The New York Buddhist Church


UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:



New York Buddhist Church Celebrates the New Year’s Season with Online Fundraising Events 

Beginning on Sunday December 20, 2020 through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021
experience a cultural celebration of Japanese, Japanese American and Buddhist traditions 

Celebrate and Welcome 2021, the Year of the Ox, with a series of events hosted by the New York Buddhist Church.

TO DOWNLOAD IN JAPANESE PLEASE CLICK HERE

We may not be able to gather in person, but we can experience the holidays together, with many rich and time-honored
Japanese, Japanese American and Buddhist traditions. Artists, educators, and religious leaders share their knowledge and talents, 
through demonstrations, workshops, readings and performances. Experience our unique cultural and community connection
from the comfort of home!  
*Events will be broadcast on NYBC’s Facebook Page and 
YouTube channel 
 

TO REGISTER FOR SPECIAL EVENTS: please follow these steps 1) register using this online link (CLICK HERE)
2) PAY using the link below




Besides our hope to share New Year festivities with you, we also created this series of programs to raise much needed operating funds
for NYBC, as donations and income has been severely reduced due to the pandemic. Your donations will support NYBC's continuing operations. All donations will be matched by anonymous patrons up to $10,000.  By fully utilizing this matching challenge,
we hope to meet our goal of raising $20,000 and more. 
We are grateful for your support at whatever level you can afford. 

 



 

 Dec. 20 (Sunday) 1 pm EST:

   

The series launches with a film about The New York Buddhist Churchits history, current religious and educational
activities, and the affiliated cultural organizations that create a vibrant center on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, N.Y.


 Dec. 27 (Sunday) 2 pm EST: 

    

 Kadomatsu traditional Japanese New Year’s decoration with Gail Inaba and Don Thompson.
Learn how to make your own kadomatsu using traditional materials *(pre-purchased kits are SOLD OUT).

 


 Dec. 27 (Sunday) 2:45 pm EST: 

 

Flower arrangement for the New Year

with Masako Gibeault of the Ryusei-ha School of Ikebana.
Learn about the Buddhist influence in the teacher’s approach to her arrangements.

 


Dec. 28 (Monday) 7 pm EST: 

New Year’s Interactive Poetry Workshop with Rev. Dr. Mark T. Unno 
 Professor of East Asian Buddhism at the University of Oregon, and 14th generation Jodo Shinshu Buddhist priest

In this workshop, broadcast live, Rev. Dr. Unno will discuss the relationship between Japanese
Buddhist poetry and Shin Buddhism, so 
participants can reflect, write and share their own poetry.

*(Registration required; $20/general public and $10/NYBC member, please register and donate using online forms, see above)

 


Dec. 29 (Tuesday) 7 pm EST: 

   

Buddhist Sculpture Demonstration with artist Thomas Matsuda

 Tom Matsuda will discuss his extensive training in Japan with renowned sculptor Kouei Eri
and do a demonstration of traditional wood and stone carving.  He will share images of his

recent Buddhist sculpture. *Works on sale will benefit in part the NYBC   *(click here for gallery)

To contact the artist, email:  thomas@tmatsuda.com


 Dec. 30 (Wednesday) 7 pm EST: 

 

Mochitsuki (rice cake making) demonstration and assembling the Kagami Mochi (traditional New Year’s decoration)
with Rev. Earl Ikeda, resident minister of the New York Buddhist Church 

 



 Dec. 30 (Wednesday) 7:30 pm EST: 

 “Thank You Very Mochi,” a reading of the children’s book by author Paul Matsushima with his children.

When Kimi and her family visit her grandparents’ house for a New Year’s mochitsuki party, they discover the mochi
machine is broken.
Grandpa proposes an interesting solution of making mochi the old-fashioned, hand-pounded way.

Book available from Kizuna
 
https://kizuna-little-tokyo.myshopify.com/products/thank-you-very-mochi

 



 Dec. 30 (Wednesday) 8 pm EST: 

      

Kakizome (First Calligraphy Writing of the New Year) demonstration with Yuri Ishizuka
 
Calligraphy teacher, Japanese American Association of New York, will give historical background of calligraphy in Japan
and demonstrate examples of New Year’s calligraphy.

