciting for us as Divot s costume contest was for him! On behalf of White River Buddhist Temple, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season & a Happy, Healthy New Year!! Sharon Kosai P.S. Remember to join me on January 8th at 10:30am for Pastries with the President. No agenda, No donation, No catch. Just coffee, pastries (or something similar), and good conversation with your fellow Sangha members! Ho-On-Ko Service Notice In this month's newsletter you will find an invitation for the Ho-On-Ko service and Shinnenkai (New Year s party), to be held on Sunday, January 15th. An envelope is enclosed for your convenience. For those who receive their newsletter electronically, envelopes will be available at the Temple.
January Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service January 8, 2017 at 11:00 AM According to our Temple records, the following people passed away in the month of January. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service on Sunday, January 8th at 11:00 am. If any names have inadvertently been omitted, please email office@wrbt.org or speak with Rev. Ogui to correct our records. Tase Sagara 1973 Jintaro Nakayama 1973 Harry Nakagawa 1977 Hajime Nakai 1977 Jack Kaoru Arima 1979 George Satoru Miyaki 1980 Ura Toyoshima 1983 Masao Tsuji 1987 Yoshito Tanaka 1991 Minoru Koga 1992 Yoshiko Mary Matsuyama 1994 Mary Yukie Hiranaka 1996 Chie Onchi 1996 Shizumi Fujimura 1998 Akiko Shimatsu 2001 Masao Tom Sutow 2001 Sunao Iwai 2001 Masako Shimomura 2004 Sachiko Nakayama 2005 Takio Hank Nishimoto 2006 Yoshi Porky Nishimoto 2007 Shizuko Higuchi 2007 Masami Iida 2008 George S. Ikuta 2008 Dorene Nakayama 2010 Katherine Dodobara 2010 Duane Hamamura 2011 Frank Okimoto 2011 Roy Hajime Taketa 2012 Hiroshi Takashima 2014 George Tsunoru Komoto 2016 1 year ~ 2016 3 year ~ 2015 7 year ~ 2011 13 year ~ 2005 17 year ~ 2001 25 year ~ 1993 DESIGNATED MEMORIAL SERVICE YEARS To schedule a family memorial service, please contact office@wrbt.org or speak with Rev Ogui. 70 th Annual Northwest Buddhist Convention February 17-19, 2017 Doubletree Suites Hosted by Tacoma Buddhist Temple Rev. Marvin Harada from Orange County Buddhist Church is the guest minister. You do not need to be a Temple member to attend. Registration Adults $125 Students (Grades 6 through College) $90 Children (Kindergarten through Grade 5) $50 Preschool (Age 4 and under) $40 Banquet only (Saturday evening) $65 White River will be collecting individual registration forms and sending them in together. Please send your forms/payment to: White River Buddhist Temple, PO Box 855, Auburn WA 98071-0855. Please make checks payable to White River Buddhist Temple. Forms and payment must be received by December 31st. More information/registration forms available by contacting office@wrbt.org. Newsletter by Email If you would like to receive your newsletter by email, please contact newsletter@wrbt.org Thank you Bob Akiyama for replacing the rice shed faucet. 2
Donations The Temple gratefully acknowledges the following donations received and recorded from November 14th through December 18th including Eitaikyo Service donations received prior to November 14th. Thank you to the many people whose financial donations, as well as their donations of goods, energy, and time help us to stay in existence. Donations received by the end of December will be credited to 2016 unless noted otherwise. Please contact Ron Murakami, Treasurer, regarding omissions or corrections by phone (253) 845 3062, or by email to ron.murakami@comcast.net. Amounts not specified for internet publishing. Eitaikyo Service Anonymous M/M Dennis & Lillian Asato M/M Jim & Ikuko Dodobara M/M Shirley Kanda & Roger Fukai M/M Bill & Norma Geenty Mrs Charlene Grinolds Mr John Hamakami Mrs Yuki Iwai Mrs Amy Kato Mrs Lilly Kato Mrs Rosie Kato M/M Shiyoji & Pat Kawabata Mr John Kitagawa Mrs Katie Komoto M/M Wayne & Sally Mizuki M/M Ron & Karen Murakami Mr