BUDDHIST CHURCH OF FOWLER THE WHITE PATH

MONTHLY BULLETIN VOL. 493 MARCH 2020

MARCH

2 (Mon) 7:00 p.m. Fowler Golf Club Meeting 7 (Sat) 9:30 a.m. Spring Ohigan Lecture, Rev. Takashi Miyaji @ Fresno Dharma Center 7 (Sat) 3:00 p.m. BEC Lecture, Rev. John Turner @ Buddhist Church of Parlier 8 (Sun) 9:30 a.m. Family Service & Dharma School 9 (Mon) 7:00 p.m. Ikebana Class 10 (Tues) 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting 17 (Tues) 7:00 p.m. Post-Food Bazaar Meeting 21 (Sat) 7:00 a.m. Rummage Sale 22 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Spring Ohigan & Monthly Shotsuki Memorial Service 23 (Mon) 7:00 p.m. Ikebana Class 28 (Sat) 12:00 p.m. BWA Obento Fundraiser 29 (Sun) CCBWA Conference @ Fresno Dharma Center APRIL

4 (Sat) 9:30 a.m. BEC Lecture, Mr. John Urabe,@ Fresno Dharma Center 5 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Hanamatsuri & Monthly Shotsuki Memorial Service 26 (Sun) 9:30 a.m. Family Service & Dharma School

Haru Ga Kita - Spring Has Come Spring is coming, Spring is coming, Where is spring now? Here in the mountains, Here in the village, And here in the field. Flowers bloom, Flowers bloom, Where do flowers bloom? Here in the mountains, Here in the village, And here in the fields. Birds are singing, Birds are singing, Where do birdies sing? Here in the mountains, Here in the village, And here in the fields.

Ha-ru ga ki-ta, Ha-ru ga ki-ta, Do-ko ni ki-ta? Ya-ma ni ki-ta, Sa-to ni k-ita, Noḥ ni mo ki-ta Ha-na ga sa-ku, Ha-na ga sa-ku, Do-ko ni sa-ku? Ya-ma ni sa-ku, Sa-to ni sa-ku, Noḥ ni mo sa-ku To-ri ga na-ku, To-ri ga na-ku, Do-ko de na-ku? Ya-ma de na-ku, Sa-to de na-ku, Noḥ de mo na-ku

"Spring has come (Ha-ru ga ki-ta,)" is a Japanese children’s song that is still familiar amongst American-Japanese-Ancestry. The cold winter is over, the Blossom Trail begins to change color, and the joy of the long-awaited spring has come when we see the birds singing on their twigs. The spring season is invisible, but everyone has experienced it. It is said that there is no Japanese culture that is not under the influence of Buddha-dharma. Even children’s song like this is no exception. Buddha taught us to value the invisible world as well as the visible world. We know that we can't judge anything just by looking at it, but often we get stuck in our eyes. The beauty of a person's appearance is immediately recognizable, but the beauty of the person's internals is not visible. And because only the things that can be seen with the eyes are taken care of, the “world that cannot be seen” becomes less visible, then tragedy occurs. If the “world that cannot be seen” disappears, human values are measured by mere numbers on pieces of document paper, causing human killings and wars.

Every time I feel spring and remember this children’s song, I always hum the following poems made by Takamatsu Gohō, the most Venerable in 20th century in Japan. "I can't see the Buddha in the voice, but the voice itself is the Buddha. Śākya-muni Buddha becomes the six-syllable voice, changes its appearance to Na-mu-a-mi-ta-bhaḥ, and returns as a Buddha-nature to me.” We know the signs of spring through various phenomena. In the same way, if we truly realize the voice of Na-mu-a-mi-ta-bhaḥ by uttering ourselves, we will know that the Buddha’s words “a practicing follower is always close to me” is true. The Buddha is still untiringly caring and guiding me to the realm of perfect peace and utmost bliss. Gassho, Rinban Kakei Nakagawa

2020 Memorial Service Schedule

2019 - 1 year 2008 - 13 year 1988 - 33 year 2018 - 3 year 2004 - 17 year 1971 - 50 year

