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September 2020 page 1 Vol. 2, No. 8
Light of Dha rma
仏法の光
Buddhist Church of San Francisco
1881 Pine St. San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 776-3158 buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco.org
Thank you to the Sangha !
Arigatou!
This issue of the Light of Dharma is dedicated to thanking the many
people who are the Sangha of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco.
We are grateful for your generosity and continued support during
these unprecedented times. We humbly say Thank You Very Much!
Ari – gato – u.
Ari refers to “to exist” or “to be”.
Gato-u refers to the condition of being "difficult" or "an apology".
Arigatou is a widely-used Japanese expression for “Thank You” or
“Gratitude” or “In Appreciation.” The phrase expresses appreciation
for kindnesses shown to us and also teaches not to take anything for
granted. Arigatou is not to be mistaken as an expression for getting
what one desires.
From a Buddhist perspective, the concept teaches that every living
being has appeared through a cycle of causes, conditions and
effects. We realize that through our hearts and minds that life can be
challenging at times. We therefore treasure our very existence and say
Arigotou in appreciation for the boundless compassion we have -- and
continue -- to receive.
Calligraphy and translation
provided by Rev. Hiroshi Special to the September edition
Abiko. Explanation provided Thank you! pages 2, 3
by Rev. Abiko and Bishop Harada's message to BCSF page 5
Rev. Elaine Donlin. Rev. Abiko Ask a Minister page 6
was Resident Minister at Acknowledgements pages 10,11
BCSF from 2001-2009 and Shotsuki Hoyo lists pages 12, 13
is now retired and living in Youth Rising pages 14, 15
Sebastopol. Rev. Donlin is a
Daruma Fund page 16.
Minister Assistant at BCSF.
Order a BWA apron page 17
September 2020 page
2 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Thank you for taking the time to share in the feeling of "gathering”together.
Dear BCSF Sangha members and could be. They were filled with and are filled
with positive energy and good spirits, lots
supporters,
of smiles and happiness. They make this a
special event. They make me want to help
I want to express my gratitude to everyone
and to make things work better.
for their contributions towards making our
virtual Obon a success! Thank you for
Bon Odori has moved and changed – from
taking the time to share video and audio
night dancing to daytime dancing in the
memories, photos of past Obons, view
afternoon winds, from dancing the street
the video, order bento, and share in the
at the temple, to Japantown and back to
feeling of “gathering” together. There are
dancing at the temple; from my dancing
over 1,160 views of this virtual Obon on
as a kid girl to my children dancing and
YouTube! This is a first for us and now joins
now teaching the dances. The constants
my memories of Obon.
of Obon are the people, the music and the
dancing, as well as the feelings of gratitude
As a child, growing up here in San
and joy and taking the time to remember
Francisco, Bon Odori and the Ginza Bazaar
the people who came before.
was a high point every year and is the
source of many of my favorite memories.
This year another change happened to
My memories are filled with family, fun, food
both the Ginza Bazaar and Bon Odori. That
and happiness: my mom and dad taking us
change meant we did everything remotely.
to practices; the excitement of Bon Odori,
But we did it, thanks to many people
getting ready to dance in kimono and
contributing their thoughts and memories,
yukata, putting on lipstick, the beat of the
others teaching dances remotely, delivering
taiko drums, Obon No Uta; eating special
bentos and seafood, and still others putting
foods and drinking Fanta or Nehi soda
it all together organizing so we could eat,
water (a whole bottle!).
view and share another Obon together.
My memories are filled with the faces
Thank you for all your support and
of the many people who ran the bazaar
continued connection to the Buddha
and Bon Odori. Many of those people
dharma and to the temple. Please continue
are gone now, people like Mrs. Hatsumi
to support the temple in any way that you
Ishii, Mrs. Mary Toki, Mrs. Yuri Ito, Mrs.,
can. In return, we will continue to provide
Alyce Okazaki, Mrs. Masako Iwase and
services and programs that share the
Ms. Chiz Kakiuchi. But “new” faces and
Dharma and bring light into all of our lives.
new members step up and keep things
going like Mrs. Yoshiko Fujimoto, Judy
In Gassho,
Akiyama, and my daughters, Chiemi and
Nanayo Silver
Nobumi, for the Obon dancing; Yoshi Yao,
Virtual Obon Committee
Ayako Nishimoto, Linda Ono, Mrs. Tami
Yasuhara, Alan Fukumoto, Tara Mochizuki,
Diane Matsumura, Teresa Ono, Dickie
Yamamoto and so many others keeping the
In appreciation to our Bon Odori and Ginza
food consistently tasting yummy- especially
Bazaar Chairs and Crews from the recent
the BCSF Special Chicken!; Keith Uyeda
past:
for his long-time construction help, Chip
* Jeff Matsuoka, Richard Okiuye and crew
Nakamura for his current construction crew;
* Jeff Matsuoka and crew
Elaine Yamamoto’s organizational skills to
* Jeff Matsuoka, Nancy Jong and crew
create the physical aspect of the bazaar;
* Keith Uyeda, Tara Mochizuki and crew
and Jeff Matsuoka and Richard Okiuye for
* David Sasaki and crew
their chairing of the past four years.
* Dwight Lum and crew
All of them and so many people care about
Enjoy watching BCSF’s 2020 Virtual
Obon, the Ginza Bazaar and the temple.
Obon video at YouTube.com/
They put all their energy and effort into
buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco.
making many aspects happen, making
everything work as smoothly as possible
and making sure everything is the best they
September 2020 page
3 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Thank you very much ! Arigatou!
Much Appreciation to the People Who Made the Virtual Obon Possible:
Cohosts Kristee Ono and Teresa Ono; Resident Minister Reverend Ron Kobata; Toru Maeda, Japan
Council General of Japan in San Francisco; Kent Matsuda, President of the Buddhist Churches of America;
Nanayo Silver and Jeff Matsuoka, Ginza Bazaar & Bon Odori Co-chairs; Richard Okiuye, Past Ginza
Bazaar & Bon Odori Co-chair; Keith Kojimoto, President of the BCSF Board of Directors;
Satsuki Ina, Tsuru for Solidarity.
Virtual Obon Planning Committee: Chelsea Arita, Yumi Hatta-Wong, Arlene Kimata, Jeffery Matsuoka,
Richard Okiuye, Susan Sakuma, Nanayo Silver, Kevin Yoza.
Bon Odori Teachers: Mrs. Yoshiko Fujimoto, Aaron Lum, Chiemi Silver, Nobumi Silver.
Highlights from Past Performing Groups: Jiten Daiko, BCSF Kids Taiko, SF Awakko Ren, J-Town Jazz
Ensemble, Uzumaru, Ito Yosakoi, Sushi Cal Band, YamaSho-Kai, Theatre of Yugen, Ensohza.
Everyone who contributed videos, photos, audio, and text:
Rev. Hiroshi Abiko, Misaye Abiko, Melissa Angel, Chelsea Arita, John Bansavich, Boy Scout Troop 29,
Jack Dairiki, Francisco Estrada, Stephanie Hagio-Chin, Yumi Hatta-Wong, Satsuki Ina, Leo Joslin,
Sadako Kashiwagi, Ina Kikugawa-Tao, Harumi Kishida, Keith Kojimoto & Family, Leslee Kurihara,
Leftwich Event Specialists Inc, Janet Low, Kalisa & Talia, Aaron Lum, Consul General Toru Maeda,
Karen Marek, Scott Marlowe, Kent Matsuda, Diane Matsumura, Sara & Kelli, Lori Murakami,
Mika Nakamura, Remi Nakamoto, Ayako Nishimoto, Ruby Okamura, Richard Okiuye, Colette Ono,
Kristee Ono, Linda Ono, Teresa Ono, Bonz Otsuki, Kristi Otsuki, Traci Otsuki, Steven Otsuki,
Linda Sawamoto, Taiyo Scanlon-Kimura, Chiemi Silver, Hitomi Silver, Ryan Takemiya, Theater of Yugen,
Dagan Wakil, Lori Wakil, Dagan, Tamiko Lee Wong, Yoshi Yao, Kevin Yoza.
Deep Gratitude for on-going support from the following:
Thank you to our BCSF members Thank you to Bento Day restaurants and
businesses for working with us to provide
Thank you to NEW BCSF members tasty meals for members and friends:
Thank you to our Obon special donation
contributors * ABS Seafood
* Benkyodo
Thank you to our regular donation * Han Il Kwan Restaurant
contributors * Kawashima’s Kitchen
* Kui Shin Bo Restaurant
Thank you to Elaine Donlin, Dean Hedani * Nippon-ya and sales associate
Keith Kojimoto, Jeff Matsuoka, and Chiemi Silver
Tara Mochizuki for keeping the office * Sanppo Restaurant
functioning.
