The following is an article written by Rev. Hirano for the January, 2011 Buddhist Thoughts.

Horace the Ho’onko Hippo ~J.K. Hirano

One day while I was reading the Letters of Rennyo (Gobunsho), I began to feel very sleepy. This isn’t

uncommon when I am studying and reading passages that require a great deal of thinking. However, suddenly I

noticed a Post Script in the letters that I had never noticed before, it was in one of Rennyo’s letters about

Hoonko. It read as follows:

PS

On the eve of the founder’s memorial service the great Hoonko Hippo Horace will rise up from the depths of the

jeweled ponds of the Pure Land to shourt Namo Amida Butsu, as a reminder to all the children of Nembutsu

followers that they are embraced by Amida Buddha, never to be abandoned. Thus this passage may also be

known as Hoonko Hipo no sho, (The Letter on the Hoonko Hippo)

Listen to these words, Listen to these words

The story of Horace the Hoonko Hippo

In the deepest darkest reaches of Africa, lived a rather grouchy Hippo named Horace. Horace was just

dissatisfied with his lot in life. He didn’t like having to live in the river all the time. It really affected the

reception on his television. He really liked the Animal Planet station, but was jealous of the elephant and the

white rhinoceros, because of how wonderful these programs made them out. They were big like him, yet they

didn’t have to live in the river. He was also jealous of the whale his other cousin, for the whale was big, but had

the entire ocean to swim in. Horace wasn’t happy with anything about his life. On Christmas, he also didn’t get

everything he thought he needed.

Well one day, as Horace was thinking all these negative thoughts, he popped his head out of the river

and guess who he saw? It was Santa Claus, who was watering Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer after a

practice run around the world. Santa noticed Horace and naturally shouted out the glee, “Ho Ho Ho Horace,

Merry Christmas!” When Horace heard this he shouted back, “What do I have to be merry about? And besides,

Christmas was just over with and you didn’t bring me that toy I wanted. Is that why you are here? If not, you

are either way early or late?” Santa just smiled at Horace and walked over and patted him on the head. Horace

continued his complaints, “You know Santa besides you letting me down, I don’t get any respect from the

world. I can run 19 miles per hour. But have you ever heard anyone say, “As swift as a Hippo?” I don’t think

so. On these nature programs you always hear about the majestic elephant or the rare and wondrous white

rhinoceros, I’ve never been called majestic or rare and wonderful. They always just show me yawning and

hanging out in the river.” Santa smiled and then suddenly said, “Horace, I have a job for you! You know there

was a time when my lead reindeer Rudolph didn’t get to play in any reindeer games. He was treated as a freak

because of his big red nose, but look at him now. He is the most famous reindeer of all. Each of us is special

THE GEPPO

A publication of the Ogden Buddhist Temple March/April, 2011 Issue

155 North Street Ogden, UT 84404 801/392-7132

P.O. Box 3248 Ogden, UT 84409 Temple President: Kirk Y.

Supervising Reverend: Rev. Jerry Hirano Minister’s Assistant: Annette K.

Rev. Hirano contact info: Office – 801-363-4742 Minister’s Assistant: Mike M.

Home – omitted for online version Web site: www.slbuddhist.org/ogden

Emergency – omitted for online version e-mail: ogdenbuddhisttemple@gmail.com

*Rev Hirano’s story continued on next page.*

and has a purpose in life. Horace, in life you are embraced by the river, just as you are. The river doesn’t ask

anything of you, even though you may complain and wish you didn’t have to live in it. The river continues to

support you and accepts you just as you are. We all have a place in this world and just as you are embraced by

the river, all sentient beings are embraced in Amida’s compassion. So Horace with your mouth so wide, won’t

you teach all the children about Amida Buddha’s compassion and the Nembutsu? And the reason you didn’t get

that one toy you saw in the commercial is that you haven’t been the nicest hippo, have you? And do you really

need a fushigi ball? You don’t even have fingers.”

Horace suddenly began bellowing “Namo Amida Butsu. Namo Amida Butsu. I get it, I get it!” And as

he did this, he rose slowly into the air, as light as a feather. Santa then led Horace to the jeweled ponds in the

Pure Land where Horace now lives. It has been written that on Hoonko Eve, he rises up out of the jeweled

ponds, shouting out the Nembutsu to remind us of all we have to be grateful for. Some have even said that on

Hoonko Eve Horace the Hoonko Hippo visits certain good girls and boys on who have been especially grateful.

He gives them all the things they saw in a commercial on television during the Christmas season that they

needed but didn’t get. So if you are reading this and didn’t get all that you wanted, it means that you have all

that you need. So let’s join Horace in spreading the word, Happy Hoonko, Namo Amida Butsu!

On behalf of Carmela, Kacie, Taylor and myself, I want to thank you for all the support and kindness

you have shared with us. We hope that you were able to have a healthy and Happy Holiday season. This year

for our Hoonko service on January 16, Rev. Kodo Umezu, Director of the BCA Committee on Buddhist

Education will be our guest speaker. I hope you can join us to listen to his dharma talk.

President’s Message

On behalf of the Sangha, I would like to thank Steve K. for the wonderful job he did as

President the past two years. His hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated.

So my first act as President will be to not screw up all the great work that has

been done by our past Presidents. Hopefully, we can continue our journey of making our

Temple a place welcome to all.

As a Temple we have a lot to look forward to this year. Hanamatsuri will be

April 3, and the Dharma School children are currently working very hard to put

together this year’s program. This year it is Ogden’s turn to host the annual

Mountain States District Conference. To change things up, we are planning to

hold this year’s conference in Moab Utah. We will combine the

business meeting with a family retreat weekend.

So keep the weekend of August 12 -14 open and be sure

to look for more details that will be forthcoming.

Planning is also ongoing for the

100 Year Celebration of Buddhism in Utah. The celebration is planned for the summer of 2012.

Of course there are the annual Obon festival and bazaar to look forward to.

A very busy year is in store for our Temple,

and your continued support is very much appreciated.

In Gassho,

Kirk Y.

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

BWA NEWS By Tami H.

A big thanks to the BWA ladies for an awesome lunch for the Ho-Onko Service in January.

The ladies that prepared and served the lunch did a great job as always, those ladies

were: Marie H., Ellen K., Annette K., Jeannie P., Suzan Y.,

Linda R., Julia F., Marion H., Ruth S. and Fran H.

It is always nice to have a nice lunch to start out the new year.

We also had the annual BWA membership party February 13th. We started with lunch at the

Greenery and then a short service, ending with a fun game of bingo. There were a lot of treats

thanks to Jeannie P., Annette K., Kris Y., Julia F., Lorraine S.,

Aiko H. and Yuko A. I would like to welcome the five new members to

join the BWA: Shauna R., Betty Y., Kris Y., Susan C.

and Eiko K.

We will be having two upcoming fundraisers to help raise money for the church.

April 16th

we will be having a Spaghetti dinner from 5:00 to 7:00, we will be selling tickets soon.

And we will also be making sushi to sell on May 22nd

after the Gotan-E service.

As always we appreciate the support.

Next meetings scheduled are: Sunday March 27th

at 11:30, and April 17th

at 11:30.

In Gassho,

Tami H.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BWA Donations

I would like to apologize for not listing donations in the last Geppo.

I am sorry for the late acknowledgement.

~Ellen K.

Omitted for online version

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

2011 BWA Membership

Marisa A., Yuko A., Susan C., Karen D., Linda ER., Julia F., Chizuko F., Aiko H., Fran H.,

Marie H., Alice H., Tami H., Yuri I., Akiko K., Ellen K., Eiko K., Fumie K., Jeannie P., Shauna

R., Masako R., Lorraine S., Ruth S., Betty S., Janice S., Elsie S., Tomoko S., Alice S., Ferry T.,

Kris Y., Lola Y., Betty Y., Yai Y., Yoshiko Y., Yoshie Y.

DHARMA SCHOOL NEWS

For the next two months, our Dharma School is very busy!

We could use any help that you can offer. We are going to prepare lunch for

our Ohigan Service. Come join us on March 6th

at about 9:00 am to help us

prepare this yummy lunch! Even if you can’t make it at 9:00 am – please

join us for lunch at 11:30 am and our Ohigan service at 1:00 pm.

We are also busy preparing for Hanamatsuri! Our students are busy

learning their dances are preparing their skits to perform for you. Please

make sure to mark your calendar on April 3rd

so you can join us for lunch and a

fun program that is made just for YOU!

Dharma School Ski Party

Make sure you do not put away your ski’s yet … the season is not over!

