Nirvana Day Reflections on Nirvana BY REV. HARRY GYOKYO BRIDGE

IN FEBRUARY WE OBSERVE “Nirvana Day.” This is kind of a confus-

ing name – in fact, I remember being

confused when I was doing my intern-

ship at BCO under Rev. Yamaoka over

20 years ago. He had asked me to do

the Dharma Talk for that Sunday, so I

prepared, did my talk, and confused ev-

eryone! So what did I talk about? What

was I supposed to have talked about?

Nirvana Day is the observance of

the death of Shakyamuni. But I did my

talk about his Enlightenment! Can you

see how I might have been confused?

Didn’t Buddha attain Nirvana when he

became enlightened underneath the

Bodhi Tree? Well, yes. But when he died,

he was also said to have attained Nirva-

na, though it could also be called “Final

Nirvana,” or “Nirvana without Remain-

der” (the full word in Sanskrit is Parin-

irvana). In other words, his Karma had

run out, and he was finally able to leave

Samsara and attain this “Final Nirvana.”

But this isn’t the only understanding

of Nirvana. In the Lotus Sutra, Shakya-

muni reveals that the physical, human

Shakyamuni who was born a prince,

renounced his kingdom to pursue his

spiritual quest, attained enlightenment,

taught for fifty years, and then died,

wasn’t the “true” Shakyamuni. Instead, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

IN THIS ISSUE Minister’s Message 1 & 3

President’s Message 1 & 2

Special Web Links 2

February Busshin Deadline Info 2

Momiji Kai News 3

Amazon Smile Information 3

Temple Tid Bits 3

Dharma School News 4

Dharma School Notecard 5 Artwork

February 2021 Shotsuki Service 6

BCO Closure Update, 2/2021 7

In Memoriam 7

Jr. YBA News 8

2021 CBE Virtual Programs 9

New Years Zoom Photos 10

February 2021 Calendar 11

VOL 64 NUM 2

FE

BR

UA

RY

20

21

THIS BUSSHIN ARTICLE FOR THIS month is my last one as your church

president. It is hard to believe my term

of 2 years has gone by so fast. I can

tell you right at the start, I was real-

ly nervous that I wouldn’t be able to

handle everything. But BCO has

wonderful members who “had my

back” all throughout this experience.

I will like to give out some shout-outs

to those that helped get me through

these past 2 years. Rev. Bridge &

Rev. Endo who helped me with the

religious side, their motivation that I

could handle the job and offering to

let me call on them on a moment’s

notice for help and advice. Doris Okano & Mary Hiromoto kept the

office running and answered any

questions or did any tasks that I

needed help on. These 2 ladies are

truly diamonds as I navigated

through the river waters of my term. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

President’s Message BY RON NOMURA

FEBRUARY 20212

President’s MessageCONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

John Minamoto who I consider my

“Master Yoda”, who I relied on a lot

for help with tasks in and around

church, I am grateful for his knowl-

edge that he passed down to me,

helping me better understand the

church workings. Jon Takagaki has been my go to person, as he’s

been Church President, Obon

Chairperson and during my term,

as interim President Elect. He has

been showing me the ropes and

I appreciate his patience with

questions I have and collaborating

on decision making. Norm Yoshida

who has been another generous

friend who has given his time & ex-

pertise with the technical side with

projects especially on the church-

es website and all the Zoom video

projects. He is not afraid to roll up

his sleeves to give me a hand to get

things done around church.

The people that I mentioned have

been in my “social bubble” group

that has been keeping me on track,

as well as some of the activities to

keep the church running during this

pandemic - one example being, col-

lating the Busshin out to those that

don’t have email and other mailers.

But the list goes on to those “that

have my back” - Steve Terusaki, Gary/Maya Lawrence, Eric Ikeda, Don Kaneshige, and host of oth-

ers…...Dharma School, Momijikai, Ka-

raoke Group, Jr. YBA…….Volunteers

at Nikkoland Bazaar & Food Festi-

val, Obon, BCO Golf Tournament……

BCO Sangha Members & Friends…..A

special thanks to the Busshin Staff -

Joyce Yokomizo and Pam Kato for

every month putting the Busshin

together on time, even though I give

them grief when I turn my article past

the deadline, I also think of them as

diamonds for putting up with me…..