* Super Mira Market
* Suruki Supermarket
Thank you to Kevin Yoza for producing our
weekly Sunday services.
September 2020 page
4 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Sensei’s Final Message to the BCSF Sangha
by Rev. Ron Kobata Resident / Supervising Minister
The Peace of Wholeness
With the COVID-19 ever present in the news and other than things to remember
our collective global consciousness it’s still difficult to and do arts and crafts. I was in
figure out how to make “plans” for anything with certainty. the building for many different
There’s no way of predicting if/when things will “return to activities, Japanese language
normal”. On the other hand, what, after all, is “normal”? school, scouting, Jr. YBA, YBA
In the Light of Dharma (not necessarily this BCSF socials, basketball, bazaars, etc.
newsletter), life is normally unpredictable because of the During the YBA days, the innovative energy of a young
fact that things are constantly changing, impermanent, and Rev. Koshin Ogui, I found myself sitting in a darkened
everything is interdependent, we don’t live in vacuums or hondo for weekly meditation sessions, and attending
bubbles unto ourselves. All things exist in concert with conferences and lectures. This led to attending the first
each other. Whether they exist in harmony or disharmony Summer Session being offered by the recently established
is a matter of expression of the causes and conditions of Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley. There I met the
the interactions. late Rev. Dr. Taitetsu Unno for the first time, and was drawn
into questioning or seeking a Buddhist view of awakening
I hear the sangha or, for that matter, the world or meaning of life. From this background we have the
we live in as a symphony of expressions. The skill of saying, “The rest is history (his/my story)”, that led me
the conductor is to blend the diverse sounds, breaths, to Japan, Washington, Hawaii, and back to the BCA and
spaces, nuances of the musicians and instruments, into a BCSF. Along the way, I had the fortunate “go-en” (karmic
complement of wholeness as an orchestra. circumstances) to marry Sayoko Terada, become a father
to Tabitha, Mindy, Trina, from who made me a grandpa to
As I prepare to depart from the physical BCSF Leila, Brennan, and Hideya Stephen.
community, and begin my next assignment, opportunity
to serve, live as a grandpa, and minister emeritus of the Looking back at the experiences of the past
Buddhist Churches of America, and former kaikyoshi with years of association with the BCSF sangha, the
the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, I look forward Minister’s Assistant team of Ondobo; Ondogyo (spiritual
to experiencing the meaning of living not as a title, or companions) that include: Rev. Elaine Donlin, Rev. Dr.
designated role, but as a person who can continue David Pating, Camille Pating Sensei, Leo Balambao
to appreciate the truth of “being grasped, never to be Sensei, Leo Joslin Sensei, Rev. Keisuke Lee-Miyaki, and
abandoned”. Jack Dairiki Sensei have been an invaluable source of
inspiration and encouragement that whoever is given the
There are countless people that have and are opportunity to serve as Resident Minister will have a group
making this next step on my path of life possible and of people who can be the glue to keep the pieces of the
passable. Without necessary causes and conditions puzzle linked in the Dharma of Immeasurable Light/Life.
nothing can happen alone. The fact that I was welcomed
to the BCSF as the Resident Minister eleven years ago, Though at times, I didn’t or couldn’t respond to
and everyone involved working together, things as they the instances of discord or frustration that are part of any
have been would not have occurred as they did. Not group of people wanting or needing things to be a certain
everything necessarily turned out as planned or expected, way, I do appreciate the patience and dedication to keep
but those occurrences are also part of the past that the spirit of sangha moving on, that various combinations
makes the present and future a possibility. So here I am, of “leaders” serving on the Board of Directors and other
preparing to move out of this present (gift) that I have volunteers who have continued to share their time, talents
received in being supported by so many people who and resources in staying ALIVE (Aware Loving Inspired
have worked together in realizing the Big Picture of the Valued Engaged) in the Nembutsu.
Buddha’s Golden Puzzle of Love and Life at the BCSF.
Eleven years is less than one-tenth of the BCSF’s
I don’t recall exactly when my relationship to the history. Being the original and flagship temple of the
BCSF began, but it might have been when Mrs. Aiko Buddhist Churches of America, we have a responsibility
Kajiyama, from the apartment building that her family and to keep the Light of Dharma shining for future generations
mine were residing in on Post Street, began bringing me of people to share in a life of awakening to Oneness in
to “Sunday School” with other kids in the neighborhood. Immeasurable Life that never dies.
I never received a perfect attendance pin, nor really
figured out what was happening during the services, nor (continued on page 5)
understanding what the point of the talks or lessons were
September 2020 page 5 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Bishop’s Message to the BCSF Sangha
by Rev. Marvin Harada
Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America
Thank you for inviting me to share an article in As a young teenager, I will
your newsletter. First of all, I would like to extend my never forget that experience. I
greetings to all of you as the Bishop of the BCA. We was a typical YBA kid. I had
have all faced great difficulties with the Coronavirus never thought about Buddhism
pandemic, and we deeply miss not seeing each other, seriously before, much less
having in person services, and holding our annual events thinking about dying alone
like Obon. I would like to commend all of you, however, someday.
in being creative by holding Zoom gatherings, creating
YouTube video Dharma talks, to name just a few of the Years later, I came to learn that Rev. Ogui was
innovative things being done. considered quite controversial for teaching meditation,
and for bringing people into the altar area on top of that.
For my article, I would like to share with you, my We didn’t know. We just knew it was an unforgettable
first visit to BCSF, somewhere around 50 years ago. I experience that had a big impact on us.
was maybe a junior or senior in high school, and our Jr.
YBA group from my home temple in Ontario, Oregon, Now it is more common to see meditation at our
decided to take a trip to California to visit other temples BCA temples. My experience has been that it is a great
and to meet other YBA groups. way for new people to get their foot in the door so to
speak, as many are curious about Buddhism through
Our second stop on the trip was San Francisco. meditation. I think that we can introduce meditation with
The resident minister at that time was a young Rev. a unique Shin Buddhist twist to it, and that there is a
Koshin Ogui. We had an evening meditation session definite place for meditation at our temples. Meditation
with Rev. Ogui. He made the hondo dark, except for settles our heart and minds and helps us to listen to and
the naijin, or altar area. He told us to take off our shoes receive the Dharma.
and to respectfully enter the naijin, and to sit on one of
the meditation cushions in the altar. I had never, ever I am indebted to all of the many teachers in my
meditated before in my life. As we sat on the cushions, life, and my experience at BCSF with Rev. Ogui is most
all of us a little nervous about meditating for the first definitely one of the pivotal experiences in my life as a
time, Rev. Ogui said, “During the meditation, I want you Buddhist.
to think about this one thing. In life, we are born alone
and we die alone.” And with those words he hit the large Namuamidabutsu,
gong on the altar “Bong!” Rev. Marvin Harada
(continued from page 4)
I am a piece in the Buddha’s Golden Puzzle of
Love and Life that connects the world. Mahalo Gassho
I must keep my piece bright and strong. Mindfully Gratitude
I will try to think clear and helpful thoughts, Aware Awareness
to speak clear and helpful words, and to do kind How Sanity
and helpful deeds; knowing that on what I do now, Appreciation Sufficiency
depends, not only my happiness or unhappiness, Links Harmony
but also that of others. Oneness Oneness
May every piece in the Buddha’s Golden NamoAmidaButsu
Puzzle of Love and Life become bright and strong,
and may we all realize and become Perfect Peace.
September 2020 page 6 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Ask A Minister: With Rev. Elaine Donlin
A recent college graduate emailed: Is Siddhartha’s story been the victims of severe discrimination and ostracism.
and sitting under the Bodhi tree even relevant to today’s In Shinran’s time, they were the laborers, working in
current suffering, like understanding racism as suffering? occupations tainted by death, such as undertakers, or
I replied: those jobs considered impure like butchers and those
working in leather, and the sellers of such... all the
I think Siddhartha's story is more relevant today than ever. “unclean” or impure professions.
Post-enlightenment, Siddhartha's first teaching in Sarnath,
India, formed the basis of every Buddhist school and When Shinran (following his teacher Honen) helped
tradition, when he explained The 4 Noble Truths. establish the Nembutsu practice, it liberated those
who were oppressed and persecuted due to this
The first truth of Dukkha: often translated as suffering", institutionalized class discrimination.
"unhappiness", "pain", dis-ease. It refers to the
fundamental unsatisfactoriness and painfulness of our In fact, most Burakumin belonged to Shinran’s Buddhist
mundane, unenlightened life. group, and both the Nishi and the Higashi Hongwanji
have had a history of Burakumin followers. I’ve often
The 2nd Noble Truth is the Origin of Dukkha. In Sanskrit heard it was the “uneducated, peasant field-workers who
it's called Taṇhā, or thirst, desire, greed, craving. Isn't really benefited from Shinran’s teaching, but these largely
this the source of the oppression that African-Americans included the Burakumin.
have experienced during their entire history here in the
US? Doesn't Taṇhā explain the White slave owners thirst In Notes on ‘Essentials of Faith Alone’, Shinran writes
for free labor (the greed?). Isn't Taṇhā the source of the about “Not discriminating between the inferior and the
highly gifted”, common cultural labels applied at the time,
subsequent Jim Crow Laws: craving to maintain White
and so he goes on to explain, “The hunter is the one
privileged positions in society, government and law?
who slaughters many living things… the peddler is one
Doesn't Taṇhā explain the dominant White culture's desire who buys and sells things…They are called ‘low’. Such
for power and control, expressed in the resistance to Af- peddlers, hunters, and others are none other than we are,
Am.Equality? A-Am. equity? A-Am.humanity? who are like stones and tiles and pebbles.” The highly
privileged and educated Shinran saw himself (and all of us)
The 3rd Noble Truth is hopeful, as it is the Truth of the as equal to the Burakumin, the butchers, the undertakers,
Cessation of Dukkha. That we don’t have to live with a the peddlers. And so Shinran – and his teacher Honen --
mind imprisoned by Taṇhā! And of course, the 4th Noble taught the Nembutsu to everyone, without favor…without
Truth is the Path that leads to the Cessation of Dukkha / discrimination. And that was a radical act!
this unsatisifactoriness.
In Shinran’s Hymns of the Pure Land, Wasan # 5, he
Siddhartha's movement was one of transformation! He wrote:
radically rejected the caste system, stating that all beings
have Buddha-nature, the affirming potential to Awaken. “This liberating wheel of light is without bound;
Everyone. This is fundamentally what Black Lives Matter Each person it touches, it is taught,
is asking: To be treated Equally, as a human being, to Is freed from attachments to being and nonbeing.
be afforded all the rights and privileges other human So take refuge in Amida, the enlightenment of
beings are afforded (especially white human beings). nondiscrimination.”
Siddhartha recognized the racism and discrimination that
was perpetuated within the caste system and radically In other words, we are all – without exception-- equally
condemned it. He introduced the idea of placing a higher embraced by Amida. Everyone is included. As Jodo Shin
value on morality and the equality of people -- instead of, Buddhists, our goal is to awaken to this spiritual truth of
on which family or privileged caste a person was born into. interdependency and equality.
Fast forward to medieval Japan, and Shinran, our And I’ve found that if I truly do that, if I entrust in this
tradition’s founder, was expressing the same ideal in his embodiment of “Great Love and Great Compassion“ as
writings -- only with Japan’s version of “untouchables”, the Shinran called it, then I must do whatever I can to support
Burakumin). Burakumin, meaning "hamlet/village people", the liberation of our sisters and brothers in the Black Lives
dates back to the feudal era. It originally referred to those Matter movement.
segregated, socially excluded groups at the bottom of the
traditional Japanese social order and they historically have
September 2020 page 7 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Mindful Reflections
by Leo Joslin, BCSF Minister's Assistant and facilitator of
BCSF's weekly Wednesday Mindful Meditation.
The month of August brought the 75th anniversaries of And yet she survived. She persevered. Over the decades
the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I appreciated that followed she would meet my father, move to the
Minister’s Assistant Jack Dairiki’s talk for the August 9th United States, and raise six sons. I believe that it was
Sunday service. His eye-witness account of the Hiroshima love and acceptance that sustained her. She loved her
bomb serves as a reminder that this must never happen family and accepted life as it is was. While she was not
again! These anniversaries have further significance for me a Shin Buddhist per se, it seems to me in retrospect that
because I have memories of my mother whenever August this was another way of living the Nembutsu. After all, the
rolls around. In 1945, she was a twelve year old going to Dharma is universal and manifests regardless of one’s faith
middle school in Nagasaki. While she did not witness the tradition.
second atomic blast, it impacted her life profoundly.
My mother passed on several years ago, but she continues
My mother lived in Nagasaki with her uncle’s family to serve as a role model for me. She survived some very
because there was no middle school on the island where dark days. We are now experiencing dark days of our own
her parents lived. She happened to be on that island as we contend with a deadly pandemic. This is happening
on August 9th. Had she been at her uncle’s house in concurrently with divisiveness, racial injustice, economic
Nagasaki, she probably would have died. The entire family devastation, and dangerous global warming. On top of all
there, seven of them, perished in the blast. Had she been of this, the threat of nuclear warfare continues to loom. My
there, I would not be here today! mother survived her dark days, and we will survive ours!
We need not fear the darkness.
She never spoke of this, and it was well into my adult life
when I finally learned about it. My niece had interviewed In his book, Tariki: Embracing Despair, Discovering Peace,
her for an essay she was writing for school, and she Shin Buddhist Hiroyuki Itsuki writes: “We cannot know
passed the information on. I wanted to learn more, so I that we are illuminated by a great light simply by looking
asked my mom about what had happened. She shared up into the sky. But if we lower our heads and look down
memories that reflected how traumatizing and emotionally at our feet, we can clearly see the long, dark shadow
devastating it was for her. When she returned to the that stretches out from us. We know that the darker and
neighborhood where she had been living, she saw it blacker that shadow is, the brighter is the light that shines
decimated and burned to the ground. Her home, her upon us” (p.126). We take comfort knowing that the
uncle’s family, her middle school, playgrounds, teachers, light of Amida Buddha is always there. When we close
and friends were all gone! The impact was evident in her our mindfulness sessions on Wednesday evenings, we
facial expressions and body language as she told her verbally remind ourselves that we are immersed in this
story, even after all of these years. Her entire world had Light. We are blessed by an energy that is far greater than
been pulled out from under her, pulverized in a split- nuclear weapons or global pandemics.
second of unspeakable violence.
Namo Amida Butsu.
Mindful Meditation will be offering a VIRTUAL weekly session on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.
To join, please send an email to bcsfoffice@gmail.com
or phone the BCSF office at (415) 776-3158
Sympathy
The Buddhist Church of San Francisco extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the late:
Mr. Akio Mochizuki who passed away on July 18, 2020
Namu Amida Butsu Namu Amida Butsu Namu Amida Butsu
September 2020 page 8 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
さいのつの
by 宮木 リー 啓輔
Rev. Keisuke Lee-Miyaki is a BCSF Minister’s Assistant and also
serves as a Sojourn Chaplain at San Francisco General Hospital.
先月はお休みをいただきました。
サンフランシスコ 各六波羅蜜に当てはまる身近な家族や友人を思い
仏教会の宮木です。 描いてみましょう。誰とどこでどんなご縁があった
か、短い手紙を書いてみるのもいいですし、言葉に
9月といえば秋彼岸。
「暑さも寒さも彼岸まで」 という してみるのもいいですし、頭の中でアレコレ思うだ
言葉が日本にはありますが、 ベイエリアでは
「夏の寒 けでもいいと思います。
さ」が終わり一年で一番「暑い秋」がやってくる、とい
う不思議な表現になります。合っているようで合って 布施：私に見返りを求めない施しをくださる （くださ
いないような。年中同じような気候で季節感もへった った）人。
くれもない土地柄ですので、季節の節目としてのお
彼岸のありがたみも感じられなくなってしまいます 持戒：自らを戒め律する心をもっている（もってい
ね。 た）方。
さて、仏教徒にとってお彼岸とはどのような日なので 忍辱：つらい物事に耐え忍ぶことができる
（できてい
しょうか。お彼岸とは、サンスクリット語のパラミタ― た）方。
（完成する・成就する） が語源です。音写文字で
「波
羅蜜多（はらみった）」
と翻訳されました。悩みに満ち 精進：不断の努力を怠らない
（怠らなかった）方。
た輪廻の世界から解脱し、惑わされることのない悟 禅定：自分自身を静かに見つめることのできる
（でき
りの境地に至ることを言います。仏教の宗派によっ ていた）方。
ては、六波羅蜜（ろくはらみつ：布施・忍辱・持戒・精
進・禅定・智慧）
という６つの行を行うことで釈尊の 智慧：仏の智慧を疑いなくいただき、中道を歩みつ
修行にならって、悟りを獲るために努力する習わし づける（つづけていた）方。
もあります。
あるがままでいいんだよ、という仏さまの呼びかけが
数年前にお彼岸法要でもお話したのですが、私は ご縁を通じて伝わってくる気がしてきませんか？
お彼岸が来るたび六波羅蜜を体現している人（すで
に往生された人々も含む） を思い起こし、わが身を振 今年の秋彼岸は9月19日から25日までです。いのち
り返り、その人とのご法縁を喜ぶことにしています。 のつながりを感じつつ、素敵な日々をお過ごしくだ
良い機会なので、 だまされたと思ってやってみてくだ さい。
さい。気持ちがほっこりしてきますよ。
南無阿弥陀仏
宮木リー啓輔
テレフォン法話
Dial the Dharma
Message from Rev. Marvin Harada, 御同行の皆様方、
Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America お念仏相続のことと喜び申し上げます。 このた
び、テレフォン法話 1-800-817-7918 が開設さ
Dial the toll free number - 1-800-817-7918
and れました。
push "1" for English and "2" for Japanese. 電話された後に、1を押すと英語法話、2を押すと
The five minute Dharma message is changed every 日本語法話が流れます。法話は、毎週水曜日に
Wednesday. 更新されます。
どうぞご聴聞くださいませ。
September 2020 page 9 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Words from Rhinoceros
by Rev. Keisuke Lee-Miyaki, a BCSF Minister’s Assistant and also
serves as a Sojourn Chaplain at San Francisco General Hospital.
I had a summer break last month. How are you? This is Imagine your family member and
Keisuke at BCSF. friends that apply to each of the six pāramitā. You can
write a short letter, recite whatever is in your mind, or just
As for September, Ohigan (autumn equinox) is coming think in your head about who, where, and how you were
soon. There is a proverb in Japan that "Atsusa mo Samusa interrelated to the person.
mo Higan made (“Neither summer heat nor winter cold
goes beyond the equinox week."), but it is a not applicable Dāna [Giving]: A person who gives (gave) to you without
expression for the Bay Area because the "summer cold" any returns.
ends and the "hottest autumn" comes in September here.
The same climates and same temperatures are continuing Śīla [Morality]: A person who has (had) a moral and
throughout the year, so we will easily forget what “the discipline by oneself.
season” is.
Kṣānti [Patience]: A person who can endure (could
What is the meaning of the equinoctial week for Buddhists? undergo) challenging things.
The term "Ohigan" comes from the Sanskrit “pāramitā”
(completed/fulfilled). It was translated as "Hara Mita" in the Vīrya [Effort]: A person who pursues (did not give up)
phonetic Chinese characters. Arrive at the nirvana from this continuous efforts.
suffering world with endless reincarnation and becoming
a Buddha to be awaken and enlightened. In some Dhyāna [Concentration]: A person who can (could)
Buddhist schools, there is a practice to gain enlightenment mindfully reflect oneself calmly.
by following the Buddha's path by performing the six
pāramitā, Rokuharamitsu (giving, morality, patience, effort, Prajñā [Wisdom]: A person who does not doubt the
concentration, and wisdom). Buddha's wisdom and keeps going the middle path.
I have shared the following arranged practice a few Don’t you feel like the Buddha's call to let you be what
years ago. I remind myself of the person who embodies/ you are with numerous connections with others and
embodied one of six pāramitā upon a Higan week, reflect causations?
myself, and appreciate the connection with that person.
It's a good opportunity, so please try it. I affirm you will feel The autumn equinox week continues from September 19th
peaceful. until the 25th in 2020. Please have a wonderful week of
happiness and appreciation.
Namo Amida Butsu.
Keisuke Lee-Miyaki
“Call to Listen” to the BCSF Sunday service Dial 1-518-906-1351
There is a new way to hear the latest BCSF Sunday service: simply dial the number and listen!
No computer or cell phone needed. This is a local call. No long distance charges apply.
The recording is a continuous loop that replays automatically. When you call, the recording may
not start at the beginning of the service. Just stay on the line and the recording will automatically
start again at the beginning.
If you have any comments, leave a message at the office : (415) 776-3158.
September 2020 page 10 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Acknowledgments for Obon Donations
Thank you to the following Obon donors:
Kashiwagi Family (Hatsubon: IMO Hiroshi Kashiwagi) Randall & Laura Otsuki
Marumi Suyeyasu (Hatsubon: IMO Makoto Mike Suyeyasu) Charlotte Beier
Janet Kashiwada (Hatsubon: IMO: Diane Nakano) Shinji & Yoshi Yao
Kashida Family (Hatsubon IMO Henry Nakao) Yukiko Kono
Steve & Janice Ide (Hatsubon IMO Marie Asaoka) Shirley Masada
Betty Tsugawa (Hatsubon IMO Hatsy Yasukochi) Tami Yasuhara
Thomas & Akiko Arikawa Yaeko Noda
Randall & Linda Shigio Sharonlee Kotabe
Rev. Ron & Sayoko Kobata Nancy Fujimoto
Yoshi Oka George & Joyce Kuwatani
Kumi Okamoto S. Omori & L.M. Sekino
Setsuko J.Tanaka Osanu & Tsuruko Sekino
Miyuki Masada Alice Kiyomi Nakahata
Akiko Yamagishi Takaye Sako
Mickie Ochi Tadashi & Yoko Takagi
Rev. Hiroshi & Misaye Abiko Betty Tsugawa
Ed & Ayako Nishimoto Noriko Takikawa
Shirley Murakami (IMO: Jokuo Murakami & Toshiko Kata) Christine Magee
Steven & Denice Nakano (IMO: Hiro Okada) Nancy Satoda
Sakaye Higashi Lori Wakil
Adrienne Lieu Jean Toshima ("Thank you for your Virtual Obon")
Jack & Jun Dairiki I-Ming Tao (for Masayuki Kikugawa Family)
Yoko Sumida
Appreciations from August 2020
If you would like to add to this list, please leave a message with the BCSF office by phoning
(415) 776-3158 or by email: bcsfoffice@gmail.com
* Thanks to Sathya Seigel, Owen B. and Nanayo Silver for * Thanks to Kevin and the countless people involved in the
volunteering with the bento delivery project this summer. weekly online Church services.
Best wishes as you start a new school year. * Thanks to Janet Umezu, Leo Balambao,
* Thank you to volunteers who delivered Tuesday Bento Rev. Elaine Donlin, and Rev. Ron Kobata for their dharma
Day and Kimochi Dining Program meals from May through talks in the months of June and July.
August: Akiko and Tom Arikawa, Elaine Donlin, * Thanks to the BCSF LGBTQ+ Group for the LGBTQ+
Arlene Kimata,Rev. Kobata, Emily Kujo Land, Richard Pride Service on June 21, 2020.
Okiuye, Teresa Ono, Susan Sakuma and Grace Lim, * Thanks to Jr. YBA members Sara M. and Sydney L. for
Sathya Seigel and Owen B., Nanayo and Nobumi Silver. co-chairing the sangha service and for leading the reading
* Thanks to Rev. Hiroshi Abiko for the original calligraphy of “Three Treasures” and the closing reflection on July 5,
of Arigatou and its explanation. 2020.
*Thanks to Janet Low for her many years volunteering * Thanks to Rev. Keisuke Lee-Miyaki for his reading of
as the Girl Scout liaison between the BCSF and all of the “Our Pledge” and to Keith Kojimoto for reading the July
BCSF Girl Scout troops. Shotsuki Hoyo names for the July 12th service.
* Thanks for the Obon newsletter; the Virtual Obon
Planning Committee of Jeff, Richard, Nanayo, Chelsea,
and Kevin; and Kevin for doing the production for the
virtual Obon.
September 2020 page
11 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Acknowledgments for June, July and August 2020
We thank you very much for your patience as we are almost caught up with
processing the donations received since the office closed for shelter-in-place.
JUNE SHOTSUKI HOYO
Joanne Tohei (IMO Iwa & Gennosuke Shimamoto)
JULY SHOTSUKI HOYO AUGUST
Yoko Sumida (IMO Tats Sumida, Grandmother & Uncle) SHOTSUKI HOYO
Rev. Ron & Sayako Kobata (IMO Harue Kobata & Miles Hamada & Lorraine Lowe (IMO Wallace Yutaka
Tsugiko Okamoto). Hamada)
Ruth Inouye (IMO Nancy Michiko Inouye). Yaeko Ozaki (IMO Toshiyo Ozaki)
Kayoko Sakaguchi (IMO Kingo Sakaguchi) Randal & Laura Otsuki (IMO Haruko & Nenichi Doi)
Irene Outa (IMO Steven J. Outa) Ronald & Margaret Kagehiro (IMO Haruko & Nenichi Doi)
Gail Keikoan (IMO Takeshi & Jitsuo Mizota) Uyehara Family (IMO Yuku Ouye)
Miyuki Masada Peter & Shizue Tanaka (IMO Shigeo Tanaka)
Karen Shimamoto (IMO Judy & Shoji Shimamoto) Reiko Tanaka & Ann Okamura (IMO Shinobu Tanaka) .
Helen Matoi (IMO Kame, Roger & Clifford Matoi) Richard & Karen Shimamoto (IMO Kay, Irene, June,
Alan & Patti Endo (IMO Toshio Sada & Brian Endo). Tsune, and Kakichi Harada)
Hiko & Susan Shimamoto (IMO Hikoichi Shimamoto) Jeff & Akemi Matsuoka (IMO Sangoro Matsuoka)
Randall & Linda Shigio (IMO Toshiko Shigio) Alan Murai (IMO Midori Mukai).
Toshie Sakamoto (IMO Yoko & Noboru Sakamoto) Allan & Legaya Kaufman (IMO Masako Landicho)
Joyce Satow (IMO Roy Akira & Sentaro Satow) Junko Ono (IMO Sam Masami Ono)
Kishida Family (IMO Yuku Ouye). Setsuko J. Tanaka
Cheryl Tanaka (IMO Haruko Tanaka) Sumi & Naomi Hayashi (IMO Mindoro Mukai)
Leslie Alexander (IMO Chitose Moriuchi) Robert & Diane Matsumura (IMO Wynn Matsumura)
Keiko Kakiuchi (IMO John Kakiuchi) Arnold & Junko Low (IMO Tokie Gloria Neiro)
Shirley Masada Rodney & Evelyn Yamamoto (IMO Robert Toshimi Kato)
Benkyodo Haruyuki Kubota
Robert & Diane Matsumura (IMO Chisono & Sadaichi Hiroshi & Susanna Shimizu (IMO Iwao Shimizu)
Kawamoto) Bobby Nakata
Setsuko J. Tanaka Yukiko Sakakura (IMO Kenji Sakakura)
Toshio & Norma Ono (IMO Nancy T. Yamamoto) Jeffrey & Sandy Mori (IMO Arrice Mori)
William & Sylvia Corrigan (IMO Kozo & Mitsue Fukagai) Cheryl Tanaka (IMO Makoto Tanaka)
Kevin & Heidi Shimamoto (IMO Shoji & Judy Shimamoto) Peggy Tsujimoto (IMO Fred Hiroshi Tsujimoto)
S. Omori & L.M. Sekino Omori Mary Erickson-Ishisaki (IMO Tsutomu Ben Ishisaki)
Janet Kunihara (IMO Kenji Kunihara) Diane Nagura (IMO Teruko Mary Nagura)
Dennis Sato (IMO Kayoko Sato) Mary M. Tono (IMO Matsuhei Tono)
Mr & Mrs Dennis Y. Sato (IMO Morio Shida)
MEMORIALS Nancy F. Ozaki (IMO Toshiyo Ozaki)
Shinji and Yoshi Yao (IMO Akio Mochizuki) Ronald & Margaret Kagehiro (IMO Haruko & Nenichi Doi)
Hiroshi & Misaye Abiko (IMO Setsuko Tanaka) Julie Higashi (IMO Toshio & Yasuno Higashi)
Martha Bush (IMO Henry Nakao) Dean Hedani (IMO Frances Haruye Hedani)
Betty Tsugawa (IMO Hatsy Yasukochi) Hiroko Ono
BCSF DARUMA FUND
Shinji & Yoshi Yao
CHARITABLE DONATIONS Jean Fukunaga (August)
Hitoshi & Joan Matsukuma (Bento Gratitude) Patricia Monteith
Shin Taura Lisa Mizono
Shioko Seab Satsuki Ina
Barbara Mow Gayle Mishima
Leina Yamamoto Joyce Nakamura
Ray & Caroline Yamasaki Miles Hamada
Yumi Hatta (BCA Dana Program Share) Allan Fukumoto
Jean Fukunaga (July) Jean Hiura
Karen A Lee Gloria NomuraSeptember 2020 page
12 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
September Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service
The video of the memorial for your loved ones who passed away in September will be posted on the BCSF
Youtube channel on September 13, 2020 at: https://www.youtube.com/buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco.
Kie Abe Kimi Isuzugawa Zentaro Mizutani Molly Shizuyo Sawai
Tadashi Abe Ayaka Tiffany Ito Yoriko Moriki Grace Yoshiye Seiki
Sumie Jean Akiyama Harry Yokichi Iwafuchi Mitsue Morimune Tome Setoguchi
Sadako Aramaki Takaichi Iwamasa Shigenobu Morishita Yasuko Shehan
Mary Shikaura Arrington Masako Iwase Tetsuo Moriuchi Hiroko Shida
Kenzo Baba Shizuko Okada Jones Kiichiro Murai Nishiko Shigemasu
Masako Best Sakiyo Kanegawa Tokie Murakami Matsusuke Shimabuku
Mutsuko Chishaki Seiji Kase Tsuru Nagai Kimi Shimazu
Grace Toyoko Dairiki Kiwa Kato Masayoshi Nagamoto Nobuyuki Shimizu
Kaname Dairiki Yoso Kato John Masami Nakagawa Yaeko Shimizu
Fusako Doioka Kuniyo Kawaguchi Masuko Nakagawa Chisako Shimosaka
Mabel Michiko Dowke Otokichi Kawaguchi Mitsuko Nakai Brenda Joyce Stowers
Seiko Kato Elwood Sanjiro Kawaguchi Toshiko Nakai Minoru Suenaga
Akimasa Charles Fujii Takenobu Kawaguchi Jitsuzo Nakamoto Tomie Mary Suyenaga
Fusa Fujii Hyoichi Kawahara Giichi Nakamura Yoshiko Suyetsugu
Glenn Sumio Fukawa Shunso James Kawamoto Suye Nakano Fumiko Suzuki
Masako Funazu Sosei Kawanishi Shizue Nakao Hanako Tajiri
Ben Furusho Chino Kawasaki Evelyn Kishiko Nakata Hyobu Takei
Irene Kiyo Furusho Taiichi Kawase Emiko Nakayama Shina Takenaka
Seiichi Gendo Mataji Kinoshita Tomiko Nason Tora Takeshita
Matsue Goto Yuki Kitamura Megumi Nekoba Ichiro Tanaka
Seki Hamada Konosuke Kiwata Michiyo Sato Nielsen Teruyo Taniuchi
Kanji Hanyu Fujie Kodama Sokichi Nishida Chiyoe Taura
Katanori Hanyu Yoichi Kodama Masaichi Nishimura Nobu Toriumi
Yasuko Harano Soto Koizumi Nobutaro Nishino Kazuo Toyooka
Ikuya Hasegawa Yasuko Kondo Kokichi Nishio I Ming Tsang
Konami Hashimoto Masajiro Koyama Fusaye Noguchi Heisaburo Tsujimoto
Nobuso Hashimoto Sadao Kubo Kazuko Nomura Rie Tsuruno
Masayuki Hattori Iyo Kugai Tomatsu "Bob" Nomura Haruye Tsuyumine
Midori Hideshima Nobuo Kume Tokumatsu Obe Mitsuru Uehara
Tadaichi Hiraike Yaeko Kunimura Tomi Obe Toyochika Uehara
Kiyo Hirano Hiromi Kuruma Tetsuo Ochi Shoichiro Umeno
Frank Masayuki Hirota Tokuichi "Toby" Kuruma Tsutomu Odaira Otto A Uyehara
Benny Hom Shina Mamura Sadayoshi Ogi Goro Uyemoto
Fred Minoru Ichikawa Edward Fumio Masuoka, Jr. Kichigoro Okayama Tomitaro Uyemoto
James Ikeda Kamejiro Matsuba Eiko Ono Kiyoko Wada
Umekichi Ikeda Matsu Matsumoto Itsue Oshida Yokichi Wakamoto
Asako Imoto Tatsu Matsumura Doris Sumiye Ota Yutaka Yakabi
Hama Inoue Calvin Yukio Matsuo Midori Otsuki Tsuyoshi Tio Yamamoto
Hama Inouye Flora Hanako Matsuo James J. Paderna Virginia "Ginny" Poon Yamate
Ryosaku Inouye Kiyoka Gabriela Matsuoka Toshiaki Sakaguchi Tamae Yanase
Hana Irie Yuwayo Matsuoka Shinkichi Sakamoto Namio Ben Yasutomo
Ikutaro Irie Miyako Mitsuda Eiji Sakashita Sean Yee
Kenzo Irie Masami Miyamoto Saroku Sako Kenji Yokoro
Tomoyoshi Ishii Umeo Miyamoto Chiyono Sasaki Nancy Terumi Yokoyama
Masako Ishikawa Takuichi Miyata Harry Toshimi Sato Iwao Yoshii September 2020 page
13 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
九月の祥月法要
九月にご往生された方々の祥月法要は、YouTubeのBCSFチャンネルにて放映されます。
https://www.youtube.com/buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco
阿部 きえ 五十鈴川 きみ 水谷 善太郎 沢井 静代 モリー
阿部 正 伊藤 あやか ティフアニー 森木 頼子 清木 よしえ グレイス
