Summer Session

The BSC Summer Session is an annual, week-long seminar with a well-known Buddhist scholar. The 2022 Summer Session will be the 48th annual event.

The Buddhist Study Center presents Summer Session 2022

“Jōdo Shinshū and the Making of American Buddhism
Is Shin Buddhism the foundation of American Buddhism?”
with Dr. Scott Mitchell

 

Seminar Schedule

We have decided to return to our in-person and online hybrid style of presenting our Summer Session program. However, due to concerns about COVID-19, we have decided to limit the amount of people who may attend in person to 30 people. We will require those who do attend in person to wear a mask indoors and to be mindful about social distancing. Please register using this link in order to receive the Zoom link. We will be posting the edited versions of the Summer Session on our Youtube page.

If you have already registered, please make sure to check all of your email folders. The registration email with the link may have ended up in your “Promotions” or “Spam” folders. Please use the keywords “Buddhist Study Center” or “Summer Session” in your search! If you are still having trouble, please email kwong@honpahi.org for help!

 

Monday, June 20, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST. Opening Service and Lecture: “The Buddhist Movement in America”

Tuesday, June 21, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST. “Buddhist Modernism, Shin Modernism”

Wednesday, June 22, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST. “The Nisei Problem”

Thursday, June 23, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST. “The Nisei Problem”

Friday, June 24, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST. “Transpacific Buddhist Crossing”

 

WHO: All those with inquiring minds and curiosity about Buddhism
COST: Free (Donations are welcome)
QUESTIONS: Call the Buddhist Study Center (808) 973-6555

About the Speaker

Dr. Scott Mitchell is Dean of the Institute of Buddhist Studies and a scholar of Buddhism in the West, Pure Land Buddhism, and Buddhist Modernism. He has taught classes on “American Buddhism” and “Buddhism and Popular Culture” for the past fifteen years.

In his book, Mid-Century Modern Buddhism, Dr. Mitchell examines Buddhism in the United States before, during, and after World War II, when Nisei Jodo Shinshu Buddhists reacted to the trauma of racial and religious discrimination by laying claim to an American identity inclusive of their religious identity. In the pages of temple-supported magazines, such as the Berkeley Bussei, Nisei argued that Buddhism was both what made them good Americans but also what they had to contribute to America, a rational and scientific religion of peace.

 

Past Summer Sessions

 

2021: Peace Through Buddha-dharma

Speaker: Rev. Kodo Umezu

session videos

2020: Interlinked: Understanding the Origins and Evolution of American Buddhism

Speaker: Dr. Duncan Ryuken Williams

session videos

2019: Everyday Buddhism

Speaker: Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara

session videos

2018: Everyday Buddhism for a Happy, Meaningful Life
Speaker: Dr. Kenneth Tanaka
session videos
2017: Jodo Shinshu in the land of Shakyamuni
Speaker: Rev. Sonam Wangdi Bhutia
session videos
2016: Mindfulness and Buddhism in America
Speaker: Jeff Wilson
session videos
The BSC YouTube channel includes session videos
more past sessions
2015: What does Jodo Shinshu Mean to Me?
Speaker: Hawaii Kyodan Ministers and members
2014: Resolving Life’s Problems through Buddhism
Speaker: Marvin Harada
2013: The Power of Shin Buddhism
Speaker: Mark Unno
2012: The inner workings of Shin Buddhism: Savoring the spirituality of Gutoku Shinran
Speaker: William Masuda
2011: Shin Buddhist Theology: Questions of good & evil, humanness, and salvation
Speaker: David Matsumoto
2010: Rethinking Jodo Shinshu
Speaker: Toshikazu Arai
2009: Inconceivable Life: Buddhist compassion in the Ocean of Light
Speaker: Mark & Ty Unno
2008: Coping with Life and Death: Buddhist Style
Speaker: Carl Becker
2007: Foundation of Buddha Dharma: How to live in Metta (loving kindness)in Today’s world
Speaker: Shoyo Taniguchi
2006: Joy and Appreciation of Shin Buddhism through Shoshinge
Speaker: Eisho Nasu
2005: Learn the Dharma Through life and thought of Great Buddhists
Speaker: Marvin Harada
2004: Back to the Basics
Speaker: Toshikazu Arai
2003: The Growth of American Buddhism: The Role of Shin Buddhism
Speaker: Ken Tanaka
2002: The Conemplation Sutra: PureLand Path of Exclusion and Inclusion
Speaker: David Matsumoto
2001: The Larger Sutra
Speaker: Nobuo Haneda
2000: Dharma Experience Through Poetry
Speaker: Ty Unno

Summer Session History

BSC Summer Session 2018 group photo
Group photo from the 2018 Summer Session (click image for larger version)

Summer Session held its first classes in 1974 with Dr. Alfred Bloom and Dr. Mokusen Miyuki.  For over 40 years, distinguished teachers including Dr. Taitetsu Unno, Rev. Gyomay Kubose, Dr. George Tanabe, Prof. Takamaro Shigaraki, Dr. Mark Unno, Rev. Ruth Tabrah, Dr. David Matsumoto, Rev. Marvin Harada, Rev. William Masuda have shared their knowledge and perspectives on Buddhism through this program.