Mission Statement

The Tendai Buddhist Institute - incorporating the Tendai-Shu New York Betsuin and the Karuna Tendai Dharma Center with its resident Jiunzan Tendai-ji sangha - is dedicated to presenting Buddhist teachings, practices and lifestyle. Guided by Tendai tenets, our activities are rooted in the core values of wisdom, compassion and mindfulness.

Specific Objectives and Purposes

• (a) To create and maintain a non-residential and residential community dedicated to Buddhist philosophy and lifestyle. The Institute is intended to grow organically to meet the changing needs of the Sangha, guided by Tendai Buddhist religious practices and tenets.

• (b) To conduct Buddhist religious services, meditations, esoteric practices, blessings, weddings, purifications, funerals, memorial services, and other Buddhist religious functions requested by the sangha and the public in accordance with the Tendai School of Buddhism.

• (d) To sponsor seminars and other events where concerned members of the public may meet to exchange ideas, suggest solutions, and implement strategies to encourage peaceful change toward a more responsible, meaningful, and spiritually fulfilling society.

• (e) To conduct educational, retreat, and training programs for people in various stages of spiritual pursuit. These range from weekly meetings, one-day and weekend spiritual retreats, to long-term training programs for laity development and monks’ ordination.

• (f) To encourage cross-cultural understanding and compassion through lectures, seminars and other activities.

• (g) To provide much-needed interpersonal pastoral services to a growing Buddhist and non-Buddhist fellowship, with a non-materialist, family-oriented emphasis.

• (h) To offer comfort and rest to those in need.

• (i) To inform the public concerning non-sectarian Buddhist philosophies and practices, without proselytizing.

• (j) To publish newsletters, brochures, books, and other materials that focus on issues of social and cross-cultural importance, Buddhism in general, and Tendai Buddhist philosophy and practices in particular.

• (k) To operate the Institute in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

• (l) To contribute positively to the local and world community.