BUKKYO DENDO KYOKAI Society for the Promotion of Buddhism

Michi- The Path -

11
2022

No.

BDK
Newsletter

BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett
BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newsletter BDK Newslett

Michi11- The Path -CONTENTS02BDK Japan News 2021
〜BDK Publications〜● “The Teaching of Buddha (TTOB)” Interview TTOB Volunteer - Living with TTOB in local communities● “The Teaching of Buddha” – Update for 2021
● Newly Published BDK Publications in 2021

● Launch of “Bonno, Desires – Sugoroku Board Game with the Illustrated Story of Shakyamuni”● “Let It Shine! Temple Bulletin Board Award 2021”● The Sixth BDK Buddhist Picture Book Prize Competition● The Eighth Annual Photography Competition for the BDK Calendar “A Wise Teaching a Day”

The Seventh Photo Exhibition of the BDK Calendar “A Wise Teaching a Day”

● Providing the “Illustrated Story of Shakyamuni” to the “Exhibition of the Kosetsu Nosu and Buddha Wall Paintings in Sarnath”

11〜Financial Assistance and Honoring Recipients〜● BDK Fellowship for Foreign Scholars● BDK Fellowship for Japanese Scholars● The 55th BDK Cultural Awards Ceremony● BDK Financial Assistance Program

17〜Buddhist Lectures and Seminars〜● BDK Online Station: “Weekly Dharma Talks”● The Weekly Radio Program “WARAIMESHI TETSUOʼs Saturday★Night Buddhism”● The 2020 “Toshihide Numata Book Award in Buddhism” Commemorative Lecture● More Familiarity with Buddhism● Studying “The Teaching of Buddha (TTOB)” for Business/Daily Life

● Elementary Course of Buddhist Lectures on “Japanese Buddhism – Learning from Scratch” – Update for 2021
● Special Lecture: The Heart Sutra in Japanese Buddhism● “Buddhism Through English (BTE)” – Update for 2021

＊ BTE in Yamaguchi Prefecture, “Otera de Eigo, Learning English at a Temple”● “Buddhist Yoga”● “Learning About Buddhism in the World Part II”● 2021 BDK Symposium＊ The 25th: “What Is Going to Happen to Buddhism? – How It Should be for the Post COVID World”＊ The 26th: “Letʼs Talk about Religion 2021 – The Direction of Post COVID Religion”

28
29
30

＊ The 27th: “Thinking about Fragmentation and Harmony in Modern Society”

Take a Break: Introducing BDK SNS Pages
Obituary: His Eminence Rev. Taiho Fukuyama, 7th BDK President

BDK Aﬃliated Organization Activities
World map & Contact information● BDK America● BDK Hawaii● BDK Mexico● BDK Taiwan● BDK Asia

● BDK Europe

38“Sasaeatte”「Kankyō（Environment）｣

BDK Newsletter No.11 2022- 6/1/2022-3,500
Copyrightⓒ2022 by BUKKYO DENDO KYOKAI(BDK)
Published by BDK
3-14, Shiba-4chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 108-0014

Edited by Kaoru Eguchi, BDK
Printed in Japan by ARC Co., Ltd.

BDK Newsletter

2022

Pass Down and Continue Sharing
the “Eternal Messages from Buddha”
We truly appreciate your generous understanding and continued support for allof Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK)’s activities as we report our 2021 news andupdates in this issue.
2020 was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, and it is still goingon and continues for over two years. Our daily life has dramatically changed,
and things we used to take for granted are not usual any more.
Our activities have been deeply affected and limited in various situations.
People continue to be limited in travelling around the world, and this has had a
big impact on the BDK Fellowship program. We were forced to stop accepting
our BDK Fellowship applications for the year 2021.
However, we kept distributing “The Teaching of Buddha” to the world, held
many of our planned projects, and improved our activities. We cannot thankenough everyone who supported us during this tough time.
Our mission is to keep providing the eternal messages from Buddha to everyone who needs them in this world, to pass down this wisdom to the next generation and to share our thoughts. We believe in providing more opportunities tothe younger generation and introducing the attraction of Buddhism and theimportance of Buddhist philosophy. BDK will continue to promote whatever
we all need to do in order to overcome adversity in the pursuit of our mission.

With Gassho,

Seikoh-Kiyotaka Kimura
Chairperson
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK)Society for the Promotion of Buddhism
1Interview

Horinji (Rev. Umino's temple in Gunma pregecture, Japan)“The Teaching of Buddha (TTOB)” Interview
TTOB Volunteer - Living with TTOB in local communities
Location: Bukkyo Dendo Center Building
Guest: Rev. Shunko Umino
Interviewer: Masayuki Masuda, BDK
Editor/Photographer: Kaoru Eguchi, BDK＊We conducted an in-person interview in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) has been distributing “The Teaching of Buddha (TTOB)” for the past
decades as one of its major activities, and the books have been utilized in a variety of ways in today’s
modern world. TTOBs have been distributed to hotels, temples, medical facilities as well as educational
institutions. BDK invited Buddhist priests who are willing to distribute TTOBs in their local areas on behalfof BDK, and we have welcomed 57 priests as of 2021 even though we were uncertain about the futureduring those times.
A “TTOB Volunteer” is a Buddhist priest who is trying to reach as many people as possible in order todisseminate TTOB and its teachings to local hotels and accommodations. We had an opportunity to talkwith Rev. Shunko Umino, one of those “TTOB Volunteers,” and we listened to his own experiences andfound out how he has been contributing to our project.

2

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−Masuda (hereafter M) : We truly
appreciate your continued supportof our project. First of all, could youtell us a little bit about yourself andyour temple, Horinji?
Umino (hereafter U) : Thankyou for having me, and it is sucha great honor to be here today. To
explain myself simply, I belong
to Obaku-shu and its head temple
is Manpukuji temple, which has
an exotic Chinese atmosphere in
Uji city of Kyoto prefecture. My
temple is Horinji temple and it
is located in Chiyoda-cho, Ora
county, in the very south of Gunma
prefect u re. Hor i nji used to bea Rinzai-shu temple, but it waschanged to Obaku-shu and was
rebuilt as the first dojo or training
hall in the northern Kanto area.
Rev. Choon Dokai Zenji established
the Kosaiji temple in Tatebayashi
and was the head priest there. After
Kosaiji was closed, its furnishings,
including Buddhist statues andbells, were moved to Horinji. Eightof those statues were designatedas important cultural properties ofGunma prefecture and the portraitof Rev. Choon Dokai Zenji and thepicture of Kannon Bodhisattva withwhite clothes were also designatedas important cultural propertiesof Chiyoda-cho. As you can see,
the temple has a long history topreserve.
M : I see. BDK is located in Tokyo,
so we have not carried out detailed
activities in Gunma prefect ure
since it is a bit far f rom here.
Therefore, we really appreciate all
the opportunities you have created.
However, what made you participate
in the project?

U : I used to work for a company
that managed a project named“Otera Temple Stay” to connect
local temples to shukubo, hotels andinns managed by temples. That is
why it was easy for me to start as a
“TTOB Volunteer.”
M : We cannot thank you enoughfor smoothly connecting local hotels
to our activities because “TTOB
Volunteers” know their local areas
very well. We feel the importanceof expanding the reach of “TTOB”
in each local area where we did nothave any opportunities before. Did
you experience anything special
while you were communicating withpeople who welcomed “TTOB”?
U : Yes. I have an old memory
from the time before the COVID-19
pandemic. I was in Takayama City,
Gifu prefecture. Some foreign
tourists showed some interest in“TTOB” and star ted reading it
at a shukubo. They had to leavesoon and asked me to provide themwith a digital version because theywanted to read the rest of it after
their trip. I introduced the PDF
version that is free on the BDK
off icial website, and they were
extremely happy about that. I feltthat these foreigners valued theopportunity to be able to read thebook in their own language.
People in Japan generally thinkthat Christianity equals the Bible,
however, they are not sure whatbook Buddhism should be identified
with. Japanese Buddhism has many
sects, so it is difficult to identify
only one central scripture, but I
believe “TTOB” could be that text.
Being a Japanese Buddhist priest
in Japan, I really appreciate theopportunities for being able to talkto people beyond my sect. “TTOB”
is like a universal language, and weeasily can talk about it. It provides
such a great opportunity to many3

people.
M : Your message can make ourday. We truly hope that “TTOB”
is able to serve as a “universal
language” in the Buddhist world!
However, we are worried about thedifficult situation that hotels andinns are experiencing due to thecontinuing COVID-19 pandemic in
the world.
U : You are right. It is a toughsituation, but I feel that the “guest
house” where I often speak is notaffected badly because it can berented as a whole house and guests
do not have to contact each otherafter checking in. I believe that thehouse is spacious enough for guests
to be able to relax.
M : That makes sense. The single
word “hotels” covers a lot, but wehave a variety of business venues.
W he n BDK or ig i nal ly st a r t ed
distributing “TTOB” a long timeago, hotels were the places that had
many guest rooms, so we were notable to come up with alternatives
besides hotels for distributing ourbooks. We appreciate that you
have expanded your efforts with adifferent point of view. However,does this project weigh heavily on
your shoulders, to be honest (with asmile)?
U : No, not at al l (w it h a big
sm ile)! I have on ly t al ked topeople with whom I already havea good relationship with. In mycase, I am able to make use of myworking experience at corporate
offices. Honestly speaking, it feels
like priests would be abandoning
the everyday world if they were
to concent rate only on theirt e mple s. T h roug h t hei r BDK
activities, priests are able to haveopportunities to talk to many people
outside of the temples in their own
local area and learn the conditionsof the modern world. It gives me

many chances to encounter new
people in my neighborhood.
In addition, we donate copies of
TTOB, and some people thin kthat “there is nothing scarier thansomething f ree.” T herefore, I
always explai n that we do not
require anything special in return
even though they receive the copies
for free (with big smile). In addition
to that, I tell my own story about
why I support the BDK activities,
and people finally feel relieved asthey receive the copies of TTOB.
M : I totally agree! When people
hear that TTOB is “a good book at
no cost,” they must be suspicious
about why they are free, and they
feel anxious about receiving thebook. However, once we explain
the background and rationale of ouractivities, people feel a relief as if
it were lubricant oil, which reduces
the f r iction bet ween BDK andhotels.
U : Owners of hotels find it hard
to choose only Buddhism for theirhotels because there are otherreligions in the world, and people
from many parts of the world visit
their hotels. Also, they are notconfident enough to identify as
Buddhists themselves, so it is hardto place TTOBs, especially at big
hotels in the first place.
M : You are right. However, wevery much appreciate learning why
hotel owners need our books ornot. From a long-term perspective,
it is good that we are able to heart hei r honest opi n ions becau se
the relationships between TTOB
volunteers and hotel owners must
be built on trust.