Charles Natsuhara Ms Kathryn Natsuhara Mr Randy Okimoto M/M Itsuo & Yuri Shiotani Mrs Gayle Takemura Mrs Tomeko Lloyd Taketa Mrs Betty Tanaka Ms Laurie Tanaka M/M Alvin & Mitsuko Terada M/M Stan & Mary Tsujikawa Mrs Carolyn Yamada Ms Darlene Yamada Mrs Yoshiko Yamada Mr Dennis Yamashita December (Shotsuki) Memorials and Other Memorial Donations Dennis & Lillian Asato Family In memory of Grandpa Roger Kawasaki Mrs Lorraine Blackler In memory of George, Mary & Aileen Hiranaka Mrs Monica Furtick In memory of Hank Miyoshi Mrs Monica Furtick In memory of Josie Taketa Mrs Amy Kato In memory of Shima Taketa & Josie Taketa Mrs Lilly Kato In memory of Shima Taketa Mrs Katie Komoto December Shotsuki M/M Mark & Sharon Kosai December Shotsuki Ms Bonnie Kurata In memory of Josie Taketa Jon & Sheila McCullough In memory of Doug Yamada [November] Mr Charles Natsuhara In memory of Chiyokichi Natsuhara Ms Kathryn Natsuhara In memory of Chiyokichi Natsuhara Family of Harry & Tiny Taketa 1st Year Memorial for Harry Taketa & 21st Year Memorial for Tsutae Taketa Mrs Tomeko Lloyd Taketa In memory of Shima Taketa U13th Year Memorial Service for Mr. Taro Yoshihara Les Dogen and Marge Ishisaka Mrs Sue Fujikado M/M Ron & Karen Murakami M/M Washin & Kathleen Murakami Isoko Yoshihara Family Memorial Service for Mr. Tom Taylor Anonymous [multiple donors] Mrs Audrie Hayes Mrs Katie Komoto M/M Mark & Sharon Kosai M/M Ron & Karen Murakami General Donations Anonymous BCA Dana Program M/M Randy & Eva Chun M/M Shirley Kanda & Roger Fukai Sharon Natsuhara Ito Jerry Jennings JS Buddhist Temples of Canada Mrs Amy Kato Donald & Beta Kato Mike & Louise Kato Mike & Louise Kato Stan Kondo M/M Mark & Sharon Kosai Mr Charles Natsuhara Ms Kathryn Natsuhara Mrs Connie Toda Ms Darlene Yamada Mrs Yoshiko Yamada WRBT Supporter BCA Dana donation, Charlene Grinolds and Anonymous Bodhi Day Service General donation WRBT Supporter - In memory of Frank & Shizuko Natsuhara Body & Mind Seminar donation Donation of transportation funds Bodhi Day Service WRBT Supporter - In memory of Sut Kato WRBT Supporter - In memory of Satoru Kato WRBT Supporter - In memory of Lily & George Komoto WRBT Supporter - In memory of George & Lily Komoto Eitaikyo Fund 3
General Donations Continued. Allan Mizoguchi Mrs Alice Nishimoto Karen Nishimoto Gordy Nishimoto M/M Dennis & Alva Nishimura Mr Randy Okimoto Mrs Mitsuko Terada Karen Yamada WRBT Supporter - In memory of Family & Friends Bonnenkai WRBT Supporter WRBT Supporter - In memory of Joe & Helen Nishimoto Bonnenkai Bodhi Day Service Oasaji WRBT Supporter - In memory of Ben Yamada 2016 Pledge Totals Through Dec 3, 2016 Thank you for your support in 2016! PLEDGES DECLARED DOLLARS COLLECTED Date Additional Total Contributors Additional Total Dec 3, 2016 $4520 $36,280 75 $4,760 $34,210 Amount Not Specified for Internet Publishing Elwyn & Deborah Lapoint Greg Watson Connie Toda Fundraising Committee Report The Fundraising Committee ended 2016 by sending a Survey Questionnaire II to all Sangha members and friends who have helped us in the past. The purpose of Questionnaire II was to gather information about the use of the sign-up system in staffing our fundraisers for this year. The report of these findings will be presented to the Board at the February or March Board meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2017. Sherry Hansen, who was a major participant and contributor to our committee ideas and activities, has left our committee. We thank Sherry very much for all her ideas, vision, openness, taking minutes and submitting all reports. Hello everyone! The gingerbread house making event was a big success! Six children and six adults participated in the fun. Thank you to all who brought candy or helped clean up. Do you know of any children who might enjoy going to the Northwest Buddhist Convention in Tukwila this year? Reverend Marvin Harada is the keynote speaker and does a wonderful job of connecting with the kids. I'm really looking forward to this one! Just remember registration is due by the end of the year. Dharma School Dharma school will take a winter vacation and will start up again January 8. Please enjoy winter break and have a safe holiday season. ABA ABA recently brought several boxes of food to the Auburn Food Bank. The total weight of food was 244 pounds plus cash. Thank you to all who supported the food bank. It will help those less fortunate than ourselves. 4
