Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for everyone
By Dr. Yasushi Kigoshi
The greatest earthquake on record struck a peaceful town in Eastern Japan. The disaster, known as the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, changed the residents’ lives forever. About 800 people in the town lost their lives or were missing due to the tsunami that followed the quake on March 11, 2011. Continue reading “A Great Earthquake and 14 Students”
Reiko Ikehara Nelson first encountered the Shinshu teachers when her father passed away, more than two decades ago.
At his funeral, she heard a reading of “White Ashes,” a letter written 600 years ago by Honganji abbot Rennyo Shonin that is traditionally read at funeral services. Rennyo writes about impermanence, how a person may have a healthy face in the morning, but suddenly may die and become “white ashes” (cremated) in the evening. The service was held at the Los Angeles Betsuin temple. Continue reading “At Sorrow’s Edge”
By Masago Asai
Masago Asai was born and raised in Nagasaki, Japan. She moved to Honolulu in 1986 to study at Hawai‘i Pacific University where her future husband, who originally came from Bangladesh, was also studying. After their graduation, they married and had two daughters. Masago, who is a second-generation A-bomb survivor, currently is engaged in activities to create and enhance “inner peace” in her community. Continue reading “My Inner Strength”
Observing the Fall Equinox
At the beginning of Autumn, many Buddhist temples hold a special service called “Higan.” The name “Higan” means crossing over to the “other shore.” Continue reading “Meaning of Higan”
By Rev. Patti Nakai
In the face of the suffering of others, whether in large groups of people or as individuals, how do we as Shin Buddhists respond?
Describing relief efforts in eastern Japan devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Otani University president Prof. Yasushi Kigoshi gave two poignant presentations related to his personal involvement. The discussion took place at a March 10, 2018 seminar for Dharma Seeds (lay leaders from the North America district temples) held at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Betsuin temple. Continue reading “Shin Buddhist Responses to Suffering”
By Rinban Noriaki Ito
Her life was vibrant, bright, sassy, and devoted to helping others. What people didn’t see was the unspeakable horror of war that shaped her life. Continue reading “From Suffering to Compassion”