Eshinni Kakushinni Memorial Service with Rev. Ko'e Umezu!

Hello,

All of a sudden, the temperature in Portland shot up this weekend!!

For this year's Eshinni and Kakushinni Memorial Service (chaired by OBWA), we were very fortunate to have Rev. Ko'e Umezu (West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple), conduct the service and share the Dharma messages.

Rev. Umezu's message, throughout Children's talk, Sangha talk, and Dharma Exchange, centered on Diversity and Acceptance.

The Children's talk started with the question: Who is your Super Hero?

Why is this Super Hero a Super Hero for you?

Which led to the story of the Buddha Lokeshvararaja and Bodhisattva Dharmakara

and how and why Dharmakara became Amida Buddha.

It was the origin story of Amida Buddha, the Super Hero!

In the Sangha Talk, Rev. Umezu made us think who were Eshinni and Kakushinni, and why did they do what they did - supporting Shinran Shonin, supporting to spread the Pureland Buddhism teachings. What drove them to do that?

Through Rev. Umezu's talk, it felt like both Eshinni and Kakushinni became more relevant to us in our current times rather than just historical figures.

After the Service, Reverend joined the Dharma Exchange Book Club.

In this once a month-ish Book Club, we have been reading Jeff Wilson's Living Nembutsu.

In honor of Pride month, we read the chapter "Queer Shinran", and had discussions led by Charley and Rev. Umezu.

Thank you Rev. Umezu, for visiting Oregon Buddhist Temple,

and sharing your Dharma teachings and positive messages.

June Toban and other volunteers prepared amazing Otoki afterwards.

There were Ominivore and Vegan Somen bowls with delicious toppings!

Cannot imagine the work they put in, to prepare so many beautiful and delicious somen bowls! So grateful to everyone who were involved!!

And they were just perfect for a suddenly hot temperature of this Sunday!