"Offering an enduring community that values inclusiveness &                  acceptance seeking Enlightenment through Shin Buddhist  teachings"

      Saturday,  June 27, 2015     

Hosted at the New York Buddhist Church

331-332 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10025 

9:30 am - 3:30 pm    (9 am - Registration & Coffee)

     Presented by the BCA Center for Buddhist Education

The Buddhist Churches of America, Center for Buddhist Education (CBE) will present Embraced by the Heart of Amida Buddha: The LGBTQ Community & Shin Buddhism, a half-day seminar on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (9 am registration/coffee) at the New York Buddhist Church, located at 331-332 Riverside Drive, New York, NY. The featured guest speakers this year are  author/educator Dr. Jeff Wilson (Renison University College, Canada) and Rev. Kurt Rye (Ekoji Buddhist Temple, VA). Additional panelists and moderators from a number of BCA temples will also be participating (see below).

This is an educational event for anyone interested in how Shin Buddhism can offer an enduring community which values inclusiveness and acceptance. 

Initiated in 2013 with an inquiry by Rev. Kiyo Kuwahara, co-director of CBE, past seminars on this topic have featured guest speakers including George Takei, and educator/parents/temple leaders Pieper and Lois Toyama. Each year the sangha awareness and support has deepened as the stories, history and doctrinal principles of Shin Buddhism and the LGBTQ equality are affirmed and shared.

Registration is open to the public. The BCA member rate is $30 until May 28^th; the general rate is $40; lunch is included. The deadline is June 20^th. Contact the BCA Center for Buddhist Education at: cbe@bcahq.org or by calling: (415)776-5600, ext. 212 for more information. Please register online below or visit www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org

Guest speaker, Dr. Jeff Wilson, is author of BUDDHISM OF THE HEART and MINDFUL AMERICA, among other books, as well as a research paper titled: "All Beings Are Equally Embraced by Amida Buddha: Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and Same-Sex Marriage in the United States"  (Journal of Global Buddhism). Rev. Kurt Rye has served as a resident minister at Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax, Virginia; and prior to that, at the Fresno Buddhist Church Betsuin, both affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America.

Additional presenters and moderators include: Rev. Earl Ikeda (NYBC), Rev. Kiyo Kuwahara (CBE), Elaine Donlin (SF), Sam Fugitt (VA), Norio Umezu Hall (CA), Gary Jaskula (NY), Hoshina Seki (NY) and Amy Umezu (CA).   ###

Register Now!