Buddhist Men
2007 Buddhist Men Cabinet
President Masao Sasaki
Vice President Hidemi Ohkawahira
Religious Dr. Jack Fujimoto & Richard Stambul
Recording Secretary Sho Matsumi
Corresponding Secretary Sei Shohara
Treasurer/Membership Ichiro Ouchi
Omimai Leo Tanaka
WLABT Buddhist Men is an organization open to adult males who support the organization’s primary purpose of helping WLABT carry out its activities. Other objectives of Buddhist Men are to create opportunities for both religious and social fellowship among its members; help promote youth and young adult interest and participation in WLABT religious, social, and athletic activities; and, when necessary, cooperate in community and civic activities that benefit the Temple. There are no firm age restrictions for membership in Buddhist Men; customarily, the low end of the range has been about 40 years of age.
Buddhist Men 50th Anniversary Photo in 2000 |
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Annual activities include a memorial service in December held jointly with BWA to remember deceased members; an Installation Dinner in February to install new organization officers; playing a leading role in putting on the WLABT Obon Festival and Odori fundraiser in July; an Appreciation Dinner in August to thank members for helping during Obon; a three-day visit to Las Vegas in September; and a Kanreki Party in November to honor those reaching the auspicious ages of 60, 70, 77, 80, 88, 90, or 99 during the year.
December 2006 Buddhist Men News
Buddhist Men Host The 2006 Memorial Service
"40 People Devour Lunch for 80!" by Rick Stambul
On Saturday, October 21, Buddhist Men (BM) hosted the BM-BWA joint memorial service to honor those members who have passed on. Names of the 185 late members of BM and BWA (Buddhist Women’s Association, which now includes the former FujinKai) were read with the congregation following to offer incense. It was a heartwarming moment for those attending the service, providing an opportunity to reflect on the wonderful work that each person did to leave us with a better temple. Especially poignant were the comments made by Mrs. Toshiko Uyekubo (FujinKai) to those attending the service when she said, in part, that of the 85 members of FujinKai that had passed on to the Pure Land, she personally knew all but 7 of them. And as Rev. Usuki said in his memorial message, all of us are humbled by the work done by our predecessors for which words are inadequate.
As hosts, Buddhist Men catered lunch from VIP Harbor Seafood Restaurant located at the corner of Wilshire and Barrington. A variety of Chinese dishes were served. When asked, the attendees were unanimous in their appraisal that the menu was excellent and the cuisine superb. To comment that everyone attending had a hearty appetite is an understatement. Mas Sasaki, BM President, ordered eight dishes for 80 people and approximately 40 people (the number that attended the Service and the Lunch) ate it all! BANZAI.
Much thanks goes to the "usual suspects" for making the memorial service and the lunch a grand success, namely, Mas Sasaki for doing the "hard labor" and making the arrangements with special thanks to Dr. Jack Fujimoto, Hidemi Okawahira, Sho Matsumi, and Charlotte Sasaki for all their help. This was a wonderful way to share deep-hearted feelings, to pay our respects to those who have passed on, to better appreciate the impermanence of life, and to enjoying lunch together in good spirit and with good cheer.
BURP.
November 2006 Buddhist Men News by Masao Sasaki
Buddhist Men came through for the Temple, as always, in grand style! Following our Fall Ohigan Service on September 17th, Masao Sasaki, President of Buddhist Men, rounded up the usual suspects to buy, cook, and serve a delicious hamburger lunch at which over 100 hamburgers were devoured along with one bowl of potato salad lovingly prepared by Asoka Fujinkai, three more bowls of potato salads contributed by our wonderful ladies from BWA, together with tomatoes (we ran out! Ooops!), olives (ran out of these too), and all the “fixin’s”, and a new addition to spice up the afternoon, HOT CHILI PEPPERS which many of our members seemed to relish and which Buddhist Men intend to continue next year by popular demand. Hot tea, soft drinks, and chips rounded out a wonderful lunch. And as usual, the best part of the afternoon was the camaraderie and good spirit we all brought to the Social Hall that afternoon. A grand “Thank You” goes to everyone who tirelessly bought, prepared, served, and cleaned up, namely, Masao Sasaki, Dr. Jack Fujimoto, Grace Fujimoto, Hidemi Ohkawahira, Ichiro Ouchi (our hamburger cook!), Charlotte Sasaki, and Sei Shohara along with all those temple members who always “pitch in” on these occasions to help serve and clean up. Ummmm.
Save November 18 for the annual Longevity Party starting at 5:30 p.m. This party used to be called the Kanreki Party, until so few of our members were of Kanreki age (60) or younger that it was decided some time ago to honor those reaching any of the auspicious ages of 60, 70, 77, 80, 88, 90 or 99. A notice will go out to all members with details following the next Buddhist Men meeting in October.
January 2006 Buddhist Men News by Mas Sasaki
From all the Buddhist Men, we wish the Temple members, a Very Happy New Year.
Year 2006 has the potential of being a thrilling time. This Temple is in the midst of tuning up for the future and the following may transpire:
Obon will go back to dancing in the street
Hanamatsuri will be observed on a larger scale, perhaps another festival
Taiko group may increase participation in cultural events
Buddhist Men will be right in the core of this growth.
2005 Longevity Party
Each year, instead of a Kanreki party for members becoming 60 years old, the Buddhist Men have been honoring members reaching any of the auspicious ages – 60, 70, 77, 80, 88, 90, and 99. This year the honorees were, from left to right, Dr. Jack Fujimoto (77), Tom Ikkanda (88), Hiroshi Endo (88), Joe Hirabayashi (90), Sam Hada (80), and Sho Matsumi (77). The cake in the foreground says “Happy Logevity, Buddhist Men, Year 2005.”
The 2005 Longevity Party is over, but we are blessed with memories. As time ticks away, our memory seems to fade. Therefore, in order to refresh our memory, the Buddhist Men has created a wonderful album full of historical photos. Please look through the album; it is kept current for all members to enjoy. Tanomoshi’s Farewell Lunch and 2005 Longevity Party photos have recently been added to the album. Please ask Rev. Usuki if you need assistance.
Lorraine Soda always helps the Buddhist Men by cooking the rice. Lorraine, thanks a million. Buddhist Men owe you many favors. Grace Fujimoto, Masako Ishioka, Kay Kafka and Crystal Fujimoto did a wonderful job in the kitchen. To all you girls, thank you very much.
Ichiro Ouchi is our treasurer, never complains, and does a terrific job in the accounting department. He has served for over 28 years, thank you Ichiro.
Shopping for the party is not an easy task, especially determining the quantity to buy. Hidemi Ohkawahira gave me a hand in this area. Thank you Hidemi, I’ll be asking you again.
When the honorees assisted in preparing for the Longevity Party, I felt embarrassed. From early morning, Sam Hada, Sho Matsumi and Dr. Jack Fujimoto cleaned and prepared the Social Hall for the evening activities. Sam Hada even cooked the salmon in the kitchen for us to enjoy. Sam, if you ever need help, you know whom to call. Thank you Sam.
As we age, time seems to go faster. The next Longevity Party will be here in a jiffy. Please take care; maybe we’ll be as lucky as Joe Hirabayashi (90 years young!!!). I’d love to see all of you and many more new members at the next party.
© 2008 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Online
