Articles

Articles, Essays, Dharma lessons

Dharma Talk

Kaneko’s Pure Land: A Case of Heresy, by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Lost in This World by Rev. Marcos Sawada

Discovering Jodo Shinshu in Colombia by Rev. Miki Nakura

Rennyo in Yoshizaki by Rev. Ken Yamada

Faces Shining Brightly: Rev. Akegarasu and the Eternal Life Sutra by Rev. Patti Nakai

Jodo Shinshu Revolution by Rev. Ken Yamada

Shoukei Matsumoto: Reaching Beyond Temples to Teach Buddhism

Amida, Save Me! by Rev. Ken Yamada

Nembutsu Barbie by Rev. Patti Nakai

Remembrance: Rev. Paul Imahara by Rev. Patti Nakai

SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Kiyozawa’s Radical View of Ethics and Morality

Tackling Life’s Obstacles by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo Higashi Hongwanji

Legend of the Devil Mask by Rev. Ken Yamada

Kiyozawa: Stand on Solid Ground! by Rev. Ken Yamada

Shinran Tour (Part II): Life in Exile by Rev. Ken Yamada

Shinran 850th Birthday Tour to Japan (Part I) by Rev. Ken Yamada

Meditation and Jōdo Shinshū by Rev. Miki Nakura, New York

Making a Commitment by Gary Link, New York

Becoming Ordained by Gregory Thomas, France

SDG#4: Quality Education

Deathbed Rituals and Jodo Shinshu 

Secret Shinshu (about the book, Secrecy’s Power by Clark Chilson)

Delusion of Name and Form by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Donation Boxes at Temples by Rev. Kensho Goto, Higashi Honganji North America District

Pandemic Reveals Our Loneliness by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo Hongwanji temple, Hawaii

Where Exactly is the Pure Land? by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Profile: Rev. Frederick Brenion

After Covid, What’ll happen to temples? by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Brazil profile: Rev. Emilia Kajimoto

Introspection: Jodo Shinshu’s Path by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Mutterings of an Old Man by Bishop Kenjun Kawawata, Hawaii Higashi Hongwanji

Voices of Modern Shinshu Women

Obon Returns Live 2022

War in Ukraine: A Call for Harmony by Bishop Noriaki Ito, North America District

A Real Life Superman by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

SDGs #3-Solving World Problems: Health and Wellness

Nonbinary Buddha by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Jodo Shinshu: Myth Vs History by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Memorial Day: A Time for Dharma by Rev. Kenjun Kawawata, Honolulu, Hawaii

DT Suzuki on Jodo Shinshu by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Remembering Mother’s Day by Rev. Kenjun Kawawata

Pure Land of Beauty by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Buddha’s Birthday by Rev. Kenjun Kawawata

The Eastern Buddhist: A Century of Shinshu Studies by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Higan and Hongan by Rev. Marcos Sawada, Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, Hawaii

War and Jodo Shinshu by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Importance of Rituals and Ceremonies in Buddhism

Nenbutsu: Not A Name Alone by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Rijin Yasuda: Debunking Jodo Shinshu, by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Thich Nhat Hanh’s Koan, by Rev. Miki Nakura, New York

Seishinshugi: Shinshu’s Clash with the Modern World by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Cryonics and Jodo Shinshu: Freezing yourself for the future, by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Year End: A Time to Reflect by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Sustainable Development Goals: Fighting World Hunger by Rev. Ken Yamada Shinshu Center

Searching for happiness? Try looking backwards, not forward, by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Coincidences, Coronvirus, and Life, by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo Higashi Hongwanji temple, Hawaii

Illness is My Friend by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Buddhist Revolutionary: Haya Akegarasu by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Hoonko: A Very Special Service

The Zen of Dying by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Deviating American Shinshu by Rev. Peter Hata

Everyday Suchness of Rev. Gyomay Kubose by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Facing Climate Change by Rev. Steven Toyoshima, Hawaii

Seeing is Understanding by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Parting but not Farewell by Rev. Peter Hata, Los Angeles

Higher Consciousness and Food by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori in Hawaii

My Awakening by Rev. Ken Yamada

Memory and Amida’s Vow by Rev. Ryoko Osa

Pain is My Teacher by Rev. Ken Yamada

In Brazil: A Buddhist Life

Rev. Miki Nakura: My Mother was My Enemy

SDGs: Fighting World Poverty

Protest, Patriotism and Jodo Shinshu by Rev. Ken Yamada

Buddhist Symbols: Peacocks

Buddhist Symbols: Lion Dogs

Buddhist Symbols: Dragons, Serpents, Snakes

Rennyo to the Rescue by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Don’t Discard That Home Altar! by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Temple Business: General Meeting by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Overseas District Abbot Yul Otani: New Year’s Greeting

Bishop Hiroshi Tajima: New Year’s Message

Buddhist Leaders Tackle World Problems by Rev. Ken Yamada

Dana: Meaning of Giving by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Free Online Mediation Session

Up Next: Bodhi Day

Handbook for Shinshu Followers by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Rev. Frederick Brenion, California

Nembutsu Roadtrip (Part I) by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Nembutsu Roadtrip (Part II) by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Nembutsu Roadtrip (Part III)  by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Not for Nightstand Buddhists by Rev. Patti Nakai, Buddhist Temple of Chicago

Encore Presentation: Berkeley’s Bon Odori Dance video

Books for a Buddhist Nightstand by Rev. Frederick Brenion, Southern California

Ryōjin Soga: An Upside Down View of Buddhist History by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Fading Sounds of Summer: Impermanence by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Buddhist Catholic Dialogue: Confronting Anger by Father James Fredericks

Life Upside Down by Rev. Steven Toyoshima,  Honolulu Higashi Honganji

Shinran and Violence by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Update: Jodo Shinshu in France by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Interview: Rev. Kodo Umezu, former BCA Bishop

Video Lecture: Role of Teachers in Zen and Jodo Shinshu by Professor Melissa A. Curley, Ohio State University

Today’s Protests: Turning Rubble Into Gold by Rev. Steven Toyoshima, Honolulu Higashi Hongwanji

Jataka Tale: Boy Ascetic of the Himalyas by Rev. Miki Nakura, New York City

Statement Against Injustice and In Support of Black Lives by Bishop Noriaki Ito, Los Angeles

Shinran’s Shelter-In-Place by Rev. Wayne Yokoyama, Kyoto, Japan

Awakening to Social Justice by Bishop Noriaki Ito, Los Angeles

New Video Page: Watch, Listen, Learn

New Q&A Page: Your Questions Answered

Meaning of Incense by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

The Shinran You Never Knew by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Conducting a Memorial Online by Rev. Patti Nakai, Buddhist Temple of Chicago

Death by Pandemic or Something Else by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Buddhists and Christians: Dialogue of Fraternity, by James Fredericks, professor emeritus, Loyola Marymount University

Life Out of Control by Rev. Ryoko Osa, Berkeley Higashi Honganji

Message in Anxious Times by Abbot Choyu Otani, Higashi Honganji, Kyoto

In Crisis: A Wish Given to Us by Bishop Hiroshi Tajima, Higashi Honganji, Kyoto

Epidemics and Karma by Rev. Miki Nakura, New York City

Facing the Pandemic by Bishop Noriaki Ito, Higashi Honganji North America

Buddhism in the Epidemic Age by Rev. Ken Yamada, editor, Shinshu Center

Truth of Two Truths by Rev. Ken Yamada, editor, Shinshu Center of America

Zen and Shin Buddhism: Wisdom and Compassion by Bishop Kenjun Kawawata, Higashi Honganji Hawaii District

“Mottainai!” Don’t Waste! by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo Higashi Honganji Temple, Hawaii

Society’s Breakdown: Who Needs Neighbors? By Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Bishop’s Message 2020 by Rev. Hiroshi Tajima

Next Abbot’s Message 2020 by Rev. Choyu Otani

Buddhism for Slackers by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Why Shinshu Will Disappear by Joanie Martinez, West Covina, California

Kiyozawa: Deathbed Confession by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Akegarasu: Buddhist poet by Rev. Wayne S. Yokoyama, Kyoto, Japan

Celebration of Death by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Killing Myself by Rev. Koen Kikuchi, Kaneohe, Hawaii

WWII Internment in Hawaii by Rev. Steven Toyoshima, Honolulu Higashi Honganji

Who’s Evil? I am! by Rev. Noriaki Ito, Los Angeles Higashi Honganji temple

Why is membership dropping at temples? by Rev. Ken Yamada

Facing Humility by Ed Oasa, Berkeley, CA

Large Turnout for Buddhist Women’s Conference

Thinking Peace in August by Rev. Ryoko Osa, Berkeley, California

An Ideal Community by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Honolulu, Hawaii

eBook: When We Entrust to the Long-held Wish by Daiei Kaneko

Shinran Bound and Gagged (And Finally Released) by Rev. Patti Nakai, Chicago

Appreciating Meditation by Rev. Marcos Sawada, Hilo, Hawaii

Nembutsu as Meditation (paper by Prof. emeritus Toshikazu Arai, Soai University)

Ghost Stories and Shinran (paper by Ryoei Nanjo, Musashino University)

Shared History: Muslims and Buddhists by Rev. Ken Yamada

Scholars Debate Meditation and Pure Land by Rev. Ken Yamada

Q & A with Duncan Ryuken Williams by Rev. Ken Yamada

Black Holes and Kiyozawa, by Rev. Steven Toyoshima, Honolulu, Hawaii

Awakening and Shinjin Awareness, by Bishop Kenjun Kawawata

April is Hanamatsuri: Buddha’s Birthday

American Sutra by Rev. Ken Yamada

Myokonin: Saichi’s First Poems by Rev. Wayne Yokoyama

O-nenju: Understanding Buddhist Beads by Rev. Koen Kikuchi, Hawaii

Up Next: Nirvana Day

Human Dilemma by Rev. Marcos Sawada

Chief Administrator: New Year’s Greeting

2019 Greeting: Overseas District Abbot

New Year’s Day service

Up Next: Year End service

Reflecting on Bodhi Day by Bishop Kenjun Kawawata

December: Mochi time by Rev. Ken Yamada

Our Thanksgiving by Rev. Ken Yamada

Make Peace Great Again by Rev. Frederick Brenion

Dying Last Words by Rev. Ryoko Osa, Berkeley Higashi Honganji

Who Am I? by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo Higashi Honganji, Hawaii

Kiyozawa: What was Shinran thinking? by Rev. Wayne Yokoyama, Kyoto, Japan

Daiei Kaneko’s Guide to Shin Buddhism by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center, Berkeley, CA

Food, Wasting and Being Right by Rev. Hideaki Nishihori, Kaneohe, Hawaii

The Pope’s Nembutsu by Rev. Patti Nakai, Chicago, Ill.

Infinite Compassion’s Call by Rev. Ryoko Osa, Berkeley, CA

Fleeting World, Burning House by Rev. Frederick Brenion, Southern California

Up Next: Hoonko, Shinran Shonin’s Memorial

Jodo Shinshu Women by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Looking Ahead: Higashi Honganji in South America by Rev. Mauricio Ghigonetto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Transcending All Together by Rev. Patti Nakai, Chicago, Illinois

No Mud, No Lotus by Rev. Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo, Hawaii

Buddha’s World: Vast Ocean of One Taste by Rev. Miki Nakura, New York

Parable on Rebirth by Rev. Mauricio Ghigonetto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Berkeley’s Unique Obon by Rev. Ken Yamada,  Shinshu Center of America

A Volcano and Power Beyond Self by Rev. Marcos Sawada, Hilo, Hawaii

Translating Hongan with his Life by Rev. Patti Nakai, Buddhist Temple of Chicago

Music and Arrogance by Rev. Hideaki Nishihori, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Season of Obon

A Great Earthquake and 14 Students by Dr. Yasushi Kigoshi, Otani University, Kyoto, Japan

From Suffering to Compassion by Rinban Noriaki Ito, Los Angeles

Power of Sangha: Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi, West Covina, CA

Social Discrimination and Buddhism by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center

Shin Buddhist Responses to Suffering by Rev. Patti Nakai, Chicago, Ilinois

Inner Awareness by Rev. Peter Hata, Los Angeles, CA

Nembutsu and Comfort by Rev. Paul Imahara, Los Angeles, CA

Light to a World of Awakening by Rev. Kenjun Kawawata, Honolulu, Hawaii 

Humble Appreciation by Rev. Koen Kikuchi, Honolulu, Hawaii

Yes, Pure Land is Buddhism, by Rev. Patti Nakai, Chicago, Illinois

Anxiety by Rev. Hideaki Nishihori, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Advice to Teenagers by Rev. Ryoko Osa, Berkeley, CA

Meaning of Memorials by Rev. Ken Yamada, Shinshu Center of America

Shinran Shonin Birthday Service

Meaning of Eitaikyo

Meaning of Higan (Fall)

Meaning of Higan (Spring)

Lay Voices

Taking Refuge in Jodo Shinshu by Julien Le Cos, France

Receiving My Buddhist Name: A Beginning, by George O’Sullivan, France

A Buddhist at a Catholic Retreat by Tanya Kato, West Covina Buddhist Temple

Hitting the Wall by Gary Link, New York

Facing Impermance by Ed Oasa

Arriving Here by Gary Link, New York

Trekking to the Unknown by Joseph Deschenes, Berkeley, CA

Facing Humility by Ed Oasa, Berkeley, CA

Jodo Shinshu in France, by Greg Thomas, Franche Comte, France

Call it Karma, by Joseph Deschenes, Berkeley, CA

Buddhism of Obrigada: Hisako Mori, Sau Paolo, Brazil

​My Inner Strength: Masago Asai, Hawaii

At the Edge of Sorrow: Reiko Nelson, West Covina, CA

Shin Family Ties: Masayuki Saito, Sao Paolo, Brazil

Helping the Helpers, by Phillip Underwood, West Covina, CA

Dirty Hands in Myanmar, by Joey Deschenes, Berkeley, CA