4

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−We really hope that the COVID-19
pandemic will be over soon. Could
you give us some message that canbe passed on to prospective priests
who are thinking about joining
BDK as a TTOB volunteer?
U : It is a wonderful opportunity
for priests to expand their range ofactivities outside of their temples
because they can acqui re new
poi nts of cont act with societ ythrough TTOB. It should be a great
beginning to learn how societyt h i n k s about temples, a nd forpriests to improve various skills ofcommunication.
M : We understand how difficult
it was when priests wanted to try
some activities outside of theirtemples but could not do anything
due to the COVID-19 situation. We
are grateful that TTOB volunteers
respect the connections they have intheir local areas.

U : Some of the people who workat hotels might be your own temple
followers. I believe that there wasnothing special we had to do, except
for the important matter of tailoringourselves to the circumstances ofeach region.
M : There are some regions inwhich BDK activities and TTOB
are not well known yet, but TTOB
volunteers give people in thoseareas a per fect oppor t u nit y tolearn what BDK does. We hopeto enlarge the ci rcle of TTOB
volunteers and communicate morewith people.
U : I do not think that choosing to
distribute TTOB is a disadvantage;
but some people do not want to
do that somehow. It is importantthat we understand each person’s
reasoning and accommodate themby selecting the right language forthem. It is an important matterfor them to be able to read in theirmother tongue. In addition to that,
we can tell people why we distribute
TTOBs and explain the importanceof BDK activities in our own words.
M : Thank you very much for yourcom ments. We hope that Rev.
Umino’s comments and advice will
persuade people to become a TTOB
volunteer in the near future.
We recorded the experiences ofRev. Umino as a TTOB volunteer
in the middle of the COVID-19
pandemic. The possibilities that
TTOB at hotels opens up for people
reconfirms what they really need.
For more information about“The Teaching of Buddha”
and other BDK publications,please visit our official
website at https://www.bdk.
or.jp

Rev. Shunko Umino
Deputy Chief Priest of Obaku-shu Horinji temple in Gunma prefectureManager of GLOCAL Co.
Work experiences at a few startups gave him ideas of utilizing shukubo andits surrounding areas. Developed the Customer Relationship Management(CRM) systems at GLOCAL Co. to connect with temples and people who
visit temples.

5

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021

BDK Publications

01
Activity“The Teaching of Buddha” – Update for 2021

TTOB in a guest room

Distribution of “The Teaching of
Buddha (TTOB)” in 2021 was still
very difficult due to the COVID-19
pandemic that began in 2020. We
had the Olympics in July in Tokyo,
however, the number of foreign
tourists who visited Japan in 2021
fell to 240,000, well below the4,110,000 people in 2020. Whilethe number of g uests at hotels
has decreased, we donated 3,813
copies of TTOB. We were able
to distribute the copies with thehelp of “TTOB Volunteer” priests
to new hotels and shukubo, hotels
managed by a temple. (For more
i n for mat ion about t he “ T TOB
Volunteer” program, please referto the interview section on page 2.)

6

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

Sarangkot Hotel in Nepal

BDK also donated some copies to
the Sarangkot Hotel in Nepal.
The number of copies donated to
Buddhist educational facilities
and nurseries dropped due to the
COV ID -19 pandemic, however

we still distributed 21,782 copies.
BDK is going to encourage theactive distribution of more copies of
TTOB inside as well as outside ofJapan.

02
Activity

Newly Published BDK Publications in 2021

Following last year’s publication of “Almsgiving: the Heart of Making Offerings” in the Six Paramitas series
of “The Signpost,” which is published annually, we published “Live Better Through the Precepts” in Juneof 2021. The book was written by Rev. Sogen Yamakawa from Rinzai-shu Myoshinji-ha, Rev. Kojun
Hayashida from Jodo-shu, and Rev. Mitsusei Shirakawa from Koyasan Shingon-shu, who carefully explain
the BDK “A Wise Teaching a Day” calendar from their different points of view.
For the English Tripiṭaka series, wehave published “The Mahayana Sutraof Previous Lives and Contemplationof the Mind-Ground,” which wastranslated into Chinese by Prajna in
the 9th century. We also published
two texts, “Analysis of the Middle
and Extremes,” and “The Scriptureon the Monk Nāgasena” in a single
volume. “Analysis of the Middle andExtremes,” was written by Maitreya,a master of the Yogachara school,
and was translated into Chinese by
Xuanzang.
“The Scripture on the Monk Nāgasena”
ex pla i n s t he debat e s b et we e n
Menander I, the king of Bactria,
and Nāgasena, a Buddhist priest.
BDK also published the Spanish

version of “Hajimeteno Bukkyo,
The Guide to Buddhism,” one of themost popular BDK publications. We

hope the Spanish version will be
successful in the Spanish-speaking
world such as Mexico, etc.

Launch of “Bonno, Desires– Sugoroku Board Game with the Illustrated Story of Shakyamuni”
Bu k k yo Dendo Kyokai ( BDK)
produced 2,000 copies of “Bonno,
D e si r e s – A Su go r ok u B o a r dGame with the Illustrated Storyof Shakyamuni” by using some
sections of the “Illustrated Story of
Shakyamuni,” which was painted
by the Japanese artist, Mr. Kosetsu
Nosu, and is owned by BDK, andparts of the “Colossal Buddha Wall
Paintings of Mulgangha kuti Vihar”
ow ned by Soto-shu Daihon zan
Eiheiji Temple. The game board is
printed on both sides with the backside being a reprinted version of“Jodo Sugoroku,” which was popularamong people in the Edo period
and is said to be the origin of the7

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021
sugoroku game with pictures.
From the front side, people will
be able to learn about the life of
Shak yamu ni and his st r uggles
with a variety of desires and his
final attainment of nirvana, whichis the goal of the game. The dicefor the “Reprinted Version of Jodo
Sugoroku” on the back-side are
not marked with the usual dotsfrom one to six. It has insteadt he si x let te r s of “ 南無 分身諸仏 NaMuBunShinShoButsu” that
directs moves to designated spots.

Pe o p l e s t a r t f r o m “ 南 閻 浮 洲Nanenbushu,” where humans live
and head toward “Hotoke/Butsu,
Buddha” as the goal.
How about learning about the lifeof Shak yamu ni by playing thesugoroku game?

The Dice for the "Reprinted Version of Jodo Sugoroku"

03
Activity“Let It Shine! Temple Bulletin Board Award 2021”

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) held the fourth annual “Let It Shine! Temple Bulletin Board Award” in 2021.
This award program continued to draw media attention, and we received a record-breaking 2,887 entries
sent in from July 1 to October 20, 2021.
T he g r a nd p r i z e for t he 2021
competition was “Hotoke-no Kaowa Nandodemo (Buddha forgives
you as many times as you wish).”It was f rom Sh i nshu Ot a n i-ha
Chogakuji Temple in Hiroshima
prefecture. The Japanese proverb,“Hotoke-no Kao-wa Sandomade(Buddha forgives you three times
for everything)” is quite popularamong all Japanese people, however
the one at Chogakuji indicates that
Buddha does not get mad at anyone

8

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−even after three times and it is amore suitable update for describing
the Buddha.
We selected three bulletin board
phrases for BDK prizes, and oneof these was “Okareta Basho de
Sakenaitok i wa Nigetemo Iiyo
Sakerutokoroe (You can always
leave the place you are not really
comfor t able with and move toanother where you are able toshine).” This was from Jodo-shu
Myokeiin Temple in Hiroshima

prefecture, and reflects the situationof people who are worried about
their current unwanted situations.

The Grand Prize Winner

04
Activity

The Sixth BDK Buddhist PictureBook Prize Competition

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) hosted the Sixth Buddhist Picture Book Prize
Competition co-sponsored by Suzuki Publications and supported by Mainichi
Newspaper, the Japan Buddhist Nursing Association and the National Youth
Indoctrination Council with the aim of promoting the “development of the hearts
and minds of children through reading.”
We r e c eive d 145 s u bm i s sion sfrom a wide range of age groups
for the 2021 competition. The
reason why we received so many
submissions in 2021 might be dueto the continued situation of the
COVID-19 pandemic from 2020.
Mr. Keisuke Nishimoto, a writer ofchildren’s literature, Mr. Tomohiko
Fujimoto, a picture book artist,
and Mr. Minoru Haga, chief editor
from Suzuki Publications, carefully
selected one work for the grandprize, three for outstanding awards,

05
Activity

and five for fine works.
The grand prize went to“Shirokuma-ga Kitazo! (The polar
bea r is com i ng!)” w r it ten a nd
drawn by Mr. Norio Yamakawa.
The story describes how everythinga f fe c t s a n d c o n n e c t s t o e a c hother by showing the humorous
communication between children
and a polar bear.
BDK awarded JPY 500,000 as theprize money to the winner andpublished the picture book in March
2022.