The Executive Board and the Board

of Directors - Thank You for your

support and dedication on keep-

ing the church going. To the entire

Sangha, “all of you” are the reason

why I took on the position of being

president. My time at the “helm” was

an experience I will cherish, working

as a team with others. Thank you all

for “having my back” in trusting me

as being your president and not im-

peaching me after my 1st year.😊lol

Thank you for your continued

support of BCO, with the pandemic

still putting a damper on us in hav-

ing our yearly events, BCO needs

your help. Please consider getting

involved, whether it be volunteering

to be on the Board of Directors, be-

ing a Committee Member or finding

other ways to get involved…..Please

let me or the office staff know if

you can give just a bit of your time,

if you have technical knowledge on

the computer side, good with fixing

things, you would like to learn - don’t

be afraid to inquire, you will be with

wonderful people. To you and your

families please continue to be in

good health and be safe as we move

into 2021.

In Gassho 🙏 Ron Nomura n

Special Web LinksBUDDHIST CHURCH OF OAKLAND WEBSITE http://www.buddhistchurchofoakland.org/

ONLINE SERVICES AND DHARMA TALKS https://www.youtube.com/c/buddhistchurchofoakland/

BCA SERVICE BOOK https://buddhistchurchofoakland.org/servicebook/

GENERAL/REV. BRIDGEAMAZON “SMILE” PROGRAM

https://www.amazon.com/smile www.dharmarealm.com instagram.com/gyokyo48/

twitter.com/gyokyo facebook.com/gyokyo48

DEADLINE FOR MARCH 2021 BUSSHIN ARTICLES: JANUARY 29TH Articles submitted after this date may not be printed.

SEND ARTICLES TO: Joyce Yokomizo | email: joyce@yokomizo.com You can also send articles to the church office.

BUSSHIN COLLATION: No Busshin collation due to Stay at Home Order.

FEBRUARY 20213

OUR FIRST MOMIJI-KAI MEET of 2021 will be on Thursday, January 7th starting at 10:00 a.m at church

via the ZOOM per usual.  Our Yoga

leader Patty will be present, leading

us in the usual chair exercising. Jean

is planning a social of sorts for that

day.  I believe she is also planning to

discuss our general agenda for the

remainder of the year, although, with

this pandemic it will be difficult to

confirm any set activities.  When the

group meets on the specified day, we

can discuss the situation at that time.  

Our second meet for the month

of January is scheduled for Thurs-day, January 21st starting at the usu-

al time.  With the beginning of the

vaccine distribution, the dates may

change at which time the members

will be notified. I just read in the news

that the next group to receive the

vaccination will be those 75 years and

older but that may also change.  In

the meantime, some of us are mak-

ing cards and knitting for that time

when we will be opening up, but this

probably will not happen for some

time. Who knows, things seem to be

changing almost daily.  All we can

do is play it by ear and hope for an

early recovery regarding this distaste-

ful pandemic. It may be another long

year plus, before we return to what we

call normal. All we can do is patiently

wait for the situation to become back

to what we call normal, back to our

usual way of life.   n

Momiji Kai News BY NANCY YAMAMOTO

Nirvana Day Reflections on Nirvana CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE he is actually the “Eternal Shakya-

muni” – his true essence is enlighten-

ment itself, Nirvana. This Nirvana is not

extinction – this Nirvana is active, and

pervades everywhere.

We can understand Amida

Buddha in this way as well. Actually,

it is said that Amida will NOT go into

Parinirvana – therefore, he is the Bud-

dha of Immeasurable Life, i.e., Amitay-

us. And Shinran goes further in teach-

ing that Amida is ultimately true reality

itself – in fact, he uses terms similar to

the “Eternal Shakyamuni” of the Lotus

Sutra.

So what does all this mean? One

way to think of it is: “Amida Buddha

is Always With You!” There is more to

life than just the material world, just

hedonistic desires, just anger and

hatred, just pain and suffering. Un-

derneath it all is Wisdom & Compas-

sion – the light and life of the Bud-

dha pervades all existence. When we

recite Namo Amida Butsu, we are

made aware of this again and, em-

braced by the Buddha, we respond in

gratitude – with our voice, saying the

Nembutsu, and with our actions and

our life.

