Rennyo Shonin

Grounded in the Nembutsu (December 21)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, December 21.

As Rev. Henry prepares to complete his service as SMBT Resident Minister with the Joya-e New Year’s Eve Observance, this Sunday will mark his last regular Dharma Service before he begins his new assignment at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin on January 1. His Dharma Talk will reflect upon how the Nembutsu teaching provides us with a stable foundation to navigate life’s many changes.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoya Raisan Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Language Service 日本語法要 (Hondo)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (In person only in Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Grounded in the Nembutsu (December 14)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, December 14.

Over the past 12 years at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple, Rev. Henry has heard the sound of “Namo Amida Butsu” fill the Hondo Buddha Hall whenever the Sangha gathers. This Sunday, he will offer a Dharma talk reflecting on the Sangha friends who have shared their grateful Nembutsu, celebrating in times of joy and taking comfort in times of difficulty.

This Dharma talk is part of a series of talks exploring the five circumstances that Rennyo Shonin identified as necessary for attaining the life of peace and bliss: 

  1. Stored good from the past
  2. A good spiritual teacher
  3. Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom
  4. The entrusting heart
  5. Namo Amida Butsu (The Name of Amida Buddha)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoya Raisan Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial (Hondo)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

The Entrusting Heart (November 30)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, November 30.

On any journey through unfamiliar territory, having a reliable guide one can trust is essential. This Sunday Rev. Henry will share a Dharma talk about how the heart of entrusting in the Buddha’s wisdom can guide us through difficult and chaotic times in life.

This Dharma talk is part of a series of talks exploring the five circumstances that Rennyo Shonin identified as necessary for attaining the life of peace and bliss: 

  1. Stored good from the past
  2. A good spiritual teacher
  3. Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom
  4. The entrusting heart
  5. Namo Amida Butsu (The Name of Amida Buddha)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Language Service 日本語法要 (Hondo)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

 

Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom (November 2)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, November 2.

On Sunday, we turn out clocks back to conclude Daylight Savings Time and find that we have more morning light to start the day. While it is nice to enjoy an extra hour of sleep, this could also be an opportunity to start a new morning routine. For this week’s Dharma Talk, Rev. Henry will share appreciation for the traditional Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Practice of waking up to the Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom by starting the day with chanting and reciting the Nembutsu before a home Buddha shrine (obutsudan).

Join us at 8:30 a.m. for our weekly chanting of Shoshinge and Nembutsu Wasan.

This Dharma talk is part of a series of talks exploring the five circumstances that Rennyo Shonin identified as necessary for attaining the life of peace and bliss: 

  1. Stored good from the past
  2. A good spiritual teacher
  3. Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom
  4. The entrusting heart
  5. Namo Amida Butsu (The Name of Amida Buddha)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Coffee Time
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial (Hondo)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion and Sangha Social Hour (Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

A Good Spiritual Teacher (October 12)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, October 12.

This Sunday Rev. Henry will share a Dharma talk celebrating the egalitarian character of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Sangha, in which precious insight and guidance on the Dharma path is found in everyday relationships with fellow travelers in the Nembutsu.

This Dharma talk is part of a series of talks exploring the five circumstances that Rennyo Shonin identified as necessary for attaining the life of peace and bliss: 

  1. Stored good from the past
  2. A good spiritual teacher
  3. Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom
  4. The entrusting heart
  5. Namo Amida Butsu (The Name of Amida Buddha)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Stored Good From the Past (September 28)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, September 28.

The Buddha did not teach the existence of divine creator. Rather, he taught that the circumstances of our lives are the result of what has been done, and not done, in the past. This Sunday, Rev. Adams will share a Dharma Talk about how reflecting on our past activities enables us to appreciate the significance of our lives today.

This Dharma talk is part of a series of talks exploring the five circumstances that Rennyo Shonin identified as necessary for attaining the life of peace and bliss: 

  1. Stored good from the past
  2. A good spiritual teacher
  3. Amida Buddha’s light of wisdom
  4. The entrusting heart
  5. Namo Amida Butsu (The Name of Amida Buddha)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. 日本語法要 Japanese Language Dharma Service (Hondo)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Decluttering the Mind (August 31)

Posted on

We warmly welcome you to join us in person at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple for our Family Dharma Service on Sunday, August 31.

Just as unneeded items can accumulate in our living spaces, unhelpful thoughts and habits can accumulate in our minds, distracting us from the relationships and activities that are truly deserving of our attention. This Sunday, Rev. Henry will offer a Dharma Talk inspired by his experience tidying up his temple office, and the following words of wisdom from Rennyo Shonin: “Time after time, [we must] clear the channels of faith and let the waters of Amida’s Dharma flow.” (Rennyo Shonin Ofumi: Letters of Rennyo 2-1, BDK English Tripitaka Series, p. 61)

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Cherishing the Three Treasures (September 15)

Posted on

As we begin our new Dharma School year with our Fall Sangha Clean Up Day, Rev. Adams will introduce this year’s Dharma School Theme of the Three Treasures of Buddhism, and share how caring for our temple environment is one of the best ways we can cherish the Three Treasures.

The Three Treasures
⚫︎ the Buddha: our awakened teacher
⚫︎ the Dharma: the Buddha’s teachings of truth
⚫︎ the Sangha: the community that hears the Buddha’s teachings together

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Fall Sangha Clean Up

We welcome you to join us in person!

To join us online via Zoom , CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

White Ashes (June 2)

Posted on

As we approach the conclusion of our exploration of Rennyo Shonin’s teachings this Dharma School year, this Sunday Rev. Adams will offer insights and appreciation for Rennyo Shonin’s Letter on White Ashes, which we look to for comfort in times of grief and remembrance.

“. . . in the morning we may have a radiant face, but in the evening come to be white ashes.”

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service (Hondo)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion (Dharma Room)

To join us for this hybrid service via Zoom, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Rennyo Shonin Washed Diapers (May 12)

Posted on

On May 12, we will have our annual Parents’ Day Celebration with a family Dharma Service followed by brunch served by the Junior Young Buddhist Association. Rev. Adams will share a Dharma talk inspired by Rennyo Shonin, who was a father to 27 children and was actively involved their childcare, as expressed in the traditional record of his activities and sayings:

Since he was unable to employ a maid, the Shonin washed his children’s diapers himself, so I have heard.

(Thus I Have Heard from Rennyo Shonin (Rennyo Shonin Goichidaiki no Kikigaki), No. 146, translated by Z. H. Inagaki, p. 78) 

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting (click here for chanting text)
9:00 a.m. Sangha Social Hour
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Parents’ Day Brunch (Social Hall)
10:30 a.m. Dharma Discussion

To join us for this hybrid service via Zoom, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.