LAS VEGAS BUDDHIST SANGHA

BULLETINBULLETIN 4110 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89032

AUGUST 2017 www.lasvegasbuddhist.org/email: lvsangha.info@gmail.com VOLUME 20A

MINISTER’S ASSISTANTS TO PRESIDE AT OUR SPECIAL SERVICE ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 Dr. David Hopper, Michael Tanaka, and Al Kayatani will conduct the service on August 13, at 10 a.m. at the Sangha Center, 4110 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., North Las Vegas, NV 89032. Since we already had our after-Obon service with Rev. Marvin Harada last week, we are hav-ing this service to get back on our service schedule of the second and fourth Sundays. The service will follow the usual format, except that, instead of a Dharma Message delivered by a visiting minister, one of the Minister’s Assistants will speak about an aspect of Buddhism, and the members of the congregation will then be free to ask questions or give their insights and opinions about the subject. This free discus-sion allows everyone to become more a part of the service, and can give all of us a better idea as to how Buddhism affects us as individuals.

The sutra chanting will be in Japanese and English as we transition to an all English format for our second services. You are all invited to participate and help us make this work! SHAVE ICE AND ICE CREAM WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE SERVICE!

2017 OBON WAS FANTASTIC!

The 2017 Obon incorporated a lot of new ideas, so we didn’t know if everything would turn out ok. We still don’t have the final figures on profits, but we do have an idea of how well we did.

The count from the wristbands was 1,700, however, not all of the attendees got one, so we think the final count was closer to 2,000. The food vendors sold out of everything except for the takoyaki, which was a last minute addition, and probably won’t be sold next year. Many thanks to the Spam Musubi (chaired by Sandi Hiyane & John Kosora) and Dessert (chaired by Hedy Ito) committees, who sold everything they made. A last minute food vendor who sold roasted corn and sweet potatoes did very well.

The golf tournament was again very successful, bringing in over $2,000. Thanks to Charlie Miyashiro, who chaired the event! Rain showers the night before softened the greens and cooled the air, so it was a very enjoyable morning of golf. It was a scramble format, so scores were very low. The first place team (Rob & Paul Gaudet [who came all the way from Canada], Bob Shannon, and Roy Suzuki) shot 56 (15 under par). Second and third place teams scored 60 and 68. All 5 teams won prizes, including vintage bottles from Charlie’s liquor cabinet.

Last year, there was a big problem with lack of parking space. However, the parking and security committee (chaired by Brian Segawa) had everything under control, and everyone was able to find a parking spot. Areas were set aside for volunteers, vendors, buses, and the handicapped, which left a lot of space for attendees. Clark High’s NJROTC provided a lot of help with the parking.

Jason Feinberg, Channel 5 news anchor, served as celebrity MC, and added his special personality to the mix. Channel 5 broadcast a video featuring Wayne Tanaka and other Sangha members on Friday morning, the day before the festival.

The Las Vegas Review Journal published an article about the Obon Festival in its Sunday, August 6 edition, titled “Japanese cultural fest brings traditional dance to Las Vegas.” You can find it online at: https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/japanese-cultural-fest-brings-traditional-dance-to-las-vegas/.

Special thanks to Obon Chair Kyle Morishita and Sangha President Gene Nakamura for their efforts. A complete listing of the committee chairs can be found in the Obon Booklet, which is posted on our website, www.lasvegasbuddhist.org. There will be a more complete description of 2017 Obon Festival results in our next newsletter.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Sangha (702)228-3071

Center Rental (619)888-5301

Dharma Ed. (702)371-0947

Illness/Death (702)806-5520 (Info: p. 2)

Sangha Crafts (818)219-6982

Editor (702)228-3071

CHELSEA KURASHIGE WINS OGAWA SCHOLARSHIP!

Chelsea Kurashige has been awarded the $1,000 Kikuo and Kaoru Memorial Scholarship funded by Patty Yamano in memory of her parents.

This scholarship is awarded every year to a Sangha member who is furthering his or her education. Patty’s parents were passionate about the value of education, especially for those who wanted to be productive members of American society.

Chelsea is attending UNLV and is also working at CSI Las Vegas, currently analyzing DNA samples. She is the Sangha treasurer, and also serves as a Dharma school teacher. Chelsea is the daughter of Jim and Gay Kurashige.

REV. MARVIN HARADA SERVED AS GUEST MINISTER ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

Reverend Harada talked to the Dharma School students about how there was a cloud in every scoop of ice cream. In his story, the clouds

dropped rain, which fed the grass, which fed the cows, which produced the milk, which was made into ice cream. It was a way of illustrating

how everything is connected. He also explained the we are all connected to every one of our parents, grandparents, great grandparents,

and so on. Without any one of them, we wouldn’t be here.

SANGHA SERVICE PHOTOS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2017

June with Rev. George & Kay Matsubayashi

Dharma School Teacher Chelsea Kurashige with the students and their art projects Rev. Harada welcomes Wesley as a Buddhist

OBON FESTIVAL PHOTOS FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017

Jason Feinberg gives award to Wayne Tanaka Gene with Canadians Rob & Paul Gaudet Hedy Ito

Summer & Brian Segawa Enthusiastic Dancers