“On our first day at OCBC, the Nakaso’s were there to greet us and welcome us to the Temple.  We are very grateful to Joanie and Jim for reaching out to us, even though we had never met before.” — Edward Kato

What is your favorite OCBC festival food?

My favorite OCBC festival food is the Adult Buddhist Association’s (ABA’s) chicken teriyaki, and not just because I’m involved in preparing it!  The combination of the special sauce and the convection oven cooking make it tangy and moist, perfect for eating outside during Hanamatsuri and Obon.

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Seattle, WA, went to school and college there, and was a member of the Seattle Buddhist Temple for decades.

Who is an inspiration or role model for you? 

My inspirational role model is Fred Nagahori. He’s a bit older than I am, but still active, going to the gym every day, or walking. I remember going with him on the ABA trip to New Mexico, and was amazed to see him sprint across a wide street during one of our stops to get to our lunch restaurant!  I hope to be at least half as fit as he is when I’m his age.

What was the most significant moment for you during the last two years?

The most significant moment during the last two years was the disruption of my personal and professional life during the pandemic. I had settled into the familiar routine of commuting to work every day, coming to OCBC every Sunday, seeing our friends and Sangha members, working together at Hanamatsuri and Obon festivals, and having fun on our ABA trips and other events.

Then, everything changed (impermanence!).  Suddenly all personal contact, at work and at church, was through Zoom. The lesson I learned is how much I appreciate talking with my colleagues and my friends at the Temple, having fun while working together, and being part of the Sangha. 

How did you decide to attend OCBC?  

There is an interesting story about that…We were moving to SoCal because my job was being relocated to Seal Beach, and coincidentally, our daughter, Alissa, was about to start college close by at the University of California, Irvine in the fall of 2014.  We decided to attend the Seattle temple one last time and say goodbye to many Sangha who were our close friends. After the Dharma talk, the Seattle Temple announced the visitors, as is the custom there. One of the visiting families was Joan and Jim Nakaso, and their daughter, Jill, who was about to start college at Seattle University. It was announced that they were from OCBC.  We met after the service and felt an immediate connection with them.  We arranged to meet at OCBC in the fall, as soon as we settled from our move.

On our first day at OCBC, the Nakaso’s were there to greet us and welcome us to the Temple.  We also met other OCBC members who have relatives and connections to Seattle, so it seemed like a seamless transition here. We are very grateful to Joanie and Jim for reaching out to us, even though we had never met before. We have been friends ever since.

The Dharma and the Sangha both keep us coming to OCBC.  The Dharma restores my balance and perspective of where I fit in the world. It helps me live a life of gratitude, as much as my ego will allow me to do.  Life is a constant struggle, and OCBC helps me to navigate through the chaos.

OCBC also has a warm, welcoming Sangha that makes us feel included in all of the activities, even though we do not have the shared history of growing up here.  Everyone is so supportive that it feels like—and is—home for us now.

What OCBC activities do you participate in? What do you like about it?

We enjoy helping ABA with preparing chicken teriyaki at festivals and going on the trips that ABA plans during the year.  We also like to help with the dances and other fundraising activities.  It is enjoyable to work together with your friends towards a common goal, where everyone has a part to play and something to contribute.  The trips are a great shared experience for bonding with the other members.

We also really enjoy attending the yoga classes taught by Linda Turner, first in the Social Hall, then later in the park in Huntington Beach.  The classes really bring calm to our bodies and mind, resetting us for another busy week.

What does a Strong Sangha mean to you?

A Strong Sangha represents a diverse group of people who share a common vision of helping each other out, where everyone is accepted, and each person has something to contribute.  It is a Buddhist community where you can work, play, and study together, where everyone is welcome.  It is OCBC.