BUDDHIST CHURCH OF FOWLER

THE WHITE PATH

MONTHLY BULLETIN VOL. 480 FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2 (Sat) 8:00 a.m. BWA Takuan Prep 3 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. CC Super Bowl Combined Service at Parlier Buddhist Church 5 (Tues) 7:00 p.m. Food Bazaar Committee Meeting 9 (Sat) 7:30 a.m. General Church Clean Up 10 (Sun) 9:30 a.m. Family Service & Dharma School 11 (Mon) 7:00 p.m. Ikebana Class 12 (Tues) 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting 16 (Sat) See Schedule Fowler Food Bazaar Prep 17 (Sun) See Schedule Fowler Food Bazaar 24 (Sun) Nirvana Day & Monthly Shotsuki Service 25 (Sun) 7:00 p.m. Ikebana Class

WINTER MESSAGE

I sometimes quote the following passages of Shinran Shōnin from “Matto-sho” at the

funeral service.

“It is saddening that so many people, both young and old, men and women, have died

this year and last. But the Buddha taught the truth-reality of life's transience for us

fully, so you must not be distressed by it. I, Shinran,

for my own part, attach no significance to the condition, good or bad, of a person in

his/her final moments. People in whom the Nenbutsu is realized do not doubt, and so

abide among the truly settled. For this reasons their end also - even for those ordinary

or ignorant - head toward pure moment.”

Above passages are followed by famous words of Shinran Shōnin’s conclusive message

at one year before his passing about a purpose of Life.

“I recall hearing the late Master Honen say, “Persons of the Shin Buddhist tradition attain birth in the Buddha

Realm by becoming their foolish selves.” Moreover, I remember him smile and say, as he watched humble

people of no intellectual pretensions coming to visit him, “Without doubt their birth is settled.” And I heard him

say after a visit by a man brilliant in letters and debating, “I really wonder about his birth.” To this day these

things come to mind.”

Rennyo Shōnin, 8th Master of Hongan-ji Temple, clarified his 8th grandfather, Shinran Shōnin’s words as follows,

entitled on;

Eighty Thousand Sūtras (HACHIMAN HOZO) [Book V-ii]

It has been said that those who do not know the matter of life-and-death are ignorant person, even though they

may well-versed eighty thousand sūtras and their commentaries. Instead, those who have resolved the matter of

life-and-death are described as wise person, even if they are illiterate men or women. Therefore, in Shin

Buddhism as mainstream Mahayana, we emphasize that those who study various teachings will end in vain if

they are ignorant for knowing why the Nenbutsu-moment came to the Buddha.

Hence, Shinran Shōnin says that no man or woman will ever be released without ascertaining inward to the

original Buddha nature, SHINJIN. For this reason, those who tear oneself out of ego’s grasp and unreliable

practices of Self-Power and solely rely upon the Real Intent of the Buddha which reveals itself as the Nenbutsu,

to guide anyone beyond their inherent behavior to the assured course of supreme Awakening. They will

encounter the moment fulfilled in ultimate peace and joy, ten out of ten and a hundred out of a hundred,

regardless of social status. There should not be any doubt about this.

A-NA-KA-SHI-KO, A-NA-KA-SHI-KO (These venerable and awe-inspiring words are wasted on being such

as us.)

Hope we know why to be born into human Life.

I remain, Namōmitābhaḥ, なんまんだぁ, Kindness and gratitude beyond human words.

Buddhist Church of Fowler

General Board Meeting

Sunday, January 20, 2019

I. Welcome/Gassho: Meeting was called to order by Pres. Barton Ashida, 12:03 p.m.

A. Sensei, Karen Mukai opened the meeting with Gassho.

B. Members in Attendance: Barton Ashida, Cherie Nakayama, Sharon Asakawa,

Janie Yuen, Alice Fujikawa, Hitomi Sera, Aiko Kamine, Irene Hara, Gerald

Nakayama, Ken Hashimoto, Kim Hashimoto, Howard Hiyama, Art Fujikawa,

George Teraoka, Rick Miyasaki, Karen Mukai, Joan Yamaguchi, Marlene Miyasaki

II. December Minutes read. Motion to accept minutes by Hitomi Sera. Second by Ken

Hashimoto. Aprproval of 12/11/18 Minutes

III. Treasurer’s Report reviewed of cash flow and Budget Proposal. Motion to accept

Budget Proposal by Ken Hashimoto / Second by Rick Miyasaki. Budget approved.

IV. Old Business

A. BCF 2019 Food Bazaar: Reminder tickets sales need to increase

B. Mochitsuki: Gerald Nakayama reported. 400lb rice yielded 600lb mochi. Had

a lot of new volunteers. Even helpers packaging were new.

C. Bank of America / to accept credit cards. Still in process.

D. Website / White Path / Camera Ready / Template: Chris Mukai did a

wonderful job with the Website. White Path: Try to be “on-time” Need formatting

for printing. Deadline still the 20th of the month.

E. CCDC/BCA Dues: Passed around letter from the CCDC to BCA regarding the

“hold back” of dues. Addressed grievances of lack of Ministers for Central

California.

F. Articles of Incorporations.

G. BCA National Meeting in Arizona. Attending, Barton Ashida & Gary Mukai

Withholding of BCA dues hopefully will be discussed.

H. Others: Robert Nakagawa paid the $16 bank fee when the Food Bazaar bank

account had no funds.

V. New Business

A. Kuda Family Donation: Donation check sent to FBC for $5,000, 12/11/2018.

Discussion.

Will put in General Fund and make decision later how to .handle the special

donation

B. Rev. Carol Himaka, Letter regarding her illiness and need for support. She was a

minister in Fresno. FBC will send $300 check. Hitomi Sera motioned for the

church to send the check. Irene Hara seconded the motion. Motion passed.

C. General Clean-Up to be scheduled. February 9th at 7:30 a.m.

D. Aiko Kamine addressed church blinds in social hall. Plan to sew coverup to the

windows. Per Aiko BWA has to many expenses and will probably not donate

2019.

VI. Reports

A. Jr YBA, report by Spencer Nakayama of activities.

B. Dharma School, report by Cherie Nakayama. 1/27/2019 - First for the year.

Second will be 2/10/2019. Plan to go to Sea World as their trip for 2019. Will

be doing Fried Rice for food bazaar.

C. BWA, report by Aiko Kamine. February 2nd Takuan making. 3/24/19 CC BWL

Conference hosted by Fowler.

D. Fishing Club – no report

E. Golf Club, report by Barton Ashida: Planned activities: 2/10 – first half of

Spring Championship; 3/17 Pheasant Run; 4/20 Fellowship games….

F. CCDC, report by Barton Ashida: BCA, whithholding of dues

G. V&P, report that Super Bowl Sunday will be at Parlier Buddhist Church with

Rev. Rye to be guest speaker.

H. CCMAC. Noted that CC has been paying assessment dues for the past 3 years

(5 year program) for ministers we have not had.

I. BCA, no update

VII. Communications/Announcements.

Review of 2019 calendar of events:

i. Spring Ohigan 3/10

ii. CC BWL Conference 3/24

iii. Hanamatsuri either 4/7 or 4/14

iv. Gotean 5/5

v. Fall Ohigan 9/15

vi. Eshinni / Kakushinni 10/6 or 10/13

vii. Eitaikiyo 11/3

VIII. Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 12, 2019

IX. Acknowledgements / Gassho

Thank you District 3 for refreshments

NIRVANA DAY AND MONTHLY SHOTSUKI MEMORIAL SERVICE

Shakyamuni Buddha passed away approximately 2,500 years ago. Traditionally, Buddhists call this day Nirvana Day. Observance of Nirvana Day and the Shotsuki monthly Memorial Service will be on February 24th at 10:00 am

The Shotsuki names in the month of February are:

Hatsuyo Kanenaga Masao Kanenaga Masao Nakamura Matsutaro Yamane Reiko Nakagawa John Nakagawa Hiroshi Ii Toyosuke Ii George Shimizu Kazuo Nishina Teru Kimura Riyo Miyasaki Shizuko Otani Yoshisaburo Okamura Satoru Okumura Kojiro Kawamoto Ritsuyo Namba Saichi Tsuboi Hide Kawano Hikoji Yoshimura Makiko Honda George Toyoda Shizumi Yoshimura Ritsu Tanaka Kara Nakagawa Masao Mukai Evelyn Hirai Genjiru Nakata Max Sumida Mitsui Wada Sunayo Yokomi James Wada Kazuo Morita Tomie Morishige

Tsuyoshi Tiyo Yamaguchi Akimi Sakazaki Kiyoshi Taniguchi Fujio Shimada George Koso Yamamoto Rose Yoshiko Nakagawa Shizuko Yoshimoto Akira Tokubo FEBRUARY RIJI & TOBAN

District III

Board of Governor’s (Riji’s):

Kimihiro Sera Kevin Nagata Toban: Aiko Kamine Janie Yuen GENERAL CHURCH CLEAN UP

General Church Clean Up will be Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 a.m. Everyone is asked to come and help clean the Social Hall, Youth Building, Church and grounds in order to get ready for food bazaar. 2019 FOOD BAZAAR

Our annual Buddhist Church of Fowler Food Bazaar will be held on February 17, 2019 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

BWA NEWS

Fowler BWA would like to thank and acknowledge the following members for their donations: Jane Nagata for $100, Carole Masumoto for $25, and Shizuko Yamamoto for $20.

BWA will be selling takuan tsukemono at the Country Store during the Fowler Food Bazaar. Please come help to make the takuan on February 2 at 8:00 a.m. Bring a knife and cutting board.

The CCBWA 62nd Conference will be held in Fowler on March 24, 2019. Please mark your calendars to attend.

The 16th World Buddhist Women’s Conference will be held August 30 to September 1, 2019, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel.

2019 dues are $15. Please give a check to Janice Yoshimoto.

The next BWA meeting will be on February 23 at 9:00.

CC COMBINED SERVICE

The annual CCDC Super Bowl Combined Service will be Sunday, February 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Parlier Buddhist Church. Guest speaker will be Reverend Kurt Rye. Please join us and attend this annual event.

FOOD BAZAAR CHICKEN COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR ICE CHESTS

To aid in the cooking of the chicken for the food bazaar, the chicken committee would like to ask church members if they have any 40 to 60 quart ice chests that we can borrow. We need about 6 to 10 ice chests to finish the cooking process. The ice chests that we borrow will be returned in 1 week after the bazaar in order for us to “air out” the teriyaki smell before we return the ice chest. Please call Mitch Kato at 999-3477 or Gerald Nakayama at 285-8347.

