Vancouver Buddhist Temple

On Sunday, March 25, the Vancouver Buddhist Temple will be holding its Annual Spring Food Bazaar.Though it‘s still two months away, there is already much to do in preparation. Please come and help make the famous VBT Manju on the following dates:

• Saturday, February 4—9:00 am
• Saturday, March 10—9:00 am

More help will be needed on the following dates ring the weekend of the bazaar:

 Have you ever driven up to garage door of our temple and wondered who those people are, gathered around the building next door? They are people who frequent that blue building, the LivingRoom Drop-in Centre.  (Following exerpt taken from http://lookoutsociety.ca/LivingRoom.html)

Not a week into the new year, an interesting group of people gathered at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple. We gathered at VBT from across Canada and
points in California to focus on the process of Tokudo Ordination. Tokudo Ordination is a ceremony that takes place at our Head Temple, Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan. When one has performed the rights, one is considered a formal student of the Nembutsu Teachings. It is also considered to be the first formal

 Annual Mochitsuki, 150 lbs.mochi made, attended by 130
 35 people attended New Years Eve service followed by toshi-kohi soba
 Bell-ringing service at UBC 1130pm Jan. 31 attended by 230-250
 Hoonko service on Jan 8th guest speaker, Rev.
Inokoji-Kim of Sacramento, CA, observed 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin with Musical service patterned after Hongwanji 750th Service.

How time passes so quickly when you are involved in Temple activities and your daily happenings. I thought I had just written the article for the January issue of our Bodhi Mind and I received an email from our English Editor, Joanne, that articles for the February issue are needed to be handed in.

 A Happy, Healthy, and peaceful 2012 to all
our students and their families, and friends. The New
Year‘s Day Service is an especially heartwarming
one; the atmosphere in the Hondo is palpable with
joy, goodwill, and gratitude as we gather with family
and friends to extend good wishes. The children
leave the Hondo with smiling faces and their gift of
"otoshidama".

 Please join our monthly gift card purchasing
group and spend a small part of your dollars on gift
cards. This means that one would commit to certain
card(s) every month. For example, a member could
purchase a $50 or $100 Esso gas card or a Safeway
card every month. For more information you can
visit www.shopandsupport.ca click on 'Retail
Partners' then 'Dynamic Retail Gift Card List' to see
all shops involved in the program.
Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada

 1.New gym heater installed and now running.
2. Remembrance Day service attended by 200 under
showery clouds
3. Annual temple Pot-luck dinner attended by 50
people, video of Hokkaido Snow Festival by
JTB rep.
4. Year-end temple clean-up of whole building Dec.
3, 35 had lunch provided by Toban.
5. Annual Mochitsuki. Very successful event
attended by 120 with lunch of special mochi
dishes and hot dogs. Coordinated by
J.Harada.
6. Constitution to be updated and registered with BC

On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank Aoki
Sensei for all his hard work and guidance
throughout the year. Best wishes Sensei, to you and
your family.