2020年06月06日
June 7, 2020 Soto Zen Mission in Long Beach and Montebello
June 7, 2020 Soto Zen Mission in Long Beach and Montebello
Artwork by Rev. Seigaku Amato
Ususama Myōō or "Vajra Krodha Mahābala Ucchuṣma / Great Strength Furious Diamond Ucchuṣma"
Ususama Myōō was originally the ancient Indian god of fire who was embraced in Buddhism. In Buddhism, he has been worshipped as the deity who purifies our mind and all kinds of defilement, unclean phenomena or events with the power of the burning flame.
Long Beach Buddhist Church
https://www.lbbuddhistchurch.com
longbeachbuddhistchurch@gmail.com / 562-426-4014
2360 Santa Fe. Ave. Long Beach, CA 90810
Montebello Sozenji Buddhist Temple
https://sozenjibuddhisttemple.weebly.com
sozenjibuddhisttemple@gmail.com / 323-724-6866
3020 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
Peaceful Protest and Silent Prayer
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES ONLINE
You can join our service or meditation by clicking the link below.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8111889419
Call +16699006833 ID 8111889419
Regular Service Sunday 10 am - 11 am
Regular Meditation Monday 7 pm - 8:45 pm
DISCOURSE ON LOVING-KINDNESS
One who is skilled in good, and wishes to attain that state of Peace, should act thus: one should be able, upright, perfectly upright, amenable to corrections, gentle and humble. One should be contented, easy to support, unbusy, simple in livelihood, with senses controlled, discreet, not impudent, and not greedily attached to families. One would not commit any slight misdeeds that other wise ones might find fault in him/her. May all beings be well and safe, may their hearts rejoice.
Whatever beings there are — weak or strong, long or short, big, medium-sized or small, subtle or gross, those visible or invisible, residing near or far, those that have come to be or have yet to come, (without exceptions) may all beings be joyful.
Let one not deceive nor despise another person, anywhere at all. In anger and ill-will, let one not wish any harm to another.
Just as a mother would protect her only child with her own life, even so, let one cultivate boundless thoughts of loving-kindness towards all beings. Let one cultivate boundless thoughts of loving-kindness towards the whole world — above, below and all around, unobstructed, free from hatred and enmity. Whether standing, walking, seated or lying down, as long as one is awake, one should develop this mindfulness. This, they say, is the divine abiding here.
Not erroneous with views, endowed with virtues and insight, with sensual desires abandoned, one would come no more to be conceived in a womb.
Buddha Shakyamuni
Messages from Dharma School in Sri Lanka by Rev. Ariya Dharma
Venerable Ariya Dharma from Dharma School for children who are learning Buddhism in English in Sri Lanka regularly shares with us the messages.
Kissako "Chanting of Heart Sutra" by Rev. Kanho Yakushiji
Rev. Kanho Yakushiji, a Rinzai Zen priest, who is also a famous singer in Japan has become my new friend.
He completed his new video of Heart Sutra with 60 Buddhist priests of all different lineages.
June 14th, 2 PM The 3rd-Year Memorial Service of Rev. Shichi Tom Kurai and Sozenji June Shotsuki Service
June 14, 2020 2 pm
Please join us to commemorate Rev. Tom Shuichi Kurai, the second abbot of Sozenji temple, who passed away in June, 2018.
You can access the online ceremony at:
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8111889419
Call +16699006833 ID 8111889419
From the Obituary
Reverend and abbot Shuichi Tom Kurai, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2018. Loving father of Garrett (Evette); grandfather of Cody; brother of Emiko (Gene) Razo and Judy (Richard) Fujii; uncle of Jennifer, Kristen and Tiffani Razo, and Kevin Fujii; he is also survived by other relatives. Rev. Kurai founded the Taiko Center of Los Angeles. He was an important figure in helping to grow taiko in Los Angeles, the US, and beyond.
Sozenji Temple "blushing" up by Ms. Miyo Minato and her friends and Rev. Louis Shuko Laudermilk
Ms. Miyo Minato offered to clean up temple property with her friends. Rev. Shuko Laudermilk also joined them to clean up the temple.
Sozenji Kyokuroku Chair
The pieces of Kyokuroku found at Sozenji is temporarily restored so that it can be used for important ceremonies.
Rev. Kosai Osada's Story shared by Mrs. Keiko Shibata and Mrs. Atsuok Yomogida
BUDDHIST MINISTER ADMONISHES STOGIE-SMOKING SAMURAI
…. the Rev. Kosai Osada directs Kankiyo Sanjo, Nancy Mui, Kanyo Sanjo and Yoshiharu Hori in O-Bon festival rehearsals.