So this month as we observe

Nirvana Day (on February 14 at BCO

– it’s Valentine’s Day too lol) let us

recite the Nembutsu as we reflect

both on the life and teachings of the

historical Buddha who lived and died

2500 years ago and on the Wisdom

& Compassion of Amida Buddha that

pervades the universe for all time! n

THANK YOU TO REV. BRIDGE, Mika Bridge, Rev. Michael Endo and

Jon Takagaki for year-end cleaning

of the hondo. We appreciate all you

do throughout the year!  n

Temple TidbitsAMAZON WILL DONATE 0.5% OF YOUR PURCHASES

if you designate Buddhist Church of Oakland on your Amazonsmile

account. Go to www.Smile.Amazon.com and follow the directions to

designate the Buddhist Church of Oakland as your charity. Always start

your purchase on https://amazon.com/smile and contributions will go

the BCO. Thank you! Questions? Email Maya Lawrence. n

Shop Amazon? Designate BCO as Your Charity!

FEBRUARY 20214

HELLO DHARMA SCHOOL FAMILIES! Happy New Year! We are excited to

share our Dharma School schedule

for the remainder of this school year.

We will have one live Zoom session

per month, and one e-mailed lesson

per month. Our live Zoom sessions

will follow our Family Dharma “special

service” Sundays as follows:

January 17th - Ho-On KoFebruary 14th - Nirvana DayMarch 21st - Spring OhiganApril 4th - HanamatsuriMay 16th - Gotan-e

Lessons prepared by Dharma

School teachers, or our Jr. YBA will be

e-mailed out the week prior to service

for the following Sundays:

January 31st, February 28thMarch 7th, April 18th and May 2nd

In the month of October, Miss Joemy presented the Dharma School

students with a lesson on The Triple

A Life - Awareness, Appreciation, and

Authenticity. As part of this lesson

the Dharma School students and the

Jr. YBA were asked to create artwork,

in any form, that represented a world

that has justice, peace, and safety for

all. From this activity grew a much

larger lesson and project. Pam Kato proposed that we use the artwork

created by our students to have sets

of cards printed that we could then

give to our Keirokai members as a

gift. What a wonderful idea it was! It

was a great way to let our Keirokai

members know that, like Buddha, the

Dharma School and Jr. YBA wanted

our Keirokai members and everyone

to be safe and happy.

Delivery of the cards was com-

pleted in December and January. We

would like to give special thanks to

Pam Kato for her creative advice, and

all of her efforts in making this hap-

pen. We also want to thank her family

for sorting the cards, boxing them up,

and adding the final touches to make

the beautiful card sets. In addition, we

want to thank the Nomura, Sakai Kim, Garten Minamoto, Lang, Lee, Kamita, Dougherty, Wong, and Ikeda families for volunteering to personally deliver

the cards.  The efforts were greatly

appreciated.  Comments we heard

back from our delivery crew includ-

ed: “Everyone we met were very ap-

preciative, and seemed happy and

well,” “the gifts were accepted with

surprise and delight,” and “people

we met were in good spirits and hop-

ing we could be together at church

soon.” Finally, we want to thank the

students who contributed their beau-

tiful artwork printed on the cards:

Alex, Joshua,  Toshi, Mayumi, Madi-son, Kori, Hana, Yoko, and Cynthia.  

Happy Birthday Happy February birthdays to Toshi Garten Minamoto and Alex Lang! n

Dharma School News BY CINDY SAKAI

Dharma School students delivering notecards to Keirokai members.

FEBRUARY 20215

Dharma School Notecard Artwork

Painting: Alex L.

Photo: Mayumi N.

Painting: Toshi G.M.

Illustration: Madison I.

Illustration: Cynthia L.

Illustration: Hana S.H.

Illustration: Joshua L.. Photo: Kori M.

Painting: Yoko I.W.

BUDDHA WISHED FOR ALL beings to be happy and well, and

likewise the Dharma School wishes for

our Keirokai members and every-

one to be safe and happy. These

notecards were created as a gift

for Keirokai members and feature

artwork and photography from

current BCO Dharma School students

as they imagined a joyful world that

has justice, peace and safety for all.

