Thirty years ago this month Shumon and I returned to the states after living abroad, first in Brazil and about six years in Japan. For almost two years before returning to the States we had planned on starting a village temple, modeled on Tamonin, the village temple...
In our spiritual communities we often focus on the leaders of these groups. In the Buddhist sangha we hope to support all the sangha members in their contributions to community. Leadership, both clerical and laity, are important in organizing and maintaining the...
Periodically we have an occasion to present shōmyō at Tendai Buddhist Institute. This is a form of classical chanting sutra and other sacred works in Japanese Buddhism, especially among Tendai and Shingon lineages. Boasting a history of more than 1,200 years shōmyō...
This last month, we held the Tendai-shu New York Betsuin 2024 Doshu/Soryo Gyo, a training period for aspiring Tendai priests. We are fortunate to be able to conduct this training, and one pivotal factor in being able to do so is by benefit of our community, our...
A Japanese term one hears when being introduced to Tendai Buddhism is Mikkyō. This refers to esoteric or tantric Buddhism. Esoteric Buddhism is often translated as the ‘secret teaching’. Esoteric Buddhism is Vajrayana (Vajra vehicle) and is practiced in...
Part 1: The Gift of Spring. This past winter was one of the warmest experienced in the Northeast U.S. in my lifetime. It seems that almost each month for the last few years has been the warmest in history. Snow fall, ice storms, and other ‘usual’ weather events were...