Mr. Norio Yamakawa"Shirokuma-ga Kitazo!"

The Eighth Annual Photography Competition for
the BDK Calendar “A Wise Teaching a Day”

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) hosted the eighth annual competition for the BDK Calendar, “A Wise
Teaching a Day”.” We received 2,791 submissions from 824 people, which was the highest record for two
years in a row.
We held a selection committee
meeting in September 2021 andthe committee members selected
32 phot o s . T h e c o m m it t e eawarded them with prize money
and certificates, and all of thosephotos can be viewed on our official
website.
Screening meeting

9BDK JAPANNEWS 2021
The Seventh Photo Exhibition of the BDK Calendar “A Wise Teaching aDay” at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Byodoin Temple, and Zuiganji Temple
The seventh exhibition was heldin three places in Japan: Tsukiji
Hongwanji Temple in Tokyo from
April 24 to June 13, 2021, Byodoin
Museum at Byodoin Temple in
Kyoto from June 25 to September 26,
2021, and the main hall at Zuiganji
Temple in Miyagi from October 8 toNovember 24, 2021.
We welcomed Mr. Mori Suzuki,

06
Activity

calligrapher, and he presented a big
calligraphy performance on August
6 t w ice, “ 泥中之 蓮 Deichu-no
Hasu, (The lotus in the mud)” in themorning and “雲外蒼天 Ungai Soten(Blue sky awaits beyond clouds)” in
the afternoon. 180,000 people visitedthe exhibitions at the three venues andenjoyed the photos and the quotations
expressing Buddhist teachings.

Exhibition at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

Providing the “Illustrated Story of Shakyamuni”
to the “Exhibition of the Kosetsu Nosu andBuddha Wall Paintings in Sarnath”“Mokunyo-no Kuyo (Sujātā’s Offering)” and “Nehan (Nirvana)” are two out of seven original pieces of the“Illustrated Story of Shakyamuni” painted by the Japanese artist, Mr. Kosetsu Nosu, which are owned by
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK). They were exhibited at the “Exhibition of the Kosetsu Nosu and Buddha
Wall Paintings in Sarnath” hosted by Nosu Kosetsu Gahaku Kensho-kai at the Embassy of India in Tokyo,
from July 16 to 23, 2021.
T h e r e we r e a r i b b o n - c u t t i n gceremony and a forum at the openingon July 16. Eighteen pieces of his
artwork were exhibited and showed
how the Buddha wall paintings inSarnath were restored.
It was a very precious opportunity
for BDK to exhibit the “Illustrated
Story of Shakyamuni” at such an
event with a variety of Mr. Nosu’s
artworks.
Fo r m o r e i nfo r mat i o n o rinquiries regarding the BDK
Publications, visit our official
website at https://www.bdk.or.jp

10

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−"Nirvana" left "Sujātā's Offering" rightFinancial Assistance andHonoring Recipients

01
Activity

BDK Fellowship Programs
BDK Fellowship for Foreign Scholars

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) has two scholarship programs in Japan; “BDK Fellowship for Foreign
Scholars” and “BDK Fellowship for Japanese Scholars” to support scholars who would like to study
Buddhism.
The BDK Fellowship was established to promote international cooperation and mutual understanding in
Buddhist studies, and it is intended to enable researchers to engage in research on Buddhism while inJapan. The BDK fellowship committee was established in 1991.

The 2023 BDK Fellowship
BDK had to stop accepting applications for the 2022 BDK Fellowship in 2021 due to the COVID-19
pandemic; however, in March, 2022 we resumed accepting applications for 2023, our 32nd BDK
Fellowship for Foreign Scholars.
For more information about the 2023 BDK Fellowship, visit our official website at https://www.bdk.or.jp

The 30th Annual Awardees for BDK Fellowship for Foreign Scholars Q&As
While some of our scholarship holders have not been able to come to Japan in 2021, one of them wasable to be in Japan and we asked some questions.

Name : Choten Dorji
Tenure : 2020/11/1 – 2021/10/31
Affiliation : Kyoto University
Academic Advisor : Prof. Izumi Miyazaki
Theme of Research : Annotated translation and study of Sārasamuccaya: A commentary on Skandhilā’s
Abhidharmāvatāra.

11

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021
1 ) What made you apply for the2020 BDK Fellowship?
It was in 2016 when I enrolled as a
Ph.D. student for Textual Studies
at Mahidol University in Thailand,
where I met a Japanese scholar,
Prof. Kengo Harimoto, who wasteaching in the same department. I
attended his class too. A little later,
after completing some course work,
I heard about the BDK Fellowshipfrom a fellow student, and in orderto learn more details, I asked Kengo
Sensei and he was kind enoughto share more information. I thenlearned when and how to apply.
He introduced me to one of theJapanese scholars who does work
related to the field of my study andlater became my Academic Advisor.
I was eventually motivated to apply
for the fellowship when he asked
me to list him as my reference andapply for the fellowship. So, thisis what inspired me to apply forthe 2020 BDK Fellowship and I am
honored to have been one of therecipients.
2 ) What is/are the best thing(s)about being a BDK Fellowshipholder and what do you think
about your future career?
T he b e s t t h i ng a b out b ei ng a
BDK Fellowship recipient is theopportunity to study with Japanesescholars in Japanese universities. I
was fortunate to be placed at Kyoto
University and had a wonderfulstay studying under the guidance ofProf. Izumi Miyazaki. Secondly,
being a BDK Fellowship holder, I
anticipate the chance of expanding

12

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

Rev. Choten Dorji (left) and Mr. Harumi Aoki (right)

my work with the BDK program in
the field of research, translation, andediting canonical texts. Throughthis, I will be able to express myappreciation by contributing to
the BDK program. Besides theseadvantages, I have already beenrecognized by monastic institutions
and organizations, and have evenbeen offered some positions in thefield of research and textual studies
which I will accept later at the righttime..
3 ) What did you like the mostabout life in Japan? (or anything
you were surprised about?)
Every foreigner is not able to live inand leave Japan without fascinating
and mesmerizing memories, and so
it was with me. It was my second

visit to Japan in 2020 and it was
one of the most memorable visits.
The residence I lived in was within
wa l k i ng d i st a nc e f r om Kyot oUniversity and I liked walking toand from the university, passing
the streets of Japanese houses built
in both traditional and moder nstyles. Every research student wasgiven access to a shared study roomfilled with many resources and thisenabled an efficient exchange ofknowledge and experiences among
multicultural students from different
countries. And more than anythingelse, what I cherished the most was
studying and reading texts with
Prof. Izumi Miyazaki in his office.
Also, I did not miss visiting some of
the most amazing historic temples
in Kyoto, including two Bhutanesetemples, one in Kyoto and the otherin Kagawa Prefecture.

02
Activity

We were unable to welcome therest of the 2020 BDK Fellowshipawardees and the 2021 scholars

due to the COVID-19 pandemic in
2021. Therefore, we would like tointroduce them in the next issue.

BDK Fellowship for Japanese Scholars

The BDK Fellowship for Japanese Scholars program was established in 2012 and aims to promoteinternational cooperation and mutual understanding in Buddhist studies. It is intended to enable Japanese
researchers to engage in research on Buddhism while in foreign countries.
Some of the 8th annual awardees were finally able to go abroad after a year of delay due to the COVID-19
pandemic. We asked two awardees who were able to complete their scholarship periods some questions
about their stay as a BDK Fellowship awardee.

The 8th Annual Awardee for BDK Fellowship for Japanese Scholars Q&As
Name : Dr. Miyuki Ishimura (nee Nakasuka)
Tenure : 2020/04/01~2020/09/30, 2021/04/01~2021/09/30
Affiliation : Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for the Cultural and Intellectual History of Asia
Academic Advisor : Prof. Dr. Birgit Kellner
Theme of Research : A Study of the Intellectual History of Apoha Theory in the Buddhist Logicoepistemological Tradition
1 ) What made you apply for the2020 BDK Fellowship?
I had long wanted to gain experienceat a foreign research institute, so I
applied for this fellowship program.
The Institute for the Cultural andIntellectual History of Asia at theAustrian Academy of Sciences,which I decided to affiliate with, is
an important scholarly center forthe study of Buddhist epistemology
and logic, and I had hoped to do myresearch there.
2 ) What is/are the best thing(s)Dr. Cristina Pecchia, Dr. Patrick McAllister, and Dr. Miyuki Ishimura (from left to right)

13

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021
about being a BDK Fellowshipholder and what do you think
about your future career?
It is good for me to have had theopportunity to participate in theinstitute's ongoing research projecton Jinendrabuddhi's commentaryon the fifth chapter (Apoha Chapter)of Dignāga's Pramāṇasamuccaya,
a nd to read t he u npublishedcritical edition of Jinendrabuddhi's
Sanskrit text. Moreover, as a resultof this st udy abroad, I had theopportunity to study in Vienna

for fou r years with a research
grant from the Austrian Science
Fund (FWF). After receiving my
doctoral degree, I had no prospectof joining a research institute, but
this opportunity to study abroad
has opened the door to my future asa researcher. I am very grateful tothis fellowship program.
3 ) What did you like the mosta b o u t l i fe i n a c o un t r y yo u
stayed? (or anything you were
surprised about?)

