The Pasadena BWA proudly offers our Spring 2024 Silent Auction. This auction offers one of a kind fine art, vintage and recent Japanese art, furniture, houseware and decorative items, plus an array of items to bring you joy, just like the Maneki Neko. Follow our webpage for information on the March 3 Open House viewing of special items at Pasadena Buddhist Temple. If you do not find something to buy, please consider a sponsorship or donation. Proceeds from this auction will go towards repair and restoration of our parsonage.
Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Silent Auction
March 3 - March 16
CLOSES THIS WEEKEND!
Funeral Service for Tamiko Goto - Sept. 25 at 11:00 am
Celebration of Life for Sid and Yukie Okazaki - Saturday, July 3, 2021 11 am
Kisanoreen features handcrafted jewelry created by a mother daughter team in los angeles, california. we love working together, sharing ideas to create unique pieces with quality materials. most of our pieces are one of a kind thanks to the beauty of natural gemstones. for custom orders or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us! thank you for visiting our shop!
follow us on facebook at fb.me/kisanoreen and on instagram at @kisanoreen for new pieces and shop updates.
follow us on facebook at fb.me/kisanoreen and on instagram at @kisanoreen for new pieces and shop updates.
2021 Opportunity Tickets
The temple will only sell 275 tickets at $100 each. A ticket will be selected at the monthly board meetings and the monthly winner (from January - November) will win $500! Not only do they get the money, their ticket will be tossed back into the ticket bin and this same ticket can be selected another month! In December, the 2-winners will get $1000! Board members have tickets to sell for $100 each. Contact Jeannie Toshima, Gerry Ito or Shelley Shinmoto to support our Temple!
See a list of all the winners on the Fundraising Page.
See a list of all the winners on the Fundraising Page.
Please join us for the online monthly memorial service this Sunday to honor those that passed away in the month of September. (click on image above to enlarge)
If you would like to join a ZOOM gathering beginning at 9:30, please email Pasadena Buddhist Temple to get the Zoom link. We can all join the service together at 10:00 am.
You can also join the online service directly or through the Pasadena Buddhist Temple YouTube channel.
Gassho
If you would like to join a ZOOM gathering beginning at 9:30, please email Pasadena Buddhist Temple to get the Zoom link. We can all join the service together at 10:00 am.
You can also join the online service directly or through the Pasadena Buddhist Temple YouTube channel.
Gassho
Credits: Brian Koichi Mizushima (Sacramento Buddhist Church) and Todd Tsuchiya (Twin Cities).
Class Information & Schedules
Reverend Gibbs is providing the following classes to the members of the Sangha and public. They are free with suggested per class donations of $5 for non-members.
TAI CHI FOR EXERCISE
30 minute classes, including warm-up and instruction in the first 13 steps of long-form Tai Chi. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. Beginners welcome! Afternoon classes will be held in the gym or outdoors in the temple grounds, weather and class-size permitting. Tuesdays (except 2nd Tues of month) and Thursdays at 1:00 pm.
TOPICS IN BUDDHISM
Rev. Gibbs will lead classes on Topics in Buddhism, open to all, no prior knowledge of Buddhism is necessary. Each class will consist of a short directed reading that will then be discussed by Rev. Gibbs and the class. Class length is 1 hour. Offered on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm and Thursdays at 10:30 am.
FORMS OF MEDITATION
Rev. Gibbs will lead short meditations of varying forms with explanations. Sessions held in the sanctuary. Classes offered on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Thursdays at 9:30 am.
TAI CHI FOR EXERCISE
30 minute classes, including warm-up and instruction in the first 13 steps of long-form Tai Chi. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. Beginners welcome! Afternoon classes will be held in the gym or outdoors in the temple grounds, weather and class-size permitting. Tuesdays (except 2nd Tues of month) and Thursdays at 1:00 pm.
TOPICS IN BUDDHISM
Rev. Gibbs will lead classes on Topics in Buddhism, open to all, no prior knowledge of Buddhism is necessary. Each class will consist of a short directed reading that will then be discussed by Rev. Gibbs and the class. Class length is 1 hour. Offered on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm and Thursdays at 10:30 am.
FORMS OF MEDITATION
Rev. Gibbs will lead short meditations of varying forms with explanations. Sessions held in the sanctuary. Classes offered on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Thursdays at 9:30 am.
We are trying something new today. Please join us at 10:00 am on YouTube to view Rev. Gibbs' pre-recorded service using the Premiere feature. You will be able to leave comments and chat live with other viewers. The full video will be posted here afterwards. The short service includes chanting of "Juseige" (text is included in the description section of the video). Thank you.
https://youtu.be/uK_idXkqv1U
https://youtu.be/uK_idXkqv1U
Happy and grateful today. It was an honor last night to host Side Street Projects and our artist-in-residence Alan Hiroshi presenting our community and history through #theinvisibleteahouse for ArtNight Pasadena. Thank you to our artist families for sharing their works with us, including, Mitsuko Hays, Jared Yamahata, Lisa Omori, Ernest Nagamatsu, Tak Kiriyama and Fuzzy Fujimoto. Special thanks to Jose Salcedo and the family of the late Mrs. Sakahara for sharing your memories and photos. Thank you to donors and sponsors: Pasadena Art Alliance, California Arts Council, Otafuku, and Alan Goto. Thank to our temple volunteers, temple groups (Buddhist Women’s Association, Sons of Gardeners, youth groups, Sumirekai) and Bruin basketball volunteers for working so long and hard on our Fall Dinner/Food Court. Special thanks to Carol Oyama for her recipes and Rev. and Mrs. Gibbs for their above and beyond help and support. Many kudos to Emily Hopkins and the Side Street Project staff and volunteers. We enjoyed meeting the hundreds of visitors, including neighborhood folks! Please share your photos of the night! Click on button below to see photos that have been submitted so far.
TEMPLE Clean-up and
Pot Luck Lunch
Dec. 7th - 9 am - Noon
Pot Luck Lunch
Dec. 7th - 9 am - Noon
October 20, 2019 will be the Annual Memorial Service honoring Lady Esshinni, the wife of Shinran Shonin and Lady Kakushinni, the daughter of Shinran Shonin. These women were crucial to establishing our school of Buddhism, Jodo Shinshu.
This service will also honor members of our Buddhist Women's Association who passed away since the last Memorial Service.
This service will also honor members of our Buddhist Women's Association who passed away since the last Memorial Service.
THANK YOU! OBON 2019
On behalf of the Pasadena Buddhist Temple Board, I'd like to thank all the members and friends of our Sangha that supported our recent Obon festival by coming out to help. Your generous monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.
The weather was warm and the sky was blue. We had a wonderful turn-out of visitors both days of our event. There were lots of dancers from all over Southern California and most of our food was sold-out both days! We also had some very special guests. Mayor Terry Tornek and his wife, Maria, returned to visit our festival for the third time. Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton came with his family and danced with us. WE also welcomed our good friend from District 4, Councilmember Gene Masuda and his wife Joanne.
I personally would like to thank our SOGs who worked many days before, during and after the event. A large part of the success of this Obon was because of their work. If you don't know who the SOGs are they are:Alan Hatakeyama, Mark Oune, Bobby Fukumoto, Scott Shinmoto, Marvin Inouye, Alan Goto, and Ron Toshima.
Many thanks to our Obon chairs, Gerry Ito and Dona Mitoma for all their work in making sure everything was in place and in compliance with the city. We passed our inspections with flying colours!
Special THANKS to the BRUINS Organization! Without them we would not have the labor to put on such a wonderful event!
Gassho,
Jeannie Toshima, President
If you took photos at our Obon, please share them with us.
The weather was warm and the sky was blue. We had a wonderful turn-out of visitors both days of our event. There were lots of dancers from all over Southern California and most of our food was sold-out both days! We also had some very special guests. Mayor Terry Tornek and his wife, Maria, returned to visit our festival for the third time. Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton came with his family and danced with us. WE also welcomed our good friend from District 4, Councilmember Gene Masuda and his wife Joanne.
