Organizations affiliated with
Midwest Buddhist Temple

For more information about any of the following
organizations, please contact the temple office
at 312-943-7801.


Adult Sangha
The Adult Sangha, made up of the adult
congregation, organizes social events and
community-service projects. It was started in the
1950s by the Nisei, or second-generation
Japanese-Americans.

The Adult Sangha organizes and holds several
social gatherings throughout the year, such as
Katei Nights (see Special Programs). These
events include a dinner at the temple followed
by activities, such as an exercise session,
speakers on health, finance and other issues, or
entertainment.

The Adult Sangha also sponsors and organizes
the annual mochi-tsuki (see Special Programs)
in December.

Dharma School (Sunday School)
The first Sunday of the month is a combined
service of adults and children at 10:45 a.m.
This memorial service is to honor the loved ones
who have died during the particular month and
serves as a time of remembrance and gratitude.
If you have loved ones who you wish to remember,
please contact the temple office.

Current hours: The children’s service is on the
second and fourth Sunday of the month starting
at 10 a.m.

The current format may be either a regular service
assisted by assigned students in advance or may
be a question and answer period for the students
by Rev. Siebuhr.

Dharma school class follows the Children Service
from 10:30am – 11:30am. Children in elementary
school attend classes in the west class room. Students
in Jr. High and above meet in the Library.

Our classes fluctuate due to attendance, ages, and
enrollment. The general theme of the class is
interdependence which is one of the universal truths
of Buddhism. Parent volunteers are currently
coordinating the classroom experience.

Jr. High and High students along with the parent
volunteer conduct the “Buddhist experience” in
which life experiences are related to Buddhism.

Dharma School Coordinator: David Fluett

Dharma School Taiko
This group is open to members of the Dharma
School and teaches traditional Japanese
drumming. Members meet from 9 to 10 a.m. on
the second and fourth Sundays of each month
and 12:30 to 2 p.m. the second and fourth
Sundays (October through March).

Instructors: Lynne Matsumoto, Ryan and
Jennifer Toguri, Andrew Rowland

Golden Agers Club
This social club, open to all MBT members age
55 and older, sponsors trips and activities such
as blueberry picking, theater outings and
luncheons. Members also participate in an
annual cleanup of the temple garden, and offer
their services at other community and temple
events.

Meetings are held the second Sunday of each
month, following the Adult English Service
(unless otherwise announced). There are no
bylaws or charter; no funding is obtained from
the temple. Nominal dues are collected.

Midwest Minyo Group
This group has kept Japanese folk dancing alive
at the temple for more than 30 years. They lead
practice sessions in preparation for the temple's
annual Obon Festival (see Special Programs)
and perform each year at the temple's Ginza
Holiday.

The Minyo Group practices from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. the
first and third Sundays of each month in
the temple's social hall. Nominal dues are
collected.

MBT Taiko Group
This group performs at the temple's Ginza
Holiday and at other events around Chicago.
They meet at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in the temple's
social hall. Nominal dues are collected.

Co-practice leaders: Elaine Miyamura and Ryan
Toguri

MBT Bulletin
The temple's monthly newsletter reaches more
than 700 households. Deadline for submissions
is the second Sunday of each month.

Editor: Yosh Harada

MBT Japanese Language School
The MBT Japanese Language School has been
in existence for more than 40 years and has
taught more than 2,000 students.

Class schedule:
Children, 10 a.m. to noon
Adult intermediate, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Adult beginners, 10:35 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

For tuition and other information, call the temple
office at 312-943-7801.

Superintendent: Natalia Sugioka
Teachers: Natalia and Anna Sugioka

Women's Auxiliary
The Women's Auxiliary provides services to the
temple and runs charitable projects for the
community. Membership is open to all women
of the temple.

The members of the Women's Auxiliary offer
their services on Toban Groups for 2-month
periods, during which time they help prepare the
meals, or otoki, provided to temple members in
observance of special religious observances.

They also are responsible for preparing the
temple and refreshments for funerals held at the
temple. In addition, auxiliary members volunteer
their services in the preparation of food sold at
the temple's Ginza Holiday (see Special
Programs), the third weekend in August, as well
as staffing booths at this annual fund-raising
event.

The president of the auxiliary (or an alternate)
attends the Eastern District BCA FBWA meeting
held during the Eastern Buddhist League
Conference over Labor Day weekend and in the
fall on the West Coast.

All women are welcome and urged to join this
group. Nominal dues are collected (dues help
the national organization fund the Dharma
School program; Dana Fund, which aids the
Japanese American Service Committee; area
women's shelters and more).