Please come join us for our annual Dharma School Ski Party with Salt Lake.

Where: Brighton Ski Resort

When: Sunday - March 13, 2011

Meet at Brighton at 8:30 a.m (at bottom of ski school hill – near the large garbage bins)

SL Dharma School will provide the hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, chips and hot chocolate!

Everybody else, just bring a dessert, salad, side dish, or drinks

Dharma School Donations

Omitted for online version

Jr. YBA/YBA Donation

Omitted for online version

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

Perch at the Church

By Charles A.

The Third Annual Perch at the church event was tons of fun!

Many people showed up and we caught plenty-o-fish. While most enjoyed fishing on that fine

day others enjoyed sledding on the hills. Either way, the event was a great success and everyone

who participated seemed to have fun. After fishing, we brought the perch back to the

church to fillet and cook. Thanks to our fabulous and amazing

fillet people and cooks, we were all able to enjoy a

wonderful meal. The fish were tasty and

the party was great. I’d like to give special

thanks to Steve K. and Billy S. for organizing and

piloting this fun afternoon. For those of you,

who missed our fun-filled event, consider participating next

year because it’s tons of fun. It’s a real catch and once you come once, you

will be hooked! Guaranteed! So big thanks to all who came and supported the outing. Hope to

see you at next year’s Fourth Annual Perch at the Church Event!

Note: If you wanna see people with the monster fishes that didn’t get away follow these simple

instructions. It’s really easy and it only takes a second. First you gotta type in

http://www.flickr.com, it’s tough but I’m sure you can handle it. Almost there! Then you

have to type OBC Ice Fishing 2011 in the search block! Done! Make sure you look at

everyone’s uploads. You should now be able to see the photos of monster fishes

and their frozen owners. Enjoy!!!

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

Buddha’s Bookshelf

*Each GEPPO we will spotlighting a book on Buddhism. The article will contain the book information

and a short summary written by a temple member. We hope you enjoy our “bookshelf”.*

BEING GOOD by Venerable Master Hsing Yun

~Book Review by Alice H.~

BEING GOOD by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 195

pages, with 33 chapters and glossary at the end. This book was

originally published in 1998 and has been reprinted in 2009.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun is a Chinese Buddhist Monk and

forty-eighth patriarch in the Linji school of Chan Buddhism. He

is the founder of Fo Guang Shan monastery in Taiwan, and of the

Buddha’s Light International Association, which has nearly a

million members worldwide.

The author does an excellent job helping readers to approach living the Buddha’s way in

a simple manner. He uses the precepts as guideposts for us to become enlightened and find

peace on a daily basis. Each chapter talks about precepts.

He uses sutras to show the Buddha’s reasoning process. Sutras are Buddhist scriptures

used to help the reader understand the pureness of Buddha’s great teachings. They help us as

human beings to deal with suffering stemming from greed, wealth, anger, jealousy, power, envy,

sadness, loss, illness, death, poverty, ignorance, racism, loneliness, disasters, etc.

Conclusion: I enjoyed the simple explanations for daily living. The poems at the

beginning of each chapter were like jewels to me. What a beautiful way to teach us simple living.

The poems were deep and thought provoking. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being poor and 5 being

excellent, I rate this book 5.

Membership Dues Reminder

At the November 2009 general board meeting, the motion was made and later passed to increase membership

dues from $100 to $150 per member beginning in 2011. This increase is necessary to keep up the BCA

assessment. Our Temple is currently assessed $94 per member.

In preparation for this increase, last year we asked members to volunteer to pay the extra $50. We of course

would continue to welcome any extra donations, since donations are the Temple’s primary source of revenue to

cover our operating obligations.

Also, if you would prefer to make monthly payments for your dues,

please contact Betty Y. to make arrangements.

We appreciate everyone’s continued support of our Temple.

Calendars For Sale

There are still several Buddhist Churches of America calendars left. If you would like one, please contact any

board member.

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

For helping our YBA/Jr. YBA

Ogden BWA

Spaghetti Dinner

Saturday April 16, 2011

5:00 - 7:00 PM Ogden Buddhist Church

155 North Street

Tickets available from BWA Members

or at the door $8.00 Adults / $4.00 Children

Proceeds to benefit

the Buddhist Church of Ogden

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

BWA SUSHI FUND RAISER

Sunday, May 22 $10 per plate

Available for pick-up following Gotan-E Service All proceeds will go to the Buddhist Church of Ogden

BWA SUSHI FUNDRAISER

Thank you for your support!

