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President's December 2006 Message
"Farewell Message" by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
It has been an honor and a privilege to be the President of the WLA Buddhist Temple during the years 2005 and 2006. Thanks to the support and cooperation from the board members and members of the WLABT, we have been able to accomplish many successful programs.
Our fundraising efforts such as 80+ Yard Sale, Chicken Teriyaki Bento Sale, T-Shirt Sale, and Obon Festival were some of the ways we were able to support our Temple Treasury.
The Buddhist Education Committee was responsible for putting on many religious programs and seminars and open house. I’m sure this helped the members expand their knowledge of Buddhism.
Our cultural programs are very popular among members and friends. We have the Ikebana class, Shigin class, Hula Group, Taiko Group, Mochi Tsuki, and Obon Odori.
The social scene at the Temple included a trip to Las Vegas, Longevity Party, Bingo Nights, Family Fun Night, and 80+ Lunch and many others.
These are just a few of the activities that have been going on throughout the year. It has been a memorable experience. The best part was working with and enjoying the camaraderie of the members.
I’ll forever be grateful to Reverend Fumiaki Usuki, members of the board, committees, and departments, and the leaders of the affiliated organizations for their support and counsel at our monthly board meetings. Our WLABT is truly fortunate to have such reliable members in our midst. They are the anchor of our Temple. They make it possible for us to have a peaceful haven where we can meditate, chant the Sutras, and listen to the Buddha’s Teaching.
In gratitude and gassho,
Yuki Sakurai
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President's September 2006 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Words of gratitude
Domo arigato gozaimashita. The long awaited 2006 Obon Festival has come and gone, leaving many pleasant memories. Thanks to Tosh Ishioka, Obon chairman; Kei Okamoto, Obon Special Treasurer; our Rev. Fumiaki Usuki; and to the cooperation of our members, friends, and relatives, who made it possible to have a successful Obon Festival. Our parking lot transformed into a wonderland of amusements, foods and drum performances, and our cultural exhibits expanded this year to include Japanese gardens. The Obon Odori was held on the street this year, so it gave people more room to walk around, greet old friends and enjoy the increased offering of delicious foods this year. Thanks to Vance Nishimoto for extending electrical power coverage over our new booth layout and new lighting on LaGrange Ave.
Dr. Jack Fujimoto, our capable master of ceremony for our Obon Odori program, kept the audience informed on the nature of the various dances and kept the program running smoothly. Grace Mizushima and her assistant teachers led the joyful dancers through the intricate Obon Odori steps. The colorful WLABT dancers in their yukata and happi were joined by dancers from various temples and groups and kept the audience enthralled.
The old yagura was made like new with a coat of bright red paint applied by Mas Sasaki and other Buddhist Men helpers, and added much to the ambience of beautiful Obon festivities. The swaying lanterns completed the picturesque evening at West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple. Thank you everyone for helping make this year’s WLA Obon Festival a big success.
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President's June 2006 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
The Chicken Teriyaki Lunch Box Sale was a great success due to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly on the project. Thanks to all organizations for selling and buying tickets. Special thanks to Buddhist Men, Asoka Fujinkai, and BWA for helping to prepare, cook and distribute the chicken teriyaki lunch boxes. It was a lot of work but there was camaraderie among the workers and we all enjoyed working together for the benefit of our temple.
The 2006 Southern District Buddhist Churches and BWA Conference will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2006, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. It will be held at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel in Westlake Village. The speakers are Rev. Kodo Umezu (English) and Rev. Shoki Mohri (Japanese). The $40 registration includes lunch. Registration form and fees are due by May 22 (after May 22, the fee will be $50). A bus will leave WLABT at 8:15 a.m. and leave Westlake Village at 3:15 p.m.
The theme of the conference is Live a Life of Awakening. Hosts Oxnard Buddhist Temple and Pasadena Buddhist Church promise a very interesting conference. Your attendance is encouraged. Please sign up at the office.
The WLABT Obon Festival is around the corner, specifically, on July 29 and 30, 2006. Save those dates. Our Obon chairman, Tosh Ishioka and his committee have been working towards one of our grandest festivals in recent years. This year, the obon dancing will take place on the street, leaving more room for games and food booths in our parking lot. Many organizations from the community will be joining us so we will have a variety of new games and exotic foods for the attendees this summer.