O-Bon festival reflects the vigor of Japanese
Long Beach, Calif., Mon. June 16, 1969
By Pat McDonnel
Staff Writer
You don’t have to cross the Pacific to hear sounds of Japanese festival music, savor oriental delicacies, view dancing kimono-clad girls or watch youths compete in a rice-pounding ceremony. Just follow the booming vibrations of a kettle drum this weekend to Long Beach Buddhist Church, 2360 Santa Fe Ave., and take part in the Japanese-American community’s observance of O-Bon. The public is invited to festivals from 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. For centuries, O-Bon has been celebrated as a time when souls of the departed return to their earthly dwellings. In Japan, small fires are burned at entrances of homes to welcome returning spirits. In Long Beach, the only flame will be those in barbecue pits where Japanese specialties will be prepared for food booths.
COSTUMED TEEN-AGERS will perform traditional dances representing six regions of Japan. An extensive exhibit of ikebana floral arrangements executed by students of Mrs. Kosai Osada will be on view in the church. Perennial favorite with spectators is the Mochi Tsuki (rice pounding) ceremony.
Presiding over activities will be the Rev. Kosai Osada, spiritual leader of the more than 150 families who make up his congregation.
Short stature and air of humility belie Osada’s history of courage in the face of adversity, be it guiding parishioners through ravages and aftermath of World War II or establishing the first non-sectarian Buddhist church in the United States.
Japan-born and university educated, Osada spent two years in a Zen monastery before coming to the U.S. in 1936 to serve as a Buddhist missionary among Japanese at Terminal Island. Osada’s work was halted in September 1941 when he was called to the bedside of his ailing father.
“WHEN I LEFT the States, I took with me a permit for re-entry. I believed diplomatic relations between Washington and Tokyo were improving. I’d expected my stay in Japan to be a brief one.”
Events of Dec. 7, 1941, taught Osada never to expect anything but the unexpected. He ruefully reminded himself of this in June 1943 as he learned to march and handle a rifle. “All men under 45 were conscripted into the Japanese Army, regardless of their professions. We had one week of basic training, then were sent by troopship to Pusan.”
“There, we were herded into freight cars and transported to Northern China. Our combat training was received on the front lines against Mao’s forces.” One of the few religiously trained men in his division, Osada was relegated to round-the-clock tasks of administering rites over mounting numbers of dead. “We knew defeat was certain. We had no choice but to carry out orders of our generals who were committed to death before surrender.”
HEART TROUBLE won Osada a reprieve from the battlefields. He resumed his duties as resident priest at Daiunji Temple in April 1944. As the final days of the war approached, his temple was converted into a shelter for refugees and casualties. One bombing mission destroyed more than 80 per cent of buildings in his town of 150,000.
The only English-speaking person in the area, he worked closely with U.S. Marines in relocating displaced persons after the war.
In 1950, Osada accepted an invitation to serve as guest minister at Los Angeles Zen temple and entered the U.S. with the same return permit granted him in 1941. Visits with former Terminal Island residents made him aware of the absence of a Buddhist church in the Long Beach-Harbor area. He determined to start a temple which Buddhists of all sects could attend.
“There are many sects of Buddhism. Each concentrates and never strays from one sutra. Yet, there are 84,000 teachings of the Lord Buddha. Our church embraces them all,” he said. The strong-willed minister secured permission to teach Sunday school in the Japanese Community Center. On Oct. 12, 1951, he conducted his first class for 29 youngsters.
In 1955, a church building committee was organized. Groundbreaking ceremonies were in early 1957 and in November of that year, he witnessed the dedication of his church building.
Suggestion: Why not take time out from high-spirited excitement of the festival and enter the church sanctuary?
At the altar, you will see a four-foot-tall image of the Lord Buddha. Negotiations were made with a noted Japanese sculptor to carve the work from a single piece of camphorwood. It has stood on the altar as a symbol of 1959.
Wedding of Korhan & Michiyo Tekin, friends of Long Beach Buddhist Church
Korhan and Michiyo had a backyard wedding ceremony in May with their immediate families and close friends.
Korhan is a friend of Long Beach Buddhist Church sangha. Congratulations!
Sunnyside Cemetery on the Memorial Day Weekend
Sunnyside Cemetery where some of the members of Long Beach Buddhist Church rest on the Memorial Day Weekend.
