Gotan-ye - Sonic.net

The Enmanji 

Sangha 

Est. 1934 

The Enmanji Buddhist Temple 

Rev. C. Myokei Himaka 

1200 Gravenstein Hwy. So., Sebastopol, CA 95472 

e-mail: enmanji @ sonic.net 

Temple (707) 823-2252 

Minister Emergencies (707) 484-3319 

Volume 37 May 2009 No. 5 

Gotan-ye 

Nembutsu Notes 

by Rev. C. Myokei Himaka 

Sunday 

May 17, 2009 

10:30am 

Birthday 

Celebration 

for 

Shinran Shonin 

Shinran Shonin’s birthday is known as Gotanye 

and we will be having a special service to 

celebrate this occassion on Sunday, May 

17. Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu, 

pointed out that everyone, regardless of rank or 

class, would be saved by reciting the Nembutsu 

with faith in Amida Buddha. We observe this 

day to gain a greater awareness of the Nembutsu 

teaching, to pay tribute to our founder, and to take 

pride in the Buddhist heritage. Please join us for 

the service and the luncheon that will follow hosted 

by the May Toban. 

Memorial Day Cemetery Service Schedule 

May 24, 2009 

9:00am 

10:00am 

10:40am 

11:00am 

11:45am 

12:15pm 

Petaluma Cemetery 

Santa Rosa Chapel of the Chimes 

Santa Rosa Old Cemetery 

Santa Rosa Memorial Park 

Sebastopol Cemetery 

Pleasant Hill Cemetery 

What exactly is Tariki? 

Tariki – Other Power 

According to one Hongwanji publication, Tariki 

is described thus: 

This is the power of the Vow of Amida, 

which transforms ignorance into 

wisdom, darkness into light, and evil 

into virtue. The “Other” here is not a 

term relative to “self” but an Absolute 

Other which is beyond all sentient 

beings, working within and without 

each self to effect his enlightenment. 

In the words of Shinran, “Other 

Power means to be free of any form 

of calculation” (Mattosho, Letter 10). 

This means that Other Power is to 

be realized where all selfworking has 

ceased and one has been grasped by 

true compassion. 

Much is made about “the power of the Vow 

of Amida,” and while this is truly an important topic, 

how are we to understand this in view of our everyday 

lives? How many of us have ever experienced anything 

that comes close to matching this description? As 

the glossary itself defines this power to be “beyond 

all sentient beings” I would imagine that most of us 

Sunday Morning 

Dharma Class - 9:30am 

All levels of 

seekers welcome 

have not had such an 

experience. So what 

purpose is there in trying 

to discuss it? 

Continued on page 8

The Enmanji SANGHA Newsletter May 2009 Page 2 

Hanamatsuri 2009 

April 12 was our Hanamatsuri Service 

celebration. Rev. Michael Endo, executive 

assistant to the Bishop of the BCA, was the guest 

speaker. Rev. Endo gave an insightful Dharma 

message of change and impermanence. After 

the service the April Toban hosted a delicious 

luncheon. Many thanks to the Dharma School for 

providing the cake. 

The Dharma School presented a very 

entertaining Hanamatsuri program. Frank 

Sinatra, aka Loren, and the lovely Dharma School 

staff presented the classic song “I Got Plenty O’ 

Nuttin.” Laurie, Linda, Lisa and Paula were a treat 

to watch. They may be for hire for birthdays and 

parties! In keeping with the theme of “nothing” 

the Dharma School students presented the play 

“The Gift of Nothing.” The program concluded with 

the students presenting the Judy Garland/Johnny 

Mercer song Friendship. The students were great 

and the props were really cute. 

B. W. A News 

B.W.A. BOARD NEWS 

by Nancy Yoshioka 

With Keiko Furusho presiding, the following topics 

were discussed at the April 5 th Board meeting: 

Unfi nished Business: 

1. The 75th Anniversary Committee is moving 

forward. Kinu made a request and motion 

passed, to order an additional 100 BWA gifts. 

