NON-PROFIT ORGAN.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 22
EL MONTE, CALIF.
**********************
GEDATSU COMPANION
**********************
GEDATSU CHURCH USA
Edited by: LOS ANGELES BRANCH
7850 Hill Drive
So. San Gabriel, CA 91770
CURRENT RESIDENT
Vol. 62 No. 6 June. 2011
Thought For The Month:
“It is our speech that encourages
or disheartens other people.”
Gedatsu Kongo
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHEDULE
5
JUNE 2011
Sun 12 9:30A Sunday Service &
Kiyota Sensei’s
Memorial Service
Sat 25 11:00A Rokujizo Bazaar
Sun 26 11:00A Rokujizo Bazaar
JULY 2011
Sun 10 9:30A Sunday Service
Sun 24 9:30A Sunday Service & Obon
5
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHEDULE
5
JUNE 2011
Sun 5 10:00A Sunday Service
Sun 12 10:00A English Service
Sun 19 10:00A Kanshakai
Kiyota Sensei’s
Memorial &
Father’s Day Service
Tue 21 7:30P GROW Meeting
Sat 25 11:00A Sac’to Rokujizo Bazaar
Sun 26 11:00A Sac’to Rokujizo Bazaar
JULY 2011
Sun 3 10:00A Sunday Service
Tue 5 CHURCH CLOSED
(to make up for 7/4)
Sun 10 10:00A LA Benzaiten Service
Sun 17 10:00A Kanshakai &
Obon Service
Tue 19 7:30P GROW Meeting
Sun 24 10:00A English Service
(CHURCH CLOSED ON 5th SUNDAY)
GEDATSU EVENTS 2011
June 19 Kiyota Sensei’s Memorial
Father’s Day Service
June 25-26 Rokujizo Bazaar in Sacramento
July 10 LA Benzaiten Service
July 17 LA Obon Service (Sac’to – 7/24)
Lake Tahoe Benzaiten Service
Sept. 4 Fall Festival
Sept. 18 LA Higan Service (Sac’to – 9/25)
Oct. 1-2 LA Autumn Moon Festival
Oct. 16 LA Ujigami Service
Nov. 6 LA Gedatsu Kongo’s Memorial
Nov. 13 Sacramento Gedatsu Kongo’s
Birthday& Joen-no-gi
LA Holiday Crafts Faire
Nov. 19 LA Stateline Turnaround
Nov. 20 LA Gedatsu Kongo’s Birthday
LA Shichigosan, or Children’s 7-5-3
Year Celebration
Dec. 4 Kishida Sensei’s Memorial
Dec. 11 LA Church Clean-up (Sac’to－12/11)
Dec. 18 LA Christmas Party
12/24-31 Church Closed in LA
12/24-25 Church Closed in Sacramento
MARCH OFFERINGS
No. Calif.
$5.00-$25.00: S. Tanaka, T. Tsutsui, H. Graham, S. Taketa, S. Tanaka, M. Hopkins, T. Nagao, M. Kubo, S. Tanaka, K. Gibson
$26.00-$50.00: R. Ide, R. Nakatani, M/M D. Tsuboi, J. Tanaka
$51.00-$75.00: Y. Ota, K. Jeffcott
$76.00 and up: N. Johnston, M/M S. Sekikawa, M/M C. Tanaka, T. Harada, Y. Ota, M. Tahara, Senkakukan Kendo, S. Nishino, Zanazabar Dharma Center, Vietnamese Buddhist Community, RC Kendo
SPECIAL APPRECIATION:
S. Tanaka Appreciation for Robotics Competition
Y. Ota Memory of Walt Miyakawa
M. Tahara Memory of Kiyoko Oto
S. Tanaka Memory of Louis Fong
So. Calif.