During my stay, due to the Covid-19
pa nde m ic, I d id not com mut eto the institute but did researchat my apartment and did not do
any sightseeing at all. My only
pleasure was to buy fresh fruits
and vegetables at the street markets
nearby. The most surprising thing I
found while living in Vienna is thatthe tap water is spring water fromthe Alps. I was shocked to realizethat there is such a country where
you turn on the faucet and mineralwater comes out.

Name : Yuki Kyogoku
Tenure : 2021/11/01 – 2022/01/31
Affiliation : École Pratique des Hautes Études, France
Academic Advisor : Prof. Vincent Eltschinger
Theme of Research : Study of Dharmakīrti’s Apoha Theory in the Pratyakṣa of the Pramāṇavārttika
1 ) What made you apply for the2020 BDK Fellowship?
I ap pl ie d for t h is schola r sh ip
at the suggestion of a Japanese
professor.
2 ) What is/are the best thing(s)about being a BDK Fellowshipholder and what do you think
about your future career?
F i r s t l y, w i t h r e g a r d t o m ydissertation, I received fantastic
suggestions from my supervisor.
Secondly, I had a chance to talkabout research topics that I would
like to do in the future. Part of theoutcomes from this time will be
published in the appendix of thebook being issued by my supervisor.
I will restrict the planned range ofmy dissertation in order to finish it

14

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−as soon as possible.

the city center.

3 ) What did you like the mosta b o u t l i fe i n a c o un t r y yo u
stayed? (or anything you were
surprised about?)
There are a lot of attractive cafes at

The 2021 BDK Fellowship awardee
was unable to go abroad due tothe COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
Therefore, we would like to introduce
the scholar in the next issue.

Mr. Yuki Kyogoku (left) and Prof. Vincent Eltschinger (right)

03
Activity

The 55th BDK Cultural Awards Ceremony
on October 14, 2021 at the Bukkyo Dendo
Center Building

The 55th BDK Cultural Awards, Bunka-sho ceremony and banquet were held on October 14, 2021 at the
Bukkyo Dendo Center Building.

Rev. Shucho Takaoka (third from the left) and Rev. Ichijo Ogawa (third from the right)

Rev. Dr. Ichijo Ogawa, the Bunkasho winner, contributed to researchon Indian Mahayana Buddhism andthe Buddhist Path of Nagarjuna,wh ich wa s le a r ne d by Ma st e r
Shinran.
He expressed his appreciation to his
mentor, Dr. Susumu Yamaguchi,
and said in his speech, “I always
wished to teach as many people
as possible so t hat t hey could
encounter the teachings of Buddha,
but I was the one who kept walking

through my life and encountered
the teachings of Buddha.”
Rev. Shucho Takaoka, the Numata
Shorei-sho winner, accepted people
from all over the world at his temple
with the philosophy of “living
together” and contributed to thepreservation of Sanskrit books in
Nepal and rituals associated with
cultural properties. He ended his
speech by saying that “meeting
many people in Asian countries
such as Nepal made me who I am

today. I would like to blaze a newpath to the future without forgetting
to feel gratitude.”Rev. Ogawa

15

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021

04
Activity

BDK Financial Assistance Programs

BDK supports individuals and groups that agree with the purpose of our non-profit activities and contributeto the promotion of Buddhism and its culture with high quality public programs.
For 2021, we received 18 applications and the BDK Financial Assistance Committee selected 12 groups and granted
them financial assistance as listed below.
For more information about BDK financial assistance programs, visit our official website at https://www.bdk.or.jp/bdk/jyosei/jyoseikin.html
A. Support for Groups

Name of GroupThe Japanese Association ofIndian Studies
NPO Kamakura Terakoya“Freestyle Monks”

Project

International academic and cultural exchanges through digital correspondence
Promotion of temple communities through volunteer activities by universities, temples, local
government, and individuals
Publication of free magazine, “Freestyle Monks” and website, and holding related events

B. Support for Projects: B-1 Buddhist Spiritual/Cultural and Humanitarian Activities

Name of Group

Project

Public Interest Incorporated
Foundation Zenkoku Kyokaishi
Renmei (Japan Buddhist Chaplain
Union)

Training/education of Buddhist chaplains

H1HOUWA Grand Prix Executive
Committee

2021 H1 HOUWA Grand Prix

Shimane Buddhist Federation

The 45th All Japan Buddhist Conference in Shimane

General Incorporated Association Publication of free Buddhist magazine, “Wagense”
Gamon
Certified Childcare Psychologist Course
Public Interest Incorporated
Association Otani Childcare
Association
B. Support for Projects: B-2 Promotions of Buddhist Academic Learning

Name of Group

Project

2021 research investigation
Public Interest Incorporated
Foundation the Nakamura Hajime
Eastern InstituteWorkshops co-hosted by four institutes in Japan and Germany “Concepts of Buddhism andPublic Interest Incorporated
Foundation Japanisch-Deutsches Christianity” (Did not subsidize due to the suspension of the project)
Kulturinstitute2021 Special Exhibition “Deities in Asia”

Ryukoku Museum

B. Support for Projects: B-3 Protections o Buddhist Cultural Properties

Name of Group

Project

Conservation Science Laboratory, Training/education of people who protect and preserve Buddhist Sculpture cultural properties
Graduate School of Conservation, through research, restoration and engraving of letters in order to print on paper
Tokyo University of the Arts16

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−Buddhist Lectures and Seminars

01
Activity

BDK Online Station: “Weekly Dharma Talks”

Rev. Makoto Hida

Rev. Gihan Unno

Rev. Kojun Shimizutani

Rev. Junkyo Narita

Rev. Shunsho MatsuuraRev. Eisho Kanda

We started broadcasting “Weekly
Dharma Talks” via Zoom in January
2021 as one of the basic ways ofproviding more opportunities foreveryone to become familiar with
Buddhist teachings. The BDK
Online Station “Weekly Dharma
Talks” provide live dharma talks
on Zoom every Wednesday with amonthly theme for 20 minutes from
6 pm. We broadcasted for a totalof 50 times by the end of January
2022. The previous talks are alsoavailable on our official YouTube
page and counted 2,000 views at
most.
We are continuing “Weekly Dharma
Talks” in 2022.

Comments from Viewers＊ I would like to make “listening todharma talks” a part of my daily life.
＊ Listening to dharma talks once aweek will be the food for my life.
＊ 30 minutes can be perfect to focus.
＊ I really appreciate the opportunities
to listen to dharma talks by somepriests who live far away.
＊ It was relaxing to listen to dharmatalks online without complicatedthinking.
For more information about
the 2021 lecturers and the 2022
schedule, visit ou r off icial
website at https://www.bdk.or.jp

Themes ofthe 2021 Fiscal Year
April

Family

May

Time

June

Love Affair

JulySportsAugustWelfareSeptemberAnimals

October

Education

November

Arts

December

Genders

January

Money

February

Work style

March

Friendship17

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021

02

The Weekly Radio Program “WARAIMESHITETSUO’s Saturday★Night Buddhism”
Themes of

Activitythe 2021 Fiscal Year
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) started a weekly radio program in June 2018, and it was the fourth year for
FamilyApril the attractions
us to shareof Buddhism with people.
TimeMay
The program is broadcast for 15
Love Affair
Juneminutes from 12:15 am to 12:30
Julyam, andwas started inSports
2020. For
2021,August
we welcomed Welfare
priests andcelebrities
asmonthly
guests.
Animals The
Septembercommunication between celebrities
Education
OctoberNovember

Arts

December

Genders

January

Money

February

Work style

March

Friendshipwas friendly and presented diverse
perspectives of Buddhism, while thepriests introduced deeper aspects of
Buddhism.
The total number of Podcasts wasover 2 million. The fans of theRev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu (left) and Mr. TETSUO (right)

program are gradually increasing,and it provides great opportunities
for people who do not have much ofa chance to learn about and become
familiar with Buddhism.

Rev. Ryojun Shionuma (left) and Mr. TETSUO (right)

Guests of the 2021 Fiscal Year (Names listed without honorifics)

18

April

Yoshiharu Tomatsu (Jodo-shu priest, President of the Japan Buddhist Federation)May

So Takei (TV personality, former track and field athlete)

June

Etsuko Karatani (Jodoshin-shu priest)

July

Dai Tamesue (former track and field athlete, sport commentator)

AugustRyojun Shionuma(Kinpusan Shugenhon-shu priest, Acharya head priest of Fukujusan Jiganji Temple)

September

Kazutoyo Koyabu (Comedian, comedy actor)

October

Yonin Koike(Shingon-shu Sumadera-ha priest, deputy head priest of Sumadera Temple)

November

SANKYU TATSUO (Comedian, linguist of Japanese)

December

Kobo Inoue (Jodo-shu priest, head priest of Korinji Temple)

January

SUEHIROGARIZU (Comedy duo)

February

Myosei Midorikawa (Tendai-shu priest)

March

Mitsuru Kuramoto (TV script writer, lyricist, composer)

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

Lectures in 2021 (Names listed without honorifics)

03
Activity

The 2020 “Toshihide Numata Book Award in
Buddhism” Commemorative Lecture Online on
February 8, 2022

The “Toshihde Numata Book Award in Buddhism” supports the advancement of Buddhist studies in thewestern world. Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) established the award, which is administered by the Center
for Buddhist Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. The winning entry for the best academic
Buddhist title written in English of the year is selected by an independent committee every year.

The 2020 winning title is “Mind
Seeing Mind: Mahāmud rā andthe Geluk Tradition of Tibetan
Buddhism,” and the author, Prof.

