ONLINE SERVICES:

There are services online each Sunday at 10:00 AM. Please follow the link: https://mobile.twitter.com/fresno_nishi You can also watch the service afterwards since they are recorded.

Websites for Dharma Talks has been moved to the our LINKS TO WEBSITES page.

WELCOME!

The Reedley Buddhist Church was established in 1936 with the Rev. Rijun Katsueda becoming the first resident minister. After World War II and the relocation of the Japanese residents, the church was rebuilt in 1952-53 and the Rev. Gibun Kimura became the third minister. In 1961, the Sunday School classrooms, conference room, office, and restrooms were started and completed in 1962. A boyhood statue of Shinran Shonin was donated by Mr. Seichi Hirose of Japan and placed in the U-shaped garden. The entire project was completed and dedicated on April 15, 1967.

Rev. George Shibata, our retired resident minister, began his association with the Reedley Buddhist Church in 1975 and completed 37 years in December, 2011. Rev. Hidehito Sakamoto was appointed as resident minister in March, 2012, until December, 2013. From January, 2014 through July 2015, the church was under the supervision of the Fresno Betsuin. In August, 2015, Reedley had three ministers under a shared system of the seven temples of the Central California District Council of the Buddhist Churches of America: Rev. Kakei Nakagawa, Rev. Alan Sakamoto, and Rev. Matthew Hamasaki. The shared system is coordinated by the Central California Ministers' Association, the CCDC Ministerial Advisory Committee, and the staff of the Fresno Betsuin. In December, 2016, Rev. Alan Sakamoto retired from the BCA. Rev. Matthew Hamasaki left in January, 2018, to become the minister in Sacramento, Rev. Kaz Nakata was assigned to the Central California in August, 2019, and Rev. Mieko Majima was assigned to the Central California in February, 2024. At the present time, Rev. Majima is the supervising minister of the Reedley Buddhist Church.

The church renovated the conference room and added a new kitchen facility in 2004. They added a new wrought iron fence surrounding the property in 2006, updated the hondo in 2007, and completed a storage building next to the small kitchen in 2008. The social hall bathrooms received an update in 2010 and in 2011 the grounds between the hall and the Japanese School building were graded and decomposed granite was added. In October, 2017 the church grounds between the hall the Japanese School building were cemented, and in January, 2018, a solar panel system went into service to minimize the utility costs. During the Covid pandemic, safety measures were taken and an AED was installed in the conference room, touchless features were added to the restrooms, and PPE were added so the members could safely return to church.

The membership is approximately 100 members. The Buddhist Women's Association, the Reedley Dharma School, and the Jr. Young Buddhist Association remain active and support all activities sponsored by the church.

The Reedley Buddhist Church welcomes you to join us at any service and encourages new members to join our organization.

Upcoming Services & Activities

Sunday, April 7, 2024 - 10:00 AM - Hanamatsuri Service
Lunch will be served following the service.

Sunday, April 14, 2024 - 10:00 AM - April Shotsuki Memorial & Family Dharma Service.
Refreshments will be served following the service.

Summer Bento
2024

The Reedley Buddhist Church will be holding a Summer Bento fundraiser on June 22, 2024 at the Reedley Buddhist Church social hall.
The bento will be pre-sold. Click here or the image to download an order sheet.
Aside from the bento box of teriyaki beefsticks, teriyaki boneless chicken, A-ge somen, Chinese chicken salad, & rice, there will be pastries for sale as well as a country store.
We are finding that it is necessary to hold two fund raisers a year, so we are asking for your support!
THANK YOU!

Best Wishes to Rev. & Mrs. Nakagawa on his retirement! We hope you will be able to relax and enjoy each day!

Welcome Rev. Majima to Central California! We hope you will enjoy your new home and get to know the people in the Valley!

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April Calendar

6 Hanamido Construction 2:00 pm

7 Hanamatsuri Service & Luncheon 10:00 am

14 April Shotsuki Memorial Service &
Family Dharma Service 10:00 am

18 Reedley BC Board Meeting 7:00 pm

20 Naito/Kobayashi Use of Kitchen &
Social Hall all day

May 4 Dharma School Beach Outing to
Avila Beach (See flyer on Dharma School page 10:30 am

May 4 George Tsuji—Use of Conference
Room all day

Rev. Nakata's Message
April, 2024 Newsletter Article

Who is Monshu?

