Buddhist practice Archives – Higashi Honganji USA

April 26, 2024April 26, 2024

Reaching Beyond Temples to Teach Buddhism

Rev. Shoukei Matsumoto is a different kind of Jodo Shinshu priest. He’s more entrepreneur than traditional minister and he’s trying new ways of reaching beyond temple members.

Among his many activities, he started a company, Interbeing, aimed at bringing Buddhist teachings to business people. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree and developed lessons to help priests better run their temples. He organizes spontaneous meet-ups with young people in various cities to discuss life issues. He started a temple café and created a Buddhist website called higan.net. He’s written several books, including the popular “A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind,” which was translated into 18 languages. Continue reading “Reaching Beyond Temples to Teach Buddhism”

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024

Amida, Save Me!

By Rev. Ken Yamada

Jodo Shinshu uses words such as “salvation” and “save” which make me uneasy. They give Pure Land Buddhism the appearance of a Christian-like religion with Amida Buddha as savior.

Yet, Jodo Shinshu’s founder Shinran Shonin used these terms. In the Tannisho, he says:

As for me, I simply accept and entrust myself to what my revered teacher told me, “Just say the nembutsu and be saved by Amida”; nothing else is involved.

Continue reading “Amida, Save Me!”

April 3, 2023April 4, 2023

Meditation and Jodo Shinshu

Hachiya Yoshikiyo-sensei sitting in seiza meditation.

By Rev. Miki Nakura

When Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, he’s depicted as sitting in contemplation beneath the Bodhi tree. In that sense, we can say the Buddhist teachings sprung from meditation. The Buddha understood that body and mind are not separate but one, expressing non-dualism. Continue reading “Meditation and Jodo Shinshu”

March 13, 2023

Making a Commitment

By Gary Link

I was nervous. Passing the chanting test would be a big step towards becoming an ordained Higashi Honganji priest. This journey began more than 25 years ago. Continue reading “Making a Commitment”

February 21, 2023

Becoming ordained

By Gregory Thomas

Receiving ordination from Higashi Honganji was an important step, both for my personnel growth and to help me share the Dharma with people in France.

On a personal level, becoming ordained is an expression of my commitment to Jodo Shinshu and the teachings of Shinran Shonin. It pushes me to study and practice more than ever. It’s a natural outcome of my studies over the past ten years. Continue reading “Becoming ordained”

January 17, 2023January 21, 2023

Deathbed Rituals and Jodo Shinshu

Welcoming Descent of Amida Buddha (1668) (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Japanese Buddhist rituals related to death, even today, are misconstrued and muddled in the minds of many and practiced for misunderstood reasons. Looking back at their history can clarify the confusion. Continue reading “Deathbed Rituals and Jodo Shinshu”