Sushi plates will be ready for pick up on Sunday, May 22 following Gotan-E Service

YOUR NAME ___________________________________________________________________

# of plates ordered _________ X $10 each = $ ___________ total due

Please make checks payable to: Ogden Buddhist Church

Order forms need to by filled out and given to any BWA member by May 8th.

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

OHIGAN SERVICE

March Shotsuki Hoyo

KEIRO-KAI

Sunday, March 6, 2011, 1:00 PM

Lunch at 11:30 a.m.

The word Higan comes from the Sanskrit word Paramita - "Other Shore." The words

"other shore" refer to the "world of Nirvana." As the name Higan denotes, this is the time

to remind within each and every one of us the Bodhisattva practice of the Six Paramitas of

charity, morality, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom. It is the means by which one

crosses over the illusory ocean of birth and death to the other shore of Nirvana.

Shotsuki Hoyo - Monthly Memorial Service

HANAMATSURI SERVICE (Service will begin with traditional Ochigo Parade)

April Shotsuki Hoyo

Sunday, April 3, 2011, 10:00 AM

Hanamatsuri or "Flower Festival" is held to commemorate the birth of Siddartha

Gautama in Lumbini Garden. According to the ancient legend, the universe was filled

with joyful music, flowers bloomed in full glory and sweet rain fell from the heavens to

make this a joyful event. During the service a flower shine known as the Hanamido is set

up in front of the main altar as a symbol of Lumbini Garden. In this shrine is placed a

statuette of the infant Buddha and the Congregation offers flowers and pours sweet tea

over the image.

Lunch & Program to Follow Service

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

March and April Shotsuki Hoyo

Mar 10 1967 Kanekichi Hamada

Mar 18 1971 Francis Hirabayashi Mar 18 1971 Ricky Hirabayashi Mar 11 1987 Yukiyo Iseki Mar 29 1997 Keizo Kano

Mar 12 1999 Toyse Toshiharu Kato

Mar 15 2005 Maxie Kimiko Kato

Mar 14 1960 Tasaku Kumooka

Mar 23 1988 Yoshimatsu Miyagishima

Mar 23 1996 Hideo Miyawaki Mar 29 1998 Matsuyo Miyawaki Mar 22 1988 Mary M. Morinaka

Mar 5 1979 Shuichi Murakami Mar 14 1994 Masako Nakagawa Burrell Mar 16 1966 Bunkichi Oki Mar 18 1975 Itsu Ota

Mar 31 1973 Taiji Shimada

Mar 14 1970 Yasu Shiotani Mar 3 1970 Utaro Sugihara

Mar 11 1979 Masu Sugihara

Mar 11 2000 George Joji Sugimoto

Mar 16 1990 Mine Takabayashi Mar 17 2008 Judy Naoko Takara

Mar 16 1983 Noble Edward Tsushima

Mar 30 1988 Takashi Uemori Mar 27 2003 Saburo Butch Uyeno

Mar 27 1964 Shinichi Yamada

Mar 3 1996 Toshimi Yamada (Tsukaoto) Mar 7 1979 Mii Yamaguchi Mar 10 2007 Takeo Yamasaki Mar 16 1996 Ruby Toshiko Yamasaki Mar 28 1992 Kiyoshi Yei Mar 11 1976 Saburoji Yoshimura

For those years not having a specific memorial service such as 2nd

, 4th, 5

th, etc. the temple is holding these monthly

Shotsuki Hoyo. During these services, the temple will list the names of those members who have died during the

month in the preceding years.

The families then attend that monthly service in memory of their loved one.

These services are not meant to replace the specific memorial services. Please contact Rev. Hirano to make

arrangements for those services. Rev. Hirano contact information: Office: 363-4742,

Home: 299-8727, Emergency: 718-5755

2011 Memorial Service Schedule for those who passed away in:

2010 – 1 year 1999 – 13 year 1979 – 33 year

2009 – 3 year 1995 – 17 year 1962 – 50 year

2005 – 7 year 1987 – 25 year 1912 – 100 year

Corrections/Additions to the Shotsuki Hoyo list - please contact Ruth S.

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

March Shotsuki Hoyo March 6, 2011, 1:00 p.m.

