Seeking Fulfillment on the Buddhist Path
In this Guest Speaker Series "Let This Be Known," Jim Pollard shares his personal insights on choosing to seek a more fulfilling life through a Buddhist path, and a few non-traditional learnings on traditional Shin Buddhist doctrine.
How Did We Get Here?
From a Buddhist perspective, I think of life as an infinite number of causes and conditions that leads to many results. But life doesn’t really feel this way. We think we are in control of the outcomes in our lives, but this control is imagined. When we look deeply at the events in our lives we begin to sense a flow within our very lives.
Shin Buddhism Really Is Buddhist - Part 1
Shin Buddhism is frequently regarded as a faith-based perspective within the larger context of Buddhism, which often leads to its under appreciation. Nagapriya connects Shin Buddhism with the wider Buddhist tradition. Join him in his exploration of how deeply Shin Buddhism is intertwined with Mahayana teachings and Buddhist practices.
Self-Inspection with the Solar Eclipse
In the past two decades, there has been interest in the scientific study of “Awe”. It’s defined as a sense of wonder and amazement, triggered by a perception of vastness that leaves us feeling small in comparison. Experiencing such an amazing event as the total solar eclipse can inspire us all to find greater humility.
Introduce Yourself to Buddhism
Get ready to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself to the Buddhist teachings and gain new insights for applying the teachings to everyday life in the west.
One Who Has Heard Much (Part 3)
The symmetry of Ananda and Kasyapa is quite amazing. It is Ananda who asked about the light when he heard compassion through the words of the Buddha, and it is Kasyapa who smiled when he saw wisdom through the flower that the Buddha silently held in his hand.
One Who Has Heard Much (Part 2)
“Of all the monks, the Venerable Sariputta was Ananda’s closest friend. … Sariputta was the disciple who most resembled the Master, and with whom he could talk in the same way as with the Buddha”
One Who Has Heard Much (Part 1)
Of the great disciples of Siddhartha Gotama, the historical Buddha, Ananda played a unique and pivotal role within the early Sangha. Ananda was the Buddha’s personal attendant for 25 years. During this period, Ananda’s focus and practice was listening to the Buddha’s sermons. Among Buddha’s disciples, Ananda appears to be the least spiritually gifted and yet he was able to realize the most profound wisdom through merely listening to the Dharma.
Dogen's Other Power Practice
Yokoyama Sensei begins with a short, guided meditation and then introduces the practice of "just sitting." He talks about the idea of actualizing the Buddha Nature, which resides in all of us, an understanding of non-intention, and teachings on the everyday nature of Zen.
Buddhism and the Politics of Activism
There should be a willingness for us to hear the pros and cons of any conflict. In the wise words of Shotoku Taishi, “Their right is our wrong and our right is their wrong.” However, this does not mean that we should be afraid to speak out when we observe harmful acts being committed toward others or ourselves.
The Future of American Buddhism
What does the next generation of American Buddhists need to know? How can we assist them on their spiritual paths? In this GSS, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka addresses these questions and more as he delves into the unique characteristics of American Buddhism, particularly from the viewpoint of younger practitioners.
What is Amida Buddha? (Part 2)
We can see our emotions in the face of the Buddha and that can give us comfort knowing we are accepted as we are. Even the Buddha’s facial features are descriptive of people from many races, serving as a reminder that the possibility of becoming a Buddha is not limited to one people, but is possible for all people.
What is Amida Buddha? (Part 1)
When you walk into the Hondo of the Midwest Buddhist Temple one of the first things you see is the Amida Buddha Statue. The large size of the statue is somewhat unusual for a Jodo Shinshu temple but our founding minister, Rev. Kono, wanted people to see this first when they walked in. I think you would agree it has an amazing presence.
Gratitude for the Efforts of Others
Rev. Kenji shares some of the common Western misunderstandings of Shin Buddhism, and the traditions behind the practice. He explains the everyday benefits of waking up to reality through true understanding. Waking up from "Please" to "Thank You."
Year of Transformation!
This new year, 2025, is the year of the snake. Snakes often symbolize transformation, rebirth, and healing as they shed its skin. In many cultures, they represent the shedding of old ways and the beginning of something new, just as a snake sheds its skin.
A New Year of Great Faith and Great Wisdom
The author mentions John Lennon twice. Once for the song Imagine and for the song Instant Karma. At first, we have to imagine an alternative world of peace and love because the world of the ego-self seems so real and concrete. But we have always had it backwards, the world of suffering is unreal while the world of bliss is real. This realization can come in an instant.
Generational Buddhist
You Know You Are a Generational Japanese American Buddhist When…
· Your obaachan’s house smells like osenko
· The first thing you do when you go to your obaachan’s house is to Gassho in front of the Obutsudan
· You’re not sure if that church goes by “church” or “temple”
· You thought it was called an Ojuzu, but now it’s called an Onenju
· Three Treasures started with “I put my faith in” …
Be the Refuge
Author Chenxing Han discusses the transformative experience of writing her debut book, Be the Refuge, and the surprising connections it has fostered. Tune in as she shares stories of finding solace and comfort within the Buddhist community, going from loneliness to spiritual friendships. During her insightful GSS, she examines and debunks the dichotomy within American Buddhism of being either a traditional Asian ritualistic practice or a contemporary White driven practice centered on meditation. Chenxing Han has emerged as a prominent voice and progressive thinker in understanding the current landscape of American Buddhism. You don’t want to miss the engaging and information talk!
The Way of Affirmation
It was like seeing a movie that you can’t stop thinking about weeks later. It creates a tension in the viewer. I couldn’t shake the contrast between how I was experiencing my life and how I experienced the naijin. It is interesting but this is all by design.
The Psychology of Buddhism
Can the embrace of Amida Buddha’s compassion bring solace to our minds? Rev. Dr. Carmela Javellana, armed with insights from Shinran Shonin’s work, “Kyogyoshinsho" and background in psychology, invites us to explore how the Nembutsu has the potential to be a powerful medicine, useful in ordinary day-to-day life as well as healing trauma.