Message from Daihonzan Sojiji Monastery
Abbot, Rev. Shinzan Egawa
We learned of the current development of the protests in the United States caused by the incident in Minneapolis triggering, in some cases, riots involving arson and looting.
We are truly worried about you as we imagine how you must be spending each day with great anxiety facing all these challenges while the impact of the novel coronavirus continues to remain serious.
Also, it is shocking for us to witness the situations in your country each time through the media. We would like to extend our most sincere wish from here in Tsurumi, Yokohama, for the safety of your temple communities, their families and friends in North America.
We genuinely wish you peace and a speedy resolution of the situations.
Gassho,
Rev. Shinzan Egawa
Head Abbot of Daihonzan Sojiji Temple
June 3, 2020
Message from Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office
Director, Rev. Gengo Akiba
In the midst of the chaos in the world due to the pandemic of COVID-19, people in all respective fields are exerting their effort aiming to bring a speedy resolution and economic recovery.
Also, there are currently protests against racism spreading across the nation after the tragic incident where the African American man was killed by the police officer putting pressure on his neck in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dogen Zenji said “Every sentient being has Buddha-nature” proclaiming that everything that exists in this world is a manifestation of the truth of the universe. Each thing that exists is an expression of the Buddha-nature and thus there is absolute equality from the viewpoint of the Shakyamuni Buddha.
For this reason, he taught us that “all of us human beings are existing as equals.” And this is the very basis of our human understanding. Also, in the Metta-Sutta, he taught us very precious teaching.
“One should be contented, simple in livelihood, wise, humble, gentle in speech, and amenable to corrections. Let one not deceive nor despise another person. Let one not wish any harm to another. May all beings be well, safe, and happy. Let one cultivate boundless thoughts of loving-kindness.”
Although a series of disheartening incidents keep occurring during this time of confusion, we must keep walking forward in the “armor of patience” and arouse the mind of emancipation to freely give rise to goodness without being swayed or influenced by the constantly-changing values of societies.
I wish you all good health and spirits and I sincerely hope that you will continue to deliver yourselves and others in this chaotic world on the indestructible raft of the Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings.
Gassho,
Rev. Gengo Akiba
Director, Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office
Sutra Chanting Project of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center by Rev. Taiga Ito and Rev. Koyu Mori
Rev. Taiga Ito and Rev. Koyu Mori of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center are compiling the chanting of Makahannyahara mita shingyo.
Rev. Gengo Akiba and other missionaries from around the world contributed to making the first version of the video. They will continue to invite the ministers, priests, and novice priests whose status is registered.
https://youtu.be/pEjxGyyFWyM
Rev. Gaeylin Konjin Godwin, the abbess of Houston Zen Center and the director of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center, leads the chanting of the heart sutra. English translation is only chanted in the countries where English is the primary language, but they are asking more speaking-speaking priests and novice priests to join the project.
Cooking Videos for Shojinryori from Sokoji Temple, San Francisco, by Rev. Koshi Kurotaki
Rev. Kurotaki shares all the recipes of cooking Shorjinryori or monastic vegan meals in his video series. They are very informative and extremely soothing to watch.
Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office Facebook Page
Informal Online Meeting for the members of the Association of Soto Zen Buddhists
Reverends who live in Minneapolis right close to where the incident happened shared with us the stories of people offering prayers peacefully and gathering to support the residents of the city by restoring the damaged areas and cleaning the streets.
https://www.facebook.com/SotoZenBuddhismNorthAmerica/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=267215907971188
Personal Note
Bike Trail between Long Beach and Montebello
Since Long Beach Buddhist Church and Sozenji temple in Montebello are directly connected by the bike trail along the Los Angeles River and Rio Hondo River. Riding a bike can be an option once in a while.
Sozenji temple now has a nice space which makes it possible to stay at the temple over a night or two.
Covid-19 Test
For the possible re-opening of some events and also for the possible trip across the Canadian border, I took the test of Covid-19 and received a negative result in a matter of 2 days.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Beach Buddhist Church
https://www.lbbuddhistchurch.com
longbeachbuddhistchurch@gmail.com / 562-426-4014
2360 Santa Fe. Ave. Long Beach, CA 90810
Montebello Sozenji Buddhist Temple
https://sozenjibuddhisttemple.weebly.com
sozenjibuddhisttemple@gmail.com / 323-724-6866
3020 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES ONLINE
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8111889419
Call +16699006833 ID 8111889419
Artwork by Rev. Seigaku Amato
Ususama Myōō or "Vajra Krodha Mahābala Ucchuṣma / Great Strength Furious Diamond Ucchuṣma"
Ususama Myōō was originally the ancient Indian god of fire who was embraced in Buddhism. In Buddhism, he has been worshipped as the deity who purifies our mind and all kinds of defilement, unclean phenomena or events with the power of the burning flame.
