Formative Moments

Shortly after joining VBT, I reconnected  with my early mentor when he gave a keynote talk for the Winter Pacific Seminar.  Little did I know how important my relationship with each person pictured would become over time.

Rev. Jon Turner, Rev. Dr. Mark Unno, Rev. Marvin Harada (my Supervising Minister), OCBC M.A. Ellen Crane

Following my kikyoshiki (confirmation ceremony), during which the Gomonshu gave me the homyo Shaku Jikyo.

Julie Robertson, Rev. Marvin Harada (my Supervising Minister)

My first pre-dawn sight of the  Drum Tower at our mother temple complex in Kyoto, after walking across town alone to attend 6:00 a.m. service.  (Since taiko brought me to my VBT sangha, it was fitting.)

Offering my first ministerial training talk during a BCA Minister's Assistant Program (MAP) seminar.  Due to "life", it took me more than five years serving as an M.A. to finally make it to Berkeley--but I got there.

 VBT M.A. Julie Robertson

Reconnecting with my early mentor at the Southern District Seminar, more than two decades after first studying with him. The day also offered an opportunity to introduce several members of my VBT sangha to his teaching—and to finally meet Rev. Furumoto, whose teaching from the Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course left an impression on me.

VBT M.A. Julie Robertson, Rev. Dr. Mark Unno

This simple IBS orientation name tag  somehow made returning to graduate study feel very "real" (and also made me quite conscious that the last time I called myself a graduate student was over 20 years ago!).  Grateful for the opportunity to study in a place where so many who've influenced me have taught or studied before me.

"Freshly minted" as a BCA Certified Minister's Assistant - following a ceremony held during VBT's 45th anniversary celebration and Fall Ohigan service.

Rev. Jon Turner (my Supervising Minister), VBT M.A. Julie Robertson, Rev. Marvin Harada (BCA Bishop)