Seiko Oda(Member of Kōsenji temple, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Pref., Japan) I have been an HBS follower for 10 years at Kōsenji temple. I would like to tell you about why a woman like me who was prejudiced against religion suddenly turned … Read More
I often get asked what we eat. I mean if there are any specific rules regarding what my husband can or cannot eat as a Buddhist priest and if these rules apply to me as his wife in any way. … Read More
In Japanese culture there is a strong connection with ancestors that is manifested in many ways. In Shinto religion there is cult of ancestors and people pray both for and to people who passed away. Praying for them might be … Read More
It seems ice skating is not a very popular sport in Japan, at least in the area where I live. Most people tried it only a few times in their lives if at all and I haven’t met anyone who … Read More
Japanese weddings are a very confusing topic for me. You can often see pictures of brides clad in white wedding kimono called shiromuku taken by lucky tourists visiting Shinto shrines at just the right moment. However, it seems this kind … Read More
Most people only worry about others’ eyes Followers also worry about Buddha’s eyes Gokyōka (No. 484)—didactic poem by Nissen Shōnin (the Complete Writings of Nissen Shōnin Vol. 15, p. 122) Since most people in the world don’t understand the world … Read More
January is the season of beginnings in Japan (as probably everywhere else in the world), so people do a lot of hatsu things, hatsu meaning first – in this case first time in the new year. You can watch the … Read More
Japan is really attached to its changing seasons. One of the first questions they ask all foreigners is “do you have four seasons in your country?”. For me it was always a little strange as four seasons (or actually sometimes … Read More
Some time ago I received a query from Brazil about pocket Gohonzons, their shapes, and materials they can be made of, as well as qualifications required to draw and engrave a Gohonzon. So, I’ll just put all the answers here. … Read More
“I am always at the beginning…” – a quote widely attributed to Buddha. However, as I cannot identify the source I will not claim Buddha actually said that. I like the feeling though. Among other things, it makes you remember … Read More