Buddhist Women's Association (BWA)
History
In 1999, two WLABT women’s groups, Fujinkai and Ladies Guild, combined to form WLABT BWA. BWA is an integral part of WLABT, and all women are invited to become vital participants in its activities.
WLABT Fujinkai, whose history predates World War II, was reorganized in 1949. Besides raising their children and helping their husbands, Fujinkai members gave their time to many Temple activities. The Fujinkai was responsible for many of the improvements and additions to our physical facilities.
WLABT Ladies Guild was organized in 1951. They held several socials during the year, participated in various fundraising projects, and provided service to the Temple. Other activities included Hanamatsuri hospital visitations, donations to youth activities, supporting Dharma School, participation in the annual Obon Odori, and community activities.
BWA holds monthly meetings to discuss activities and events at the local, district, national, and international levels. The members continue to serve the Temple as did Fujinkai and Ladies Guild, but they also seek ways to encourage younger women to join.
2007 BWA Cabinet
President Lorraine Soda
Vice President (Religious) Chiyo Nishina
Vice Presidents (Activities) Yasuko Shohara & Shirley Ito
Recording/Corresponding Secretary Haru Matsumune
Treasurer Kimi Ishii
Obon Chairpersons Chiyo Nitta
Publicity Kiyo Teramaye
Membership Kazuko Seiko
Historian Nobuko Kozawa
Ex-Officio Beverly Yahata
March 2007 BWA News
Kazuko Seike, Membership Chair, would like to remind all members that their 2007 BWA Membership Dues ($15) are now due and payable. Those who haven’t done so yet, please mail it to Kazuko Seike or drop it in the BWA mailbox at the Temple, as soon as possible.
BWA is also recruiting new members. We have been very successful so far this year. Anyone who has a friend interested in joining, please call Kazuko at (310) 822-6143
November 2006 BWA News by Beverly Yahata
WLA BWA AT 13TH WORLD BUDDHIST WOMEN’S CONVENTION
Theme "Buddha’s Vow, My Aspiration"
The doors to the 13th World Buddhist Women’s Convention opened at 7:30 a.m. and our group of 72 people arrived a little before 8:00 a.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center. The delegate count was BCA 367; Canada 71; South America 135; Hawaii 568; and Japan 2927 – bringing the total number to 4,068. Included in that large number were four BWA members, (L to R in the photo below with Rev. 
Harold Oda) Hannah Nishimoto, Toshiko Uyekubo, myself, and Kiyoko Nakamura, who attended from WLA.
The BCA women wearing white lei were seated between Japan (purple lei) on both sides, and beyond Japan to our right were South America (green lei), Canada (red lei) and Hawaii (orange lei). Besides the lovely stage setting of a lotus blossom that was lighted green or yellow during the program, were large projection screens on the wall so those of us in the back rows could see who was speaking or what was happening on the stage. Also something new was used at this convention – a live simulcast was going on in English or Japanese. Each participant at the convention was given a FM radio where we dialed to a certain station and while the person on stage may be speaking English; on the radio you heard the Japanese translation. This is what made the convention so successful – we all understood what was going on. The entire program was done in English and Japanese at all times, i.e., instructions for lunch, workshops, etc.
The keynote speaker, Rev. Kenneth Tanaka, formerly a BCA minister and instructor at IBS, was well received and inspirational. Another highlight of the convention was the five panel speakers: (L to R in photo below) Rev. Masumi Kikuchi of Canada, Ms. Yasuko Maeda of Japan, Rev. Patricia Usuki representing BCA, Rev. Chijo Okayama of South America, and Rev. Midori Kondo of Hawaii. These five ladies were truly fantastic and enough could not have been said about their presentations.
I enjoyed the seating arrangements at both lunches and the banquet. The tables were mixed up where different countries were seated together. For instance, at my table two people were from Mililani Hongwanji, Mrs. Uyekubo from WLA, and six were from Fukuoka, Japan but they were not all from the same temple. It was fun getting to know one another and exchanging our lives for a short time.
The entertainment after closing service and during lunch was truly enjoyed by all at my table. They especially liked the BCA’s idea of having everyone join in the two dances they performed: “Kagoshima Haiya Bushi” and “Hongwanji Ondo”. Either sitting or standing, everyone joined in these two dances. Canada’s choir sang “This Land is Your Land” and “Here and Now”; Japan danced “Hanagasa Ondo”; South America entertained us with a Samba “Aquarela Brasil” and at the end Hawaii did what they titled a Hapa Dance to “Staying Alive”. (This was like the Southern District dancing “Kokomo” – American music but Japanese dance movements.) We all said our final goodbyes to our new friends from Japan at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 3, 2006.
