The Institute of Buddhist Studies & BCA Center for Buddhist Education present

Guest Speakers and their Presentations

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear two speakers; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. On your registration form, please rank the four ministers according to your order of preference. We will try to accommodate your first and second choices.

Rev. John Guzei Iwohara  Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

I would like to focus my presentation on the Shoshin Nembutsu-ge (Shoshin-ge). In particular I would like to focus on the significance of the Shoshin-ge as found within the Kyogyoshinsho. In addition, to discuss the internal structure of the Shoshin-ge and how, through that structure, Shinran Shonin helps to make clear the relationship between the Great Practice and the Great Faith. It is my hope to add more clarity to the meaning of the Shoshin-ge and through that to help begin to answer the question, “Why is the Nembutsu relevant to my life today?”

Rev. Gregory Jundo Gibbs  Oregon Buddhist Temple

I. The Three Threes: A) Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. B) Teaching, Practice and Realization. C) Wholesome Conduct, Coming to Composure in mind, body and our feeling life, Wisdom.  II. Promises are Real: A discussion of the Fundamental Vow(s) of Amida Buddha.  III. Three Aspects of Shinjin. I will argue that we need three models to unlock what shinjin truly is; a model of faith, a model of religious experience and a double faceted model of transformation in our identity.  IV. The Transformative Realm of Amida Buddha's influence is a reality. We will discuss alternative interpretations of the Pure Land and finish with vocal nembutsu practice. 

Rev. Harry Gyokyo Bridge  Buddhist Church of Oakland, IBS Adjunct Faculty

Using the Middle Way as our guiding principle, we will examine two important passages by the Chinese Pure Land master Shan-tao: the passage on the “Two Kinds of Deep Mind” and the “Parable of the Two Rivers and the White Path.” These passages are quoted by Shinran Shonin and offer deep insight into the path of Jodo Shinshu. In addition to the traditional interpretations, these passages offer different possibilities for us in the twenty-first century. By looking at these passages in various ways, I hope that we can gain a deeper appreciation of the nembutsu in our lives today.

Rev. Kiyonobu Joshin Kuwahara  CBE/Hongwanji, IBS Adjunct Faculty

As he describes the recitation as “the practice of not-directing virtue,” Shinran Shonin understood the practice differently and uniquely. In the first part of my presentation, I will focus doctrinally on how he understood the practice with reference to his words. In the second part, I will connect the nembutsu practice with shinjin, which is the other essential part of our attaining enlightenment. After surveying Shinran Shonin’s understanding of the practice and its relationship with shinjin, I will move to the discussion of how the nembutsu and shinjin are connected with our daily lives. 

Pacific Seminar 21^st Century - The Path to the Pure Land

Program Schedule

Friday, June 24

  7:00 pm         Registration and Orientation

Saturday, June 25

  6:30 am         Morning Service (Shoshin-ge)

  7:15               Breakfast

  8:30               Opening Gathering in Kodo

  9:00               Session I

10:30               Break

11:00               Session I (continued)

12:00 pm         Lunch

  1:00               Group Activity

  2:00               Session II

  3:30               Break

  4:00               Session II (continued)

  5:00               Break

  6:00               Dinner

  7:30               Group Discussion

Sunday, June 26

  6:30 am         Morning Service

  7:15               Breakfast

  9:00               Panel Discussion

11:00               Closing Gathering in Kodo