Long Beach Buddhist Church
https://www.lbbuddhistchurch.com
longbeachbuddhistchurch@gmail.com / 562-426-4014
2360 Santa Fe. Ave. Long Beach, CA 90810
Montebello Sozenji Buddhist Temple
https://sozenjibuddhisttemple.weebly.com
sozenjibuddhisttemple@gmail.com / 323-724-6866
3020 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
Peaceful Protest and Silent Prayer
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES ONLINE
You can join our service or meditation by clicking the link below.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8111889419
Call +16699006833 ID 8111889419
Regular Service Sunday 10 am - 11 am
Regular Meditation Monday 7 pm - 8:45 pm
DISCOURSE ON LOVING-KINDNESS
One who is skilled in good, and wishes to attain that state of Peace, should act thus: one should be able, upright, perfectly upright, amenable to corrections, gentle and humble. One should be contented, easy to support, unbusy, simple in livelihood, with senses controlled, discreet, not impudent, and not greedily attached to families. One would not commit any slight misdeeds that other wise ones might find fault in him/her. May all beings be well and safe, may their hearts rejoice.
Whatever beings there are — weak or strong, long or short, big, medium-sized or small, subtle or gross, those visible or invisible, residing near or far, those that have come to be or have yet to come, (without exceptions) may all beings be joyful.
Let one not deceive nor despise another person, anywhere at all. In anger and ill-will, let one not wish any harm to another.
Just as a mother would protect her only child with her own life, even so, let one cultivate boundless thoughts of loving-kindness towards all beings. Let one cultivate boundless thoughts of loving-kindness towards the whole world — above, below and all around, unobstructed, free from hatred and enmity. Whether standing, walking, seated or lying down, as long as one is awake, one should develop this mindfulness. This, they say, is the divine abiding here.
Not erroneous with views, endowed with virtues and insight, with sensual desires abandoned, one would come no more to be conceived in a womb.
Buddha Shakyamuni
Messages from Dharma School in Sri Lanka by Rev. Ariya Dharma
Venerable Ariya Dharma from Dharma School for children who are learning Buddhism in English in Sri Lanka regularly shares with us the messages.
Kissako "Chanting of Heart Sutra" by Rev. Kanho Yakushiji
Rev. Kanho Yakushiji, a Rinzai Zen priest, who is also a famous singer in Japan has become my new friend.
He completed his new video of Heart Sutra with 60 Buddhist priests of all different lineages.
June 14th, 2 PM The 3rd-Year Memorial Service of Rev. Shichi Tom Kurai and Sozenji June Shotsuki Service
June 14, 2020 2 pm
Please join us to commemorate Rev. Tom Shuichi Kurai, the second abbot of Sozenji temple, who passed away in June, 2018.
You can access the online ceremony at:
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8111889419
Call +16699006833 ID 8111889419
From the Obituary
Reverend and abbot Shuichi Tom Kurai, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2018. Loving father of Garrett (Evette); grandfather of Cody; brother of Emiko (Gene) Razo and Judy (Richard) Fujii; uncle of Jennifer, Kristen and Tiffani Razo, and Kevin Fujii; he is also survived by other relatives. Rev. Kurai founded the Taiko Center of Los Angeles. He was an important figure in helping to grow taiko in Los Angeles, the US, and beyond.
Sozenji Temple "blushing" up by Ms. Miyo Minato and her friends and Rev. Louis Shuko Laudermilk
Ms. Miyo Minato offered to clean up temple property with her friends. Rev. Shuko Laudermilk also joined them to clean up the temple.
Sozenji Kyokuroku Chair
The pieces of Kyokuroku found at Sozenji is temporarily restored so that it can be used for important ceremonies.
Rev. Kosai Osada's Story shared by Mrs. Keiko Shibata and Mrs. Atsuok Yomogida
BUDDHIST MINISTER ADMONISHES STOGIE-SMOKING SAMURAI
…. the Rev. Kosai Osada directs Kankiyo Sanjo, Nancy Mui, Kanyo Sanjo and Yoshiharu Hori in O-Bon festival rehearsals.
