By Rev. Ryoko Osa
A mass shooting occurred again in August. This time it was in El Paso, Texas. On that day while driving home from our temple camping trip, I listened to the radio news. Continue reading “Thinking Peace in August”
An Ideal Community
By Rev. Noriaki Fujimori
Wouldn’t you like to live in an ideal community? What makes a community ideal? Continue reading “An Ideal Community”
Shinran Bound and Gagged (And Finally Released)
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)”
Appreciating Meditation
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”
Nembutsu as 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”
Ghost Stories and Shinran
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”