秋山 すみえ ジェアン 岩淵 要吉 ハリー 森宗 満江 背戸口 トメ
荒牧 定子 岩政 隆一 森下 シゲノブ シーハン 靖子
アリングトン 四ヶ浦 メリー 岩瀬 方子 森内 徹雄 志田 弘子
馬場 建造 岡田 志津子 ジョンズ 村井 喜一郎 重益 錦子
べスト まさこ 金川 咲代 村上 とき江 島袋 松助
橒木 睦子 加瀬 誠司 永井 つる 島津 きみ
大力 グレース とよこ 加藤 きわ 永本 正義 清水 信行
大力 要 加藤 よそ 中川 政実 ジョン 清水 八重子
土井岡 房子 川口 くによ 中川 増子 下坂 ちさ子
道家 メーブル 道子 川口 音吉 中井 光子 ストワース ブレンダ ジョイス
エルウッド 征子 加藤 川口 三次郎 中井 敏子 末永 実
藤井 明正 チャールズ 川口 武信 中本 実蔵 末永 とみえ メリー
藤井 フサ 川原 兵市 中村 儀一 末次 好子
府川 グレン 澄夫 川本 俊相 ジェームス 中野 スエ 鈴木 冨美子
船津 正子 河西 宗清 中尾 静江 田尻 華子
古庄 勉 ベン 川崎 ちの 中田 キシコ エブリン 武井 兵武
古庄 きよ アイリーン 川瀬 泰一 中山 恵美子 竹中 しな
玄道 整一 木下 又治 ネーソン 富子 竹下 トラ
後藤 まつえ 北村 雪 猫葉 恵 田中 一郎
浜田 せき 木綿 好之助 ニルソン 佐藤 美千代 谷内 輝世
羽入 幹二 児玉 フジエ 西田 惣吉 田浦 千抒枝
羽入 方規 児玉 洋一 西村 政市 鳥海 ノブ
原野 やすこ 小泉 ソト 西野 信太郎 登世岡 寿雄
長谷川 郁也 近藤 安子 西尾 幸吉 ツェング アイ ミン
橋本 小波 小山 雅次郎 野口 フサエ 辻本 兵三郎
橋本 信三 久保 貞雄 野村 和子 鶴野 リエ
服部 正之 久貝 伊与 野村 とまつ ボブ 露峰 春枝
秀島 みどり 久米 信雄 小部 徳松 植原 満
平池 唯市 国邑 八重子 小部 とみ 植原 豊親
平野 喜与 車 広美 越智 哲夫 梅野 捷一朗
広田 正行 フランク 車 徳一 トビー 大平 力 上原 アーサー オットー
ホム ベニー 間村 しな 扇 貞義 上本 五郎
市川 実 フレッド 枡 岡 文 雄 エドワード ジュニア 岡山 吉五郎 上本 富太郎
池田 ジェームス 松葉 亀次郎 大野 栄子 和田 清子
池田 梅吉 松本 マツ 押田 一枝 若本 要吉
井本 朝子 松村 たつ 大田 すみえ ドリス 屋嘉比 豊
井上 はま 松尾 行男 カルビン 大槻 みどり 山本 ティオ 毅
井上 はま 松尾 はなこ フローラ ジェームズ パデルナ 山手 ジィニー プーン
井上 良作 松岡 清香 ガブリエラ 坂口 トシアキ 柳瀬 たまえ
入江 花 松岡 岩代 坂本 新吉 靖友 波男 ベン
入江 幾太郎 光田 宮子 坂下 栄司 余 ショーン
入江 憲三 宮本 正美 迫 佐六 横路 健次
石井 隅祥 宮本 梅生 佐々木 ちよの 横山 ナンシー てるみ
石川 政子 宮田 拓一 佐藤 利巳 ハリー 吉井 巌September 2020 page
14 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
BCSF Youth Rising! The Light of Dharma is proud to present five young writers who share their perspectives on
Buddhism and their daily lives.
Corona Virus, Interconnectedness and
Community Now I realize that I shouldn’t have been envying
my friends because they will never know what it’s like
By Sara M.
to be a part of the BCSF.
The coronavirus has definitely isolated
My name is Sara and I am 15 years old. I attend
everybody, but through the efforts of many, there
St. Ignatius College Preparatory High School in San
have been countless ways to stay connected and
Francisco. I am a member of the Buddhist Church
spread positivity. Whether it be through Zoom,
of San Francisco. I participate in Girl Scouts, taiko,
YouTube videos, or virtual Obon, I still feel the
and am co-president of the Jr. YBA (Young Buddhist
interconnectedness of the sangha.
Association).
People tend to focus on the negative ways the
I have been going to church every Sunday for
coronavirus has impacted the world, and can easily
as long as I can remember. When my sister and I were
lose sight of the positives. Although the virus has
babies, our mom would carry both of us in her arms
created much stress, it has also united the world
and we would go to church.
in many different ways. COVID-19 has tested the
When I was younger I always envied my friends
strength of the community, and proved that even a
who got to sleep in on the weekend and didn’t have to
deadly global pandemic cannot break the spirit and
wake up early. Recently because of the pandemic we
indefatigable tenacity of the members of the church.
have not been able to go to church. If you told me that
This community is so strong and I find it heartwarming
I would miss waking up early on Sunday mornings and
that we are still able to keep in contact, not physically
sitting in the pews listening to dharma talks when I was
but emotionally and spiritually. We are together.
younger, I would not have believed you.
We cannot look at the negatives in times like this.
By not being able to go to church has made me
We have to believe that something good will come out
realize how much the church, and more importantly,
of all of this and when it is all over we will be stronger
the sangha impacted my life. I took for granted the
than ever. Sooner than we know it we will be back in
comforts and happiness that the sangha gave me. I
church listening to dharma talks and eating cake in the
miss hearing the choir, the smell of incense burning,
social hall. Until then I hope everybody stays safe and
the feel of oshokoing and hugging everybody after
healthy!
service. I miss Girl Scout meetings and taiko practices
In gassho,
every Tuesday and Friday.
Sara :)
My name is Phoebe and I am 12, and am in seventh grade. My sister's name is Charlotte. She is ten and in fifth
grade. We are both Dharma school students at temple.
This is a pinch-pot Charlotte made and a picture I drew of Colfax where we went on vacation last week. Going
there was very refreshing and served as an escape from the crowded city, during COVID-19. Being in Colfax felt kind
of like meditating - an escape from the stress of daily life. We didn't walk around town and spent most of our time
at the lake near the house, so we weren't wearing our masks all the time. Overall it was a very relaxing and calm
vacation.
Pinch pot by Charlotte made in Drawing by Phoebe inspired by
Colfax, CA Colfax, CASeptember 2020 page
15 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
BCSF Youth Rising continued
“Although we are apart, we are still a community at heart.” by Mika Chan
As a San Francisco native who grew up in Nihonmachi, I was not able to meet many of them in person. Despite
Japantown has always been a second home for me. the difficulties of working remotely, I saw firsthand how
As I navigated high school, I strayed away from my the Center adjusted to being available online, which
involvement and when I moved to Seattle for college, I gave me hope and motivation to work hard. To meet the
was physically distanced from the Japantown community evolving needs of the Japanese-American community at
and the Japanese-American household norms I was a time when people are stressed about the uncertainty of
used to. It wasn’t until I went on a trip to Japan earlier the future, the Center provided virtual programs, services
this year that I realized how detached I felt from the and events to ease some of the anxiety.
Japantown community and my cultural heritage.
