Nationwide, more than 60 churches and temples affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America serve thousands of adherents to the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism, but with many of its clergy members at retirement age, the network of churches is encountering a shortage of ministers further exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. “Even before the pandemic, […]
Kenji Akahoshi on his retirement as a Buddhist minister and why gratitude plays an important role in his life
December 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The Shin Buddhist minister preaches gratitude even as he leaves his post as a minister at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego Editor’s Note: The following article originally appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune. Kenji Akahoshi had been thinking about becoming a minister most of his life. But it was never the right time. He […]
LET’S TALK … About gratitude
June 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Obon festivals in Japanese American communities across the country signal the heart of summer and the gathering of families and friends for Bon Odori, festive lanterns, taiko drums, and our favorite local food booths. In the Buddhist tradition, Obon is a time that marks the return of deceased ancestors to Earth with special consideration of […]
WALKING THE MIDDLE PATH: USC professor engages hapa identity via Buddhism
May 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment
If there’s one person besides, perhaps, Naomi Osaka, who has reinvigorated the subject of mixed race in the Japanese diaspora, it’s Duncan RyÅ«ken Williams. Born and raised in Tokyo by his Japanese mother and British father, Williams came to the United States to attend Reed College for his undergraduate work before going on to earn […]
Several ministerial changes in Northern Calif. Buddhist Churches
June 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Along with the start of the new year, several Buddhist temples in Northern California welcomed new ministers to lead their congregations. The ministers’ main goal is to maintain the welcoming atmosphere the temple members have showed them in return. Second Home for a Big Family For 29-year-old Rev. Matthew Hamasaki, growing up at the Berkeley […]
FANTASTIC VOYAGE: What is Obon for a Buddhist reverend in Japan?
June 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The word Obon in America, and the word in Japan, are two very different things. Many people in America link Obon to the street festivals and dancing that takes place in Japantowns and Buddhist temples. However, Obon in Japan is a big cultural holiday, much like Christmas without the commercialization. Many people take the day […]
Let’s Talk … About remembering and speaking out
June 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Obon time is a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. We honor the dead with tradition and ceremony. By coming together as family and community, we have the opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from those who are no longer with us, and we remember something about the lives they lived. […]
THE EVOLUTION OF G YAMAZAWA: From Buddhism in the South, spoken word to hip-hop
July 6, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Poet and rapper George Yamazawa, Jr. — known by his stage name G Yamazawa — performed at the Nichi Bei Foundation’s seventh annual Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival in San Francisco June 17. Prior to his performance, the 26-year-old native of Durham, N.C. took a few moments to talk about his life and work. […]
Soto Zen reverend’s off-the-beaten path to S.F.
June 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The two largest Buddhists sects in Japan are Jodo Shinshu and Soto Shu. Jodo Shinshu boasts the most number of practitioners in Japan, while Soto Shu claims the title of most number of temples, said the Rev. Koshi Kurotaki, resident minister of the Soto Mission of San Francisco Sokoji. And while Zen Buddhism has become […]
Obon dancing in America: Reverend Yoshio Iwanaga photo album
June 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment
(Editor’s Note: The following was excerpted from an online exhibit curated by Wynn Kiyama, executive director of Portland Taiko and director of the Portland State University Taiko Ensemble. Photos courtesy of Portland State University Library). Yoshio Iwanaga (1900-1950) was a Japanese Buddhist minister who moved to California in 1930 and introduced doyo buyo (children’s dance) and Bon Odori (Obon […]
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