Study Classes and Seminars

Dharma talks and discussion about Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Teachings, History, and and Contemporary Issues

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 9)

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Wednesday, May 12, 2021

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, May 12 for this free Dharma Study Class.

6:00 p.m. Shōshinge Sōfu Chanting

The chanting of Shōshinge embodies the heart of daily Nembutsu practice in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.  Join us to experience the settling of the mind through focused breathing and meditative listening.

7:00 p.m. Reading and Discussion

This month we will consider the following verse which illuminates the the profound transformation that occurs with the arising of the one thought-moment of joy.

When the one thought-moment of joy arises,
Nirvana is attained without severing blind passions;
When ignorant and wise, even grave offenders and slanders of the dharma, all alike turn and enter shinjin,
They are like waters that, on entering the ocean, become one in taste with it.

Full text of Shōshinge

Handout

Coming soon!

To join us for this online Dharma Session, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”.

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 8)

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This month as we celebrate Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday, the following verse from the Shoshinge expresses our appreciation for the meaning of his appearance in this world:

Sakyamuni Tathagata appeared in this world
Solely to teach the ocean-like Primal Vow of Amida;
We, an ocean of beings in an evil age of five defilements,
Should entrust ourselves to the Tathagata’s words of truth.

Full text of Shōshinge

Handout

To join us for this online Dharma Session, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”.

A Passage on Right Views from Shinran’s True Teaching, Practice, and Realization

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Chapter on Transformed Buddha-Bodies and Lands, Section 88

Chapter Eight, “Evil Spirits” Attainment of Reverent Trust,” part one, of the Great Collection “Moon-Matrix” Sutra, fascicle five, states:

[The Buddha said,] “All beings! If you keep your distance from wrong views, you will gain ten kinds of virtue. What are these ten? First, with your mind pliant and good, you will have companions who are wise and virtuous. Second, believing in the recompense of actions, leading even to death, you will not commit any evil acts. Third, venerating the three treasures, you will not trust in gods. Fourth, adopting right views, you will not decide propitious or unpropitious times according to the season, day or month. Fifth, always being born in realms of human beings or devas, you will never fall into the evil courses. Sixth, attaining a mind of clarity in wisdom and goodness, you will be praised by others. Seventh, abandoning secular involvements, you will always pursue the holy path. Eighth, parting from views of annihilation and eternality, you will believe in the law of causation. Ninth, you will always meet and be with people of right faith, right practice, and right aspiration. Tenth, you will be born into the good courses of existence.

“You will direct the roots of good acquired from casting off wrong views toward attainment of supreme, perfect enlightenment. People who do so quickly fulfill the six paramitas and will attain perfect enlightenment in a Buddha-land of goodness and purity. Having achieved enlightenment, they will adorn sentient beings with their virtues, wisdom, and all their roots of good in their own Buddha-land. Being born in those lands, people do not put trust in gods; leaving behind their fear of the evil course, they will be born into good courses on ending their lives there.”

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 7)

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This month we reflect upon the following verse as it relates to our journey to the Other Shore of enlightenment:

The Name embodying the Primal Vow is the act of true settlement, The Vow of entrusting with sincere mind is the cause of birth;
We realize the equal of enlightenment and supreme nirvana Through the fulfillment of the Vow of attaining nirvana without fail.

Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 7)”

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Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists

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Wednesday, March 3, 2021

7:00 p.m.

Chenxing

Han

Institute of Buddhist Studies Alumnus

and Buddhist Author

A conversation with the author and SMBT Sangha members Juliet Bost, David Chin, Hailey La Monte, Michiko Mukai and others

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, March 3 for this Dharma session.

To join us for this online Dharma Session, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”.

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 6)

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This month we will continue to explore the meaning expressed in the light of Amida Buddha’s wisdom through the following verses:

This month we will continue to explore the meaning expressed in the light of Amida Buddha’s wisdom through the following verses:

Pure light, joyful light, the light of wisdom,

Light constant, inconceivable, light beyond speaking,

Light excelling sun and moon he sends forth, illumining countless worlds;

The multitudes of beings all receive the radiance.

Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 6)”

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Nenbutsu and the Mystery of Speech

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24th Annual Nembutsu Seminar

Saturday, February 13, 2021

2:00 p.m.

Dr. Aaron

Proffitt

Assistant Professor of

Japanese Studies

University at Albany,

State University

of New York

In medieval Japan, the nenbutsu was certainly one of the most popular forms of Buddhist practice. The nenbutsu was understood in various ways, and the term “nenbutsu” referred not only to the recitation of the name of Amitabha Buddha in the formula, “Namo Amida Butsu,” but also, the “nenbutsu” was employed as a mantra, a spell, a doctrinal exegetical device, and so on. In this presentation, I will talk about the diversity of nenbutsu practice in medieval Japan, especially the more “esoteric” side of the nenbutsu.

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Saturday, February 13 for this Dharma session.

To join us for this online Dharma Session, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”.

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Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 5)

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This month we explore the meaning expressed in the following aspects of the light of Amida Buddha’s wisdom:
 
Everywhere [Amida Buddha] casts light immeasurable, boundless,
Unhindered, unequaled, light-lord of all brilliance,

Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 5)”

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Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 4)

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This month we learn about the origins of our practice of reciting the Nembutsu as expressed in the following lines from Shōshinge:

In five kalpas of profound thought, he embraced this Vow, Then resolved again that his Name be heard throughout the ten quarters.

Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 4)”