I am most grateful that I could do meaningful work this
Fortunately, I learned about the Kase Nikkei Community summer while learning more about my JA culture and
program and was accepted for a summer internship the contributions we young people can make. Through
that gave me the chance to return to Japantown and this program, I was able to reflect on the needs of the JA
reconnect with the community I grew up in. My internship community and determine ways I can contribute to help
was based at the Japanese Cultural and Community keep the community alive and relevant through a social
Center of Northern California (also known as the Center/ justice lens. The speakers we met have motivated me to
JCCCNC), and was also part of a statewide initiative for continue to engage with the JA community to pave the
college students to better understand contemporary way for future generations.
issues affecting Japanese-Americans. Besides gaining
professional skills and a better understanding of how a “Although we are apart, we are still a community
nonprofit organization functions, I will always value the at heart.” This is the Center’s summer tagline and
experience of working alongside other Nikkei interns as newsletter theme that represents the restrictions in our
we deeply explored the values of our shared ethnicity current living situation with COVID-19.
and identity. I am thankful that the community was a
welcoming and engaging space for me to rejoin. I’ve found this phrase to also be applicable to the
Buddhist Church of San Francisco efforts to stay
Due to COVID-19 and shelter-in-place, the internship had connected with the temple community through digital
to pivot to mostly virtual experiences. I did most of my platforms such as Virtual Obon and videotaped services.
work at a desk from home using either my laptop or my I find comfort in knowing that traditions and events are
phone. Speakers presented to the group virtually so active and sustainable for the future as we all navigate
ways to be present for our community and respond to
the inevitable change in our world.
Mika Chan currently attends Seattle University where she is studying Marketing with a minor in
Sociology. She grew up in Nihonmachi and participated in various BCSF activities including Girl
Scouts, where she earned her Gold Award, Ardenettes basketball, and bon odori. This past winter
she traveled to Japan with the JACL's Kakehashi program. Mika is commonly known as Shirley
Murakami’s granddaughter.
My name is Kelli and I am 15 years old.
This summer I went to Lake Shasta and we went house boating! It’s basically like an RV but on a boat! It was
super fun. We had a water slide on it so there was lots of lake action. We went water skiing, paddle boarding, fishing
and soaked up some sun! It was nice to escape for a bit and enjoy a nice summer family vacation.
The trip made me realize how grateful I am that my family and I are healthy and safe and able to go on trips
like that. Throughout the trip we made sure to keep masks close by and that made me think of the Golden Chain.
“Protect all who are weaker than myself”.
Throughout COVID-19 there has been many debates such as people wearing masks and how some people
choose to not wear one. For me, wearing a mask represents the “protect all who are weaker than myself” section of
the Golden Chain with emphasis on the “protect ALL”. Although these are challenging times if we all remember to
social distance, wear a mask and stay positive we can get through this!
In gassho,
Kelli
September 2020 page 16 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Buddhist Church
of San Francisco
Buddhist Church of San Francisco Daruma Fund
Keeping our sangha & community bright and strong!
Founded 1898
Dear Friends ~
Throughout these difficult and uncertain months, our BCSF sangha and community members have persevered and
thrived in new and inspiring ways. This can be seen in our newsletter, the Light of Dharma and virtual programming
such as the Sunday Sangha services, "Call to listen to the BCSF service", Dharma School, Book Club, Wednesday
Mindfulness Meditation, and special projects like the recent BCSF Virtual Obon.
This is the lively, resilient spirit of the Daruma which encourages us every year during our Ginza Bazaar and Obon
season -- to celebrate community, and together, carry-on through challenges that come our way. This year, the March
closure, of our temple has had significant financial impact on our annual budget. While our income has decreased, our
regular operating expenses continue. The projected deficit for the upcoming period is $80,000, our goal for the Daruma
Fund.
We invite you to consider a tax-deductible gift to the BCSF Daruma Fund to maintain and stabilize our BCSF finances for
the remainder of the year. Thank you for your enduring energy, encouragement, and dedication to our BCSF community!
In Gassho,
Keith Kojimoto, BCSF Board President Yumi Hatta, BCSF Board Treasurer
- - - DONATION FORM - Yes! Here is my tax-deductible gift to the BCSF Daruma Fund - - - -
Donor Name: (First) ______________________(Middle)______________(Last)_________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________City _________________State______Zip____________
Ph: ____________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________________
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT: (Check one)
Checks are payable to: “BCSF”
Memo: ‘Daruma Fund’
____$25 ____$ 50 ____$100 ____$250 ____$500 Mail with form to:
BCSF, 1881 Pine St., SF, CA 94109
____Other amount $________ OR
Donate online with credit card
Visit buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco.org
Optional: Click on the Donate tab or use this link: https://
www.buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco.org/donate
___In Memory Of (IMO): (Name) ____________________________ OR
Open your phone's camera, focus on the QR
___In Honor Of (IHO): (Name) ______________________________ code (shown below) to be taken directly to the
BCSF web site.
QUESTIONS?
bcsfoffice@gmail.com (415) 776-3158
September 2020 page 17 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA) Corner
Sayonara Kobata Sensei!
Please place your order for a commemorative BCSF Apron in honor of Reverend Kobata and his years of service to the
Buddhist, Interfaith, and Japanese American communities.
Reverend Kobata has been a staunch and tireless religious leader since the 1970’s. His history will not be detailed here,
but his most recent participation in social causes such as Tsuru for Solidarity, equal rights for LGBTQ+, and support
of Black Lives Matter protests are particularly notable for promoting a Buddhist view of difficult world events. We are
“interconnected and interdependent.”
The design for the apron is drawn from his many Sunday Dharma talks and use of acronyms to convey the Buddha
Dharma to us. He approved of the word ALIVE for use on an apron we will proudly wear at Sangha activities. Rainbow
color lettering will symbolize diversity and inclusivity. Design and sizes intended for both men and women.
The price is $25.00 each if ordered before October 31st. $35.00 each after November 1st.
Aware
Quantity is limited, please plan to order early.
Loving
Pick up at the temple can be arranged for no charge or include $10 for mailing materials and postage.
Inspired Method of payment is via Mail Order; include this form with size, check, choice of delivery and send to:
Valued ATTN: BWA
Buddhist Church of San Francisco BWA
1881 Pine Street San Francisco, CA 94109
Engaged
If you have any questions, please call the BCSF office at (415) 776-3158 and leave a message for
BWA President Diane Durst.
Arigato, Sensei! We will never forget you, your teachings and your example of what it means to be
Buddhist in today’s world.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BCSF APRON ORDER PLEASE SUBMIT TO BCSF OFFICE -- ONE FORM PER PERSON
NAME: ________________________________________________________________________
SIZE: Regular 23” long_________ Large 28” long______________
Check payable to BCSF BWA PAYMENT: Check#_________________
PICK UP PREFERENCE: Mail _________________ Office______________________
Mailing address: ______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________________________
September 2020 page 18 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Highlights of the BCSF Board meeting
Sunday July 12, 2020, 1 p.m.
Editor’s note: We have brought back the “Highlights” format to report about Board of Directors meetings.
BCSF Board meetings are open to BCSF Sangha members. During shelter-in-place, meetings are held on Zoom. To
attend, please leave a message with the office to request the Zoom link.
Members can also request a full copy of the approved Minutes by leaving a message with the office. Once the temple
opens again, Minutes will be available for inspection in the office as they were prior to shutdown.
BCSF office (415) 776-3158 or email: bcsfoffice@gmail.com
Attendees (13) — Board Members (11): Melissa Angel
(secretary), Chelsea Arita, Doug Dorn (joined with audio e. Standing Committees:
at 1:21 pm), Yumi Hatta (treasurer), Arlene Kimata (VP), Virtual Obon. Nanayo set up BCSFObon@
Keith Kojimoto (president), Junko Low, Susan Sakuma gmail.com to receive submissions for the video
(VP), Nanayo Silver (joined at 1:26pm), Sandy Yamakishi, Kevin is producing for debut on July 25. All
Kevin Yoza (secretary). Ministers (2): Rev. Ron Kobata, Rev. prerecorded; no live components.
Elaine Donlin. Meeting held via Zoom video.
f. Building: Susan. No action needed by BCSF for
1. Opening Gassho by Rev. Kobata at 1:10 p.m. BCA’s elevator clutch repair. BCA will pay
the $26,000 repair cost. It would be beneficial for
2. Rose & Thorn/Lemon & Lemonade: individual BCA to consider a modernization of the existing
check-ins. elevator for the future.
3. Approval of June 2020 Minutes as amended. Susan/ g. Personnel matter: Closed session.
Sandy/All.
5. Special Committee: New Minister’s Assignment (Keith,
4. Reports: Nanayo, Elaine). Rev. Harada will contact BCSF when
a. Minister’s Report: Rev. Kobata. Minister’s Assistants there are potential candidates for Resident Minister and for
have committed to meeting every month to plan Supervising Minister.
services.
