Remembering Sacramento’s Beloved Stevie Nitta

Black Labrador’s Was Known as One of the ‘Faces’ of the Betsuin

For a decade, our Sacramento Betsuin has had a very special friend, an amazing black Labrador named Stevie Nitta. She has been one of the most recognizable “faces” of the betsuin, and she always represented us so very well. 

Stevie’s second home was the temple.  It was not unusual to see her at services, a special event or just anytime that her “Dad,” Gordon Nitta, was helping at the temple to set up, clean up or fix and repair things at the betsuin. It could be from early morning to late at night.

Our earliest recollection of meeting Stevie was probably in 2014 when she was 2 years old. That’s when Gordon began bringing her to the temple and we began to recognize just how special she was. 

Stevie had a unique gift. She was able to sense those who might be in need of comfort and quietly sit by them. Very naturally, she began to attend our funeral planning meetings. Rev. Bob Oshita and I would meet with families and Stevie always just gravitated toward the person that might be having a little harder time.  The more we watched her interact with people, the more we understood that this was just her nature.  She embodied gentle loving kindness.   

Stevie would often stay with us when the Nittas were out of town. This meant she would accompany us wherever our responsibilities took us.  She’s been to all of the Northern California temples, the Jodo Shinshu Center, BCA national conferences and anywhere we might be speaking within driving distance. We know there are many Sangha members that have encountered Stevie’s gentle spirit. We were always so pleased to take her with us for Stevie seemed “at home” at any temple. She would proudly wear her okesa around her neck and was so “chanto” in the Hondo.  

In Sacramento, everyone expected to see her at Dharma School services. Each Sunday, she was our most loved “greeter.”  She would walk the aisles of the pews, welcoming everyone and maybe receiving a treat or two from people who knew her routine.  She then would come to the front, laying very quietly during service.

She brought so much happiness to so many. During our Youth Advocacy Committee (YAC) Retreat years, we gave her the Homyo or Buddhist name “Shaku Kin-Sa Bo-Satsu,”which means “Golden Chain Bodhisattva” for she really was kind and gentle to everyone. And she was our living Bodhisattva.  

On July 31, Stevie had emergency surgery and was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Although her life would now be measured in days, Gordon and Jennifer Nitta brought her home. They knew that so many people needed to have the opportunity to say goodbye. 

Every day, she grew stronger. She ate with gusto and delighted in every playful interaction. She went to bazaar cleanup and more than 100 members saw her for the last time, many with tears in their eyes. 

On Aug. 16, she spent the day with us. When Gordon and Stevie left our home around 11:30 p.m., she was looking so good! We gave her a hug and said, “See you tomorrow.”  In the early morning, our joyful Bodhisattva, taught us again the truth shared in Rennyo’s letter, “On White Ashes.”

I realize that in those last two weeks, although I was always trying to give her comfort, it was always Stevie who was comforting me. It’s just who she was. I will always love her and keep her close to my heart. 

I am grateful to be asked to write this article about Stevie. She really was “Pure Kindness” and I am “Grateful Beyond Words” to have had her in my life. Namo Amida Butsu.