Mountain View Buddhist Temple
On Sunday, September 18, 2016 the Mountain View Buddhist Temple celebrated ts 55th Anniversary. While not as huge as the 50th Anniversary,
the 55th had all the same ceremonies and processions. Tyler, as a member of the Middle School Youth Group - Miroku, was asked to offer flowers during the ceremony.
The Bishop and Tyler. |
Receiving Buddhist name. |
Chanting. |
Offering flowers. |
Cayla was the YBA Representative and I was the Miroku Representative.
Dharma School Attendance Award
June 4, 2017
At the end of every school year the Mountain View Buddhist Temple awards Dharma School students who have made it a priority to attend as much as
possible. This year all 3 kids received attendance awards. Jordyn and Connor both earned their 3-Year Attendance Award, but Tyler received a plaque for
the milestone 5-Year Attendance Award!
Tyler receiving his Dharma School Attendance Award from Mukojima Sensei!
Tyler and all the DS Attendance Award recipients.
5-Year plaque.
High School Graduation Certificate.
Sasaki Memorial Scholarship
Tyler is one of this year's Rev. and Mrs. Sensho Sasaki Memorial Scholarship recipients! Over the years, Tyler has been able to enhance his understanding of the Buddha Dharma through Dharma School
and the YBA. He also broadened this education by attending many YBA conferences and the DANA (Dharma And Nembutsu Always) Retreat sponsored by the Senior (College) YBA. We're so lucky he has this
foundation to fall back on as he navigates life after high school.
Rev. and Mrs. Sensho Sasaki Memorial Scholarship 2021.
When Dharma School students graduate from high school they give a speech at one of the Sunday services to talk about what it was like going to temple, attending Dharma School, and maybe what they
learned along the way. Normally, these speeches would be given in person at Sunday service where they would stand up in front of the Sangha (congregation). Unfortunately, due to the on-going COVID
situation Tyler had to make a video of his speech that was shown during one of the online services. He took full advantage of the medium that not only allowed him to deliver a message but also to
showcase a little of his personality.
It's at times like these when parents might look back and marvel at all the effort they devoted to their kids over the years. All the classroom help, the basketball or baseball practices and games, the
endless school drop-offs and pick-ups, the last minute runs to Michaels to get a presentation board for a project that's due tomorrow that they only started today, and all the worrying was worth it at
times like these.
Tyler's senior speech.
One of the major fundraisers held at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple is Mochitsuki. "Mochitsuki", the pounding of rice to make mochi, is both
culturally significant in ushering in the new year and entertaining to watch. Perhaps the most recognizable aspect of making mochi is the pounding of the rice. A large granite bowl called an usu is used to
hold the ground rice. Two people work in tandem to pound the rice into mochi. One uses a large mallet and strikes the mochi rice while the other flips it. With enough time and practice the two will find a
rhythm to quickly pound the rice into the proper consistency and shape it into small palm sized rice cakes.
Every year just before the New Year, hundreds of pounds of sweet rice is washed, soaked, steamed, ground, pounded, shaped, and cooled for purchase. The most popular mochi, Komochi, is sold in 2-pound packages
for $15. The more ornate 2-tiered mochi, Okasane, sold for $8, is used for decoration at an altar or in the home and represents longevity and good fortune. This year was Tyler's first opportunity since he
went away to college to help at this very popular, cultural, and community-building fundraiser.
Pounding. |
Flipping. |
Tyler pounding mochi.