Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 1:56PM Dear Temple Members,
Please join me in expressing our profound gratitude to Sensei and Mrs. Fujikawa for their hard work and dedication to the Sangha and the community. January 17 was their one-year anniversary. It has been a wonderful year. Thank you Sensei and Mrs. Fujikawa!
In Gassho,
Gary Omori
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 1:56PM Happy New Year Temple Members,
It is hard to believe that 2013 is already here. I want to express my profound appreciation to the 2012 Board members and Dr. Hirasuna for their hard on behalf of the Temple. Many thanks to our Reverend and Mrs. Fujikawa for their hard work, too. We will be celebrating Sensei and Mrs. Fujikawa’s 1 year anniversary this month!
The year 2012’s highlights include our assignment of a resident minister; the Temple participation in the centennial celebration of the Cherry Tree gift from Japan. Also, Sensei started several new programs, including monthly meditation at Villa Serra Home, and the meditation class at the Temple.
In closing, I want to say thank you to everyone for your continued support and I sincerely hope this year brings much happiness to all of you. I look forward to seeing many of you in 2013.
In Gassho,
Gary Omori
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 1:57PM Dear Buddhist Temple of Salinas Members,
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I think it is most appropriate to take time to reflect on those who have touched our lives. “There are those whose lives affect all others around them. Quietly touching one heart, who in turn , touches another. Reaching out to ends further than they would ever know.” This week of November 18, 2012, Mr. Frank Oshita, a true leader who was an inspiration to several generations of our Temple, crossed over to the Pureland. Thank you Mr. Oshita, you will be missed by all. Namoamidabutsu.
Sincerely In Gassho,
Gary Omori
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 1:58PM Hello Temple Members!
I hope everybody is doing well. Sorry I have not published messages for the past two newsletters. Much has happened in the last few months. First of all, I need to say thank you to everyone for all your hard work for the Obon, and special thanks to Dr. Hirasuna who again did a superb job as Obon Chairman. I also would like to express my gratitude to Gary Tanimura who organized the Tri-tip food sale despite his very busy schedule. Thank you also to the ladies of the Women’s Buddhist Association who tirelessly help at most, if not all, of the Temple events.
The Eitaikyo and Monthly Memorial Service was well attended. Reverend Inouye was our guest speaker and gave a very inspiring Dharma Talk. After the service we honored our seniors at the Kerokai Luncheon. Thank you to Larry Hirahara and the Kerokai Committee for again putting on a wonderful Kerokai Program.
In closing, my perspective is that this year is passing by very quickly; I cannot believe November is upon us. The Temple Board and Sensei, like many of you, have worked very hard on the behalf of the Temple. I hope that some of you can volunteer to serve on the Board and help to lead the Temple and continue the important work of spreading the message of the Dharma.
Sincerely In Gassho,
Gary Omori
Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 1:59PM Hello Temple Members,
As we head into the final stretch of our Obon preparation, I hope everyone is doing well and ready for the Obon. I want to express my sincere thanks to all of you who have been working in preparation of the Obon. By now, everyone should have received the Obon work schedule either by email or by regular mail. If you have not received your copy, or need to make changes, please contact me ASAP. Thank you to all of you who helped at the Temple cleanup and thank you to the gardening group who have spending so much of their own time to prune and maintain the trees and shrubs.
I did not make the newsletter deadline for the July newsletter but I would like to include an excerpt from my un-published July message for this newsletter:
The annual Lady Takeko Kujo Memorial (Kisaragiki) & June Shotsuki Service was held on June 17. Reverend Z. Taniguchi gave a very nice Dharma talk. Thank you to the BWA for sponsoring this service.
We have a new tree in the the Temple yard. On Saturday, June 23, the Buddhist Temple of Salinas and the City of Salinas received a cherry tree in commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of Japan giving cherry trees to the United States as a symbolic gesture of friendship. The Buddhist Temple was honored to be chosen as a site for the 2012 donation of cherry trees. Consul General, Mr. Hiroshi Inomata presented the Temple and the City a cherry tree to Salnas Mayor Dennis Donahue and me. It was a great honor to accept the cherry tree on behalf of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas. After the Tree planting ceremony, the BWA served light refreshments. Thank you Larry Hirahara, BWA , Larry Tokiwa and everyone involved for making this event a wonderful and memorable event. The Consul General said he hopes this event paves the way for many more visits to Salinas from the Consulate Office of Japan.
In closing, I again to say thank you everyone for your support and all your help. Thank you to Mr. Jim Uchida who cheerfully volunteers his time to do repairs at the Sensei’s house and the facilities. May we have a successful and wonderful 2012 Obon!
In Gassho,
Gary Omori
仏教会会長のメッセージ
仏教会の皆様へ
お盆の準備も最後の忙しい時期になってきました。お盆のためにお手伝いくださっている皆様に心より感謝しています。お手元にスケジュール表がe-メールか郵便で届いていると思いますが都合の悪い方は速やかに役員にお申し出てください。仏教会の大掃除にお手伝いくださった方にお礼申し上げます。特に時間をとって何日も来て庭の木を整えてくださった方々有難うございました。
7月はニュースレターの原稿締め切りに間に合いませんでしたが、是非皆さんに読んでいただきたいので今回載せさせていただきます。
6月の婦人会主催の九条武子夫人追悼法要と6月祥月法要は谷口瑞渓先生に特別講師をしていただき大変楽しくよいお話をされました。婦人会の皆様有難うございました。
6月23日に新しく桜の木が植えられました。これは日本から日本とアメリカ合衆国との友情の印として贈られた桜の木の100周年を記念してサンフランシスコの日本総領事を通していただきました。猪俣総領事から仏教会とサリナス市に贈呈されドナヒューサリナス市長と私が受とり植樹式を行ないました。式の後お茶の接待を婦人会が準備してくれました。平原ラリーと常盤ラリーと婦人会とその他お手伝いくださった方々にお礼申し上げます。これは大変名誉なことだと思います。総領事はこれをきっかけにして総領事館より多くの訪問の機会が出来ることを望みますとのことでした。」
最後にもう1度申し上げます。皆様のお手伝いに大変感謝いたします。内田ジミーが開教使宅と他の建物の修繕を請け負ってくださいました。有難うございます。
さあ皆さん、お盆を一緒に成功させましょう。
合掌
仏教会会長 大森ゲリー