We hope this gift finds you healthy

and well as 2020 comes to an end and

2021 begins, and we look forward to

our sangha rejoining together when it

is safe.

In Gassho,

Buddhist Church of Oakland

Dharma School and Jr. YBA n

FEBRUARY 20216

2021 February Shotsuki Memorial ServiceService: February 14, 2021 on YouTube PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of our members and visitors, the Buddhist Church of Oakland will be closed to the public. Family and friends are invited to view this monthly memorial service online for those listed below. If any errors appear, please direct

them to the church office at (510) 832-5988 or officebco@gmail.com at your earliest convenience.

Mr. Hiroji AochiMr. Shiro AochiMr. Arata AkahoshiMr. Nobuta AkahoshiMrs. Misae CroninMrs. Fusa DoiMrs. Kiku FujiiMr. Arata FujikawaMrs. Masako FujikawaMrs. Kuni FujimotoMrs. Yoshiko Fujishima – 7th yearMrs. Junko June FujitaMr. Fudekichi FukudaMr. Itaro HaradaMrs. Seki HaradaMr. Toshiyuki Jack HaradaMr. Masatoshi HashimotoMrs. Yoshiko HashimotoMrs. Akino HenmiMr. Sataro HiraiMrs. Fumiko Hiramatsu – 7th yearMrs. Koyoshi IdeharaMrs. Hatsu IgakiMr. Hisashi IkedaDr. Charles IshizuMr. Harvey Clay JohnsonMr. Suejiro KanadaMr. George KanagakiMr. Naoichi KaneshigeMr. Keijiro KataokaMrs. Masuko KataokaMrs. Sakae KataokaMr. Wes KawabataMr. Tad KawamuraMr. Shuzo KawaokaMr. Rikizo KidoMr. Sagao KidoMr. Toshiharu KimuraMr. Jinpachi KitagakiMrs. Mieko KitagakiMiss Kimi Michelle KlevenMr. Yutaka Kobori – 3rd yearMrs. Jane Koizumi – 1st yearMr. Thomas KoizumiMr. Kotaro KomodaMrs. Taka KonoMrs. Tsutae LaChica – 7th year

Mr. Kashichi MatsuiMrs. Nobuko MatsuiMr. Saburo MatsuiMr. Shigeru MatsumotoMrs. Toku MatsutaniMrs. Lynn Mifune – 1st yearMr. Jisaku MinamotoMrs. Tokio MinamotoMrs. Yukiko MitsuedaMrs. Hatsu MiyamotoMr. Fujitaro MiyauchiMs. Shigeko MizukiMr. Sam Mizusaki – 17th yearMrs. Sakae MoriMr. Yukio MoriMrs. Hisa MurakawaMr. James MurashimaMr. Tran Ngoc MyMrs. Shizue NakaiMr. Fred NakamuraMrs. Kei NakamuraMr. Masayoshi NakamuraMr. Shozo NakamuraMrs. Toki NakamuraMrs. Tei NakaoMr. Harry Nakaya – 17th yearMrs. Tase NakayamaMrs. Judy NarasakiMrs. Hisa NatsuharaMr. Jinpachi NishimuraMr. Shosuke NoboriMrs. Yae NoboriMrs. Hisae Noda – 17th yearMrs. Hatsuko NomuraMr. James Susumu NomuraMs. Nadine OharaMr. Mitsuo OkashimaMs. Fumiko OkawachiMr. Kazuichi OsetoMr. Makoto Otsuka – 1st yearMs. Jane Sjolander PhillipsMr. Nihachiro Sakaki – 33rd yearFaith SasakiMr. Toyohiko SataMrs. Mitsu Shigaya – 33rd yearMr. Yoshiharu Shimada – 3rd yearMr. Taizan Shimizu

