Dharma School
WLABT Dharma School welcomes students of all ages from pre-school through high school. The Dharma School experience offers a unique environment for social and religious growth which emphasizes the Buddhist teachings of compassion, friendliness, and harmonious family life.
The Dharma School term begins on the first Sunday following Labor Day each September and ends in July. During that period, Dharma School students attend Sunday Service every week and meet in classes during the adult dharma talk and discussion. New students may register for Dharma School at any time during the year.
From the archives: 1965 WLABT Sunday School Teachers |
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From the archives: 1965 WLABT 5th Grade Sunday School Students |
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November 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
The new school year for Dharma School started on Sunday, September 10, 2006. Welcome back to all of the returning students. We look forward to another fun-filled year.
We also welcome a new student, Maya, in the second grade. We look forward to seeing you every week, Maya!
This year, we will be starting up the Sangha Teens since we now have four middle school aged students. WLA has had a LONG hiatus from the Sangha Teens, so we look forward to the new activities associated with them. We will keep you posted of their activities through Dharma School.
Finally, on Sunday, October 1st, the WLA Dharma School traveled to San Fernando Valley Buddhist Temple’s Dharma School class which started at 9:30 am. We had 7 students who had a chance to see another temple’s Dharma School class. On this day they tested our knowledge on the life of Buddha. I am proud to say that one of our own students, Nathan was the first to finish his crossword puzzle! We then joined the rest of the sangha for service from 10:00 am. This was a little different from the format we’re used to at WLA, but it was good for our students to see how other temples run their service and Dharma School. Everyone enjoyed their visit to San Fernando and we look forward to more future joint classes.
GAMES, PRIZES, FOOD!!! Get dressed up in Halloween costume and come to our annual Family Fun Night on Saturday, October 28. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m.
October 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Bon Odori (dancing) this year. We had a tremendous turnout both days and I must say I was very impressed with all of our dancers. It was great to see so many of our own WLA dancers dressed up as usual, providing an array of colors for the spectators to enjoy.
All in all it was a very successful odori and I couldn’t have done my job without the help of the teachers. I knew this year it was going to be a challenge to have enough teachers to guide the dancers in the street, but I hope you will agree with me that we were able to accomplish that goal.
Thanks also to our audio staff, Greg Mizushima, Russell Tagawa and Vance Nishimoto, to our MC Dr. Jack Fujimoto, and to the odori taiko drummers, Bob and Hiroshi Ishikawa, Gene Kafka, Eddie Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Yahata and other guest drummers. Of course, we must also thank all of our neighboring temples too for supporting us as usual.
There is, of course, always room for improvement, so we look forward to next year and making it even better.
Thank you all again for your support!!
July / August 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
We are sad to bid farewell to two Dharma School students: Mona Narumi and Maya Narumi. They will be leaving the United States to live in Japan. We wish them well and hope that they will come back and visit us from time to time.
It is that time again. At the end of this month we will start Obon Practice from Tuesday 6/27 through 7/20. The practices will be held every Tuesday and Thursday night from 7:30 pm. Please come out and join in the fun. We will be dancing in the street this year, so we need as many dancers as possible to fill the street. Anyone who would like to help us teach this year is more than welcome to join us.
May 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
On Sunday April 9, 2006 we had our annual Hanamatsuri Service. The Dharma School Teachers and students busily prepared the Hanamido on the previous day, Saturday April 8th. Thank you to Diane, Nathan and Ryan Ohkawahira; Kylie and Justin Mizushima; and Maya and Mona Narumi for helping us out that day. Thank you also to Mrs. Kayo Ohkawahira for picking up the flowers once again so that our Hanamido would look as colorful and beautiful as usual.
Finally, thank you for the many generous donations of flowers from the personal gardens of our temple families.