July 9, 2006 will be our Obon service. At that time, a special candlelight ceremony will take place for those members who passed away between July 2005 and June 2006. Obon is the time when families and friends reminisce over our loved ones who have left us.
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President's March 2006 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
The Open House conducted after the Nirvana Day Service on Feb. 19, 2006 was well received. Some subjects introduced were Temple Management, Services/Religious, and Outreach. Also, presented were brief descriptions of activities by representatives of the many committees and organizations of WLABT. Much credit goes to BEC for organizing a very informative program. We are thankful to our many volunteers who run our de-partments and organizations so efficiently.
The WLABT has been a busy meeting place for young Buddhists. The beginning of the year brought the Southern District Jr. YBA leaders from 13 temples who held a Leadership Retreat. Rev. Usuki officiated at the Leadership Opening Service and Rev. Kodani gave a talk on chanting. The delegates were invited to the WLA Ho-onko Service with Rev. Tets Unno as the guest speaker.
YBA movie night was held at WLABT attended by college students. This gave them the opportunity to meet fellow Buddhists attending colleges and universities in Southern California and to acquaint them with the local facilities available while they are away from home.
Tickets are now available for delicious Chicken Teriyaki Bento Boxes for $8.00 each. This fund-raising event will be for the benefit of WLABT. Half a chicken, roasted in a convection oven, with rice and cabbage salad tossed in sesame seed dressing will be ready for pick-up after the Hanamatsuri Service on April 9, 2006 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. March 31, 2006 is the deadline for purchasing tickets. Please buy your tickets before the deadline from members of WLABT organizations or at the office.
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President's February 2006 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Looking back over year 2005, I feel that we’ve accomplished a great deal. Thanks to the spark of fire lighted by Rev. Fumiaki Usuki, our WLA BT sangha has reignited. We have added weekly Sunday services followed by study sessions, Thursday study classes, and weekly taiko practises. We also have a new Web site where you can obtain up-to-date information on activities and organizations. Our Open Door policy has made it easier for members and non-members to come to the temple.
My year as president of the WLA BT Temple has been a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to another year. The Board of Directors, departments and organizations have been very supportive and made my work easier. Let’s continue working together for the betterment of our WLA BT.
Our New Year Party and Installation of our 2006 Cabinet on January 8, 2006 brought out many members to celebrate the start of the Year of the Dog. Everyone enjoyed the delicious box bento prepared by Aki Restaurant, and fresh sashimi donated by Rev. Usuki. Entertainment MC’d by Sam Hada was provided by talented representatives of our various organizations. This was a day of greeting old and new friends and toasting the New Year 2006.
Your suggestions are always welcome. We’ll be delighted to hear from you.
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President's January 2006 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Dear WLA Buddhist Temple members and friends.Our temple welcomes you to our first website, created by our own Jim Shimomaye. Our temple is situated in the very busy West Los Angeles Sawtelle Blvd. area that brings together many unique international cultures and traditions from the past and present. I hope you will enjoy the information about our temple. Please come to visit our beautiful Japanese garden and share in the many activities we have throughout the year. You are always welcome to join in our Sunday services and Thursday study classes. Included in our website are links to Buddhist Churches of America and Southern District temple activities and youth sites. Thank you for visiting.Rev. Fumiaki Usuki Resident Minister
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President's Nov/Dec 2005 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Year 2005 is rapidly coming to an end but our WLABT's activities are still going strong. This past month, on Sunday, October 23, WLABT hosted an Appreciation Service and Luncheon for the former Tanomoshi members. Since 1961, the Tanomoshi group has been very active helping their members and the temple financially. They have supported the WLABT by helping to finance part of the construction of the Social Hall, and to pay for pews in the hondo, video and audio equipment, taikos, and computers. Many Temple members are unaware of the many contributions to the Temple by the Tanomoshi group. The group dissolved on June 30, 2005 and although belated, the Temple wished to show its appreciation for all that they have done.
HELP NEEDED! We desperately need people who can help maintain our temple. There are countless jobs that need attention. It's simple things that people do around the house such as, changing light bulbs, buying paper goods, and other tasks that keeps the temple running smoothly. We could also use help with memorial services, assisting in our rental properties, and maintaining our temple and parsonage. These tasks are all being done by volunteers. The more help we get, it'll make it that much easier for everyone involved. Please volunteer a few hours to help in the up keep of the temple. Contact the temple.
