Video of Rev. Kenji Akahoshi’s Dharma talk

Posted on August 7, 2011 by alan

Here’s a link to a video of Rev. Kenji Akahoshi’s Dharma talk on Sunday, July 31st, the day after he presented a workshop titled “If life is a nightmare – Wake up to a dream”.

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Shin Buddhism for the Modern World

Posted on August 5, 2011 by alan

Rev. Dennis Hirota, professor of Shin Buddhist Studies at Ryukoku University in Kyoto Japan, will present this 90 minute public lecture on Wednesday evening, August 10th, at 7PM in the Dallas Room of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwilla (16500 Southcenter Parkway, Seattle 98188).

Rev. Hirota was the chief translator of the Collected Works of Shinran which was published by the Nishi Hongwanji in 1997. Rev. Hirota is the keynote speaker this week in the Buddhist Churches of America’s ministerial association summer study session. While the study sessions are private this special evening lecture is open to the general public without charge.

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White River Buddhist Temple: Rev. Mark Unno

Posted on August 3, 2011 by ann

Seminar with Reverend Mark Unno – Saturday, September 10, 2011

LIGHT AND DARK, BLINDNESS AND INSIGHT

In this seminar, we will explore the ways in which our lives are buffeted by the storms of blind passion, only to open to the serene waters of compassion.  As we face uncertainty, both within and without, we are brought to awareness through the tranquil illumination arising from deep within, like an ocean of light.  Borne on the currents of boundless compassion, unexpected insights unfold amidst the creative rhythms of life and death.

Time: 9:30 to 3:00 (9:00 registration)

Cost:   $20 General    (sandwich & salad lunch included)

BCA Members $10

Location: White River Buddhist Temple (253) 833-1442

3625 Auburn Way North

Auburn, WA

http://www.whiteriverbuddhisttmpl.org/

Contact: Karen Murakami, wrlink4goldenchain@comcast.net

***   Please register using the included form ***

Mark Unno is Associate Professor of Japanese Buddhism in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Oregon.  He is the author of Shingon Refractions: Myoe and the Mantra of Light (2004), is editor of Buddhism and Psychotherapy Across Cultures (2006), and is the author of various articles on Pure Land Buddhism, comparative religion, and Buddhism and psychology. He is an ordained minister in the Shin Buddhist tradition and works with Buddhist groups, general audiences, as well as with students and scholars. He resides in Eugene, Oregon with his wife Megumi and his two cats Onyx and Taata.

Registration Deadline – Sunday, September 4, 2011


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茶道 – The way of tea

Posted on July 26, 2011 by alan

Come to the temple on Friday night, August 12th at 7PM for a special opportunity to experience a Japanese Tea Ceremony and hear about the ties between Buddhism and the tea ceremony. Mrs. Naomi Takemura, wife of our retired Rinban, will perform the tea ceremony which will be followed by a Dharma Talk titled “Chanoyu – the Way of Tea as a Buddhist Path” presented by Rev. Dennis Hirota.

Naomi Takemura is the adminstrator of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association which sponsors public demonstrations throughout the year at events such as Hatsugama, Shoseian Japanese Garden Tea Presentation (twice a month), Sakura Matsuri, Sakura-Con, Tanabata (at Wing Luke Asian Museum), Mugenki Chakai (at Shoseian Tea House in Japanese Garden), and the Eastside Nihon Matsuri (Aki Matsuri).


Rev. Dennis Hirota currently resides in Kyoto Japan where he is a professor in the Department of Shin Buddhism at Ryukoku University. He is a former consulting editor of “Chanoyu Quarterly”, the Urasenke school’s journal about the tea ceremony. He is also the editor of the book “Wind in the Pines”, a collection of classic writings of the Way of Tea as a Buddhist Path which will be available for purchase at the workshop.

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Bon Odori Dance Practice

Posted on July 5, 2011 by alan

To help you get ready for the Bon Odori the temple’s dance instructors offer free dance practices, open to the public, where you can learn each of the dances that will be included in this year’s festival. This year’s five practice sessions in the temple’s gymnasium are on July 6th-8th (Wed-Fri) and July 11th & 12th (Mon-Tue), 7:30PM to 9PM.

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Sarana Affirmation Service (Kie Shiki)

Posted on June 21, 2011 by alan

If you have yet to receive a Buddhist Name (Homyo) please consider taking advantage of an opportunity to participate in a Sarana Affirmation Service (Kie Shiki) at the temple on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 12:00 noon. The affirmation will be officiated by Socho Koshin Ogui, the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America.

For those who plan to visit Japan, affirmation services are available at our mother temple, the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto Japan. Contact Rinban Castro for more information. For those who don’t have the opportunity to visit Kyoto the affirmation service is occassionally offered here in Seattle and occurs when either the Monshu, the leader of the Nishi Hongwanji and a direct descendant of our sect’s founder Shinran Shonin, or the Socho of the Buddhist Churches of America visits Seattle. The last Sarana Affirmation service in Seattle was held in January of 2010.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? The service is open to all. There are no age requirements.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF KIE SHIKI? The special service is an opportunity for Jodo Shinshu Buddhists who aspire to lead the Buddhist way of life to affirm their entry onto the Path of Nembutsu. By appearing before the shrine of Amida Buddha and taking refuge in the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), we pledge to live the Buddhist way of life.

WHAT IS THE KIE SHIKI CEREMONY? The affirmation ceremony is performed for laypersons who have indicated the desire to participate in the ceremony. Its basic ritual is recalling the act of Siddhartha when he resolved to enter the spiritual path of life.

A Buddhist name is given to each participant as an indication that the person aspires for the Truth and is now counted among the disciples of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is through the teaching of Sakyamuni Buddha that we have been able to hear the Dharma of Amida Buddha’s primal vow.

WHAT IS THE BUDDHIST NAME OR DHARMA NAME? A Buddhist Name (Homyo) is bestowed upon a person when participating in the affirmation ceremony during his or her life or posthumously at the funeral service. It is by far preferable for us to receive the Dharma name while we are still well and active. Those who already have a homyo may re-apply for a new one which incorporates a word or Japanese kanji character which has special meaning to you . Your Buddhist name should be selected in consultation with Rinban Castro. (see application)

APPLICATIONS: Those wishing to participate in the ceremony are requested to complete and submit their application to Seattle Betsuin by Sunday, July 17, 2011, (whether for your first or for a new homyo) accompanied by a fee of $25 payable to the Seattle Betsuin.

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Walk (in the Rain) for Rice!

Posted on June 18, 2011 by david

children holding the Seattle Buddhist Temple banner at the 2011 Walk for RiceGreat turnout today at the Walk for Rice from the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association, Camp Fire, and general temple membership. It was wet but we all wore smiles along with our raincoats walking the 2.5-mile loop around Seward Park. We walked behind a colorful church banner painted by Susie Taketa and adorned with a rice bag and tactile representation of a rice bowl. Church teams raised about $2000 for the ACRS food bank!

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Celebrate Bon Odori July 16, 17

Posted on May 18, 2011 by ann

Bon Odori is a traditional summer festival in which we honor our ancestors who have passed on, remember and appreciate all they have done for us, and celebrate their ongoing presence in the lives we enjoy today.  Join us this weekend (July 16 and 17) for traditional Japanese food, dancing, martial arts and exhibits. We will also be giving tours of the o-naijin, where we hold weekly services.

Bon Odori festival times are:  Saturday, July 16, from 4pm to 10 pm and Sunday, July 17, from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Saturday’s dance schedule:
5:00P Matsuri Taiko performance
5:50P Mi Kokoro
6:10P Dai Tokyo Ondo
6:26P Seattle Omoide (casta)
6:37P Shiawase Samba
7:00P Oyama Ondo
7:10P Nembutsu Daiko
7:22P Hanagasa Ondo
7:35P Matsuri Taiko performance
8:15P Dai Hiroshima
8:25P Hanabi Ondo
8:45P Yakyu Ken Ondo
8:55P Soran Bushi
9:05P Tanko Bushi
9:30P Zen Koku Ondo (lantern)
9:45P Goshu Ondo

Sunday’s schedule:
3:30P Matsuri Taiko performance
4:00P Seattle Kendo Kai (Kendo demonstration)
4:50P Mi Kokoro
5:10P Dai Tokyo Ondo
5:20P Shiawase Samba
5:30P Nembutsu Daiko
5:50P Hanagasa Ondo
6:00P Seattle Omoide
6:20P Matsuri Taiko performance
6:55P Oyama Ondo
7:05P Dai Hiroshima Ondo
7:25P Hanabi Ondo
7:35P Tanko Bushi
7:45P Soran Bushi
7:55P Goshu Ondo

Dance practice ran from 7:30 to 9 pm in the temple gym for five evenings, July 6-8 and July 11-12.  If you missed the practices you can brush up on the steps at home with the help of the videos below.

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Gatha Arigato with ukulele & sax accompaniment

Posted on May 9, 2011 by alan

In case you missed it on Sunday, May 8th, here’s a video of the gatha “Arigato” from the 10AM service.

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Walk for Rice is Saturday, June 18

Posted on April 17, 2011 by david

walk for rice 2011 logoUpdate 6/17/2011: Just a reminder that Walk for Rice is Saturday morning, June 18 at Seward Park. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Carpooling is encouraged since there’s little parking at the event. Or, you can take a free shuttle from ACRS (3639 MLK Jr. Way S) beginning at 8 a.m. or take Metro.

Keep a lookout for church members near the starting area (wear your Obon, shirts everyone!) and we can walk together. We may also have a church banner.

Some DS families typically bring a brown bag lunch and picnic near the play area near the start/end of the walk. Free refreshments are also provided after the walk. (Event organizers have requested donations of baked goods for the refreshment table, so you’re invited to bring some if you feel so inclined!)

Thanks to generous donations, the Seattle Buddhist Church team has exceeded its $1000 goal by 40%! You can still make a donation at registration or by visiting our team page.

For complete information, please see the event details on the Walk for Rice website.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Original post:

Each year, Walk for Rice raises money for the ACRS Food Bank. This walk and fun run is held at Seward Park and brings together more than 1,000 community members. The Seattle Betsuin has two teams, one temple-wide and one for Camp Fire, both seeking members as well as donations to ACRS in support of the teams. Please visit the temple-wide team website or the Camp Fire team website to sign-up or donate! We’ll also have sign-up forms and information posted soon in the foyer.

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