Neko Sensei on Ice
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
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
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
When HBS members meet, we say Arigatō gozaimasu ありがとうございます as a greeting. It sounds strange to other people because usual greetings between Japanese are Ohayō おはよう (in the morning), Konnichiwa こんにちは (in the afternoon), and Konbanwa こんばんは (in the evening). … Read More
When Shakyamuni Buddha preached the Honmon 本門 (teachings from chapter 15 through 22 of the Lotus Sutra), in chapter 16 The Life Span of Buddha 如来寿量品第十六, he said for the first time: “I can imagine people must believe that I … Read More
In Japan, the third Monday in September is called “Respect for the Aged Day.” Various events are taken place to celebrate aged persons’ longevity across Japan. In Honmon Butsuryu Shu, we express gratitude and show appreciation for their longtime contribution … Read More
Tatsuto Katayama(Member of Myoshoji Temple, Kurashiki, Okayama Pref., Japan) Though it may be a bit long, I would like to share a wonderful story with you. I was born in January 1953 as the first son and the fourth child … Read More
The kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing) ‘Gan (元)’ in Gantan-e (元旦会) literally means “the first” or “the beginning,” ‘Tan (旦)’ means the sun appearing on the horizon, and ‘E (会)’ is a “Buddhist service.” Therefore, Gantan-e means the … Read More
At every HBS temple, a memorial service for each of the three great masters, Nichiren, Nichiryu and Nissen Shonin, is held once a year. This memorial service is called Oeshiki. Each Oeshiki is usually held on Sunday closest to the … Read More
I bring fullness and satisfaction to the world, like a rain that spreads its moisture everywhere. Eminent and lowly, superior and inferior, observers of precepts, violators of precepts, those fully endowed with proper demeanor, those not fully endowed, those of … Read More
In the threefold world, there is neither birth nor death, or going away nor coming forth, and there is no existing in this world and later entering extinction. Chapter 16 of The Lotus Sutra, The Life Span of the Buddha … Read More
This threefold world is all my domain, and the living beings in it are all my children. Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra, A Parable The Buddha said in the Lotus Sutra that every living being is a part of … Read More
Hurting others we hurt ourselvesThat is the law of the universe RacismInequalityMurder ViolenceCrueltyWar What are we doing?Let’s stop the destruction.The world needs us to unite. We are one – BuddhaWe are one – universeWe are one – life LOVE over … Read More
Yukie Morishita(Member of Myōshōji Temple in Kurashiki, Okayama Pref., Japan) The following are two stories that I would like to share with you. Stories of how I recovered from diseases, thanks to the HBS faith. The first is about a … Read More
Teruko Harada(member of Butsuryūji temple in Kobe, Hyogo Pref., Japan) I inherited HBS faith from my father and have been a follower all my life. Today I would like to tell you the stories of the two most wonderful blessings … Read More
From the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Restoration, Nissen Shōnin (Seifū Nagamatsu), the founder of Honmon Butusyū Shū, lived through ever‐changing, and turbulent times. It was also the days of the Cholera pandemic. And since there … Read More
Q. A friend of mine is trying to take the Bar Exam. I am thinking I should pray for him to perform well. What kind of prayer should I make? A. I would recommend inviting your friend to the temple … Read More