I personally would like to thank our SOGs who worked many days before, during and after the event. A large part of the success of this Obon was because of their work. If you don't know who the SOGs are they are:Alan Hatakeyama, Mark Oune, Bobby Fukumoto, Scott Shinmoto, Marvin Inouye, Alan Goto, and Ron Toshima.
Many thanks to our Obon chairs, Gerry Ito and Dona Mitoma for all their work in making sure everything was in place and in compliance with the city. We passed our inspections with flying colours!
Special THANKS to the BRUINS Organization! Without them we would not have the labor to put on such a wonderful event!
Gassho,
Jeannie Toshima, President
If you took photos at our Obon, please share them with us.
Hatsubon and Obon Service
July 14, 2019
Please plan on joining us for the Obon and Hatsubon service beginning at 10:00 am on Sunday. Rev. Kenji Akahoshi, from the Buddhist Temple of San Diego will be our guest speaker.
During the Hatsubon service, family members of those that departed this physical world will be lighting a candle to commemorate their loved one's life.
We are honoring the following:
During the Hatsubon service, family members of those that departed this physical world will be lighting a candle to commemorate their loved one's life.
We are honoring the following:
- Toshitsugu Ogura - July 17, 2018
- Nancy Michiye Doi - August 2, 2018
- Kimi Yokoyama - August 25, 2018
- May Yaeko Sakahara - August 28, 2018
- Joe S. Akiyama - November 7, 2018
- Terry Kanari Takemori - March 31, 2019
- Alice Shigeichi Kikkawa - April 2, 2019
- Jun Yamasaki - April 16, 2019
- Barbara Melton Cook - May 10, 2019
A Japanese Language Class taught by our own Mitsuko Hays will be offered this fall. Classes will meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM-8:00 PM. Course is 8-weeks. Classes begin on Thursday, March 21.
- Class is for adults at all levels.
- This is for all members and friends of the temple, and also non-members who would like to learn Japanese.
- Payment will be collected at each class you attend, $10/check made out to PBT (Mitsuko is donating all the fees to the temple).
- People who are total beginners will learn basic conversation and some words and phrases in the context of Japanese culture
- People at the intermediate or advanced level will have a chance to explore the language and any questions about the Japanese language will be discussed in the class.
- To register or for questions, please use the form below.
| 2019.sukiyakiflyer.pdf |
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We offer several classes open to the public. Please click on the links or button above for more information.
Classes are free for members with a suggested donation of $5 per class for non-temple members. |
Chicken Teriyaki Take-Out Dinner
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It's our annual dinner featuring our BBQ Chicken Teriyaki. Marinated in our own special recipe Teriyaki sauce, grilled on our outdoor pit over charcoal and then lightly smoked, our Chicken Teriyaki is a flavorful, tender, juicy classic. Dinner comes with steamed white rice, cucumber sunomono and tsukemono. We make both the sunomono and tsukemono! Have it all for $15. All meals packed to go. Tables available for dine in. Pick up is from 2:30-5:30 pm. Any meals not picked up by 5:30 pm (would be a tragedy), will be considered a donation. All sales by pre-order. Orders due May 11. You can preorder and pay online using cards or PayPal by pushing the "Buy Now" button or by downloading and mailing in the order form with your check payable to "Pasadena Buddhist Temple" and sending to the Temple at 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena, 91103.
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"Growing Up Sansei"
A Grateful Crane Ensemble Event
Saturday, April 28, 2018, 2:00 - 7:00 pm, Live reading, discussion, dinner
Thank you for your support. Thank you to Grateful Crane Ensemble for bringing "Growing Up Sansei" to our Temple. Thank you to our volunteers for working so hard to ensure everything ran smoothly. This was a meaningful, moving experience for all. A full house filled with full hearts.
Jean Toshima (Temple President), Soji Kashiwagi (playwright), Shelley Shinmoto (event chair).
“Growing up Sansei,” a community event and dialogue about our Japanese American upbringing, will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 2 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple’s Sakai Hall in Pasadena.
