Best way to advance / propagate Pure Land in the US?

[Wendy Haylett]

I have studied and practiced Buddhism most of my adult life, and officially took refuge in 2000. Since then I took teacher training in the Tibetan (Gelupa tradition) and am a member of a local Tibetan (Drikung Kagyu) sangha. I give Dharma talks at the sangha and teach a Buddhism Basics course.

Last fall I began the Lay Ministry program of the Bright Dawn Institute for American Buddhism (Rev. Gyomay Kubose - continued by his son, Rev. Koyo Kubose). It offered me the circumstances where Pure Land "found me". I certainly didn't find it, because I wasn't looking for it - but it washed over me in a way I refer to as my Buddhist Born-Again experience.

After the long intro, I will get to the point and my question. I feel very strongly that Pure Land (and the Bright Dawn Shin-Zen approach) is the best channel for my ministry (inducted in May 2009) and the best vehicle for Buddhism in America. There are no Pure Land groups in my area (Rochester, New York) - so I'm starting from scratch locally. I've met many friends on the Internet and through the Bright Dawn program, including this group - but now I wonder what is the best method, means, logistics, etc. for me to have the biggest impact toward my goal of communicating the message and practice of Pure Land.

How does one start?

Thank you for your time, enthusiasm and ideas!

Warm wishes,

Wendy

[Clint Davis]

Wendy, I am thinking and wondering the same thing. Unfortunately, most of us drawn to Buddhism are not, shall we say, the missionary types, LOL. Oh what am I saying, I can be under the right circumstances, but since I work for a Catholic parish, well, there's not much room for me to do a lot of Dharma sharing in any community leading role.
But you're right, there's no better vehicle for the Dharma in the West than Pure Land, and there have been so many Buddhist scholars who have said so, and not just Pure Landers either. However, it wouldn't hurt to be an "out" Pure Lander at your local sangha of whatever persuasion, because other Buddhists might just ask questions that, lo and behold, you might have an answer to. The Universalist message is resurging among some Christians; why can't a similar message like that of the Pure Land teaching have an even more welcome reception among mature, non-reactionary (aka people who don't hate Christianity/church) Western Buddhists too?

[Wendy Haylett]

Hi Clint! Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

It's so funny to me, really. Pure Land came to me, as I said, and really swept me up. I am not, by nature, a person who gets swept away - much more of the scholar-type :-). Yet, I feel I have a "mission" to share. The way I was drawn to the Bright Dawn program, then Pure Land / Shin all seemed so planned, that I have confidence that I will also see a plan for my sharing this perspective of Buddhism.

I think you are right - now it may be a matter of really "coming out" and being visible in all the Buddhist circles I participate in.

Thanks again!

Gassho,

Wendy