Additional gifts may be needed for the 75th 

Celebration and for other occasions. 

2. The White Elephant/Used Book and Raffl e 

Sale on March 15th was very successful. 

BWA netted over $1900. (More news 

elsewhere in the Sangha.) 

3. David Murakami was thanked and presented 

with a gift certificate for his time and effort 

and also his donation of the sound system 

in anticipation of the 75th Anniversary 

Celebration. 

4. The Bodhi Tree plaque is ready with the 

exception of the stand. 

5. Alyce reported that she is still looking for a 

nice can opener for Enmanji’s kitchen. She 

reported that the one she saw recently was 

too expensive. 

New Business: 

1. Keiko reported on the BDBWL Hoppo- 

Fukuoka Exchange meeting on March 

14th. Guests from Japan will be here from 

October 8th - 16th. San Mateo, SABC 

and Palo Alto will meet them at the airport 

and will be the host for the fi rst night. The 

guests will then be taken to the FBWL 

Conference in Sacramento. Oakland, 

Berkeley and Alameda will host the 

guests on Sunday and Monday followed 

by Enmanji, Marin and San Francisco on 

October 13th, 14th, and 15 th respectively. 

Prior to leaving California on the 16th, the 

guests will be honored at a dinner in Palo 

Alto. 

2. Palo Alto BWA proposed a new resolution 

that the BCA Board and National Council 

include the CBE in their budget so that 

CBE programs will not have to be reliant 

on donations. The proposal was discussed 

and accepted. 

3. Bay District BWL Conference will be held at 

the Enmanji in October 2010. Date has not 

been set nor Chairperson selected. 

4. BWA is still waiting for the Registration 

packet for the FBWA Conference in 

Sacramento at the Doubletree, Oct. 9th 

– 11th, 2009. 

Enmanji BWA thanks George and Amy Tsurumoto 

and Mieko Whitt for their special donations. 

k.i. for n.y. 

BBQ Meeting 

May 17, 2009 

Sunday, 12:15pm


BEC News 

by Rev. Himaka and Sydney Yamashita 

BEC continues to support the Wednesday 

evening Meditation Sessions, at 7:30pm Everyone is 

invited to attend. Rev. Himaka continues to offer a 

Dharma Study Group on Thursday evenings (please 

check calendar for schedule). 

Arrangements for the Dharma of Music 

seminar with Rev. Hardiman have been postponed 

until September or October. 

Due to schedule conflicts the next Dharma at 

the Movies has been set for June 21, at noon. 

Since dharma activity can only respond to the 

needs or desires of the members, please let us know if 

you have any suggestions. 

Dharma School News 

by Loren Miyasaki 

In April the students focused on 

Hanamatsuri and the entertainment program that 

followed the service. Ty Shimizu, Ian and Gavin 

Herculson, Parker and Jenner Oncken, Olivia 

Henry, and Emily and Erin Kivett did an outstanding 

job presenting a very enjoyable story and song. 

There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm that 

was enjoyed by all. 

Board Summary 

ENMANJI BOARD MEETING -- 5 April 2009 

Attending: Dr. Kent Matsuda (presiding); Rev. Carol 

Himaka, Rose Fujii, Dr Tets Fujii, Keiko Furusho, Kinu 

Iwamoto, Tomio Iwamoto, George Kameoka, Mary 

Kawahara, Dr William.Kivett, Larry Ono, Russell 

Ono, Loren Miyasaki, Phyllis Tajii, Jim Wakayama, 

Caroline Yamasaki, Lloyd Yamasaki, Ray Yamasaki, 

Milton Yoshioka. Non-Board members: Fred Beeler, 

Clare Shimizu, Sachi Shimizu. 

