Wednesday, March 3, 2021
7:00 p.m.

Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
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 Wednesday, December 9 for this free Dharma Study Class.
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.
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.
We welcome you to join us via Zoom Meeting from the comfort and safety of your own home on Wednesday, December 9 for this free Dharma Study Class.
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.
This month we will 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,
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.
This month we learn about the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha, which is the heart of the Jodo Shinshu teaching, as we consider the following lines from Shōshinge:
He then established the supreme, incomparable Vow;
He made the great Vow rare and all-encompassing.
We continue to explore the meaning of the Shōshinge and how it applies to our daily lives, focused on the verses:
Bodhisattva Dharmakara, in his causal stage,
Under the guidance of Lokesvararaja Buddha,
Searched into the origins of the Buddhas’ pure lands,
And the qualities of those lands and their men and devas;
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