Our annual Mochi Tsuki will be held on December 10, 2005. The young and old can work together on this fun and cultural activity. Let's keep up the tradition of pounding and rolling the mochi just like our grandparents and parents did to celebrate the New Year. Let's all come out from 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, and "ROLL THOSE MOCHIS"! Please read the flyer and order form in this newsletter for more details.
Our New Year Service, Installation of 2006 Temple officers, and Party will be held January 8, 2006. Tickets can be purchased from organization or Temple Board officers, or the Temple office, from November. Let's welcome the New Year and strive for peace and happiness in 2006.
Have you visited our WLABT website recently? The web address is www.wlabt.org. Anything you want to know about the Temple, organizations and events are just a click away. We have Jim Shimomaye to thank for developing this fabulous website.
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President's Sep/Oct 2005 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Domo Arigato to all the members and volunteers who made this year's Obon Festival the best we've ever had. Congratulations to our Obon Festival Chairman, Tosh Ishioka and his able committee for a job well done. In anticipation of a big crowd, everyone worked extra hard to have more food, drinks, and games. The colorful Obon Odori, ably MC'd by Jack Fujimoto, had about 400+ dancers including those from neighboring temples. The performance by the newly organized WLABT Taiko Group was a delightful addition to the entertainment. The Ikebana and Bonsai exhibits were enjoyed by the many visitors Because the crowd keeps growing every year and we have to add extra booths to accommodate them, plans are to expand our Obon Festival again next year.
At the August meeting the Board voted to use Mr. Fred Watarida’s donation of $50,000 for Buddhist Education. The Buddhist Education Committee (BEC) will be putting on seminars and getting materials to further Buddhist studies. The first event will be the Ohigan Seminar which will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005. The Japanese speaker will be Rev. Shoken Ueda from Oxnard Buddhist Temple. Our English speaker will be Mr. Jeff Wilson, who is a PhD candidate in Buddhism from University of North Carolina. On Saturday, October 1, 2005, WLA will be hosting the Tri-Temple Mini Seminar, with members of the Gardena and Venice Temples invited to attend. Everyone in WLABT is welcome to attend these seminars.
WLABT will be enrolling in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program in which we will receive cash for each dollar you spend at Ralphs Market. For all members with a Ralphs Card, please sign up for this program at the temple. This program is similar to the Script program we had a few years ago but instead of having to buy scripts beforehand, all we need is your Ralphs Club card number. The Temple will get a rebate of 4%-5%.
Sawtelle Gakuin will be holding classes in three classrooms every Saturday from Aug. 20, 2005 through June 10, 2006. There will be approximately 30 students, 3 teachers, and one parent volunteer. The students will be using the southeast area of the parking lot for their short recess. Please be aware of this fact and drive carefully and park in the northwesterly areas.
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President's May/June 2005 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Policies on the Resident Minister Emeritus title were developed and adopted. For resident ministers retiring from WLA, the title Resident Minister Emeritus shall be offered with no membership dues required. Other retired BCA ministers who wish to become a WLA member shall be offered an honorary membership with no dues. Retired ministers shall have no ministerial privileges or responsibilities at WLA except those designated by WLA’s active minister.
Because of the increase of students at Sawtelle Gakuin, they have requested the use of Temple classrooms. The board approved the leasing of three classrooms for 40 Saturdays from August 10, 2005 to June 10, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Details regarding finances, liabilities and supervision are being worked on. We believe that Gakuin will enjoy our beautiful facilities and being on Temple premises. We hope they will participate in our many activities.
The Gourmet Academy held on April 3, 2005 was well attended. Mrs. Torako Akutagawa demonstrated her famous yomogi mochi. The attendees enjoyed her humorous instructions and sampled the delectable results. The next Gourmet Academy is scheduled for June 5, 2005 from 12 noon following the temple and garden clean-up in the morning. The menu will be umani with Mrs. Yoshiko Iwashita, member of the Asoka Fujinkai, demonstrating. Please sign up at the office.
To help celebrate the 100th Centennial Anniversary of the LA Nishi Hongwanji scheduled this coming August, the WLABT approved a donation of $1,000. Betsuin is our “mother” in that they gave “birth” to WLABT as a howakai and nurtured WLABT until we were mature enough to become independent. Betsuin also gave valuable training and experience to our Rev. Usuki for four years before he was assigned to WLABT.