Presented by the Pasadena Buddhist Temple in partnership with the Grateful Crane Ensemble, “Growing up Sansei,” or GUS, combines a live play reading of Soji Kashiwagi’s comedy/drama, “Garage Door Opener,” and a community dialogue/Q&A facilitated by Dr. Satsuki Ina, a Northern California-based psychotherapist who specializes in cross-cultural counseling and trauma.
“It’s what I call my “Japanese American dysfunctional family play,” said Kashiwagi, playwright and Executive Producer of the Grateful Crane Ensemble. “Just the mention of this has brought smiles and sometimes hysterical laughter from baby-boomer Sansei who grew up in the post-war JA family environment. Our GUS events delve into why this topic resonates so deeply.”
In 2016, the San Fernando JACL hosted the first GUS event at the San Fernando Japanese American Community Center with 300 people—most of whom were Sansei—in attendance. In 2017, 400 showed up in Sacramento, 425 in San Jose and 400 in San Francisco. In total, over 2,000 people state-wide have attended the event thus far.
In the play, the audience meets a Sansei brother and sister faced with the daunting task of cleaning out their parent’s garage and house after they have passed away. As they sift through dozens of tofu containers, kamaboko boards and broccoli rubber bands, they begin to uncover items from their past they knew nothing about. In the process, they begin to gain a better understanding of their parents—and themselves—by the items their mom and dad left behind.
Dr. Ina will be on hand to discuss these issues as well as the trauma Japanese Americans faced in camp, and how it manifested itself in the ways the Nisei brought up their Sansei children. For many years, she has conducted groups for Japanese Americans who, like herself, were children in camp. She has seen first-hand how trauma has affected the Nisei, and how it was unknowingly transmitted to the Sansei and subsequent generations.
The cast for the reading includes long-time Grateful Crane members Haruye Ioka, Dian Kobayashi, Kurt Kuniyoshi, Shaun Shimoda, with stage directions read by Ping Wu. Members of Grateful Crane’s Yonsei acapella group, “The Grateful 4,” will also be on hand to sing a couple of 60’s/70’s era songs to set the tone for the reading.
General admission is $35 for reading, discussion, no-host bar and dinner. The temple youth groups will hold a Bake Sale. Purchases at the box office on performance day. To purchase tickets using cards or PayPal, use the "Buy GUS Ticket Now" button or download an order form using the "Download Order Form" button for check or cash payments. All tickets will be held at the door.
Presented by the Pasadena Buddhist Temple in partnership with the Grateful Crane Ensemble, “Growing up Sansei,” or GUS, combines a live play reading of Soji Kashiwagi’s comedy/drama, “Garage Door Opener,” and a community dialogue/Q&A facilitated by Dr. Satsuki Ina, a Northern California-based psychotherapist who specializes in cross-cultural counseling and trauma.
“It’s what I call my “Japanese American dysfunctional family play,” said Kashiwagi, playwright and Executive Producer of the Grateful Crane Ensemble. “Just the mention of this has brought smiles and sometimes hysterical laughter from baby-boomer Sansei who grew up in the post-war JA family environment. Our GUS events delve into why this topic resonates so deeply.”
In 2016, the San Fernando JACL hosted the first GUS event at the San Fernando Japanese American Community Center with 300 people—most of whom were Sansei—in attendance. In 2017, 400 showed up in Sacramento, 425 in San Jose and 400 in San Francisco. In total, over 2,000 people state-wide have attended the event thus far.
In the play, the audience meets a Sansei brother and sister faced with the daunting task of cleaning out their parent’s garage and house after they have passed away. As they sift through dozens of tofu containers, kamaboko boards and broccoli rubber bands, they begin to uncover items from their past they knew nothing about. In the process, they begin to gain a better understanding of their parents—and themselves—by the items their mom and dad left behind.
Dr. Ina will be on hand to discuss these issues as well as the trauma Japanese Americans faced in camp, and how it manifested itself in the ways the Nisei brought up their Sansei children. For many years, she has conducted groups for Japanese Americans who, like herself, were children in camp. She has seen first-hand how trauma has affected the Nisei, and how it was unknowingly transmitted to the Sansei and subsequent generations.
The cast for the reading includes long-time Grateful Crane members Haruye Ioka, Dian Kobayashi, Kurt Kuniyoshi, Shaun Shimoda, with stage directions read by Ping Wu. Members of Grateful Crane’s Yonsei acapella group, “The Grateful 4,” will also be on hand to sing a couple of 60’s/70’s era songs to set the tone for the reading.
General admission is $35 for reading, discussion, no-host bar and dinner. The temple youth groups will hold a Bake Sale. Purchases at the box office on performance day. To purchase tickets using cards or PayPal, use the "Buy GUS Ticket Now" button or download an order form using the "Download Order Form" button for check or cash payments. All tickets will be held at the door.
Fall 'China Meshi" Dinner
Saturday, October 21
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Packed to Go - Ready to Eat - Here or Home $13
Chinese food - prepared Japanese-American style.
Menu:
Beef Chow Mein with Pan Fried Noodles
Char Siu
Steamed White Rice
Chinese Cabbage Salad
Eggflower soup (Dine-In only)
(Bingo was cancelled. Apologies)
Meals available by pre-order only. Orders due by new! Oct.13. Price increases to $15 after deadline, if available.
Meals not picked up by 6:00 pm will be considered a donation.
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Packed to Go - Ready to Eat - Here or Home $13
Chinese food - prepared Japanese-American style.
Menu:
Beef Chow Mein with Pan Fried Noodles
Char Siu
Steamed White Rice
Chinese Cabbage Salad
Eggflower soup (Dine-In only)
(Bingo was cancelled. Apologies)
Meals available by pre-order only. Orders due by new! Oct.13. Price increases to $15 after deadline, if available.
Meals not picked up by 6:00 pm will be considered a donation.
The Pasadena Buddhist Temple will host “Just as You Are: Being LGBTQ and Buddhism: A Community Conversation” on Saturday, September 23, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. One of the most common phrases heard in Buddhist temples is “Come as you are”, reflecting the spirit that all are welcome to hear the Teachings of the Buddha. At the same time, there is the recognition that people are all unique, and understanding individual paths through life is part of recognizing the common sources of challenges facing everyone. This event will be moderated by Rev. Gregory Gibbs, resident minister of the Pasadena Buddhist Temple .There will be several speakers, a panel discussion and opportunities for conversation. Speakers include Marsha and Aiden Aizumi, co-authors of “Two Spirits, One Heart” and LGBTQ activists; and Maribeth Smith, Minister’s Assistant, Buddhist Temple of San Diego. This is a sibling event to one held by the Gardena Buddhist Church in June.The Conversation will be followed by light refreshments. “Just as You Are” is open to all. Buddhist and non-Buddhists are welcome to attend. Admission is free. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required (below).
“Just as You Are: Being LGBTQ and Buddhism: A Community Conversation”
Obon Festival Foods! Sample of many kinds of foods for sale.
The Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 27, 2017 has been causing serious concerns and suffering for many people, especially Muslims and immigrants. It has brought back memories of the unlawful mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Even if the intent of the Executive Order is to protect our citizens from terrorist attacks, we strongly oppose any actions that lead to discrimination against certain groups just because of their ethnicity or faith.
We should remind ourselves that all people deserve to be respected and treated equally under the law. Each faith group should encourage and promote peace and harmony based on its beliefs and principles, and help create a better nation that we can be proud of.
Reverend Kodo Umezu, Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America
Even if the intent of the Executive Order is to protect our citizens from terrorist attacks, we strongly oppose any actions that lead to discrimination against certain groups just because of their ethnicity or faith.
We should remind ourselves that all people deserve to be respected and treated equally under the law. Each faith group should encourage and promote peace and harmony based on its beliefs and principles, and help create a better nation that we can be proud of.
Reverend Kodo Umezu, Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America
Statement from the Buddhist Churches of America on the Executive Order Regarding Travel from Seven Nations
Pre-Order Deadline March 12.
Please note: We are starting a Wait List. Please complete the Wait List form if you would like a dinner. Payment due at time of pick-up. Thank you.
Back by Popular Demand!
