May and June are typically graduation season here in America.  We talk about “high school graduations” or “college graduations.” Recently there has been the addition of  middle school and kindergarten graduations.  In a few weeks I will participate in a graduation ceremony for the genetic counseling graduate students that I have been teaching at Boise State University for the last two years.  I have heard the word “graduation” my whole life. But I never stopped to wonder where this word comes from. >     So this year I looked it up....

My husband and I have a birdfeeder hung on our garage just outside our back door.  The feeder has a big clear plastic cannister that holds a gallon of birdseed. There are four metal perches for birds to stand on while they peck seeds out through holes at the bottom of the feeder. The birds enjoy our feeder all year, but they especially appreciate it when it snows because the snow makes it hard for them to get to the seeds and bugs that they usually eat.  After a snowstorm I like to stand at our back window and watch all the action as the birds—mostly juncos and sparrows—...

A guest message by Keith Hopper Novice Buddhist Meets Subtle Mechanical Teacher—Insights Delivered with a Wink  Buddhism, a vaguely mysterious element of my childhood, happily included Sansei friends. Their parents were kind, there was a sense of order in their homes and cool machine shops, and an atmosphere of gentle welcome. Fresh pillowcases when I slept over; waves and smiles from the fields, always in the fields in rubber boots. As I considered the IOBT online sangha, I parted with a precious Inspiration Yellow Thunderbird named "Tweety." Well-kept and hard-driven,...

Play by yourself or ask family and friends to join you!  Have FUN!!

Buddhism is, and has always been, deeply rooted in community. From the very beginning of Buddhism, monks and nuns have relied on the communities around them for food and support. In return, the monks and nuns offered teachings and blessings for the community, sharing the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha’s teaching to help communities find happiness and meaning in their lives. Image: Two volunteers help unload a truck of napa cabbages that were donated to our temple's bazaar.  In Buddhism, one of the most basic practices is to express one’s faith through the 3 Treasures by saying:  “I...

by Rev. Kathy Chatterton  This is the time of the year when, in my previous life as a 4th grade teacher, I was preparing for the new school year. There was plenty to do: putting up bulletin boards, arranging desks, stacking textbooks, preparing lesson plans, studying the list of student names.  Since our temple will be returning to weekly Sunday services, we might also want to prepare ourselves with a review of key elements in our service.  We want everyone who attends service to participate and feel comfortable.  If our veteran service goers happen to be seated...