The Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago is posting dharma talks online. They feature Sensei Bryan Siebuhr who was assigned to the Midwest Buddhist Temple in 2004. He replaced Sensei Ogui who became the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America.

A former space shuttle programmer at the JFK Space Centre, Siebuhr discovered Buddhism through the yellow pages. A phone book gave him the listing for a Jodo Shinshu Temple. When Siebuhr first came to the temple, he was genuinely touched by the teachings of the Buddha.

Sensei Siebuhr went back to school to study Japanese language and Jodo ShInshu teachings in 1991, and in 1994, received his BA in Religious Studies from California State University, Fullerton. He went to Kyoto to attend the Jodo Shinshu Seminary in 1996.

The talks are recorded during services and sometimes include guest speakers. Search for "Midwest Buddhist Temple" in iTunes to locate an archive of recent podcasts.

VISIT THE MIDWEST BUDDHIST TEMPLE WEB SITE...
DOWNLOAD THE MIDWEST BUDDHIST TEMPLE PODCASTS...

When you read the scriptures, there is no use just passing your eyes over and over them. Rennnyo Shonin advised, "Make a point of reading the scriptures over and over." Also, there is a saying, "If you read a passage a hundred times, its meaning becomes clear by itself."

Sensei Miyakawa chanting at the Kamloops Buddhist Temple

In August, we had our second 12-Hour Marathon Chanting Event in memory of the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Last year we had a similar event in Kelowna on August 9th marking the anniversary of the tragedy of Nagasaki. This year, in the Kamloops community, we honored the memory of the victims of Hiroshima. This event was supported by many of our dharma friends within the BC Interior. We had planned this for the previous three months, and had asked people to fold a paper crane as a symbol of peace and hope.

We all remember the story of Sadako, a child who died of leukemia as a result of the radiation effects of the bomb, who began the tradition of folding paper cranes in her hopes to regain her health. As we prepared the temple hondo for the event, we were all deeply touched by the sheer numbers of paper cranes that we received. These were carefully placed throughout the hondo, shrine areas, windows and floor. We estimated that there were more than 15,000 paper cranes that had been folded by members of our community throughout the province. This outpouring of effort was indescribable, casting an aura of reverence among all of us.

Throughout the chanting, visitors were invited to offer incense, strike the bell, fold a paper crane, or join with us in chanting the Pure Land Sutras. We began at 6.00am and continued non-stop until 6.00pm.

Towards the back of the Hondo, a film documentary on the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was also shown. The film included interviews with a number of the survivors, who described their experiences. The degree of devastation caused by the bombing of Hiroshima will remain vividly in our memories. Those who have visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan know the degree of destruction. Most find their visit to the Memorial an unforgettable and emotionally moving experience. Participants came and went throughout the day, some to watch, others to participate in the chanting. A small group of anti-nuclear activists participated in the chanting for a period of time. Although non-Buddhist, and unfamiliar with chanting, some described their experience as "deeply spiritual" and that it ìallowed a sense of connection with the victims of Hiroshima and the survivors. Someone said after about half an hour, "I began to feel very comfortable with the flow of the chant and the spirituality that was built into it." This gave me a sense of humility and privilege in sharing a spiritual connectedness with all of them.

Over the 12-hours, we chanted in English almost three complete cycles of our three Principal Sutras the Larger Sutra, the Contemplation Sutra, the Amida Sutra, as well as Shinran’s Shoshinge. For some participants, this represented the first real opportunity to directly encounter, in English, the words of Shakymuni Buddha and Shinran Shonin. For others, each repetition seemed to bring increased understanding and insight, and a sense of appreciation to the participants.

As we mark the anniversary of the tragedy of Hiroshima, we remember those who lost their lives, and those whose lives became forever changed. Let us not forget Hiroshima and the horrors of nuclear war. As we read the scriptures over and over, we are also reminded of Shinran Shonin’s wish for humankind as he wrote, "May there be peace in the world and may the Buddha’s teaching spread."

In Gassho, Rev. Yasuhiro Miyakawa

(Sensei Miyakawa is the Minister at the Kelowna Buddhist Temple serving the interior of the province of B.C. He is also the former Minister at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple.)

COURTESY THE NEW DHARMA EXPRESS, THE NEWSLETTER OF THE KELOWNA BUDDHIST TEMPLE...
READ MORE IN THE B.C. LOCAL NEWS....

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have ended. Among all the celebrity that comes with winning a gold medal, many will leave with only a memory. How can these athletes, after years of training and sacrifice, accept this outcome? What is the Buddhist perspective?

Liu Xiang withdraws from Men's 110m Hurdles

Here is excerpt of a Dharma Talk written by Sensei Grant Ikuta following the Olympics in 2000:

Even in the Olympics, only three percent of the participants receive any medals, so we can see that ninety-seven percent of the athletes have their events not go as they desired. The Buddha taught us that life doesn't go as we calculate. If we can begin to accept this reality then we can begin to realise the importance of the Jodo Shinshu teachings for us. Even though our life may not unfold as we have planned, we are the focus of Amida Buddha's great compassion, just as we are. It is this compassion which tells us that we are never alone, but in fact are being sustained and supported by a multitude of causes and conditions.

The Olympics are truly a world event, but just as in life, there is as much to be gained from failure as from victory. It is through our many trials in life that we are awakened to Amida Buddha's boundless compassion, the true Gold Medal of life.

Gassho, Grant Ikuta

Grant Ikuta was formerly of the Toronto Buddhist Temple and currently, the Minister at the Steveston Buddhist Temple in B.C. This article was written following the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

It's worked for Barack Obama and his election campaign, could it work for Buddhism too?

Social Networking and the internet have proven to be very successful for Barack Obama and his election campaign. Obama has used the worldwide web to get his message out to young voters, enlist volunteers, and solicit campaign funds.

So what can this phase of the internet do for Buddhism? Here are some networking websites that might attract people to Buddhism or already have.

Facebook.com
Of course we start with Facebook which has over 500 groups listed under Buddhism. The largest one comprising close to 4,000 members and includes videos and discussion boards.

Meetup.com
Meetup boasts as being the "world's largest network of local groups." Meetup makes it easy for anyone to find or organize a group in their community.

According to their website, "Meetup's mission is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference."

Buddhistway.org
We have also discovered a strictly Buddhist social network. The Buddhist Way encourages you to "share your Buddhist Way of Life." Not as elaborate as the other sites, it does contain blogs, chatrooms and forums.

When we use these sites for communicating the dharma, just remember to be mindful and act responsibly. Also be aware of friendly monks.elcome to BUDDHISTWAY.ORG! Please register yourself and take a look around. There's lots to see and do, so take your time, meet some new friends, and share your Buddhist Way of Life.