2014 - 7 year 1996 - 25 year 1921 - 100 year

HowwecanexplainwhatBuddhismis?Rev.KazNakata

GreetingstoSanghafriendsofCentralCalifornia!Weareheadingintothewarm and beautiful Spring season. I sometime takemy family toparksandenjoythenicebreezeandthescentofsproutingplants.Several Central Cal temples/churches have asked me to start study,

discussionor trainingclasses.MoreSangha friendsare interestedtoknow/learnmoreaboutourteachings,whichisapositivething.WhenIholdaBuddhistdiscussion,onefrequentquestionis,“I’vebeencomingtotemple/churchformanydecades,butstillIdon’tknowwhatBuddhismis.”So,inthisarticle,IwouldliketowriteaboutwhatBuddhismisandwhatitsmainobjectivesare.Ifyourfriendsaskyou,“whatisBuddhism?”,pleasesharethisarticle.AsatypicalJapanesecitizeninJapan,IgrewupwithoutattendinganyservicesoreventsataBuddhisttemple.Duringmychildhood,IreallydidnotknowthattherewerethehistoricalBuddha’steachings,JodoShinshuteachingsorhowShinranShoninsharedhisunderstandingoftheBuddha’steachings.MyfirstseriousencounterwiththeBuddhistteachingwasatRyukokuUniversityinKyoto,Japan.Theschoolwasfoundedin1639toprovideministerialstudiesforthosewhowishtobecomeJodoShinshuministers.Asafreshman,IhadtostudytheverybasicsofBuddhismanditwasaverygoodopportunitytolearnfromscratch.IdidnothaveanyforeknowledgeoreducationonBuddhism,soIwasabletoexperiencethelecturesandseminarswithoutanybias.RyukokuUniversityofferedmeseveralchoicesofabasicBuddhistlecturecourses.Theyweretaughtbyvariousprofessors,butIchosethecoursewhichwasofferedbyProfessorTenseiKitabatake.HewasascholarinBuddhiststudiesandthepresidentofRyukokuUniversity.Hislecturesonthebasicsof Buddhismwere straightforward and logical. I tend to bemore inclined to lean toward logicalexplanations so I very much enjoyed Prof. Kitabatake’s lectures. I especially appreciated hisexplanationofBuddhismanditsmainobjectives.Now,whenIamaskedwhatBuddhismis,Ialwaysrefertotheprofessor’sexplanationasmybasis.“WhatisBuddhism?”Essentially,BuddhismisateachingofbecomingaBuddhaoran“enlightenedone”,themainobjectiveastowhypeoplepracticeBuddhism.IfonepracticesBuddhismandonecannotattainBuddhahoodorenlightenment,whatwastaughtwasnotwhattheBuddhataught.Itwas a fabrication and claimed as the Buddha’s teaching. In the early discourse of the Buddha’sdialogueinthePalilanguageofsouthernIndia,heconsistentlyspeaksofthewaytoenlightenment.ThisexplainsthatBuddhismdoesnotexistwithoutenlightenment.“What is Buddhism?” Buddhism is the teaching delivered by the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni.There are numerous Buddhist masters and scholars who have shared and taught their

understandingsofBuddhismtofollowersforover2,500years.Iftheirunderstandingsdifferfromthehistorical Buddha’s teachings, these aremost likely their “commentaries” on Buddhism, not theBuddha’s teachings itself.Wemustcarefully realize that theBuddha’s teachingand themasters’understandingofBuddhismaretwodifferentthings.Forexample,youmayhaveheardabout“lifeafterdeath”inBuddhism.WasthisfactoractuallytaughtbythehistoricalBuddhaordoesitcomefromanothersource?Fromthephilologicalstandpoint,thehistoricalBuddha,Shakyamunididnotrespondtothequestionontheafterlife.Hemayhaveevendeniedthenotionof“afterlife”becauseofitbeingametaphysicalconceptandnotafactualone.WhenaconceptisindicatedinBuddhismwhich doesn’t seem right, then it is possible that it is not the Buddha’s teaching. ShakyamuniBuddha’s teaching is theUniversal Truth in contrast to the religious truth. Any teachings of theBuddhacanbeunderstoodoracceptedwithnoneedforreligiousbelieforfaith.UniversaltruthisnotacreationoftheBuddha.Thisworld(universe)isfilledwithnumerousuniversaltruthsandthehistoricalBuddhaintroducedthesetruthssothatonecouldbecomeawakened.An“awakenedone”awakestotheuniversaltruthandeliminatesfalseormetaphysicalconceptsinone’swayofliving.“What isBuddhism?”To reiterate, ShakyamuniBuddha re-introduced theUniversal Truth to thecommonpeopleafterhisownenlightenment.Hismainfocusontheuniversaltruthwaspratītya-samutpāda.Infact,itwasre-introducedathisfirstDharmatalk.ItisaSanskritwordandisknownasthe“lawofcausality”inEnglish.Inabroadsense,itcanbeunderstoodastheinterdependencyinourlife.OnceonestartspracticingauthenticBuddhism,one’swayof livingwillbefillednaturallywiththesenseofgratitude(moreprecisely,youdonotneedtoforceyourselftobegrateful).IfyoufeelyouhavebeenpracticingBuddhismforalongtimebutyoudonothavethatsenseofgratitude,youhavenotbeenhearingtheBuddha’spratītya-samutpāda.Thetruthofpratītya-samutpādadoesnotaskforbeliefbecauseitisnotreligioustruth.Thattruthitself iswhatshouldmakesense.Oftentimes,theJapaneseexpresstheirgratitudetowardtruthofinterdependence,bysaying“o-ka-ge-sama”(fortunatetohavehelpandsupportofothers).In this article, I have shared the essential objectives of Buddhism. Without these objectives,Buddhismdoesnotexist.WhenonespeaksofBuddhismwithoutincludingtheseobjectives,oneisactuallysharingtheirownnotionsorcreatingtheirownbeliefs.The DharmathattheBuddhasharedestablishedjusthowlogicallyvalidandtruehewas.HisDharmaexplanationsareclear,understandable,andundeniableforthoseofhereinthe21stcentury.If there are any questions about what Buddhism is, please come to me to find out furtherexplanationsorIwouldbehappytovisityou.InGassho Reverend Kaz

