Buddhist Temples Plan Obon Festivals

Japanese American Buddhists will remember the deceased and celebrate life during Obon services and festivals this weekend.

For the 92nd year, Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo will hold solemn remembrances of loved ones today and Sunday.

The Rev. George Matsubayashi will give the sermon at services both days at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the temple, 815 E. 1st St. in Los Angeles.

“Obon is not all solemnity,” said the Rev. Gregory Gibbs, an associate minister at the temple. “It is also a time to express our gratitude for the good friends and family whom we meet in this life.”

The festivities at Nishi Hongwanji begin at 2 p.m. both days and extend into the evening. (213) 680-9130.

Obon festivals, which often include dancing, tea ceremonies, drumming and judo and kendo demonstrations, “express our joy regarding the freedom and happiness which we believe many of our loved ones attain beyond the limits of this life,” Gibbs said.

Lanterns are hung on the occasion as welcome signs for departed spirits.

The Japanese celebration of Obon, traced back to early Buddhist roots in India, starts July 13 and ends July 16 each year.

But the temples observe the holiday on the days most convenient for them. Some Little Tokyo temples, such as Nichiren Buddhist Temple, 2801 E. 4th St., and Koyasan Buddhist Temple, 342 E. 1st St., are holding services Sunday at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively.

Besides the festival at Nishi Hongwanji, the Zenshuji Soto Mission, 123 S. Hewitt St., will begin with memorial services at 2 p.m. today and Sunday, followed by dances and other events, including a karaoke contest at 5:10 p.m. today. (213) 624-8658.

The Long Beach Buddhist Temple, 2360 Santa Fe Ave., a relatively small congregation, will hold a one-day festival Sunday after a 1:30 p.m. service. (310) 426-4014.

Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo will wait a couple of weeks before its Obon festival. The July 26-27 festival will last from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days on the lantern-bedecked grounds at 505 E. 3rd St. Services in English and Japanese will be held at 11 a.m. on July 27. (213) 626-4200.

DATES

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Ex-astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who in 1971 was the sixth man to walk on the moon, will give a lecture Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 30121 Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel. Mitchell, who later founded the Institute for Noetic Sciences, will speak about “Where Are We in Consciousness Research?” The talk is co-sponsored by the United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ congregation, the Unitarian Fellowship of Laguna Beach and the Bahais of Laguna Niguel. (714) 495-1310.

* Robert Wexler, president of the University of Judaism, will speak Friday night at the Society for Humanistic Judaism’s Los Angeles chapter. Wexler will talk about “Reconciling the Torah to Modern Living” at 7:30 p.m. at the Workmen’s Circle Center, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 891-4303.

* USC religion scholar Robert Ellwood will speak on “Understanding the World’s Religious Heritage” Sunday at the Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles. Ellwood, an author of textbooks as well as books on contemporary religious history, will speak at 11 a.m. and direct a two-hour workshop at 1:30 p.m. on prehistoric and tribal religion and Hinduism. Admission is $5 for the talk and $15 for the workshop. (213) 663-2167.

* A Catholic-sponsored pow wow and Mass in honor of the feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the 17th century Mohawk honored by the church for her dedication to caring for the sick, will be held today and Sunday at Loyola Marymount University. Dancing, drumming, arts and crafts displays and a health fair are among the festivities, all open to the public. (213) 637-7263.

* Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s ongoing “music at noon” half-hour concerts continue Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. with the LoPiccolo Sandoval Guitar Duo presenting jazz, Brazilian and Latin American selections. After the programs at the church, at Colorado Boulevard and Oakland Avenue, listeners are invited to eat a brown-bag lunch on the church patio or make a $3 donation for a sandwich buffet prepared by volunteers. (818) 568-2608.

* The Celebration Singers, a young adult group at Bethany Church in West Covina, will present their original musical, “Hear My Cry,” at 6 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 763 N. Sunset Ave. (818) 962-8501.

FINALLY

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Skeptics and secular humanists are being asked to support a $2-million fund-raising drive to build a Los Angeles center to house coordinated activities of like-minded groups in Southern California.

Backed by the Amherst, N.Y.-based publishers of Skeptical Inquirer and Free Inquiry magazines, the 2-year-old Center for Inquiry West eventually hopes to vacate rented quarters in Marina del Rey and purchase property in Santa Monica, said Fritz Stevens, executive director of the local center. The group has raised $1 million so far.

One group, the Sherman Oaks-based Atheists United, has dropped plans for building its own center and will soon begin fund-raising for the projected Center for Inquiry building, according to Jon Nelson, co-president of Atheists United.

“That group will get to use a portion of the building,” Stevens said.

Although the Los Angeles center’s workshops, speakers bureau and advocacy-educational activities often put them at odds with religious beliefs, Stevens said that supporters are not drummed out for holding beliefs in a higher power or supernatural force.

“We don’t have a problem with people who are theists. Maybe 20% to 25% of people who identify with the magazines or the center are theists,” Stevens said.

“We try to address the philosophical bases for dealing with current problems by encouraging critical thinking, scientific methods and rational approaches,” he said.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o John Dart, L.A. Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, or faxed to Religion desk (818) 772-3385, or e-mailed to john.dart@latimes.com Items should arrive 2-3 weeks before the event, except for spot news, and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.

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CLERGY BUSINESS

It’s not necessarily business as usual at today’s church, temple or mosque.

That’s because of complicated laws dealing with taxes and financial reporting, computer technology and modern business practices.

A 10-week course in the administration of religious institutions will be offered in September at the Catholic-run University of San Diego for clergy who manage resources and need new ideas on effective management, a spokesman said.

Registration for the 30 openings has begun. The Friday afternoon courses, taught by the university’s business faculty, will start Sept. 19. The tuition is $300. Certificates will be awarded upon completion of the course. (619) 260-4682.