volume xxxx, issue 7 july 2020 from the temple office
TRANSCRIPT
July 2020 Volume XXXX, Issue 7
A TSDBT Monthly Publication
From the Temple Office by Donna Inouye, [email protected]
My wife and daughter, Emi and Emma, planning
to come Denver in this summer! We are looking
forward to seeing you! Namo Amida Butsu
-Rev. Noritaka Imada
Hi everyone, I hope that you
are safe and happy in this
unique period of time. I have
been keeping busy with the
help of my wonderful wife,
Karen, working on Temple
Videos and Services. I have
been so excited to work on
new ways to spread the
Nembutsu, not only to our
Sangha, but across the
world. When I am not
working on Temple things, I
am still a paramedic on the
ambulance north of Denver
and I just finished my semester
at the Institute of Buddhist
Studies as well.
I hope that everyone has a great summer and even
though it will be different from what we are used to,
we still have an opportunity to experience a time
that will be singularly unique in our lives. Let’s take
some of that time to reflect on how fortunate we
are to be always in the light of Amida Buddha
because the Vow Embraces All Equally.
Be Healthy, Be Safe, Be Happy, Be as you are - Sono
Mama.
Rev. Kaitlyn Mascher-Mace
This month, Temple Readers were invited to submit family photos and personal stories or greetings to/for their fellow Sangha members. Some responded eagerly while some had to be prodded with a sharp stick. Though fewer in number than initially wished for, I think these received stories will be welcomed by you and, hopefully, inspire you to submit a blurb of your own. Please submit your photos (with ID of those pictured) and/or message by July 10th for publication in the August 2020 newsletter issue. Thank you for taking the time to write down your words. Send them to: [email protected]
Page 2 Stay at home, Safer at home, Shelter in place, Wear a mask, Six feet apart…. History does repeat. Fujiyo (Sakaguchi) Tashiro, my mom, is 101 years old and recounts a time when the measles were wide
spread. She was very young and remembers her dad telling all 10 children that they had to stay at home and couldn’t go anywhere
for fear of catching it. These past months have been challenging at best. My
mom lives with me (I am the youngest of 5 children)
along with our two year old gray cat, Grayce. At first,
she didn’t understand why she couldn’t give her son a
hug or couldn’t go out to dinner with her two sisters
in law like we used to. When she understood, she
would tell her family that she saw to “Do the right
thing even if it’s the hard thing” or “Be safe, stay
home”. She gets that life is different.
She spends her days doing jigsaw puzzles or her word search or fill-it-in word
puzzles. Her other kids call once a week to check in and see how she is doing. We
even had a Zoom call with family. She was confused at first with this new
technology but then loved seeing everyone.
At 101 going on 102, she has seen so many changes and challenges. She has always
known that family comes first and to be kind to everyone and always give that extra
kindness. You will always leave with a little gift and most times it
is her famous kimchee or tsukemono and now air hugs. I have
learned so much from her and love her with all my heart.
~ Naomi Tashiro
Cal
endar
Sch
edule
Sunday(s) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Service (real time) via Zoom* Thursday(s) 7:00 p.m. Dharma classes via Zoom* * You can attend via Zoom using your smart phone or computer. Zoom entry is unique to each time and event. The link and/or Zoom ID & Password is made available weekly (generally, Mondays) through the Minister’s & TSDBT Board Notification. You can also contact either minister directly through email and request the Zoom information. Rev. Thompson: [email protected] OR Rev. Imada: [email protected]
Shirley Tsuchimoto and Rod
quarantined in their Delta,
CO home.
Shirley received a new hedge
clipper for Mother’s Day.
Can Rod’s new look (SEE
haircut to the right) be
attributed to these same
clippers?
In this third month of isolation, many of us are running
out of things to do as we are catching up on things that
were placed on the back burner for so long. For you
grandparents/great-grandparents, have you thought of
writing down your autobiography to pass down to your
grandchildren and future generations of your family?
Wouldn't it be great to leave them a permanent legacy
of your heritage and what your generation and the
generations before you experienced as they navigated to
this Country?
Two years ago, my granddaughter who just became a
teenager, had the foresight to ask me to write about my
life's experiences and the things that I encountered
throughout the last seventy-seven years. At that time,
she presented me with a book titled, “Grandma, Tell Me
About Your Story” written by Susan Branch. Each
chapter asks various questions, such as World events
that transpired during my lifetime and how it affected
me personally.
As you reminisce about your past, can you describe
some of your family traditions? Have you continued to
pass on these beliefs and customs to your children and
grandchildren? One of the biggest and horrendous
events that took place in many of our lifetimes was
World War II. Let your descendants know how this
event deeply impacted your family and personal life.
What would you most like to be remembered for?
Do you know in which generation you belong?
Interbellum Generation: 1901 – 1913
The Greatest Generation: 1914 – 1924
Silent Generation: 1925 – 1945
Baby Boomer: 1946 – 1964
Gen X: 1965 – 1979
Millennials: 1980 – 1994
Gen Z: 1995 – 2012
Gen Alfa: 2013 - 2025
A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD YOUR MEMOIRS
by Kay Takahashi
Page 4
TriState/Denver Buddhist Temples’ membership
offers condolences to the family and friends of:
Peggy Atsuko Kagiyama
February 6, 1934 - May 7, 2020
Charles Kagiyama January 2, 1933-May 16, 2020
Kazuko Munetake d. May 17, 2020
From Stacey Umemoto Ospina:
Kirk Horiuchi and I have a long distance relationship (Ft.
Lupton/Highlands Ranch). After weeks of sheltering in our
respective homes, we enjoyed a quick date at one of our
favorite hang out spots: Home Depot!
Greetings from the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom) Festival Chairs,
Strange as this new normal is, we hope that you are all safe, healthy and eagerly awaiting the time when we can once again be together. The cancellation of the 2020 Festival was unavoidable and has come with a deep sense of loss for us. We did not realize that we would actually miss the months of preparation, gazillion emails and text messages as well as the many sleepless nights fretting about all of the big and little things that we had to do but would most likely forget to do. But most of all we miss the many opportunities to see and work alongside each of you, those mindless conversations, joyful smiles and contagious bouts of laughter cannot be replaced. We will be back in 2021, stronger and refreshed with new enthusiasm and ideas. We welcome all comments, suggestions and advice so please feel free to share them with any of the co-chairs. In Gassho, until we can be together again Joni Sakaguchi ([email protected]) Gail Ida ([email protected]) Wendy Thompson ([email protected]) Keiko Yoshida ([email protected]) Gayle Goto ([email protected])
Connor Ospina graduated from CU Denver!
No pomp or circumstance.
Page 5 Hidden Gem in the Mud By Paula Armijo
At the start of the New Year, I was declaring that this
year, 2020, would be the year of clear vision. I
mentioned this to many of our kids’ senior friends who
would be graduating soon. How cool! The class of 2020
is sure to possess clear vision! Unfortunately, that clear
vision has become fuzzy, clouded, and blurred by many
unusual circumstances that nobody in our home ever
thought we would experience in our lifetimes. When the
presence of Covid-19 in Colorado became a reality and
families were asked to stay home and stay safe, the reality
we knew came to a sudden halt, and our lives changed
tremendously. At first, it was scary, as we watched the
news, waiting for anything positive to come out of it.
Our daily lives had been on a fast-paced schedule, entirely
filled with events and activities that kept us busy, all the
time. And then…nothing. No school for our kids to
attend. No band rehearsals. No winter percussion
competitions. No work for Jazmin. No work for Moe.
Work from home for me. We were stuck at home,
spending a lot of time together as a family. As we spent
days upon days at home without much to do or
anywhere to go, and as all our plans for the summer
were canceled, we felt the weight of the unknown and
our concerns continued to grow. But we found ways to
enjoy our time together. We played games, spent time
gardening and crafting, went on walks and bike rides as a
family, and enjoyed many wonderful home-cooked meals
together.
We eventually found ourselves spending a lot of time on
a video game that we could play as a family. This game,
Animal Crossing, allowed our family to create our own
little island haven (named “Land O’ Funk”), where we
live, work, and play together peacefully and happily with
our vastly diverse neighbors. On this island, we wish
upon stars, make friends, throw parties, give gifts, plant
fruit trees and flowers, and take lots of photos. This little
make believe world has helped us all to reflect on the
beauty within our real world, and all the wonderful little
things we often tend to overlook and take for granted.