Hello to all Central California Nishi Hongwanji Sangha friends!

I wish to express my appreciation to the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association for their financial support in acquiring a set of new Rimban robes, and also to the Clovis Buddhist Church for their financial support in acquiring the new Betsuin Associate minister’s robe for Rev. Majima to use. Rev. Majima and I sincerely appreciate your continual support to the CC temples, and churches.

*A proper spelling of the Rinban is Rimban, so it is changed accordingly.

I introduced “What is a Betsuin” in the previous issue of our newsletters and I hope now you have a better understanding on what a Betsuin is. In this issue I would like to write about “Who is Monshu” with my buddy Kanamochi. Monshu literally means a main person - shu of the lineage - mon.

‘Hi Kanamochi, where are you?’

“I am here, Rev. Kaz. I would like to know who is Monshu.”

‘Ok, Kanamochi. Have you noticed a portrait, hanging next to the Onaijin-altar in the Hondo?’

“Yes, I have. All CC churches has a framed portrait of the same person, except the Fresno Betsuin!”

‘Great, you mindfully observe what is in the Hondo. And you are correct that the portrait has not been hung since moving from the old temple downtown. However, the portrait was placed last month when I was appointed interim Rimban. Now you can see it on the right side of their Onaijin next Sunday.’

“I see it is the portrait of young gentleman wearing an orange Robe. But I don’t know who he is.”

‘He is the 26th Monshu of the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, our mother Buddhist temple in Kyoto Japan.’

“Wow, 26th Monshu means there were 25 different Monshu(s) before him, right? It is a quite long time.”

‘Yes, correct Kanamochi. Nishi Hongwanji celebrated the 800th year anniversary of its founding last year. The Fresno Betsuin was one of the first temples founded in the Central Cal in 1901 and they will be celebrating its 125th year anniversary in 2026. The Nishi Hongwanji exists more than 6 times longer than Fresno.’

“It is amazing to know one temple has existed for such a long time. I am curious that how these 25 Monshus are related to each other?”

Do you know who the first Monshu was, I mean, who was a founder of Nishi Hongwanji?’

“Hahaha, Rev. Kaz. I know the founder of Nishi Hongwanji, it is Shinran Shonin.”

‘You know that Kanamochi! After Shinran Shonin died in 1263 (solar calendar), his descendants started maintaining his teaching and gravesite, as I introduced it in the last article. First, his daughter, Kakushin-Ni took care of him during his older age in Kyoto. After his death, she continued taking care of his gravesite.’

“So, she was next of kin, correct?”

‘Yes she was. 8 years after his funeral, Kakushin-Ni and her son, Kakue had requested Nyoshin to take over the lineage of Shinran Shonin. This meant Nyoshin became the 2nd Monshu.’

“Nyoshin is a son of Zenran, right? I thought Zenran was the oldest son of Shinran Shonin but he was disowned by Shinran Shonin.”

‘Oh, you are a very good Dharma School student! In fact, Shinran Shonin did not want to disown Zenran personally, but as the leader of the Buddhist organization and out of fairness, Shinran Shonin had to show his discipline on his son. Although Shinran Shonin did not contact Zenran directly after he disowned his son, Kakushin-Ni, the youngest sibling of Zenran might have kept her connection with him. I have a story of Kakushin-Ni and Zenran and I will share their dramatized story as my Dharma Talk at Sunday services.’

“Wow, I would like to hear about their story!”

‘Anyway, Nyoshin took over the lineage of Shinran Shonin as the 2nd Monshu, and Kakunyo who was a grandson of Kakushin-Ni served as the 3rd Monshu. Thereafter the descendants of Kakushin-Ni have been maintaining the Monshu position. It means the Nishi Hongwanji lineage is the maternal line of Shinran Shonin. In our Onaijin-altar, there is the Shinran Shonin’s picture on the right side of the Amida statue and on the left side, there is Rennyo Shonin’s picture. Rennyo Shonin was the 8th Monshu of the Nishi Hongwanji...’

