Southern District Conference Draws Nearly 200 to BTSD

Listening to the Dharma, engaging in workshops, enjoying a musical performance, commemorating the BCA’s 125th anniversary and rekindling friendships were among the many highlights of the 2024 Southern District Buddhist Conference.

The theme was “Save the Date for the Nembutsu” as 188 ministers, delegates, guests and volunteers gathered at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego (BTSD) on Oct. 19.

Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada and Rev. Hibiki Murakami of the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple delivered the English and Japanese keynote addresses, respectively.  

Rev. Harada’s message focused on the theme, connecting it to our daily lives, including our priorities. Rev. Harada also urged the importance of making time for the Dharma. 

“I did love Bishop Harada's talk,” Pasadena’s Cathy Mikuni said.  “He is always so down to earth and relatable.”

Senshin’s Deb Hiramoto added: “He is a master communicator of Nembutsu. He has a gift to explain important messages in words for the everyday Joe. He is willing to share his own imperfections so that we can see ourselves more clearly.”

Rev. Murakami’s presentation focused on Rev. Gojun Shichiri, a renowned Jodo Shinshu priest at Mangyo-ji in Hakata, Fukuoka, at the turn of the 20th century. He was a successful scholar with rich and profound insights into Jodo Shinshu and excelled at leading Nishi Hongwanji in the new, but difficult, era right after the Japanese isolation policy in the Edo Period between 1603 and 1868, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Rev. Shichiri also revived his temple, Mangyo-ji, by establishing a private school and BWA.

In addition, attendees participated in a variety of Buddhist workshops:

• Creating a “Save the Date” scroll with important dates of Jodo Shinshu holidays, which was led by Junko Kajita, Norman Kiyono and Rev. Maribeth “Smitty” Smith.

• Writing “Namu Amida Butsu” in kanji characters, which was led by sumi-e instructor Naoko Ozaki with assistance from Margie Kitano and Kimberly Kruse.

• Taiko was led by BTSD taiko leaders Bobby and Chelsey Koga and assisted by the group’s members.

• “Mindful Moments,” which was written by Cathy Quock of the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple and submitted for the BCA’s 125th anniversary commemoration, was introduced in the gatha workshop. Led by Terri Omori of the Vista Buddhist Temple and Rev. Laverne Imori, the music was accompanied by the “Three Treasures” of Janet Sakahara (OCBC) ukulele, Annette Inouye (Vista) flute and Robert Yamamoto (BTSD) guitar. 

“The instructors in our ‘Save the Date’ workshop provided excellent materials and instruction so we could finish our tasks,” Mikuni said. “I heard the taiko workshop was excellent as well with the explanation, warm-ups and actual practice on the taiko drums.”

The conference began with the ringing of the kansho (calling bell) and a procession led by Rev. Harada. BTSD Minister’s Assistant Sharon Sasaki served as chairperson.

BTSD Supervising Minister Rev. Gregory Gibbs read the names of 15 kaikyoshi ministers who served the Buddhist Mission of North America and Buddhist Churches of America in the Bishop’s Memorial. 

BTSD members LuAnn Lee, chairperson for the Southern District Council, and Curt Yasuhara, president, welcomed the delegates.

Incense offering included 14 temples, churches and a Sangha representing: Arizona, Gardena, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (Nishi Betsuin), Oakland, Orange County, Oxnard, Pasadena, San Diego, San Fernando, Senshin, Venice, Vista and West Los Angeles.

“I am fairly new to the activities of the Southern District and we at the Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha are slowly getting involved with all the kind people of Southern District and its events,” Dennis Tsukagawa said.

Other representatives offering incense were: Rev. John Iwohara (Southern District Ministers Association), Rev. Nobuo Miyaji (Ichijukai or retired minister’s group), LuAnn Lee (Southern District Council), Susan Moribe and Junko Kajita (Southern District BWA), Arleen Miya (Southern District Dharma School Teachers League) and Steven Terusaki (BCA).

