SLO
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
6996 Ontario Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 595-2625
Res. Minister: Rev. Naomi Seijo Nakano
(805) 595-2625
Res. Minister: Rev. Naomi Seijo Nakano
Hello Sangha Members,
WOW! Here it is October and in another couple of months it will be a new year. I just can’t believe it will be 2020. I feel every year is passing me by so fast. The last 3 years I’ve been your Board President, it has been a stepping stone. Being the first female president has been a BIG learning experience. So much to learn and remember but having a GREAT Board that supports me and your church made things easier for me. I’m not a public speaker and my Board know that. I try to avoid many public speaking situations and there is always someone speaking for me. I am very appreciative for them. I am very proud of each Board member for stepping forward and doing things for the church. Without them (you know who you are) we would not have a wonderful church. “Thank you, thank you.”
I and a few others from our church had the pleas-ure to attend the 16th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in San Francisco. There were 1,670 delegates from Europe, Canada, Japan, South America, Hawaii and the Continental United States. It was amazing to see so many people un-der one roof. Please read the Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA) report in this newsletter.
We who had attended the convention in San Francisco had a second opportunity to see the Gomonshu at Oxnard Buddhist Temple. The bus left our church at 7 am and picked-up Gudalupe Buddhist Church members in Santa Maria. Oxnard Buddhist Temple had a special event during which the following were recognized: OBT members, Rev. Watanabe (Resident Minister at OBT), Bishop Umezu, the Gomonshu’s staff and finally Gomonshu Ohtani. A group photo was taken followed by lunch prepared by OBT personnel. It was a delightful outing to OBT and I do thank them for inviting us to share their moment with the Gomonshu.
Always looking forward to seeing you at our services.
In Gassho, Donna Sato
WOW! Here it is October and in another couple of months it will be a new year. I just can’t believe it will be 2020. I feel every year is passing me by so fast. The last 3 years I’ve been your Board President, it has been a stepping stone. Being the first female president has been a BIG learning experience. So much to learn and remember but having a GREAT Board that supports me and your church made things easier for me. I’m not a public speaker and my Board know that. I try to avoid many public speaking situations and there is always someone speaking for me. I am very appreciative for them. I am very proud of each Board member for stepping forward and doing things for the church. Without them (you know who you are) we would not have a wonderful church. “Thank you, thank you.”
I and a few others from our church had the pleas-ure to attend the 16th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in San Francisco. There were 1,670 delegates from Europe, Canada, Japan, South America, Hawaii and the Continental United States. It was amazing to see so many people un-der one roof. Please read the Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA) report in this newsletter.
We who had attended the convention in San Francisco had a second opportunity to see the Gomonshu at Oxnard Buddhist Temple. The bus left our church at 7 am and picked-up Gudalupe Buddhist Church members in Santa Maria. Oxnard Buddhist Temple had a special event during which the following were recognized: OBT members, Rev. Watanabe (Resident Minister at OBT), Bishop Umezu, the Gomonshu’s staff and finally Gomonshu Ohtani. A group photo was taken followed by lunch prepared by OBT personnel. It was a delightful outing to OBT and I do thank them for inviting us to share their moment with the Gomonshu.
Always looking forward to seeing you at our services.
In Gassho, Donna Sato
President's Desk by Donna Sato
BWA by Sandy Hongo
After months of looking forward to the 16th World Bud-dhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) in San Francisco, I was not able to attend due to a medical issue. Our BWA was well represented by several of our members and in this issue Bryce Cape and Donna Sato shared some thoughts and impressions of the convention. In future months we will share more convention highlights.
Tues. 10/8/19:
People's Kitchen, 9am
Basics of Jodo Shinshu, 6pm
Sat. 10/12/19:
Temple Clean up, 9am
Mon. 10/21/19:
Intro. to Buddhism, 6pm
People's Kitchen, 9am
Basics of Jodo Shinshu, 6pm
Sat. 10/12/19:
Temple Clean up, 9am
Mon. 10/21/19:
Intro. to Buddhism, 6pm
*** DATES TO REMEMBER ***
Bryce Cape
Today is September 2nd, 2019. I’m writing these thoughts on this day. This is the only opportunity that I have to experience this day. This is the only day that I will be this person. Rev. Patricia Usuki gave the closing Dharma talk at the WBW conference this weekend, and she referenced a Dharma talk she observed where the speaker stood up, said, “Today is May 2nd, 2007. Namo Amida Butsu”, and then sat down. This talk resonated with her, and it resonated with me too. Today is precious. Every day is precious. Try to take a step back when you get caught up in the stresses of daily life. Realize that this day will only happen once. It is amazing how many causes and effects have happened that have led to me being here in this moment. Even one second of awareness of this fact brings us a realization of the Dharma. Isn’t it wonderful? Namo Amida Butsu.
