Engaged Pure Land

Bathed in the boundless light of Great Compassion, may we work together to reduce suffering. Namo Amida Butsu.

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Toronto Buddhist Church will march in the Toronto Pride parade this month. Jodo Shinshu temples have done so for many years in the U.S., but is this the first Canadian Buddhist temple to officially march in a Pride parade?

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Creating Inclusive Sanghas, June 22, 10-11:30am (Central Time) at Midwest Buddhist Temple and via Zoom. Learn how to make our temples safe, loving spaces for our LGBTQ+ members and friends, and the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our sanghas.

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Trans President of the American Buddhist Study Center Tells Her Life Story

Pure Land Buddhist Hoshina Seki was raised by a missionary monk in New York City. As she aged, she came to understand that she was trans. With the support of her local temple and the national Buddhist Churches of America, she transitioned to more fully become herself. She continues her role as president of the American Buddhist Study Center.

"How grateful I am to have been born into a Jodo Shinshu family. Never doubting my faith was my life’s constant denominator. When I finally came out, my temple Sangha members welcomed me. Most temples have a couple of ladies who are the unsung heroes. They cook, clean, care for the resident minister’s needs, and visit the sick. One such hero is Ruth Funai; she was there for me before and after my surgery. Dr. Gordon Bermant and his wife Geri visited while I was recovering. I will never forget all the other people and temple ladies who helped me."

Hoshina Seki Describes Path as a Trans Woman

It was always meant to be. That’s what my life is all about. But let me unravel how this Japanese American was asked to write this article. 

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Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii's Triple Celebration is Sept 7-8, and there's plenty of engaged Buddhist workshops to explore.

Rev. Blayne Higa is offering "Compassion in Action: Shin Buddhist Social Engagement."

Steve Lohse is leading "Greening the Hongwanji: Awareness and Connection." Participants will celebrate awareness of our environmental connections through sharing personal stories.

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Hawai‘i Buddhist Monastery Celebrates Milestone with 75,000 Meals Donated - Buddhistdoor Global

Generosity streams forth each Friday in the small town of Honoka'a thanks to the efforts of volunteers at the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Te

Every Friday, the 119-year-old Honoka'a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple serves free hot meals to the public in order to combat food insecurity and build community. Last month, they served their 75,000th meal! It's a good example of Jodo Shinshu Pure Land Buddhists practicing engaged Buddhism for the benefit of all.

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From Buddhist temple to ‘Queer Eye’: Meet Kodo Nishimura, the monk in heels championing self-acceptance

In the latest episode of our Crazy Smart Asia podcast, author, makeup artist and Buddhist monk Kodo Nishimura discusses growing up queer in

An interview with Pure Land Buddhist monk and LGBTQ+ advocate Nishimura Kodo

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Indigineous/Buddhist Learning Encounter

The 2015 World Buddhist Women's Conference (Jodo Shinshu) invited Chief Reg Snowshoe to explain Blackfoot spiritual views and history, with consideration of how Buddhist concepts such as oneness and compassion might be mirrored in Indigenous spirituality. Video is in English and Japanese. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0DMXShPCkk&ab_channel=LivingDharmaCentre

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Save the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program!

Here's an article at Lion's Roar about the campaign to save the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health Minor. Petition signatures are going up! Please help if you can.

Buddhist author and professor Jeff Wilson is calling to save a major Buddhist Studies program at the University of Toronto.

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Help save one of Canada’s most innovative academic Buddhism programs!

The University of Toronto’s Minor in Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health (BPMH) has been an astounding success, enrolling 100s of students each year. A key part of that success is the positive experiences of students who credit the Minor with significantly supporting their mental health, improving their university experience, expanding their understandings of Asian cultures, and even changing their lives.

It was thus a shock when the administration suddenly announced in November that the program will be closed. The decision took place without any consultation with the Director, faculty, or students.

Large numbers of students rallied to the support of the program, creating a petition with over 1500 signatures, holding a peaceful sit-in, and spreading the word about the impending closure. Nevertheless, the deans have so far refused to meet with the faculty over the suspension of the program.

There are several things you can do to help. First, please sign the students’ petition: https://www.change.org/p/protect-the-bpmh-program. Second, please consider writing a letter of support addressed to “Program Director Frances Garrett, Principal of New College, and Vice Deans of Undergraduate Programs” and sent to Dr. Garrett (frances.garrett at utoronto.ca). She will ensure that they reach the appropriate administrators. Third, you can send this message on to further colleagues and communities whom you think would be supportive.

The program is actually still strong and healthy, and there is time to reverse this unwise decision. The administration simply needs to rescind its choice not to enroll further students, and allow things to carry on as normal. Or, better yet, recognize the value of the BPMH Minor and provide new faculty to buttress the program’s success.

Thank you for your support!

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Queering Shinran

"Shinran, a radical thirteenth-century Japanese monk, exile, and refugee, founded the Jodo Shinshu tradition. A people’s Buddhism, it was specially created to be a way of including those who are marginalized and oppressed in dominant society. Considering the queerness in Shinran’s life and teaching allows us to rethink inclusivity as a fundamental Buddhist practice."

Jeff Wilson on what one medieval monk can teach us about creating inclusive communities today.

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On New Year's Eve an intruder broke into the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple and set fire to the building. The arsonist struck in the basement archives, destroying irreplaceable records of over 120 years, instruments and other precious items used for major community festivals like Obon, and other important materials. Fire and water damage occurred throughout the building, but the main hall and columbarium survived. The fire reignited this week due to smouldering embers and was suppressed again. A relief fund for the temple has been created. Please go here to donate: https://donate.stripe.com/7sIcNfdwRdi59TW8wy

#buddhist #buddhism #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #arson #aapi #stopasianhate

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Seattle Buddhist Temple Attacked by Arson

Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple was damaged last night by an arson attack. Details are still emerging. New Year's Day service is canceled. Jodo Shinshu temples in the United States and Canada have long been targets of racist and anti-Buddhist violence. Few if any have never experienced hate-based vandalism, arson, or attacks on members. The first, 100 years ago, killed 10 children at the Sacramento temple. Since then the Pahala, Gardena, Spokane, Fraser Valley, and other temples have been destroyed by arson, and many others have been damaged. Attacks on Buddhist temples accelerated in 2020 following Donald Trump's racist blaming of China for Covid-19.

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Sirimavo Bandaranaike, lifelong Buddhist, was also the world's first female prime minister. Winning the Sri Lankan election in 1960, she held the post until 1965 and again from 1970-1977. Moving Sri Lankan beyond the legacy of British colonialism, she significantly socialized the country, nationalizing banking, education, insurance, and major elements of trade, industry, and media, as well as redistributing land from private elites toward landless peasants.

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Dateline: April 1960. In an effort to keep hip young people involved at the temple, the leadership of the West Los Angeles Buddhist Church inaugurate the WLA Buddhist Church Accordion Band (!).

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A Jodo Shinshu Pure Land Buddhist perspective on responding to the suffering in the Middle East

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A giant in the 20th century history of American Pure Land Buddhism has died: Rev. Haruo Seigen Yamaoka, former bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America and president of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Rev. Yamaoka was a mentor to countless American Buddhists. He made big organizational changes that are still affecting both the BCA and IBS. He was also an important engaged Buddhism. He counseled Buddhist conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War, oversaw the creation of the BCA Committee on Social Issues, published the BCA's first statement on environmentalism, and contributed in countless other ways to making the world a better place through application of Buddhist principles and practices.

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Love and survival, in captivity and beyond

One human story, amid all the suffering in the Middle East:

#buddhism #buddhist #israel #palestine #middleeast #love