Over the next few weeks, even months, I provide the basic Shin Buddhist scriptures, and other important sacred texts for beginning to the advanced seekers.

The Larger and Smaller Sutra & the Contemplation Sutra were written over 2000 years ago. For the 21st century Western reader, they may appear at first to be written in a fantastic language that makes the entire Pure Land teaching diffiicult and incredible to believe. However, these text were written in a literary style that the people of… Continue

Essentials of Buddhism

Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

Noble Eightfold Path

Three Qualities Eightfold Path
Wisdom (panna) Right View
Right Thought
Morality (sila) Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Meditation (samadhi) Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Contemplation


Three Characteristics of Existence

1.… Continue

"Buddhism is a 'pagan' religion"
"Paganism" is usually used to refer to belief in a god or gods other than the normally accepted Christian God. However, Buddhists don't concern themselves about God or god(s). Buddhists concern themselves with the Dharma, which is not a god or gods. It is "truth" or "reality." Thus, when sad or tragic events occur in our lives or the lives of our loved ones - as they inevitably will - Buddhists don't have to ask "Why did this happen?" This is because Buddhists do… Continue

In October, 2007, I was able to hear a lecture by Prof. Ichiro Ogawa of Otani University. I had heard him once before in Japan (Otani University is in Japan) and enjoyed his lecture, but I was surprised that I the same fresh feeling once again. Previously, I thought I had listened and understood but actually, I hadn’t understood him and had forgotten what he said, even though I had been moved by his words at the time.

Today I would like to introduce one of his lectures to you that I feel concer… Continue

July 11, 2008
Under The Hood
Importance Of Looking Deeper
It’s easy to get caught up in examining our actions instead of really deeply examining ourselves. This can be deceiving because our actions may be very spiritual—we meditate, are nice to people, take care of ourselves and others—and yet, we may not be penetrating to the issues below the surface. It’s as if we’ve washed and shined the surface of our car without taking the time to check under the hood. We may appear to be in great shape, bu… Continue