“Oh, Rev. Kaz, I am getting sleepy…”

‘I know learning the history makes people sleepy, but I would like to emphasize that the Monshu is a very important figure in our Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. He maintains our teachings and tradition generation to generation. The tradition of Monshu has been preserved by numerous members, you and I included. I personally think it is very beneficial to support Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and its organization to maintain the teaching.

Rev. Majima's Message
April, 2024 Newsletter Article

Honoring the Eternal Wisdom:

Reflecting on Śākyamuni Buddha’s Teachings and the Path of Nembutsu

In April, we celebrate the birthday of Śākyamuni Buddha, a wonderful opportunity to reflect on his teachings and introspect. Born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, which is now on the border of Nepal and India, his enlightenment marked a realization of the way out of the cycle of birth and death, the source of suffering. Despite his awakening, we still find ourselves caught in the cycle of worldly pleasure and suffering. Out of compassion, Śākyamuni Buddha showed us the path to enlightenment, addressing various forms of suffering and anxieties, always emphasizing inner peace and compassion. Revered by many followers, he was called “Śākyamuni Buddha”, which means the sacred awakened one in Śākya tribe, and his teachings were spread as the Buddha Dharma in ancient India. His life and teachings provide us the awakened mind, guiding us with the compassion and wisdom of Śākyamuni Buddha.

After innumerable cycles of birth and death, Śākyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. He then spent 45 years wandering various parts of India, imparting over 84,000 teachings tailored to his followers’ understanding and circumstances. Some teachings focused on calming the mind, while others addressed overcoming laziness. There are even stories where Śākyamuni Buddha, holding a flower, merely smiled without speaking, illustrating actions grounded in genuine understanding and compassion.

Despite living 2,500 years ago, Śākyamuni Buddha’s teachings have transcended time, place, and ethnicity, reaching modern society. Encouraged to embrace his teachings guided by compassion, we recognize our struggle to realize them. It was out of compassion that Śākyamuni Buddha revealed the teaching of Nembutsu, the last path for those unable to save themselves.

Our founder, Shinran, praises Śākyamuni Buddha;

Śākyamuni Tathagata (Buddha) appeared in this
   world
Solely to teach the oceanlike Primal Vow of Amida;
We, an ocean of beings in an evil age of five defile
   ments,
Should entrust ourselves to the Tathagata’s words of
   truth.

Celebrating Śākyamuni Buddha’s birthday honors his life and teachings, praising the compassion and wisdom symbolized by him. By living within Nembutsu, we pave the way towards the land of bliss.

Namo Amida Butsu.

The 2024 Reedley Buddhist Church Cabinet and BWA Cabinet

Reedley Board Meetings

The Reedley Buddhist Church Board started the year having their meetings online using Zoom, but moved to in-person when everyone was fully vaccinated. They have met each month and discussed ways to improve procedures when we return to on site church services and activities.
The restrooms have been updated with touchless faucets, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers. Doors to the restroom do not have any handles as they are being changed to push only. An AED defibrillator was purchased for any emergencies as well.
Church services resumed, but depending on the local health directives, this will change from month to month. We may be sitting further apart, but at least we'll be together to listen to the Dharma.

So, I am dedicating my life to it as a Jodo Shinshu minister now. How about you? I will be happy to see that whoever takes over my position in the future has a strong passion to share the Jodo Shinshu teachings to our society. I will do my best, but I know I am not a perfect being to satisfy everyone.’

“Oh, you are such a humble person!”

‘Well…whether you believe it or not, I was NOT a humble person before I encountered Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. I was a person like ME, ME, and ME! But Jodo Shinshu Buddhism educated me to keep the mind of a lifelong student while being humble and positive. Such attitude towards life allows me to always be happy and enjoy every moment of life which is given by all sentient beings or Okagesama. Because the letter of Rennyo Shonin reminds us that life with enjoyment is shorter than we expect, please don't adhere to each moment of negativity when you can enjoy each moment of joy.’

“Oh, that is a terrific way to live your life, as you are.”

Gassho.

Reedley Buddhist Church

ONLINE SERVICES: There are services online each Sunday at 10:00 AM. Please follow the link: https://mobile.twitter.com/fresno_nishi You can also watch the service afterwards since they are recorded. Websites for Dharma Talks has been moved to the our LINKS TO WEBSITES page.

​WELCOME!