northern california koyasan temple 1400 u st., sacramento...

Northern California Koyasan Temple 1400 U St., Sacramento, CA 95818-1417 MAY 2014 NEWSLETTER

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Shomieku Service

Every April, the Temple holds its Shomieku Service to honor the day Master Kōbō Daishi entered into Eternal Meditation (also called Eternal Samadhi). This happened at Mt. Koya on March 21, 835 AD when he was 62 years old. So what is the meaning of Shomieku? A literal translation is as follows:

“Sho” means actual. “Mie” means portrait. “Ku” means offering.

A portrait of Kōbō Daishi, drawn by one of his disciples (Shinnyo Ho Sinnoh), was created just prior to his entering into his eternal Samadhi. In this portrait, Kōbō Daishi’s right hand holds a five-prong vajra (Gokosho) which signifies the five wisdoms of Buddha. In his left hand he holds rosary beads (Juzu), folded into two loops, which signifies the power of Buddha’s compassion. The tassels of the juzu face toward us, so we can receive his compassion and empowerment easily. Kōbō Daishi vowed that his Samadhi will endure, “As long as space remains, as long as sentient beings remain, until then, may I also remain and dispel the miseries of the world.” We express our gratitude to Master Kōbō Daishi by reciting the Gohogo Mantra, “Namu Daishi Henjo Kongo.” We need to recognize that Master Kōbō Daishi (Odaishi sama) always empowers and saves us. Gassho, Reverend Myokyo Coy New Members The Temple welcomes the following new members:

Gerald Nakashima, San Jose, CA Dennis & Junko O’Sullivan, El Dorado Hills, CA Gregory Shigetoshi, Sacramento, CA Tim & Wanda Shironaka, Sacramento, CA Michiko Tufts, Sacramento, CA

May and June Services May 18, 2014 – Monthly Daishiku Service: The English service begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Buddhist Study Class at 11:00 a.m. The monthly Daishiku service will start at 1:30 p.m.


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June 8, 2014 – Aoba Matsuri Service: The English service begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Buddhist Study Class at 11:00 a.m. The Aoba Matsuri service will start at 1:30 p.m. The Aoba Matsuri service is the celebration of our religious founder, Kobo Daishi, and his birthday. Please make every effort to attend this important service. (Ordinarily Services are held on the third Sunday of the month, however this service will be held on the second Sunday, the 8th, so as not to conflict with family obligations on Father’s Day.)

A list of the entire year’s schedule of services is available on the Temple’s website: www.nckoyasan.org. Memorial Day Services at Cemeteries

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who sacrificed their lives for their country, and also for our deceased loved ones. Graves are where our ancestors lie in peace, and should be protected as a source of a family's foundation and prosperity. Memorial services will be held at the following cemeteries:

May 24, 2014 (Sat) 9:30 a.m. Park View Cemetery in Stockton 2:00 p.m. Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose May 26, 2014 (Mon) 9:00 a.m. Odd Fellows Cemetery Nikkei Memorial in Sacramento ACC Nursing Home Visitation The Temple has scheduled a visitation to the ACC Nursing Home on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a short service. We encourage members to make an effort to attend and visit old friends with us. The nursing home is located at:

ACC Nursing Home 7801 Rush River Dr. Sacramento, CA 95831

Summer Pancake Breakfast

The Temple will hold its Summer Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 1, 2014, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Adult tickets are $5.00 and a child’s plate is $4.00. For this fund raiser, we will be offering our apple and apple/blueberry pies, either whole or by the slice, and turnovers! These little turnovers were such a big hit in last September’s Somen/Bento sale that we’re offering them again! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a delicious hot breakfast! The Temple is short-handed and we ask all able members to come and help out for this fund raising event.


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Meditation Classes The May Berkeley Meditation Class is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2014, and the July session is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2014. Rev. Coy instructs the class in both English and Japanese. For further information, please call the Temple at (916) 444-0111 or e-mail at [email protected]. There is no charge to attend; however, donations are always appreciated. The May Evening Meditation session at the Sacramento Temple is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2014, and the June session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The evening sessions are led by Rev. Coy and begin at 7:00 p.m. In Memory … The Temple recently lost a life-long member and past President of the cabinet. Our deepest condolences to the family of: Masayuki “Mas” Sunahara ~ September 25, 1920 – April 24, 2014

