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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is my last New Years Greetings as Socho, Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America. My two terms as Socho will come to an end on March 31, 2012. My wife, Mayumi, and daughter, Ayaka, join me in extending my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all of you, our Dharma friends of the BCA, for your understanding and support over these past eight years.

Throughout my tenure as Socho, Bishop of the BCA, I was given the honor of working with the capable Past Presidents of the BCA, Dr. Gordon Bermant, Mr. Doug Iwamoto, Dr. Billy Saeki, and Mr. Everett Watada, as well as their Board of Trustees, various committee members, and of course, the members of the BCA National Council. Their dedication and devotion to sharing and spreading the Buddha-Dharma here in America certainly allowed me to serve with meaning and creativity.

I am also grateful for the support of my Executive Assistants, Rev. Ronald Kobata and Rev. Michael Endo. I also realize that I could not have succeeded in my work and creativity without the guidance and advice of the members of my Sanyo, Socho’s Advisory Council over these past 8 years.

Attending to ministerial matters and affairs as it related to assignments, transfers, retirements, and negotiations always proved to be exciting. I never got tired of these matters. I also had to deal with terminations, probations, leaves of absence, and the re-education and re-training of ministers, which often made me sad and tired. But these duties combined were always challenging.

Over the past eight years, I had the wonderful opportunity to observe the 750th Memorial for Shinran Shonin, and attend various conventions, conferences, retreats and workshops at the local, national, and even international levels. Each event proved to be enjoyable and meaningful. I also had the privilege of officiating over various anniversary events at the temples throughout the BCA. Each commemoration and celebration provided an opportunity for deep reflection and gratitude. I am always reminded that there are so many people working behind the scene seeing to it that these events run smoothly.

My term as Socho also included a major fundraising effort by the BCA: Campaign BCA – The 21st Century. As a result of this undertaking, we were fortunate to see the creation of the Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) in Berkeley, California. The JSC has become the centerpiece for the study and dissemination of our Jodo Shinshu teaching here in America. I am confident that it will continue to serve as a foundation of strength and growth for the BCA now and into the future.

Central to the Jodo Shinshu Center’s activities is the Center for Buddhist Education (CBE). Under the leadership and creative vision of Rev. Kodo Umezu, Director of the CBE, whom I was honored to assign to this position, we have seen the development of various new educational programs geared towards enhancing and expanding the knowledge and of our ministers, lay leaders, and youth. The positive results of the activities and programs of the CBE have and continue to serve as a source of trust in the members’ and friends’ of the BCA as seen through their generous campaign contributions.

Through the Minister’s Assistant Program, the Office of the Socho has proudly certified 105 members of the BCA as of September 30, 2011. In addition, 70 Youth Minister’s Assistants have also been certified, thereby recognizing the new-found interests and enthusiasm by the members of our younger generation to learn and propagate the Dharma at their local churches and temples. This, I believe, is a strength of the BCA for the near and foreseeable future.

As I leave office, one of my sincere concerns continues to be the establishment of a meaningful Shinshu Kyogaku (Shinshu Studies) whereby our Shin Buddhist tradition and philosophy can be understood, appreciated, and adapted by Americans here in America. It is my hope that the next Bishop will continue to work towards this goal.

I wish to close my greetings with my motto as Socho: Anchu mosaku suru koto wo ikigai to shi, shiko sakugo wo osorezu,” or “…to challenge oneself to search amidst the uncertainties of work and life, and not be afraid to try new things out or make mistakes along the way.” These words have served as my guiding philosophy towards bringing Jodo Shinshu, Shin Buddhism, to the forefront here in America as a major religious tradition.

Thank you and best wishes for a creative New Year.

Gassho,
Koshin Ogui, Socho
Bishop
Buddhist Churches of America
January 1, 2012