Meeting called to order by Dr. Matsuda at 1225 

h. Rev. Himaka led gassho. Copies of –handwritten 

minutes of the meeting of 8 Mar 2009 were 

distributed. M/S/P to accept as written. Dr Matsuda 

reported that Co-Secretary Iwamoto in future will type 

up minutes and provide an abbreviated version for 

the Sangha. 

Correspondences―received from Jodo Shinshu 

Center; lots of activities on calendar. 

Reports 

1. Minister’s Report― Rev. Himaka reported daily 

activities for March. The online Jodo Shinshu 

Correspondence Course, hosted by Hongwanji, is 

being worked on. Three ministers are involved, 

including Rev. Himaka, Rev. Grant Ikuta (Canada), 

and Rev. Eric Matsumoto (Hawaii). Invitations went 

out to ministers to attend Enmanji’s 75 th Anniversary 

Celebration; responding affirmatively were Socho 

Ogui, Rev. Yamaoka, Rev. Bridge, Rev. Masuda, Rev. 

Kobata, Rev. Furumoto, Rev. Z. Taniguchi and Rev. 

S. Taniguchi, Rev. Hirota, Rev. Endo, Rev. Hardiman, 

and Rev. Mied--a total of 20 ministers and spouses. 

2. President’s Report― No report. 

3. Treasurer’s Report―Treasurer Caroline Yamasaki 

distributed her written report. A binder for the Chow 

Mein fundraiser is available for future use; it was 

retyped by Ken Ishizu. Included information provided 

in detail on who, what, where, when, concerning 

the event. This year’s Chow Mein fundraiser netted 

$4,172.72 (from a gross of $6,806); $460.50 from 

bake, lunch $4,945, miscellaneous about $1,200; 

subsequent receipts added to total. Rev. Himaka 

asked about some items pertaining to February 

minister expenses. 

4. Jr YBA―No Report. 

5. Japanese Language School―No report. 

6. Membership―Loren Miyasaki reported 

membership total for 2008 of 179; to date for 2009, 

dues have been paid by 115 members (102 fully and 

13 partially), with $17,345 collected so far. 

7. Dharma School―Loren Miyasaki reported that 

Dharma School activities have been focused on the 

Hanamatsuri program. 

8. Property―Russell Ono reported on the general 

cleanup last weekend. Keiko Furusho asked about 

clean up of grounds around the Hall and Temple 

before the 75 th Celebration. 

9. Hall usage― No report. Keiko Furusho noted that 

the Sebastopol Sister City organization used hall for 

their dinner (abt 200 people). 

10. BWA―Keiko Furusho reported on BWA activities. 

See BWA report in this Sangha for details. 

Old Business 

1. 75 th Anniversary Celebration―More than 200 

persons have registered so far to attend. Only two 

temples have not responded. Reverend Hirota from 

Los Angeles will be arriving at SFO on Saturday 

Continued on Page 6


Donation 

Molly Akutagawa George Okamoto 

Acknowledgments 

Tom Mukaida 

Sam Tsurumoto 

Enmanji Buddhist Temple and its affi liate organizations 

wishes to express sincere appreciation for the 

many donations received from members and friends. 

M/M Fred Furuzawa 

Tom Mukaida 

George Okamoto, Iwazo 

Hamamoto 

Iwazo Hamamoto 

Donors 

In Memory of 

Julie Hamamoto & Fam. Iwazo Hamamoto 

Toshie Morita 

Toshiro Morita 

Enmanji Temple 

M/M Min Furuta Mayu Furuta, George 

Suzue Okumura Special 

Okamoto 

Mieko Whitt 

Chow Mein 

Michael Uyeda Fam. George Okamoto 

M/M Robert Furukawa Chow Mein 

Matsumi Sugiyama Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Kent Matsuda 

BCA National Council Mtg. 

