Dharma School

Bodhi Day Service: How to Catch a Snake

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Sunday, December 3, 2023

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Bodhi Day Service on Sunday, December 3. Bodhi Day is our annual celebration of Sakyamuni Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment seated beneath the Bodhi Tree. As we revisit the traditional story of Sakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, Rev. Adams will offer some reflections on the Buddha’s teaching that listening to the Dharma requires the same care and focused attention needed to catch a poisonous snake.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shōya Raisan Chanting
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise
9:30 a.m. Bodhi Day Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

To join us via Zoom for this Dharma Service CLICK HERE and sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Veteran’s Day—Cherished Friends and Wishes for Peace (November 12)

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On the occasion of our annual Veteran’s Day Service, Rev. Adams will offer Dharma appreciations of archival video messages by the late Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani, former Bishop of the Hompa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and Nisei veteran.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Veteran’s Day Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

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

The Buddha’s Superpowers (October 29)

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Wear your Halloween costume to service on Sunday, October 29! Rev. Adams’ Dharma talk will explore connections between the powers attributed to modern day comic book superheroes and the extraordinary powers demonstrated by Sakyamuni Buddha when he confronted the murderous bandit Angulimala.

From the Letters of Rennyo Shonin (Gobunsho) Fascicle 2, Letter 4

Out of great love and great compassion the Buddha vowed to save us, the beings of the present latter age, however deep our karmic evils may be, who wholly entrust ourselves to Amida Tathagata, taking refuge only in Amida Buddha single-mindedly and unwaveringly . . .

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Halloween Party hosted by Jr. YBA

We welcome you to wear your Halloween costume to service and join us in person!

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

Simply Say “Namo Amida Butsu” (October 15)

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When you join Dharma Service at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple you will hear the words “Namo Amida Butsu” chanted, spoken, and sung throughout the service. This Sunday, Rev. Henry will share reflections on the meaning of “Namo Amida Butsu,” when we can say it, and why we celebrate it as a Buddhist practice that is truly for everyone.

From the Letters of Rennyo Shonin (Gobunsho) Fascicle 5, Letter 17:

. . . you should simply say “Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Butsu, …” whether awake or asleep, with gratitude and appreciation, accepting deep in your mind Amida Tathagata’s readiness to save you.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Mindful Meditation with David Crampton
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

We welcome you to join us in person!

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

The Buddhist Meaning of Faith (October 8)

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In this Sunday’s Dharma talk, Rev. Adams will share perspectives on the meaning of faith in Buddhism. If Buddhism does not teach the existence of an all-powerful divine creator, what is it that Buddhists have faith in?

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

We welcome you to join us in person!

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

Pet & Plant Memorial Service

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Featured artwork: Drawing by Ren Fung

Sunday, October 1, 2023

We gratefully remember the animals who provide us with companionship as our pets. We also show our appreciation for the plants that support our lives, including the cut flowers that adorn the Buddha Shrine and bring us joy through their beauty.

Use the form below to provide the name of the deceased pet(s) and/or plants that you would like to remember at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple Pet and & Plant Memorial Service.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise with instructors Juliet Bost Yokoe
9:30 a.m. Pet & Plant Memorial Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. October Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service

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

The Purpose of Our Temple (September 10)

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As we begin our new Dharma School year with our Fall Sangha Clean Up Day, we will look to Rennyo Shonin’s “Letter on Construction at Ozaka,” in which he reminds us that the purpose of our temples is to be a place where all people feel welcome to gather and find guidance for their lives from the Buddha’s teachings.

. . . the fundamental reason for living in this place is not to spend a relaxed life here or enjoy a life of luxury and glory or a life of seclusion appreciating flowers, birds, breezes and the moon. My sincere hope is only to see an increase in number of the practicers who have attained the entrusting heart and of those who recite the nembutsu － all for the sake of attaining the supreme enlightenment.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Fall Sangha Clean Up

We welcome you to join us in person!

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

Special Guest Dharma Speaker: Rev. Giei Sasaki (August 27)

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On Sunday, August 27, we are honored to welcome Rev. Giei Sasaki from the International Minister’s Orientation Program (IMOP) as our Special Guest Dharma Speaker.

Schedule
(Shoshinge chanting will resume on September 3)
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service with talk by Rev. Giei Sasaki
10:30 a.m. Japanese Service with talk by Rev. Giei Sasaki 日本語法要　ご講師　佐々木義英先生
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

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”.

Treasure this Human Life (August 20)

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Rev. Adams will share a Dharma Talk about why birth into human life, despite all its difficulties and disappointments, provides the most precious opportunity for attaining awakening and is considered to be even more ideal than birth in a heavenly realm of pleasure and satisfied desire.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Mindfulness Meditation with David Crampton
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

We welcome you to join us in person!

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

Visits to Hongwanji and Kinkakuji (July 23)

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Rev. Adams will share some impressions and reflections from recent rainy day in Kyoto when he visited our mother temple the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto as well as the iconic Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji). Both temples have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but the experience of visiting them is quite different and the contrast can help us to appreciate how the Nembutsu is alive and well in our world.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Language Service 日本語法座
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

We welcome you to join us in person!

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