O-Bon festival reflects the vigor of Japanese
Long Beach, Calif., Mon. June 16, 1969
By Pat McDonnel
Staff Writer
You don’t have to cross the Pacific to hear sounds of Japanese festival music, savor oriental delicacies, view dancing kimono-clad girls or watch youths compete in a rice-pounding ceremony. Just follow the booming vibrations of a kettle drum this weekend to Long Beach Buddhist Church, 2360 Santa Fe Ave., and take part in the Japanese-American community’s observance of O-Bon. The public is invited to festivals from 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. For centuries, O-Bon has been celebrated as a time when souls of the departed return to their earthly dwellings. In Japan, small fires are burned at entrances of homes to welcome returning spirits. In Long Beach, the only flame will be those in barbecue pits where Japanese specialties will be prepared for food booths.
COSTUMED TEEN-AGERS will perform traditional dances representing six regions of Japan. An extensive exhibit of ikebana floral arrangements executed by students of Mrs. Kosai Osada will be on view in the church. Perennial favorite with spectators is the Mochi Tsuki (rice pounding) ceremony.
Presiding over activities will be the Rev. Kosai Osada, spiritual leader of the more than 150 families who make up his congregation.
Short stature and air of humility belie Osada’s history of courage in the face of adversity, be it guiding parishioners through ravages and aftermath of World War II or establishing the first non-sectarian Buddhist church in the United States.
Japan-born and university educated, Osada spent two years in a Zen monastery before coming to the U.S. in 1936 to serve as a Buddhist missionary among Japanese at Terminal Island. Osada’s work was halted in September 1941 when he was called to the bedside of his ailing father.
“WHEN I LEFT the States, I took with me a permit for re-entry. I believed diplomatic relations between Washington and Tokyo were improving. I’d expected my stay in Japan to be a brief one.”
Events of Dec. 7, 1941, taught Osada never to expect anything but the unexpected. He ruefully reminded himself of this in June 1943 as he learned to march and handle a rifle. “All men under 45 were conscripted into the Japanese Army, regardless of their professions. We had one week of basic training, then were sent by troopship to Pusan.”
“There, we were herded into freight cars and transported to Northern China. Our combat training was received on the front lines against Mao’s forces.” One of the few religiously trained men in his division, Osada was relegated to round-the-clock tasks of administering rites over mounting numbers of dead. “We knew defeat was certain. We had no choice but to carry out orders of our generals who were committed to death before surrender.”
HEART TROUBLE won Osada a reprieve from the battlefields. He resumed his duties as resident priest at Daiunji Temple in April 1944. As the final days of the war approached, his temple was converted into a shelter for refugees and casualties. One bombing mission destroyed more than 80 per cent of buildings in his town of 150,000.
The only English-speaking person in the area, he worked closely with U.S. Marines in relocating displaced persons after the war.
In 1950, Osada accepted an invitation to serve as guest minister at Los Angeles Zen temple and entered the U.S. with the same return permit granted him in 1941. Visits with former Terminal Island residents made him aware of the absence of a Buddhist church in the Long Beach-Harbor area. He determined to start a temple which Buddhists of all sects could attend.
“There are many sects of Buddhism. Each concentrates and never strays from one sutra. Yet, there are 84,000 teachings of the Lord Buddha. Our church embraces them all,” he said. The strong-willed minister secured permission to teach Sunday school in the Japanese Community Center. On Oct. 12, 1951, he conducted his first class for 29 youngsters.
In 1955, a church building committee was organized. Groundbreaking ceremonies were in early 1957 and in November of that year, he witnessed the dedication of his church building.
Suggestion: Why not take time out from high-spirited excitement of the festival and enter the church sanctuary?
At the altar, you will see a four-foot-tall image of the Lord Buddha. Negotiations were made with a noted Japanese sculptor to carve the work from a single piece of camphorwood. It has stood on the altar as a symbol of 1959.
Wedding of Korhan & Michiyo Tekin, friends of Long Beach Buddhist Church
Korhan and Michiyo had a backyard wedding ceremony in May with their immediate families and close friends.
Korhan is a friend of Long Beach Buddhist Church sangha. Congratulations!
Sunnyside Cemetery on the Memorial Day Weekend
Sunnyside Cemetery where some of the members of Long Beach Buddhist Church rest on the Memorial Day Weekend.
Message from Daihonzan Sojiji Monastery
Abbot, Rev. Shinzan Egawa
We learned of the current development of the protests in the United States caused by the incident in Minneapolis triggering, in some cases, riots involving arson and looting.
We are truly worried about you as we imagine how you must be spending each day with great anxiety facing all these challenges while the impact of the novel coronavirus continues to remain serious.
