We did it, all of us, all 105 participants of this year's LDC Manning Park Family Retreat!

This Olympic year was marked by the strong presence of young adults and youth attendees and organizers. Participants from Kelowna, Kamloops, Vancouver, Steveston, Fraser Valley, Vernon, Washington and Calgary all gathered to meet old friends and make new ones. This year you joined 54 adults, 30 youth (13-25) and 21 children (12 and under) and one lonely black bear to share an incredible weekend of great food, profound dharma sessions, exciting activities and most of all wonderful company!

Whether you participated in the morning walks through the forest, sat in on the services, sang along with "I Believe", took a dip in the pool, lit the campfire, flipped some steaks on the barbeque, threw a bocci ball, chased a ground squirrel, decorated a bike, attended a social, discussed the dharma, or simply gathered together in a cabin with your friends, we truly hope you had an extraordinary experience at our very own Olympic Games! 

Please take this opportunity to share the spirit of the weekend with your friends and family who did not have a chance to come out to Manning Park this year. I've attached a couple of pictures. Please also send your memories or pictures to retreat.vbt@gmail.com.

The poem, I am Thankful, read by Dr. Bob Akune in his Dharma talk is at http://www.joke-archives.com/inspire/iamthankfulfor.html

We all join in gratitude to the LivingDharmaCentre, BCJSBCF and Women's League for their financial and moral support of this year's event.

Your participation has inspired the members of the Organizing Committee with renewed vigor to make next year's retreat even better.  Please let us know if you would like to be a part of organizing next year's retreat.

Thank you for your invaluable contribution to make this retreat truly memorable.

Your LDC Manning Park Retreat 2010 Organizing Committee

Clear skies and warm rays of sunshine touched our bodies throughout the day and dark, chilly nights with bright twinkling stars brightened our evenings.

During the Manning Park Family Retreat everyone greeted each other with warm smiles. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, meeting old friends and making new ones.

This LDC (Living Dharma Centre) sponsored program took place May 16-18 at the beautiful Manning Park in BC. It was attended by 112 participants including 62 adults, 26 youth (13-25), 16 children (6-12) and 8 children (5 and under). We were also honoured to have the presence of six Sensei’s who prepared seminars and dharma talks. 

The LDC, JSBTC (Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada) and our BCJSBCF (British Columbia Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Churches Federation) graciously provided funding to have local Sensei’s and their families attend.

Everyone helped to prepare, cook, cleanup and eat the fantastic meals during the weekend. The menu was unexpectedly enhanced with Kaz's home made soup. The youth entertained with a scavenger hunt, hide and go seek "Sardine Tag” and a create your own story/solve the mystery game called “Mafia”. The sunny afternoon was filled with a sports tournament including bocce ball, bedrock golf, horseshoes and ping pong. Bicycle decorations lead up to a grand parade and, like so many others in the past, Sora and Courtenay celebrated cycling without training wheels.

Mornings started with Nature Walks with Sensei Akune with an astounding attendance of 62 participants. After sewing chickens, adults finished their evenings by letting their chins wag and wet their lips with some rotted grapes. Workshops included self-defence, quiet sitting mediation, dharma discourse, self lead dharma discussions and gatha review.

Enjoy the natural and friendly surroundings of the Manning Park located in the heart of the Cascade Mountain range in the interior of British Columbia. Enjoy a weekend designed to promote fellowship within and between the various groups, families and ages attending. Participate in activities, lectures and workshops. This will be a time of community sharing and learning.

The event is open to anyone who is curious about or interested in the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

Accomodations will be community style with shared chalets and hotel rooms. When requesting your group to stay together, please submit all names on one registration form. Organizers will try to accommodate your requests and use discretion being mindful of other guests.

Guests will bring their own protein to the Saturday, March 18 dinner bbq. All other meals will be provided as planned by the organizing committee. All guests will sign up for meal preparation, cooking and cleanup duties. Please let us know if any member of your group has food allergies. Local guests are welcome to bring home-made desserts to share.

Prior to the weekend, the organizers will be looking for volunteers to design and conduct events.

Manning Park Resort is just 3 hours from Vancouver and 2 ½ hours from Kelowna. Participants are responsible for their own travel to Manning Park.

Registration is during the afternoon of Saturday, May 16 and closing services will end by 11am on Monday, May 18. Inquire about registration fees, and Early Bird rates. Early registration fees are discounted for registrations received with payment (by cheque) by January 23, 2009. Final Registration must be received with payment by March 15, 2009. All cheques payable to “Vancouver Buddhist Temple”

*Discounted rate apply for adult members of the JSBTC (Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada), BCA (Buddhist Churches of America), Hawaii Kyodan and members of any affiliate of the Nishi Hongwanji.

sponsored by:
The Living Dharma Centre

Hosted by:
Vancouver Buddhist Temple
220 Jackson Ave.
Vancouver, BC
V6A 3B3

To request a registration form or if you have any questions, contact the Vancouver Buddhist Temple,
(604) 253-7033
Fax: (604) 253-7076

Email: retreat.vbt@gmail.com

Sensei Bob Oshita of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento is one of the many speakers that has been recorded by the Living Dharma Centre. HIs lecture is one of many available to watch and listen to. In this excerpt, Sensei Oshita breaks down Buddhism into one word, "impermanence".

Sensei Oshita graduated from U.C. Berkley, attended the Institute for Buddhist Studies, and has studied in Japan and with many teachers from diverse Buddhist traditions. Contact your nearest Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple of your LDC representitive for more information to receive or watch this DVD.

Learn more about Buddhism as the West Coast Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples begin their 2008 Lecture Series.
Jodo Shinshu teachers from all over North American have been invited to speak at Vancouver area temples throughout the year.
We hope you can attend this FREE lecture series to get a better understanding of Buddhism.

