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 24)

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Wednesday, December 14, 2022

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, December 14 for this free Dharma Study Class.

6:00 p.m. Shōshinge Sōfu Chanting

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

7:00 p.m. Reading and Discussion

In this month’s session we will continue our study of the teachings of the Chinese Pure Land Master Tao-ch’o (Daochuo), whose teachings illuminate how our encounter with the Buddha’s compassionate vow brings about liberation for all of us who struggle to practice goodness in the world of conflict and delusion.

With kind concern he teaches the three characteristics of entrusting and non-entrusting,
Compassionately guiding all identically, whether they live when the dharma survives as but form, when in its last stage, or when it has become extinct.
Though a person has committed evil all his life, when he encounters the Primal Vow,
He will reach the world of peace and realize the perfect fruit of enlightenment.

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”.

Interfaith Holiday Celebrations

Posted on

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

7:00 p.m.

Rev. David Fujimoto

Resident Minister

Mililani Hongwanji

Overseeing Minister

‘Ewa Hongwanji

As we enjoy this festive season, can we join our non-Buddhist family and friends in celebration of holidays like Hanukkah, Pancha Ganapati, and Christmas while remaining true to our Buddhist identity? Rev. Fujimoto will join us for a Dharma conversation reflection on his own holiday experiences living in an interfaith family.

Rev. Fujimoto will be joining us via Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, December 7 for this Dharma session. We warmly welcome you to come to the San Mateo Buddhist Temple to view and participate in this session with other Sangha members in the Hondo.

To join us via Zoom, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”. To protect the privacy of online participants and encourage free and open discussion, this session will not be recorded.

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 23)

Posted on

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, November 9 for this free Dharma Study Class.

6:00 p.m. Shōshinge Sōfu Chanting

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

7:00 p.m. Reading and Discussion

In this month’s session we will encounter the teachings of the Chinese Pure Land Master Tao-ch’o (Daochuo), whose teachings encourage us to pass through the Pure Land Gate and recite the Name of Amida Buddha (Namo Amida Butsu).

Tao-ch’o determined how difficult it is to fulfill the Path of Sages,
And reveals that only passage through the Pure Land gate is possible for us.
He criticizes self-power endeavor in the myriad good practices,
And encourages us solely to say the fulfilled Name embodying true virtue.

Full text of Shōshinge

Handout

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

Gender Pronouns in the Life of the Sangha

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Wednesday, November 2, 2022

7:00 p.m.

Rev. CJ Dunford

(they/them)

Institute of Buddhist Studies

Buddhist Temple of Marin

Berkeley Buddhist Temple

Juliet Bost

(they/them)

San Mateo Buddhist Temple

We warmly welcome you to join us for a conversation with Rev. CJ Dunford and Juliet Bost about the importance of using correct gender pronouns in temple life in order to create a welcoming and inclusive Sangha community.

We welcome you to join us in person or via Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, November 2 for this Dharma session.

To join us via Zoom, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”. To protect the privacy of online participants and encourage free and open discussion, this session will not be recorded.

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 22)

Posted on

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, July 6 for this free Dharma Study Class.

6:00 p.m. Shōshinge Sōfu Chanting

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

7:00 p.m. Reading and Discussion

In this month’s session we will continue our study of the Chinese Pure Land Master Tanluan, whose insight that birth-and-death is itself nirvana opens the gate to realizing peace of mind for oneself, so that one can help others on their path to liberation from suffering.

When a foolish being of delusion and defilement awakens shinjin,
He realizes that birth-and-death is itself nirvana;
Without fail he reaches the land of immeasurable light
And universally guides sentient beings to enlightenment.

Full text of Shōshinge

Handout

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

Insights from the First Kyoshi Minister’s Certification Training Held in the USA

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Wednesday, October 12, 2022

7:00 p.m.

Rev. Landon Yamaoka

Ministerial Candidate

Institute of Buddhist Studies

Minister’s Assistant

Palo Alto Buddhist Temple

Rev. Yamaoka will share reflections on his recent experience as one of the participants in the first Kyoshi Certification Training Session held in the United States.

We welcome you to join us in person or via Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, October 12 for this Dharma session.

To join us via Zoom, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”. To protect the privacy of online participants and encourage free and open discussion, this session will not be recorded.

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 21)

Posted on

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, June 8 for this free Dharma Study Class.

6:00 p.m. Shōshinge Sōfu Chanting

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

7:00 p.m. Reading and Discussion

In this month’s session we will continue our study of the Chinese Pure Land Master Tanluan, whose commentary on the treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu clarifies that our attainment of awakening and our guiding of others to awakening are both possible not through our own efforts, but by relying on Amida Buddha’s compassionate vow.

In his commentary on the treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu,
He shows that the cause and attainment of birth in the fulfilled land lie in the Vow.
Our going and returning, directed to us by Amida, come about through Other Power;
The truly decisive cause is shinjin.

Full text of Shōshinge

Handout

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

“The Vertical and Horizontal Threads of Jodo Shinshu: The Compassionate Vow in Society” Special Dharma Lecture by Rev. Giei Sasaki

Posted on

浄土真宗の縦糸と横糸

− 本願の出会いと対社会性 –

特別講師：佐々木義英先生

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

7:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

２０２２年９月６日（火曜日）午後７時（米国太平洋時間）

Rev. Giei Sasaki

Hongwanji Guiding Dharma Teacher

Director of the Research Office for Doctrine and Propagation at the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Research Institute

Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin Buddhist Seminary Instructor

佐々木義英先生

本願寺司教、浄土真宗本願寺派総合研究所教学伝道研究室長、中央仏教学院講師。

Continue reading ““The Vertical and Horizontal Threads of Jodo Shinshu: The Compassionate Vow in Society” Special Dharma Lecture by Rev. Giei Sasaki”

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 19)

Posted on

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

This month’s session will continue to explore the teachings of the Pure Land Master Vasubandhu, whose treatise on the Sutra of the Buddha of Immeasurable guides us to embrace the at times difficult work of helping others while keeping a playful heart.

And when he reaches that lotus-held world,
He immediately realizes the body of suchness or dharma-nature.
Then sporting in the forests of blind passions, he manifests transcendent powers;
Entering the garden of birth-and-death, he assumes various forms to guide others.

Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 19)”

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How I Prepared for the BCA Ministry

Posted on

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

7:00 p.m.

Click here to read more about Rev. Koyama

Rev. Tadao Koyama

Resident Minister

Tacoma Buddhist Temple

Rev. Koyama will share reflections on his studies in Kyoto at the Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin Buddhist Seminary and the Hongwanji Ritual Training Department.  As the only BCA Kaikyoshi Minister to receive his first temple assignment during the pandemic, he also has unique insights to share on this extraordinary period in the lives of our Sanghas.

We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, May 4 for this Dharma session.

To join us for this online Dharma Session, CLICK HERE and sign up for “Study Classes and Seminars”. To protect the privacy of online participants and encourage free and open discussion, this session will not be recorded.