Programs

At the Buddhist Faith Fellowship, we strive to provide programs conducive for you to receive spiritual nourishment and awakening through the following ways: Fellowship, Learning, Practice, Transformation, Mission, and Service.

A PLACE FOR FELLOWSHIP

“Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie are actually the whole of the spiritual life.” – The Buddha

We provide a nurturing environment that naturally cultivates meaningful and supportive relationships within our spiritual community. Our Fellowship is a vibrant place where you can meet like-minded individuals who share wholesome values and similar interests, all united on the path of spiritual growth.

A PLACE FOR LEARNING

“To learn the Buddha Way is to learn about one’s self. To learn about one’s self is to forget one’s self. To forget one’s self is to be awakened by all things in the universe.” – Dogen Zenji

 A PLACE FOR PRACTICE

“Although my eyes, blinded by passions, do not see the brilliant light which embraces me, the Great Compassion never tires, always casting its light upon me.” – Shinran Shonin

Every meeting offers a chance for spiritual rejuvenation, filled with insights, blessings, and inspiration. Shin Buddhism, being the path for the common man and woman, ensures our Practice & Talk Meetings, courses, and retreats are accessible and easy to follow. Typically, our practices include loving-kindness prayers, sacred chants, mindfulness and quiet sitting meditation, contemplative exercises, and enlightening Dharma talks. These elements synergize to create a rich and transformative environment that turns confusion and suffering into profound insight and inner peace.

A PLACE FOR TRANSFORMATION

“When we entrust ourselves in Amida’s Primal Vow, we who are like broken tiles and bits of pebbles are transmuted into gold.” – Shinran Shonin

Awakening in the Shin Buddhist tradition means actively living and embodying the teachings, not merely believing in them. It signifies a profound shift in how we think, speak, and act, transforming from an ego-centered life to one embraced by the grace of Other Power. This shift is marked by true entrusting, gratitude, and honest introspection beginning with the realization that we are accepted just as we are by the boundless light and compassion.

Our teachings, online gatherings, and in-person programs are designed to help you fully immerse yourself in the all-accepting and life-enhancing Shin Buddhist Way. We ensure that living the Buddha’s teachings extends beyond Sundays and integrates into every aspect of your daily life—at home, work, and play. Our activities focus on fostering personal growth, spiritual leadership, and social engagement, equipping you with the tools to live the Shin Buddhist Way and inspire others to do the same.

A PLACE FOR MISSION

“Go your ways, for the benefit of the many, for the happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit, and happiness of all. Teach the Dharma which is beneficial in the beginning, in the middle, and in the end – both the spirit and the letter of it. Make known your way of life.” – The Buddha

Our community is dedicated to fulfilling the Buddha’s Great Commission by offering numerous opportunities for local outreach, education, and future national and global missions. In the past, we have successfully established local chapters across the United States and internationally, and we are committed to continuing these outreach efforts. By joining our community, you can help spread the love and hope of the Great Compassion (Amida Buddha), bringing light and healing to a world that is broken, lost, and suffering. Together, we can make a significant impact, sharing the transformative power of compassion, wisdom and hope with those in need.

A PLACE FOR SERVICE

“Be a prayer” – Shinran Shonin

We embrace our universal responsibility to serve others and the world, with our members and friends striving to embody our values and extend compassion to those in need, both within our spiritual family and beyond. Serving others is a direct expression of true entrusting (shinjin) and brings to life master Shinran Shonin’s teaching, “be a prayer.”

When we serve with open hearts, whether at the Fellowship or in our communities, we manifest a small piece of the Pure Land here on earth. We encourage you to engage in local community efforts to alleviate suffering and injustice, guided by the Buddha’s teachings. Through these acts of service, we support each other’s spiritual growth, always remembering that we are all imperfect beings doing our best to make a positive difference.