BUDDHIST CHURCH OF FOWLER

THE WHITE PATH

MONTHLY BULLETIN VOL. 482 APRIL 2019 APRIL 4 (Thurs) 7:00 p.m. Golf Club Meeting 6 (Sat) 7:00 a.m. General Church Clean Up 6 (Sat) 5:00 p.m. Hanamido Prep 7 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Hanamatsuri & Monthly Shotsuki Service. Guest speaker, Reverend Bob Oshita 8 (Mon) 7:00 p.m. Ikebana Class 9 (Tues) 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting 13 (Sat) 9:00 a.m. BWA Meeting 20 (Sat) Fowler Friendship Golf Tournament 22 (Mon) 7:00 p.m. Ikebana Class

“In this universe, there is a precious mission that can be done only by us, humans. Now I am born here, this is the last life in this world of delusion, proving that I will not leave the cause of suffering again.”

「天上天下唯我独尊 今茲而往生分已尽」

「この宇宙にあって唯一我々人間だけにできる尊い使命がある。今、現に私がここに生まれて、これが迷いの世界の

最後の生であり、ふたたび苦しみの原因を残さないことを証明しているのだ。」

According to the well-known legends of Buddha’s birth, the new-born baby-Buddha stood immediately, and began to walk seven steps forward, and proclaimed “I alone am the World-Honored One!”Ooops!

Even though most aspects of this mystic story may have been borrowed from Hindu texts, such as the account of the birth of ‘Indra’ from the “Rig Veda”, in Buddhism, any item, thing or phenomena deserves our attention as a teaching material. Buddha’s birth itself, when we sincerely look into this mystic legend, propagates his message.

I’d like to point out the significant aspects of this myth before the Buddha’s birthday celebration of ‘Hanamatsuri’.

The first myth is that the seven steps that baby-Buddha walked is to impress the public with the originality of Buddhism.

Buddhism is not caught by the illusion of the endless circle of reincarnation in the six realms, created by the god of India before Buddha. And one more step, shows that you have reached the absolute truth at six + one = seventh step.

After those symbolic seven steps, baby-Buddha declares (please remember the pose of the statue of Buddha at ‘Hanamatsuri’).

Buddha never ever said, “I alone am the World-Honored One!” Arrogance would never ever be suitable for the Buddha.

Please read the first word-for-word translation of baby-Buddha’s declaration;

“In this universe, there is a precious mission that can be done only by us, humans. Now I am born here, this is the last life in this world of delusion, proving that I will not leave the cause of suffering again.”

I suppose you understand its meaning. Buddha cites the infinite possibilities of human being as the first step to reach the highest truth.

In other words to say ‘the infinite possibilities of human being’, the possibility to awaken to the "Buddha-nature", means the birth in the realm where Buddha and Buddha thank and worship each other.

How awesome that baby was! cf. “Supreme SHINJIN is itself Buddha-nature” by Shinran Shonin

We celebrate Buddha's birthday during April ‘Hanamatsuri’, but how! In reality, we, Buddhists are wishing each other happy birthday, because the Buddha’s birthday is everyone’s birthday!