Menu: 5 BBQ Teriyaki Beef Rolls with Green Beans made with our secret Teriyaki sauce; Takuan made by our Buddhist Women's Association (Japanese pickles); Side dish, Steamed white rice
Price: $15
PRE-ORDERS ONLY. Deadline: Mon. March 13. For questions about your order please email Kathy Kumagai. Or leave a phone message at: (818) 790-0979.
Meals unclaimed by 6:00 pm will be donated. Download a flyer and share with friends and family.
Please note: We are starting a Wait List. Please complete the Wait List form if you would like a dinner. Payment due at time of pick-up. Thank you.
Back by Popular Demand!
Menu: 5 BBQ Teriyaki Beef Rolls with Green Beans made with our secret Teriyaki sauce; Takuan made by our Buddhist Women's Association (Japanese pickles); Side dish, Steamed white rice
Price: $15
PRE-ORDERS ONLY. Deadline: Mon. March 13. For questions about your order please email Kathy Kumagai. Or leave a phone message at: (818) 790-0979.
Meals unclaimed by 6:00 pm will be donated. Download a flyer and share with friends and family.
OBON Details
"Obon is a Buddhist observance that was originally observed in Mahayana Buddhist countries, including China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Obon season is a time to express our gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us. Without them, we would not be who we are today, due to the basic tenet of interdependence. In Japan, Obon has been held since 657 A.D." - Rev. Patti Usuki.
Obon Family Service will be held on Sunday, July 17th at 10:00 am in conjunction with Hatsubon Service for families that have lost a loved one since the last Obon with Rev. Gregory Gibbs presiding. July monthly memorial service (Shotsuki Hoyo) will be held on Sunday, July 3rd at 10:00 am.
Obon comes from the story of Maudgalyana, a disciple of the Buddha, who sees his mother suffering in "hell". Maudgalyana goes to the Buddha for advice and is instructed to make a gift (a vegetarian meal) to his fellow monks. He did so, and immediately his mother is saved from the miseries of hell. Overjoyed, he and his fellow monks clapped their hands and danced in joy. Obon, therefore, is an occasion for rejoicing in liberating others and ourselves from suffering.
Our Obon Festival and Bon Odori will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18.
*Bon odori: Japanese folk-dancing, everyone welcome! 6:30 - 7, 7:30-8
*Taiko performances: 7 pm, L.A. Matsuri Taiko (Saturday), Taiko of West L.A. Buddhist Temple (Sunday)
*Food booths: chicken teriyaki, maki sushi/inari sushi (Saturday only), chirashi rice (Sunday only) beef teriyaki, beef chow mein, cold noodle bites (seasoned tofu noodles in age), manju, spam musubi, chili rice, snow cones and more!
*Martial arts demonstrations: In the gym annex from about 5 pm - 6:30 pm
*Bingo
*Silent Auction (Saturday only)
*Raffle
*Craft & Gift booths
*Author Book Signings
Taiko Performances are scheduled each evening during the dancing break (around 7:00 PM). Saturday will feature L.A. Matsuri Taiko. Sunday will feature Taiko of West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple.
For more information about the Obon Religious events, contact Reverend Gregory Gibbs, our resident minister. For information regarding the Obon Festivities, contact Jeannie Toshima.
To see a total listing of all obon festivals, go to Japanese-City.com. This site also has practice schedules.
Obon Family Service will be held on Sunday, July 17th at 10:00 am in conjunction with Hatsubon Service for families that have lost a loved one since the last Obon with Rev. Gregory Gibbs presiding. July monthly memorial service (Shotsuki Hoyo) will be held on Sunday, July 3rd at 10:00 am.
Obon comes from the story of Maudgalyana, a disciple of the Buddha, who sees his mother suffering in "hell". Maudgalyana goes to the Buddha for advice and is instructed to make a gift (a vegetarian meal) to his fellow monks. He did so, and immediately his mother is saved from the miseries of hell. Overjoyed, he and his fellow monks clapped their hands and danced in joy. Obon, therefore, is an occasion for rejoicing in liberating others and ourselves from suffering.
Our Obon Festival and Bon Odori will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18.