Michael Uyeda Fam. Seiitsu Yamasaki 

M/M Gary Keithly Chow Mein 

Rod Sugiyama Fam. Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Sal Moley 

Bodhi Seal 

Mrs. Yoshiko Yamasaki Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Mark Tabata 

Bodhi Seal 

Lorraine Yamasaki Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Timothy & Jade Special 

Lloyd Yamasaki, Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Suzue Okumura O-Higan Service 

Florence Yamasaki 

Kimiko Bissiri 

Memory of Parents 

M/M Harry Sugiyama Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Visitor to Temple Special 

Shotsuki Hoyo 

M/M Tak Kameoka Ei Kameoka 

M/M Ralph Furusho Mark Furusho 

M/M Ray Yamasaki Seiitsu Yamasaki 

David Murakami Seiitsu Yamasaki 

Ken Ishizu 

Seiitsu Yamasaki 

M/M S Ishizu Seiitsu Yamasaki, F. 

Kawaoka 

Janel Sugiyama, Seiitsu Yamasaki 

John Loughlin 

M/M George Tsurumoto Kumiko Matsuda, Sam 

Tsurumoto 

Kent Matsuda 

Tsune Matsuda 

M/M Ed Kawaoka Florence Kawaoka 

M/M Einar Hansen Florence Kawaoka 

M/M Jim Davlin Fam. George Okamoto 

Kent Matsuda 

Toshiro Morita, George 

Okamoto, Frank Noguchi 

Lily Okamoto 

George Okamoto 

Russell Ono Fam. Yuriko Furusho 

M/M Ralph Furusho Yuriko Furusho 

M/M Roy Yamashita Suyetaro Shimizu, Yukino 

Shimizu, Mayu Furuta 

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to 

the family 

of 

Mitsuo Tsujihara 

May you find comfort within the Infinite 

Compassion of Amida Buddha 

Building Fund 

Mona Hirooka 

Mary Kawahara 

M/M Dennis Yamaoka 

Josephine Robfogel 

M/M Einar Hansen 

Harue Okazaki 

M/M Larry Miyano 

Alice B. Cooney 

Russell Rice & 

Helen Spivak 

Marie Totman 

Yae Furusho 

Sharon/Ron Ricketts 

Julie Hamamoto 

M/M MS Okamoto 

Clyde Nelson 

M/M John Garretson 

M/M Jim Wakayama 

Hiroko Kobayashi 

Takashi Koga 

Yachiyo Yamamoto 

Tomiye Ito 

Sana Otani 

Denichi Otani 

Katsukuma Uyeda 

Hifumi Miyasaki 

Kanematsu Ikegami 

Mits Tsujihara 


















Continued on Page 5 

May Shotsuki Hoyo 

George Kazuo Shizuru 

Tsugiye Ito 

Marlene Masada 

Joe Isamu Furusho 

Masae Kawahara 

Helen Yoshiko Furukawa


Donations - Continued from Page 4 

M/M Ralph Furusho Mits Tsujihara 

Jim Wakayama 

Florence & Lloyd 

Jordan & Associates Mits Tsujihara 

Sam Kawahara 

Yamasaki 

M/M Ray Yamasaki Mits Tsujihara 

Lloyd Yoshioka 

Clare Shimizu 

M/M Lloyd Yoshioka Mits Tsujihara 

Marie Sugiyama 

Yae Furusho 

Takeshi Kameoka Mits Tsujihara 

T. Taniguchi 

Raymond Yamasaki 

A. Tsurumoto Mits Tsujihara 

Matsumi Sugiyama Fred Furuzawa 

Rachel Fallon 


Tetsuro Fujii 

Julia Hamamoto 

Chiyoko Miyano Mits Tsujihara 

Dr. Kent Matsuda 

Milton Yoshioka 

Tomie Iwamoto Mits Tsujihara 


G. & A. Tsurumoto 

M/M Martin Shimizu Mits Tsujihara 

Helen Kobayashi 

Ralph/Keiko Furusho 

Janice Otani 


Mary Kawahara 

Fumi Tajii 

Takeshi Kameoka 

Janice Otani/ 

George Thow 

Denise/Steve Luong 

Hanamatsuri Donations 

Sachi Shimizu 

John/Wendy Nacol 

Suzue Okumura 

Tomio/Kinu Iwamoto Sharon Noguchi/ 

Mark Tabata 

Mrs. Hashimoto 

Mark Joerger 

Gary/Kimie Paulson 

B. Dinkelspiel 

Roy/Sydney Yamashita 

Russell Ono Family 

Kay Namba 

Herculson Family 

M.S. Okubara 

Loren Miyasaki 

Harue Okazaki 

Mark Shimizu Family 

Mieko Whitt 

Eric Oncken Family 

Sawame Shimizu 

H. Kawase 

Martin/Dorothy Shimizu 

