Summer Session

The BSC Summer Session is an annual, week-long seminar with a well-known Buddhist scholar. The 2024 Summer Session will be the 50th annual event! In addition to this web page, also available are:
Summer Session 2024 flyer | Summer Session 2024 brochure

The Buddhist Study Center presents Summer Session 2024

“Shifting From ‘Please’ to ‘Thank You’ —
A Path to Awakening”

with Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

August 5-9, 2024
In person at the Buddhist Study Center and Online via Zoom

Register

 

Seminar Schedule

Why & How of Gratitude
Monday, August 5, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
“Practicing the Non-Practice of Gratitude”
Truth: Now and Then
Tuesday, August 6, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
“Our Understanding of Truth Has Expanded from the Buddha’s Time to Now”
Who Am I in the World?
Wednesday, August 7, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
“Finding My Authentic Self”
Benefits of Shin Buddhism
Thursday, August 8, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
“Current Interpretations of Ancient Rituals”
Being Sacred in the Profane
Friday, August 9, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
“Being Whole, Not Holy”

If you have questions, please contact the Buddhist Study Center at (808) 522-9200 or 1436 University Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96822.

Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

Registration & Donations

Register Online (Google form) — you can specify in person or online attendance.

Registration Deadline: July 31, 2024

Suggested tax-deductible donation: 5 sessions $50, single sessions $10.
Checks made out to HHMH and sent to 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813 with “Summer Session” in the memo line.
Or, make an Online Donation. Mahalo!

More About Summer Session 2024

In ancient times, the unknown world was explained in mythical form with deities and the afterlife being prominent. Relating traditional myths to our modern life has its limits. We will reverse this method of going from the past to the present. By using our current knowledge from science and psychology, we will reveal the practical and spiritual benefits of Shin.

For those seeking solutions to common concerns, Shin has provided a path for ordinary people for 800 years.

Each session will be an interactive workshop that leads to an experience of the benefits of Shin Buddhism. This is a practical guide of how being a Shin Buddhist in the 21st century can resolve many issues.

Rev. Akahoshi’s retreats and workshops use innovative methods that he learned from leading philosophers, psychologists, and Buddhist teachers. Using these interactive methods, he will share an effective, simple practice of gratitude.

About the Speaker

Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi
Rev. Dr. Kenjii AkahoshiRetired as head minister of the Buddhist Temple of San Diego in 2021, Rev. Akahoshi now leads the Ministerial Support Pillar for the Dharma Forward Campaign and gives classes for the Minister Assistants of Buddhist Churches of America. He has had recent articles in Tricycle Buddhist Magazine and Lion’s Roar. He is also writing a book which interprets Shin in a way that is relevant in 21st century America.

A dentist by profession, Rev. Dr. Akahoshi earned a degree from the University of California at San Francisco Dental School before finishing his Master’s from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, then a Master’s from the Institute of Buddhist Studies for the ministerial path.

He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force in Misawa, Japan for three years.

During his 30 years in private practice in San Jose, California, Rev. Dr. Akahoshi was Board President at San Jose Betsuin and Chaplain at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall.

Past Summer Sessions

2023: Shinran’s Challenge: A Shin Buddhist in the 21st Century
Speaker: Reverend Dr. Takashi Miyaji
Videos: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
2022: Jodo Shinshu and the Making of American Buddhism
Speaker: Dr. Scott Mitchell
2021: Peace Through Buddha-dharma
Speaker: Rev. Kodo Umezu
session videos
more past sessions
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
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.