There will be a special Buddhist gathering on the story and significance of the historical Buddha’s enlightenment. This Buddhist holiday practice remembers the day the historical Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree over 2,500 years ago in Bodh Gaya, India. Event includes a presentation of the story, sitting meditation, mindfulness practice, and chants for…
The talk will look into how the main Shin practice of deep hearing , known as monpo practice in Japanese, provides direction and awareness along the path. Hearing is a word that denotes receptiveness and openness. It is integrating of the dharma with an open-mind or beginner’s mind. How do we listen in a world…
This talk will look into the spiritual quest with all of its ups and downs, and everyday monotony to weird twists of fate. Dharma Teacher Rhusan will give his personal account of this journey and how become a Pure Land Buddhist. His spiritual journey took him from being poor Christian farm boy growing up in…
The teaching of anicca or impermanence is part of the Three Marks of Existence which also includes dukkha (suffering) and anatta (no-self). This talk will look into how the insight into impermanence can be transformational in all aspects of life: at work, play, and with family. Dharma Teacher Shoshin will use a simple paperwhite bulb…
Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Mindfulness Some would say that of all of the American holidays, it is Thanksgiving that expresses the essence of the Shin Buddhist Way. How can Buddhists encounter the teachings of the Buddha in this holiday? What can we do during the preparation of and during the dinner to unfold the Buddha’s…
For Buddhists, war is unskillful and to be avoided. This talk and subsequent Q & A will explore the Buddhist teaching on war. In the age of Al-Qaeda and ISIL, what is the proper approach that Buddhists take to warfare? Is war always wrong and unskillful? Is there such a thing as a just cause…
According to Buddhist teaching, all life is interrelated and interdependent. Our natural environment is alive and at least partly conscious. It is not considered sacred nor profane, good nor evil or to be dominated. The deep reality of nature is not separate from our fully enlightened nature (Buddha-nature). This insightful talk and subsequent Q &…
On this day, we remember with gratitude our ancestors and those friends who have passed on. We recognize that we are a direct continuation of our ancestors and they still exist within us, in our DNA and our memories and without them we would not exist. Our Obon event includes the Flower Ceremony in which participants will receive a…
This course begins on November 2, 2014. Our Buddhism 201 course is an intermediate-level program that covers the core of the Mahayana and the Shin Buddhist tradition. This comprehensive course is offered to to students who wish to deepen their experience in the Buddha Dharma through the study of Buddhist scripture and commentaries, the third…
Buddhism focuses more on process than outcomes. It is not that the outcome is not important, such as enlightenment, but the skillful approach is necessary to truly unfold its essence. The Buddha said here are 84,000 ways to enlightenment, that is, there are countless and equal ways to practice his teachings. A personal approach to…