BUDDHIST CHURCH OF FOWLER Monthly Board Meeting March 12, 2019 Members Present: Greg Mukai, Ron Yoshimoto, Kevin Nagata, Kimihiro Sera, Aiko Kamine, Cherie Nakayama, Sharon Asakawa, Maxine Yoshimoto, Barton Ashida, Rick Miyasaki, Arlene Keithley, Gerald Nakayama, Spencer Nakayama, Craig Honda, Craig Sakaguchi. I Welcome/Gassho: Meeting was call to order by Pres. Barton Ashida 7:05 p.m. Gassho by Sensei Greg Mukai. II Treasurer’s Report: Treasure Report was given by Ron Yoshimoto. Motion to Accept by Kimihiro Sera & second by Arlene Keithley III Approval of 02/12/2019 Minutes correction: Roger & Kuda. Minutes approved by Ron Yoshimoto & 2nd by Sharon Asakawa. IV Old Business A) BCF 2019 Food Bazaar: Craig Sakaguchi thanked everyone for help in a successful 2019 Food Bazaar B) BCA National Council Meeting: 1) Selling of Head Quarters. If we sell S.F. Buddhist Church has first option to purchase. 2) Selling Bishop House – Bishop made appeal to keep the house and council concurred to keep residence. 3) Campaign 30 Mil for IBS School, passed. 4) Million Dollars to repair elevator & underground garage. 5) Central California to receive money for live streams of sermons from Los Angeles. 6) Rev Rye’s situation was not addressed, and regards to withholding of BCA dues. C) Churches Locksmith Project; Researched by Greg Mukai; Social Hall, Rear Youth Building. Commercial locks recommended. New Doors: 4 classrooms, & Side Door to Hondo, Total cost $977. Motioned by Ken Hashimoto & Kimihiro Sera 2nd to Hold and see. D) Tsuchiya Family Visitation-Pre War Fowlerites; 5 cousins wished to see where parents & Grandparents resided. Rev Brian Nagata brought them to visit Fowler. Welcome Dinner was success. Todd Tsuchiya-oldest cousin is presently studying to become a minister at IBS. V New Business A) Fellowship Golf Tournament; Saturday April 20th, Need Donations & T-Sponsors. B) Hanamatsuri-April 7-10a.m., Lunch chairperson- Kevin Nagata & Ken Hashimoto. “Teri Don”. Guest: Rev Bob & Patty Oshita. C) Minister Update – N/A D) Fire Ext & First Aid Kit – Greg Mukai to Check & Implement. Flooring for Social Hall – Donation from Cliff Sera’s employment – was accepted. E) Mail Delivery Service to Church not available – Craig Sakaguchi will check & see why FB Church does not have this service. F) Ron Yoshimoto; Why we do not list our yearly memorial services? Families will know when to schedule 1st, 3rd. 7 year services. G) Need to check property parcel #’s H) Greg Mukai; check burnt wall plugs, check wiring for fire hazard. Motioned by Ken Hashimoto & Second by Craig Sakaguchi to allocate $5,000.00 to service & repair for safety. I) Ken Hashimoto will check into Church Marquis. VI Reports A) Jr. YBA N/R B) DharmaSchoolApril25TriptoSeaWorld

C) BWA March 24th CCBWA Seminar, 77 delegates, Rev. Patti Oshita Speaker. Saturday 9:00 a.m. April 13-post meeting.

D) Fishing Cub N/R E) Golf Club; March 17th Spring Champion Riverside, April 20 Fellowship Tourn, May 11 Walnut

Creek, ….. F) CCDC – Meeting for Minister Canadettes. G) CCMAC & V&P – N/R H) BCA – N/R VII Communications/Announcements Rev. Himaka’s Health is Improving VIII Next Meeting Tuesday April 9, 2019 IX Acknowledgements/Gassho; Thank you: Dist. IV ; Refreshments; Maxine Yoshimoto, Arlene Keithley, Sharon Asakawa Gassho; Craig Honda Submitted by Craig & Tayoko Honda

HANAMATSURI AND MONTHLY SHOTSUKI SERVICE

Hanamatsuri is the observance of the birth of the historical Buddha, Our Hanamatsuri and monthly Shotsuki Service will be on Sunday, April 7th at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Bob Oshita will be our guest speaker. There will be a luncheon following the service.

The Shotsuki names for the month of April are: Misa Ninomiya Arthur Shigeo Ninomiya Toyokichi Kuramoto Naomi Kuramoto Sentaro Toyama Koichi Miyasaki Sen Yamane Shigearo Hagihara Kitaro Asakawa Toyo Asakawa Kiyoshi Hirasuna Taka Hirasuna Kakuji Tasaka Rita Honda Reiko Nishina Eiichi Hiyama Saji Wada Ayako Mayebo Masao Tsuboi Kinyei Toyama James Hashimoto Meimi Hagihara Morito Miyasaki Asako Masui Ted Hirasuna Mary Nakahira Yasuo Koyanagi Frank Tsutomu Kawano June Masaye Gibson Haruko Tsuboi

Joe Masumoto Hiroshi Hal Tsuboi Toshiko Yamamoto Arasuna Mae Umeyo Koyanagi Fumiye Pauline Kikuta Misao Edith Hiyama Gary Iwai Hisa Iwamoto Shizue Nakamura The Buddhist Church of Fowler extends its deepest condolences to the Mayebo family on the passing of their loved one, Mrs. Betty Mayebo. May you always find comfort in the Nembutsu. Namo Amida Butsu CHURCH TOBAN FOR APRIL

District V

Rijis: Cherie Nakayama Diane Eskelsen Toban: Yoko Miyoshi Alice Fujikawa HANAMIDO PREPARATION

All volunteers please help decorate the Hanamido on Saturday, April 6th at 5:00 p.m.

