Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for everyone
By Rev. Ken Yamada
People sometimes receive a valuable inheritance from their Buddhist parents or grandparents, but don’t realize its value. So they donate it to the temple.
Buddhist home altars, commonly called “butsudan” in Japanese (or the preferred term “onaibutsu”), if purchased new today in Japan cost hundreds, and sometimes, thousands of dollars. But their real value is spiritual. Continue reading “Don’t Discard that Home Altar!”
By Rev. Steven Toyoshima
Due to pandemic uncertainty, we’ve all cancelled plans for travel, weddings, funerals and almost any event with other people. Even our annual Bon Dance festivals were cancelled, leaving us feeling that life has turned upside down. Continue reading “Life Upside Down”
By Rev. Patti Nakai
I’d like to describe my first experience conducting an online memorial service.
During this time of pandemic and social distancing, I’m writing about this so people know their temples and ministers will do what they can to ensure a proper service for loved ones who pass away or have important memorial date services. Continue reading “Conducting a Memorial—Online”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
It seemed surreal: disco music, balloons, dinner buffet and cocktails aplenty. It was a “Celebration of Life” for a recently departed friend. Continue reading “Celebration of Death”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
When a person dies, many people don’t know what to do, having before never thought about it. In this regard, I’d like to clarify our Jodo Shinshu Buddhist traditions, death rituals, funerals and memorial services.