Summer Session

The BSC Summer Session is an annual, week-long seminar with a well-known Buddhist scholar. The 2023 Summer Session will be the 49th annual event.

The Buddhist Study Center presents Summer Session 2023

“Shinran’s Challenge: A Shin Buddhist in the 21st Century”
with Reverend Dr. Takashi Miyaji

 

Seminar Schedule

We returned to our in-person and online hybrid style of presenting for the Summer Session 2023 program. Zoom recordings of most of the evening programs are now available on YouTube — see YouTube links below.

 

Monday, June 5, 2023 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST.
Opening Service and Lecture: “Kyogyosho Monrui and Passanges on the Pure Land Way”
Day 1 now on YouTube

 

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST.
“Sanjo Wasan”
Day 2 now on YouTube

 

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST.
“Notes on Essentials of Faith Alone and Notes on Once-calling, Many-Calling”
Day 3 now on YouTube

 

Thursday, June 8, 2023 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST.
“Shinran’s Letters and Tannisho”
Day 4 now on YouTube

 

Friday, June 9, 2023 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST.
“What the Jodo Shinshu Identity is Today”
Day 5 now on YouTube

 

WHO: All those with inquiring minds and curiosity about Buddhism
WHERE: In person at BSC and online (live via Zoom and then archived on the BSC Hawaii Youtube channel)
COST: Free (Donations are welcome)
QUESTIONS: Call the Buddhist Study Center (808) 973-6555

About the Speaker

Rev Miyaji photoRev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji is currently a minister of the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church since August 1, 2020.  In addition, he teaches at the Institute of Buddhist Studies located in Berkeley, California.

He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Japanese language and literature, Institute of Buddhist Studies at Berkeley, California with a Master’s in Buddhist Studies, Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan with a Master’s Degree in Shin Buddhist Studies, and completed the doctoral coursework at Ryukoku University.  He specializes in the areas of Japanese Buddhism and religion, translation of Buddhist scripture, and Jodo Shinshu doctrine and ethics.  He has obtained the academic rankings of Hokyo recognized within Hongwanji.

 

Past Summer Sessions

2022: Jodo Shinshu and the Making of American Buddhism

Speaker: Dr. Scott Mitchell

 

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.