Buddhism for Dummies
Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 9:30am-11:30am
Vancouver Buddhist Temple, 220 Jackson Ave. Vancouver, BC
Speaker: Rev. Bob Oshita

Rev. Bob Oshita of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento has administered Dharma services to the 1,000 member community there for 13 years. He was ordained in 1973 in the Jodo-Sinshu tradition and has taught for 22 years.

Rev. Oshita graduated from U.C. Berkley, attended the Institute for Buddhist Studies, and has studied in Japan and with many teachers from diverse Buddhist traditions. He is highly treasured by his sangha for his energetic style and his compassion.





The Importance of “Self" in Amida Buddha
Friday, April 4, 2008 at 7:00pm
University of British Columbia, Thea Koerner House (Graudate Student Centre) located next to Asian Studies Centre.
(Parking is available at either the Chan Centre or the Asian Studies Centre, 6371 Crescent Road on the corner of West Mall and Crescent Road)
Speaker Dr. Leslie Kawamura

Reverend Dr. Leslie Kawamura is currently a full professor of Buddhism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary. He is also the Director of the Buddhist Churches of Canada - Living Dharma Centre.

Since becoming a member of the Department of Religious Studies in 1976, Leslie Kawamura has devoted ceaseless efforts to promoting the study of Asian cultures and to fostering an interest in Asia within the University and Calgary communities. He has been instrumental in the established of connections between the University and individuals and institutions in Asia.




Buddhism for Beginners (1)
Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 2:00pm
Steveston Buddhist Temple, 4360 Garry St, Richmond, BC
Speaker: Reverend Ronald Kobata, Buddhist Churches of America

Sensei Kobata graduated with a bachelor's degree from Berkeley, and has his master's from the Institute of Buddhist Studies. He has been assigned to various Buddhist temples in Washington and Hawaii.
Kobata was most recently assigned to Makawao Hongwanji temple in Maui, Hawaii and appointed in Feb. 2005 as executive assistant to Bishop Koshin Ogui.



Finding One Self in the Vows of Amida Buddha
Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9:30-11:30am
Vancouver Buddhist Temple, 220 Jackson Ave. Vancouver, BC
Speaker: Reverend Gregory Gibbs, Oregon Buddhist Temple (Portland)

Gregory G. Gibbs was a resident minister at Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple from 1994-2001. He served at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple from 2003-2005.

He is a graduate of the Institute of Buddhist Studies (M.A. in Buddist Studies and Master of Jodo Shinshu Studies) and an active member of the North American Branch of the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies. His publications include, "Understanding Shiran and the Burden of the Traditional Dogmatics" (The Eastern Buddhist, Fall, 1997), and "Shinjin as a Transformation in Personal Identity" (The Pure Land, 1998).




Buddhism for Beginners (2)
Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 7:30-9:30pm
Steveston Buddhist Temple, Richmond, BC
Speaker: Reverend Masao Kodani, Senshin Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles, CA

After graduating from Centennial High School, Reverend Kodani attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where he earned his degree in East Asian Studies. While at UC Santa Barbara, he became close with Reverend Art Takemoto of Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Through Rev. Takemoto’s influence, Kodani traveled to Japan to study Buddhism at Ryukoku University.

After his studies were completed, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Senshin Buddhist Temple in South Central Los Angeles.




Gathering of Joy
Friday, July 11, 2008 at 7:00-9:00pm
Vancouver Buddhist Temple, 220 Jackson Ave. Vancouver, BC
Speaker: Reverend Ronald Kobata, Buddhist Churches of America

Sensei Kobata graduated with a bachelor's degree from Berkeley, and has his master's from the Institute of Buddhist Studies. He has been assigned to various Buddhist temples in Washington and Hawaii.
Kobata was most recently assigned to Makawao Hongwanji temple in Maui, Hawaii and appointed in Feb. 2005 as executive assistant to Bishop Koshin Ogui.



Buddhism for Beginners (3)
Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 2:00-4:00pm
Steveston Buddhist Temple, 4360 Garry St, Richmond, BC
Speaker: Reverend Thomas Okano, Bishop Hawaii Honpa Hongwanji Mission, Honolulu, Hawaii

Thomas Okano is the 15th Bishop of the Hawaii Honpa Hongwanji. The Hawaii Honpa is the largest organization of Buddhist temples in the State of Hawaii.

Previously, he was the Director of the Buddhist Study Centre at the University of Hawaii. He is recognized as a talented scholar and a wise, compassionate administrator.

Presented by the West Coast Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples:

Fraser Valley Buddhist Temple
Abbotsford, BC

Steveston Buddhist Temple
4360 Garry St. Richmond, BC
604-277-2323
www.stb.shawbiz.ca

Vancouver Buddhist Temple
220 Jackson Ave. Vancouver, BC
604-253-7033

In order to have all temples enjoy prominent speakers of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the LDC has requested the Steveston and Vancouver Buddhist Temples to record the lectures of Sensei LaVerne Sasaki formerly of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco in September.

The Toronto Buddhist Temple, hosted Professor Duncan Williams from the University of California, Berkeley in September. Both lectures were recorded and will also be made available in the near future.



PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH YOUR FEEDBACK...

On the Sunday following the BCC Executive Meeting, I was able to share in the Sunday morning service at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple. During the service, two Dharma School students sat with Sensei Aoki and me and led the congregation in Sutra Chanting. It was a wonderful learning experience. The service was particularly exciting for me, because I was able to share with those present my wish to have as many followers of the Nembutsu attend the 750th Anniversary Celebration of our founder, Shinran.