BUDDHIST WOMEN S ASSOCIATION GREEN BOX Year-Round Collections. For fourth quarter, we re concentrating on games, books, toys, school clothing. Cold days are coming, and your unwanted towels are appreciated at the animal/rescue shelters. On Nov 14, The Auburn Food Bank received a delivery of 49.4 lbs! Thank you for your continued support. Nov 21, Mon, VA Puget Sound Fisher House. Thank you to Charlene Grinolds, Karen Murakami, Vivian Geocaris, Sally and Wayne Mizuki, and Lilly Kato for another successful dinner at the Fisher House. On the menu was chicken enchiladas, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. The families are always so appreciative of our members who cook and dine with the patients and their families. Thank you to our volunteers who find the time to show support and gratitude to the men and women in the armed forces. November Gift Card Orders. With much appreciation, gift cards were sold during November. A profit will go toward paying off the Jodo Shinshu building debt. This was a very successful fundraising through the efforts of Karen Murakami. Dec 11, Sun, 11 a.m. - WRBT BWA general membership meeting and election of officers for 2017 during lunch hour. Meeting was held immediately following Bodhi Day Service. Congratulations to the 2017 WRBT BWA Executive Committee: Gassho, Norma Geenty BWA President President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Auditor Year Round Donations (Games, Books, Toys and School Clothing + old towels for shelter animals) Norma Geenty Mary Cogger Connie Toda Pat Kawabata Gayle Takemura WR Buddhist Women's Association gratefully acknowledges receipt of donations for our Eshinni/ Kakushinni service from: Dennis & Lillian Asato Mark & Sharon Kosai Randy & Eva Chun Ron & Karen Murakami Roger Fukai & Shirley Kanda Charles Natsuhara Bill & Norma Geenty Kathryn Natsuhara Vivian Geocaris Alva Nishimura Charlene Grinolds Itsuo & Yuri Shiotani John Hamakami Stan Tsujikawa Amy Kato Darlene Yamada Lilly Kato Alan & Janis Yamada Rosie Kato Yoshiko Yamada Shiyoji & Pat Kawabata Anonymous Offering Katie Komoto Year Round Collections Coins for diapers (collection jar in lobby) Recycle lightbulbs (collection box in lobby) Newspaper and towels for animals in need (see Darlene Yamada) On Nov 29, 1 bag of towels/rug was delivered to Regional Animal Services of King County, and 1 bag of towels and 6 bags of newspapers were delivered to Inca s Secret. Thank you! 5
**Views expressed in articles by individuals do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to the Temple or Sangha members** Reverend Ogui s Formal Temple Office Hours Wed - Sat 10:00 am - 12:00 noon Sunday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm Religious or other consultations and home visitations are encouraged to be made by appointment Wednesday through Sunday. However, Reverend Ogui is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have a non-emergency need for minister assistance, please call the Temple phone (253) 833-1442. If your call is not answered immediately, please leave a message and Rev Ogui will return your call as soon as possible. If you have an emergency need for minister assistance, call Rev. Ogui's cell phone. To Email the Temple office: office@wrbt.org To Email Rev Ogui: RevKoshin@wrbt.org Mailing Address: White River Buddhist Temple PO Box 855 Auburn, WA 98071-0855 White River Buddhist Temple PO Box 855 Auburn, WA 98071-0855