The Buddhist Faith Fellowship is a movement of men and women called to live a life of an entrusting heart touched by awareness and compassion. We seek to live boldly in this generation, being conduits of love and doing the best we can with the thoughts we make, the words we speak, and the actions we undertake. We are committed to living lives of love, learning, service and generosity.
Our community began in April 2001 with a big vision and mission to live profoundly within the embrace of the Great Compassion and share the message of the Buddha’s Shin/Pure Land for the good and benefit of the many.
Meeting initially in a little apartment in Bristol, Connecticut, led by Rev. D. Senpai, M.A., the fledgling community moved its gatherings to Elmwood Community in West Hartford before settling at Wesleyan University in Middletown in 2004. Nowadays, our vibrant community offers courses through its New England Institute of Buddhist Studies, and provides special ministries like our 12 Step, prison and Sunday Dharma School programs, and hosts an annual Connecticut Buddhist Film Festival in Middletown. We are now the largest non-ethnic Shin congregation in the Americas with a number of chapters across the USA. Gradually we are making a impact on the American Buddhist landscape by bringing the once nearly unknown teachings of Shin Buddhism to the average American.
Throughout our journey we’ve seen many emancipated by the Shin teachings while others who have practice the dharma with other Buddhist denominations have experienced a heartfelt renewed connection with Buddha Dharma. Since 2001 we have helped the poor, worked on environmental awareness and cleanups, pioneered new ministries, train dharma leaders, and we are ready to equip messengers to share the Pure Land message.
Come as you are
For disciples and seekers. For individuals and families. For young and old. For men and women. For the highly educated or not so learned. For believers and non-believers. For the lucky and for the less fortunate. For straight or gay. For any race or ethnic group. For blue collars, white collars or no collars. For the healthy and the sick. At Buddhist Faith Fellowship, labels do not matter; the Pure Land message is for everyone. Come as you are.