Mrs. Hatsumi ShoharaMrs. Keiko SodaMr. George SogaMr. Frank TakahashiMrs. Hina TakahashiMs. Tsuruko TakahashiMrs. Yana TanakaTani FamilyMr. Jitsuo TaniMr. Itsuzo TaniguchiMr. Mitsugi TaniguchiMr. Edward TanitaMrs. Tora TojiMr. Sakitaro ToyofukuMrs. Same ToyofukuMrs. Shizu TsuboiMr. Tamotsu TsuchidaMr. Teruki TsuchidaMr. Hikotaro TsudaMrs. Ei TsujimotoMiss Fumiya UmemotoMrs. Sachiko UmemotoMr. Marc UmetaniMr. Kenji UrushibataMrs. Ura UrushibataMr. Kazuhiko UyenoMrs. Hana WadaMr. Joe Wakayama – 33rd yearMr. Nobuo WatanabeMr. Harold WongMrs. Marie WongMrs. Kajiko YamasakiMrs. Kimi YamashitaMr. Kaheiji YokomizoMr. Eiichi YoshidaMr. Kamehisa YoshidaMrs. Kino YoshidaMr. Hikoichi Yoshioka – 50th yearMr. Kiichi YoshiokaMr. Kisaku YoshiokaMrs. Nao YoshiokaMr. Don Jiro YoshisatoMrs. Kimiye Yoshiura – 33rd yearMr. Craig Matthew YoungMr. Chosaburo Yuto

FEBRUARY 20217

IT IS WITH SINCERE HOPE THAT you and your family are safe and

healthy and found new ways to en-

joy this holiday season with friends

and family. 2020 has been an unprec-

edented year of uncertainty, world-

changing events, and Zoom calls!

As we turn the page to 2021, we all

are looking forward to a better year

ahead. 

BCO closure guidelines were in

place through the end of 2020. Rev. Bridge and President Ron recently in-

formed the Sangha that these guide-

lines would continue into early 2021.

This is an update to the guidelines.

Following the holiday season,

public health officials have warned

that in early 2021, it is likely that our

communities will experience in-

creased COVID-19 transmissions and

continued health risks.

Based on the current public

health guidance, we have decided to

formally remain closed from Janu-

ary – March 2021. Health risks remain

high and until approved vaccines are

widely available and administered

and public health authorities deter-

mine, with assurance, that it is safe

to gather as a Sangha, we will remain

cautious and patient.

We will continue to monitor local,

state, and federal guidelines and, in

April, assess the public health guid-

ance at that time and issue our next

update to the Sangha, with interim

updates as needed. The safety and

health of the Sangha are the highest

of BCO’s priorities.

BCO guidelines are summarized below. • All in-person services at church will continue to be suspended.

These services include regular

Sunday Dharma Family, monthly

Shotsuki memorial, family memo-

rial, and funeral services. Sunday

services will continue as video

and/or live online services. Shot-

suki services also will continue

online. Please contact and consult

with Rev. Bridge regarding a death

in your family for an appropriate

makuragyo service and to discuss

arrangements for when and how

a memorial or funeral service may

be held in the future

• The church office will remain closed to the office staff and visitors, except when it is

necessary for essential individuals

to be at church to complete

required activities.

• Please contact the church office if you need assistance. Phone and

e-mail messages are picked up

regularly.

Phone:

510-832-5988 E-mail address:

officebco@gmail.com

As we begin the new year, we wish

to thank Rev. Bridge, Rev. Endo, and

the BCO office staff, Mary Hiromoto and Doris Okano, for their guidance

and dedication during these challeng-

ing months of the pandemic. Pivoting

to virtual church services and remotely

supporting the day-to-day operations

of the church required adaptation, flex-

ibility, and resilience and we appreciate

all that they do for BCO.

On behalf of the COVID-19 sub-

committee, we wish to express our

gratitude to each and every one of you

for your continued support and under-

standing. With the vaccines and hope

on the way, we can look forward to

returning to “normal” in the upcoming

months. If you have questions, please

do not hesitate to contact Rev. Bridge

(revharry3@gmail.com) or Ron (rno-

mura96@gmail.com).

We wish you all a healthy and pros-

perous 2021! n

Jon Takagaki

COVID-19 Subcommittee

Rev. Bridge Rev. Endo Ron Nomura Hondo LobleyDoris OkanoJon TakagakiNorm Yoshida

BCO Closure Update, February 2021 BY JON TAKAGAKI

In MemoriamMay the family members find comfort and solace in the Nembutsu, Namu amida butsu. n

The Buddhist Church of Oakland extends

its deepest condolences to the family of:

Yukiko Sakakura, December 10, 2020

FEBRUARY 20218

IN JANUARY THE JR. YBA created a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

for the Dharma School to do as our

Dharma lesson.

