May 4 Sunday 10:00 Sunday Service
May 11 Sunday 9:30 Social Sunday
May 16 Friday 9:00 Prepare for Yard Sale
May 17 Saturday 7:00 Setup for Yard Sale
8:00 Yard Sale
May 18 Sunday 10:00 Gotan-e Shinran Birthday Celebrated
11:00 Otoki followed by Obon meeting.
May 21 Wednesday 12:00 Board Meeting
Shinran Shonin’s Birthday
May 25 Sunday 9:30 Social Sunday
Cemetery Visitation
8:30 Los Osos
9:45 San Luis Obispo
11:00 Arroyo Grande
12:30 Guadalupe
1:45 Santa Maria
May 31 Saturday 1:00 Dungeons & Dragons🐉
Membership
Dues: For individuals, it is $225. For a family, it is $400. For members over 80 years old, it is $180. If
dues are received September 30th and before, it will count for the current year. If dues are received
October 1st and after, it will count toward the next year.
Donations:
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.
Happy Birthday Shinran Shonin
Shinran was born in 1173 (852 years ago) and although we give him the name Shonin (great
teacher), he referred to himself as Gutoku (unshaven ignorant one). Shinran’s life and teachings
represent one of the most significant developments in the history of Buddhism. Previously only the
privileged upper class people and priests received spiritual instruction (Dharma). Shinran taught that
even the poor rice farmer is embraced by the Buddha’s infinite light and compassion, and the truth of
the Dharma and Shinjin awakening are accessible to everyone without discrimination.
Shinran said,”I know truly how grievous it is that I, Gutoku Shinran, am sinking in an immense
ocean of desires and attachments and am lost in vast mountains of fame and advantage.” Shinran
awakened to a deep appreciation of life’s wisdom and compassion that embrace each of us here and
now, just as we are. With that realization he experienced freedom from life’s sufferings and found a
path for all of us to follow.
Shinran said,”May your spiritual journey allow you to accept whatever is happening in your life.
This gift of life is your practice. Life itself is your teaching.”
The above information is from our service manual pages 178 and 179
Social Sunday
Social Sundays are Sunday Mornings where members of the Sangha gather in the dining hall to
socialize and are planned for April 13th, 27th. All are welcome, activities vary depending on the
whims of those present. Typically there are snacks, tea and coffee available.
Social Sundays
Social Sundays are Sunday Mornings where members of the Sangha gather in the dining hall to
socialize and are planned for May 11th, & 25th. All are welcome, activities vary depending on the whims of those present. Typically there are snacks, tea and coffee available.
Minister’s Message
Rejoicing in the Compassion of the Buddha,
Respecting an aiding all sentient beings,
I will work towards the welfare of
Society and the world.
~ Shin Buddhist Life Principle, Fourth Verse.
According to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of value is the importance of worth or usefulness of
something. It is also a person’s principle or standard of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in
life. Values differ for all persons/individuals.
While we are still healthy, have our mental faculties, have a loving family, enough money to live
comfortably, and we can still talk and walk, life seems good. We still have our memories of the past, of
youth, and of the good times of life. We value what people will say about us when we are gone. This is a
value of our reputation that will eventually fade with time.
Yet, these are treasures we cherish. However, we never seem happy with just these. We do not want it
to end. We try to hold on to these things. But it is our blind passions of greed, anger, ignorance and ego
that has us wanting these moments to go on forever.
The value of life is a continuing list that we add on to. Our list changes hour-by-hour, day-by-day,
month-by-month and year-by-year. Who is to know what our value of life will be at the end? Ah, the
principle of impermanence. But have you ever given thought to what life’s value is or what is value in life?
These two phrases of value of life and value in life differ in meaning. We have many teachings in our
sect of Buddhism about value, yet value in life is another mindset. What we value in life can be seen as
wisdom. This is knowing or thinking for the betterment of others, as well as for us. All living things
contribute to our value in life by some means. Yes, this includes rodents. I do not know how, yet there is
some value in life. However, there will be times when we will have to decide or choose what to do with
them, but it is through that wisdom that we make decisions wisely, without prejudice and discrimination.
We value in life our integrity, which is to know and do what is right. We will make mistakes for we are
imperfect beings, filled with erring ways. Yet we have some sense of wisdom; we only must listen to and
learn from this wisdom.
Value in life can be something called respect. We try to treat others the way we want to be treated. We
try to understand their feelings, traditions, wishes and rights. This respect can come in the form of listening.
We share our time with others and try to listen. We do not always have to agree with them, but to share our ears to hear what they do say can help us to understand their thoughts, feelings and ideals. We can
acknowledge their presence with a sense of kindness, saying thank you, politeness and our offering of
Namu Amida Butsu.
Another value in life can be the freedom to think. We can think whatever, whenever we want. However
it is how our actions present those thoughts. If our actions are shown in a negative way, we only create
negative results. Yes, we do have the freedom to think. Yet, before taking actions we must give thought to
the cause and effect on others. We value in life that freedom, and yet we can also abuse that freedom
because of our ego.
Value in life may be seen as responsibility. It can be seen as an opportunity to contribute to society,
family and to our own well-being. It can be a moral, legal or mental obligation for the betterment of others.
It is a show of protection, care and guidance. Responsibility is made through good judgment. It is also an
ability to act correctly and make decisions on our own, no matter if negative or positive. Our responsibility
is our contribution to society, family, friends and ourselves through reliability and trustworthiness.
We can value in life service for the common good. It is our sharing of help to others and giving back
without asking for anything in return. We could not have achieved any gains without the help of others. It
has taken many people to come to our rescue and to help lead us in the right direction.
We could not have life without the generations of ancestors, peers, teachers and even strangers. Their
brief moments of encounter have contributed to our learning in some way. They have freely given ideas to explore. What we have gained is through the service of others for our benefit.
We can share our service through our Namu Amida Butsu in gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation.
We have been granted the ability to use our 6 senses. We can still see, smell, hear, taste, feel and use the
mind to think.
Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano
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