Thank You All for All Your Kind Donations Financial, Materials, and Labor. It takes us all
to carry on the work of our forefathers and keep our church viable.
Membership
Dues: For individuals, it is $225. For a family, it is $400. For members over 80 years old, it is $180.
Save the Date
On Wednesday, December 10th starting at 9 AM we will have Omigaki for the Onaijin, or for the
folks new to these terms, it is a time to clean the altar. It is important to start the new year with a
clean slate, or clean Onaijin in this case. It is a strong tradition in Shin Buddhism.
Eitaikyo
Eitaikyo is celebrated in November.
As it says in our service book, “…Therefore, Eitaikyo is an opportunity for the living to express
reverence for the life and actions of those who have died… .
Eitaiko is about remembering, thinking, honoring, expressing gratitude to those who made you, you.
Your ancestors, teachers, mentors, friends, neighbors… all those who helped shape you throughout
your life but have passed away. For those who have not passed, a more personal expression of
gratitude is possible.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November, this year it is November 27th. It is
the time of year we normally think of the blessings we have experienced in our lives and that is
definitely a good thing to do, but lately I have been thinking more of the struggles which shaped my
life.
Who would I be if my father’s father did not pass away when my father was so young, what would
my father have been like if he was not so troubled and rebellious in his teen years. What if the fuel
truck my father was driving had not slid out of control on a slick mountain road thankfully coming to
a stop on the edge of a several hundred foot drop off with 5000 gallons of gasoline in the back,
affirming his decision to go to night school for an accounting degree. I watched him struggle for
year upon year, working full time and overtime, classes several nights a week, papers, studying,
homework, projects, but he made it, after 14 long years, I was 12 at the time. What if I had a better
attitude and not flunked out the first time I was in college, would the degree mean the same without
the struggles and stress of minimum wage jobs and going to school with a wife and young daughter.
Digging through the couch to find enough loose change for a loaf of bread. There have been many
struggles but they don’t seem so hard now looking back, but I definitely think I would be a very
different person without them and my parents would have raised me differently had they not worked
through their struggles not to mention the affects my wife’s struggles and her parents struggles
have had on me.
I am pretty sure I am not unusual, most of the Sangha probably had their own struggles that shaped
them and normally I have been focused on giving thanks for all the good things, of which there are
many. But for some reason this year I have been grateful for the hard times, the failures and struggles I survived, my family survived. Those hard times and struggles ended up bringing a lot of
happiness to my life, and I am very grateful.
Minister’s Message
Day by day, what you do is who you will become.
Your integrity is your destination.
It is the light that guides your way.
Nothing endures change.
~Heraclites, Greek Philosopher, Late 6th Century
There are many reasons and types of personalities who attend our
temple/church. They also come from all walks of life. Some are still working, while
some are retired. There are those who are of different cultures and traditions, yet they
share a common purpose, and they all have a personality of their own. They make a
sangha.
Our personality is a product of many influences during a lifetime. When a
mother delivers her child, who is the first the infant is touched by? Of course, it
depends on who is there to help deliver the infant. In some cases, the father or
partner is there to help in the delivery. The infant can be influenced by that
experience. Although the infant is still in “shock” and in a new environment, we still
have an influence on forming some part of their personality.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, personality is defined as the combination
of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character. The
Britannica defines personality as a characteristic way of thinking, feeling and
behaving. It embraces moods, attitudes, and opinions. It includes characteristics, both
inherent (something that is natural, essential or permanent part of a thing) and
acquired behavior that distinguishes the person from another.
Our personality is a product of how one is raised, genetics and development
into culture and society. Personality can be also influenced by our interactions with
family, friends, peers or educators. It can also be influenced through culture and
traditions. Our personality is a complex integration that changes often, depending on
situations, cause, effect, and circumstances.
Our history can also contribute to our present personality. Ever wonder how
one learns to listen, follow direction and think? Our “habits” are through observation
and daily living. Each event and experience can affect our personality.
This true story took place many years ago and as always, every story must
have a good beginning. It was Thanksgiving, in a town like ours. The mother was
preparing the turkey, and she was cutting the turkey in half. The observant daughter
asked her mother why she cut the turkey in half and her mother replied because her
mother always cut the turkey in half. Curious, the daughter went to bachan
(grandmother) and asked her why she cut the turkey in half. Bachan replied that in
the past, ovens were too small to fit a whole turkey, so she would cut it in half.
This is learning from past experiences and a teaching of passing history down
to us. This event or experience is merely an addition to our personality. There is no
right or wrong in the development of personality and there are many facets of
personality. Yet, we must be aware of how our personality may be harmful to others
and its consequences. This awareness can be beneficial to change or make us
better human beings. This is another most difficult teaching of Jodo Shinshu and that
is the awareness of how our personality can affect others.
As Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, we share Nembutsu/Namu Amida Butsu for the
teachings to help give guidance and direction. It is Namu Amida Butsu that helps to
settle our hearts and minds, so that we can change that thinking part of personality.
We share our thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for those moments of quiet,
solitude and peace. Our personality is our own nature or makeup of who we are, yet it
is also formed through many facets that include Namu Amida Butsu.
Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano
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