Pacific Seminar 21st Century

Pacific Seminar 21st Century
Shinran’s Path in America – Yesterday and Today
Exploring Nisei spirituality, temple traditions & values

Co-sponsored by the Center for Buddhist Education and the Institute of Buddhist Studies

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Tetsuo Unno

“This year, we will gather to listen to the stories of BCA’s Nisei (second generation, American-born) pioneers who helped to build the temples and maintain them for decades. Their stories and memories of their Issei (first generation, immigrant) parents — will help us to understand Shinran’s path in America,” explains Rev. Kodo Umezu, Director of the BCA Center for Buddhist Education.

The keynote speaker will be Rev. Tetsuo Unno, part-time minister at Pasadena Buddhist Temple, and popular lecturer at colleges and temples throughout the U.S. His ability to integrate Shin Buddhist perspectives in a range of educational, community and spiritual settings has inspired traditional followers and new audiences for several decades. Other speakers will include Rev. Shoki Mohri, BCA Minister Emeritus who will share his reflections on the post-World War II Buddhist experience (Japanese, translated to English, with commentary, by Rev. Unno); and Ms. Anne Spencer, Minister Assistant at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple, who will share her insights as a first-generation, non-Nikkei temple member. The seminar will be interactive and feature a panel of Nisei stories, a Q/A session and small group discussion, moderated by Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, Director of the Center for Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies at IBS; and Rev. Kodo Umezu, BCA CBE Director.

The seminar will reflect on the Nisei spiritual experience which has interwoven aspects of Japanese spiritual, social and cultural value systems; Buddhist teachings; and American ideals. Against the backdrop of pre-World War II racism and xenophobia; the exile and mass internment during World War II; post-war resettlement, the redress movement, and today, participants will discuss how various moral values — including “gaman” (perseverance), “shikataganai” (it cannot be helped); “haji” (shame) among others — influenced their lives. The Buddhist origins of some of the terms, and the changing interpretations of these terms, over time and by each generation, will also be discussed.

“We will be listening and sharing in the spirit of the Buddhist idea of ‘okage sama de’ (benefiting from the shade of those who walked before us). We are truly honored to present our guest speakers along with a panel of Nisei who will share their stories. We hope to have a good mixture of Nisei and younger generations and non-Nikkei. Everyone is welcome! And, if you cannot attend this one, we encourage you to sponsor something like this in your own community. CBE is ready to support you in any way we can,” Rev. Umezu concludes.

For more information on this event, including registration information, please contact the Center for Buddhist Education.

Filed under: Events | Tagged as: Center for Buddhist Education, Pacific Seminar, Shinran
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Buddhism and Contemporary Psychology Certificate Program

Friday, May 21, 2010, 9:02 am

The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce an certificate program, the Buddhism and Contemporary Psychology Certificate Program.

The interface between Buddhism and psychotherapy is an increasingly important one, both for individual psychotherapists and for the practical integration of Buddhist teachings into contemporary Western society. While once the dialogue was carried on between two different groups of specialists — psychotherapists and Buddhist practitioners —today that dialogue is frequently carried on within the same person. There is also an increasing number of clients who are committed Buddhists seeking to work with psychotherapists who understand their worldview. Whether they are themselves committed to Buddhism, clinicians may wish to deepen and expand their practice as psychotherapists through a rigorous study of the Buddhist teachings.

For more information on this program, visit our website. Click here for program requirements.

And feel free to contact our offices for more information.

Filed under: News & Announcements | Tagged as: announcements, degree program notes
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IBS Commencement 2010

Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 4:08 pm

Mr. George T. Aratani, a long time supporter of Institute of Buddhist Studies, was presented an Honorary Doctorate, and four IBS students received their Master of Buddhist Studies degrees at Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA. The presentations were made by Dr. Leroy Morishita, Chair of the IBS Board of Trustees.

The commencement address was presented by Dr. Paul Harrison, co-chair of the Ho Center Buddhist Studies at Stanford University, who spoke on the expanding interest in Buddhist Studies, which is based on the discovery of new documents in ancient languages closer to the Buddha’s time.

Upon the conferring of the honorary doctorate to Aratani, Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto stated that Mr. Aratani could not be present to receive the award, but was truly appreciative of the award. Mr. Aratani has generously supported the IBS Center for Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies because he felt the urgent need to bring Shin Studies into America. Rev. Dr. Seigen Yamaoka received the degree on behalf of Mr. Aratani.

