I recently had the privilege of accompanying fifteen BCA youth to Japan for the biennial Young Buddhist International Cultural Study Exchange (YBICSE) program. First stop: Kyoto, where we stayed at the sprawling campus of Nishi Hongwanji, our head temple. On …
In the May issue of the auto club magazine, Westways, there’s an article about road safety in Sweden. It seems that the Swedes are finding ways to reduce traffic-related deaths, which is also relevant to us, given the high …
Many years ago while living in Ecuador, I had the opportunity to visit the Galapagos Islands, a Pacific archipelago that it claims and protects—from the ravages of people. Home to a vast array of flora and fauna, the islands were …
Of organizations, there are three kinds. First, there is the kind that is organized on the basis of the power, wealth or authority of great leaders.
Second, there is the kind that is organized because of its convenience to the …
The temple, after all, is not a gas station where one fills up with spirituality for the rest of the week at so many cents per liter. It is a living organization, not a mechanical machine. For this reason, temple …
As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we shall seek to be mindful of our words and deeds, be responsible citizens of our society, and share with others the truth and reality of Jodo Shinshu. Understanding fully the principle of causality, we shall …
Long ago, when I was a young student living in France, one of the locals proudly proclaimed that his country was home to 365 delicious varieties of cheese—one for every day of the year. When asked how many kinds we …
May all beings be happy and well
May no harm or difficulties come to them
May they live in peace and harmony
Adherents to the teachings of the Buddha are generally perceived as being guided by such benign tenets as …
“… in the Pure Land there are always many kinds of rare and beautiful birds of various colours, such as white geese, peacocks, parrots, saris (mynahs), kalavinkas and jivamjivakas. They sing with melodious and delicate sounds which proclaim the teachings. …
A couple of blocks from our home in West Los Angeles, there’s a building topped with a glowing white sign bearing the name of the company that has offices there. Normally I don’t pay much attention to the excess of …