04
Activity

Roger Jackson of Carleton College,
gave an online lecture on February
8, 2022 with the help of the cohost, the Research Center for World
Buddhist Cult ures of Ry ukok u
University.
“Mind Seeing Mind: Mahāmudrāa n d t h e G e l u k Tr a d i t i o n o f
Tibetan Buddhism” is the result ofresearch on Mahāmudrā in Tibetan
Buddhism of the Geluk tradition.
T h e c o m m it t e e o r g a n i z e d by
the Center for Buddhist Studies,
University of California, Berkeley
evaluated the book as being central
to the studies on the history andphilosophy of Kagyu and Geluk
Tibetan Buddhism.
P r of. Ja ck s on me nt ione d t h at
his research on the theme of the“complication and the simplicity ofexistence” even has implications forthe natural and social sciences.
For more information about
the “Toshihide Numata Book
Award in Buddhism” and its
previous awardees, visit our
official website at https://www.
bdk.or.jp.
The online lect ure by Prof.
Jackson can be viewed on theYouTube page of the ResearchCenter for World Budd h ist
Cultures of Ryukoku University
at https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=PaviI7JVgiU

More Familiarity with Buddhism

Bulletin Board
Bu k k yo Dendo Kyokai ( BDK)
installed a new bulletin board at
the entrance to the BDK Center
Building in 2019.

We sele ct ph r a se s f rom ma ny
sources, including our best-selling
book, “The Teaching of Buddha(TTOB),” and some quotations
f rom Japa nese celebr it ies a nd

historical figures. We also post
announcements about BDK hosted
events and lectures.
We hope people will become a little
more familiar with Buddhism and19

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021
we post pictures of them on our
official SNS pages. Please checkour previous posts, too.
Capsule Toy Vending Machine
BDK installed a vending machine
featuring capsule toy Buddhist
statues with commentary leaflets on
the first floor of the Bukkyo Dendo
Center Building in 2018. T heleaflets have information about each
Buddhist statue and its affiliatedtemples, and visitors to the building
enjoy them. We currently have inplace four vending machines and05
Activitychange one of them every month.
In addition to that, we change
the messages on the white board
monthly as well, so we hope people
will not miss that either.

Bulletin Board

Capsule Toy Vending Machine

Studying “The Teaching of Buddha (TTOB)” forBusiness/Daily LifeOne of the missions of Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) is to “support programs that advance the Buddhist
spirit and its culture.” Seminars and lectures geared toward specific and general interests are sponsoredthroughout the year. The one with the longest history is ‘Studying “TTOB” for Business,’ which began in
1981.
This lecture series was establishedmainly for business people whowant to acquire some backgroundknowledge about Buddhism to help
them operate and manage theirbusinesses with opportunities tolearn about the spirit of compassion
and the wisdom of Buddhism.
Fo r 2 0 21, we welc o m e d R e v.
Makoto Ichiraku, Chancellor of
Otani University, and Rev. Koji
C h i b a , C h a n c el lo r of Tohok u
Fukushi University, and hosted amonthly lecture on every fourth
Friday at 6 pm.
Lectures for ‘Studying “TTOB”
for Daily Life’ also has a long

20

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−Studying TTOB for Daily Life (Rev. Hogen Natori)

history and began a year after theestablishment of ‘Studying “TTOB”
fo r B u s i n e s s’ i n 19 8 2 . T h i smonthly lecture shares the dharma
with participants who learn how tolive their daily lives with the spirit

May

Time

June

Love Affair

JulySportsAugustWelfareSeptemberAnimals

October

Education

November

Arts

Genders
Decemberof Buddha through reading TTOB.
Money
January
The lectures are held in a relaxedWork style
February
atmosphere during the day. For
Friendship
2021, March
the lectures weredelivered by
Rev. Hogen Natori, head priest of

06
Activity

April
May

Mitsuzoin Temple, and Rev. Hisao
Mayeda, Associate Professor ofMusashino University. We hosted
a monthly lecture on every fourth
Tuesday at 1:30 pm.

We began broadcasting the live
classes online for 2021 so thatpeople were able to attend whenever
and wherever they like.

Elementary Course of Buddhist Lectures on
Guests of the 2021
Fiscal Year (Names
listed without honorifics)“Japanese
Buddhism– Learningfrom Scratch” –Yoshiharu Tomatsu(Jodo-shu priest, President of the Japan Buddhist Federation)
Updatefor 2021
So Takei (TV personality, former track and field athlete)

EtsukoKaratani (Jodoshin-shu priest)
June Classes
Broadcasting
OnlineThe Elementary
Courseof
Buddhist
Dai Tamesue (former track and field athlete, sport commentator)
Julylectures on “Japanese Buddhism –Ryojun Shionuma
Learningfrom Scratch” is one of theAugust(Kinpusan Shugenhon-shu priest, Acharya head priest of Fukujusan Jiganji Temple)
most popular educational courses
Kazutoyo
Koyabu (Comedian, comedy actor)
Septemberabout
the teachingsand histories
Yonin Koikeof each Japanese Buddhist
schoolOctober(Shingon-shu
and the lives of their founders. WeSumadera-ha priest, deputy head priest of Sumadera Temple)
hadNovember
to cancel all theSANKYU
classes inTATSUO
2020(Comedian, linguist of Japanese)
dueDecember
to the COVID-19
pandemicbut
Kobo Inoue (Jodo-shu priest, head priest of Korinji Temple)
we held the classes in-person and
SUEHIROGARIZU (Comedy duo)
January
online via Zoom Webinar in 2021.
Rev. Kenshin Yamaguchi(Tendai-shu priest)
The February
lectures were Myosei
about theMidorikawa
basicsbeliefs.
of eachJapanese Buddhist
school (TVMitsuru Kuramoto
script writer, lyricist, composer) first time this year, therefore people
March
The series of lectures was held
who live far from the BDK Centerwith dharma talks that included
online as well as in-person for the
Building in Tokyo were able toeach lecturer’s own experience andLectures in 2021 (Names listed without honorifics)
Month

Theme

Lecturer

April

Tendai Shu Founder Saicho

Gyodai Kiuchi, Distinguished Associate Professorof Taisho University

May

Shingon Shu Founder Kukai

Hogen Natori, Head priest of Mitsuzoin Temple

June

Jodo Shu Founder Honen

Kojun Hayashida, Professor of Taisho University

July

Jodoshin Shu Founder Shinran Kenjun Inoue, Associate Professor of Ryukoku University

September Nichiren Shu Founder Nichiren

Kenshin Yamaguchi, Gakkan Nichiren shu Ikegami
Honmonji Temple

October

Rinzai Shu Founder Eisai

Ryugyo Matsumoto, Head priest of Nomanji Temple

November

Soto Shu Founder Dogen

Shoyo Yoshimura, Deputy Head Priest of Fumonji Temple

Lectures in 2021(Names listed without Honorifics)

21

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021
attend the classes.
Comments from Participants＊ The venue is too far, but online
classes made it possible for me toattend the classes from home.
＊ I truly enjoyed the knowledgeable,
entertaining classes f illed withlaughter. It was easy to understandbecause the lecturer explained withpersonal experiences.
＊ The classes were fantastic withwell-prepared handouts and beautiful
pictures.
＊ I was able to understand deeply

Rev. Ryugyo Matsumoto

because of the lectures that had
unique perspectives that cannot be

experienced by reading an ordinarybook.

Special Lecture: The Heart Sutra in Japanese Buddhism at Bukkyo Dendo
Center Building on February 26, 2022
From Beginner to Intermediate
LevelsAs we had the special lect ure,“Comparison between Namu Amida
Butsu and Namu Myōhō RengeKyō” by Prof. Satoshi Hiraoka, in
2019, we hosted another special
version of “Japanese Buddhism– Learning from Scratch” again
i n 2 0 21 a n d w e l c o m e d P r of .
Shogo Watanabe as a lecturer andhighlighted the “Heart Sutra” withthe presentation, “The Heart Sutra
in Japanese Buddhism” in-person
and online.
We started off with an explanationof t he Hea r t Sut ra a nd t hecommentaries from each era after
the teachings of Buddha reachedJapan. He also introduced “TheHeart Sutra with Pictures,” which
was popular among people who
were not able to read at the time

22

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

Prof. Shogo Watanabea nd explai ned it f rom va r ious
perspectives.
Comments from Participants＊ The “Heart Sutra” is supposed tobe difficult to understand, however,Prof. Watanabe explained how it was
accepted by ordinary people and still
exists in our modern world.

＊ It was interesting how the “Heart
Sutra” played an important role not
only in Japan but also in China,
Southeast Asian countries and Tibet.
＊ I was able to understand theacademic content of the “Heart
Sutra,” as well as what made people
believe in it and how they continue
to this day.

07
Activity“Buddhism Through English (BTE)”– Update for 2021

BTE in Tokyo online

BTE in Tokyo – Online Classes
The program of Buddhism ThroughEnglish (BTE) originally began in
2011, and Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai(BDK) renewed the program in2016 to teach people how to explain
to tourists from all over the world
Buddhism in English. We welcomed
Dr. Ken neth Tanaka, emer it us
professor of Musashino University
and Ms. Carrie Tanaka, English
Phonetics Specialist, as the lecturers.
30 of 79 participants passed at level
3 and 23 out of 27 passed at level 2.
BDK issued “Buddhist English
Tour-guide” certificates to four
people who passed at level 2 andrecommended them to Jodo Shinshu
Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple and Jodoshu Zojoji Temple in Tokyo.

For 2022, we only opened the level2 classes for people who passed
level 3 in 2021. We are planning to
renew the entire program in 2023
to prepare more people to be able toexplain Buddhism in English.
BTE in Yamaguchi Prefecture,“Otera de Eigo, Learning English
at a Temple”
BDK hosted the lectures, “Otera deEigo, Learning English at a Temple,”to provide more opportunities foreveryone to learn “The Teaching of
Buddha (TTOB)” in English for the
first time in Yamaguchi prefecture.
Ten people attended.
Rev. Shojun Ogi, head priest of Jodo
Shinshu Choshoji Temple, offered six
lectures with the themes of 1) Life of

BTE in Yamaguchi (Rev. Shojun Ogi)

Buddha, 2) Enlightenment of BuddhaI, 3) Enlightenment of Buddha II, 4)
Acceptance of Desires, 5) Words of
Buddha, and 6) The Last Teaching.
Readings were from the English/
Japanese version of “TTOB.”
Par ticipants com mented at thelast lecture that “it was easier tounderstand in English than using
difficult/specific terms in Japanese,” “I
was able to learn Buddhism easily byreading “TTOB” for the first time.”

23

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021

08
Activity“Buddhist Yoga” at Bukkyo Dendo Center
Building – Update for 2021

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) hosted “Buddhist Yoga” in-person and online with thorough countermeasures
to ensure health and safely in 2021.

Rev. Ryoyu Konishi

We welcomed Rev. Ryoyu Konishi,
also known as Momo, who is a
Koyasan Shingon-shu priest, toconduct monthly classes consisting24

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−of 60-minutes of yoga, 10-minutesof dharma talks, and 20-minutes of
meditation.
The theme for the yoga classes
each month was the passing of theseasons. For instance, we had aclass focus on poses for easing thetiredness and sleepiness due toseasonal allergies in spring, on the
day before “Risshun, the first day ofspring.”
The instructor, who trained at ameditation center in Myanmar,
mainly teaches Vipassana

meditation, one of the oldest waysof meditation in India. This styleof meditation was said to have beenrediscovered by Buddha and it eases
anxiety and frustration by focusing
on somet h i ng to be exa m i ned
carefully and by looking at things
as they are.
Participants are able to experience
the connection to Buddhism as theyencounter their bodies and mind bypracticing yoga and meditation in
their daily life.

Guests of the 2021 Fiscal Year (Names listed without honorifics)
April

Yoshiharu Tomatsu (Jodo-shu priest, President of the Japan Buddhist Federation)May

So Takei (TV personality, former track and field athlete)

June

Etsuko Karatani (Jodoshin-shu priest)

July

Dai Tamesue (former track and field athlete, sport commentator)

AugustRyojun Shionuma(Kinpusan Shugenhon-shu priest, Acharya head priest of Fukujusan Jiganji Temple)

09“Learningin the World Part II”
Kazutoyo KoyabuAbout(Comedian,Buddhism
comedy actor)
Koike
atYonin
BukkyoDendo Center Building
October

September

Activity(Shingon-shu Sumadera-ha priest, deputy head priest of Sumadera Temple)

Focusing
Featuresthe latest
about the Spread of
SANKYUTATSUOand(Comedian,linguist of Findings
Japanese)
November on
Inoue (Jodo-shu
December inKobo
BuddhismSoutheast
Asia priest, head priest of Korinji Temple)
January

SUEHIROGARIZU (Comedy duo)

February

Myosei Midorikawa (Tendai-shu priest)

March

Mitsuru Kuramoto (TV script writer, lyricist, composer)

Lectures in 2021 (Names listed without honorifics)
Month
April
Prof. Hidetake Yano

Theme

Lecturer

Tendai Shu Founder Saicho

Gyodai Kiuchi, Distinguished Associate Professorof Taisho University

Prof. Toshiaki Kimura

Prof. Ryosuke Kuramoto

Hogen Natori, Head priest of Mitsuzoin Temple
May
Shingon Shu Founder Kukai
We had to cancel the classes forin the Part I classes in 2019, and wewere people who were not living
Kojun Hayashida, Professor of Taisho University
June
Jodo Shu Founder Honen
Part II that were originally planned
put a spotlight on Buddhism thatin the Tokyo area. We were able
July
Jodoshin Shu Founder Shinran Kenjun Inoue, Associate Professor of Ryukoku University
for 2020 due to the COVID-19
spread to southeast Asia in Part II
to provide an opportunity for more
Kenshin
Yamaguchi,
GakkanNichirenpandemic;
however,we were2021. Participants really enjoyedpeoplewho shud id Ikegami
not have easy
September
NichirenShufinallyFounder in
Nichiren
HonmonjiTempleable to have seven lect ures inthe lectures based on the lecturers’
access to the BDK Center Building,personand online
in 2021.
own experiences
the latest
broadcasting
onlinewas a great
Ryugyo andMatsumoto,
Headandpriestof Nomanji
TempleOctober
RinzaiShu Founder Eisai
We
focused on
Buddhismthat Dogenachievementsof regional
research.
Shoyo
Yoshimura,
Deputysuccess.
Head Priest of Fumonji Temple
November
Soto
Shu Founder
spread from India to northern Asia
Most of the participants online
Lectures in 2021(Names listed without Honorifics)
Country

Lecturer

DateThailandHidetake Yano, Professor of Komazawa University

April 22

Laos

Yosei Ikegami, Professor of Minobusan University

May 27

Cambodia

Satoru Kobayashi, Professor of Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University June 17

Indonesia

Toshiaki Kimura, Professor of Tohoku University

July 29

Vietnam

Kosei Ishii, Emeritus Professor of Komazawa University

August 26

MyanmarRyosuke Kuramoto, Associate Professor of Institute for Advanced
Studies on Asia, the University of Tokyo

September 16

Malaysia

Yun Huang, Associate Professor of Shokei University

October 28

For more information about BDK lectures and seminars, please visit our official website at https://www.bdk.or.jp/english/

25

BDK JAPANNEWS 2021

10
Activity

2021 BDK Symposium

Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) invited a variety of accomplished people as our lecturers, and sponsored
events for the 2021 BDK Symposium as described below.

The 25th BDK Symposium
Theme: “What Is Going to Happen to Buddhism? – How It Should be for the Post COVID World”
Place: Bukkyo Dendo Center Building and online
Date: September 13, 2021
BDK welcomed Rev. Hidenor i
Ukai, journalist and head priest
of Jodo -shu Shogak uji Temple
in Kyoto, and Mr. Hideo Usui,president of Jiin Design Co., Ltd.
for the 25th Symposium, “What isgoing to happen to Buddhism?”Rev. Ukai talked about the “Present
and Future of Temples” and Mr.
Usui gave a lecture on the “Future
Role of Temples.” Rev. Ukai usedvarious research data to explain
how temples have changed due tothe COVID-19 pandemic, and told
the participants about the futureof temples including the “digitaltransformation of temples” andRev. Hidenori Ukai (left) and Mr. Hideo Usui (right)

the “disappearance of meaninglesstemples.” On the other hand, Mr.
Usui used research results to showwhat people thought about temples
and Buddhist rituals during the
pandemic, and talked about theactual situation of how temples

have not responded to the wishes ofpeople who want to rely on temples.
At the end of their talks, they cameto the conclusion that temples need
to be closer to people’s thinking andneed to update their understandingof rituals.

The 26th BDK Symposium
Theme: “Let’s Talk about Religion 2021 – The Direction of Post COVID Religion”
Place: Bukkyo Dendo Center Building and online
Date: November 6, 2021
BDK held this symposium to consider what religions can do for society and how people might be able
to live without strife, as social problems such as disparity and conflicts clearly appeared due to thepandemic.
We hosted the 26th BDK Symposium,“Let’s Talk about Religion 2021 – The

26

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

Direction of Post COVID Religion”
online and on-site with thoroughhealth measures being observed
since we were still in the middle ofRev. Gakugen Yoshimizu, Ms. Randy Taguchi, and Rev. Tomoshi Okuda (from left to right)

the pandemic, and welcomed threepanelists: Rev. Tomoshi Okuda, who
is a pastor of Higashiyahata Baptist
Church and president of Hoboku
N PO Cor por at ion; Ms. R a ndy
Taguchi, writer who focusses on
various social problems; and Rev.
Gakugen Yoshimizu, deputy headpriest of Jodo-shu Koshoji Temple,
who established the “Hitosaji no Kai”
that prepares meals for homelesspeople and supports the funerals of
people who have no family.
Rev. Okuda addressed the themeof “chu rches con necting to all
lives and serving all lives,” Ms.

Taguchi spoke about “the forms ofbelief without religions,” and Rev.
Yoshimizu dealt with “community
service from Buddhist perspectives.”
They discussed the possibilities andcontradictions of traditional religions,exchanged ideas with each other, andpresented future forecasts of religions.

The 27th BDK Symposium
Theme: “Thinking about Fragmentation and Harmony in Modern Society”
Place: Bukkyo Dendo Center Building and online
Date: March 5, 2022
What can be the messages from historical figures to the modern world? We hosted at lecture by Prof.
Shigeki Moro of Hanazono University, who wrote the widely discussed book, “Saicho and Tokuitsu, The
Greatest Battle in Buddhist History (Iwanami Shinsho)” released in October 2021.

Prof. Shigeki Moro

Prof. Moro pointed out dialogues
that indicate the fragmentation ofsociety and surveillance capitalism
in the modern world.
For the first half, he commented that
the Saicho-Tokuitsu debate was notwhat we think it was and explained
what they discussed and why Master
Saicho wrote “Disputed History.”
For the second half, Prof. Moro talked

about how people can harmonize
with each other in surveillance
capitalism in the modern world,based on what he said in the first half.
He also indicated that people canchange themselves without harmony
and the important tool for that is a‘dialogue.” People should understandthe etiquette of dialogue and how it
aims for coexistence.