Although this was my first World Convention, my immediate impression was how well organized this convention was. You can see that all the women of Hawaii – from all the temples and islands – worked together to make this a very successful convention. The Hawaii BWA clearly showed that working together for a common goal could accomplish the most of difficult tasks.
A note to Betty Takahashi – while waiting in line at the women’s restroom, I met a woman who knows you when she lived in WLA. Her name is Yoshie Kyhas who is now a member of the Sacramento Betsuin. She says “Aloha.” See what a small world we live in!
The 14th World Buddhist Women’s Convention will be held in Japan in 2011 during the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin. Watch for details.
(Convention photos by Hannah Nishimoto)
September 2006 BWA News by Kiyo Teramaye
BWA APRON PROJECT
BWA thanks Jr. YBA Advisor Jim Shimomaye for giving us the empty cloth rice sacks after the annual mochi tsuki fund raiser. The idea of making aprons out of these sacks floundered a bit, but Sumiye Suzuki took over the project and with the help of Barbara Tanaka and Chiyo Nishina, the aprons were cut out, sewed and sold in a month. Thank you, ladies!
Mrs. Sumiye Suzuki is pictured here modeling one of the aprons she sewed. Elsewhere in this Bulletin is the story of her life which includes very hard times in Manchuria at the end of WW II.
The proceeds were given to the Temple and 80+ Lunch program.
Obon Co-Chairs Lorraine Soda/Kiyoko Nakamura would like to report that our Sushi project for the Obon Festival was a success. They would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members and non-members who helped to make this possible.
BWA in turn would like to commend Lorraine and Kiyoko for their dedication and hard work supervising every detail to insure success of this project.
Thank you all. Everyone, take a well-deserved rest in August!
February 2006 BWA News by Kiyo Teramaye
As the 2006 New Year begins, BWA is faced with a very busy schedule. We will be working like 'DOGS' throughout the year.
To begin with Chiyo Nishina and her committee were responsible for table decorations at the New Year Party and BWA was toban for Ho-onko Service in January; in February BWA will fold the Bulletin; and in March BWA will be doing Shrine Omigaki (3/5) and preparing chirashi (3/11) for otoki at the Higan-e Service on March 12.
Attending the BWA World conference in Hawaii on September 1-3, 2006. The deadline for registration is March 06. The fee is $250.
March toban chair is Haru Matsumune.
Following is a message from BWA President, Beverly Yahata:
“I would like to take this time to thank all of you for the lovely gift you gave me at the December 18, 2005 meeting. I am overwhelmed with your kindness and generosity.
I took the job of presidency with a lot of trepidation but through the help of you ladies, I was able to do my job and am proud to be a member of the WLA BWA. Thank you so much for all your assistance.
Again, many thanks to all of you lovely ladies and a very Happy New Year. I look forward to 2006 and see what it brings all of us.”
January 2006 BWA News by Dorothy Ikkanda
Starting January the monthly Shotsuki Hoyo services wil be held on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Without a doubt, this will be welcome news for BWA members. Now, weather permitting, many of them will be able to walk to the services.
Beverly Yahata will serve her second term as president of the BWA.
On November 6th a seminar on “Exploring Medicare Changes” was held. As the social hall began to fill, I spotted Rev. Usuki hustling additional chairs from the garage. In appreciaton for their time and presentation, the BWA made a donation to Keiro. Thanks to the November toban for providing refreshments.
A number of BWA members attended the Buddhist Men’s annual Longevity Party. Many of us went home with Ralph’s Gift Cards, which were the prizes won in Bingo. What great prizes. Thank you to Mas Sasaki, Buddhist Men President, and his committee.
The November toban had a busy month, and a special thanks to Toban chair, Kazuko Seike, who coordinated it all. For the BCA Southern District Council meeting at WLA, we prepared chirashi, along with sliced kaki, and home-made goodies for dessert and their coffee break. We hope all the delegates enjoyed dining as much as we enjoyed getting together to prepare it.
We are saddened by the news that BWA member, Tsuyako Ichiho, passed away on Thanksgiving Day. Ninety-two year-old Mrs. Ichiho was born and lived in the area called Port Los Angeles, which now is the part of Pacific Palisades where Sunset Blvd. meets Pacific Coast Highway. She was probably one of the oldest Nisei and had 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Our condolences to the Ichiho family. We also extend our condolences to BWA member, Hannah Nishimoto, whose father, Akira Nishimoto, recently passed away. We have indeed been enriched by these two thoughtful and kind teachers.
As we look forward to another year, let us gratefully acknowledge those who gave so generously during the year: Pearl Takayama, Shiosaki Family, Ben and Hisa Yamanaka, Margaret Oyanagi, Yeiko Yasuda, Thomas Yasuda, and Marjorie Morikawa. Thank You!
© 2008 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Online
