Sangha in Motion

VBT sangha supporting one of our own who "flew the nest".   (As the new Resident Minister of Buddhist Temple of San Diego, our Dharma sibling hosted his first regional conference.)

My VBT-OCBC sangha came out en force when they heard my mentor was the keynote speaker. Senshin Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles.

Starting off the new year with Dharma and Sangha!  Orange County Buddhist Church, Anaheim.

Exploring what it means to truly walk alongside others on the Nembutsu path, just as they are.  Gardena Buddhist Temple.

Gathering together for our first public Obon following the pandemic. Joy and remembrance, indeed.

In 2022, fellow VBT sangha member (and part of my taiko family), Terri  Omori, became the first female President of the Buddhist Churches of America.  (I captured the moment with a screenshot, as I watched the National Council Meeting online.)

Enjoying the moment with part of my taiko family.

Sharing the day with part of my taiko family while visiting temples in Kyoto. 

Welcoming Gomonshu-sama in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the current temple site.  This was also the day of my kikyoshiki, when I received my homyo from Gomonshu-sama.

Left: from the anniversary celebration (program booklet and commemorative nenju).  Right: from my kikyoshiki (monto shikisho traditionally given to Hongwanji-ha kikyoshiki recipients, book by Gomonshu-sama, and my homyo card).

First performance with my taiko family (after joining the group in January  2018).

Years later, someone developed several poster-sized photos of “temple life” to hang downstairs in our social hall. This is one of them. I love the shared joy that is so evident, and I remember being touched that someone offered to dress me in a spare yukata.