C. Ishizu 

Enmanji Buddhist Temple 

Membership Form - 2009 

For those wishing to either become members, or to continue your membership with the Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 

please fill out the form below and submit it to the temple office. Please write “Membership” on the outside of the envelope. 

Please indicate member status: 

Name _____________________________________ 

[ ] Current Member 

Address ___________________________________ 

[ ] Applying as New Member 

City, State, ZIP ______________________________ 

Telephone: (____) ___________________________ 

e-mail: ____________________________________ 

Quarterly 

Annually 

[ ] Single Adult Member (less than 75 yrs old) 

[ ] Family Membership 

[ ] Senior Single Membership (+75 yrs old) 

[ ] Senior Couple (both +75 yrs old) 

[ ] Senior & Non-Sr. Couple (only one +75 yrs old) 

[ ] Sustaining Membership (Single) 

[ ] Sustaining Membership (Couple) 

[ ] Special Donation for ______________________ 

$45.00 $180.00 

$90.00 $360.00 

$25.00 $100.00 

$50.00 $200.00 

$70.00 $280.00 

$68.75 $275.00 

$137.50 $550.00


Board Summary - Continued from Page 3 

April 25 th (1325 h) and needs to be picked up at the 

airport and dropped off again on Tuesday (Keiko 

volunteered for the latter). Chigo outfits borrowed 

from San Jose Buddhist Temple have been received; 

need to try them out; the old Enmanji outfits will be 

on display but not used. Fred Beeler asked about 

parking for the 75 th Anniversary. Ray Yamasaki 

reported that the Olson property has been mowed 

and will be mowed a second time before the event. 

Use of the property has been approved by the new 

owner. Kinu Iwamoto asked if the quilt will be hung? 

[Yes] 

Discussion of seating the ministers: eight ministers in 

Naijin, others in pews in front row, unless handicap 

spaces are needed; if so, some ministers will have to 

be in the second row. 

2. Chow Mein―Biodegradable clamshells were used. 

We will also look to use them for the BBQ. Kinu 

Iwamoto asked about plant sales and the current 

quarantine on plant shipments because of the apple 

moth infestation . Larry Ono to look into this. 

3. Financial assets of temple―Mike Uyeda working 

on it. More next month. 

4. Olson Celebration of Life—Celebration will be 

held on June 7 at 1200 h. There will be a display of 

Olson’s paintings. BWA meeting that day, but should 

not be a conflict. 

5. Caroline Yamasaki thanked Russ Ono for 

attending to maintenance and new tire purchase for 

Rev. Himaka’s car. 

New Business 

1. Lina Hoshino―appeal for donation to complete 

her video project. Lina was not present but Phyllis 

Tajii related that JACL has not yet decided on 

donation. Need clarification on what the situation is. 

2. Sangha―Loren Miyasaki commended efforts 

of Sangha staff to produce Sangha and the work 

Rev. Himaka has done with it. He emphasized 

the difficulty of proofing copy such that errors of 

omissions and misspellings of names could be 

avoided. Keiko Furusho volunteered to help proof. 

3. JACL request―JACL wishes to place photographs 

of the three soldiers for whom the Memorial Hall 

was dedicated at the entryway to the Hall. Space on 

wall is limited. The Board requested that JACL come 

up with other suggestions and mock-ups w/scale 

drawings. 

