Mastodawn

Since I spent too much money on mangas I'm also returning to unread books that have been on my shelf for some time now.

For example, I think I was a bit overenthusiastic after listening to a presentation by Rev. Patti Nakai and got the "Soga Ryojin Reader". I haven't read (nor understood for that matter) much. But I dusted off the book today and started rereading the essay "A Savior On Earth". Sure, there's still stuff that I don't understand or agree with. But this passage really spoke to me:

"[Dharmakara] deigned to be born directly in the heart-mind of us human beings. This calling voice directed at all sentient beings of the ten directions did not come from the high world of pure light, nor was it uttered objectively by one human person. This voice arose from the dark breast of suffering of each human being. That the Primal Vow of Dharmakara Bodhisattva is called the ark on the great ocean of samsara intimates that the calling voice arose from the depth of my soul, from right under my feet."

#ShinBuddhism #JodoShinshu #Pureland #AmidaBuddha #Dharmakara #BuddhistModernity

EngagedPureLand Apr 14

Buddhist teachings on caregiving

#buddhism #buddhist #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #caregiving

https://www.lionsroar.com/wisdom-for-caregivers/

Wisdom for Caregivers

Drawing on Shin Buddhist teachings, Rev. Dr. Mutsumi Wondra explores caregiving as a path of compassion and insight.

Lion’s Roar

7sleepersmusic Apr 8

Happy 2592nd birthday (according to #JodoShinshu tradition) to Sakyamuni #Buddha ☸️ 📿 😊 #Buddhism #ShinBuddhism #Religion #Spirituality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc7_VyVXDLs

Documentary - The Buddha - PBS Documentary (Narrated by Richard Gere)

YouTube

EngagedPureLand Mar 1

Yesterday the Homeless Project at Midwest Buddhist Temple delivered 190 sandwich bags to unhoused people around Chicago. The Women's Association made three mats from plastic bags to provide a softer area to sleep.

#buddhism #buddhist #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #engagedbuddhism #chicago #unhoused

7sleepersmusic Feb 17

'In July 1956, the renowned Bay Area poet, writer and playwright Hiroshi Kashiwagi’s play “Kisa Gotami,” was performed by the #Berkeley Young Buddhist Association Choir at the Berkeley Buddhist Temple — and featured a UC Berkeley student named @georgetakei.' 🚀 🌌 😁 #StarTrek #History #JodoShinshu #Buddhism #BCA https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/post/did-you-see-george-takei-in-kisa-gotami-at-berkeley

Did You See George Takei In ‘Kisa Gotami’ at Berkeley?

In July 1956, the renowned Bay Area poet, writer and playwright Hiroshi Kashiwagi’s play “Kisa Gotami,” was performed by the Berkeley YBA Choir at the Berkeley Buddhist Temple — and featured a UC Berkeley student named George Takei.Kashiwagi’s play was a retelling of the Buddhist Jataka tale, “The Parable of the Mustard Seed.” It was requested by Jane Imamura, who provided the music.The cast included Mary Tagumi, Janet Shohara, Richard Arakawa, Takako Shinoda, Thomas Okamura — and Takei. “The mo

BCA

7sleepersmusic Feb 16

#JodoShinshu travels: “His Holiness, the 14th #DalaiLama, is, without a doubt, the most recognizable #Buddhist in the world and he has been a tremendous spokesperson for all Buddhists. His global efforts in promoting kindness, peace, love, and mindfulness have helped to propel #Buddhism and Buddhist teachings to the forefront of modern #spirituality.” #Dharma #Tibet #TibetanBuddhism #ShinBuddhism #Dharamsala https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/post/on-a-memorable-trek-to-kindness-with-the-dalai-lama

On a Memorable Trek to Kindness With the Dalai Lama

I didn’t think I’d go. But it was too good an opportunity to pass up, even if the timing was bad. In late 2024, I learned about an amazing trip that yoga therapist and BCA Facilities Director Bob Matsueda was planning to Northern India in 2025. I signed up to go on the India trip, committing myself to monthly Zoom orientation meetings to work out travel logistics and learn about India.From Oct. 21 to Nov. 11, 2025, Matsueda led our group of 23, mostly retired, mostly Sansei, many BCA temple a

BCA

EngagedPureLand Feb 10

Nov 6, 2025: Members of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco Engaged Buddhism group participated in the
San Francisco Faith in Action prayer vigil and procession for immigrants' rights and protection.

#buddhism #buddhist #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #engagedbuddhism #immigration #ice

EngagedPureLand Feb 9

May 4, 2025: The Buddhist Church of San Francisco choir and the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance Men's Chorus sang together for the temple's Gotan-e service, honouring the birth of Shinran Shonin. GAPA Men's Chorus first performed at the temple in 2016.

#buddhism #buddhist #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #queer #lgbtq

EngagedPureLand Feb 6

Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani, bishop of the Hawaiian Nishi Hongwanji Pure Land temples, issues a statement on ICE's violence in Minnesota.

#buddhism #buddhist #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #engagedbuddhism #ice #immigration #minnesota #nikkei

https://hongwanjihawaii.com/messages/awakening-to-compassion-in-turbulent-times/

Awakening to Compassion in Turbulent Times

Message from the Bishop: “Awakening to Compassion in Turbulent Times” Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani February 2, 2026 Dear Dharma Friends, Today, I write to you with a heavy heart. Mourning the tragic events in Minnesota caused by state-sanctioned violence and fear, I grieve the lives lost and the

Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

EngagedPureLand Feb 5

"What we call the Pure Land has to be a vision of complete freedom for all beings–there is no justification for placing anyone in a cell, camp or corral, not in the U.S. or anywhere else."

Jodo Shinshu minister Rev. Patti Nakai reflects on her ongoing study class and current events

#buddhism #buddhist #jodoshinshu #shinbuddhism #engagedbuddhism #ice #immigration

https://windycityjodoshinshu.blogspot.com/2026/02/study-group-january-2026-session.html

Study Group January 2026 Session

On January 25 we started our reading and discussion of “Notes on the Inscriptions on Sacred Scrolls” ( Songō shinzō mei...