Berkeley Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

04/15/2026

Following precepts is a fundamental practice for many Buddhists. What's Jōdo Shinshū's perspective? Read about here:

By Rev. Miki Nakura In Buddhism, following precepts is a common practice, especially for monks and nuns. Even lay followers strive to follow basic precepts not to kill, steal, lie and others. Someone asked me about Jodo Shinshu’s perspective. “Does Jōdo Shinshū disregard precepts? I never hear...

04/03/2026

As part of his training, Rev. Victor Ogundipe entered a grueling retreat, and to his surprise, discovered the meaning of chanting.

By Rev. Victor Ogundipe To become a fully-ordained minister (called kyōshi), I participated in a grueling week-long retreat called shūren at Higashi Honganji mother temple in Kyoto. Last September, entering the temple I nearly feinted from the summer heat and high humidity. Upon check-in, particip...

01/26/2026

01/23/2026

A Frenchman discovers Sangha in Japan. Read about his journey:

By Julien Le Coz Since becoming Buddhist 15 years ago, I dreamed of visiting Japan. In my home country France, Rev. Miki Nakura conducted my kikyoshiki Buddhist name ceremony, then last Fall, we finally met in Kyoto. My wife and I flew from Paris to Tokyo, where we promptly visited Vowz bar, started...

01/11/2026

Did you know a global cataclysmic event killed multitudes, affecting the life of Shinran Shonin? Newly appointed Bishop of the Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii district writes about it here:

Throughout his 90-year life, Shinran Shōnin (1173-1262) continuously asked important religious questions. His many writings—including letters, hymns (wasan) and commentaries—peaked in his mid-80s, expressing his deep understanding. Two major factors influenced Shinran Shōnin’s deepening thou...

12/19/2025

12/14/2025

Mochitsuki mochi rice cake making today. Not many Japanese American organizations left selling to the public.

12/08/2025

Shin Buddhism talks about "blind passions," but Rev. Patti Nakai sees nothing "blind" about it. Read more:

By Rev. Patti Nakai These days I feel “my life sucks.” Shinran Shonin would say—bonnō gusoku – filled with irritation/misery. He often slung that description of himself and the human condition. We’re full of it; why should we expect otherwise? I’m steeped in bonnō; clearly there’s no...

12/01/2025

If Jōdo Shinshū is supposed to be the "easy path," why is training to be a minister so difficult? Greg Thomas writes about his experience:

Arriving at Higashi Honganji mother temple in Kyoto for shūren (ministers retreat), I had only a rough idea of what awaited. After receiving initial tokudō ordination, I needed training for full kyōshi ordination, which would enable me to work as a temple minister. But nothing—absolutely nothin...

11/04/2025

Can we really "learn" Jodo Shinshu Buddhism? What do we study and how? Buddhist thinker Kaneko Daiei pondered such questions:

By Rev. Ken Yamada Serious seekers “study” Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, but can we really “learn” Jodo Shinshu? What, how, and why do we study? Buddhist thinker and Ōtani University professor Kaneko Daiei (1881-1976) pondered such questions in a 1966 essay, “Prolegomena to Shin Buddhist Studi...

09/12/2025

What is a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism? What and who is a bodhisattva? Rev. Ken Yamada gives his interpretation using examples from Buddhist art, symbolism and real life.

Do bodhisattvas exist? Who is a bodhisattva? Rev. Ken Yamada explains using images and examples from Buddhist art, adding a personal interpretation related t...