$5.00-$25.00: G. Hirami, I. Hirtami, H. Kumashiro, M. Mori, K. Nagao, R. Nakatani, Numata, E. Ogawa, J. Tanji, C. Tsujimura, Yanai
$26.00-$50.00: M/M N. Chodor, M/M Hamamoto, Iwaki, Karaoke Club, E. Kikuchi, K. Kuritani, T. Matsuura, M/M V. Mizokami, Mizutani, M. Murakami, M/M R. Nishida, P. Ogawa, Naruko, M. Okada, T. Okimura, Sanchez Family, Rev. Sebe, Shaklan Family, B. Shimasaki, M/M A. Shiroishi, D. Shiroishi, M/M S. Shiroishi, K. Taniguchi, M/M H. Tsujimura, M/M R. Tsujimura, K. Yamauchi
$51.00-$75.00: K. Chinen, M/M Kimura, S. Mukai Family, Y. Oishi
$76.00 and up: K. Fujii, M/M T. Fukushima, T. Hirami, M. Ishida, Rev. Ishida, J. Ito, M/M L. Ito, Kawamura, Kimura Famly, M/M K. Kuritani, T. Matsumoto, M. Michiuye, K. Miyamura, T. Murakami, T. Nakamura, Rev. T. Okano, D. Shiroishi, D. Shiroishi, J. Shiroishi, K. Toma, M/M R. Tomita, K. Yamada
SPECIAL APPRECIATION:
M/M N. Chodor Appreciation for Terry Shiroishi's
Memorial Service
T. Hirami Ancestor Kuyo
Kimura Family Kimura/Okada Ancestor Kuyo
M. Michiuye Ancestor Blessing
K. Miyamura Ancestor Blessing
T. Nakamura Kuyo Kansha
Debbie Shiroishi Appreciation for T. Shiroishi
and Shiroishi Ancestor Kuyo
Donna Shiroishi Appreciation for T. Shiroishi
and Shiroishi Ancestor Kuyo
M/M S. Shiroishi Appreciation for T. Shiroishi
and Shiroishi Ancestor Kuyo
S. Shiroishi Appreciation for T. Shiroishi
and Shiroishi Ancestor Kuyo
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
June 2011
“It is our speech that encourages or disheartens other people.”
Ancient people believed that one’s speech had a spiritual power. Even today, we have experienced encouragement by someone’s warm words, and disheartenment by someone’s harsh words. Thus our speech has a strong power. But, modern people seem to ignore the power of words. The present world is flooded with people’s false and thoughtless words all over. This must be a very cause of the confusion in the modern world. Words cannot be seen. But, one’s speech can either have great energy to make people happy, or to hurt them. What kind of words we say to a person in front of us now, will decide our future and the future of the world. With this awareness, we should try to speak sincere and thoughtful words to everyone.
Clues to Happiness 6:
GOD’S VIEW AND HUMAN VIEW
Rev. H. Taki
We are always thinking many things in our minds; “I am right,” “You are wrong,” “Man should be like this,” etc. We have to understand that our thinking is based on our views on things, and that our views are all different. In world history thus far, the people who believed in absolute value systems and saw themselves as correct have acted on the basis of their principles, which has repeatedly brought about wretched consequences.
But, our existence is not because of our thinking, but because of the universal life force. I believe every one of you slept on a bed last night. Did you observe the function of your heart while sleeping last night? I don’t think so. Even if you forget about the beat of your heart, it has been working constantly while you sleep, and you were able to wake up this morning. Thus the universal life helps us breathe and allows us to live regardless of any thoughts. This is how we exist.
Human thoughts are always limited, but the universe is limitless. As long as we live in society, no one can escape from being rated in schools or in the workplace. You may feel painful sometimes, but you have to live with it. But, it is important to understand that this rating does not define your existence.
We are allowed to live by God, no matter what happens to us. Even if you have negative thoughts and feelings in your mind, you are still alive because you are embraced by God’s love. We are all allowed to exist by God, regardless of any thoughts and religions. We have to understand that we are allowed to live in this infinite world.
You may believe that the Gedatsu study is to improve your character to become a perfect person. If so, I am a loser in Gedatsu. I have studied Gedatsu for many years. But, looking into myself, I find that I have negative thoughts that exist within me. I feel that I was purer in mind when I was young. I cannot believe that I have improved spiritually by studying Gedatsu. I have only gotten better at hiding these negative thoughts within me.
From a human point of view, we may be rated from A to Z. But, from God’s point of view, I believe that there is no appreciable difference amongst us. Although we have many shortcomings, we are still allowed to live. When you become aware of this, how will you live your life from now on? This is the question Gedatsu Kongo asks us.
There are many correct answers to this question. Your answer to this question is to sincerely live each moment to its fullest. You will then be guided to the most appropriate way in life. This is the Gedatsu study.
How A Married Couple Harmonizes
5/15/2011 Los Angeles Church
Rev.Kazuo Yamada
A belated Happy Mother’s Day. Today we have a special guest, Mr. Richard Aadland, Vice Chairman of the Hawaii Church.
When I was the minister of the Hawaii Church, he and I attended the Hawaii Conference of Religious Peace (HCRP) every month. This was a meeting of the various interfaith religious organization. Those in attendance were persons from Buddhism, Christianity, New Thought, Baha’ism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. Richard and I have different background, racially and culturally. His religious background is Christianity while mine is Shintoism and Buddhism. He is a Caucasian and I am an Asian. He grew up in America and I in Japan.
However, because we two were always close, one day, I was told from a member of HCRP " it shows that persons from differing cultural background and differing religious background can construct peace with one another."
That is thanks to the Gedatsu teaching. Gedatsu does not teach confrontation by differences. Rather, to respect the differences and to harmonize with each other. As there are differences, people can mutually help and cooperate with each other. The same things can be said of a married couple. We often hear; "my husband has no ears to listen to me"; or, “my wife is irrational”.
Gedatsu-Kongo said; "When arguing, a husband and wife are the closest adversaries. But if they join hands with each other, nothing is impossible". Moreover, he said: "because if you do not want harmonize you will not harmonize. But if you try and want to harmonize you will succeed in harmonizing”.
The universal is composed by harmonious movement. Harmony is beauty. Each of us should continue to harmonize with others so as not to disobey God's will.
Today, we performed the Mother’s Day service. We would like to again express our gratitude for all mother's love and compassion and respect for all ladies who have the compassion of motherly love..
There is an old Japanese saying as follows; “Although there are one billion mothers for one billion people, there is no mother better than my mother.”
Both fathers and mothers are parents, yet one’s concern for one’s mother seems to be far stronger. Mother is the only and irreplaceable person who gives birth to you in this universe. Society can take the place of a father's role. However, no one can take the place of a mother.
Gedatsu Kongo stated: “A woman’s duty is truly as important as a national project. It is because to raise a person of admirable character depends on a mother's work.”
“Understand that the establishment of a respectable nation and a happy society rests upon the shoulders of you ladies. To produce an individual of absolute appreciation begins with the practice of the mother’s Gedatsu. ” And, he stressed that the mother's feelings are especially important. Let us be mindful of the words of Gedatsu-Kongo,
“Since the child to be born is born with exactly the same emotions as those expressed in the behavior and feelings of the parents, the most important periods are, first, the emotions of the mother-to-be, second, thoughts and feelings of the mother during pregnancy; and third, the period after birth during which time the off spring is taught the rudiments of growing up.
Until the age of 17 or 18, the child prefers the mother rather than the father and matures under the influence of the mother’s attitude and feelings.
I would like you to raise respectable children as a wife, as a mother, while observing the present social conditions.”
He emphasized that the mother's feelings especially when the child is an infant stage influences the formation of the child's personality. And for that, he taught that how the married couple harmonizes becomes the bases of everything.
In order to establish a better society, the first step is to create a harmonious home for a married couple. We'd like to recognize that again. Thank you and God bless you.
ANNOUNCEMENT
● Crafting of a Tanabata ornament be held in LA church on Saturday, June 11, 9:30AM. Please attend.
● Father’s Day Service and Kiyota Kenyu Sensei’s memorial service will be held in LA church on Jun 19.
● Exchange students from Japan, Mr. Akio Yagishita and Mr. Masahiro Nagano will visit Sacramento on June 24, Los Angeles on June 28, and leave for Japan on June 30.
● Rokujizo Bazaar will be held on June 25－26 in Sacramento church. Your participation and cooperation would be appreciated. Raffles tickets are still available at church.
GEDATSU MEMORIAL TOWER
ENSHRINEMENT 2011
l Application for the enshrinement in the Gedatsu Memorial Tower will be accepted until June 30. Application form is available at church. Fee of enshrinement: $100 per application
OBITUARY
l Mrs. Frances Masayo Matsuda of Sacramento Branch passed away on May 12th at age of 91. Funeral service was held at Sacramento Church. May her spirit rest in peace.
HELP US GO “GREEN”
For tuture Gedatsu Companion Newsletter
If you agree, please let us know via
If you do not have an email address, we will continue to mail you our Gedatsu Companion every month.
5