The Center for Buddhist Education’s (CBE) Buddhist Youth Retreat (BYR) changed Boy Scout Jack Hirotsu’s life.
“Before, I used to take a lot of the teachings for granted since it was just something I was expected to do each weekend,” Hirotsu said. “After I went to the Buddhist Youth Retreat (BYR) in 2023, I learned so much about why we practice the teachings and helped me redefine how I used Buddhism in my everyday life.”
In the spirit of Dana, Hirotsu was inspired to give back and help the organization that has been a crucial part of his life. He reached out to then BCA President Terri Omori and offered to make BCA the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout project.
“It has been a great honor to work together with Jack,” Omori said. “I was deeply humbled by his desire to give back to BCA. I was also impressed by his enthusiasm throughout his Eagle Project, his detailed presentations and continuous communications throughout the one-year process. I see a future BCA leader.”
Hirotsu constructed three double-sided panels for placement in the Jodo Shinshu Center Community room windows to serve as privacy screens.
One side of the panel features the BCA 125th anniversary logo while the other side is equipped with a magnetic white board for displaying items and writing messages. Each is built with locking casters, making them easy to move for use in other locations in the JSC.
On Sept. 7, Hirotsu, with his father, Russell Hirotsu, Scoutmaster for Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC) Troop 578, and assistant Scoutmaster Ryan Yamamoto and his son Ryden, drove from Southern California to Berkeley to deliver his Eagle Scout Project to the JSC.
Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada, former Resident Minister at OCBC, was at the JSC when the panels arrived.
“We are grateful to Jack and his father, Russell Hirotsu, for all the time it took to plan, build and deliver the display panels,” Rev. Harada said. “They will really come in handy."
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