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9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Zen Shin Sangha Meditation: 

As we enter August of 2025 let us enjoy these summer days to the fullest. To be aware of the sunlight and changing position of the rising sun, the flowers, smells and sounds. If we are aware, we see the each day progresses differently, as we do. Let us also take a moment of contemplation and self-reflection by quiet sitting and guided meditation. We will chant the Heart Sutra, and recite sutras. We sit to calm our mind and body in order to focus on the present moment revealing our profound connection to all beings. With this calmness we are more prepared to hear the Buddha Dharma in the Shin Buddhist service to follow. All levels, including beginners, and families with children are welcome.

(Check out our Children’s Table, complete with coloring books)

10:30 AM: Cleveland Buddhist Temple: Rev. Anita Tokuzen Kazarian

• Shin Buddhist Service
• 80^th Annual Obon Service
• Shin Buddhist Memorial Service to express gratitude to ancestors who passed away in the month of August. Those attending may include the name of a loved one in our Memorial Service. Please provide names on clipboard by 10:15 AM.

Sangha sharing:

• Following coffee and our Birthday cake for our Sangha’s August birthdays, we will share time and thoughts by reading and discussing a short passage of a text. Handouts of text provided. This is a time for experiencing the 3^rd Jewel of Buddhism, the Sangha.

Dhammapada

Dhammapada, a collection of verses of Shakyamuni Buddha

Three Cordial Invitations

I don’t know how many years you have been Buddhists and how many Sundays you have spent to study and practice Buddha Dharma, but I guess you have heard Sanbujo ¹ over and over so many times, yet you never really come to understand its meaning.

Sanbujo;

Bujo Midanyorai Nyudojo Sangeraku,

Bujo Shakyanyorai Nudojo Sangeraku,

Bujo Jippounyorai Nyudojo Sangeraku.

In translation;

May we sincerely call upon Amida Buddha to come and join us here as we scatter flowers of welcome.

May we sincerely call upon Shakyamuni Buddha to come and join us here as we scatter the flowers of welcome.

May we sincerely call upon the Buddhas in the ten quarters to come and join us as we scatter the flowers of welcome.

Yes, at the beginning of the service we invite Amida Buddha, the Buddha with infinite light and life, and then Shakyamuni Buddha, historical Buddha who was born, lived, and died in India. And then innumerable Buddhas in the ten directions, that is, North, South, West and East, NW, NE, SW, SE, and Upper and Lower. They include your fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, as well as all the sentient beings.

By chanting Sanbujo you can visualize enormous numbers of Buddhas and all of you who have gathered here today.

After Sanbujo, we usually chant Sutras which are the sermons of the Buddha together to appreciate his wisdom and compassion.

Namoamidabutsu, In Gassho.

¹ Shin Buddhist Service Book (Purple) p. 23.

²

Encounter by Rev. Orai Fujikawa, available on line. In this memoir, Rev. Fujikawa shares his reflections on Shin Buddhism and recollections from a forty-eight-year career as a Japanese Canadian Buddhist minister. The author is an accomplished calligrapher, and Encounter includes many examples of his beautiful writing.

“When you become a minister, your greatest teachers are the members that you serve. Rev. Fujikawa very beautifully shares the Dharma, the teachings that he receives through his encounters with his members in this book of essays.” —Marvin Harada, Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America 

This post was written by a human.

The Power of Humility in a Self-Centered World

In an era characterized by self-promotion and individualism, the virtue of humility often seems overshadowed. Social media platforms amplify voices, allowing individuals to curate their identities and showcase their achievements, sometimes at the expense of genuine connection and self-awareness. In this self-centered landscape, humility emerges as a counterbalance, reminding us of the value of recognizing our limitations and the contributions of others.

It serves as a grounding force, encouraging individuals to appreciate the collective rather than solely focusing on personal accolades. This shift in perspective is crucial, as it fosters a sense of community and belonging that is often lost in the noise of self-aggrandizement. Moreover, humility is not merely a passive trait; it is an active choice that requires conscious effort.

