March 2026

President’s Message - Troy Watanabe

I forget that February is a short month and it actually seemed longer than January as it wasn’t quite as busy. That is good because it gave a lot of us time to catch up with some old projects and to organize some things. But, next month is going to be like the old weather proverb of “March in like a lion…”. We have been renting out our church for the use of the gym and kitchen to the LDS Church’s digital genealogy group called Roots Tech for the past 5 years for a whole week during their genealogy conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center. They use our facilities for a breakroom for all of the conference workers, booth set-up contractors and such. It really works out for them and for us as it brings in quite a bit of money during the week when no one is really there anyways. They will be using our main building with the gym from the late afternoon of March 1st to the evening of Saturday, March 7th. Please do not go into this building during that week. If you really need to check something please contact me and I can arrange a time with them that you will be there.

The Temple will also be having the Nikkei Center Luncheon hosted by the Salt Lake JACL Chapter on Saturday, March 14th at 12:00pm.. I heard that they may be playing bingo so if you are a senior member of the Nikkei Center please come and enjoy. If you want to join you can contact Dot Richeda and she can get you the information for that. It is always a great time to see many of our seniors that we do not see on a regular basis.

The Adult Study Class is hosting a one day Spring Naikan Retreat hosted by Dr. Carmela Javellana-Hirano, Dave Black, and Jorgen Olsen on Saturday March 21st from 8:30am to 5:30pm at our Temple. You can find more information on this in this newsletter or on our website under new events. Then on Sunday, March 22nd our Ichimi group is doing the Spring Ohigan Breakfast in the gym from 8:00am to 10:00am. They will be serving rice,scrambled eggs, choice of spam or portuguese sausage, fruit, and a small pastry for $10.00. This helps benefit the Ichimi Committee and you can plan early to come eat breakfast before the services. We are also offering a six week Buddhist Doctrine class titled the ‘Tannisho: Spiritual Liberation for Ordinary Human Beings” with Reverends Jerry and Carmela Hirano as the instructors. This class will be held in the West Wing Kodo and is $75.00 for registration which you can access and sign up for on our website in new events.

Our Boy Scout Troop is having a low country seafood boil fundraiser next month on April 4th. Please see the Troop article and flyer in this newsletter for more information. Whew, what a busy month and then next month is just as busy with Hanamatsuri and the Nihon Matsuri Festival. I am truly grateful for all of our Sangha for continuing to support our organizations and the Temple. Without everyone we could not be having such continued success. So, Thank you, Namo Amida Butsu.

In Gassho, Troy Watanabe

Troop 442

The Troop collected food for the Scouting America National Scouting for Food drive on February 7th at the Temple and we collected the most food in our district again. Every time we go to drop off the food for the Utah Food Bank they are always so grateful and in awe that we do so well. Thank you to the Sangha and scout families for supporting this effort to help our food insecure communities. You really helped to make a difference.

The Troop will be hosting a delicious Low Country Boil on Saturday, April 4th at the Temple from 4:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. This will be a cajun style seafood boil with shrimp, crawfish,sausage, cobbed corn and potatoes. There will be a mild and regular spice option.The portions will be generous and the cost is $20.00 per plate and we are offering dine-in or take-out. Tickets will be available from Sunday, March 8th and you can purchase those from any of our scouts or Ray Nishikawa and Troy Watanabe. Flyers will be available soon also to share with family and friends. The proceeds go directly to the Troop to continue to support the growth, learning, and outdoor experiences such as our annual Summer Camp and to our many service projects that we do in the community. We hope you can come and enjoy a wonderful meal.

The Troop will be camping this month on the last weekend for just one night from Saturday, February 28th to Sunday, March 1st. We will be going down to Fremont Indian State Park in Sevier, Utah. The boys will be earning their Indian Lore Merit Badge as they learn about the Fremont Indian Tribe and their culture and impact in Utah. We will have more on this next month.

The Troop is now up to 26 boys and we continue to get requests from families wanting to come check out our Troop and see what we are all about. Our regular meetings are on Monday evenings at 7:00pm and we meet in Holladay at a property that has been generously donated by one of our old scoutmasters and current assistant scoutmaster Fred Kidston. You probably have seen him at the Temple at our festivals or just at the Temple as he also helps repair many things for us along with our scoutmaster Erik Kristensen. They are the ones with the long mustache and goatee. We couldn't do this without their extensive knowledge and skills.

