Dharma School

The Home of Little Birds

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(“Kotori no ie” by Akamatsu Gessen, illustrated by Tateno Yasunosuke, in Bukkyo Dōwa Zenshū, Vol. 8, p. 139-147, Translation by Henry Adams)

Long ago in the Latter Han Dynasty, there was a family named Yang who lived in the Chinese capital.  They had one son named Bao.  This story takes place when Bao was nine years old.

            Bao’s father worked for a government official of low rank, but he was a dedicated and hard-working man.  Bao’s mother was a quiet and deeply caring woman.  While she did not make a particularly strong impression at first, even a passing conversation with her would give a genuine sense of her true kindness.

            Bao’s mother was kind to little birds.  She did not keep them as pets, but they would be naturally drawn to her, because she always set scraps of food outside the kitchen for them to eat. 

Continue reading “The Home of Little Birds”

Gotan-e Shinran Shonin’s Birthday Service

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May 22, 2022

Guest Speaker

Rev. Ryoze Wada

University of California, Berkeley

PhD Student

御講師

和田良世先生

カリフォルニア大学バークレー校

博士課程

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple or from the safety and comfort of your own home via Zoom Meeting for our Gotan-e Shinran Shonin’s Birthday Service on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

２０２２年５月２２日の９時３０分から宗祖降誕会ををお勤めします。

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Gyofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Gotan-e Dharma Service with English Language Message by Rev. Ryoze Wada
10:30 a.m. 日本語法話　和田良世先生　Japanese Language Dharma Message by Rev. Ryoze Wada

POLICY UPDATE: All ages are welcome to join without prior registration.  Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination required for eligible individuals age 5 and older.  Up to 36 in-person attendees will be seated in the Hondo, with overflow seating available in the adjacent Social Hall.

本堂でのお参りする方は新型コロナウイルスのワクチン接種を完了された方に限り３６名まで枠がありますが、ソーシャル・ホールにも席を用意します。五歳以下の参拝者は新型コロナウイルスのワクチン接種の証明は要りません。

To join us online via Zoom, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

ご参拝したい方はここにクリックして、”Live Broadcast of Services”に登録してください。

Parents’ Day Dharma Service: Born into a Noble Family (May 8)

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As we gather on Mother’s Day to celebrate our annual Parents’ Day Dharma Service, Rev. Adams will share a traditional Buddhist story about a mother whose sensitivity and kindness toward animals teaches her family to live with genuine empathy. Amida Buddha’s 43rd Vow expresses the Buddha’s wish for all beings to be born into a family whose nobility comes not from their social status, but from the virtues they express in their actions, words, and thoughts:

When I attain Buddhahood, the bodhisattvas in other lands, having heard my name, will be reborn into noble families after the end of their lives. Should it not be so, may I not attain the perfect enlightenment.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Hula Lesson with Stephanie Hagio Chin
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

If you would like to attend the service in person, please email smbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org or call (650) 342-2541 to reserve a seat. Full Covid-19 vaccination is required. A maximum of 36 in-person attendees will be seated in the Hondo, so please contact us at your earliest convenience if you wish to attend.

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Everyone Clothed in Fine Robes (May 1)

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The robes worn by Buddhist monks were traditionally stitched together from discarded rags and dyed to a uniform color using inexpensive dyes, such as saffron in India and charcoal in Japan.    Inspired by Amida Buddha’s 38th Vow, this Sunday’s Dharma Talk will revisit stories of Nembutsu practicers in India, China, Japan, and the United States whose Buddhist garments expressed their commitment to the Dharma path:

When I attain Buddhahood, the humans and devas in my land will acquire garments as soon as such a desire arises in their minds, and they will naturally be clothed in fine robes as commended and prescribed by the Buddhas. If they should need sewing, bleaching, dyeing or washing, may I not attain the perfect enlightenment.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service

If you would like to attend the service in person, please email smbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org or call (650) 342-2541 to reserve a seat. Full Covid-19 vaccination is required. A maximum of 36 in-person attendees will be seated in the Hondo, so please contact us at your earliest convenience if you wish to attend.

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Special Guest Dharma Speaker: Leo Joslin Sensei (April 24)

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On Sunday, April 24, we are honored to welcome Leo Joslin Sensei from the Buddhist Church of San Francisco as our Special Guest Dharma Speaker.

Click here to read more about Leo Sensei

Schedule
(Shoshinge chanting and Taiso exercise will resume on May 1)
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service with talk by Leo Joslin Sensei
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion with Leo Joslin Sensei

If you would like to attend the service in person, please email smbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org or call (650) 342-2541 to reserve a seat. Full Covid-19 vaccination is required. A maximum of 36 in-person attendees will be allowed, so please contact us at your earliest convenience if you wish to attend.

Please do not come to the temple without registering in advance.

