I want to thank each of you again for your patience and support in 2005 after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing nearly six months of chemotherapy. In the spring of 2006, I was cleared of any active cancer cells and have regained much of my energy and momentum.

I am once again actively involved in my ministry with family memorial services (hoji - 35), funerals/memorials (16), our temple meetings (68), district/national/community meetings and services (35), counseling sessions, personal and family (14), weekly Dharma services, and many temple socials.

Our weekly Dharma Family services continue to be well-attended. The monthly Shotsuki memorial services remembering our deceased past members also raise the awareness, especially to our younger and new member, of the many people who contributed to the spiritual, social, and cultural legacy of our temple. We are recipients of their faith and commitment to our temple life.

Our dharma school participation is also growing and evolving. This year, in particular, our youth (Jr. YBA) participation has jumped to nearly 2- active youths. This is in contrast of the 3-4 youths who participated about 2-3 years ago. This involvement is encouraging because, not only are the children and youth participating in the temple, but their caring and responsible parents are closely involved with their social, cultural, and religious development.

Our once-a-month, weekday Japanese language service meets the needs of our Japanese-speaking Tomonikai senior members and others. The average gathering is about 20-30 seniors. We are fortunate to have retired Japanese speaking ministers who gladly share their insights and experiences through their dharma talks.

The social and religious activities of the Yuwakai and Tomonikai enrich the vitality of our seniors. The Helping Hands senior group gathers to make nenju as our temple's dana-gift to the Buddhist patients at Stanford Hospital. These nenju are dharma inspired gifts to encourage the patient's healing, health, and life appreciation.

Our lay volunteer hospital chaplains contribute to the real growth of the spiritual care services at Stanford Hospital. Although they serve the Buddhist patients primarily, they also respond to other interfaith patients. Our volunteers and other Buddhist lay volunteers have served over 500 Buddhist patients with kind and caring support during the past year.

Our lay volunteer hospital program is open and welcomes any of our temple members who wish to become involved in this deeply meaningful and rewarding process of compassion-in-action. If you are interested in serving in this manner, please call me or the temple office.

Our 10 day Japan tour with our dharma school parents and children, 36 of us, including 16 children and youth, was inspiring, educational, and memorable. For many of our families, this was their first visit to Japan and to our mother temple in Kyoto, the Nishi Hongwanji. We enjoyed the religious participation of the early morning services at the Nishi Hongwanji, chanting the Shoshinge, and the many Buddhist sites of Kyoto and Nara - Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Todaiji. Other cultural and historical sites we enjoyed were the Taiko Center, Nijo Castle, and the Gion Matsuri. Hakone and Tokyo were also contrasting experiences - the quiet and peace of the Hakone Inn and the high energy hustle and bustle of modern Japan.

A special one-day visit from Kyoto was our trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Our visit to the Atomic Bomb Peace Plaza was especially inspiring and memorable. The dharma school made and presented the thousand crane gift at the Memorial and we all chanted the Loving-Kindness Meditation for peace in our world.

The ten days of living and touring together remain as a wonderful tribute to a meaningful time of shared experiences. I was especially humbled and greatly impressed by the esprit de corps - the spirit of great support, caring, and cooperation expressed by our parents and children.

Finally, I am looking forward to another active and meaningful year for our temple.

May you all be happy and well; may no harm or difficulties come to you; may you live each day in peace and harmony.