President’s Message

Ed Nodohara

PERSONAL SAFETY IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

There was interest in this topic when I took a poll on New Years Day.   Approximately, 10% of the audience were interested.

WHEN:  February 10, 2019 at 11:00 to 11:50

WHERE:  Betsuin Board Room

WHO:  Officer Richard Saito, SJPD

WHAT:  Discuss how to stay safe in your home, what to do if confronted with a burglar, how to be safe while shopping and other potential risk areas.

From the Board Room

Something is happening that is very exciting.  At the January Board Meeting, we had CYBA (College Young Buddhist Association) requesting to use our facilities.  Devon Matsumoto, Co-President and KC Mukai, Vice President came to request use of the temple facilities.  It’s refreshing to hear that college students are taking it upon themselves to improve their knowledge of Buddhism.  When I was in college, the temple was the last thing on my mind.  My weekend thoughts were of going to volleyball tournaments or to the beach or to a party but not to a CYBA Conference.  These are the times when college age students are taking religion seriously and trying to gather knowledge that will help pave the path for the rest of their lives.  It took me 50 years to understand that.

In regards to Reverend Etsuko Mikame, we have been given the green light to begin communicating directly with her.  Many things are still up in the air but things are beginning to fall into place for the arrival of Reverend Mikame.  There are still obstacles to overcome such as the US government shutdown but we will work through each of them until she is bound for the USA.

Hurray for the new Board nominees!!  Amy Furukawa and Gloria Yamauchi have agreed to join the Betsuin Board next month.  We have a few nominees that still need convincing and the Board is hard at work.

The Board is taking Betsuin security seriously and have created a committee that will discuss what actions to take in the event of an active shooter scenario.  Temple members with experience and background in this situation have been requested to join this committee.

A fundraising consultant has been hired.  Dean Osaki will help us in selecting an architect and formulating successful fundraising for the Generations II campaign.  Dean Osaki of Osaki Consulting Group and the Betsuin have agreed to proceed together on Generations II.  Dean Osaki’s professional insights and perspective comes from a diverse background in community relations, sports and corporate philanthropy, cause-related marketing, branding, fundraising and management of non-profits.  Dean worked on Kristy Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation.

MAC (Ministerial Affairs Committee) held a meeting discussing Ministerial Assistance and Assistant Ministers (Kyoshi) programs in San Jose. The intent is to provide more support to Morgan Hill and Gilroy Sangha members and lessen the burden on the Rinban.  Many of the other temples have commenced on this program.

Four Noble Truths

  1. There is suffering: I know there’s suffering because I’m suffering every day.  I’m hungry, I’m tired, I’m sleepy, I want to eat ice cream, I want a new car, I want to visit Mom, these are all part of life’s suffering.
  2. Desire causes suffering:  All these wants and desires causes my pain. Why do I continue to want and crave?  Life is all about wanting and craving.
  3. There is an end to suffering: Great!  I hope there is an easy way out of all this suffering.
  4. Following the Eight Noble Truths will end suffering. 8!!?  Why not only 2 or 3?
    • Right view: How can I have the right view when there’s talk about politics and my eyes turn red.  Okay, I’ll keep an open mind.
    • Right thought: I confess, when I get cut off in traffic, I’m not thinking nice thoughts. But maybe he has an emergency and needs to get there in a hurry.
    • Right speech: That same guy is lucky he in his car or else I’ll tell him a thing or two, even though he may be 6’4”, 260 lbs.
    • Right action: Even if my actions may be small, actions speak louder than words.
    • Right livelihood: Is working for the government right livelihood? I’ll just continue to be an engineer.
    • Right effort: I admit, sometimes, I go overboard but I always try to do my best.
    • Right mindfulness: With all these crazy things happening, who’s in their right mind?
    • Right meditation: Except for that baby in the back row breaking my concentration, I can do this.

Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Butsu

In Gassho,

Ed Nodohara