By Joanie Martinez
The topic was jarring: “Why I Think Jodo Shinshu Will Disappear.” Already, numbers tell the story, according to Rev. Mas Kodani, who spoke to our sangha. Continue reading “Report: Why Shinshu Will Disappear”
Mochi Time
This month many of our temples make “mochi,” traditional Japanese rice cakes. They hold “mochitsuki,” a special day for making mochi. Continue reading “Mochi Time”
Up Next: Bodhi Day
Buddhists officially don’t celebrate Christmas, but many of them decorate trees that suspiciously look like the holiday tree. The running joke is that they’re really “Bodhi” trees. Continue reading “Up Next: Bodhi Day”
Kiyozawa: Deathbed Confession
By Rev. Ken Yamada
Despite a superior intellect, determination and iron will, Manshi Kiyozawa found his efforts to understand Buddhism completely futile. That’s when he grasped the meaning of life. Continue reading “Kiyozawa: Deathbed Confession”
Akegarasu: Buddhist poet
His life could come from today’s headlines—controversial, charismatic and polarizing, with a life filled with tabloid worthy scandals. Rev. Haya Akegarasu (1877-1954) became a renowned Buddhist whose teachings were strongly influenced by Manshi Kiyozawa, whose own experiential approach modernized Jodo Shinshu. Akegarasu eventually held the top administrative post in the Higashi Honganji denomination. Continue reading “Akegarasu: Buddhist poet”
Up Next: Hoonko, Shinran’s Memorial
This Fall our Higashi Honganji temples will commemorate the life of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, with a special service called Hoonko. This is our most important service of the year. Continue reading “Up Next: Hoonko, Shinran’s Memorial”