I have come to realize that there was a crystal clear gem,
like a hidden treasure amongst all this chaos that I will
cherish forever. This treasure is the gift of spending
enormous amounts of quality down-time with our
increasingly independent and incredibly busy teenage
children. I know the world (including myself) will always
remember the year of 2020 as being a challenging year in
so many ways. But I will also remember the wonderful
moments spent with the people in this world who mean so
much to me. We found ourselves a beautifully clear gem
in all this mud.
Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to
the TS/DBT ministers and administration, for their
incredible efforts in keeping us connected through the
online Dharma lessons and services, and for all that you do
to help us continue to learn and grow with wisdom and
compassion. Thanks to these wonderful human beings, we
continue to feel the warmth shining upon us from the light
of Amida Buddha. Namo Amida Butsu.
In Gassho,
Paula, Moses, Jazmin & Elijah Armijo
Sheltering in place at the Nilemo home... Things have gotten a little bit goofy, as days have begun to bleed into one another. We might not be eating the best or keeping our usual hours...but we are grateful for the extra time with our dogs, the moments we have been allowed to just unplug and that we have one another. Missing our Dharma family and looking forward to a time when we all can be together again!
-Alyssa & Korey Nilemo
Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temples gratefully acknowledges donations and offerings
received from May 1, 2020-May 31, 2020
It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to keep any organization functioning. And, even while Sangha members Shelter-in-Place and the Temple building remains empty, the behind-the-scenes work continues—perhaps from an even deeper level of unseen. Anyway, one of the current projects underway is the re-vamping of our Temple website. Karen and Kaitlyn Mascher-Mace have volunteered their computer IT and graphic layout skills to give the Temple a virtual face-lift. Many persons’ first encounter with our Temple happens - not in person on Lawrence St, but –online in front of a computer screen. For that reason, our new website designers are requesting your help and participation. Please send in photos that can be used on the website. It can be a portrait shot of your face or your family. It can be a group shot of fellow Sangha members attending a Temple event or celebration. Please identify all people in the photo (their names will not appear online); but please obtain permission for having the photo placed online. You can submit a photo print by mailing it OR submit a .JPG file by emailing to [email protected] or [email protected] Thank you.
This hasn't been that hard to deal with because I'm considered an essential worker. The only thing that has changed for me is the amount of traffic on the highways. The first week when everything started, watching the news just made me nauseous. Every so often I would catch the beginning of a news blip showing more bad news. I couldn't change the channel fast enough. I don't believe in the danger the CDC is making it out to be, but I haven't watched any news in the past three months.
-John Dobberpuhl
Hanamatsuri service
LaJara/Alamosa Sangha
Shirley Tsuchimoto
Jean Urano & Joseph Anderson
CBF 2020 Donation
Calvin Kato
Francie Takamatsu Marfia
Alice Nishimoto
Jean Yien
Donation
Esther Iwahashi
Irene & Kenzo Kawanabe
Kay Takahashi
Yoko Mooney
March Shotsuki donations ..................... in memory of
Ruby Miyazawa ................................................ Lisa Miyazawa Campbell
Phillip & Lillian Miyazawa ............................... Lisa Miyazawa Campbell
April Shotsuki donations ....................... in memory of
Shirley Tsuchimoto ......................................... Elaine Newhouse
May Shotsuki donations ......................... in memory of
Miko Yamashita ................................................. Dick Tadao Kajiwara
Ruby Miyazawa .................................................. Fred Miyazawa
Phillip & Lillian Miyazawa ............................... Fred Miyazawa
Calvin Kato ....................................................... Kimi Kato & Yasu Kato
Ida Sasaki ........................................................... Sam Fukuhara
Carrol & Dean Tsutsui .................................. Shigeo Hiratsuka
Families of Tosh&Mary Tawara ................... Taeko Tawara, Diana Doi,
............................................................................... Masaye Doi
Harriett Sakamoto .......................................... Tokutaro Yanari
Hoji donations ............................................. in memory of Paul & Julie Kimura ......................................... Ayako Kimura – 1st yr
Family of Jim Tochihara ................................. Jim Tochihara – 17th yr
Robert & Donna Miller ................................. Kiyoko Kobayashi – 1st yr
Shirley Tanaka .................................................. Sumiye Tanaka – 49th day
Special donations ....................................... made for/because:
Arlene Hattori ................................................. burial service; Fumiko
............................................................................... Hattori
Kazuko Ortiz .................................................... facilities usage; Okinawan
............................................................................... Dance
Holly Sudano .................................................... funeral; Etsuko Sudano
Kenso Kagiyama .............................................. funeral; Peggy Kagiyama
Sayoko Tanaka .................................................. Gotan E service
Kay Takahashi .................................................. Legacy Fund payment
David & Gayle Goto ....................................... Memorial Day service
Greetings from a socially distant land. . . I began my 2020 Covid adventure by sheltering with my daughter (Lys), son-in-law (Korey) and their two “babies” (actually, dogs—one huge and one rambunctious). I moved in with them on March 29th and stayed until May 2nd.