The Bay District Jr. YBA is do-

ing an In a Spirit of Universal Oneness

Campaign. The different chapters

are doing acts of kindness through

donating and/or volunteering. Our

chapter is doing food distribution

for the Eden Japanese Community

Center and writing New Year’s cards to

the elderly for J-Sei.

That is all I have to report about

this month. Have a Happy Valentine’s

Day! n

Thank you for supporting the Jr. YBA See’s Candy Fundraiser and Toy Drive 2020!

Jr. YBA News BY MAYUMI NOMURA

FEBRUARY 20219

2 0 2 1 C B E V I R T U A L P R O G R A M S JANUARY ~ APRIL

S A V E T H E S E D AT E S !

Saturday January 9 11 am - 1 pm Register online

Shin Buddhism and Science Fiction Speakers: Rev. Harry Bridge Buddhist Church of Oakland Rev. Jon Turner Orange County Buddhist Church & Rev. Landon Yamaoka Palo Alto Buddhist Temple

Venture into dharma explorations inspired by science fiction films.

Sunday January 10

1 pm

BCA Youth Concert! Jodo Shinshu Artists & Musicians Showcase (JAMS) Enjoy a variety of performances by BCA youth.

Saturday January 30

5 pm - 6:30 pm Register online

Relevant American Buddhists (RAB) Speaker: Rev. Dr. Ken Tanaka Musashino University Who and what were the RAB? Stories from BCA’s 1970s program for young adults.

Saturday February 6 10 am - 11:30 am

Register online

Every Day Buddhism Book Talk "Discovering Buddhism in Everyday Life" Speaker/author: Rev. Marvin Harada BCA Bishop Listen to the stories behind this collection of heartwarming essays.

Saturday February 13

11 am - 1 pm Register online

"Honen as Religious Revolutionary: The person who defined the Buddhism we identify as Japanese today." Speaker: Dr. Mark Blum University of California at Berkeley

Saturday March 6

11 am - 1 pm Register online

Zen & Shin Buddhism - Part 1 "Letting Go: A Zen & Shin Approach to Liberation" Rev. Dr. Duncan Ryuken Williams Author, American Sutra

Saturday March 13 11 am - 1 pm Register online

Zen & Shin Buddhism - - Part 2 (Please note change of date)

"Zen Practice" Speaker: Rev. Anton Tenkei Coppens Roshi Zen River Temple, Netherlands

Saturday April 10

5 pm - 6:30 pm Register online

Socially Engaged Buddhism Speakers: Prof. Mitsuya Dake Ryukoku University Rev. Kiyo Kuwahara Berkeley Buddhist Temple

Saturday April 17

11 am - 1 pm Register online

3 Bishops: “What is the Future of Buddhism in the West?” Rev. Marvin Harada Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America Rev. Eric Matsumoto Bishop, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Rev. Tatsuya Aoki Bishop, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada (v8)

All events listed in Pacific Time.

FEBRUARY 202110

BCO 2021 New Years Zoom Service PHOTOS COURTESY OF NORMAN YOSHIDA

1 2 3

4

Momijikai Online 10:00 am

5

6

7Dharma Family Service Zoom & YouTube 10 am Annual General Meeting Zoom 10:45 am

8 9 10 Board of Directors Meeting, Small Chapel Online 7:00 pm

11 12 13

14 10:00 Dharma Family Service (Nirvana Day) - Zoom & YouTube 10 am Shotsuki Memorial & Adult Dharma Service YouTube

15

President’s Day

16 17

Business Committee Meeting Online 7:00 pm

18

Momijikai

Online 10:00 am

19

21

Dharma Family Service Zoom & YouTube 10 am Lady Takeko Kujo & OBWA Members Memorial Service Online

22 23 24 25

26 27

28

Dharma Family Service Zoom & YouTube 10 am

HOST 8 Leader: Joyce Yokomizo No In-Person Events in February

FEBRUARY 2021

20

FEBRUARY 202111