The IBS graduates were: G. Kenji Akahoshi of San Jose, David Kazuyoshi Fujimoto of Hawaii, Jon Brett Turner of Orange County, and Mutsumi Fujiwara Wondra of Orange County. Wondra is currently studying at Ryukoku Univ ersity, Kyoto. Alan Wondra accepted the degree on behalf of his wife.

Akahoshi’s thesis was titled, “Interpreting the Two Aspects of Deep Mind Utilizing Psychological Metaphors.” His committee included Dr. Matsumoto, Dr. Richard Payne, and Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst.

Fujimoto’s thesis was titled, “A Consideration of Religious Conversion: In Shinran’s Thought and the Modern Conversion.” His committee included Dr. Matsumoto, Dr. Yamaoka, and Rev. Harry Bridge.

Turner’s thesis was titled, “Shinran Shonin’s Other Power Nembutsu: A Buddhist Sonic Ritual Based Upon the Mantra.” His committee included Dr. Payne, Dr. Yamaoka, and Rev. Marvin Harada.

Wondra’s thesis was titled, “Interpreting Shinran’s Teaching Within a Contemporary Shin Buddhist Community: How does a person who has attained the stage of the truly settled live in the contemporary world?” Her committee included Dr. Matsumoto, Dr. Eisho Nasu, and Rev. Harada.

The program was chaired by Dr. Matsumoto.

For more images from the ceremony, please visit our Facebook page. Video footage is available on our podcast.

Filed under: News & Announcements | Tagged as: Aratani, ceremonies, graduation, student notes
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New Core Faculty: Daijaku Judith Kinst

Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7:53 am

The Rev. Dr. Daijaku Judith Kinst, Professor of Buddhism and Psychology, has recently been appointed as a core faculty member of the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS). The announcement was recently made by Dr. Richard Payne, Dean.

Dr. Kinst, is an ordained Buddhist Priest in the Soto Zen tradition. She earned her BA at Occidental College in Los Angeles and upon completing her formal priest training she studied Western Psychology, earning an MA degree and license in psychotherapy. During her studies she trained at UCSF Medical Center’s Clinical Pastoral Education program. She completed her Ph.D. at the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco.

She teaches graduate course in Buddhist Studies, Contemplative Psychology, and Spiritual Direction and has an ongoing commitment to interfaith dialogue.

With the MA/MDiv chaplaincy program, IBS offers the opportunity for Buddhists of any tradition to get a graduate education in chaplaincy at a Buddhist institution with a long and rich history. It is a gift to people of the wider Buddhist world to be able to do this, to benefit from this, and form sustained contact with the Shin Buddhist tradition.

There are many people who want to serve, who want to express their dedication to Buddha’s teachings through caring for others. What is needed is an effective training in how to serve. IBS is uniquely able to fulfill this need.

Dr. Kinst is building relationships with Graduate Theological Union faculty and chaplains, supervising chaplains at various hospitals in the area, and other institutions who are need of chaplains.

Filed under: News & Announcements | Tagged as: faculty notes
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Commencement

The Institute of Buddhist Studies 2010 Graduation Commencement Ceremony will be held Friday, May 14, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley.

Click here for more information.

Commencement Schedule:

• 10:00    Procession
• 10:15    Opening Service
• 10:30    Introduction of Guests
• 10:40    Comments by Dr. Leroy Morishita, Chair IBS Board of Trustee
• 10:55    Commencement Address: Dr. Harrison
• 11:25    Presentation of diplomas
• 11:40    Presentation of honorary Doctorate to Mr. Aratani
• 11:45    Closing comments
• 11:50    Recessional/oshoko by attendees
• 12:00    Reception with refreshments

Filed under: Events | Tagged as: graduation
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2010 Vesak Celebration

The Center for Buddhist Studies, the Buddhist Council of Northern California, and the Institute of Buddhist Studies are co-sponsering a 2010 Vesak celebration at the Compassion Mediation Center in Hayward, Ca., on Sunday May 16, 2010 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The Compassion Meditation Center is located at
17327 Meekland Avenue
Hayward, Ca 94541

For more information download this informational flyer or contact the Compassion Mediation Center at
510.481.1577.

Filed under: Events | Tagged as: Vesak
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