本堂で御参拝する方は事前登録が必要ですので、メールsmbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org 、又はお電話(650) 342-2541でご連絡をお願いいたします。本堂でのお参りに参拝ご希望の方は新型コロナウイルスのワクチン接種を完了された方に限り３６名まで枠がありますので、お早めにご連絡をお願いいたします。

尚、今まで通り、オンラインや電話を通しての永代経法要参拝も可能です。

You may also join us via Zoom for this Dharma Service. To receive the link, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Women Become Buddhas (April 17)

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The unequal treatment of women has been a problem in human society since ancient times. Sakyamuni Buddha addressed this problem when he taught Amida Buddha’s 35th Vow, which affirms the realization of Buddhahood by women. This week’s Dharma Talk will reflect on how the 35th Vow has inspired generations of Nembutsu followers to show great courage in seeking the Dharma and maintaining inclusive communities.

When I attain Buddhahood, the women throughout the countless and inconceivable Buddha‐worlds in the ten quarters, having heard my name, will rejoice in entrusting heart, awaken the mind aspiring for enlightenment, and wish to renounce the state of being discriminated against as a women. If, after the end of their lives, they should continue to suffer from discrimination against women, may I not attain the perfect enlightenment.

(H. Adams Translation)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Mindful Meditation with Dr. April Chun
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Dharma Service

To join us online for this Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

If you would like to attend the service in person, please email smbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org or call (650) 342-2541 to reserve a seat. Full Covid-19 vaccination is required. A maximum of 36 in-person attendees will be allowed, so please contact us at your earliest convenience if you wish to attend.
Please do not come to the temple without registering in advance.

本堂で御参拝する方は事前登録が必要ですので、メールsmbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org 、又はお電話(650) 342-2541でご連絡をお願いいたします。本堂でのお参りに参拝ご希望の方は新型コロナウイルスのワクチン接種を完了された方に限り３６名まで枠がありますので、お早めにご連絡をお願いいたします。
尚、今まで通り、オンラインや電話を通しての永代経法要参拝も可能です。

Hanamatsuri Buddha’s Birthday Service

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April 10, 2022

Guest Speaker

Rev. Dr. Hoshu Matsubayashi

Buddhist Churches of America

Minister Emeritus

御講師

松林芳秀先生

浄土真宗本願寺派北米開教区

名誉開教使

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple or from the safety and comfort of your own home via Zoom Meeting for our Hanamatsuri Service on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in celebration of Siddhartha Gautama’s Birthday.

If you would like to attend the service in person, please reply to this email or call (650) 342-2541 to reserve a seat. Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination is required. A maximum of 36 in-person attendees will be allowed in the Hondo, so please contact us at your earliest convenience if you wish to attend.  Please do not come to the temple without registering in advance.

２０２２年４月１０日の９時３０分から灌仏会（花祭）をお勤めします。

本堂で御参拝する方は事前登録が必要ですので、メール
smbt@sanmateobuddhisttemple.org 、又はお電話(650) 342-2541でご連絡をお願いいたします。４月１０日に本堂でのお参りに参拝ご希望の方は新型コロナウイルスのワクチン接種を完了された方に限り３６名まで枠がありますので、お早めにご連絡をお願いいたします。

尚、今まで通り、オンラインや電話を通しての春季彼岸会参拝も可能です。

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Gyōfu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Hula dance lesson with Stephanie Hagio Chin
9:30 a.m. Hanamatsuri Service with Dharma talk by Rev. Hoshu Matsubayashi
10:30 a.m. Japanese Dharma Talk 日本語法話 松林芳秀先生

To join us for this online Spring Ohigan Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

ご参拝したい方はここにクリックして、”Live Broadcast of Services”に登録してください。

Becoming Soft and Gentle in Body and Mind (April 3)

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When we become set in our ways, it feels burdensome to disrupt our comfortable routine in order to care for others. Amida Buddha’s 33rd Vow affirms that the light of the Buddha’s wisdom softens the hard stubbornness of our minds and gives us the flexibility to be helpful toward others:

When I attain Buddhahood, the sentient beings throughout the countless and inconceivable Buddha‐worlds in the ten quarters, having received my light and having been touched by it, will become soft and gentle in body and mind, surpassing humans and devas in those qualities. Should it not be so, may I not attain the perfect enlightenment.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise with Juliet and Grace Bost (pre-recorded)
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day): Effortless Kindness

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March 6, 2022

This Sunday’s service will include our celebration of the Japanese Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) holiday. Inspired by the many valuable contributions that girls make to our Sangha and community, Rev. Adams will share a Dharma talk about the meaning of Amida Buddha’s 20th Vow, which emphasizes cultivating the roots of virtue and concentrated Nembutsu practice:

If, when I attain Buddhahood, the sentient beings of the ten quarters, upon hearing my name, should place their thoughts on my land, cultivate the roots of virtue, and direct their merit with sincere mind desiring to be born in my land, and yet not ultimately attain birth, may I not attain the perfect enlightenment.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise with Juliet and Grace Bost
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service

To join us for online Dharma Services, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.