3. Plaque for Norman Olson―M/S/P to have Russell 

Ono look into having a plaque made to recognize 

Mr Olson. The plaque would be placed on the 

pedestrian gate on Elphik. 

4. The next Board meeting will be held on Sunday 

May 10. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 

The Enmanji BWA’s first WHITE ELEPHANT/USED 

BOOK SALE went very well. We reached our goal of 

$1,000. The final total was $1,185.10. Thanks to all 

who donated their time and goods for the sale. And, 

thanks to all of you who participated in the sale by 

purchasing the goods and making this fundraiser so 

successful. 

In addition to the WHITE ELEPHANT SALE, we had a 

very successful RAFFLE with Clare Shimizu in charge. 

The money ($727.00) generated from the raffle sale 

would not have been possible without the high energy 

efforts of Clare. Thank you, Clare! 

We are grateful to the following for their donations to 

our White Elephant/Book Sale: 

Jasper Anderson, Kimi de Cristoforo, Patricia Davis, 

Nancy Davlin, Barbara Dinkelspiel, Grace Dote, 

Mary and Marcus Fok, Rose Fujii, Keiko Furusho, 

Maryanne Goodman, Marian Ishizu, Kinu Iwamoto, 

Setsuko Johnson, Joyce Kawahara, Mary Kawahara, 

Shiz Kawaoka, Julene Leach, Lance Lew, Laura 

Morita, Toshie Morita, Dave Murakami, Hideaki 

Nishikura, Anne Ohki, Kathy Ono, Clare Shimizu, 

Sachi Shimizu, Keiko and Kenjiro Takahashi, Haru 

Tsurumoto, Caroline Yamasaki, Lloyd Yamasaki, Jim 

and Judy Yokoyama, Joji Yoshimura, Milton Yoshioka, 

and Nancy Yoshioka. 

Special thanks to the following for their raffle prize 

donations: 

Grace Dote, Keiko and Ralph Furusho, Ken Ishizu, 

David Murakami, Clare Shimizu Associates, Sachi 

Shimizu, and Nancy and Lloyd Yoshioka. 

With gratitude, 

Sachi Shimizu, Kinu Iwamoto, Chairpersons


Relocation Camp Display 

Once again this year Henry Kaku would like 

to have a display of relocation camp artifacts at 

the Enmanji Teriyaki Bazaar in July. If you have 

any items that Henry can display please contact 

him at 778-8895. 

ENMAN NO TOMO NEWS 

APRIL 4, 2009 

At our meeting on Saturday, special guest speaker 

was John Johnson, a Physical Therapist at Palm 

Drive Hospital in Sebastopol. According to John, 

studies have shown that 1/3 of individuals over 65 

will experience a fall. Also, according to the handouts 

provided at the meeting, “falls are the leading cause 

of injury death in people over the age of 65. Also, 

falls results in approximately 200,000 hip fractures in 

older adults each year. In addition, a study of falls in 

older adults showed that poorly-fitting or improperlydesigned 

shoes significantly increased the risk of 

suffering a hip fracture from a fall.” 

Fall prevention was the topic of John’s presentation. 

He indicated that many of the falls occur around the 

home. What are some of the hazards around the 

home? Hazards can be attributed to poor lighting 

or not having slip-resistant rugs and runners. The 

location of hazards can be anywhere from bathrooms, 

stairs, hallways and bedrooms. Medical conditions, 

reactions to medications, alcohol, or just having the 

fear of a fall, can all contribute to falling. John indicated 

that people with a fall history are also more likely to fall 

again. Some of the prevention strategies discussed 

was: 1) balancing and mobility exercises (tai chi was 

noted as number 1), 2) eating healthy foods, 3) using 

caution when carrying something, and 4) hurrying. 

To assist individuals in preventing falls, John offers 

fall risk screenings, an injury prevention project, 

supported by Palm Drive Hospital. Their fall prevention 

programs assist individuals “to regain muscle strength, 

balance, confidence and independence and the 

desire to become more active. Patients are educated 

in identifying potential risk factors in their home 

environment and are offered solutions to make their 

home a safer place.” John is a certified balance and 

mobility specialist instructor. Many useful handouts 

were provided. With over 90 per cent of Enman 

No Tomo members 65 and over, John’s talk was 

germane to our population. As a result, there were 

many positive feedbacks. 

At our April activity day, members were joined by the 

Alice Shimazu family that includes her adult son Jerry, 

daughter Jan, and her husband Ron. Alice’s family 

surprised their mom with number of delicious pies and 

manjus to share with members in celebration of mom’s 

birthday. And, Alice is a very, very special lady, indeed 

to be celebrated. She is one of our original member 

and volunteer of Enman No Tomo Senior Center. For 

the past 25 years, Alice has assisted with the exercise 

program. She announced her retirement at this 

meeting. Enman No Tomo Senior Center is immensely 

grateful for all the energy, effort, and dedication she 

has given to our program. Thank you so much, Alice! 

You deserve a well earned rest, but we hope you can 

continue to grace us with your presence. And, thank 

you Shimazu Family for the delicious desserts! 

This month, we were also so pleased to see Paul and 

Hatsue Otani’s daughter, Arleen and granddaughter 

Vanessa Martin! We had not seen Arleen, a former 

volunteer, in some time. Another person we love to 

see is Joan Gardenhire, Yae’s Furusho’s daughter 

from Benicia. We have had Joan, an Occupational 

Therapist, as a guest speaker in the past. You and all 

our Enman No Tomo friends are always welcome to 

come and participate in all our activities. 

Next month, we will have Julie Bennett from Health 

Insurance Counseling Advocacy Program give a talk. 

Bring all your medicare and health insurance questions 

to this presentation! 

Special thanks to Anne Ohki for all the Meyers lemons, 

distributed in bags, for the bingo prizes. We also wish 

to thank George Masada and Amy Tsurumoto for their 

very generous donations to our Center. 

k.i.


The Human Race 

The Sonoma County JACL will be 

participating in the Human Race again this year. 

This event will be held on Saturday May 9 at 8 

AM at Slater Middle School. We would like your 

support in taking part in this fund raiser. You can 

take part in the 3K and 10K Walk and Run or by 

signing up to pledge. If you are interested please 

contact either Alice or George Kashiwagi at 823- 

7053 or e-mail to kashimor@sonic.net. 

Outstanding Community Volunteer 

Among our midst, there is a lady some of us know little 

about. Retired a few years ago, Marie Sugiyama worked 

at Montgomery High School for 32 years as a physical 

education and business educator. She excelled in 

her work, receiving many, many awards, among them, 

Teacher of the Year (1991), Athletic Director of the Year 

for the North Coast Section, California State Athletic 

Directors Association (1992), N.C. Section, California 

Interscholastic Federation, Phillip Hempler Award 

(1994), Hall of Fame at Chico State(1996), and Santa 

Rosa Junior College in (2000). 

Marie has also been a board member of many athletic 

groups in Santa Rosa as well as in our community, 

notably, Sonoma County JACL, Chairing the Oral 

History Project, being part of the Speakers Bureau, 

involved as a liaison between the JACL and the Santa 

Rosa City Council to work on renaming the Fountain 

Grove Park to the Nagasawa Community Park. She 

has also received JACL’s Community Service Award 

as well as the National JACL Community Service 

Award (2000). Many of you may have seen the writeup 

of Marie in the Press Democrat not too long ago. 

This year, for Marie’s distinguished career and services 

to the community, Enman No Tomo Senior Center and 

the Sonoma County JACL were honored to recommend 

Marie as our outstanding community volunteer at the 

Northern California Senior Appreciation Brunch. This 

special brunch will be held at the Kabuki Hotel on April 

19th. 

