I’m glad you’ve found your way to this blog. I hope this entry will be of interest and spark your comment.

Now and then I receive inquiries concerning Shin Buddhism. A major problem is that we are very thinly spread in the Western world, particularly the United States.

Let me offer a bit of historical perspective. Jodo Shinshu (True Teaching of the Pure Land) – or preferably Shin Buddhism – began in the 13th century with Shinran (1173-1263). After centuries of development and growth in Japan, it moved to the West along with Japanese immigrant laborers in 1885. They came first to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations, doing backbreaking work with little pay. It made sugar king. As they were agriculturists, some moved to California and the West Coast. Temples can be found also in Canada, although again widely dispersed.

With the onset of WWII, they were relocated to concentration camps away from the West Coast. After the war, some families moved further east to major cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, and New York. There was a settlement in New Jersey working at Seabrook Farms, which originated during the war. A nationwide structure was developed in the Buddhist Churches of America. In Hawaii, it is the Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Hongan means Primal Vow; honganji is temple of the Primal Vow, signifying the central concept of teaching. Membership is primarily Japanese-American, though the teaching is universal in meaning. The universal meaning and modern application of the teaching are emphasized on the Shin Dharma Net website.

I often receive questions from people who don’t live near any of the traditional communities, asking where there might be a temple they could attend. Fortunately, the internet has made it possible to share information, but difficult to create community. Consequently, I will entertain questions from readers anywhere and from letters that I receive. It would be helpful to know what general area you’re writing from.

I hope I can be instructive in clarifying the meaning of the teaching and help those who are searching for a spiritual path. You don’t have to be Japanese in order to appreciate the teaching. Every religion started somewhere and has some ethnic connection. Yet, in our time a meaningful teaching must transcend that connection and show its relevance for all people. That’s what I’ll be attempting to do in this blog, to mirror and expand upon what has all along been the practice at the main site, but do it in a way that encourages two-way communication. Any questions you have or insight you’d like to share are welcome and will always be much appreciated.

Thanks and gassho,
Al