In May 2021 , California State Senator, Josh Becker (13th District) recognized the Mountain View Buddhist Temple with a “COVID Community Champion” Certificate of Recognition.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the MVBT adapted to a new reality to keep our Sangha engaged and most importantly safe. Online services and programming for us became a way of life. Our Safety Committee quickly became the Health and Safety Committee to monitor COVID-19. A Senior Outreach Group was formed to check up on our many seniors to offer assistance with shopping for groceries, doing errands, finding resources, etc. Care packages were assembled and delivered to them. The Tech Team has put in many hours of time and labor to build, maintain and support the infrastructure and programming for our remote activities. The Temple also donated large amounts of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, dish soap, gloves, hand soap and food containers to the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, who was coordinating support to the non-profit community providing first line and essential services.
Thank you to Mountain View City Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga and Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto who recognized the efforts of the Temple and nominated the MVBT to State Senator Josh Becker as a candidate for his 2021 Community Champion Certificate. Thank you to Senator Becker for this recognition and honor. Most importantly, arigato gozaimasu to the MVBT Sangha for all that you do to support our Temple community and larger community.
As devastating as the pandemic has been, it has provided opportunities to learn and understand the meaning of impermanence, interdependence and dana.
Arigato. Sumimasen. Okagesama de.
In gratitude. In humility. In openness of heart.
In gassho,
Bob Matsumoto – MVBT President
On behalf of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple
