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FR – 3 Downtown Friday night, McClelland Street between SM Public Library and
Boone St 5:00 pm
SA – 4 Fourth of July, Have fun and please be safe
SU – 5 Sunday Service, 10:00 AM, followed by Board Meeting
MO – 6 Obon Dance Practice, Santa Maria Veterans Memorial Center, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
SA – 11 D&D, 1:00 PM
SA – 11 Oxnard Obon, 250 South H Street, Oxnard 1:00-8:00 pm
MO – 13 Obon Dance Practice, Santa Maria Veterans Memorial Center, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
SA – 18 Obon Dance Practice, Guadalupe Buddhist Church, 1:00-3:00 pm
SA – 18 Santa Barbara Obon, 1015 East Montecito, Santa Barbara 12:00-4:00 pm
SU – 19 Hatsubon and Shotsuki (June and July) Service, 10:00 AM. Otoki follows. Obon
MO – 20 Obon Dance Practice, Santa Maria Veterans Memorial Center, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
FR – 24 Obon Food Prep, Guadalupe BC, 8:00 AM
SA – 25 Obon Food Prep, Guadalupe BC, 8:00 AM
SA – 25 Obon Dance Practice, Guadalupe BC, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
SU – 26 OBON, Veterans Memorial Center, 7:00 AM. Festivities begin at Noon.
MO – 27 Post Obon Cleanup, 9:00 AM
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
If you have any unused or gently used Japanese items that you would like to donate to the Japanese store for
obon, please contact any of the GBC board member for pick-up or drop-off information.
Saturday, Aug 1 will be San Luis Obispo Obon
There will be no Social Sunday for the month of July.
The meaning of Hatsubon refers to the first Obon festival celebrated by the family after a loved
one passes away.
HATSUBON (July 2025 – July 2026): Harry Masatani, Patsy Yoshihara, and Terue Kase.
FAMILIES OBSERVING MEMORIALS IN JULY
Michiko Aoki, Dane Christian White-Sun, Frank Toshiyuki Fukumoto, Chiyoko Henmi, James
Isaac (baby) Hoyos, Iwakichi Iriyama, Sadao Iwayama, Chiye Kamo, Meri Kamo, Toshiko
Kawa, Mitsugi Kawaguchi, Chester Kazuaki Konishi, Shoji Kuno, Hachijiro Maenaga, Hanzo
Matsumoto, Grace Minami, Jehei Miyake, Frances Mizuki, Carolyn Oishi, Ura Sahara, Shigeko
Shiroma, Kiyoshi Takeda, Toyokichi Tomooka, Masako Tsuruda, Kan Utsunomiya, Takaichi
Yokoyama
OBON, SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025
Obon practice – Monday, July 6, 13, 20, 6:30 to 8 PM at the Vets.
Plus Saturday, July 25, 1:00 to 3:00 PM at church.
CHURCH INCOME (JUNE)
Masako Nakano, In Memory of Terue Kase
Rodney/Wanda Tomooka, In Memory of Terue Kase
Kamiya Family (Jay), In Memory of Dawn Kamiya
Ray/JoAnne Nishino Spencer, In Memory of Toshiharu Nishino
Ray/Jo Anne Nishino Spencer, In Memory of Ichimatu Nishino
Kase Family (Larry), In Memory of Terue Kase
Judy Saki, In Memory of George Saki
Laura Tomooka, In Memory of Toyokuma Tomooka
Kirk Morri, In Memory of Sam Maenaga (May)
Kirk Morri, In Memory of Peggy Araki (May)
Kirk Morri, In Memory of Amy Morri (July)
Kirk Morri, In Memory of Hachijiro Maenaga (July)
CHURCH EXPENSES (JUNE)
Verizon Wireless
San Luis Obispo BC Ministerial Expenses
Eustolio Carmona, Yard Maintenance
IONOS
SoCalGas
BCA for June Dues
U.S. Postal Service
PG&E
City of Guadalupe
WM Corporate Services, Inc
Please turn in all your funds for the dinner and raffle tickets that you sold. If you need more
tickets, please let us know. If you haven’t pick up your tickets, please contact us. Thank you.
Annual Membership Dues
For individuals, $225
For family, $400
For members over 80 yrs old, $180
Ministers Message:
Kouin ya no gotoshi
(translation: Time flies like an arrow)
Meaning: Life is fleeting, making our memories
And time with loved ones precious
Each year around May through July, many Buddhist temple/churches observe
a special service called Hatsubon. ‘Hatsu” means first and symbolizes the first
Obon festival since the passing of the loved one(s) from this earthly realm.
In other Buddhist sects, it is believed that the “spirit” of the deceased remains
in a state of “limbo” for 49 days before becoming a Buddha. It is a very important
time, for the loved one’s “spirit” has returned home for the first time within a year.
Jodo Shinshu still observes the 49-day service in deepening our connection to
the departed. It is our way of deepening the understanding of the teachings and
bringing the family together in healing.
Hatsubon for other Buddhist sects would customarily decorate the home with
unpatterned while lanterns (shiro-chochin). They believe that these lanterns are
landmarks, so that the “spirit” of the departed loved ones can return without
getting lost. A “spirit altar” (shoryo-dana) is erected as a place for the ancestors
to stay. Some sects would also carve a cucumber into a horse, so that the
ancestor(s) can return home quicker. They would carve an eggplant into a cow,
to send the “spirit” back slowly. laidened with offerings.
In addition to those customs, there are five types of offering. These five
offerings are meant to provide hospitality to the “spirit” who has return
ed and to convey a feeling of gratitude. One such offering is incense. Its scent p
urifies the body and cleanses the space. There is the offering of candlelight for
the purpose of illuminating the darkness of worldly desires and symbolizing the
light of the Buddha’s wisdom. Another offer is flowers. It represents beauty and
impermanence. Lastly there is the offering of water or the first tea of the day. This
is offered to quench the deceased’s thirst. It is also a symbol of a pure,
unblemished heart.
However, in Jodo Shinshu, it is not necessary for this offering of water. In the
sutra, it is written that the Pure Land is abundant with water and thirst is always
satisfied. The last offer is food. Because Buddhism frowns upon the taking of life,
a “gift” of freshly cooked rice or vegetarian cuisine is offered.
These rituals/practices/customs are still utilized, sometimes with crossovers
into Jodo Shinshu. Yet, it is stated in the Three Pure Land Sutras that upon
death, the deceased immediately becomes a Buddha. We have no concept of
the “spirit of the deceased returning home”. We remember in our hearts and
minds, our departed ancestors. They shared experiences and adventures and
mostly, it is their compassion and wisdom they leave behind.
During this time, it is our Namu Amida Butsu to express our gratitude,
thankfulness and appreciation to Buddha and to our many ancestors for what
they shared during their lifespan. It is always Namu Amida Butsu.
Gassho Rev. Naomi Nakano
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