In a world that often rewards bravado and self-assertion, choosing to be humble can feel counterintuitive. However, embracing humility allows individuals to cultivate deeper connections with others, as it encourages empathy and understanding. When we acknowledge that we do not have all the answers and that our experiences are just one part of a larger tapestry, we open ourselves up to learning from those around us.

This willingness to listen and learn is essential in a society that thrives on collaboration and mutual respect…. Incorporating humility into daily life can be achieved through simple yet impactful practices. One effective method is engaging in acts of service or kindness without seeking recognition or reward. Volunteering for community service or helping a colleague without expecting anything in return reinforces the idea that true fulfillment comes from contributing to the well-being of others rather than seeking personal gain.

Another practical approach is to consciously celebrate the achievements of others. Whether it’s acknowledging a friend’s success or recognizing a colleague’s hard work during team meetings, expressing genuine appreciation fosters an environment where humility thrives. This practice not only strengthens relationships but also cultivates a culture of support and encouragement within communities.

By integrating these practices into everyday life, individuals can gradually shift their mindset toward one rooted in humility. As they embrace this journey, they will likely discover that humility enriches their experiences, deepens their connections with others, and ultimately leads them toward a more fulfilling existence in an increasingly self-centered world.

Excerpt in gratitude from: https://lifespringschristianchurch.org/the-power-of-humility-in-a-self-centered-world/

Photo by Philipp Pilz on Unsplash

As Buddhists, death is a time of transformation from this life of samsara. It is also a time for the family and friends of the deceased to hear the teachings of the Buddha on impermanence. The minister’s message and the sutra chanting form the core of the funeral service. Funeral gatherings are for the sake of the living and attendance by family and friends is encouraged.

Understanding death is necessary to understand life.

As Rennyo writes in his Letter on White Ashes:

"The fragile nature of human life underlies both the young and old."

The Funeral Services may be conducted at the funeral home, Temple or another location chosen by the family and coordinated with the Resident Minister. A Homyo, Buddhist name, which reflects the life of the deceased, is chosen by the Supervising Minister and presented by the Resident Minister at the service. This Homyo accompanies the deceased as she or he passes on to Buddhahood.

Please contact Rev. Anita to discuss your preferred arrangements and service at: rev.anita.cbt@outlook.com

This Wednesday

August 6, 2025

This August marks the 80^th Anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To commemorate this unprecedented violence and the horror of Atomic warfare, to remind ourselves of “Never Again,” please consider joining this Silent Peace Walk on Wednesday,

August 6, 2025. The Cleveland Buddhist Temple will join other groups to commemorate this day with a Silent Peace Walk.

6:30 PM - Gather

Gather as the Cleveland Public Library’s Eastman Reading Garden (between the two buildings of the Cleveland Main Library and Stokes Wing, 525 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114). Short program and activities as we gather.

7:30 PM – Silent Peace Walk

Walk in silence with the slow heartbeat of a drum, to the Peace Memorial and then to Willard Park and the Free Stamp (Willard Park, E 9th and Lakeside). There we will join with words and music. The walk route is less than one mile, and we will walk very slowly and meditatively and silently.

Sunset – Lanterns

At sunset, we will light candle lanterns, declaring our intention that there will never be another nuclear war. No more Hiroshimas! No more Nagasakis! No More Hibakusha.

Notes

• Walkers are asked to dress in white (at least a white shirt/top).
• Rain date - If the weather is bad on August 6, we will reschedule for same time, same place on Saturday, August 9 (the date the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki).

Our Cleveland Buddhist Temple contact is John Barnes at: marchwithcbt@mail.com

Supervising Minister:  Rev. Ron Miyamura

Resident Tokudo Minister: Rev. Anita Tokuzen Kazarian

rev.anita.cbt@outlook.com

Buddha Post is published by the Cleveland Buddhist Temple, 21600 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122 

The Cleveland Buddhist Temple is an affiliate of the Buddhist Churches of America, founded in 1899: 

https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/

© 2025 Anita Kazarian. All rights reserved.

Web and Newsletter Design: Stuart "Kodo" Ott KodoDojo@clevelandbuddhisttemple.org