Also, it is shocking for us to witness the situations in your country each time through the media. We would like to extend our most sincere wish from here in Tsurumi, Yokohama, for the safety of your temple communities, their families and friends in North America.
We genuinely wish you peace and a speedy resolution of the situations.
Gassho,
Rev. Shinzan Egawa
Head Abbot of Daihonzan Sojiji Temple
June 3, 2020
Message from Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office
Director, Rev. Gengo Akiba
In the midst of the chaos in the world due to the pandemic of COVID-19, people in all respective fields are exerting their effort aiming to bring a speedy resolution and economic recovery.
Also, there are currently protests against racism spreading across the nation after the tragic incident where the African American man was killed by the police officer putting pressure on his neck in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dogen Zenji said “Every sentient being has Buddha-nature” proclaiming that everything that exists in this world is a manifestation of the truth of the universe. Each thing that exists is an expression of the Buddha-nature and thus there is absolute equality from the viewpoint of the Shakyamuni Buddha.
For this reason, he taught us that “all of us human beings are existing as equals.” And this is the very basis of our human understanding. Also, in the Metta-Sutta, he taught us very precious teaching.
“One should be contented, simple in livelihood, wise, humble, gentle in speech, and amenable to corrections. Let one not deceive nor despise another person. Let one not wish any harm to another. May all beings be well, safe, and happy. Let one cultivate boundless thoughts of loving-kindness.”
Although a series of disheartening incidents keep occurring during this time of confusion, we must keep walking forward in the “armor of patience” and arouse the mind of emancipation to freely give rise to goodness without being swayed or influenced by the constantly-changing values of societies.
I wish you all good health and spirits and I sincerely hope that you will continue to deliver yourselves and others in this chaotic world on the indestructible raft of the Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings.
Gassho,
Rev. Gengo Akiba
Director, Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office
Sutra Chanting Project of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center by Rev. Taiga Ito and Rev. Koyu Mori
Rev. Taiga Ito and Rev. Koyu Mori of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center are compiling the chanting of Makahannyahara mita shingyo.
Rev. Gengo Akiba and other missionaries from around the world contributed to making the first version of the video. They will continue to invite the ministers, priests, and novice priests whose status is registered.
https://youtu.be/pEjxGyyFWyM
Rev. Gaeylin Konjin Godwin, the abbess of Houston Zen Center and the director of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center, leads the chanting of the heart sutra. English translation is only chanted in the countries where English is the primary language, but they are asking more speaking-speaking priests and novice priests to join the project.
Cooking Videos for Shojinryori from Sokoji Temple, San Francisco, by Rev. Koshi Kurotaki
Rev. Kurotaki shares all the recipes of cooking Shorjinryori or monastic vegan meals in his video series. They are very informative and extremely soothing to watch.
Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office Facebook Page
Informal Online Meeting for the members of the Association of Soto Zen Buddhists
Reverends who live in Minneapolis right close to where the incident happened shared with us the stories of people offering prayers peacefully and gathering to support the residents of the city by restoring the damaged areas and cleaning the streets.
https://www.facebook.com/SotoZenBuddhismNorthAmerica/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=267215907971188
Personal Note
Bike Trail between Long Beach and Montebello
Since Long Beach Buddhist Church and Sozenji temple in Montebello are directly connected by the bike trail along the Los Angeles River and Rio Hondo River. Riding a bike can be an option once in a while.
Sozenji temple now has a nice space which makes it possible to stay at the temple over a night or two.
Covid-19 Test
For the possible re-opening of some events and also for the possible trip across the Canadian border, I took the test of Covid-19 and received a negative result in a matter of 2 days.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Beach Buddhist Church
https://www.lbbuddhistchurch.com
longbeachbuddhistchurch@gmail.com / 562-426-4014
2360 Santa Fe. Ave. Long Beach, CA 90810
Montebello Sozenji Buddhist Temple
https://sozenjibuddhisttemple.weebly.com
sozenjibuddhisttemple@gmail.com / 323-724-6866
3020 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES ONLINE
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8111889419
Call +16699006833 ID 8111889419
Posted by Gyokei Yokoyama at
09:16
2020年06月02日
摩訶般若波羅蜜多心経・Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra
Kissakoの薬師寺寛邦さんの般若心経が本日リリースされました。
これからインスピレーションを得た曹洞宗国際センターでも、各国の曹洞禅僧侶に声をかけながら般若心経を集めています。
まだまだ人は増えていくのだろうと思います。
Posted by Gyokei Yokoyama at
02:53