Submitted by Rev. Masanari Yamagishi Shinran Shonin wrote the Hymns to easily teach us Buddhism. He wrote about 500 of them. Because of Shinran’s teaching, we are able to know and learn the teaching of the sutras, and Buddhism could spread more around the world. Even today, we chant 6 parts of Hymns with the […]

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe Especially in this pandemic time, we are not able to meet whomever we want. Before this new normal, it was so easy to meet our loved ones and friends. We could shake hands, hug or eat and drink with laughter. Those were just ordinary things and we never thought we […]

Submitted by Rimban Toyokazu Hagio Astronaut Mr. Koichi Wakata, who had stayed in space for 347 days, suggested how to spend time in an enclosed space: When you wake up, check the date and day of the week. Plan a rough schedule. Do aerobic exercise. Take time for three meals with family. Keep a diary. […]

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe Those who hear the Buddha’s Name — Going even through flames that fill The great thousandfold world to do so — Attain forever the state of nonretrogression. When do we hear the Dharma, Great Compassion and Wisdom? In good times and also in bad, it is always “Now.” Don’t you […]

Submitted by Rev. Shingo Furusawa Due to COVID 19, we are all having a difficult time. Many people are thinking and asking how we should deal with this difficult and challenging situation. We must accept our present situation just as it is, and then we should find what we can do now. First of all, […]

Submitted by Rimban Toyokazu Hagio Wrong means leading a selfish life without any gratitude to other lives. Right means living as if you were the other being. In truth, taking care of one’s own life means respecting others’ lives. In Gassho  

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe Do you have anyone you can’t get along with? Could the person be one of your family members, relatives, friends, co-workers or neighbors? You might have had some issue with the person in the past, or you just can’t feel comfortable being together with him/her. The feeling may last several […]

Submitted by Rev. Shingo Furusawa Even though I say that Amida Buddha is always with you, you may say, “I cannot see the Buddha and I cannot feel the Buddha is with me.” If so, please recite “Namo Amida Butsu.” Namo means rely on. Amida Butsu means Amida Buddha. Namo Amida Butsu is the calling […]

Submitted by Rimban Toyokazu Hagio This COVID-19 international pandemic means being cornered in an inescapable situation, however, through deeply reflecting on ourselves having been born in this world as human beings, and encountering the true teaching, this is truly a once-in-a-long-time opportunity. In Gassho  

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe The sutras state, “When we see the water, we can see it as water, but when a hungry ghost sees water, they see it as fire.” Even when we see the same thing, what we can see in it is different. In difficult circumstances, we tend to see negativities in […]