For more information on calligraphy classes at JAA:
https://jaany.org/w/event/calligraphy-class/2020-12-22/
 


Dec. 31 (Thursday) 7-9 pm EST: 

     

Joya-e (New Year’s Eve) Service at New York Buddhist Church
led by Rev. Earl Ikeda, with music by Auguste Elder on shakuhachi flute

During the service we will pay tribute to individuals with candle lighting
and
Joya-no-kane (ringing of gong to dispel the 108 worldly desires in the old year).  

To make a donation ($25 suggested) for a memorial candle and gong ring during this service,
please provide your name and “in memory of” individual’s name by email to: nybc332@gmail.com

to contact August Elder go to website www.augusteelder.com 



 

 Toshikoshi Soba (crossing over the New Year’s noodles), the traditional midnight meal, with Rev. Earl Ikeda
*(broadcast will follow service)

Live Zoom Toast with Friends: Let’s wish everyone a Happy New Year together on zoom!

 

Jan. 1, 2021 (Friday) 11:30 am EST: 

 

Shusho-e (New Year’s Day) Service at New York Buddhist Church with Rev. Earl Ikeda

join the livestream service on our YouTube Channel

 

2 pm EST: Kamishibai Storytelling with Donna Tamaki 

Kamishibai are stories using colorful storytelling cards on a miniature stage. Originally told on the streets of Japan from the 1920s-1950s,
today kamishibai have become popular all over the world. Ms. Tamaki will perform two stories related to the New Year season  
How the Years Were Named about the order of the 12 animals in the Asian zodiac cycle and
Hats for the Jizos about how six Jizo stone divinities reward a poor but kind old man on New Year’s Eve.


For information and to purchase kamishibai go to <www.kamishibai.com
How the Years Were Named, Doshinsha Publishing Co., Tokyo Japan (original Japanese edition)
Hats for the Jizos, Doshinsha Publishing Co., Tokyo Japan (original Japanese edition)
            Kamishibai for Kids, New York (distributor of English editions)

For information on the World Kamishibai Forum World Kamishibai Forum (weebly.com)  



Christian Artmann

2:45 p.m. EST 
Jazz flutist and composer Christian Artmann performs original compositions and improvisations.

Called a “composer with great vision” by All About Jazz and praised for his “stunning virtuosity” by JazzTimes,
he performs works inspired by his meditation practice at NYBC.  

www.artmannjazz.com
 


Duo YUMENO

 traditional and contemporary world music for the New Year
with Yoko Reikano Kimura (koto/shamisen/voice) and Hikaru Tamaki (cello)

The duo will perform Haru no Umi (Spring Sea) by Michiyo Miyagi and
Mayudama no Uta (Song of Mayudama)
by Katsutoshi Nagasawa, among other works.

www.duoyumeno.com
Recordings: https://duoyumeno.com/duoyumeno_recordings.html


TO REGISTER FOR SPECIAL EVENTS: please follow these steps
1) REGISTER using this online link 2) PAY using the link below



 

Please give what you can at the following levels (or you may register for individual events)

·       $200 Platinum Donor:  access to all program events, participation in the Poetry workshop, memorial candle at New Year’s Eve service and special mention in January issue of Kokoro

·       $150 Gold Donor:  access to all program events, memorial candle at New Year’ Eve service and special mention in January issue of Kokoro

·       $100 Silver Donor: access to all program events and special mention in January issue of Kokoro

$30 for Duo YUMENO and Christian Artmann concert

   $20 for each program event, including New Year’s Eve and Joya-e services

·       $100 for placard presence at NYBC - Send photo file facing front from waist up to nybc332@gmail.com

$25 Kadomatsu kit (each) - Provide name, address and phone at nybc332@gmail.com

·       $25 for memorial candle and gong at Joya-e (New Year’s Eve) Service - Provide your name and “in memory of” individual’s name at nybc332@gmail.com

·       $20/nonmember and $10/NYBC member for Poetry Workshop registration -  Use online registration form to receive Zoom invitation

 

Although we prefer online donations, we also accept checks. Please write "New Years Events" at bottom of envelope before mailing, thanks. 


SEND CHECK TO:

The New York Buddhist Church
331-332 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10025 
*ATTN: NYBC Fundraiser

Thank you for your generous "dana", donation to NYBC

The New York Buddhist Church is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue code.