6. Unfinished Business from July 11 Agenda. Carried over
b. Treasurer’s Report: Yumi. to August meeting: Fundraising, Sensei’s retirement, Min
Upgrade to Windows 10: Jeff working on getting and Suzanne Yamada’s celebration.
a new computer to house the new Windows and
other software. 7. New Business
Fundraising Committee (Keith, Yumi, Nanayo, Kevin a. For the August 9 meeting: board members
+ others): raise $50,000 to avoid dipping into can submit agenda items by August 2; Keith will
reserves; they are drafting letters, schedule. send agenda by August 5.
PayPal button added to website.
Insurance to be renewed in September. b. Carried over to August meeting: Board discussion
of Finance and Legal topics; Six month review.
c. Planning Committee for 2021 National Council -
Kevin. 2021 meeting will be held by Zoom. 8. Appreciations: see page 10 in this newsletter for the list.
No decision yet on what each temple’s
responsibilities will be. 9. Next meeting: August 9, 1-3 p.m.
d. President’s Report: Keith. BCA is close to finalizing 10. Closing Gassho led by Rev. Kobata at 4:36 p.m.
a tenant for a portion of their space.
Benkyodo has new hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9 am to
4 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Cash only, Call one day in advance to place a special order.
Walk-ins welcomed.
Ricky Okamura and Robert Okamura Some of the manju available are:
General Partners Strawberry, mango, blueberry, habutai,
kinako, age (donut style).
1747 Buchanan Street San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-1244
September 2020 page 19 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
Kimochi * Monday – Friday (except major holidays), 11- 1 p.m.
Community * Pickup tip: Lunch never runs out so come at 12:30 p.m.
to avoid lines.
Dining *Voluntary contribution per meal is appreciated but not
Program required.
* Call Yumi Murase Berman at
* A nutritious, well-balanced, Japanese-style hot lunch is 415-931-2275 for information about
offered for pickup at The Center (JCCCNC), 1840 Sutter meals or other services. Yumi is a
Street, Japantown. Kimochi social worker and speaks
* Open to people age 60 and over with ID that reside Japanese/English.
in San Francisco. Same day registration. No income Community Dining services is overseen
requirement. by San Francisco’s Office on Aging.
* Take Out Service only; dining room is closed during
COVID-19.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saba Miso- Ni Pork & Shrimp Korean Beef Tai with Plum Country Soup
Zucchini, Kale with Red Wonton Noodles Mixed Vegetables, Sauce Coleslaw, Apple
Cabbage Salad, Apple Bok Choy, Spring Mix, Spinach & Tomato Broccoli, Edamame
Orange Salad, Banana Salad, Orange
Sept 14 Oct 19 Sept 15 Oct 20 Nov 24 Sept 16 Oct 21 Nov 25 Sept 17 Oct 22 Sept 18 Oct 23
Nov 23 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Nov 26 Closed Dec 31 Nov 27 Closed
Chicken Teriyaki Nikujaga Saba Shioyaki Oden Unagi Kabayaki
Cauliflower, Spring Mix, Daikon & Argula, Broccoli, Edamame Carrot & Raisin Salad, Broccoli, Bean Salad,
Banana Orange Salad, Apple Orange Banana
Sept 21 Oct 26 Nov 30 Sept 22 Oct 27 Dec 1 Sept 23 Oct 28 Dec 2 Sept 24 Oct 29 Dec 3 Sept 25 Oct 30 Dec 4
Baked Salmon Country Soup Beef Teriyaki Kimochi Udon Spaghetti & Meat
Mixed Vegetables, Seaweed Salad, Banana Sweet Potato, Spring Hijiki Salad, Orange Sauce
Spring Mix & Corn, Mix & Carrot, Orange Lettuce & Tomato Salad,
Orange Apple
Sept 28 Nov 2 Dec 7 Sept 29 Nov 3 Dec 8 Sept 30 Nov 4 Dec 9 Oct 1 Nov 5 Dec 10 Oct 2 Nov 6 Dec 11
Tempura Soba Unagi Kabayaki Chicken Karaage Mabo Tofu Oden
Spinach, Tuna & Broccoli, Cucumber & Cabbage, Tofu Salad, Daikon, Arugula & Tuna Edamame Salad,
Wakame, Orange Wakame, Banana Apple Salad, Orange Orange
Sept 1 Oct 6 Nov 10 Sept 2 Oct 7 Sept 3 Oct 8 Nov 12 Sept 4 Oct 9 Nov 13
Oct 5 Nov 9 Dec 14 Dec 15 Nov 11 Closed Dec 17 Dec 18
Dec 16
Beef Sukiyaki Chicken Veg. Aji Fry Kimochi Udon Salmon
Beet Salad, Orange Curry Shredded Cabbage, Spinach & Tomato Misoyake
Spring Mix & Tomato, Potato Salad, Banana Salad, Apple Cauliflower, Spring Mix
Apple & Arugula, Orange
Sept 7 Closed
Oct 12 Closed Sept 9 Oct 14 Nov 18 Sept 10 Oct 15 Nov 19 Sept 11 Oct 16 Nov 20
Sept 8 Oct 13 Nov 17
Nov 16 Dec 21 Dec 23 Dec 24 Dec 25 Closed
Dec 22
The BCSF Bento Volunteers will deliver the Kimochi lunches to our homebound
seniors and friends on Monday and Wednesdays. We especially need drivers to
deliver in the Richmond District. See page 21 for more details.
September 2020 page 20 Light of Dharma Vol. 2, No. 8
BCSF Notices
New Kimochi Meal Delivery for BCSF
Food insecurities or other issues due to
Seniors
Shelter in Place?
Tuesday Bento for BCSF Members/Friends
Resumes in September The city of San Francisco provides a whole array of
services to seniors and veterans, regardless of income
“This is a real treat because I can’t get level, in order to support out seniors and veterans staying
Japanese food easily any more.” at home, safe and healthy.
– a BCSF member, age 82. If you have a question to need a services, please phone
this confidential number at the
* Kimochi hot meals on Mondays and
Wednesdays. SF Dept of Aging 415-355-6700
Nutritious, inexpensive Japanese-style meals
prepared by the Kimochi Dining Program can A food related program is through "Off the Grid" and is
be delivered twice a week to home-bound BCSF called "Great Plates". This is a food delivery service for
members. seniors 65 years old and over who live alone. If you are
Open to age 60+ and a San Francisco resident. No interested, please phone this confindential number at the
income restriction. $2 suggested donation per meal. SF Dept. of Aging 415- 355-6700 to enroll.
Once enrolled, seniors can also pick up meals at the
Kimochi dining facility (1840 Sutter) M-F, 11-1 p.m.
* Tuesday Bento Day will resume in September.
Bar versus Liquid
Restaurant-style bento is available for delivery to Soap – Which is
home-bound BCSF members in San Francisco. Best?
Pickup is also available for BCSF members/friends at
the BCSF garage. Bar and liquid soaps
are equally effective in
larger impact on land use,
Recent bento choices ($8-$15): Tonkatsu, Saba, Beef lowering the number of
but their packaging is
Sukiyaki, Korean Bibimbap and BBQ Chicken. microbes on our skin.
minimal.
Vendors we have supported during shelter-in-place: Because both have
Han Il Kwan, Kawashima’s Kitchen, Sanppo, ABS surfactants, one is not
To fight COVID-19, use
Seafood, Suruki, Super Mira, Kui Shin Bo, Nippon-ya, better than the other.
either bar or liquid soap.
and Benkyodo. Aesthetically, they’re a bit
It doesn’t matter. What
different. Some bar soaps
does matter: because
The two projects are organized by an ad hoc group leave a residue on the
there’s no COVID-19
of BCSF volunteers who wish to enhance meals for soap dish, which some
vaccine yet, nor a way
BCSF members who have difficulty leaving their people find messy and
to quickly know who’s a
homes. unpleasant to look at. They
carrier, we must unite as
have a different carbon
a society to practice three
Can you volunteer one hour to deliver bento to home- footprints.
simple lifesavers – social
bound members? Contact us!
distancing, wearing face
Liquid soap contains
masks and hand-washing.
For more information on Kimochi, Tuesday Bento or to detergents, which are
Scrub away.
volunteer, email: BCSFBento@gmail.com synthetically made
surfactants. Liquid soaps
Excerpted from “Is
typically cost more and
bar soap as gross as
require five times the
millennials say? Not really,
energy to produce and
and we’re all covered
20 times the energy for
with microbes anyway”
packaging (in plastic
by Michelle Sconce
The mental health issues related to our lockdown bottles). Bar soaps,
Massaquoi, Doctoral
and the pandemic are especially hard for people with because they require
Candidate in Microbiology,
depression. production of the
University of Oregon.
NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Health has a vegetable and animal oils,
TheConversation.com, July
24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264. have a
14, 2020.You can also read
