PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
TOP 10 REASONS WHY I AM DEDICATED TO
VISTA BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Remember David Letterman? Well to resurrect his Top 10 shtick, I wanted to share some of the many reasons why Vista Buddhist Temple is a growing temple to practice Buddhism and why I and the rest of our Sangha are so dedicated to it.
10. LAY BUDDHISM – Jodo Shinshu Buddhism was established in the 1200’s, in Japan, by Shinran Shonin as an accessible practice for “every” person, not just monastics and the elite class. Today, these principles hold up remarkably well for contemporary American Buddhists. It fits into our lifestyle and adds value to our lives.
9. OUR ONAIJIN – Most Jodo Shinshu temples have very ornate and elaborate gold decorated onaijins (the centerpiece/altar inside a temple). VBT has a very clean and simple onaijin design, which fits my more contemporary sensibilities.
8. THE GARDENS – Not over the top, but well maintained Japanese gardens by our Sangha, supervised by master Japanese gardener Bill Watanabe, and arborist Ted Overland. Did I mention the Bodhi trees? They are totally cool.
7. WE CAN BUILD IT/FIX IT SPIRIT – We are a very self-sufficient Sangha with a few incredibly talented people who maintain and organize everything; including Ford Omori who heads up our Facilities Committee, Rodney Nishimoto, who has invented and built many unique gadgets and machines to make our Temple function better and Mick Kubota who is a professional construction project manager and can fix almost anything.
6. BUDDHIST EDUCATION CLASSES – Our Buddhist Education Committee, led by Sandy Muryasz, creates classes and events that happen nearly every month, and are well attended by the Sangha members and outside community alike.
5. DHARMA SCHOOL - Totally under subscribed because of the intimate size of our Sangha, the Dharma School holds weekly Sunday classes for kids at all grade levels to discuss the minister’s Dharma talk, and other Buddhist principles. And they don’t give homework.
4. REVEREND HARADA – The head minister from OCBC, and the supervising minister for Vista Buddhist Temple is so inspiring in so many ways. His leadership has been a significant driver for the growth of Vista Buddhist Temple. And when he leads our Sunday service, you don’t want to miss it.
3. OUR FESTIVALS – Twice a year VBT holds “all out” fund raising festivals, which honestly are based more on Japanese culture than Buddhism, but they are amazing. Every year, it feels like a
“Mission Impossible” amount of work for our small Sangha, the details seem dangerously under organized, but a large cadre of members and friends all rise to the occasion and do fantastic work. The hundreds of attendees all have a really good time and are well fed.
2. THE FOOD - When we have a special service, which is almost monthly, we hold a potluck lunch for attendees. Our members bring dishes to share, and without fail there is a banquet of fabulous food, from traditional Japanese dishes to a table of delicious desserts. My favorite place to eat, and judging by the crowd I am not alone in my opinion.
1. WE GOT FORD - If you attend Vista Buddhist Temple you know what I mean.
Vista Buddhist Temple is one of the best kept secrets in the San Diego Buddhist community. But not for long. Thanks to all who make this an inspiring place to practice Buddhism.
…Ricky