*Bon odori: Japanese folk-dancing, everyone welcome! 6:30 - 7, 7:30-8
*Taiko performances: 7 pm, L.A. Matsuri Taiko (Saturday), Taiko of West L.A. Buddhist Temple (Sunday)
*Food booths: chicken teriyaki, maki sushi/inari sushi (Saturday only), chirashi rice (Sunday only) beef teriyaki, beef chow mein, cold noodle bites (seasoned tofu noodles in age), manju, spam musubi, chili rice, snow cones and more!
*Martial arts demonstrations: In the gym annex from about 5 pm - 6:30 pm
*Bingo
*Silent Auction (Saturday only)
*Raffle
*Craft & Gift booths
*Author Book Signings
Taiko Performances are scheduled each evening during the dancing break (around 7:00 PM). Saturday will feature L.A. Matsuri Taiko. Sunday will feature Taiko of West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple.
For more information about the Obon Religious events, contact Reverend Gregory Gibbs, our resident minister. For information regarding the Obon Festivities, contact Jeannie Toshima.
To see a total listing of all obon festivals, go to Japanese-City.com. This site also has practice schedules.
It's been 2 long years and we are again offering our Annual Sukiyaki Dinner. Complying with health and fire department codes means that we've had to change up procedures and ask your patience as we experiment with this Take-Out only format this year. Only 500 dinners will be prepared this year. A VERY LIMITED number of dinners will be available for sale at the door.
Thank you to our donors: Fuji Natural Foods, Genki USA, Coast Produce
The format may have changed, but our recipe for Sukiyaki has not and our secret sauce remains the same. This is a one menu event:
Beef Sukiyaki (no special orders, cannot be made vegetarian)
Steamed white rice
Cucumber Namasu
Cabbage Tsukemono
Fortune Cookie
ALL orders MUST be picked up in person. No delivery. Please visit our youth group Bake Sale when you pick-up your order. Orders not picked up by 6 pm will be considered a donation to the Temple. Please note that all dinners will be prepared on the 19th. However, some dinners may be refrigerated before pick-up time for safe handling reasons and will need to be reheated.
To pre-order: Online purchases with click here or use button below. To pay by check, download the order form and mail with your payment (checks payable to Pasadena Buddhist Temple) to: Pasadena Buddhist Temple, 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103.
All orders will be confirmed by phone or email.
Thank you to our donors: Fuji Natural Foods, Genki USA, Coast Produce
The format may have changed, but our recipe for Sukiyaki has not and our secret sauce remains the same. This is a one menu event:
Beef Sukiyaki (no special orders, cannot be made vegetarian)
Steamed white rice
Cucumber Namasu
Cabbage Tsukemono
Fortune Cookie
ALL orders MUST be picked up in person. No delivery. Please visit our youth group Bake Sale when you pick-up your order. Orders not picked up by 6 pm will be considered a donation to the Temple. Please note that all dinners will be prepared on the 19th. However, some dinners may be refrigerated before pick-up time for safe handling reasons and will need to be reheated.
To pre-order: Online purchases with click here or use button below. To pay by check, download the order form and mail with your payment (checks payable to Pasadena Buddhist Temple) to: Pasadena Buddhist Temple, 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103.
All orders will be confirmed by phone or email.
Rev. Patti Usuki will lead her final Buddhism class for 2014: "Ask the Hard Questions". We all have nagging questions about the basics or not so basic ideas of Buddhism. There are no stupid questions, so don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask. If you have questions that you want to submit in advance, please email Rev. Usuki at [email protected] and reference the "Buddhism Class". Please RSVP using the form below.
Obon season may be gone and with it, all of the beloved festival foods. Never fear, Pasadena Buddhist Temple's Annual Fall Dinner returns on Saturday, October 25 featuring TWO of our Obon favorite dishes: BBQ Chicken Teriyaki and Beef Chow Mein. Each of these recipes have hand-made sauces from recipes passed down through the past 50 years. Our chicken is marinated in our secret sauce, grilled on our own barbecue and smoked on the grill for that special flavor. The beef chow mein is Japanese-American style with noodles pan-fried on the BBQ griddle and covered with sauce freshly wok-made. $12 will buy a meal complete with steamed white rice and small sides. To top off the meal, please purchase a dessert from our temple youth groups' Bake Sale and Drink Sale. Dine-in or Take-out. Reserve a meal below. Reservations may be paid for at the door using check cash or credit card.