※You may find the information about previous BDK symposiums and see our future schedule on our
official website at https://www.bdk.or.jp.

27

Take a BreakIntroducing BDK SNS Pages (total from both Facebook and Instagram)
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) has oﬃcial SNS pages on such sites as Facebook andInstagram, and we introduce our activities and announce events and lectures. We
currently have about 2,400 followers on Facebook and 1,000 followers on Instagram,
and we are gradually improving our pages. We uploaded many posts in the 2021
ﬁscal year and would like to introduce the most popular posts of the year.

● January 5, 2022

245 likes / 2089 reaches

Saturday★Night Buddhism‒ Episode on January 1, 2022
The most popular of all the

Saturday★Night Buddhism

posts was the episode in which we welcomed Suehirogarizu, apopular Japanese comedian duo. Their fans shared our post on
their pages of SNS.

● August 16, 2021

165 likes / 4,995 reaches

Worldly Desires: Sugoroku, a Japanese board
game with the Illustrated Story of Shakyamuni,
a reprinted version of the Jodo Pure land Sugoroku.
The post about our Sugoroku board game was the mostpopular in 2021. It was shared by many people, and some ofthem actually purchased the game.

● April 13, 2021

247 likes / 2,645 reaches

The Word of the Week ‒Those who are not satisfied makenoises, but those who are satisfied are silent. By Shakyamuni
We introduced some wise sayings by celebrities every week on
our bulletin board at the BDK Center Building and the above postearned the mostLikes

in 2021. The words of Shakyamuni

have the power to reach into the hearts of many people.

28

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

ɂ
ȻɡȽ
ə
Ɍɂ࢑

Obituary: His Eminence Rev. Taiho Fukuyama,
7th BDK President
His Eminence Zen Master Rev. Taiho Fukuyama, who was our 7th President and the 79th Head
Priest of Soto-shu Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple named Jiko Gentoku Zenji / Zetsugaku Taiho Daiosho,
passed away at the age of 90 on September 10, 2021.

現代人のための仏教ヨガ＋瞑想のすすめ

Calligraphy on a hanging scroll in the BDK chairperson's officeFormal funeral at Eiheiji Temple-600 people attended

Rev. Fukuyama served as a headpr ie st of Myogonji Te mple i n
Toyokawa city, Aichi prefecture;
the Kancho, head priest of Sotoshu; and the Kanshu, head priest
of Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple. He
contributed to the promotion of the
Soto sect and Buddhism, and taught
many people in the world.
He took the position of our director
i n 1995 a nd succe e de d t o t heposition of president in 2008, thenhonorary chairperson for two years
from 2013. He truly contributed
to improving our organization fornearly two decades.
Rev. Seikoh-Kiyotaka Kimura, ourcurrent chairperson, attended his

Rev. Seikoh Kimura, BDK Chairperson expresses his
condolences

formal funeral at Eiheiji Temple on
December 16, 2021 and expressed
his condolences.
Rev. Kimura remembered the warm
personality of Rev. Fukuyama anddelivered his memorial address byintroducing his calligraphy on a
hanging scroll, “一華開五葉 Ikka
Goyo wo Hiraku, “one successful
experience leads to another,” whichstill hangs in the chair person’s
office. The words encourage us
to continue to make efforts for the
benefit of the public. Rev. Kimuraalso expressed his deep appreciation
to what he has done for BDK.
All of our BDK directors and staff
members express our appreciation

once again and offer our sincere
condolences to the family of Rev.
Fukuyama.
With Gassho,
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK)Society for the Promotion of Buddhism

29

BDK Affiliated
Organization Activities
BDK AMERICABDK ASIABDK CANADABDK EUROPE

BDK TAIWANBDK HAWAIIBDK MEXICOBDK SOUTH AMERICA30BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−BDK UKBDK POLAND

BDK Affiliated Organization Activities
World Map & Contact Information
BDK EUROPE

1

EKO-Haus der Japanischen Kultur e.V.
Brüggener Weg 6, 40547 Düsseldorf, GERMANY
Tel: +49(211)577918-0 Fax: +49(211)577918-219
E-mail: bdk@eko-hause.de
http://www.eko-haus.de2

c/o Mitutoyo(UK)Ltd. Joule Road, West Point
Business Park, Andover, Hampshire SP10 3UX U.K.
Tel: +44 1264-353123 Fax: +44 1264-354883
E-mail: BDK.UK@mitutoyo.co.uk

BDK POLAND

BDK AMERICA

5

1675 School Street,
Moraga, CA 94556 U.S.A.
Tel: +1(925)388-0067 Fax: +1(925)388-0331
http://www.bdkamerica.org

3

c/o Mitutoyo Polska Sp.z o.o.
ul. Graniczna 8A 54-610 Wroclaw, POLAND
Tel: +48(71)354 83 50 Fax: +48(71)354 83 55

14

c/o Mitutoyo Canada Inc. 2121 Meadowvale Blvd.
Mississauga, ON, CANADA L5N 5N1
Tel: +1(905)821-6202 Fax: +1(905)821-4968
E-mail: honjo@bdkcanada.com
http://www.bdkcanada.com

BDK U.K.

2

BDK CANADABDK HAWAII

61757 Algaroba Street, Honolulu, HI 96826, U.S.A.
Tel: +1(808)942-1511 Fax +1(808)942-2622
E-mail: bdkshi@hotmail.com
http://www.bdkhawaii.com

4

3
5

7
6

8

10

11

9

BDK JAPAN

7

3-14, Shiba 4-chome, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, JAPAN 108-0014
Tel: +81(3)3455-5851 Fax: +81(3)3798-2758
E-mail: bdk@bdk.or.jp
https://www.bdk.or.jp

BDK TAIWAN

8

c/o Mitutoyo Taiwan Co., Ltd.
4F., No.71, Zhouzi St., Neihu Dist.,
Taipei City 114, TAIWAN
Tel: +886(2)5573-5913 Fax: +886(2)8752-3267
E-mail: bdktaiwan@yahoo.com
https://www.bdk.tw

BDK ASIA
c/o Mitutoyo Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
24 Kallang Avenue, Mitutoyo Building,Singapore, 339415, SINGAPORE
Tel: +65 6294-2211 Fax: +65 6299-6666
E-mail: bdk@mitutoyo.com.sg
https://bdkasia.org

BDK MEXICO

10

Prolonagación Eugenia No. 17, Colonia Nápoles,
Alcaldía Benito Juarez, CDMX, C.P.03810, MEXICO
Tel: 52{55}5543-0507
Email: difusion.eko@gmail.com

9

BDK SOUTH AMERICA

11

a/c Mitutoyo Sul Americana Ltda.
Rodovia Índio Tibiriça 1555, BAIRRORAFFO, CEP 08620-000 SUZANO-SP, BRASIL
Tel: +55(11)5643-0006 Fax: +55(11)5641-3745
E-mail: bdk@mitutoyo.com.br

31

BDK America
Despite the diff iculties causedby the continuation of the Covid
pandemic, we adjusted ou r
op e r at ion s a nd c ont i nue d ou r
work through email, phone calls
and Zoom meetings. While hotel
distribution of The Teaching of
Buddha (TTOB) has decreased
du r i ng t he pa ndem ic, we st ill
distributed 3,363 copies and had
to do a reprinting of the softcoveredition. We also developed an audio
version of TTOB that is available on
Audible.com on Amazon.
We were pleased with the demand
for TTOB from the U. S. military
and we distributed 1,250 copies
to military bases throughout thenation in 2021. The demand wasso great that we published a special
military version with a camouflage
pattern on the cover. In January2022 the Army Buddhist chaplain
at Ft. Benning, Georgia sent in anorder for 5,000 copies of TTOB
and reported that several hundred
soldiers regularly attend his Sunday
services.
Non-TTOB books such as Learning
the Wisdom of Enlightenment werealso popular, and we distributed
3,884 copies in both pr int anddownload formats. There continues
to be widespread interest in theteachings of Buddhism, and we planon publishing books aimed at thegeneral public.
W h i le t he Tr ipiṭ a k a se r ie s oftranslations of Buddhist scriptures
can be difficult for the ordinary
reader, they remai n ext remely
popular. We sold or donated over
5,000 copies, and 12,589 titles were
downloaded from our website in

32

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−2021. We published three newtranslations and are expecting toreceive a substantial number of
new translations for editing andpublication.
The Numata Programs continue togrow, and we will be dedicating the
new Numata Center for Buddhist
Studies at UC Berkeley sometimein 2022. We also concluded anagreement to establish a new chairin Japanese Buddhist Studies at the
University of Chicago.
The 2021 Toshihide Numata Book
Award was given to Dr. Christopher
V. Jones of Cambridge University
for his book, The Buddhist Self:
On Tathāgatagharbha and Ātman
(University of Hawaii Press). The
award ceremony and symposium
were held on Zoom on November 5,
2021.
We continue to develop new ways to
distribute our books, and we created
a QR code for TTOB that can besent to hotels and other institutions.
The QR code can also be included

Weekly Sunday Buddhist service at Ft. Benning, Georgia

i n m a g a z i n e s , b r o c hu r e s a n dnewsletter such as Michi.

For a free e-book of
The Teaching of Buddha
scan the QR code

For more information and books, go towww. bdkamerica.org.

