The Dharma Realm is probably the first Shin Buddhist podcast on the internet. It's a conversation between Rev. Harry Bridge of the Lodi Buddhist Church and Dr. Scott Mitchell of the Institute of Buddhist Studies on Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu. Their first topic is "mindfulness." The discussion is lively and contains good information on the Buddha dharma.

Rev. Harry Gyokyo Bridge spent his youth in Tokyo and the Boston. He encountered Buddhism while in college, and although he had dreams of becoming a professional musician, he instead found his way into the Buddhist ministry. He attended both the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley, CA and Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan. In September of 2006 Rev. Bridge became the resident minister of the Buddhist Church of Lodi in California.

Scott Mitchell is a Buddhist scholar and Jodo Shinshu Buddhist who lives and works in Oakland and Berkeley, California. He recently completed his doctoral studies at the Graduate Theological Union; his dissertation, Taking Refuge in the Dharma: post-colonialism, ritual theory, and American Buddhist studies, examines the role of role of ritual within American Buddhist communities, challenging the orientalist assumptions of current scholarship. Currently, he works at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, both as a teacher and their resident web developer/IT guy. He also writes the blog, "The Buddha is My DJ."

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON DHARMA REALM...

As the race for the democratic nomination for President of the United States nears the finish line, here's an interesting take on Barack Obama. The positive values that Obama exemplifies can be compared to many of the teachings of the Dharma. This is why the blogger believes that this is a big reason why he is the inspirational figure that he is today.

Like the Buddha, Barack Obama learned in his early adult years as a community organizer that poverty is the root of much suffering in the world. He saw how poverty seeps into people's lives like a poison that drives people into a life of crime and overall suffering. He understands that to bring people out of poverty is to improve society as a whole. He is known as a uniter, he is quite gifted at being able to bring about compromises that work for all sides involved.

READ MORE FROM THE BUDDHIST BLOG...

FYI, even Barack Obama's sister, Maya, considers her outlook on life as "Buddhist".
READ THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERVIEW...

In the Editor's Blog, we are on the lookout for interesting posts and articles. This posting came the blog, GODZ. The aim of this blog is to write about different religious experiences in various churches, mosques or temples. In this post, they attend a Buddhist temple. The article begins by being quite skeptical of Buddhism as a current trend.

As the sensei said in temple, your practice should be whatever floats your boat, but I'm talking about the kind of yogi who spends 400$ on a new meditation cushion or yoga mat and another 1,500 dollars on their yoga clothes.

After attending the temple, they have these observations after attending their first Jodo Shinshu service.

The sensei seemed real, honest, intelligent and content. It did not bother him that the folding chairs were only 1/5th full. I got the sense that he might actually have some inner peace.

The writer seemed to lump Buddhism with the "new age" movement. Buddhism is not new age. Jodo Shinshu is not new age. It is old age. It has a rich history. The writer seems to understand and appreciate this knowledge in the end.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE...