Sensei Ulrich of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple took some time to visit his 93-year old mother in Lawrence, Kansas in January. And through his sister, Dr. Lois Kay Metzger, he was invited to teach a two hour meditation session on Loving-Kindness (Metta) to a unique women's group.

The Woman's Spirit Connection is a support group that includes women of all faiths and ethnic derivations. The evening of meditation was a success because the women were well prepared by their years together. Rev. Ulrich claims that it was one of the best Loving-Kindness sessions that he has ever experienced. And while there were some participants who were new to this kind of practice, the positive relationships in this spiritual group readily included these 'beginners' in the activities.

Many of the participants have since reported to have continued these meditations on their own as an important component of their own private practice. It turns out it was an important two hours for everybody.

VISIT THE WOMAN SPIRIT CONNECTION IN KANSAS...
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOVING-KINDNESS...

I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don't realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a creation of things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught.

And with that announcement, Tiger Woods sent searches for the word "buddhist" into the top 10 on Google Trends. Here's a sample of some of the articles written following the announcement:

CNN
Buddhist scholars say that forgiveness and redemption are core components of the faith. "You're always beginning again in the Buddhist tradition," said John Kornfield, a prominent Buddhist teacher based in California. "You see that you're causing harm, you repent and ask forgiveness in some formal or informal way, and you start again."

MacLean's
Thankfully for Tiger, Theravada Buddhism does have a tradition of atonement. There’s no specific ritual, but in Thailand, for instance, Buddhists will go to a local temple to light incense and offer alms to the monks to repent for their sins. However, Tiger should keep in mind the effectiveness of this process is contingent on following the principle of “right effort,” says Donald Williams (a professor of philosophy at Purdue University). For Woods, that means he will have to identify those behavioural patterns that led him to stray from the precepts and cut them out entirely.

Chicago Sun-Times
Buddhism does allow for forgiveness and redemption, but not in the same way as Christianity. Patti Nakai, an Associate Minister, Buddhist Temple of Chicago, was addressing controversial comments made by Fox News' Brit Hume made earlier this year urging Woods to turn to Christianity because Hume didn't think Buddhism offered the forgiveness and redemption offered by Christianity. Buddhism focuses on the need for followers "to get to that place where you can totally accept who you are and all the circumstances that brought about that,"

Newsweek-Washington Post
People recover from addiction even when they find themselves unable to believe in any form of Higher Power apart from the men and women they attend meetings with, and with whom they struggle to recover a meaningful and valuable life. That notion of Higher Power is remarkably similar to what Buddhists find in Sangha, the community of fellow practitioners who are doing their best to live compassionately and to live well.

We leave the last word to Jodo Shinshu scholar, Taietsu Unno from his book, "Shin Buddhism: Bits of Rubble Turn into Gold":
"Foolish beings, however, are the primary concern of Amida, and it is upon them that the flooding light of boundless compassion shines, eventually bringing about a radical transformation in life–hopeless to hopeful, darkness to light, ignorance to enlightenment, bits of rubble to gold."

In 2008, the Vancouver Buddhist Temple organized a series of lectures featuring ministers from North American temples. The West Coast Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples Lecture Series was very well received and thanks to the Living Dharma Centre, some of the talks were recorded.

Another talk by Sensei Bob Oshita of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento was recently uploaded. His presentation was titled "Buddhism for Dummies". Rev. Oshita is an excellent speaker who is able to connect with all audiences.

WATCH MORE TALKS FROM REV. OSHITA AT THE BUDDHIST CHURCH OF SACRAMENTO WEBSITE...
STAY TUNED FOR MORE VIDEOS AT THE LIVING DHARMA CENTRE YOUTUBE SITE...

Socho Koshin Ogui, Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America

Living in San Francisco, Socho Koshin Ogui is the writer of the popular column “Nyozegamon,” which appears in the Hokubei community newspaper and website.

The English translation for "Nyozegamon" is "I have heard it in this way". This refers to the passing down of stories from generation to generation.

Recent column topics include "Finding Happiness in the Midst of Misfortune" and "Why Does She Say She Has Nothing When She Has Plenty?".

Upon his appointment as Bishop of the the Buddhist Churches of America, Ogui was asked what his goals were as Bishop. Ogui said that his personal goal is to convey the wonderful nature of Buddhist tradition in the U.S. Further adding, "To do this, we must convey the traditions in a manner that is convincing to Americans."

Nyozegamon is a wonderful way of communicating these ideas.

READ BISHOP OGUI'S COLUMNS...

Great article from Oakland North, a website created by U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

The page focuses on the Oakland Buddhist Church, its history and how the temple serve as a "point of community" for Japanese-Americans. It also serves as primer on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

Members stroll in early to Dharma Family Service, which takes place on Sundays in the hondo.

The gong-like sound of a bell called a Kansho reverberates throughout the hondo. The conversations in the room begin to trail off. After a few more strikes and silent pauses, the bell is hit rapidly. The chatter fades to a silence and the only sound left in the room is the lingering ring.The bell stops.Three ministers, all men, are dressed in long black robes. Around their necks, they each have a kesa, tightly folded cloth made from the robes that Buddhist monks traditionally wear. They sit in chairs on the sides of the altar and begin to chant. Their voices together create a drone that engulfs the room.

The item goes on to explain the 108 year history of the congregation and how the temple has evolved as the community around it has changed. The current minister at the Oakland Buddhist Church is Rev. Harry Bridge.

It features some great photos and sound, a recording of Nembutsu chanting.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM OAKLAND NORTH...

With the recent news that President Barack Obama has decided to send more troops to Afghanistan, the argument continues if this war is necessary. Buddhists believe in non-violence but also know that the world is complicated and that there are many sides to this debate.

Courtesy Ekoji Buddhist Temple Dharma School in Fairfax County, Virginia

Caught in the middle are soldiers. Many soldiers are religious. In fact, right now, there are 1,900 Buddhists serving in the U.S. (Army Times).

A great blog that helps sort this out for many is the Buddhist Military Sangha. It is an unofficial online resource for Buddhists in the United States Armed Forces. One of the frequent contributors to the site is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Priest named Jeanette Shin. Shin was ordained at the Nishi Hongwanji, in Kyoto, Japan, in 2003. She was endorsed to become a military chaplain by the Buddhist Churches of America and served in the US Marine Corps from 1988-1992. She is a minister of the Buddhist Church of Florin, near Sacramento, CA.

How does she justify her role in the military?

Yes, there have always been armies and police, and there has to be some provision for defence. Even were we living in a world of wise rulers, protection is necessary. The Buddha speaks of this, as does Dogen. Aggression exists within each of us. But our wars today day wars are hardly the work of wise rulers (Neither were most wars in the past.). Whatever the issues may be, however just, the killing is fed by arms dealers and vast corporations who profit from the various technologies of killing. And by politicians driven by self-interest in raw form. And even by ourselves in a willingness to preserve privilege over groups and people elsewhere in the world.Having said all that, I would add that military personnel and families I have met often embody the highest principles of honour, duty, and self-sacrifice. They try to live according to what I might call “practice,” for the sake of their country and people. It is essential to hold this in mind.

I can’t help wondering, maybe naively, what would come of a policy that replaces retribution with generosity, that uses even a portion of the trillions we spend on war and destruction at home (prisons) and abroad for education, health, housing, and food? I would sign up in a New York minute as a chaplain to that kind of army.

READ MORE COMMENTS BY SENSEI JEANETTE SHIN ON THE BUDDHIST MILITARY SANGHA...

Over at Barbara's Buddhism Blog, she recently posted a wonderful photo on her website describing the Japanese Buddhist practise of Takuhatsu. She correctly described it as a practise performed by monks. But in this case, as "Jeff" pointed out in her comments, these were not monks, but members of the New York Buddhist Church. He was able to identify them by the wisteria crest on their kesa (ribbon around the neck).

We can further tell you that the man leading the group is Jodo Shinshu minister, Rev. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki of the New York Buddhist Church.

Traditionally, Buddhist monks would walk through their communities pausing for donations of food or money. Today, Takuhatsu is more commonly used as a meditative practice.

All Photos by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

In the case of these photos, Rev. Nakagaki was experimenting with the practise in North America. He was also taking donations for his temple. In 2008, a member of the New York Buddhist Temple wrote about the experience:

We went by subway to “Strawberry Fields” of John Lennon and Yoko Ono fame in Central Park, where we began the traditional meditation walk. “Ho ho ho ho, ho ho ho.” Stop. Ring the bells and gong simultaneously. Start again. “Ho” means “the Dharma” (the Teaching of the Buddha) -- not Santa Claus. This continued all the way to and around Columbus Circle and Midtown Manhattan. We walk to bring the Dharma to the city. --Dimitri Bakhroushin, New York Buddhist Church

READ DIMITRI'S ARTICLE IN THE WHEEL OF DHARMA...
VISIT BARBARA'S BUDDHISM BLOG...

In the spring issue of Tricycle magazine, Jeff Wilson interviews Taitetsu and and his son, Mark Unno.

Both men are ordained minsters in the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. They are also teachers and writers. Mark Unno is a professor of Buddhism at the University of Oregon. Taitetsu Unno is a professor emeritus of religious studies at Smith College and the author of "River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism" and "Shin Buddhism: Bits of Rubble Turn into Gold." Both books are have helped many people discover the riches of this major Buddhist tradition.

The Unnos help to sort out the subtle differences between the various sects and forms Buddhism takes. Here are a couple of quotes from the interview:

In Asia, laypeople generally relate to Buddhism devotionally. But in America, when laypeople engage in these traditions they most often want to relate to them solely as a yogic path, beyond devotion. The problem is that they have all of the problems that lay Buddhists have always had. Trying to force yourself into the yogic path while living with all of the distractions, complications, and follies of the lay life may not always work so well. In order to ease some of the strain on this artificial image of what a Buddhist life might be, it could be very helpful to bring in the Shin emphasis and recognition of our blind passions and our natural limitations as laypeople.

In some approaches to Buddhism, you try to get rid of emotional attachments, but not in Shin. We want to treasure the blind passions, the defilements, because they are the fertilizer for realization. It’s hard to make the passions disappear, but they can be deepened into wisdom and compassion. Some people use the word “transform,” but I don’t like it myself. The passions don’t become something else; they become more pungent. Pungent dharma. That’s Shin Buddhism.

READ THE ARTICLE ON THE TRICYCLE WEBSITE...

Looking for a better life, they came to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. They were immigrants from Japan who came to the island of Oahu. Over 100 years later, they have lived in the community of Aiea and created a strong community surrounded by the Aiea Hongwanji Mission. Their story is told in this wonderful video.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HONPA HONGWANJI MISSION OF HAWAII...

More connections to Barack Obama and Buddhist philosophy. Quotes are from an article in the Bangkok Post examining his leadership qualities.

In Buddhism, people who are transformed become selfless and dedicated to serving others. This is what many people felt when they watched the broadcast of Obama giving his somber, determined victory speech in Chicago on election night.

It may seem incredible that a person with such a humble beginning as Obama could have made it this far. Yet, when looking through the lens of Buddhism, it should not come as a surprise. This is a mindful and humble candidate with a deep understanding of dhamma running a thoughtful and honourable campaign, encouraging people to be selfless and join forces to create good karma for the purpose of lifting others out of suffering.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM THE BANGKOK POST...
GREAT PHOTOS AT THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE...

The recent marriage of George Takei and Brad Altman grabbed headlines recently. Foremost as news of "Proposition 8" rose to the forefront, but probably more notably on the fame of the former star of "Star Trek."

Takei,and Altman exchanged vows at a Buddhist ceremony pre­sided over by Rev. William Briones, Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.

But, it also brings into light, the subject of gay marriage from a Buddhist perspective. Jodo Shinshu Ministers have been performing same-sex marriages for thirty years. Rev. William Briones is the first Mexican-American Jodo Shinshu Minister in America. He is also the person who officiated the marriage of Takei and Altman. He writes in November's BCA newsletter that Amida's Primal Vow does not discriminate.

"Within our teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, there are no doctrinal grounds that exist the prohibits neutral-gender marriage. Within the compassionate light of the Amida Buddha, all beings are equally embraced."

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE OF REV. BRIONES FROM THE BCA NEWSLETTER...
READ "SENSATIONAL AS ONE" AT THE RAFU SHIMPO ONLINE FROM THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS....

The Dalai Lama congratulated US President-elect Barack Obama on his election victory on November 4 with the following letter:

 

Dear President-elect Obama,
 
Congratulations on your election as the President of the United States of America.
 
I am encouraged that the American people have chosen a President who reflects America's diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land.  This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world.
 
The American Presidential elections are always a great source of encouragement to people throughout the world who believe in democracy, freedom and equality of opportunities.
 
May I also commend the determination and moral courage that you have demonstrated throughout the long campaign, as well as the kind heart and steady hand that you often showed when challenged.  I recall our own telephone conversation this spring and these same essential qualities came through in your concern for the situation in Tibet.
 
As the President of the United States, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to create change in the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human needs.  You must also remember and work for these people, wherever they may be.
 
With my prayers and good wishes,
 
Yours sincerely,
 THE DALAI LAMA

COURTESY FREETIBET.ORG...

This week, my wife asked my daughter what she did at recess. Her response was that she "meditated." This practice probably came to her after Sensei Ulrich began introducing children's meditation into our weekly Sunday service.

"Think of your head shooting like a fountain, watering the flowers and grass around you."

A couple of the most popular internet searches that bring people to this website are "Eightfold Path for Children" and "Buddhist Stories for Children." This just shows the growing popularity of parents and teachers looking for Buddhist lessons for their kids.

In the fall 2008 issue of Tricycle magazine, a special section titled "Bringing Up Buddhists" explains some of the interest that exists in North America. It is a sampling of how Buddhists in the United States are teaching the dharma to children. The contents of the section includes an article on a Florida family trying to live a Buddhist life, a Dharma School in Portland and a meditation teacher working in the New York public school system. There is also information and inspiration for those who want their children to have a Buddhist educational experience.

Originally modeled after Christian Sunday Schools, Jodo Shinshu Temples in Canada and the United States have been offering a "Dharma School" children's program for decades.

The Level 8 Buddhist's blog has a great posting about bringing up a child in a Buddhist family. He also has many nice things to say about the Jodo Shinshu tradition that captures its "family friendly" culture.

Jodo Shinshu, among Buddhist sects, is among the most family-friendly. It emphasizes gratitude and humility, and is geared toward working-class people given its roots as a lay-Buddhist organization from 12-13th century Japan. So, we take her to the Sunday School there, and she plays on the slide, eats snacks and occasionally makes crafts. The themes are not overtly Buddhist, but just being in a wholesome Buddhist environment works wonders. She learns to be thankful for the food she receives, she learns to speak kindly to others, and to be nice to other children. That’s the real secret of raising Buddhist children. -Level 8 Buddhist

In the "Traditions" section of this web site, we have written, "In teaching small children, we should convey a feeling of reverence and gratitude. Children will learn through the examples set by parents and teachers."

Reciting the Nembutsu will live with them forever.

READ THE INTRODUCTION TO THE TRICYCLE ARTICLE ONLINE...
READ "RAISING BUDDHIST CHILDREN" AT THE LEVEL 8 BUDDHIST...

The Tibet Center in collaboration with the Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement was proud to sponsor LIVING PEACE: Spiritual Approaches to Achieving Inner Peace, a series of seminars and workshops where teachers and leaders of different faith backgrounds will present their respective techniques for realizing inner peace. The event took place during eight evenings in June 2008.

If each individual accomplishes inner peace, we can then take small steps towards achieving global peace. Cultivating a sense of peace internally, at every level of our social structure — within the community, within the family, within the self — is essential for the achievement of world peace.

Living Peace offered New Yorkers practical exposure to different ways of achieving and maintaining inner peace, and promoting awareness of the importance of this state. Seminar leaders represented a variety of religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

During the third Living Peace event at Columbia University, on the 9th of June 2008, Rev. Nakagaki discussed inner peace from the perspective of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. He also led the group in meditation and chanting exercises.

courtesy New York Times

WATCH SENSEI NAKAGAKI'S TALK...
READ MORE ABOUT SENSEI NAKAGAKI AND THE NEW YORK BUDDHIST TEMPLE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES...

Many might argue that business and Buddhism don't go together. But this week's crisis on Wall Street and subsequent bailout by the American government has many people asking if there is a better way.

"It is clear, therefore, that Buddhist economics must be very different from the economics of modern materialism, since the Buddhist sees the essence of civilisation not in a multiplication of wants but in the purification of human character. Character, at the same time, is formed primarily by a man's work. And work, properly conducted in conditions of human dignity and freedom, blesses those who do it and equally their products."

Here is Fritz Schumacher speaking to a group in 1977. He was asked if "Buddhist Economics" could work in the west.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the E. F. Schumacher Society received requests from around the world to reprint "Buddhist Economics," Fritz Schumacher's classic essay widely understood as a call for an economics of peace. In the essay, Schumacher imagines a multitude of vibrant, self-sufficient villages which, from their secure sense of community and place, work together in peace and cooperation.

In December of 2001 Mrs. Vreni Schumacher, who holds the copyright to her late husband's works, kindly extended permission to make the essay available electronically.

READ "BUDDHIST ECONOMICS" FROM E.F. SCHUMACHER'S "SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL"...

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...

It's not so much a look at the future, but also a look into the past.

Lewis Lancaster is the Professor Emeritus of Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Wisconsin. A distinguished scholar of Buddhism, we are fortunate that Lancaster has made available his entire one-hour lecture on the history of Buddhism and its future in the age of technology. How it made its way from India to the rest of Asia. Lancaster explains the path Buddhism took through Korea, on its way to Japan, as opposed to how many historians thought, that it was spread from China.

This research is part of the Electronic Cultural Atlas. A project Lancaster founded to promote worldwide electronic access to quality research data. The initiative uses the latest computer technology to map the spread of various strands of Buddhism from the distant past to the present.

The lecture was part of the "Burke Lectureship on Religion & Society" series at the University of California - Berkeley on April 10, 2008.

courtesy robotpirateninja.com

Barack Obama has made it clearly known that he is a Christian. But many Buddhists believe that he may have studied some of the Buddha's teaching. It looks like we were not the only people looking for a connection on the internet:

Every once and a while I Google 'Obama and Buddhist' just to see if he is a secret Buddhist. So far nothing has come up. What I did note is that there were a number of Buddhists blogs, organizations, and individuals who see Buddhism in Obama's approach to listening, problem solving, patience, tolerance, and so on. -The Original Black Buddha

Earlier this year, we told you about his sister, Maya, who considers herself a "Buddhist".

So the connection grows, whether it's real or not. Even Obama's own website has a "Buddhists for Obama" group. At last count, 438 people have become members.

And that leads us to the "Buddhists for Obama" fridge magnets.

But our favorite comes from Lama Surya Das, who made a guest appearance this month on the Stephen Colbert Show on CTV/Comedy Central. Colbert introduced him on a very funny segment called "Obama's Church Search". Colbert asked Surya Das why Obama should become a Buddhist now that he’s left the church he grew up with. The Lama gave twelve reasons why Obama should become a Buddhist on his blog:

12. Buddhists have more fun.

11. It’d be great to have a president for once who practiced right speech, right actions, right intentions and right livelihood, as Buddha taught.

10. I’d call him Head Lama Obama.

9. All the best people are. My religion is the best and the only way, just like yours.

8. Buddha has for 2500 years taught change and inclusivity.

7. Buddhist meditation and mindfulness training is good for both physical and mental health.

6. Buddha was the world’s first ecological leader and protector of animals as well as human beings. (Obama could rename 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue “The Green House”)

5. Nonviolence and altruism is the Buddhist way. War might be outlawed.

4. Buddhist practices of mindful anger management and nonviolent conflict resolution could make him an enlightened leader, like Aung San Su Kyii of Burma and the Dalai Lama of Tibet. (Pres. Medvedev of Russia does yoga.)

3. I am a Buddha, and so can you.

2. It would help the energy crisis.

AND FINALLY, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, my father’s favorite answer to all of life’s big questions:
1. BECAUSE…

Before eating at our temple, we always say, “itadakimasu.” This isn’t necessarily a “Buddhist” practice, but more a Japanese tradition. It is also an opportunity to stop and reflect on all the causes and conditions that made this meal possible. But as Rev. Harry Gyokyo Bridge explains in this dharma talk, the origin of the word comes from Japanese society and its respect for hierarchy.

It is the humble form of morau, the verb for “receive.” This implies that we are receiving something from a superior. At a ceremony, when you receive a certificate or something, then you hold it up to your head. This demonstrates in a physical, bodily way that you are “receiving it from above.” An example of this in Buddhism can be seen when we open sutra books: we lift the book to about chest level, then raise it up to our heads, before opening it. This is because the sutras are the sacred words of the Buddha, and by holding them above our heads we symbolically and physically receive them from something or someone greater than us. When we say “itadakimasu” before a meal, we are acknowledging in a similar way, but this time with our speech, that we are “receiving something from above.

READ MORE IN THE NENJU-REV. HARRY'S DHARMA BLOG...
LISTEN TO THE DHARMA REALM WITH REV. HARRY...

Looking for podcasts on Buddhism?

If you are looking for the "raw" goods, you might want to check out the "Bad Buddha."

Ryu Cope of West-Central Illinois, is the Bad Buddha. His 54 podcasts and counting, give you his unique take on Buddhism in a contemporary context. Cope admits that he is not a scholar or expert in Buddhism, but his recordings are entertaining and informative.

I think that, while Ryu is probably a bit brash and simplistic for someone out there looking for thick, heavy philosophic discussions, he is a fresh, very palatable speaker and keeps his audience well-entertained during his show while dishing up a good tutorial on the thought school and giving you something to think about at the end of the day. If you’re even a little bit curious about Buddhism, I’d highly recommend his show, even for an overview of the philosophy. The Bad Buddhist is fun, amusing, and if you’re not careful, you might even learn something or find a new way of viewing the world. I know I have. -PhilosYphia

To get a feel for the podcasts, here's a brief Q & A from his website:

Q: Who is Ryu Cope (The Bad Buddha)?
That would be me. I'm a creative, spiritual type who has been a frustrated Buddhist for quite a while. I believe strongly in the Middle Way and the pragmatic teachings of the Buddha. I don't believe in the importance given to the confusing messages that have been added to the Buddha's words over the past twenty-six centuries -- karma, reincarnation, transmigration, enlightenment as an "escape" of anything, etc.
I'm also an ex-stand-up comedian, so don't take anything I say too seriously. Including the previous comment. So there, nyah!

Q: Why "Bad" Buddhism?
Because it is my feeling that modern Buddhism has gotten lost in a quagmire of "feelgood" babble and spiritual mumbo-jumbo. To me, the teachings of the Buddha were about reality and practicality -- not "infinite love and compassion for all things" and "escaping the wheel of rebirth". I believe that the practical, no-nonsense Buddhism I espouse makes me a "bad" Buddhist in the light of what is generally accepted as modern Buddhism by society at large.

Q: Are you a Buddhist monk?
Nope. And neither was the Buddha.

Q: Then what makes you such an expert on Buddhism?
Absolutely nothing. The Buddha himself was special only in that he considered himself "awake". I'm trying to wake up and I'm trying to wake others up with me. And that waking up also means waking up from the metaphysical idiocy that seems to have taken over the Buddhist world.

The "Bad Buddha" can be heard in Winnipeg on the Red River Community College radio station 92.9 KICK FM.

GO TO THE BAD BUDDHA WEBSITE TO DOWNLOAD PODCASTS...

The former Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of Canada has passed away. Rev. Toshio Murakami's life ended on May 26, 2008 at the Pali Momi Hospital in Hawaii. He was 77 years old.

Toshio Murakami was born in Fukuoka, Japan on October 5, 1931. He came to North America in 1959 after receiving his kyoshi certification. His first assignment was at the Berkeley Buddhist Church in California. He was the minister at several temples on the U.S, west coast before working at the BCA headquarters in 1977.

On March 15, 1986, Rev. Murakami began his term as the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of Canada. Here's a short video clip of Bishop Murakami during a short documentary produced in 1989. In it, he explains his vision for the future of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Canada.

Canada's current Bishop, Socho Fujikawa writes, "He will be remembered as the Bishop who had helped the 1990 World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Vancouver."

After serving the BCC for seven years, Rev. Murakami served the Australian Jodo Shinshu community. He would eventually retire as the minister of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, but continued to be the resident minister of the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission.

His funeral was held on June 6, 2008 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. It was officiated by Bishop Thomas R. Okano and sponsored by both the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission.

Rev. Murakami leaves behind his wife, Yoko, two daughters, Mari and Rumi and two grandchildren. If you would like to make a donation, the Murakami family has requested that it should be made directly to the Pacific Buddhist Academy.

Ogui Socho of the Buddhist Churches of America makes a very special appearance on this internet video on the DharmaNet web site. Learn why he chose the Buddhist path and more about his Zen mentor, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. Also find out why he was "kicked out" of his first temple in the United States and how he eventually overcame that setback to become the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America.

The video is a part of an online video series called "The Buddhist Way of Life." In 2005, the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai) [BDK] initiated a BDK-TV Series shown in Southern California. The weekly 15-minute shows featured interviews and teachings from major American Buddhist followers and teachers. 

SEE THE VIDEO...

Alfred Bloom, Honolulu Star Bulletin, April 5, 2008

Honolulu, Hawaii (USA) -- The story of Buddha's birth is rich in symbolism and suggestions of meaning, appealing to the imagination and feelings. It is a question for us whether we can draw any meaning for ourselves out of such ancient stories.
The fanciful nature of the stories of the white elephant, the baby's birth fully grown, supernatural rain and flowers tends to limit their meaning to children. Nevertheless, they tell us about the role of Buddhism in the world.

Hanamatsuri, as a festival of Buddha's birth, developed in China and Japan as an occasion of beauty and joy. Spring was an auspicious time in nature. An ancient account tells us that when Buddhas are born, "all evil is ended, everything has fully matured."

Flowers play a conspicuous role in many Buddhist myths and in Buddha's birth, signaling times of celebration, hope, joy and beauty. Pouring sweet tea over images of the child Buddha and adorning flower pavilions became popular in Japan during the Tokugawa age after the 17th century. The liberating message of Buddhism brought welcome relief for ancient people with their many cares, anxieties and sufferings.

In Mahayana Buddhism every Buddha comes into the world with the purpose to emancipate those in bondage. However, as Buddhist thought deepened, it understood that salvation, like liberty, is indivisible; it must include everyone else.

The understanding of the mission of Buddhism expanded over the centuries, focusing on lay people as the center of the religion and the bearer of the mission of Buddhism. The transition in the role of the layperson received vivid expression in Shinran's vision. The Bodhisattva Kannon appeared as a monk and announced that he (Kannon) would become a woman as his wife. Together they would adorn and enhance the world. Shinran was commissioned to take this message to the masses in the eastern area of Japan.

Shinran's strong sense of mission also appears in the story of his vow to recite a sacred text for the benefit of suffering beings. He soon stopped, realizing it was not the right way to achieve his purpose. He remembered Shan-tao (Zendo), a Chinese Pure Land teacher, who stated that sharing one's faith with others is the true way to express one's gratitude for the Buddha's compassion. Thereafter, Shinran devoted his life to teaching the farmers and workers of eastern Japan.

We can draw some insight for the contemporary meaning of Buddhism from these stories:

» First, despite many historical changes and cultural contexts, the goal of Buddhism remains the same. It is to liberate people from their sufferings and to bring joy to their lives.

» Secondly, the context of Buddhist mission is in ordinary family life. Shinran and his wife had a mutual partnership to share the teaching.

» Thirdly, there must be outreach to people. Buddhism can no longer be isolated within the four walls of a temple, but it must turn outward to participation in the community and world.

As we take up our responsibility, we must constantly ask ourselves: How are we, as Buddhists, enhancing the world in which we live? Does our Buddhism bring joy to life in the world, peace and justice? In this way Hanamatsuri, the festival of flowers, will not merely be an annual event, but an expression of the meaning of our lives.

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Alfred Bloom is an emeritus professor of religion at the University of Hawaii.

He's having an incredible year so far and the Masters is just around the corner. Tiger Woods is on par to win his fifth green jacket in Augusta, Georgia.

So what's his secret?

Meditation. This is an excerpt from an article from the UK Times web site:

Woods does not talk much about the fact that he meditates, something he learnt from Kultida, his mother, who is a Buddhist. “In the Buddhist religion you have to work for it yourself, internally, in order to achieve anything in life and set up the next life,” he said. “It is all about what you do, and you get out of life what you put into it. So you are going to have to work your butt off in every aspect of your life. That is one of the things that people see in what I do on the course.”

READ MORE IN THE TIMES...

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...

If you're Buddhist in the United States, you're most likely a white convert who lives in the American West.

That's one of the findings of a the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, released Monday (Feb. 25), by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reports what many of the Jodo Shinshu community in Canada are already experiencing. It says that Buddhists are among the faiths with the lowest retention rates of childhood members and that many Buddhists have married someone of a different religion.

A study also concludes that of more than 35,000 adult Americans that were interviewed, .07 percent consider themselves followers of Buddhism.

Hindus Thrive as Buddhists Struggle to Pass on the Faith
by Andrea Useem, Religion News Service

For Buddhists, the data show "convert Buddhist communities face a significant challenge in engaging their children and keeping them in the tradition," said Thomas Tweed, a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Many Buddhist converts "didn't really attempt to bring their children into Buddhism," added Robert Seager, a religious studies professor at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. "They said, `I don't want to lay my trip on my kids."

There is good news, 44 percent of Americans say they're no longer tied to the religious or secular upbringing of their childhood. They've changed religions or denominations, adopted a faith for the first time or abandoned any affiliation altogether which could lead to more people looking into Buddhism as a choice for religious beliefs.

Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum predicts that as world religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism will continue to grow in the USA through immigration and conversion, workplaces, schools and eventually the courts will face increasing challenges over religious accommodation.

SEE THE SURVEY...

October 17, New York Times

Over furious objections from China and in the presence of President Bush, Congress on Wednesday bestowed its highest civilian honor on the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists whom Beijing considers a troublesome voice of separatism.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES...

The following is a letter sent to the White House in 2001, stating the feelings of all Higashi Honganji ministers regarding the World Trade Center tragedy and their future American foreign policy.

September 24, 2001

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President

The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. on September 11th have brought tremendous confusion and suffering. We, the followers of Shin Buddhism, express our deepest condolences to the victims, their families and friends. This tragedy reminds all of us how helpless we are in the face of such a catastrophe where only sadness, pain, and anger remain.

However, while we do not accept any act, terrorist or otherwise, in which the dignity of human life is ignored, we cannot condone any retaliatory acts that can lead to war. Such actions will only result in spreading more hatred and violence throughout the world and lead to the suffering of innocent victims. We therefore urge you to seek a course of non-violent action to detain and bring before a world forum of justice, those who may be responsible for the acts of September 11, 2001. We further urge you to seek a way of building bridges of understanding and reconciliation with all those who have harmed us. In addition, we ask that you do everything possible to defend the safety and rights of citizens here in the United States who may be targeted because of their ethnic or religious background.

Six years ago, in June 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, our Headquarters, Shinshu Otani-ha of Kyoto, Japan, issued an Anti-War Statement which reaffirmed that all followers of our tradition should do our best to work for world peace and walk the same path as all people, regardless of their ethnicity, language, culture, and religion. Buddhism is a religion to free oneself from sufferings, one of which is the attachment to one’s own views and the imposing of it on others. This attachment hinders true dialogue.

The terrorist attacks and the probable American retaliation reconfirm the urgent need for our pledge to be practiced. The primary wish of all humanity, past, present, and future, is to live peacefully in a world free from discrimination. Only through realizing this universal wish, may all human beings be united as one.

It is our fervent hope that America display her greatness by looking deeply into the nature of all suffering and showing true Compassion.

Respectfully,

Ministers of Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temples
(North America and Hawaii Districts.)

On the anniversary of 9-11, we looked for a symbol of peace and harmony. We found this video taken at the New York Buddhist Temple. In such a big and busy city, it is interesting to see Shinran standing there all alone. The statue of Shinran Shonin survived the bombing of HIroshima. It was brought to New York as a symbol of peace. The person who posted it says that children usually leave paper cranes at his feet.

The New York Buddhist Temple is led by Sensei Nakagaki. He has been called upon to lead the lead the Buddhist and interfaith community during the memorials of 9-11.

Sensei Nakagaki and Socho Ogui at the 9-11 ceremony, 2002

Every year, since 9-11, the New York Buddhist Temple has Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony. It is an ancient Japanese custom of floating lighted lanterns in waterways. It symbolizes respect for the lives of people who have gone before us (Obon). It is a quiet and serene ceremony that provides a place to reaffirm our commitment to building a peaceful future and to pay respect to the lost lives at the World Trade Center.

9-11 Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony in New York

READ MORE about Sensei Nakagaki in this article by the New York Times Magazine.

Not sure many of you know this, but Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is the Slurpee capital of the world. We have retained the title for eight years in a row. Besides sales of over 8,000 drinks per store, per month, a spokesperson for 7-11 says one of the reasons for the Winnipeg winning the title is, where else would someone be drinking a Slurpee in -40'C weather.

7-Eleven began selling Slurpees, then called Icees, in its stores in the United States in 1965. Despite its history in North America, this eighteenth-generation Jodo Shinshu priest recently had his first one. Socho Koshin Ogui Sensei has been a resident of the United States since 1962, but he he seems to be enjoying his first Slurpee.

courtesy bcayouth.org

Socho Ogui became minister of the Cleveland Buddhist Temple in 1977 and of the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago in 1992. In 2004, he was appointed Socho (Bishop) of the Buddhist Churches of America and has been instrumental in the ongoing revitalization and outreach efforts of that organization. THe is the author of "Zen Shin Talks", and now lives in San Francisco.

For an interesting article on Socho Ogui's view on Jodo Shinshu and meditation, read this recent article from tricycle Magazine.

Looking for answers? Do you have 15 minutes? Then, go to TED. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives. This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free.

Here's a sample from Tenzin Bob Thurman who became a Tibetan monk at age 24. He's a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University, and co-founder of Tibet House U.S., a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization. In this talk, he says that in our hyperlinked world, we can know anything, anytime. And this mass enlightenment is our first step toward becoming Buddha. When we can know everything, we can see how everything is interconnected -- and we can begin to feel compassion for every living being.

And by the way, he is Uma's dad.

No, this doesn't mean we will start having pop-ups and ads blinking all over our site. But we would like to direct you to the BCA (Buddhist Churches of America) Bookshop. It's located in the new Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, California.

The Online BCA Bookstore is virtual, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's a great online store to purchase books on Jodo Shinshu and other Buddhist merchandise. The prices are in US but there is little difference now between our Loonie and the American dollar. So another good reason to shop.

They will be adding extra features as new items are introduced, so they request you come back regularly.

You can online order from their web site or contact: sales@bcabookstore.com or phone (510) 809-1435, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

By the way, in the bottom left corner of the web site there is an odd reminder for a Buddhist store.....

Are You Ready?
Just 203 days 'til Christmas!

May 23, 2007 The Kansas City Star

Talk about a test of faith.

Eight Tibetan monks spent two days cross-legged on the floor at Union Station, leaning over to meticulously create an intricate design of colored sand as an expression of their Buddhist faith. They were more than halfway done. And then, within seconds, their work was destroyed by a toddler.

Video from the Associated Press

Monks are bald, so they couldn’t rip their hair out. But were they angry? Did they curse?
READ THE ARTICLE AND WATCH THE VIDEO...

Imagine a high school that has a curriculum based on Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teachings. Its more than an idea. In Hawaii, they are about to graduate their first class of students.

INCENSE drifts through this small school overlooking a white Buddhist temple in Nuuanu. Students and faculty bow their heads before and after class, and misbehaving children must do yoga and meditation as an alternative to suspension. Four years after opening, the Pacific Buddhist Academy, the only Shin Buddhist high school in the country, will graduate its first class Friday. Fourteen seniors will get their diplomas and chant in a ceremony at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin temple, just steps away from a college preparatory school that taught them as much about math and science as it did about respect, gratitude and peace.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM THE HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN...

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...