Eshinni and Kakushinni were the wife and youngest daughter of Shinran Shōnin, founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism. Eshinni sustained Shinran’s mission throughout his life; Kakushinni preserved his legacy after his death, laying the foundation for the Hongwanji and the propagation of the Nembutsu teaching. Their contributions to Buddhist history have been overlooked for too long.
Established in 2015 and funded through campaigns by Buddhist women’s associations across North America, and Japan, the Eshinni and Kakushinni endowment was created to honor their memory and center the voices of women in Buddhist scholarship.
Dr. Paula Arai was appointed to the Eshinni and Kakushinni Professorial Chair of Women and Buddhist Studies in 2023. Her teaching and research are dedicated to illuminating the contributions, wisdom, and lived experiences of Buddhist women across traditions.
Dr. Arai is the author of a number of scholarly and popular books including Women Living Zen, Bringing Zen Home, The Little Book of Zen Healing, and Of Mud and Lotuses. You can learn more about her work at her website: https://www.zenhealing.org.
To support the work of Dr. Arai and all our faculty, consider making a gift to professorial endowments through the BCA Endowment Foundation. Donate online here and click “IBS chairs” from the drop-down menu.
Thank you and gassho!
Support Buddhist Women
Donate online to make a one-time or recurring donation to the Eshinni Kakushinni Chair. Once at the BCAEF page, select “IBS Chairs” from the drop-down menu, and then “Eshinni Kakushinni Chair.”
Alternately, mail in your gift with a check payable to
BCA Endowment Foundation
2140 Durant Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704