JANUARY 2019 DONATIONS

Hoonko

$25.00 Shig & Aiko Kamine

$25.00 Gary & Arlene Keithley

$20.00 Ken & Janie Yuen

$20.00 Arthur & Alice Fujikawa

$20.00 Shizuko Yamamoto

$20.00 Ms. Sharon Asakawa

$20.00 Etsuko Uyemura

$15.00 Tak & Yoko Miyoshi $10.00 Janice Yoshimoto

Year End

$500.00 Kimihiro & Hitomi Sera

$100.00 Ron & Maxine Yoshimoto

$100.00 Brian Nagata

$100.00 Arthur & Alice Fujikawa

$100.00 Rick & Marlene Miyasaki $ 50.00 Ben & Jan Fujikawa

New Year’s Eve Service

$ 20.00 Ms. Sharon Asakawa

$ 10.00 Unknown

White Path

$ 50.00 Sally Yemoto

$ 30.00 James & Kanae Sakamoto

In Memory of Hiroko June Meyer

$450.00 Gary M. Meyer

Shotsuki

$100.00 Kimihiro & Hitomi Sera & Family

$ 50.00 Dean & Sandy Shimizu

$ 50.00 Greg & Patti Miyake

$ 50.00 Ken & Kim Miyake

$ 30.00 Howard & Satomi Hiyama

$ 30.00 Arthur & Alice Fujikawa

$ 25.00 Betty Mayebo

$ 20.00 James & Kanae Sakamoto

$ 20.00 Rich & June Shimoda

$ 20.00 Ms. Yoshiye Ii $ 20.00 Gerald & Cherie Nakayama

In Memory of Akira Tokubo

3rd Year Memorial

$100.00 Cathy & Robert Emler Keith & Karen Tonooka

$100.00 Mas Tokubo, Linda & Susan

$100.00 Tak & Amy Tsuda & Family

$ 50.00 Traci Obata

$ 25.00 Jean Tonooka

$ 25.00 W. S. & J. A. Ishihara

$ 25.00 Mr. & Mr. L. S. Obata

$ 25.00 June Yoshimoto

Special Donations

$190.00 Ikebana Class

October & November 2018

$100.00 Ellen & Jane Okada

Group Memorial Service

$100.00 Ms. Jane Nagata

Use of Youth Building

Fowler Food Bazaar 2019 Chairperson: Craig Sakaguchi

General Arrangements

Chairperson:: Greg Mukai, Ron Yoshimoto Committee: Barton Ashida, Ken Ishimoto, Clifford Sera, Jim Fujikawa, Scott Ishimoto Friday Feb 16 7:00AM Barton –Pick up donuts (3 doz), Set up Coffee, Tea 7:30AM Ron-set-up tables, faucet for vegetable washing in sink area 8:00AM Ron or Gerald, Barton– Pick up Refrigerated Truck 8:30AM Barton, Ron-Plastic, meeting room. Tables for Japanese food comm. Run electrical 8:30AM Barton, Ron-Tables (no risers) for beef teriyaki. Cover w/paper 11:30AM Barton, Ron - vegetables to refrigerated truck after washing. Vegetables for Japanese Food Committee 3:00PM Barton, Ron-Beef Skewers to refrigerated truck 3:30PM Barton, Ron-Tables in Youth Bldg for vegetable chopping. Cover w/paper 4:00 PM Barton, Ron-Cooling rack & fan Meeting Rm. Electrical. Check tables for paper 4:30PM Outside faucet take down . Sat. Feb 16 7:00AM Roger–P/U donuts (7 doz), Clifford -Set up Coffee, Tea 7:00AM Ron-Set up faucet 7:3AM Ken, Ron–Unload vegetables, Namasu,Chow mein 8:00AM Ron-Move truck to unload chicken 8:00 AM Ken, Clifford-Chicken, cover tables for cooling, racks, fans, electricl 8:00A< Jim-Set up table outside kitchen door for cooli8ng carrots, 9:00AM Ken, Jim-Set up tables for beef marinade& cover. Tables for Namasu 11:00AM Rice washing committee, benches, electrical, fans, tables 1:00PM ken, Clifford, Jim-Youth Bldg, Re-cover paper. Cooling racks rice. Set up fans .& electrical 2:00PM Ron-Chicken to refrigerated truck. Veggies to refrigerated truck. Take down faucet when done. Sun. Feb 17 3:30AM Clifford-coffee, tea. 3:30 AM Ken, Ron-Cooling racks for chow mein, fans & electrical. Move truck for unloading of vegetables. Set up faucet. 4:00 AM Ken, Scott-unload namasu and set on tables, unload chow mein vegetables 4:00AM Barton-P/U donuts (5 dozen) 4:30AM Scott-clear stage area for packaged bentos. Set up raffle display benches. 7:00AM Scott-unload chicken, transport chow mein & rice for packaging 7:00 AM Ron-set up packaging lines Sun, Feb 17 (con't) 8:00AM Ron, Clifford, Barton-Set up second packaging line. 9:00AM Barton-Set up Public Address System 11:00AM Ron, Clifford, Ken, Scott-set up for bazaar 3:00 PM all clean up

