Engaged Pure Land

Pure Land Buddhist Hoshina Seki was raised by a missionary monk in New York City. As she aged, she came to understand that she was trans. With the support of her local temple and the national Buddhist Churches of America, she transitioned to more fully become herself. She continues her role as president of the American Buddhist Study Center.

"How grateful I am to have been born into a Jodo Shinshu family. Never doubting my faith was my life’s constant denominator. When I finally came out, my temple Sangha members welcomed me. Most temples have a couple of ladies who are the unsung heroes. They cook, clean, care for the resident minister’s needs, and visit the sick. One such hero is Ruth Funai; she was there for me before and after my surgery. Dr. Gordon Bermant and his wife Geri visited while I was recovering. I will never forget all the other people and temple ladies who helped me."

Rev. Blayne Higa is offering "Compassion in Action: Shin Buddhist Social Engagement."

Here's an article at Lion's Roar about the campaign to save the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health Minor. Petition signatures are going up! Please help if you can.

The University of Toronto’s Minor in Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health (BPMH) has been an astounding success, enrolling 100s of students each year. A key part of that success is the positive experiences of students who credit the Minor with significantly supporting their mental health, improving their university experience, expanding their understandings of Asian cultures, and even changing their lives.

It was thus a shock when the administration suddenly announced in November that the program will be closed. The decision took place without any consultation with the Director, faculty, or students.

Large numbers of students rallied to the support of the program, creating a petition with over 1500 signatures, holding a peaceful sit-in, and spreading the word about the impending closure. Nevertheless, the deans have so far refused to meet with the faculty over the suspension of the program.

There are several things you can do to help. First, please sign the students’ petition: https://www.change.org/p/protect-the-bpmh-program. Second, please consider writing a letter of support addressed to “Program Director Frances Garrett, Principal of New College, and Vice Deans of Undergraduate Programs” and sent to Dr. Garrett (frances.garrett at utoronto.ca). She will ensure that they reach the appropriate administrators. Third, you can send this message on to further colleagues and communities whom you think would be supportive.

The program is actually still strong and healthy, and there is time to reverse this unwise decision. The administration simply needs to rescind its choice not to enroll further students, and allow things to carry on as normal. Or, better yet, recognize the value of the BPMH Minor and provide new faculty to buttress the program’s success.

"Shinran, a radical thirteenth-century Japanese monk, exile, and refugee, founded the Jodo Shinshu tradition. A people’s Buddhism, it was specially created to be a way of including those who are marginalized and oppressed in dominant society. Considering the queerness in Shinran’s life and teaching allows us to rethink inclusivity as a fundamental Buddhist practice."

On New Year's Eve an intruder broke into the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple and set fire to the building. The arsonist struck in the basement archives, destroying irreplaceable records of over 120 years, instruments and other precious items used for major community festivals like Obon, and other important materials. Fire and water damage occurred throughout the building, but the main hall and columbarium survived. The fire reignited this week due to smouldering embers and was suppressed again. A relief fund for the temple has been created. Please go here to donate: https://donate.stripe.com/7sIcNfdwRdi59TW8wy

Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple was damaged last night by an arson attack. Details are still emerging. New Year's Day service is canceled. Jodo Shinshu temples in the United States and Canada have long been targets of racist and anti-Buddhist violence. Few if any have never experienced hate-based vandalism, arson, or attacks on members. The first, 100 years ago, killed 10 children at the Sacramento temple. Since then the Pahala, Gardena, Spokane, Fraser Valley, and other temples have been destroyed by arson, and many others have been damaged. Attacks on Buddhist temples accelerated in 2020 following Donald Trump's racist blaming of China for Covid-19.

One human story, amid all the suffering in the Middle East: