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
Annual Dues: For individuals, it is $225. For a family, it is $400. For members over 80 years old,
it is $180.
Hi everyone! I am part of a committee formed to come up with ideas on how to
increase church attendance/new members. Below are a few questions to help
gather some data. Please send replies to Joyce Dendo at jojodendo@gmail.com.
Comments will be kept anonymous.
You may also write out your answers and leave them in an envelope for me.
- How did you find out about the Guadalupe Buddhist Church (GBC) and why did
you decide to attend? - What do you like about the GBC that keeps you coming back?
- Do you have any ideas, thoughts, comments you would like to share? Don’t be
shy, positive or negative, we welcome all feedback.
Your comments will be shared anonymously with the board.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to hearing from you.
Joyce (Jojo) Dendo”
SLO Buddhist Church is celebrating Hanamatsuri on Saturday April
18th starting at 5 PM
One of the core members of the Sangha relayed this event to me.
Bringing Japanese SPIRITS
to Ventura, California
In 2026, we are coming back to Ventura, California! We are very excited to connect the American audience with authentic Japanese traditions in an engaging, festival-like atmosphere.
Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, CA 93001
Date: April 2026
18th: 11am (VIP ONLY), 12pm – 8pm
19th: 11am (VIP ONLY), 12pm – 6pm
More information at their Web Page Spirit of Japan in Ventura
BCA has a program called EcoSangha because as the founder, Rev Don Castro said, “To be a
Buddhist is to both be an ecologist and a conservationist”.
We are stewards of our planet and can make a positive influence.
The BCA published some guidelines.
❖ Use paper products instead of any plastics
❖ Do not use Styrofoamtm
❖ Use washable or biodegradable dining ware and utensils
❖ Use bamboo chopsticks instead of wood
❖ Use filtered water dispenser and water pitchers instead of bottled water
❖ Recycle all aluminum cans, plastics, and compostables
❖ Reduce the use of non-recyclable products
❖ Use eco-friendly cleaning products
❖ Install solar panels
I would like to add one more, plastic bags only go in the trash, please do not put plastic bags in the
recycle or the green waste containers.
If you would like more information on the BCA please go to:
Buddhist Churches Of America
If there is anything you would wish to share with the sangha, please let me know.
Minister’s Message
She clings with grace, not need.
She blooms, then let’s go.
A whisper of love.
A lesson in release.
Let nature teach you how to love
…and how to let go.
~Anonymous
When I see the blossoms of the wisteria, I sense that Spring is here. It is amazing that within a
few warm days the wisteria flowers are blooming. Some of the wisteria’s pods are still twisting and
popping out their seeds. I have been hit several times by the flying seeds. Along with the wisteria, the cherry tree is well on its way to blooming. There are definitely signs of Spring everywhere, if we look
around. The wisteria or Zinteng (purple vine) has been grown in China since the 5
th Century. It was in a tea merchant’s garden when the source of interest caught the eye of the British. In 1816, Captain Weller, a British merchant brought the first Ziteng to Britain. It would be a botanist, Thomas Nuttall that would officially name this tree or vine, the wisteria. It was given this name in honor of the botanist’s good friend, Dr. Casper Wister.
Culturally, the wisteria has many symbolic meanings. This tree or vine represents the final elegant
stage of Spring. It symbolizes longevity, wisdom, romance and immortality. The Japanese view
wisteria (Fuji) as eternal life. While in Korea, the wisteria represents affection that lasts after death.
The wisteria is also a symbol of wisdom and honor. It shows resiliency, for the growth of the
wisteria can endure centuries. They are strong and can thrive. The intertwining branches symbolizes
family bond, long-lasting friendship and loyalty. The Victorian viewed the intertwining branches as
“holding on to a loved one”.
The color of the wisteria also has its meaning. The purple/lavender color represents nobility and
adoration. This color is associated with higher ranking individuals. The white wisteria is seen as purity
and new beginnings. This color is associated with tenderness, nostalgia and calm. The pink wisteria
represents gentle affection, romance and loving welcome. Because of its rarity, the pink wisteria
carries a magical, elegant aesthetic. The blue wisteria represents tranquility, peace, and serenity. It is
associated with a deeper emotion element, which include longing or lost love.
The purple wisteria is the official crest (Mon, Jpn) of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha school of
Buddhism. This is our mother temple in Kyoto, Japan. Many Jodo Shinshu temples/churches would
have a crest hanging in their temple. It is a crest of two stems of blossoms hanging downward, with
two vines in the middle. The wisteria forms a circle representing a welcoming heart and mind and the
beauty of a life of humility. The drooping hanging flowers is our bow of respect to Amida Buddha. It is
the idea of humility, and sincere aspiration to Buddha. The flowers are our reminder of the principle of
impermanence. We live within a constant, natural change of life.
Who would have thought that the wisteria could have so much meaning and associations? We
see the beauty of the blossoms, its fragrance and color yet, we do not see beyond that. it is when we
attain a little wisdom, we see the wisteria with new eyes and a renewed appreciation. It is
Nembutsu/Namu Amida Butsu that we share our thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for the
teachings of seeing the beauty around us and its teachings that bring our hearts and minds back to
the Buddha Dharma.
Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano
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