Comments on: Buddha’s Wish for the World: A Review

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:46:08 +0000

Thanks Kyoushin. I always struggle to put that succinctly, but yes you’re quite correct. The real division is between the Hongwanji and non-Hongwanji sects for historical reasons, and further still between Nishi and Higashi Hongwanji, again for historical reasons. Surprisingly the message overall is rather cohesive other than liturgy and leadership.

By: Kyōshin

Kyōshin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:58:37 +0000

“one sect’s is hardly different than another.”

Yes in a broad doctrinal sense that is fair to say though there are variations in emphasis. The main differences though are liturgical. For example sutras are chanted differently and in the non-Honganji subsects they don’t have the Gobunsho (aka Ofumi) but letters by leaders from within their own sub-traditions.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:10:50 +0000

Hm, I was *sure* I had posted a response to you guys, but it looks like I somehow forgot to save.

Suffice to say great comments. Tsukiji Hongwanji is a cool temple, and yes, the author of the book, the Monshu, is only head of Nishi Hongwanji sect, which is probably the most well-known of the ten or so sects due to its large expansion in countries like the US and Canada. Otherwise, one sect’s is hardly different than another.

By: Kyōshin

Kyōshin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:13:36 +0000

Hi John, he is head of the Nishi Honganji branch of Jodo Shinshu of which the BCA is one international district (kyodan). He is not the head of the other nine or so Shin sub-sects. The Higashi Honganji, the other of the two largest Shin sub-sects, has a handful of temples in the USA too.

By: johnl

johnl — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:11:26 +0000

I believe the author is the head of the entire Jodo Shin Shu, right? Or just the American branch? The name sounds like the big guy in Honganji. By the way, a few months ago, at Tsukiji Hongwanji, they had a special service to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the start of English-language services there. The Shinmon, who is the son of the Monshu, gave a short speech in English. The service also included special music, gagaku, played on traditional instruments. If anyone visits Tokyo, it is possible to drop into the temple for a look. There is a short gongyo service at 7:00 AM and around 4:00 PM–there is an English-language website where you can confirm the times, I think.
JL

By: Kyōshin

Kyōshin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:10:18 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful review Doug. Regarding your wish to get into Rennyo in more depth I recommend 'Bearer of the Light' by Rev. Jitsuen Kakehashi. It's not an easy read but very worthwhile. You can get it from the BCA Bookstore. There are also some notes on it on our blog. I've been meaning to read Ven. Tagawa Shun'ei's book since you wrote about it and then recently he visited our parent temple so I am even more motivated to do so. Hopefully I'll get a copy for Christmas! I hope that you are settling back into the Betsuin community well now that you are back home. Gassho, K