Like me, they worked remotely; fortunately, they have a spacious house. We each had separate offices set up with computer workstations, internet & phone access, sticky pad message boards and we all enjoyed easy entry to the kitchen.
Each day began with walking of the dogs and each evening concluded with a Netflix or Amazon Prime viewing. Ahh! the good life!! But just as ‘all good things must come to an end’ and ‘everything changes’ the warmer weather of Spring required me to return to my own home and catch up on my own yard work.
But, while time may seem to drag, it doesn’t ever stop so here we all sit in the month of June. I continue to work remotely from my home and, while I miss the company and camaraderie of living with Lys and Korey, I very much enjoy this remote working situation—turns out that NOT having to deal with daily traffic, I arrive at my desk a happier and more grateful person.
I do miss seeing friendly faces every week but am happy that we all understand the circumstances and stand united to socially distance ourselves for the greater good. A special ‘hello, miss you’ to everyone on the newsletter folding crew. I really, really, really miss you guys - not just for your crazy-mad folding/taping skills but the smiling, talking and snacking that comes with it!
Gassho
-from Donna Inouye
Shotsuki Monthly Memorial Service
July 26, 2020 The Shotsuki Service is a general memorial service held on a monthly basis for members and friends of the temple who have passed away during the month of service. Although there are major memorial (hoji) services set at specific time intervals such as 49th Day, 1st Year, 3rd Year, 7th, 13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th years, the temple provides families with monthly memorial Shotsuki services held in conjunction with regularly scheduled Sunday services, so family members will have the opportunity to pay respect and gratitude to loves ones who have passed away in that particular month. Donation by affected family members is appreciated: $50/observance. In Gassho
July Shotsuki Names (Sangha members who have passed away in the month of July)
Page 8
Kichizo Abe Chigi Aigaki Katsuemon Aoki Wataru Walter Aoki Sumi Aratani Tatsukichi Aratani George Hisayuki Asakawa Gunvor T. Bard Djab Naminow Burchinow Henry Shigeo Doi Sharon Kay Doizaki Shina Egawa Arthur Asakazu Eto Ben Fujii Takeo Fujishima Sam Isamu Fukaye Yukiye Fukino Mitsuo Fukui Ryoichi Furukawa Kenji Fushimi Scarlett Sachie Gedeon Mitsuru Goto Tokie Marie Goto Shizuko Hamaguchi Mitsukazu Harry Harada Soichiro Sam Hashiba George Minoru Hattori Tokushiro Hayashi Sadaichi Higuchi Kita Hiyama Yoshimitsu Honma John Yukio Hori Bungo Horiuchi Taki Igata Masaru Imada Roy Yoshinori Inouye Mineyo Ioka Frank T. Ito Karen M Iwahashi Narao Joryo Ichiro Kaihara Debra Kakuda Frank Hisami Kakuda Kagemi Kakuda Yoki Kanamori Mansaku Kasahara Jane Kanemoto James Tokichi Kato Kazuo Kato Kimiko Kato George Kiyoshi Katsumoto Noboru Kawakami Harry Shizuka Kawamoto Thomas Sunao Kawanabe Tomio Kawano Tadashi Kikuchi Naoye Joselyn Kimura Satoru Kimura Shizu Kimura
Scott Kiyoto Noguchi Mitsue Ogata Sakae Oka Risano Okazaki Fred Noboru Okimoto Minoru Okubo Tokuhei Onishi Tome Otsuka Torakichi Otsuka Yasuko Otsuka Linda Sue Oyama Game Oye-Gay Ozamoto Yutaro Ozamoto Tekezo Ozawa Shikazo Ryuo George Daisuke Saito Makiko Marguerite Sakaguchi Kazuo Sakasegawa Jana Kay Sakurai Tetsujiro Sakurai Torasaku Sakurai Shigeru Sameshima Masayo Shigetomi Stanley Keith Shimamoto Yoshimi Shimoda Kimiko Shimono Ruth Fujiko Shimooka Lily Shin Buichi Shiratori James Springs Tsutayo Sumada Myokichi Sumida Helen Kaoru Takahashi Saki Takaki Saki Takami Fusakichi Takamine Kizo Takata Daniel Masao Takatsuka Dick Hiroshi Takeda Shintaro George Taketa Mayo Takeuchi Yoshiko Tamura Mary Reiko Tanaka Hatsuye Tanouye Mary Takugawa Haruo Tomita Eisaku Tsukiji Noboru Tsunoda Harry Yuhei Ujifusa Yonekichi Umetani Tom Takashi Urano Tomi E. Urano Hanzo Uyemura Rose Atsuko Uyemura Bob Masao Uyeno Yoneko Uyeno Goichiro Wada Masatsugu Watanabe
