Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for everyone
By Bishop Noriaki Ito
News about the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army shows the destruction of residential areas in many cities and an endless stream of innocent people—women, the elderly, children, and others—fleeing to neighboring countries such as Poland. Typically, when two countries fight a war, both are somewhat responsible for the conflict. Continue reading “War in Ukraine: A Call for Harmony”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
I’d like to tell you the story of a real-life superman. This superman did not work as a newspaper reporter for the Daily Planet, he did not live in a big city called Metropolis. He did not have a girlfriend named Lois Lane. This superman worked as a librarian, he lived in a town called San Luis Obispo in California and he had a wife named Fumiko. This superman’s name was Jack Noboru Kanbara, my father-in-law. Small in height, light in weight, mild in manner, sweet as apple pie, you couldn’t find a kinder, gentler man. Who would’ve thunk? Continue reading “A Real Superman”
Buddhist leaders tackled “Good Health and Well Being” in an online forum last week, the third of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), along with the theme, “What can we do now for our future? Buddhist Perspectives.” Continue reading “SDG #3: Good Health and Well Being”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
During these times of gender fluidity, it’s time to declare: Amida Buddha is “nonbinary.” This Buddha is neither male or female, but both. People disagree but I have a good argument. Continue reading “Nonbinary Buddha”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
With its mythical Buddha and otherworldly Pure Land, many people wonder how Jodo Shinshu could possibly represent the historical Buddha’s teaching.
By contrast, Shinshu followers feel Shinran’s teachings—the basis of Jodo Shinshu—reflect Buddhism’s true essence. The key to this conundrum lays precisely in how “myth” and symbolism may convey truth more effectively than “fact” and history. Continue reading “Jodo Shinshu: Myth vs History”
By Rev. Kenjun Kawawata
Memorial Day is an important occasion to remember the deceased, but also a time to think about one’s life. Continue reading “Memorial Day: A Time for Dharma”