Dharma School Superintendent, Mrs. Kayo Ohkawahira announced a leave of absence due to health reasons. She has directed the Dharma School for many, many years and will be greatly missed by everyone. We all wish her the best.
The following donations were received recently: three large book shelves, closet for the office, and five book cases from Alice Umeda; four wireless microphones from Vance Nishimoto; and an office fax machine from Rob Kafka. Thank you very much.
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President's March/April 2005 Message
by Yuki Sakurai, 2005-2006 Temple President
Shinnen akemashite omedeto gozaimasu. Honnen wa dozo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
I would like to wish all of you a healthy, peaceful and happy New Year. I am privileged and honored to be your temple president this year and I promise to do my best. Dr. Jack Fujimoto and the Board did such an excellent job in 2003 and 2004 that it will be quite an act to follow.
As with all organizations, this temple can only run smoothly with the support from the sangha. Your cooperation and participation will be welcome and appreciated. We have members with many talents and abilities so please come out and share them with us.
With our new and vibrant Rev. Fumiaki Usuki, I can see many innovative activities taking place in 2005. I am very excited about our new programs such as Religious Service every Sunday followed by Religious Discussion, Religious Study Class on Thursdays, Taiko Classes and Open Door Policy.
I'm sure there will be many more but we need all of you to come and participate to make the programs successful.
Let's all work together for a strong and happy West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple family.
Yuki Sakurai
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President's Jan/Feb 2005 Message
by Jack Fujimoto, 2004 Temple President
2004 was a year of toil and gratitude inasmuch as there was much analysis, change, and innovation. I was grateful for the Board of Directors hanging together to attend not only the regular Board meetings but also, semi-monthly Executive Board meetings. I realize that two meetings a month caused undue hardship on some of our Temple leaders. However, I am gratified that much good came from those extra meetings.
Improvements During the Year
Hi Tech in the Temple. Thanks to the design and implementation of a hi-tech system in the Hondo and Social Hall by Vance Nishimoto and funding from the Tanomoshi through Bob Matsumoto, Sangha members seated in the Social Hall because of overflow in the Hondo can now witness services and sermons taking place in the Hondo clearly on a large screen. In addition, members can view movies, amateur videotapes, and PowerPoint presentations with the same system. Having a minister like Rev. Usuki, who is steeped in hi-tech, helps considerably.
Windows Open in the Hondo. At the insistence of Rev. Oda, windows were installed during the summer to dissipate the incense smoke because many complained that they were feeling ill rather than spiritually liberated during services.
Involvement and Inclusiveness. More Sangha members continue to participate in scheduled activities. A Sangha Growth Committee, chaired by Marty Tachiki, has produced a “white paper” that will form the basis for further discussions leading to a Temple vision and mission statement.
Obon Structures and Operations Improved. An AdHoc Committee, chaired by Tosh Ishioka, listened to the late Steve Soda and experimented successfully with scrip in lieu of cash. Tosh also replaced many steel pipe booths with push-up tents. This will be extended to remaining booths in 2005.
Working Capital Imbalance Studied. One significant issue addressed was the deficit of working capital required to operate the Temple. The AdHoc Committee on Temple Finances, led by Sho Matsumi, will continue to operate during 2005 to balance the “intake” and “outgo” equation. One recent outcome of working this equation resulted in raising regular Temple membership dues from $80 to $120 per member in 2005 because BCA dues we must pay will exceed $80 per member in 2005.
The study of Temple security of resources resulted in opening a study of resource protection through self-insurance as well as paid insurance. The Task Force on Temple Safety and Security, led by Rick Stambul, addressed several issues. The tasks were completed and from that fallout, the Insurance Committee and Altar Oversight Committee were born.
The Ministerial Transition Project resulted in a fond farewell party for Rev. Oda, a scheduled welcome party for Rev. Usuki, and much work by the Ministerial Affairs Committee of Sei Shohara, Tom Ikkanda, and Ichiro Ouchi.
I have pointed out some of the highlights of the year and yet, recognize that there are many others not mentioned to whom gratitude is due.
Thanks for the opportunity to have served the Temple during 2004.
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