Being a Certified BCA Minister’s Assistant, Part II

Editor’s note: The BCA’s Archives-Historic Preservation Committee (AHPC) is highlighting the Minister’s Assistant (MA) program. Two members of AHPC, Cynthia Mee of Midwest Buddhist Temple and Jean-Paul deGuzman of San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple have agreed to share their unique paths and experiences as MAs. The Wheel of Dharma published Part I of Cynthia Mee’s path as a MA in the September 2024 issue. We are honored to publish Part II of her experiences as a MA.

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After my initial Lay Leader/MA training from Rev. Miyamura, I have continued to attend various MAP trainings at a variety of temples and churches throughout the country. I have enjoyed going to the trainings. The trainings are always interesting and have allowed me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the teaching, principles, practices and rituals from multiple BCA ministers and other speakers and to meet MAs from across the country. 

I have also had the opportunity to visit different temples and churches and experience how similar, yet modest differences occur within their Sunday services. It has been interesting to observe the various architecture styles of the temples and churches and the designs and decorations of the Hondos and the Onaijin. 

My range of training experiences have demonstrated to me the interconnectedness of our temples and churches and how unique each temple and church is but also how similar they are.

The first training I attended outside of MBT was in 2014 at NYBC, which was special because I had previously lived in New York City, and I felt like I was going home. 

In spring 2015, I attended a training held at the Institute Buddhist Studies (IBS) in Berkeley and CBE. While there, I had the opportunity to also visit the Berkeley Buddhist Temple (BBT) and the Buddhist Church of Oakland (BCO). I have also attended trainings at Ekoji, Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC), and the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (LAHHBT). 

The 2019 World Buddhist Women’s Convention in San Francisco was included as an MA training. What a remarkable experience. While there, I had the opportunity to visit the Buddhist Church of San Francisco (BCSF).  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MAP trainings were virtual. Visiting different temples/churches has been special, but I must admit how exceptional the CBE seminar was. The Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) experience was more than expected! It was my first time visiting the IBS headquarters and being there was greater than I anticipated because I experienced the BCA bookstore, the auditorium and the beautiful silkscreen handmade panels, the garden, the classrooms, and the residential section, where I stayed. 

Putting names to faces in person is always a wonderful experience, especially when it comes to meeting BCA ministers. Some of the BCA ministers and other speakers that have presented at some of the trainings  included: Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada, Bishop Rev. Kodo Umezu, Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki, Rev. Dr. Ken Tanaka, Rev. Diana Thompson, Rev. Ronald Kobata, Gayle Noguchi, Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara, Dr. Jeff Wilson, Rev. Earl Ikeda, Rev. Jerry Hirano, Rev. Henry Adams, Professor Mark Blum, Rev. Dr. Mark Unno, Rev. Gene Sekiya, Rev. Monshin Paul Naamon,  Rev. Anan Hatanaka, former BCA President Rick Stambul, Socho Koshin Ogui, Rev. Jon Tuner, Rev. Dr. Mutsumi Wondra, Rev. Ellen Crane, Rev. Sala Sekiya, Rev. Kurt Rye, Dr. Sandy Kita, Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji, Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi, and Rev. Todd Tsuchiya, among others. 

Why wouldn’t someone want to go to the MAP seminars to hear their presentations?

At the trainings, it was always fun to meet and work with MAs from many different temples and churches. I remember at a training, one of the MAs referred to us as “Buddha-Dharma buddies” because we spent so much time sharing the Dharma together.   

MA trainings usually began in the early morning around 7 to 8 a.m. with a morning service, followed by morning sessions, lunch, afternoon sessions, and another service sometime before or after dinner.  

At some point during the day and evening, MAs would participate in a Dharmathon where each one gives a five-to-seven-minute Dharma talk, which is critiqued by the head minister at the training. Sometimes there are trips to museums or tours to other local attractions.   

In addition to Certified MAs, like me, there are classmates who have completed their Tokudo, and some working toward Kyoshi. I will never forget as part of our chanting practice session at the IBS/CBE training each of the Kyoshi students had to perform their own personal funeral service. It was very special. There are differentiations of the daily schedule from training to training — but you get the idea of how much is included.

Had I been younger at the beginning of my MA path and if I had not faced a couple significant complications in my life, I would have loved to further my training and earn my Tokudo ordination and Kyoshi certification. Maybe then I would now be an Assistant Minister. 

Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Courses

Part of MA training is the expectation to take the IBS two-year Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Courses (JSCC). The two-year program is divided into two terms each year. Each term, students are assigned a monthly reading that may require serious thinking, contemplation and reflections to reply to the provided stems to write their essay. The assigned instructor for the term reads the essays and then provides feedback. I completed my JSCC in 2015. 

As I shared previously, I love learning, so I decided to take the JSCC a second time. I just completed my second series of the courses in February 2024. I am glad I have taken the courses twice. The curriculum and class readings were varied, and I have had a range of mentors for the different terms who seriously read my reflections regarding the readings. 

Frequently, their responses were as in-depth and as interesting as the actual readings and their responses to my writings enriched my learning to a level that I did not expect. 

Some of the instructors include: Rev. Harry Bridge, Rev. Grant Ikuta, Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara, Rev. Nari Hayashi, Rev. Gene Sekiya, and Rev. Kodo Umezu.

The readings and my reflections regarding them in my essays and my mentor’s feedback have provided me more of a singular lens for me to focus on the teachings and what they mean to me. Through these collective courses and experiences, I have become a more sincere Nembutsu follower. I encourage Sangha members to take the correspondence courses. You do not have to be in the MAP to take the courses. You won’t be disappointed.

My Experiences as an MA

I have pride in my practice as an MA with respect for the responsibilities I am expected to participate. The activities that I and other MAs perform are modest yet important. I enjoy assisting at MBT in different ways.  My trainings have given me the knowledge and confidence for me to accept my responsibilities as a MA. 

My role as an MA is to assist and support resident ministers in a variety of ways so they can address their varied responsibilities. An MA is expected to know and practice the etiquette and protocols of the temple including but not limited to: prepare the Onaijin (set up candles, flowers, incense), ring the Kansho bell, lead a chant, enter and leave the Onaijin appropriately, be chair for the service, meet and greet first time, new temple visitors, and returning sangha members, be helpful to sangha members, help and support other MAs, participate in a temple clean-up, share a Dharma message (Kanwa), be respectful, kind, helpful, welcoming, to answer questions, and to continue Jodo Shinshu education training.  

As an MA, I appreciate our temple’s history and how MAs have contributed to it by assisting the ministers so that Sangha members experience Jodo Shinshu authentically.

Summary 

As an academic, it is hard for me to remember a time that I have not been in school or haven’t taken classes. Going to the MAP training and seminars and completing the JSCC has been a natural progression for me. 

I continue to study and to learn while meeting ministers from so many various temples and churches. My MAP training has connected me in practice, participation and observation how MBT and other BCA temples and churches share similar archival histories, how we are all interconnected, and how Jodo Shinshu in America grew to what it is today. 

Becoming a Minister’s Assistant has been important for me. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a practicing Jodo Shinshu Buddhist.  

I have studied and learned; I met new friends while sharing long-standing memories and making new memories with old friends; I have attended various temples/churches; and I have visited the beautiful Jodo Shinshu Center, the epicenter of Jodo Shinshu in America.  

Most important, I have assisted Rev. Ron Miyamura and Rev. Todd Tsuchiya, other MBT MAs and our sangha members. 

As BCA celebrates its 125th anniversary, I am proud of my home temple, MBT, and its contributions to BCA history. Not to be egocentric, but in a small way as an MA, I and other MAs are part of that history, as is each Sangha member. 

On my MA life journey, through my training and my commitment to practice Jodo Shinshu and through the kindness and compassion of temple Sangha members and others, I get to share, support, and travel with others on their journeys. 

I have never thought about it until writing this article but possibly, in some way, I am a role model symbolizing that one is never too old to try new things. I am currently 80 years-old and maybe it is getting close in time for me to step down as an MA, but maybe not.

I encourage anyone to become an MA if they are committed to learning and practicing Jodo Shinshu and has the desire to learn, teach, and share the Buddha Dharma.  

For me, being an MA is a gift in my life. I consider it an honor and privilege.  I have had special opportunities as an MA. I still remember when Rev. Umezu shared with us at the beginning of the 2015 MAP the story of a blind turtle in the sea poking its head through the hole in a donut, elaborating that the chance of human birth is so rare that we should not take it for granted and to be grateful for each moment, Ichi-go ichi-e.

I poked my head through the BCA MA donut hole. I am grateful. My gratefulness extends to all those who have supported me and other MAs.

May every link in Amida’s “Golden Chain of Love” be bright and strong and may we all attain perfect peace.

Namu Amida Butsu