This year we had two babies presented during the Hatsumairi Service held in conjunction with the Hanamatsuri Service. One was Wenli Nicole Hiromi Nakata (below), daughter of Connie and Todd Nakata and granddaughter of Temple President, Mrs. Yuki Sakurai.
The other Hatsumairi baby was Kenna Ami Tagawa (below), daughter of Kathy and Russell Tagawa; and granddaughter of Bob and Noriko Matsumoto.
Welcome to the two new babies. We look forward to seeing them at Dharma School very shortly!
Dharma School teachers, please save Saturday, September 9, for the 2006 SDDSTL Conference. The conference will take place at Oxnard Buddhist Temple with the theme, Living Together in a World of Oneness. The guest speaker will be Rev. Tetsuo Unno. Details will follow later.
April 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
Dharma School was busy again in the month of February preparing for the Open House on February 19, 2006. All Dharma School students made a profile of themselves and we displayed their work along with their pictures on poster boards. I hope everyone had a chance to see all the children’s work and their pictures.
We also had the following students speak on behalf of Dharma School at the Open House: Emily and Katie Hoy, Mona and Maya Narumi and Nathan and Ryan Ohkawahira.
We are a very small but cozy group and are always looking for fresh new faces. If you know anyone who would like to bring their children to Dharma School, by all means, please have them come and check us out. A good way to “lure” the children to church is to “entice” them with the fact that we have snack time after every service!! Ask any Dharma School student what their favorite part of Dharma School is, and I guarantee you’ll get the same answer out of every one of them….SNACK TIME!!!
March 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
We apologize for the long silence from Dharma School. We promise to keep everyone posted on our activities on a month to month basis from here on out. The end of the year was a busy time for Dharma School as all of the students were diligently practicing their play, The Two Rivers and the White Path for Oseibo Taikai. Their efforts came to fruition on December 4 at the Bodhi Day/Oseibo Taikai service. The children performed their play wonderfully and the audience participation was superb! Thank you all for your participation and support, and most of all to the Dharma School students who participated that day: Katie Hoy Emily Hoy, Justin Mizushima, Kylie Mizushima, Mona Narumi, Maya Narumi, Kaylie Nishimoto, Ryan Ohkawahira, and Nathan Ohkawahira.
The New Year started out with high energy for Dharma School as well. Since Dharma School was on a break until the day of the New Year Party, we didn’t have time to rehearse or prepare anything with the entire student body.
Therefore a select few were chosen (forced with a smile!) to perform that day. Kylie Mizushima sang a Japanese Pop song called “Sakuranbo” by Ohtsuka, Ai. I don’t want to brag, but she sounded pretty good if I do say so myself. (writers note: for those of you who don’t know, Kylie is my daughter!)
And the highlight of the day’s performances came when Father and Daughter, Vance & Kaylie Nishimoto danced Pineapple Princess. Kaylie’s dancing was elegant of course, but what a treat to see our future President of the Temple debut his hula dancing skills!! The next time you see Vance, please give him encouragement to do an encore performance!!
Welcome new a Dharma School students Christopher and Nicolas Pedersen. Thank you boys, for bringing your parents Joko Tamura and Stig Pedersen.
February 2006 Dharma School News by Grace Mizushima
Dharma School was busy again in the month of February preparing for the Open House on February 19, 2006. All Dharma School students made a profile of themselves and we displayed their work along with their pictures on poster boards. I hope everyone had a chance to see all the children’s work and their pictures.
We also had the following students speak on behalf of Dharma School at the Open House: Emily and Katie Hoy, Mona and Maya Narumi and Nathan and Ryan Ohkawahira.
We are a very small but cozy group and are always looking for fresh new faces. If you know anyone who would like to bring their children to Dharma School, by all means, please have them come and check us out. A good way to “lure” the children to church is to “entice” them with the fact that we have snack time after every service!! Ask any Dharma School student what their favorite part of Dharma School is, and I guarantee you’ll get the same answer out of every one of them….SNACK TIME!!!
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