BDK HawaiiWith the Covid pandemic
c o nt i nu i ng i n 2021, we m a d e
adjustments to our book
distributions and public programs.
Due to the decline of demand for
The Teaching of Buddha (TTOB)
from hotels, we initiated a mailcampaign of introducing TTOB
to prisons in Hawaii and the U.S.
mainland. T he response f rom
prison chaplains was very positive
and we were able to distribute overa thousand copies to twenty-fiveprisons. Sales at temple gift shops
remained strong, and the demandfor books such as The Messages
from Buddha and Lear ning the
Wisdom Enlightenment was alsostrong. As a result, we were able
to more t ha n double ou r tot al
distribution of books over what we
donated and sold in 2020.
We conducted several online public
programs using Zoom. Through the
BDK-Fujitani Interfaith Program,
we held Interfaith Conversations
on Overcoming Polarization withpanelists from Native Hawaiian,
Buddhist and Jewish traditions;H o w Fa m i l i e s S u p p o r t t h e i r
C h i l d r e n a n d Te e n s D u r i n g
Covid-19 featuring Buddhist andChristian viewpoints; and Where’s
My Religion? How Does My Faith
Support My Life? with Buddhist,
Catholic and Jewish high school
and college students discussing therole that religion plays in their lives.
Our major event was Buddhism,
Writing and Race, which was a
Hawaii Book and Music Festival
online conversation with Charles
Johnson, a nationally recognizedA f r ica n A me r ica n w r it e r a nd

Clyde Whitworth

B u d d h i s t p r a c t i t i o n e r. T h i s
program reached an international
audience and was sponsored by
BDK Hawaii in cooperation with
the University of Hawaii.
Fi nally, 2021 marked the 10th
anniversary of Clyde Whitworth’s
work as Distribution and Residential
Manager of BDK Hawaii. Clyde
manages the eighteen-unit

apar t ment buildi ng that is thefinancial foundation of BDK Hawaii
and is instrumental in the planningand execution of all of our book
distributions and public programs.
Thank you, Clyde, for your devoted
ser vice to the BDK mission ofpromoting better understandings of
Buddhism.

33

BDK Mexico

The service for the 120th anniversary of Japanese Immigrants (Rev. Todaka)

Buk kyo Dendo Kyokai Mexico( h e r e a f t e r BDK M e x i c o) h a s
been renovating the BDK Mexico
building and we are preparing forthe re-opening. BDK staff member,Ms. Yokoo, was ordained withthe dharma name, 釋墨咲 Shaku
Bokusho at the end of 2021. The
name means that she may blossom
in Mexico with the teachings of
Buddha.
We could not do much in person in
2021 due to the continued pandemic
and the renovating construction,
but we per for med a memor ial
service on November 15, 2021 tocommemorate the 120th anniveraryof Japanese Immigrants in Mexico.
The service was for the people wholost their lives in accidents at a coalmine and those who had died withno family.

34

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−

M a n y p e o p l e l e f t Yo k o h a m a
to i m m ig rate to Mexico for
the f irst time on November 15,
1900. Eight y-t wo people who
were supposed to work at a coalmine arrived in the village of Las
Esperanzas, which means “hope.”B y 19 0 7, a b o u t 3,0 0 0 p e o ple
ar r ived. However, nearly 10 0
people lost their lives in an accident
at the mine, and the victims’ bodies
were buried randomly in a trench.
Most of them were in their 20s, andhad crossed the sea with hopes intheir hearts.
People who attended the service
expressed great appreciation andjoy because for years that they had
always wanted to have a memorial
ser vice with a Buddhist priest.
Pe o pl e fo u n d s o m e B u d d h i s t
statues at the former site of thecoal mine, and we were able tounderstand how people at that timecared deeply about Buddhism. We
learned the history of the Japaneseimmigrants who lost their lives in aforeign country and we reaffirmed
our improtant role of continuing tomaintain the connection between
ancestors and descendants throughthis event.

Distribution of TTOB (Rev. Todaka)

BDK Taiwan
We donated the English Tripiṭaka to
the Taiwan Nanlin Monastery andits Vancouver Branch in Canada
last year.
The person in charge of Buddhist
cl a s sic s p r o c u r e m e nt le a r n e dthrough the BDK Taiwan's websitethat there is an English Tripiṭaka
available. This is the very first timesomeone showed interest in the
English Tripiṭaka, so we responded
to them seriously.

At the same time, we also donated40 TTOBs to the Nanlin Monastery.
We wou ld l i ke to express ou r
gratitude to BDK Japan and BDK
America for their kind cooperation
through the publication of the BDK
Newsletter Michi, The Path.
In addition, Omicron complicatedthe pandemic worldwide and thed ist r ibut ion of T TOB be ca me
i ncreasi ngly d if f icu lt so werecon sidered ou r list of t hose

who receive the books. We got intouch with neighborhood leaders
as potential receivers. We thought
if we send TTOB to them, theywould distribute the books to theirresidents. After a trial run in lastDecember, the response was better
than expected. They were quite
happy to accept TTOB.
We will continue to f ind otherplaces with great potential andcontinue to donate TTOB.

donat ed 1,0 0 0 copies of “ T he
Tea ch i ng of Budd ha ( T TOB)”K hu k han School, Sr isa kate

Province in the northeastern regionof Thailand.
Dr. Panya Madee, who is a science

Taiwan Nanlin Monastery

BDK Asia
Khukhan School
On 23rd February 2021, Mitutoyo
T h a i la nd , wh ich m a n age s t heactivities of BDK Asia in Thailand

35

teacher received and distributed
the books to students and teachers
on behalf of K hu k han School,
libraries, and nearby schools.
As Dr. Panya is a strong believer in
Buddhism, he regards TTOB to be a
key factor in promoting Buddhism
not only in Thailand but also in therest of the world.
Khukhan school was established in1950 for high school students andby the end of 2021, it had a total of
3,404 students and 170 teachers.
The school is located in Khukhan
District, Srisakate Province near the
Cambodian border approximately
478 km from Bangkok. This is agovernment school administeredunder the Ministry of Education.
Dr. Panya receives TTOBs

Khukhan school in Thailand

BDK Europe
As of February 2022, we are still notable to hold temple services that areopen to the public. Since February
2021, we have been holding onl i ne (Zoom) gener al Budd h ist
observances such as our monthly
ser vices, Pāramit ā-ser vices,
Shinran Shōnin’s Gōtan-e service,
Ullambana service, etc. Priests
deliver the live Sutra-chanting fromour temple Buddha Hall (Hondo),
and after listening to Dharma talks
in German and Japanese we also
provide time for chatting with our36

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−on-line participants. Thanks to thison-line system, people who couldn’t
par ticipate in ser vices because
they live far away are now able
to join us. This has brought about
an increase in the number of newparticipants. However, there is alsoa disadvantage that some persons
are no longer able to participate
due to their limitations in using
electronic media.
Last year, over the November 2628 weekend, EKO-House observed
ou r an nual Hōon kō (memor ial

for the founder of Jōdo Shinshū)Service and held a 3-day on-line
Hōonkō Seminar featuring the Rev.
Dr. David Matsumoto, President of
the Institute of Buddhist Studies
in Berkeley, who spoke on the“Tannisho” as our guest lecturer.
Since the service and seminar were
held on-line, Nembutsu followers
from not only Europe, but also inJapan, India and the United States,
who would not have been able toparticipate in-person, were able tojoin us for the seminar in its on-lineformat.
D u r i ng t he 9-mont h per iod i n2021 when pr ivat e gat he r i ngs
were allowed , we had ou r online services and were also able toprovide private in-person services
for requesting families. Twentythree families participated in the
Infant Presentation Service (thefirst presentation of a child by theparents in front of the Buddha) and
25 families who participated in the
Shichi-Go-San Ser vice (SevenFive-Three years celebration). Bothof these services had the largest
number of participants ever in asingle year. As the situation of not
being able to easily return to Japan
continues, the number of families
holding children's milestone events
at EKO-Temple has increased since
the COVID-19 pandemic began.
A noteworthy event in addition
to the Buddhist services at EKOHouse in 2021 was a tea ceremony
held in July for the first time since

Hōonkō Service online

February 2020. Since the traditional
Japanese pavilion where the tea
ceremony is usually held would
have had a very limited capacityd u e t o C OV I D -19 i n f e c t i o nregulations, the ceremony was held
at EKO-Hall using chairs and tables(Ryurei-style) this time. We set up
a pre-reservation system for three
sessions of 14-15 participants each,conducted by four Urasenke tea
masters who guided us through thetea ceremony.

Infant Presentation Service in-person

37

Kankyō (Environment)
There has been no other time in history when theEnvironmental problems are human problems.

environment is being threatened with pollutants as

Unless our eyes are focused on human beings, there

it is today. Insatiable human desire is the cause ofwill be no real solutions to these problems.

environmental destruction. Our desire to pursue amore convenient life is constant and never stops.

In the center of the world of Universal Life, we
humans exist together with all other forms of life.

The warming of the earth has caused certain areas

This is the starting point, and unless we return toto have abnormally high or cold temperatures,

this starting point and try to solve the problems, ourand has accounted for the deaths of many people.

environment will continue to be polluted.

Continuous heavy rains in many countries havecaused big floods and destroyed much of the earth’s

Taken from “Sasaeatte” authored by the late Rev.

cultivated land, and the loss of many lives.

Toshihide Numata, former chairperson of BDK

Witness the escalating volume of garbage and theincrease of dioxin, produced in the processing of
garbage, as well as severe air pollution caused by
the increasing number of cars. Our indispensable
water supply is also polluted.

As these examples

illustrate, there are no limits to our environmental
problems, and the culprits are all human beings.

38

BDK Newsletter

Michi−The Path−