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9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Zen Shin Sangha Meditation: As the days are getting longer and we approach the vernal equinox this week, give yourself 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
• Honoring Eshinni (wife of) and Kakushinni (daughter of) Shinran Shonin who preserved the Shinran’s teachings for us.
• O-Higan: Vernal Equinox
• Shin Buddhist Memorial Service to express gratitude to ancestors who passed away in the month of March. Those attending may include the name of a loved one in our Memorial Service. Please provide Rev. Anita with the name by 10:15 AM.

Following the Service:

Following coffee and our Sangha’s March birthday cake, we will discuss a short reading. Handouts of text provided.

Please check this link to 4/20/25 issue to receive your Buddhist Name by Bishop Harada

Wheel of Dharma

The Wheel of Dharma is the translation of the Sanskrit word, “Dharmacakra,” or Dhammacakka” in Pali. Similar to the wheel of the cart that keeps revolving, it symbolizes the Buddha’s teachings as it continues to be spread widely and endlessly. The eight spokes of the wheel represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism, the most important Way of practice. The Noble Eightfold Path refers to right view, right thought, right speech, right behavior, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation. In the olden days before statues and other images of the Buddha were made, this Wheel of Dharma served as the object of worship. At the present time, the Wheel is used internationally as the common symbol of Buddhism. ¹

It is taught there are Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma, where Shakyamuni Buddha shared his understanding of the reality of life and taught them in a way that was understandable to his followers. The first Turning of the Wheel of Dharma took place at Deer Park in Sarnath (near Varanasi). Present at this First Turning were the three treasures we speak of today: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The teachings at this First Turning are said to include the Four Noble Truths and dependent origination amongst others. The wheel is also symbolic of the cycle of life, or the Wheel of Samsara. There is release from this Wheel of Samsara as we walk the Buddhist path and put our understanding into the practice of the teachings.

Dharma wheel, Japan, Kamakura period, 1200s AD, bronze Tokyo National Museum - Tokyo, Japan

The wheel symbol is ancient. Its first known use was in the Bronze Age with the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE – 1300 BCE). In the Vedas, (oldest scriptures of Hinduism) the chariot wheel, cakra, is associated with the sun and believed to be a symbolic representation of light and knowledge.

The Cleveland Buddhist Temple’s Wheel of Dharma, in the image, was mounted on our Temple wall when we were located in Euclid, Ohio. It has our Shin Buddhist Sagarifuji No Mon (wisteria crest) as its axel. It was created to place on the south wall of the Cleveland Buddhist Temple facing Euclid Avenue. After 50 years on the south wall, facing the sun every day, the colors remained as brilliant, 50 years later, as the day it was placed on the wall. This Wheel of Dharma now adorns a Buddhist Churches of America temple in California.

¹ Teachings of the Buddha, BDK Military edition 2021. Front page.

Bishop Marvin Harada

Yes, you may apply for your own Buddhist name.

Bishop Harada will perform the Kieshiki Ceremony giving you your own Buddhist name

The last Kieshiki ceremony in Cleveland was 14 years ago.

The application form must be received no later than March 31, 2025.

Click here for details in February 26, 2025 Special Edition Buddha Post

October 9 - 11, 2025

Center for Buddhist Education

MAP Seminar

Jodo Shinshu Center, Berkeley CA

This in person training session is hosted by the BCA’s Center for Buddhist Education and is open to all BCA Minister Assistants both certified and non-certified. The BCA encourages all Minister Assistants to participate in continuing education. The sessions will cover basic Jodo Shinshu teachings, chanting, Onaijin etiquette as well as other topics. This is a great opportunity to learn from other BCA ministers and to build relationships with MAs from different temples.

Participating in the Minister Assistant Program (MAP) is available at all levels. The third Jewel in Buddhism is the Sangha. It is the Sangha that helps us understand and supports us as we put the teachings to the test on our Shin Buddhist Path. All who attend often are already engaged in the CBT Sangha. By exploring this next step you can deepen your understanding at a level and pace of your choice.

Please email Rev. Anita for more information, or if you wish, to set up a time to explore if participating in the Minister Assistant Program is for you.

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