Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada

The Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada are a group of temples and fellowships that are affiliated with the Nishi Hongan-ji of Kyoto, Japan, the mother temple of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) sect of Buddhism.
Groups follow the interpretation of the Buddha-Dharma according to Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Shinran promoted the principle of "dependent co-arising" as the basis for individual liberation. He attempted to understand the dharma in view of his own existence and thus derived the Nembutsu (recitation of "Namu Amida Butsu": Amitabha Buddha's name) teaching, which he emphasized as an expression of thanks and joy in realizing the interrelated nature of human existence.
Established in 1933, it is the oldest Buddhist organization in Canada.Watada, Bukkyo Tozen: A History of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Canada 1905-1995 p. 78
The national office for the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada (formerly Buddhist Churches of Canada) is located in Richmond, British Columbia.
==History==
Japanese Canadians first established Buddhism in Canada during the late 1800s as new immigrants gathered in homes. The Jodo Shinshu tradition likely resided in British Columbia as early as 1889, when the first Japanese consulate was established.The Canadian Encyclopedia
The Reverend Senju Sasaki and his wife Tomie arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia on October 12, 1905, and immediately set about bringing Jodo Shinshu Buddhism to Canada. By December 12, 1905 the first Buddhist Temple in Canada was established in the city.Watada, Bukkyo Tozen: A History of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Canada 1905-1995
Because it was identified with a particular ethnic group, this form of Buddhism did not become integrated into the Canadian society at that time.
During WWII, the internment of people of Japanese ancestry almost eradicated Japanese Buddhism and institutional Buddhism from Canada. The lifting of the War Measures Act in 1949 restored Japanese freedom of movement throughout Canada; some Japanese Buddhists returned to BC, many stayed in Alberta and others settled elsewhere.
Many temples now have a multicultural population consisting of Japanese, Japanese-Canadians and non-Japanese members. Multiple temples have branched out in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec.
==Affiliated Temples and Fellowships==
Vancouver Buddhist Temple
Steveston Buddhist Temple
Fraser Valley Buddhist Temple
Kelowna Buddhist Temple
Vernon Buddhist Temple
Kamloops Buddhist Church
Calgary Buddhist Temple
Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta (Lethbridge)
Manitoba Buddhist Temple
Toronto Buddhist Church
Jodo Shinshu Buddhists of Thunder Bay
Hamilton Buddhist Temple
Montreal Buddhist Church
==References==
==External links==
*Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada website
*Manitoba Buddhist Temple website
* Homepage for Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Hongwanji International Center - English
Category:Pure Land Buddhism