Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for everyone
(Updated) Added: Newly translated introduction that originally appeared in the Japanese magazine “Honi,” February 1919
Living Myokonin Saichi Asahara
By Edatsu Teramoto
Mention the name “Saichi Asahara” and people will say, “Who?” Of course, most people never heard of him. Continue reading “Myokonin: Saichi’s First Poems”
By Rev. Koen Kikuchi
After service one day, a woman asked about O-nenju, Buddhist beads. Catholics use rosaries when they pray, she said, but how about Buddhists? What do Buddhist beads mean and what is their purpose? Continue reading “O-nenju: Understanding Buddhist beads”
By Rev. Marcos Sawada
Shakyamuni Buddha said, “Life (the self) is an illusion!” Is life really an illusion? Here’s a perspective I learned from two dharma teachers, Rev. Yutai Ikeda and Rev. Nobuo Haneda. Continue reading “Human Dilemma”
It was a war to end all wars. It did not. It would make the world safe for democracy. It failed. It was to end quickly. It lasted four horrific years with millions of casualties. It was a war which should not have happened. Yet it did. It changed the world forever. It solved nothing. It planted the seeds for war 21 years later and for the conflicts of today. It was called the Great War, the World War, World War I. It ended 100 years ago this month on November 11, 1918. It is a day known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day. In the United States, we call it Veterans Day. Continue reading “Make Peace Great Again”
Rev. Ryoko Osa
Often in movies, when people are dying, they say to family members, “I love you… Thank you for everything… Please take care of yourselves.” However according to medical professionals, such last words are rare at life’s end. Continue reading “Dying last words”
By Rev. Noriaki Fujimori
In Hawaii, a health treatment center’s sign welcomes people with, “We understand the connection between the body, mind, and spirit,” reminding me of Shin Buddhist teacher Ryojin Soga, who said, “My life connects with mountains, river, and land.” Continue reading “Who Am I?”