Kansuke Kinoshita Masuji Kinoshita Grace Masako Kishiyama Ito Kishiyama Mary Yuriko Kishiyama Fujishige Kito Fred Nobuo Kiyotake Omiyo Kobayashi George Joji Komaru Takao Komaru Sam Masatoshi Koshio Mitsuye Koshiyama Tamiko Koyano David Jacob Kramer Kinjiro Kumamoto Harry Chotaro Kurachi Masa Kuroda Joe Kuroki Naka Kuroki Sakae Kusumi Wah Lam Lee George Tsugio Masunaga Daikichi Matsubara Kikumi Matsuda Inayoshi Matsumoto Susumu Matsumoto Takematsu Matsumoto Lillian Matsushima Yanayo Matsunaka Betty Kaoru Mayeda Stanley Michio Miwa Shizuko Miyake Tamano Miyauchi Charles Keiji Mizunaga Frances Wakano Mizunaga Jonai Mizuno Yoshio Mori Irene Hiromi Morimitsu Himi Morishige Shigero Morishige Mantaro Motoishi Chogoro Mugishima Kimie Muneto Alice E. Murata Setsuko Muroya Matsuyo Naka Agnes Akiko Nakagawa Tomino Nakano Ann Nakata Ayako Doris Nakata Jiro Nakatani Masaki Nakayama Shomatsu Nakayama Takyuki Jim Nakayama Kusu Nishiguchi Harry Akiyoshi Nitta Kazuo Kay Nitta Nancy Shizuye Nitta
Matsuko Whittaker Cydney Lynn Fukuhara Wilhelm Junko Yago George Jitsuo Yamada Chieko Yamasaki Mitsuyo Yamasaki Roy Yamashita Sumio Bob Yamashita Joichi Yasumura Yaeno Yokomizo Grace Yoneda Yasutaro Yoshihara Kazuo Yoshimura Minoru Yoshimura
Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temples
1947 Lawrence Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
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DENVER, COLO.
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Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple is also a charitable organization registered with Amazon Smile. AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to TS/DBT. There is no fee or extra charges for your purchases. Please click on the link and designate the Temple as your charity of choice when shopping on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-1612521
Dear Dharma School Families,
Welcome to June, can you believe how time flies!? We
are gearing up some new activities for Dharma
School kids that they can participate in while we are
unable to meet at the temple. An email will be going
out to those email addresses submitted at registration
last fall. If you are concerned your email address may
not be on this list, or if you don't receive an email this
month please reach out to us. Our email address is
[email protected]. Please send us
your name and your kids’ names and ages. Even if you
have never participated in Dharma School before, we
would love to have you join us now.
Hope you are all well,
Dharma School Teachers and Superintendent
It's A VCBF! What's a VCBF? Virtual Cherry Blossom Festival!! Coming to a smartphone, tablet or PC in the comfort of your home! Avoid the crowds and 90+ degree weather! We welcome you to visit CherryBlossomDenver.org and stroll the site. You'll find all the things that make the Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square unique and comforting: the Marketplace, cultural entertainment and delicious food! We are grateful that the Age of the Internet allows us to bring you snippets of our Denver CBF as well as video and information from around the country and Japan! We kindly encourage you to tell your friends, family and networks about the site. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021!