Yours in Scouting, Troy Watanabe

Dharma School and YBA Sunshine

“The only thing more powerful than hate is love” -Bad Bunny

While our classrooms seem quiet on the surface, our Sunday School students are busy behind the scenes, we have been busy preparing for next month's Hanamatsuri. Please join us for our special Hanamatsuri Service on Sunday, April 5, 2026, followed by our beloved tradition of a KFC for lunch, a twinkie desert and our entertaining program. Every year, we look forward to the wonderful creativity and talent our Dharma School students share with the Sangha. It is truly a highlight for us all! An advanced thank you to the parents helping with costumes and scenery.

Go Seahawks! The Super Bowl was an exciting game and a wonderful way for the Sangha to show their support for the YBA Sunshine group’s upcoming trip.Thank you to everyone who supported the cause. Another quote of Bad Bunny, 'Together we are America' and here at the temple, we are reminded that when we come together as a Sangha, we can achieve amazing things.

As we approach Buddha’s Birthday, let us carry the spirit of loving-kindness in everything we do. May we remember that our strength lies in our togetherness and our commitment to treating one another with a compassionate heart.

In Gassho,

Dharma School

BWA

Hoonko

Thanks to everyone who helped make ozoni and miso salmon and rice. Especially Junko for her delicious miso sauce. Thank you Karie for keeping records for numbers and ingredients and for oversight on the ozoni production.
We really enjoyed all the salads, side dishes and desserts that everyone brought to share.

BWA Steak Fry

We had a fun gathering for our Steak Fry in the gym on February 1st.

A BIG thank you goes out to Rolen Yoshinaga for the preparation and grilling of the flank steaks! They were so tasty and perfectly cooked!
We had lots of great salads, side dishes and desserts for his event!

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be March 29th after service.
We will be discussing Hanamatsuri, where we will be making Sakura Mochi on Saturday April 4th and other events for the Temple.

Upcoming events: Please contact Cindy for more information.

48th FBWA Conference – October 2-4 2026 in San Diego
18th World BWA Convention – September 11-12 2027 Honolulu Hawaii

Early registration is now open – rates will increase on March 31, 2027

19th World BWA Convention – 2031 Las Vega Nevada

Looking for feedback on the “Harmony in Diversity: Awakening Through Sound and Spirit” theme

In Gassho, 🙏🏻🌈

Cindy Yamada Thomas

BWA membership is open to all Temple members who would like to join.

Watsonville & Salt Lake City Japan Tour

November 4 – November 14, 2026
Organized by Kintetsu International Express

Important Dates

- Tour Dates: November 4–14, 2026

- Registration Deadline: February 28, 2026

- Limited to 45 participants (first come, first served)

Salt Lake City (SLC) Group – Per Person

Economy: $8,160

Premium Economy: $9,086

Business Class: $12,433

What’s Included

- International flights (ANA)

- Domestic flights (United for SLC group)

- Hotels, ground transportation, and guided land program

- Fuel surcharges and taxes (subject to change)

Optional Travel Insurance

Group travel insurance is available for Washington State residents, if ordered.

Registration

https://custom.cvent.com/FD5A79C0329F4617A2FC936DACBFA791

For a detailed itinerary go to http://slbuddhist.org/new-events

2026 SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIPS

These members contributed $1400 per member in this premier membership category.

Carl Dennison Marcus Miya

Lynne Doi Karie Minaga-Miya

Brian Fukushima Norris Nagao

Tammy Park Paul Terashima

Carmela Javellana Hirano Kathy Terashima

Dereke Lee Cindy Yamada Thomas

Craige Mayeda Yoshiko Uno

Junko Mitsunaga Byron Watanabe

Reiko Mitsunaga Reiko Watanabe

2026 PAID MEMBERSHIPS

Received 12/25/2025 - 3/1/2026. Dharma School children not listed.

