Category: Buddhist practice

Posted on

Precepts, Visualization and Sutra Study in Jodo Shinshu

Genza

By Rev. Miki Nakura

In Buddhism, following precepts is a common practice, especially for monks and nuns. Even lay followers strive to follow basic precepts not to kill, steal, lie and others. Someone asked me about Jodo Shinshu’s perspective.

“Does Jōdo Shinshū disregard precepts? I never hear about them outside of general Mahayana Buddhism. And what about visualization practice and sutra study? They also don’t seem important in Shinshū.”

These kinds of questions naturally arise when learning about Jōdo Shinshū. Therefore, I’d like to express my views.

Posted on

Minister Training in Kyoto

By Gregory Thomas

Arriving at Higashi Honganji mother temple in Kyoto for shūren (ministers retreat), I had only a rough idea of what awaited. After receiving initial tokudō ordination, I needed training for full kyōshi ordination, which would enable me to work as a temple minister. But nothing—absolutely nothing—prepared me for the intensity, discipline, and emotional weight of this monastic-like experience.

It wasn’t quiet meditation, peaceful strolls in nature, and reflective periods of reading sutras, rather relentless activity that was physically and mentally demanding, highly structured, and ultimately deeply transformative for me. By week’s end, I learned more about myself than years of academic study could ever teach. Continue reading “Minister Training in Kyoto”

Posted on

Higashi Honganji in France

By Rev. Ken Yamada

In a French village near the Swiss border, a small group met to discuss Buddhism and Shinran Shonin. This month, Rev. Ryoko Osa from Berkeley Higashi Honganji in California, and I travelled there to help and support them.

The gathering represented a budding French-speaking sangha, led by Greg Thomas, who has “tokudo” ordination from Higashi Honganji. He actively writes and talks about Jōdo Shinshū and Buddhism on the Internet, Youtube, and on a live Twitch.tv forum.

Consequently, people all around France are becoming interested in Jōdo Shinshū. A few have travelled great distances to participate in retreats with Greg and Higashi Honganji ministers from Shinshu Center of America, which helps since English serves as a common language for everyone. Continue reading “Higashi Honganji in France”