Congratulations, Marie! 

k.i. 

J.A.C.L. 

French Toast 

Breakfast 

Sunday, 

May 3rd 

8:00am to Noon 

Memorial Hall 

Notes - from Page 1 

$6.00 

If you recall, the main reason why Shinran 

Shonin left Mt. Hiei was that he felt that during his 

twenty years of training he had failed to experience 

the transformation usually associated with Buddhist 

practices. In great despair, he attempted a 100 day 

retreat at the small shrine of Rokkakudo, which was 

dedicated to Prince Shotoku Taishi. It was during a 

dream he had one night that he was encouraged to 

seek the instruction of the well-known priest Honen. 

From Honen, Shinran found the meaning of “Absolute” 

Other power, and his own keen awareness of his 

personal shortcomings became the spiritual ground 

from which the blossom’s of Amida’s Vow Power could 

grow. Instead of trying to get rid of his foolish karmically 

evil “self,” Shinran came to understand that this very 

same evil karmic “self” provided the means, a kind of 

mirror, that allowed him to see the working of Amida’s 

Great Compassion. 

Because “Other” is not something that is relative 

to our “self” we must seek different ways to “see” it. It’s 

a little like trying to see the wind. We can not normally 

see the wind, since it has no shape or color, but we 

can see how it affects other things. It is in this way, 

we begin to understand how to approach studying that 

which is “an Absolute Other which is beyond all sentient 

beings.” In other words, we approach it by noticing the 

effects of Other Power on ourselves and other sentient 

beings. namoamidabutsu.


Japanese Page


May Service Schedule 

May TOBAN 

May 3 

May 10 

May 17 

May 24 

May 31 

Dharma School / Class 9:30 a.m. 

Shotsuki Hoyo Service 10:30 a.m. 

Chairperson: Ms. Helen Kobayashi 

Minister: Rev. Carol Himaka 

JACL French Toast Breakfast 

8 a.m. to noon 

Dharma School / Class 9:30 a.m.. 

Family Service 10:30 a.m. 


Dharma School / Class 9:30 a.m. 

Gotanye Service 10:30 a.m. 


Chairperson: Mr. George Thow 

(Luncheon follows the service) 

No Dharma School 

No Service 

Memorial Day Cemetery Services Day 

No Dharma School 

No Service 

LINDA MIYASAKI 

528-0767 

LOREN MIYASAKI 

HELEN KOBAYASHI 

Nancy Kobayashi 


Debbie Taggart 

Mark Shimizu 

Laurie Shimizu 

Paula Shimizu 

Mark Tabata 

Sydney Yamashita Gayle Cunningham 

Roy Yamashita Sal Moley 

Bob Shimizu 

Catherine Shimizu 

Fred Beeler 

Patricia Davis 

Mieko Shimomura 

Toki Shimomura 

Jim Price 

Jim Cunningham 

SANGHA Staff 

Editor-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Loren Miyasaki 

Copy Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Kawahara 

BWA Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Yoshioka 

Dharma School Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Loren Miyasaki 

Circulation Staff . . . . . . . . . Lily Okamoto, Mary Kawahara, 

Dr. Tets Fujii, Rose Fujii, Nancy Yoshioka 

Japanese Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Etsuko Thow 

Printing Supervisors . .Lloyd Yoshioka and Jim Wakayama 

Computer Layout and Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Himaka 

The Enmanji SANGHA is an offi cial publication of the 

Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 1200 Gravenstein Hwy., So., 

Sebastopol, CA 95472. -- E-mail: enmanji @ sonic.net 

Enmanji Buddhist Temple 

1200 Gravenstein Highway, South 

Sebastopol, CA 95472 

Non-Profi t 

U. S. Postage Paid 

Permit #109 

Sebastopol, CA 95472 

TIME VALUE 

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Gotan-ye - Sonic.net

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