What happens when you combine the Dharma with food, family, friends, and fun for over 100 adults and children from the Buddhist churches of Fowler, Fresno, Hanford, Parlier, Reedley, and Visalia?
What happens is that you have an insightful and wonderful time at the Central California Nenbutsu Seminar and Family Fun Day,
Held at the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple on Oct. 2, the day began with the Friends and Family Service in the Hondo and the installation of the active Central California Jr. YBA (Young Buddhist Association) officers, followed by the adult and children’s seminars.
The adult seminar, held in the Family Dharma Center, was a “Virtual Tour of Hiroshima,” led by Rev. Yutaka Kono of the Hiroshima Ministerial Training School and narrated by Rinban Rev. Kakei Nakagawa of the Fresno Betsuin.
The tour included the Hiroshima Betsuin, meeting the faculty of the Hiroshima Bukkyo Gakuin, and seeing the location of the Residency Program (Manpuku-Ji Temple). Continuing on the tour were the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, and Miyajima.
The children’s seminar, held in the Hondo and led by Resident Minister Rev. Kazuaki Nakata, began with a mindful meditation session.
The kindergarten through sixth-grade students questioned the high school students in the “Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Please Tell Us the Dharma” session.
The high school students enjoyed responding to the younger students’ questions about Gassho, Dharma, and the Nenbutsu. The seminar concluded with the “Shouting Nenbutsu” contest when each student shouted, “Namoamidabutsu,” as loudly as possible through the microphone.
After the seminars concluded, the adults and children joined for lunch, highlighted by a taco truck and barbecue teriyaki chicken pizza.
The Family Fun Day began with a giant bounce house, raffle, Fresno Betsuin Bookstore, and shave ice provided by the Fresno Jr. YBA. The day concluded with games of bingo with cash prizes provided by the Central California churches.