Aratani Presentation

Monday, June 21, 2010, 12:42 pm

Mr. George T. Arataini, a long time supporter of the Institute of Buddhist Studies was conferred an Honorary Doctorate at his home in Hollywood, CA on Thursday, June 17, 2010 by Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, the IBS George and Sakaye Aratani Professor. Dr. Aratani was not able to attend the IBS Commencement Ceremony held on May 14, 2010 in Berkeley, CA.

In making the presentation Dr. Matsumoto expressed the heartfelt appreciation of the IBS Board of Trustees for his generous support and encouragement for the success of the IBS in its future growth and development.

In accepting the doctorate, Dr. Aratani stated, “I have tried to the best of my ability to continue the tradition imparted to me by my father. Therefore, I have supported the IBS for its commitment to the Buddha Dharma in America. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the IBS for this special honor.”

Present at the home ceremony were Mrs. Aratani, Rev. Hiroshi Abiko, Rinban of the Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Betsuin, and Rev. Dr. Seigen Yamaoka.

[Photo Credit: Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, Mrs. Sakaye Aratani, and Dr. George T. Aratani.]

Filed under: News & Announcements | Tagged as: faculty notes, graduation
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Introducing Leroy Morishita

Monday, June 14, 2010, 8:00 am

Dr. Leroy M. Morishita, a member of the Berkeley Buddhist Sangha Temple, was elected as the Seventh Chair of the Institute of Buddhist Studies Board of Trustees in January 2010. At the local temple he served on the scholarship committee and coached various levels of basketball teams for thirteen years.

Dr Morisita’s educational background is as includes a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, MS in Counseling, San Francisco State University, and EdD, Harvard Graduate School in Education. Currently he has senior administrative positions in the area of Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Capital Planning, Facilities Management, Enrollment, Housing and Institutional Research for San Francisco State University. He is the Executive Vice President/CEO for Administration and Finance at CSUSF.

He is a Commissioner with the Western Association for Senior Colleges and Universities and a former president of the Asian Community Health Services. He is a member of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, Japanese American Citizens League Health Benefits Association, Asian Pacific Americans Higher Education Board, National Association of College and University Business Officers, Society for College and University Planning, and Western Association of College and Universities Business Officers.

Dr. Richard Payne, IBS Dean, initially thanked Mr. Tom Yuki for acting as the interim IBS Chair for two years and welcomed Dr. Morishita as the Chair of the IBS Board of Trustees. He expressed his hope that with Dr. Morishita’s extensive background in education, the IBS will continue to grow as an educational institution dedicated to the study of Buddha Dharma and Shin Ministry.

Since inception in 1949, as the Berkeley Buddhist Study Center, the center name was changed to the IBS in 1966 with the hopes of establishing an education center of ministerial study in the United States. With the start of IBS program six individuals guided the IBS, as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

They were: the late Albert Kosakura from 1966-1968, former BCA President and a member of the Berkeley Buddhist Sangha; Dr, Ryo Munekata , 1969, former BCA President and member of the Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Betsuin; Motomi Yokomizo, 1970-1990, former BCA Vice President and member of the Oakland Buddhist Temple; Dr Jack Fujimoto, 1990-1993, President of Sacramento City Colleges and member of the West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple; Dr. James Doi, 1994-1996, former Dean of Education at University of Washington and member of the Seattle Betsuin; and Hiroji Kariya, 1996-2007, former BCA President and member of Mr. View Buddhist Temple.

Filed under: News & Announcements | Tagged as: trustees notes
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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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