Chow Mein Chairpersons: Barton Ashida, Tina Kato-Clary All ladies are requested to come on Saturday, February 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Please bring a cutting board and knife. Satomi Hiyama Yuko Matoba Vicki Lian Joyce Kubose Varlene Kuramoto Linda Matsumoto Hitomi Sera Etsuko Uyemura Diane Eskelsen Ada Yamamoto Shiz Yamamoto Kenny Hashimoto Irene Hara Gail Nakamura Volunteers: Lydia Flores Betty Gong Kay Johnston Shirley Louie Karen Kondo All ladies are requested to come on Sunday, Feb 17 beginning at 3:30 a.m. to help cool the chow mein. If you have any questions please call Barton Ashida (559) 284-2955 or Tina Kato-Clarey at (559) 356-1103.

Chow Mein Cooking Sunday, Feb 17 4:00 am – 6:00 am Shig Kamine Allen Nakagawa Frank Fujikawa Hiro Kamine Ron Yoshimoto Barton Ashida Rick Miyasaki Clifford Sera Kimihiro Sera 6:00 am - until done Craig Sakaguchi Gerald Nakayama Richard Shimoda (4) Sansei Baseball

Japanese Food

Chairperson: Sharon Asakawa (834-4361) Tayoko Honda (246-1585

Friday, 2/15 – 12:30 p.m. Vinegar Preparation Eiko Matsumura, Yaeko Otani, Yoko Miyoshi, Mitsuye Shinkawa, Tayoko Honda

Prepare carrots and parsley May Mukai, Alice Fujikawa, Sharon Asakawa, Yo Ii, Eiko Ii, Janie Yuen, Arlene Keithley Saturday, 2/16 – 8:00 a.m. Fry eggs. Season & cut veggies for Makizushi Tayoko Honda, Yuko Matoba, Eiko Matsumura, Yaeko Otani, Aiko Kamine, Mitsuye Shinkawa, Diane Eskelson, Fumiye Inouye

Fry eggs & Cutters – Bring Cutting Board and Knife Mix eggs - Sharon Asakawa and Janie Yuen Fry Eggs Marlene Miyasaki, Esther Nakagawa Eiko Ii, Alice Fujikawa, MaryAnn Miyasaki & Others Sunday, 2/17 - Barazushi Rice Cool Barazushi Rice Meeting Room 4:30 a.m. Youth Hall – 4:30 a.m. Yoko Miyoshi Sharon Asakawa Alice Fujikawa Aiko Kamine Tayoko Honda Sharon Mikuni Karen Mukai Diane Eskelsen Yo Ii Esther Nakagawa Marlene Miyasaki Eiko Ii Darlene Kawano Joyce Kubose Eiko Matsumura Others Fujiye Inoye Yuko Matoba Linda Matsumoto Bring Cutting Boards, Knife, and Onigiri press NOTE: If any of these assignments are inconvenient, please notify any of the Chairpersons. NOTE: Anyone not assigned to any work, please report to meeting room to assist with Japanese Food.

Beef Skewering Chairperson: Aiko Kamine

Friday, February 15 12:00 p.m.

ALL available men and ladies are asked to come out to help. Bring knife and cutting board

Rice Committee Chairpersons: Ben Yosako, Ken Hashimoto, Lyndon Inouye

Committee: Noreen Yosako George Hashimoto Karen Mukai Pam Yoshikawa Cindy Inouye Gay Mukai Craig Sakaguchi Robert Kondo Mitsuye Shinkawa Stanley Mukai Gary Mukai Mike D'Alessio Saturday, February 16 11:00 A.M. Rice washing – please bring buckets to help wash rice Sunday, Feb 17 4:00 A.M. Men: Start cooking rice 4:30 A.M. Ladies: Get rice ready for sushi vinegar