BUDDHIST CHURCH OF FOWLER Monthly Board Meeting February 11, 2020

Members Present: Barton Ashida, Sharon Asakawa, Ken Hashimoto, Craig Honda, Tayoko Honda Arlene Keithley, Gary Mukai, Kimihiro Sera, Maxine Yoshimoto, Ron Yoshimoto, Craig Sakaguchi, Joan Yamaguchi, Janie Yuen, Diane Eskelsen, Aiko Kamine, Rev. Nakata. I Welcome/Gassho: Meeting was called to order by Pres. Barton Ashida, 7:07pm. Gassho by Rev Nakata II Treasure’s Report: Treasures report submitted by Ron Yoshimoto. Motion to accept treasures report by Arlene Keithley and seconded by Craig Honda. Motioned was passed. III Approval of 01/26/2020: General Meeting on 01/26/2020, Maxine Yoshimoto Motion to accept the Minutes, Sharon Asakawa 2nd. Motion was passed.

IV Old Business: CCMAC Monthly Contribution: Continue same rate. End of 5-year plan is coming up, negotiate next 3 to 5-year plan. BCF 2020 Food Bazaar: Craig Honda & Ron Yoshimoto announced that everything is going fine. Dharma School, Classrooms; Maxine requested to have wall plugs repaired. Carpet to be cleaned. Dharma School will participate in Hanamatsuri Program.

D. Rummage Sale Saturday March 21st: 7:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Call Karen Mukai for any donations. E. Others: N/R

V. New Business: A. Hanamatsuri: April 5th, Rev. Nakata – Speaker. Lunch purchased from Teriyaki Don. B. Obon Stage: Looking for volunteer to provide a truck and trailer for ‘Yagura/Stage” C. Church Website: Glitches, working with different “Microsoft Word”, need to have everyone using compatible programs. D. Others: Gary Mukai reported Shin Zen received “Camphor Trees” from Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivor. Craig Honda proposed to purchase saplings, 2nd by Gary Mukai. Motion passed.

VI. Reports:

Dharma School: Maxine Yoshimoto for Hanamatsuri Dharma School Children will sing.

BWA: There are 20 active members. 13 members are over 90 years old. Down to 2 districts from 4 districts. March 28th Bento Fund Raiser $15.00. March 29th CCBWA Conference in Fresno. Fishing Club: N/R

Golf Club: 1st ½ Champion Sam Masumoto, David Hammond, Ken Taniguchi, Larry Nomura, 4-way tie. Second Half of the Spring Championship, Sunday, March 1st, 10:00am Pheasant Run GC. Saturday April 18th Fowler Fellowship Golf Tournament, at Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club, Dinuba. CCDC: Clean up By-Law for BCA. V&P: Combined Service in Reedley Buddhist Church, Good Turnout. CCMAC: Once a quarter Minister’s’ evaluation. BCA: Ministers Education ongoing.

VII. Communications/Announcements: Rev. Usuki retiring Rev Nakata announced study classes for Visalia & Kingsburg in Japanese language on monthly bases. VIII Next Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2020 IX Acknowledgement/ Gassho: Thank you to District 3 for refreshments: Janie Yuen & Aiko Kamine Gassho: Rev Nakata 7:59 Submitted by Tayoko & Craig Honda

SPRING OHIGAN AND MONTHLY SHOTSUKI SERVICE

Observance of Spring Ohigan and the Shotsuki Monthly Memorial Service will be on March 22nd at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Kakei Nakagawa, Rinban will officiate the service. CONDOLENCES The Buddhist Church of Fowler extends its deepest condolences to the Nakayama Family on the passing of their loved one, Ms. Betty Nakayama. May you always find comfort in the Nembutsu. Namo Amida Butsu The Shotsuki names for the month of March are: Mitsujiro Yoshimoto Wakichi Shimizu Rose Nakamura William Tadashi Kondo Hana Yoshimoto Shikuichi Ii Masayoshi Teraoka Toyomo Teraoka Kazuo Namba