Mas was a life-long member and active supporter of this Temple. His parents were Kaichi and Hatsuno Sunahara who organized the Perkins Daishiko in 1940. When the Northern California Koyasan Temple was created in 1970, Mas was instrumental in the remodel of the Temple from a Catholic church that was purchased, and building of the social hall addition in 1976. He also served as the Temple Board President for 12 years before passing the reins on to the younger generation. He remained a Sodai (honored advisor) to the Temple until the very end. Born in Broderick, CA, Mas worked on the family farm in Perkins, CA, and then later as a carpenter until he retired. During WWII, the family was interned at Poston, AZ. Mas served

in the U.S. Army 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service. He was also a charter member of VFW Nisei Post 8985. He is predeceased by his parents, wife May, brother Jim, and son Alan. He is survived by his brothers Rio (Midori), Ben (Ginger), and Jun (Tokie); sisters Kazuye Yasui (Frank – deceased) and Seiko Okimura (Sam – deceased); daughter-in-law Gail (Alan – deceased); and sons Ron (Freda) and Edwin (Marilyn). He has four grandchildren: Rachel, Jill, Heather (Keith Kurihara) and Chris; and two great grandchildren: Brandon Sunahara and Keegan Kurihara. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be sorely missed by many. A Grand Retirement Party ...

Following the Spring Higan Service on March 16th, a retirement party was held for out-going President George Sakurai. George has served as the Temple’s Board President since 1995, so his retirement is well earned and well deserved. All members were invited so there was a great turn-out of well-wishers in attendance. Delicious food, beverages and cake were enjoyed by all. More pictures from the party are available on the Temple’s website: www.nckoyasan.org/nckoyasan/Sakurai_Retirement.html


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From The Fujinkai The Fujinkai would like to express its sincere gratitude to Susan L. Marquette for her generous $50 donation. A special Thank You to the following Fujinkai members who donated delicious goodies for our successful Hanamatsuri Pancake Breakfast: Betty Okimura (mini loaf cakes, takuan, fukujinzuke, orange marmalade), Tokie Sunahara (toffee cookies), Margie Sunahara (lemon bars and Easter Nest Krispies), and Rio Sunahara (kasuzuke and mustard eggplant tsukemono). As the Hanamatsuri Pancake Breakfast was close to the Easter holiday, the Fujinkai raffled 3 Easter baskets, a beautiful floral arrangement, and 5 outdoor plants. The generous donors of these raffle gifts were: Frances Nakashoji (kids basket) and Fujinkai (one adult and one kids basket), Kiyo’s Floral Design (floral arrangement), and Wendell Sonoda (5 outdoor plants). A big THANK YOU to the donors and congratulations to the winners. The Temple also expresses it sincere gratitude to Fumi Shigetoshi for her donation of spam musubi; Kayoko Narimatsu and Larry Sunahara for fresh lemons for our delicious lemon meringue pies; Sayoko Shimada, Hatsue Graham and their crew for making makizushi and chirashi sushi; Chiyoko Saiki for many beautiful crafts (quilt blankets, greeting cards, dress towels and hand warmers) that were sold; Frances Nakashoji for lunch items to feed the crew on Saturday and Sunday; George Sakurai for donuts and lunch items for the crew; and Bettie Tsuda and Janice Matsumoto for making the crumb topping for the apple-blueberry pies. May Fujinkai Workshop:

Would you like to learn to make a beautiful Ribbon Lei? These make great graduation gifts! If so, the next Fujinkai workshop, scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2014, will teach you how. Iky Kawano will be teaching attendees how to make these beautiful leis. The workshop will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Round Table Pizza on Kiefer Boulevard. The fee is only $5/person. Bring a friend and enjoy an afternoon of fun and munchies (no host pizza lunch at noon). Please contact Iky Kawano at (916) 396-3427 or [email protected] by Wednesday, May 21, 2014 to register.

Want to see the Newsletter in full color? Check it out on the Temple’s web site: www.nckoyasan.org

Newsletter Staff Editors:

Rev. Myokyo Coy Bettie Tsuda, English

Editorial Contributors:

Margie Sunahara


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MAY 2014 CALENDAR

3 (Sat) 2:00 p.m. Berkeley Meditation & Buddhist Study Class 7 (Wed) 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting 10 (Sat) 4:00 p.m. Goeika Practice 13 (Tue) 7:00 p.m. Evening meditation session 18 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. English Service 11:00 a.m. Buddhist Study Class 1:30 p.m. Monthly Daishiku Service 24 (Sat) 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day Service in Stockton 2:00 p.m. Memorial Day Service in San Jose 26 (Mon) 9:00 a.m. Memorial Day Service at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Sacramento

JUNE 2014 CALENDAR 1 (Sun) 7:00 a.m. Summer Pancake Breakfast 4 (Wed) 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting 7 (Sat) 4:00 p.m. Goeika Practice 8 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. English Service 11:00 a.m. Buddhist Study Class 1:30 p.m. Aoba Matsuri Service 10 (Tue) 7:00 p.m. Evening meditation session 17 (Tue) 11:00 a.m. ACC Nursing Home Visitation

Koyasan Pancake Breakfast Don’t be left out!

Adult: $5.00 Child: $4.00 Sunday, June 1, 2014

7:00 am - 11:00 am

northern california koyasan temple 1400 u st., sacramento...

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