Dharma Message from Rev. Fumiaki Usuki

 

“ Federation of Dharma School Teachers’ Conference (FDSTL) at Sacramento ”

GRATEFULLY REPRINTED FROM
WLA Bulletin , June 2007
the official newsletter of West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple

A Buddhist life, a “Life of Nembutsu,” is often called a Life of Appreciation. As soon as we complain or whine or become angry, there is no room for Appreciation in our hearts and minds. To live without “Monku” (complaint or whining) is a way to begin living a “Life of Nembutsu.” Realizing this, we would like you, the teachers of the Federation of Dharma School Teachers’ League to experience the effort that it takes to live a “Live of Nembutsu.”

“No Monku” Contract for Teachers and Ministers

Rev. Patti and I are attending the 56 th Annual FDSTL National Conference this weekend at Sacramento and soon we will be going to the opening service and workshops, a day full of activities for teachers and ministers. Most BCA ministers and over two hundred Dharma School teachers are here today and tomorrow to share in the conference theme of “Dharma for Dummies II – Discover, Go Deeper and Make It Real.” The keynote speaker today will be Dr. Satsuki Ina, Ph.D. and her resume in the program reads:

Dr. Satuki Ina’s keynote address, entitled, “To Know Me is to Love Me: Taking the Buddhist Path of Self-Awareness,” will present a conceptual framework about self-awareness that provides an insightful perspective regarding its role and relationship to Buddhism.

One of the primary exercises within the Buddhist tradition is self- examination. And, specifically, the last two points of the Eightfold Path, Mindfulness and Meditation encourage the continuing process of self-knowledge and self-awareness. Using her experience as a professor, therapist, and Buddhist, Dr. Ina will explore the process of developing a compassionate “Awareness of Self” as an ever-changing and interdependent process that unfolds in relationship with others.

Through activities and discussion in the breakout workshops, participants will be invited to experientially engage in the practice of self- reflection as a dynamic process, as a Buddhist practice.

So, here we go and I will report back after the sessions…..

…. I’m back. Well, the service was excellent and we heard from our Socho (Bishop) and Dr. Ina. As described above, her speech was insightful and she shared with us her childhood experience at San Francisco Buddhist Temple where she knew Rinban Bob Oshita as “Little Bobby” and now she is a member of Rev. Bob’s Sacramento Buddhist temple. I will not expound on her talk because of the limitation of this article but she did make a good lead into the three separate workshops on Discovery, Going Deeper and finally Making it Real. The workshops consisted of several psychological exercises such as “Dr. Phil’s Test,” “Identifying Your True Colors,” Your Favorite Animals?” etc. These exercises were geared toward defining and understanding our true self and leading eventually to the Buddhist notion of self-reflection. I must commend the conference committee for truly putting on an engaged and informational seminar geared toward the teachers, and even the ministers.

Generally, the ministers are allowed to float around and visit the various workshops but this year we were corralled in a room all day, just like the teachers, and we engaged in the same exercises as the teachers. We also had intense discussions during the “Socho Hour” and discussed the many critical issues facing the BCA such as the current 21st Century Campaign, Jodo Shinshu Center and the future of Jodo Shinshu in America – specifically, Socho’s challenge to “Make Jodo Shinshu a Major Religion in America.”

We have many annual organizational conferences that continue to help us define our place in the life of Onembutsu and to engage with our fellow members and ministers. This conference revitalized us personally as teachers and ministers so that we can continue to be better leaders in our temples and communities. Let us continue to go beyond our temple and learn from the greater sangha and share new and wonderful ideas.

Gassho,

Rev. Usuki

 

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