Many delegates participated in a Kahoot activity led by Breven Honda. Participants played individually or teamed with friends to play an interactive game. Multiple choice and true or false questions were asked related to the conference.

The BTSD Dharma School played a significant role throughout the conference.

Projects and crafts were created by BTSD DS students of all grade levels as they made welcome banners and signs. A fruit and floral offering was made during the opening service and presented to Rev. Harada, who placed the items in front of the Amida Buddha image. 

Each year, the Dharma School teams with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, along with other faith based groups and organizations throughout San Diego and Imperial counties, for its stuffed animal drive. Over 100 soft cuddly animals were collected during the conference. Students gathered, tagged each animal with a special message, ready for delivery.

The program received 5,490 new stuffed animals with delivery to children throughout the two counties. 

The Dharma School’s efforts, coordinated by Nancy Martinez, thanks everyone for their generous donations.

Everyone was treated to a delicious lunch assembled by the temple’s culinary chefs. The menu consisted of a pork or vegetarian tamale, Mexican style beans with a hearty broth, macaroni or green salad and dessert. Beverages included hibiscus tea and cucumber juice.

The Southern District Dharma School Teachers League conducted a lunch meeting and had its installation of officers for the 2024-25 term during the closing service. 

Rev. Jon Turner of OCBC installed the officers: Arleen Miya, President (Gardena); Rick Oishi, Vice President and Ex-Officio (OCBC); June Kondo, Treasurer (Nishi Betsuin); Julia Ueda, Secretary (Venice); Judy Hopefield, Religious Chairperson (Venice); Elaine Fukumoto, Music Chairperson (Nishi Betsuin); and Nancy Suzuki, Corresponding Secretary (OCBC). 

An active day culminated with a rousing musical performance by the Grateful Crane Ensemble. The group entertained a captive audience with a 65-minute performance covering the 125-year history of BCA and its future. The performance was in the Hondo with the temple’s Onajin as the backdrop. The group ended its performance with everyone dancing to “Tanko Bushi.”

Many thanks to Soji Kashiwagi, executive director and playwright, and performers Haruye Ioka, Keiko Kawashima, Merv Maruyama and Ping Wu.

The Southern District BWA recognized the following organizations with grants to fund their respective programs:

• Gardena Buddhist Church, Nakayoshi Preschool.

• Gardena Buddhist Church, Wisteria Chugakko Summer Program.

• Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, BEC outreach program. 

• Buddhist Temple of San Diego BWA, Jeanie Kashima’s “Topaz Collages.”

• Buddhist Temple of San Diego, 2024 SD Conference Grateful Crane Ensemble.

• Vista Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Gathering Community Committee.

Julia Ueda was recognized for her 25 years of service as a Dharma School teacher at Venice by SDBWA co-president Junko Kajita. 

BTSD Minister’s Assistant Arturo Rubio, chairperson of the closing service, asked everyone if they enjoyed the conference program. There was thunderous applause. Chanting of “Juseige” and the singing of gathas “Mindful Moments” and “Ondokusan” brought a reflective closure to a successful conference.

Throughout the day, Michiko Inanaga, Director of Development for the BCA Endowment Foundation, promoted the Dharma Forward campaign, while Terri Omori, presented the Bodhi Leaf Project, encouraging attendees to write down their wish list for BCA.

Hongwanji Place, located at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, offered Jodo Shinshu Buddhist items including books, nenju and gift merchandise. Store volunteers reported a lot of foot traffic and brisk sales.

BTSD had a modest chronological historical display and included panoramic photos of past Jr. YBA and YBA conferences hosted in San Diego.

“Cultural Connections: Exploring Jodo Shinshu Wisdom Through Japanese Traditional Performing Arts” is the theme for the 2025 conference. The San Fernando Hongwanji Buddhist Temple will host the event on Oct. 25, 2025.

This year’s conference planning committee was led by co-chairs Ralph Honda and Junko Kajita with ministerial support from Rev. Gibbs, Rev. Smith and Rev. Imori.

The co-chairs and ministers are grateful to the BTSD Sangha volunteers who served on the planning committee and for their heartfelt and tireless efforts.