Tracy Akimoto, Ed, Justin, Jordan Roberson

Mark & Gail Minaga

William Auffermann

Mary Misaka, Mariko Jessop

Lauren Carlock

Steven Kim Mugleston

Marco Chang

David & Julia Nagata

Karen Cone-Uemura

Mei Mei Nagata Brown

Carl & Yuriko* Dennison

Ray Nishikawa & Diane Akiyama

Emery Ryujin Duffin

Gary & Ryoko Okamoto

Clinton Duke

Lee Oikle

Grant Ellis

Chris Oki

Illise Ellsworth

Dot Richeda

Stan & Elaine Endo

Phillip & Connie Sakashita

Shirley Farr

Donna Sato

Anna, Maile Fukushima

Walter & Karen Sato

Elaine Fukushima

Setsuko Schock

Scott & Joy Furubayashi

Dave Sekino

Joshua Gutierrez & Elizabeth Garcia-Acevedo

Lynn & Marilyn Shimada

Sherrie, Seiji, Miye Hayashi

Jamie Doi Slade

Dean, Ethan Hirabayashi

Jackie Stanworth

Troy & Ashley, Jonah, Isaac Holbrook

Dru & Joni Sueoka

Trey Imamura

Stephanie, Samantha, Cameron Sueoka

Cristal Isa & Austin Joyce

Michael Iwasaki

Jun Sudoko

Sandy Iwasaki

Ai Taguchi

Brent, Sherrie, Ty, Eric Koga

Nobuhiko & Sakiko Taguchi

Kelvin & Jackie Kojimoto

Christopher & Shelley Taketa

Henry & Tammie Kuramoto

Nanae Taketa

Ashton Lazarus

Robert, Tami, Alex Tokita

Irene Linnett

Lance Uno

Todd Matsuda

Troy, Judy, Max, Josh Watanabe

Kenneth & Reiko Matsuura

Juan Winkler

Michelle, Kimari Matsuura

Arthur Yakumo

Shauna Mayeda

Rolen & Dawn, Collin, Keaton Yoshinaga

Alec Miller

* Memorial Membership

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2026 DONATIONS

(Received & Deposited 2/1/2026 - 3/1/2026. Last USPS mail pickup was 2/22/2026.

Dana Campaign

Thomas Endo 1,000 Jamie Doi Slade 100

Troy & Ashley Holbrook. 100 Nanae Taketa 55

Michael Iwasaki 25

Shotsuki Hoyo In memory of:

Henry & Tammie Kuramoto. 50

Mabel Okubo 200 Hisae Tsutsui

Troy & Judy Watanabe 40 Ichiro Roy Watanabe

Thomas Endo 100 Kathleen Endo

Paul & Kathy Terashima 100 Kay Terashima

Ray Nishikawa & Diane Akiyama 30 Ken Nodzu

Troy & Judy Watanabe 40 Ken Nodzu

Mabel Okubo 200 Kiyotaro Okubo

Ray Nishikawa & Diane Akiyama 50 Mas Akiyama

Paul & Kathy Terashima 50 Masayo Doi

Lynne Doi 50 Misao Doi

Paul & Kathy Terashima 50 Misao Doi

Eleanor Naomi Kobayashi 30 Miyuki Hasegawa

Mabel Okubo 200 Mojiro Tsutsui

Mabel Okubo 200 Riyo Okubo

Eleanor Naomi Kobayashi 30 Roxanne Hasegawa

Eleanor Naomi Kobayashi 30 Sakae Kobayashi

Ray Nishikawa & Diane Akiyama 30 Shige Nodzu

Eleanor Naomi Kobayashi 30 Yasuji Kobayashi

Nehan-E (Nirvana Day), Pet Memorial

Lynne Doi 25. Nehan-E

Marcus & Karie Minaga-Miya 30. Nehan-E

Karen Cone-Uemura 50. Pet Memorial - Woody

Keirokai Senior Lunches

Mabel Okubo 300

Paul & Kathy Terashima. 200

BWA

Marcus & Karie Minaga-Miya, 100

Junko Mitsunaga, 100

Junko Mitsunaga, 50 Steak Fry

Phillip & Connie Sakashita 30

Paul & Kathy Terashima, 100

YBA

Paul & Kathy Terashima, 100

Dharma School

Kenneth & Renee Matsuura, 30, Goodie Bag

Junko Mitsunaga, 50, Goodie Bag

Paul & Kathy Terashima, 100

Troop 442

Paul & Kathy Terashima, 100

Temple General Donations

Phillip & Connie Sakashita, 70, Hoonko

Eleanor Naomi Kobayashi, 50, Hanamatsuri

Salt Lake City Corporation, 3,500, Obon 2026 - Arts, Culture, Events Grant

America Online Giving Foundation, 180

Davone, 30

Illise Ellsworth, 30

Friends of Japantown, 25,000, Save Japantown

Mabel Okubo, 100, Buddhist Thoughts

Upcoming Opportunities for Temple Donations

Major and minor Buddhist holidays/celebrations are listed here. Suggested donations based upon past donation averages.

