Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for everyone
By Daiei Kaneko
Jodo Shinshu Buddhism can seem mystifying and irrelevant with abstract jargon and symbolism. Imagine explaining to a group English speaking diplomats, scholars and clergy. Continue reading “eBOOK: When We Entrust to the Long Held Wish”
By Rev. Patti Nakai
“What the heck,” a newcomer may wonder after hearing a common explanation of Jodo Shinshu. The explanation? “Just recite Namo Amida Butsu and rebirth after death is guaranteed in a bejeweled paradise called Pure Land.” Continue reading “Shinran Bound and Gagged (And Finally Released)”
By Rev. Marcos Sawada
As a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist minister, would people criticize me if I practiced meditation? Even within our Higashi Honganji denomination, I think most teachers and followers may feel meditation is a “self-power” approach to enlightenment and therefore destined to fail. Continue reading “Appreciating Meditation”
A debate rages these days on whether Jodo Shinshu temples should offer meditation. Proponents say meditation appeals to many people and will attract new members.
In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, we already are doing meditation, says Toshikazu Arai, professor emeritus of Soai University in Osaka. It’s called nembutsu (also: nenbutsu). Continue reading “Nembutsu as Meditation”
Summer is for ghost stories in Japan, sending chills down spines on hot summer nights. Consider this ghost story involving Shinran Shonin. Continue reading “Ghost Stories and Shinran”
I first noticed what the Muslim prayer hall and our Buddhist temple had in common: no sign.