Anyone who has flowers is asked to bring them to church. .

GENERAL CHURCH CLEAN UP

General church clean up will be Saturday, April 6th at 7:00 a.m. APRIL BOARD MEETING

The April board meeting will be Tuesday, April 9th at 7:00 p.m. ANNUAL FOWLER GOLF CLUB TOURNAMENT

The 23rd annual Fellowship Golf Tournament is April 20th at Ridge Creek Golf Club with dinner served in the Social Hall following the tournament. Thank you to all the volunteers who coordinate the tournament, prepare and serve dinner, raffle donors and tee sponsors. This is the second largest fundraiser for the temple. If you would like to volunteer or donate raffle prizes, please contact Barton Ashida at 284-2955. BWA NEWS

Thank you to all the BWA members for their hard work in making the CCBWL Conference a success. Special thanks goes to Kenny Hashimoto, Rick Miyazaki and Barton Ashida for all their help.

Please bring flowers and help decorate the hanamido on Saturday, April 6 at 5:00 p.m.. There will be a BWA meeting on Saturday, April l3 at 9:00 a.m.. If you plan to go to the world convention, please stay after the meeting. We will complete the registration. Please visit http://www.wbwconvention.org for details.

March 2019 Donations

Spring Ohigan

$ 25.00 Gary & Arlene Keithley

$ 20.00 Rick & Marlene Miyasaki

$ 20.00 Ken & Janie Yuen

$ 10.00 Jan Yoshimoto

Shotsuki

$ 100.00 Daniel & Karen Nitta

$ 50.00 Greg & Patti Miyake

$ 50.00 Ken & Kim Miyake

$ 40.00 Eiko Ii & Yo Ii

$ 30.00 Howard & Satomi Hiyama

$ 30.00 Ron & Maxine Yoshimoto

$ 25.00 Ken & Janie Yuen

$ 25.00 Shig & Aiko Kamine

$ 25.00 Shizue Mukai

$ 25.00 Greg & Gay Mukai

$ 20.00 Sharon Asakawa

$ 20.00 Gary & Arlene Keithley

$ 10.00 Jan Yoshimoto

In Memory of Irene Kozuki

$ 20.00 Eugene & Yvonne Kandarian

In Memory of of Betty Mayebo

$ 50.00 Eugene & Yvonne Kandarian

In Memory of Pete Nakayama & George Nakayama

First Year Memorial

$1,000.00 Nakayama Family

$ 200.00 Betty Nakayama

$ 200.00 Karson Yamanaka & Hanako Lord

$ 100.00 Florence Nakayama

$ 100.00 TJ Swartz & MN Swartz

$ 100.00 Patricia McGill

$ 100.00 Dale & Charlene Okamura

$ 50.00 Keith & Heidi Nakayama

$ 50.00 Gerald & Cherie Nakayama

$ 50.00 Bey & Susan Driss

$ 50.00 Linda Matsumoto & Family

$ 50.00 Lloyd & Janis Hiramoto

$ 50.00 Will & Vickie Nakayama

$ 25.00 Rick Sakomoto

$ 25.00 Warren & Marlene Hirakawa

$ 25.00 Lisa Sakomoto

$ 20.00 Zara Driss

$ 20.00 Samy Driss

$ 20.00 Chris Nakayama

$ 20.00 Nathan Nakayama

$ 20.00 Nick Matsumoto

$ 20.00 Rademaker

$ 20.00 Jason Crawford & Shannon

Nakayama

$ 20.00 Kenneth Nakayama

$ 20.00 Carly Nakayama

$ 20.00 Christopher Matsumoto

$ 20.00 Ben Nakayama & Amanda

Bedwell

In Memory of Tsuchiya Family

$ 100.00 Todd & Constance Tsuchiya

$ 100.00 Frank Tsuchiya

$ 100.00 Brian & Cheralynn Tsuchiya

$ 100.00 Fred & Kandis Tsuchiya

Special Donations

$ 200.00 Suzanne Okamura

2019 BCF Food Bazaar Raffle

Winner

$ 210.00 Ikebana Class

January & February 2019

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2019 - Join us for a day of “Fun, Food & Golf” Ridge Creek Golf Club – 3018 Ridge Creek Drive – Dinuba, CA 93618

Shotgun Start at 12 NOON - Check-in at 11 am

FORMAT: 4-Person Team Handicapped Scramble Team Prizes, Best Golf Shots, and Raffle. ENTRY FEE: $125 includes-Green Fee, Cart, Range balls & Banquet PAID Entry Fee required by Tuesday April 9, 2019 All Woman’s Division and OPEN Division 75 Years and older = Sand Tee – Please note on form

Banquet follows tournament at Fowler Buddhist Church Social Hour 5 pm – Dinner served at 6 pm - Awards follow.

Friends and family are welcome to join us for the banquet. Cost is $20 If you have any questions contact Ken Okajima at 559 480-6530

kenokajima@hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Send Entry Form c/o Ken Okajima 2839 E. Frederick Ave., Fresno, CA 93720 With check payable to: Buddhist Church of Fowler FGT

Maximum individual handicap credited to your team will be 30 for men, 36 for women. Important - Please include handicaps or average score. NOTE if 75 years or older

Player #1_______________________________ M / F Age _____ Hdcp_______ @ $125 ________ Player #2_______________________________ M /F Age _____ Hdcp_______ @ $125 ________ Player #3________________________________M / F Age _____ Hdcp_______ @ $125 ________ Player #4_______________________________ M / F Age _____ Hdcp_______ @ $125 ________ Banquet Only = Number _______________________________ @ $20 ________ Mulligans and Raffle Tickets sold at Registration TOTAL ___________ Contact Person_________________________________ Phone #__________________________ Email _________________________________________________________________________

23th ANNUAL

FOWLER BUDDHIST CHURCH

FELLOWSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT

Dear Prospective Donor,

I represent the Buddhist Church of Fowler. We are having the 23rd Annual Fellowship Golf Tournament on April 20, 2019, and are actively seeking donations in the form of raffle prizes and/or $100.00 “Tee Sponsorships.” Raffle donors will be listed in the tournament booklet and tee sponsorships will be prominently displayed by a sign on a tee box. The site will be the Ridge Creek Golf Course in Dinuba, CA. Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated. Our tournament reaches people from throughout the state, and will directly benefit the Buddhist Church of Fowler. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 559.284.2955.

Thank you for your time and generosity,

Barton K. Ashida

Roger Takeda

Raffle Chairpersons, Fellowship Golf Tournament

Federal Tax Identification Number 94-1498382

Donor Information

Name:________________________________________________________________________

Business Name:________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address:______________________________________________________________________

City:______________________________State:__________________Zip:__________________

Phone:____________________________ Email:_______________________________

The information above will help complete your tax receipt. If you would like us to pick up your donation, please contact me at 559.284.2955 or b.ashida@sbcglobal.net

Enjoy a dinner at Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse Restaurant to support the

Parlier Buddhist Women’s Association.

Your $20 ticket includes a salad, dinner roll, campfire beans, and one of the following entrees: • BBQ Chicken

Fire-grilled chicken breast glazed with Luke’s BBQ sauce, topped with jack & cheddar cheese and crisp bacon over Onion Tanglers. Served with garlic-red mashers and corn cobette.

• 8 oz. Ranch Steak 8 oz. Ranch steak topped with sautéed mushrooms and a shot of Whiskey Peppercorn sauce. Served with a baked potato. Choose: rare, medium, or well-done.

• Throwdown Ribs ½ slab of ribs slow roasted and tender in BBQ sauce. Served with a baked potato

We offer the following options:

1. Present your ticket at the restaurant for either dine-in or take-out from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm. 2. Give your purchased ticket to a Parlier BWA member and pick up your meal at the Parlier

Buddhist Church between 5:30-6:30 pm.

$20 tickets must be purchased by May 5, 2019. Please make your check payable to: Parlier BWA For tickets, contact Denise Kusunoki at (559) 246-6847 or denisegk52@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Hours: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm Location: 955 Shaw Ave Clovis, CA 93612 (559) 297-7435