Seinosuke Nakamura Kayo Kikuta Toyoso Kuramoto Al Kataoka Yoshiko Miyake Kiyono Mukai Moto Kamine Ayano Hirabayashi Shigeko Yoshida Hiroshi Asakawa Ann Kawaguchi Miyeko Kamikawa Florence Sadako Shimada Yoshio Ideta CHURCH TOBAN FOR MARCH

District IV

Board of Governors Craig Honda Sharon Asakawa

Toban Tayoko Honda Maxine Yoshimoto MARCH BOARD MEETING

The March Board Meeting will be Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 p.m.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FOOD BAZAAR DONORS

Wright Oil Simonian Insurance United Health, Fowler Fowler Floral Boghosian Raisin Lisle Funeral Home Wallins Fowler Funeral Home Fowler Packing Company Electric Motor Shop Frank Caglia Mid Valley Packaging Sun Maid Raisin Pizza Factory Waste Management National Raisin Cathy Emler Rev & Mrs Sensho Inouye Barton & Sharon Ashida Ben & Noreen Yosako Ron & Maxine Yoshimoto Rick & Marlene Miyasaki Kimihiro & Hitomi Sera Craig & Tayoko Honda Gerald & Cherie Nakayama Art & Alice Fujikawa Craig Sakaguchi & Elizabeth Olive Joe & Irene Hara Tina Kato-Clarey Greg & Gay Mukai Shig & Aiko Kamine Gary & Karen Mukai Tak & Yoko Miyoshi

FOOD BAZAAR

The post-food bazaar meeting will be March 17th at 7:00 p.m. Please submit all receipts prior to this meeting. BWA NEWS Thank you to all the members and guests who purchased items at the Country Store during the Fowler Food Bazaar. Your support is very much appreciated. The Fowler BWA will have a bento sale on Saturday, March 28. Tickets are available from the members. Donation is $15.00. Lunches can be picked up at the church from 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. Members are asked to help on Friday at 8:00 a.m, if you are available, and on Saturday, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Thank you for your hard work and thank you to friends who purchase our tickets.

This year's BWA membership dues can be paid to Janice Yoshimot o. Members who are 90 years old do not need to pay the annual dues of

FEBRUARY 2020 DONATIONS Year End $ 100.00 Tad & Gail Nakamura Hoonko Service $ 50.00 Kimihiro & Hitomi Sera $ 30.00 Ron & Maxine Yoshimoto $ 30.00 Shig & Aiko Kamine $ 25.00 Ken & Janie Yuen $ 25.00 May Mukai $ 25.00 Joe & Irene Hara $ 25.00 Rick & Marlene Miyasaki $ 20.00 Art & Alice Fujikawa $ 20.00 Gary & Arlene Keithley $ 20.00 Sharon Asakawa $ 15.00 Jan Yoshimoto Nirvana Day Service $ 20.00 Gary & Arlene Keithley Shotsuki $ 100.00 Robert & Rose M. Mayebo $ 50.00 Kimihiro & Hitomi Sera $ 40.00 Yoshio Tokubo Family $ 30.00 Emler Family $ 30.00 Keith & Karen Tonooka $ 30.00 Art & Alice Fujikawa $ 30.00 Allan & Esther Nakagawa $ 30.00 Howard & Satomi Hiyama $ 25.00 Earl Honda $ 20.00 Gerald & Cherie Nakayama

$ 20.00 James & Kanae Sakamoto

$ 20.00 Yoshiye Ii $ 20.00 Craig & Tayoko Honda In Memory of Shizuko Yoshimoto, 7th Year Memorial Service $ 500.00 Mrs. Shizuko Yoshimoto

Family In Memory of Betty Nakayama $ 50.00 Tad & Gail Nakamura $ 25.00 Shig & Aiko Kamine $ 20.00 Art & Alice Fujikawa $ 20.00 Rose Mineko Kuramoto Special Donations $ 240.00 Ikebana Class January 2020 Donation $ 200.00 Clarice Ando $ 100.00 Hide Yamaguchi $ 100.00 Mrs. Shizuko Yoshimoto Family Use of Church

Fowler Buddhist Church

RUMMAGE SALE

The Rummage Sale is

Saturday, March 21st

Volunteers are needed Thursday, March 19 (9-12; 3-8)

Friday, March 20 (5-8) Sale Day-Saturday, March 21 (7 - 2)

You can drop off your rummage March 8, after service (11:30 - 1:30)

or contact Karen - 834-1178 / 284-2697 or Barton - 284-2955

to arrange a drop off time