Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for everyone
By Julien Le Coz
Since becoming Buddhist 15 years ago, I dreamed of visiting Japan. In my home country France, Rev. Miki Nakura conducted my kikyoshiki Buddhist name ceremony, then last Fall, we finally met in Kyoto.
Continue reading “Kyoto Pilgrimage”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
In our Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition, Rennyo Shonin standardized the practice of saying “Namu Amida Butsu,” but it wasn’t his first choice.
As the eighth Honganji abbot, Rennyo (1415-1499) lived in a turbulent time of war, social upheaval, famine and religious persecution. Yet, he vastly grew the Honganji denomination and attracted legions of followers by making accessible and relevant Shinran’s teachings. During the time he spent in Yoshizaki on the Japan Sea coast, he established uniform rituals, ceremonies and activities that provided the bedrock for growing the sangha and enabled Honganji to become an independent denomination. Continue reading “Rennyo in Yoshizaki”
by Rev. Wayne S. Yokoyama
An Imaginary Storyline
In this pandemic, you know following a stay-at-home order is tough. Now imagine Shinran Shōnin voluntarily secluding himself for 100 days. Continue reading “Shinran’s Shelter-in-Place”
By Rev. Ken Yamada
Who’d think Shinran Shonin, founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, could stir controversy 750 years after he lived? With much speculation, today’s scholars are exploring new angles of his life, which may prove a different Shinran than the one we know. Continue reading “The Shinran You Never Knew”