Buddhism's Essence: Compassion
NOTE: in the absence of a service this week, here is a Dharma message by Rev. Tetsuo Unno from the November, 2007 "Hikari".
It was 1944: frost lay on the ground. The place; the relocation camp at Rowher, Arkansas. The date: December 25th.
Before this date, my 11 year old self had been dwelling on the War, the relocation, and the meaning of it all. On the 25th of December we were told to assemble in the communal mess hall for a Christmas party.
After having light refreshments, we heard the chairperson say, “Now, we’re going to hand out presents. When your name is called, come up here and get your present.”
That got my attention; I listened to the names being called out. Soon my name was called, I walked to the front of the mess hall and claimed my wrapped gift.
Upon opening it, I discovered that it was a book on Chippewa Indians. Added to the book was the note, “A GIFT FROM THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.” Asking around, I found out that the gift was from the Quakers. I felt a warm feeling come over me.
Because of the one, single act of kindness; i.e. of compassion, to this day, I have a soft spot in my heart for the Quakers. And strangely enough, even for the American Indians, the subject of the gift book.
In a recently published book, “In Good Conscience,” a meticulously researched book on those non-Japanese who came to the aid of the Isseis and Niseis and who suffered for their actions, I noticed that Quakers were mentioned in approximately 75 of its 308 pages.
This example of compassion has remained with me to this day and it has always encouraged me to be as kind and compassionate as humanly possible.
In a broader sense, then, it is not military might or treaties or more technology etc. that will bring peace to our world but rather it is kindness and compassion that will bring about true peace and thereby insure man’s survival.
P.S.: The book cited above is titled “In Good Conscience – Supporting Japanese Americans During the Internment,” the author is Shizue Seigel.
It was 1944: frost lay on the ground. The place; the relocation camp at Rowher, Arkansas. The date: December 25th.
Before this date, my 11 year old self had been dwelling on the War, the relocation, and the meaning of it all. On the 25th of December we were told to assemble in the communal mess hall for a Christmas party.
After having light refreshments, we heard the chairperson say, “Now, we’re going to hand out presents. When your name is called, come up here and get your present.”
That got my attention; I listened to the names being called out. Soon my name was called, I walked to the front of the mess hall and claimed my wrapped gift.
Upon opening it, I discovered that it was a book on Chippewa Indians. Added to the book was the note, “A GIFT FROM THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.” Asking around, I found out that the gift was from the Quakers. I felt a warm feeling come over me.
Because of the one, single act of kindness; i.e. of compassion, to this day, I have a soft spot in my heart for the Quakers. And strangely enough, even for the American Indians, the subject of the gift book.
In a recently published book, “In Good Conscience,” a meticulously researched book on those non-Japanese who came to the aid of the Isseis and Niseis and who suffered for their actions, I noticed that Quakers were mentioned in approximately 75 of its 308 pages.
This example of compassion has remained with me to this day and it has always encouraged me to be as kind and compassionate as humanly possible.
In a broader sense, then, it is not military might or treaties or more technology etc. that will bring peace to our world but rather it is kindness and compassion that will bring about true peace and thereby insure man’s survival.
P.S.: The book cited above is titled “In Good Conscience – Supporting Japanese Americans During the Internment,” the author is Shizue Seigel.
Volunteer to help at obon!!
Hanamatsuri April 7th welcomes Rev. Tesshi Aoyama and Refurbished elephant!
Our annual Hanamatsuri service celebrating the birth of the Buddha, will be held Sunday, April 7th at 10 am. We welcome our guest minister, Rev. Tesshi Aoyama, who will deliver both the English and Japanese Dharma talks. We will also welcome our newly refurbished white elephant to our Hanamido display. The Dharma School and Sangha Teens have been working diligently to give our elephant a fresh new look for the 21st century. The students will also be decorating the Hanamido with fresh flowers. Please join us at 10 am. The service will be followed by light lunch of our chirashi rice.