BBQ Chicken Committee Chairperson:: Gerald Nakayama, Mitch Kato Chicken Prep - Thursday, Feb 14 Time: 9:00 am Hiro Kamine Henry Fujikawa Melvin Tsuboi Roger Takeda Barton Ashida Kevin Nagata

Chicken Cleaning/Butchering/Marinating - Friday, Feb 15 9:30 am Ron Yoshimoto Russ Kaguera Don Miyasaki Barton Ashida Roger Takeda Gary Keithley Kevin Nagata

Chicken Cooling/Boxing - Saturday Feb 16 9:00 -11:00 am 11:00 am to Finish ` Don Miyasaki Rick Miyasaki Roger Takeda Gary Keithley Chicken Cooking - Saturday Feb 16 7:00 - 10:30 am 10:30 am - Finish Craig Sakaguchi Kevin Nagata Clifford Sera Melvin Tsuboi Barton Ashida Mike D'Alessio Dale Shinkawa Sean Hardy Dennis Mikuki Roy Kukunaga Henry Fujikawa Sansei Baseball Darren Hiyama

Namasu Chairperson: Maxine Yoshimoto

Committee members: Kim Hashimoto Betty Mayebo Betty Nakayama Janice Terry Jane Nagata Joan Yamaguchi Cherie Nakayama Arlene Keithley Janice Yoshimoto Melissa Iwo Friday, February 15 9:30 a.m. Wash Vegetables (Maxine, Arlene, Linda) Saturday, February 16 8:00 a.m. Cut vegetables, Bring cutting board/knife Everyone Sunday, February 17 5:00 am Squeeze water and season vegetables (Maxine, Linda, Cherie, Joan, Arlene) 6:00 a.m. Pack namasu Everyone If we finish early, please remain to assist others until all the work is done. If anyone is not able to participate in the above schedule, please contact Maxine Yoshimoto at 251-5030.

Pastry Committee Chairpersons: Janie Yuen, Marlene Miyasaki Cream Puffs - Homemade (2 dozen) June Shimoda Cream Puffs Filling - Please prepare 3 large boxes of cooked (not instant) vanilla pudding and use whole milk. Please bring the prepared pudding by 10 am on Sunday morning. We will fill the shells at the church. If you have any questions, please contact the chairpersons. Kim Hashimoto Joyce Kubose Joan Yamaguchi Nancy Fujikawa Varlene Kimura Hitomi Sera Irene Hara Ann Kondo Homemade Baked Goods - please bring by noon on Sunday Diane Eskelsen Keiko Kuramonto Esther Nakagawa Gay Mukai Marlene Miyasaki Noreen Yosako Eiko Ii Karen Mukai Janice Yoshimoto Cherie Nakayama Maxine Yoshimoto Clarice Hardy Assessment $10.00 Barton Ashida Derek Honda Jim Fujikawa Stan Mukai Earl Honda Kevin Nagata Ken Ishimoto Ada Yamamoto Mitchell Kato Craig Sakaguchi Eiko Matsumura Ken Hashimoto

Tea Preparation (Serving will be done by Sansei Baseball Team)

12:00 - 1:00 TBD 1:00 - 3:00 TBD

Pots and Pan Washing Chairperson: Craig Honda Sunday, Feb 17 8:00 am Committee: Sansei Baseball Team

Cashiers June Shimoda, Richard Shimoda, Sally Yemoto

Clean-Up All Available Members Sansei Baseball Team

Soda & Water Dharma School Students and Jr YBA

Purchasing Chairperson: Howard Hiyama

Tickets Chairperson: Gary Mukai

Raffle Chairperson: Karen Mukai

Artwork Clinton Mukai

Signs, Program Chairperson: Joan Yamaguchi

Finance Chairperson: Robert Nakamura

If the assigned time is inconvenient or you are unable to serve, please notify your committee chairperson immediately, so that other arrangements can be made. Anyone who is available please come out and help, it will be greatly appreciated.