Keirokai Senior Lunches - any amount appreciated to purchase or prepare lunches for some of our senior members.

Spring Ohigan - $25 to $100

To make donations, make checks payable to the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and mail to:

Attn: Robert Tokita

Salt Lake Buddhist Temple

211 West 100 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Alternative method, using PayPal, Credit Card or Debit Card:

Go to our website, slbuddhist.org, and click on the "Donate" button.

On the payment screen, click on the "write a note" button and indicate what the donation is for.

This donation method is starting to pick up steam, thank you!

Check that your donations are listed

After you make a donation, check to make sure that your check clears and that your donation is listed here. If not, please contact Robert Tokita. Leave a text message or voicemail at 801-231-6699 or send an email to robert.tokita@gmail.com.

2026 Major memorial services and Shotsuki memorial service

Shotsuki Memorial Service is a general memorial service held monthly to remember members and friends of the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple who passed away during the month in which it is held. During these services, the temple will list the names of those members who have died during the month in the preceding years.

These services are not meant to replace the services at pre-described intervals (1-yr., 3rd-yr., 7th-yr., 13th-yr., 17th-yr., etc. see chart below). for individuals held separately by families. The numbers or the years of service are using the “kaiki” which begins first year as 1 and second year as third year. To schedule a private memorial service please contact Rev. Hirano

2026 I year

2024 3 year

2020 7 year

2014 13 year

2010 17 year

2002 25 year

1994 33 year

1977 50 year

1927 100 year

Memorial services are held often according to our Buddhist tradition. In our annual calendar of events, major memorial services honoring members include the Eitaikyo Service and the Obon Service. The Memorial Service in our Jodo Shinshu tradition, although held in honor of the deceased, is received as an opportunity given to us by the persons we honor, to encounter and to listen to the teachings of the Buddha. Through remembrances of our family members and friends passed on, and through the Dharma, we are able to reflect on our daily life.

March 2026 Shotsuki Hoyo

Henry Adachi, 03/11/1997

Emiko Brouwer-Mayeda, 03/04/1996

Elsie Doi, 03/01/2015

Ruby Doi, 03/27/2018

Nobuzo Endo, 03/16/1993

Melvin Scott Harada, 03/09/2016

Kiyoko Hata, 03/11/2019

Toshizo Igata, 03/02/2002

Mitsuko Ikegami, 03/02/1972

Matsuyo Imada, 03/12/1991

Miya Iwata, 03/11/1991

Setsu Kano, 03/14/1940

Seiko Kasai, 03/20/2002

Grace Kasai, 03/08/2014

Uwano Kida, 03/16/1967

Sakae Kobayashi, 03/17/2000

Iseko Ada Koseki, 03/17/1992

Hyozo Kumagai, 03/11/1986

Grahame Leach, 03/01/2012

Matsuzo Maeda, 03/18/1964

Chiyo Matsumiya, 03/12/1990

Jinzaburo Matsumiya, 03/19/1964

Kame Matsuura, 03/25/1954

Helen Mitsunga, 03/29/2024

Tomio Mitsunaga, 03/07/2020

Tomekichi Muraki, 03/01/1975

Shizuye Nakagiri, 03/06/2012

Akimi Nakamura-Chow, 03/05/2019

Tokuyo Nakano, 03/03/1991

Makiji Namba, 03/02/1957

Emily Nishikawa, 03/20/1995

Fred Anthony Richeda, 03/05/2016

Yvonne Katsuyo Sasaki, 03/16/1956

Takataro Shiba, 03/10/2001

Toshi Shimizu, 03/24/1988

Tetsu Tachiki, 03/18/1983

Shizuo Taketa, 03/01/2004

Hisashi Harry Uyeda, 03/07/1985