April Shotsuki Hoyo April 3, 2011, 1:00 p.m.

Apr 8 1982 Helen Haruye Estrada

Apr 23 1974 Chohachi Fujita

Apr 5 1979 Utaka Harada

Apr 25 1970 Toraki Hattori Apr 2 1980 Joe Hideo Imaizumi Apr 2 1995 Miyoe Inouye (Miyamoto) Apr 16 1983 Ise K. Kato

Apr 5 1979 Bunshiro Kikuchi Apr 4 2000 Mitsuru Koga

Apr 21 1963 Katsugoro Miya

Apr 22 1967 Eimatsu Miyagishima

Apr 4 1962 Kenjiro Mukai Apr 11 1993 Yukimi Nakashige (Naito) Apr 13 1962 Kosaku Nakata

Apr 11 1975 Gentaro Nakashige

Apr 30 2009 Kikue “Kixie” Oda

Apr 13 1987 Chiyoichi Ogata

Apr 24 1979 Haruge Okuda

Apr 11 1987 Kumaye Okuda

Apr 13 1980 Kirk Sakae Omori Apr 17 1984 George Sakae Omori Apr 4 1961 Kotaro Ono

Apr 3 1991 Randall Petersen

Apr 11 1979 George T. Ryujin

Apr 21 1999 Tomotsu Tom Ryujin

Apr 2 2004 Etsuko Ryujin

Apr 4 1999 Mary Sase

Apr 9 2009 Shige Shimada

Apr 6 1990 Takino Sugimoto (Nakano) Apr 4 2010 Fred W. Taniguchi Apr 26 1995 Yoshiko Tawatai (Yamasaki) Apr 29 1993 Shizuyo (Shitsuyo) Uyematsu

Apr 22 1971 Kiyoshi Yamamoto

Apr 17 1995 Miyeko Yamane (Nakagawa) Apr 28 1967 Suzuko Yamashita

Apr 24 2006 George Seiichi Yoshida

.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

2

10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

3

Hinamatsuri

Girl’s Day

4 5

6

9:00 am – Discussion Group

11:30 am – Lunch

1:00 pm – Ohigan Service

1:30 pm – Mt. States Planning Mtg

7 8

7:30 pm

OBC

Board

Meeting

9 10:00am

Dharma Study Group

10 11 12

13

9:00 am – Discussion Group

No Dharma School

DHARMA SCHOOL SKI DAY

8:30 am @ Brighton Ski Resort

14 15 16 10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Buddhism 201

Class

17

St. Patrick’s

Day

18 19

5:00 – 7:00pm

YBA Fund

Raiser Dinner

20

9:00 am – Discussion Group

1:00 pm – Family Service

1:30 pm – Dharma School Meeting

21 22 23 10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Buddhism 201 Class

24 25 26

27

9:00 am – Discussion Group

9:00 am – Yard Clean-Up

11:30 am – BWA Meeting

1:00 pm – Family Service

28 29 30 10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Buddhism 201

Class

31

Toban Cleaning:

Roland & Janice S. (Toban Cleaning Leader)

Todd & Stacie H.

Fran H.

March, 2011

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2

3

10:00 am – Ogden Hanamatsuri

Service - Lunch & Program

immediately following service

4 5 6

No study classes

scheduled

7 8 9

10

10:00 am – Salt Lake Hanamatsuri

Service – Lunch & Program

immediately following service

*NO services in Ogden –

everybody attend SL service*

11 12

7:30 pm

OBC

Board

Meeting

13 10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Buddhism 201 Class

14 15

GEPPO

Articles Due

16 5:00 – 7:00 pm

BWA

Spaghetti

Dinner

17

9:00 am – Discussion Group

1:00 pm – Family Service

1:30 pm – Dharma School Meeting

18 19 20 10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Buddhism 201 Class

21 22 23

24

9:00 am – Discussion Group

10:00 am – Dharma School Svc.

*Easter Sunday*

25 26 27 10:00am

Dharma Study

Group

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Buddhism 201 Class

28 29 30

Nihon

Matsuri

Toban Cleaning:

Kirk & Betty Y. (Toban Cleaning Leader)

Trenton Y.

Steve & Kristina Y.

KayLe Y.

April, 2011

Ogden Buddhist Church GEPPO March/April, 2011 Issue