Today is September 2nd, 2019. I’m writing these thoughts on this day. This is the only opportunity that I have to experience this day. This is the only day that I will be this person. Rev. Patricia Usuki gave the closing Dharma talk at the WBW conference this weekend, and she referenced a Dharma talk she observed where the speaker stood up, said, “Today is May 2nd, 2007. Namo Amida Butsu”, and then sat down. This talk resonated with her, and it resonated with me too. Today is precious. Every day is precious. Try to take a step back when you get caught up in the stresses of daily life. Realize that this day will only happen once. It is amazing how many causes and effects have happened that have led to me being here in this moment. Even one second of awareness of this fact brings us a realization of the Dharma. Isn’t it wonderful? Namo Amida Butsu.
Donna Sato:
This conference was an amazing experience. Seeing over 1600 delegates in one room was overwhelming. If you have never attended a WBWC before, you missed the best of all. It was amazing just seeing the “Pope of all Popes” for Jodo Shinshu, Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani, 25th spiritual head of Jodo Shinshu. The convention started off with a short service and introductions, an opening speech by Gomonshu, followed by keynote speakers Keiko Toro, an independent scholar of “Everyday Buddhism” and Rev. Yukiko Motoyoshi, minister of the Stockton Buddhist Church. Every delegate I met was so nice. You could feel in the air that everyone was here for one reason: to see Gomonshu. The workshops were funny and fun. I enjoyed the 30 minute workshops.
I had the pleasure at the banquet to sit with three Reverends and 1 representative from Japan. I wish I could speak their language and ask them many questions about the traditions and history of Jodo Shinshu and how they would handle the modern ways of Buddhism. Also at our table were 2 representatives from Canada and 3 representatives from Seattle, WA and myself.
One of the Reverends had her little girl with her who was so cute. She spoke very little English, but she understood how old she was and held up 6 fingers. The waiter brought her a plate of chicken strips and french fries with ketchup. She ate the french fries so fast, it reminded me of when my grandson had his first french fries with ketchup. It was a delightful dinner with pleasant people to talk to and great entertainment from the committee. The evening ended with group pictures of us at the table.
This conference was an amazing experience. Seeing over 1600 delegates in one room was overwhelming. If you have never attended a WBWC before, you missed the best of all. It was amazing just seeing the “Pope of all Popes” for Jodo Shinshu, Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani, 25th spiritual head of Jodo Shinshu. The convention started off with a short service and introductions, an opening speech by Gomonshu, followed by keynote speakers Keiko Toro, an independent scholar of “Everyday Buddhism” and Rev. Yukiko Motoyoshi, minister of the Stockton Buddhist Church. Every delegate I met was so nice. You could feel in the air that everyone was here for one reason: to see Gomonshu. The workshops were funny and fun. I enjoyed the 30 minute workshops.
I had the pleasure at the banquet to sit with three Reverends and 1 representative from Japan. I wish I could speak their language and ask them many questions about the traditions and history of Jodo Shinshu and how they would handle the modern ways of Buddhism. Also at our table were 2 representatives from Canada and 3 representatives from Seattle, WA and myself.
One of the Reverends had her little girl with her who was so cute. She spoke very little English, but she understood how old she was and held up 6 fingers. The waiter brought her a plate of chicken strips and french fries with ketchup. She ate the french fries so fast, it reminded me of when my grandson had his first french fries with ketchup. It was a delightful dinner with pleasant people to talk to and great entertainment from the committee. The evening ended with group pictures of us at the table.
BLOOD DRIVE
If interested in donating, please email
The date and time are still TBD, but
we hope to post that information pretty soon!!
If interested in donating, please email
The date and time are still TBD, but
we hope to post that information pretty soon!!