link to come
21st Annual Bloom-Futaba Memorial Lectures
Sponsored by Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
“Passing the Torch to the Next Generation and Others: What I Learned from Writing the Book”
with Professor Kenneth Tanaka
connecting from his home in Tokyo, Japan
Saturday, July 25th, 2020
ONLINE-only Seminar
Dr. Kenneth Tanaka premieres his new 2020 book, Jewels: An Introduction to American Buddhism for Youth, Scouts and the Young at Heart. (Note that a PDF version of Jewels is available on the BDK America website!)
Prof. Tanaka introduces youth, the young of heart, and interested adults to Buddhism in America today. The book is dedicated to Buddhist youth and young adults on whose shoulders the future of American Buddhism rests.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Saturday afternoon, July 25th
(All times are Hawaii Standard Time.)
| 12:30 pm | Online session opens |
| 1:00 pm | Lecture: Jewels |
| 2:00 pm | Discussion & Questions |
| 2:30 pm | Break |
| 2:45 pm | Lecture: Passing the Torch |
| 3:45 pm | Discussion & Questions |
| 4:15 pm | Closing |
About Professor Kenneth Tanaka
Dr. Kenneth Kenshin Tanaka is Professor Emeritus, Musashino University, Tokyo. He retired in 2018 after 20 years as Professor of Buddhist Studies. He graduated from Stanford University (BA), Institute for Buddhist Studies (IBS), Berkeley (MA), Tokyo University (MA), and University of California at Berkeley (PhD). He received Jodo Shinshu ordination in 1978. He then served as Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at IBS for 10 years and a resident priest for 3 years in a California Shin Buddhist temple. He currently serves as Chairman of the Editorial Committee of the Chinese Buddhist Canon English Translation Project sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism (BDK). He was recently appointed Adjunct Researcher at the Hongwanji Comprehensive Research Center. He is the recipient of the 27th Nakamura Hajime Eastern Study Prize and was featured on NHK one-hour TV documentary program.
More About Jewels: An Introduction to American Buddhism for Youth, Scouts and the Young at Heart
Tanaka Sensei identifies both the outer jewels and the inner jewels of the title, drawing from the Flower Garland Sutra and the Lotus Sutra. As outer jewels, we are all unique and valuable individual jewels linked with all other individuals in Indra’s Net. Inner jewels are the precious treasure of mental and spiritual happiness Buddhists can develop.
The book identifies the historical legacy of Buddhism, outlines basic teachings and practices, and concludes with practice in daily life.
The author provides special attention to the needs of the Scouts of America, first because the National Buddhist Committee on Scouting had initially asked him to write an appropriate introduction to Buddhism, and second out of the author’s gratitude for his own scouting experience.
Readers will see the unique aspects of American Buddhism celebrated, aspects identified as equality, practice-focused, scientific, socially engaged, emphasis on the here and now, and humor.
Kenko Futaba & Alfred Bloom
The Futaba Lecture Series is endowed by Dr. Alfred & Ms. Dorothy N. Bloom to honor the memory of friend and mentor, Professor Kenko Futaba. Dr. Futaba, a noted Shin Buddhist scholar, served as President of Kyoto’s Ryukoku University from 1983 to 1995 and then became Chancellor of Kyoto Women’s University.
A pioneer in what today is called “engaged” Buddhism, Kenko Futaba campaigned passionately for the rights of minorities and was a prolific writer.
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bloom is widely regarded as one of the most significant scholars and educators in American Shin Buddhism. Al fervently hoped that this lecture series would be a continuing inspiration for the nurturing of American Buddhism and for the social participation of Buddhists in the quest of social justice and peace. His website continues to serve as a resource for students today: http://bschawaii.org/shindharmanet/
Mahalo!
Futaba Memorial Lecture Fund
UH Foundation, Milander Fund
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Rimban Toyokazu Hagio, Chief Minister
Stacy Bradshaw, Executive Director HHHB
Colleen Kunishige, Office Manager HHHB
Dorothy N. Bloom – Convener
Faye F Mar – Event Arrangements
Dexter Mar – Facilitator