About Me:

Buddhist since 1968.Ordained by Nishi Hongwanji 1993. Fan of Honda Minako, Ian Hunter, Shakespear, James Joyce, Ross MacDonald, Ahn Trio, Beethoven et. al. Married to former Kyoko Okura oF Nagasaki. Sons Sho Michael (10 yrs. old) and Ren Ian (4 yrs. old). Sometimes refer to myself as gyo ron meaning I emphasize actually saying the nembutsu. Politically liberal but political activism is like taking out the garbage - we have to do it but people who enjoy doing it are twisted or something. Do not enjoy Country and Western music or reality t.v. Some hip hop influenced music is cool (Mary J. Bleige, Kanye West etc.). Not impressed by Europeans and North Americans who think Buddhism has been waiting 2,500 years for them to perfect it. Supported Obama for president of USA. Have grave reservations about the state of Israel and the USA's unconditional financial support of their war machine. Love G.W.F. Hegel so, naturally, dislike Scientology. Don't say Scientology is false. Do say the Unification Church of Rev. Sung Yun Moon is a manipulative cult with nonsense at its core. consider humor to be an essential component of intelligence. Agree with Plato and Hegel that Truth, Beauty and Goodness name the essence of what humans should admire and pursue. Think sensuality is crucial to wholesome human living (watch Honda Minako videos to see how sexuality and genuine sweetness, goodness and courage can all be combined in one person) Believe in a vow of Universal Liberation that can be found in the basic vows of Amida in the Dai Mu Ryo Ju Kyo. Believe that Vow power of Amida's Fundamental Vow is like a huge karmic fund that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have been paying into for at least two and one-half millenia. I/We draw on that fund by opening our hearts to the Promise of Universal Liberation (Hon Gan) usually along with saying the Nembutsu in forms like "Namo Amida Butsu". I will pay back into that fund when I am able but for now I am taking a free ride and have no apologies to make for that. Believe we must root in Buddhist tradition before we can transform it. Rooting in Buddhist tradition means rooting in a particular school. I was Soto Zen for 15 years and have been Jodo Shinshu for 26 years. We can always reconsider and rework a specific stream of tradition. Picking and choosing from various schools does not work. There is an integral relation between iconography, narrative, philosophy, imagery, practice and life-style in, e.g., Jodo Shinshu. If you try to abandon a particular part of this entirely you short-circuit the path for yourself. Sure,liberation unfolds independent of our efforts and abilities but as Honen said: The moon shines over the whole world, neglecting not even the smallest hamlet, but its majestic beauty is only appreciated by those who gaze upon it. In other words, "just say the nembutsu".

Faith Background & Affiliation

Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha

Occupation or Primary Activity

Professional Jodo Shinshu Minister

Involvement in Spirituality/Religion

Raised Catholic, explored Aurobindo Ghose's Intergral Yoga, Soto Zen for 15 years, Jodo Shinshu, Hongwanji-ha/Nishi Hongwanji since 1983.

What is your interest in Amida Trust

Clarifying the Nembutsu path to more wholesome living now and enlightenment in the future

How did you find this web site?

Invited by a member

What country are you living in?

USA

What is the nearest town to where you live? If in UK, please give first half of your postcode. Thank you.

Portland Oregon

Are you a member of an Amida group/Congregation

not at the moment

Have you visited

None of these

Website:

http://oregonbuddhisttemple.com