Blog archive
May 2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024
Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024
Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024
Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024
Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
By Katie BrandonPosted: 05/31/2023
Members of Pasadena Village made a donation of $500 to the Pasadena Buddhist Temple to defray the cost of replacing the burned PRIDE flag and show solidarity with the community. Pasadena Village members were horrified when they heard the PRIDE flag at the Buddhist Temple was lit on fire and destroyed in April. Pasadena Village’s LGBT group, “Village People,” reached out to Rev. Gregory Gibbs to share their concern that this hate crime happened in our community and to find out what could be done. Wayne April, who is on the board of Pasadena Village and a founding member of Village People — the group at Pasadena Village that supports fellow LGBT aging-in-place older adults — was outraged when he heard about the flag burning and wanted to make a statement of solidarity. On May 18, he organized a visit to the temple and presented the donation with his partner, Jeff Gutstadt, Village staff Katie Brandon and Priyanka Kumar. During the meeting, Rev. Gibbs and the leaders from Pasadena Village shared how both organizations support our community.
The Pasadena Buddhist Temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu tradition of Buddhism. Rev. Gibbs shared that this tradition of Buddhism was formed to make the Buddhist path accessible to anyone. He explained that, unlike in other Buddhist traditions, those who visit the Hondo (sacred space) do not remove their shoes because the early followers of Jodo Shinshu were farm workers who would not have the time to take off their boots before services.
The temple in Pasadena was established in 1948 and, since 1958, has welcomed all to come and learn about the Buddha Dharma at its current location. Rev. Gibbs shared how the temple has worked to overcome racism and serve its community through the years. Recently, members of the Pasadena Buddhist Temple formed Ichi-Mi “to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, their family members, and allies to create conditions for everyone to safely hear the Nembtsu teaching.” Nembutsu means to contemplate the Buddha.
Rev. Gibbs stated, “It is very heartening to know the leaders in our community have our backs. Our temple leadership has supported the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to welcome and support them. Even after this act of ‘hate,’ we will not be intimidated by the actions of people who are not able to accept others as individuals. As Buddhists, we try to be compassionate, non-judgmental, and inclusive.”
Executive Director Katie Brandon stated, “Just like Pasadena Buddhist Temple, Pasadena Village is about building community and creating an inclusive environment for all. I am so grateful that the Village People stood up in such a generous way to show that there is no room for hate crimes and intolerance in our neighborhoods.” Village members were already aware of the principles guiding the Pasadena Buddhist Temple, as Pasadena Village co-hosted a vaccine clinic with Home Instead-Pasadena and the Pasadena Health Department at the temple last year. This act of solidarity is one example of how neighbors were able to build on a partnership between a local organization and faith community, and therefore strengthen the entire Pasadena community.