A short history lesson.
In 1905, the Issei (first generation of Japanese Canadians)
built the first Buddhist temple in Canada on Powell Street
in Vancouver. It was the evacuation of thousands of
Japanese-Canadians during WWII that almost destroyed it.
Many of them resettled in other regions of the country or
returned to Japan. During that time, individuals and
families endured many hardships including racial,
religious, and cultural persecution. For many, their
Buddhist beliefs kept their hopes and dreams alive. Their
temples throughout Canada survive today only because of the
selfless devotion of members throughout time.
Now, over one hundred years later, it is one of the ironies
of history that Buddhism has become one of the fastest
growing religions in North America. End of history lesson.
The membership of the Buddhist Churches of Canada believe
the best recourse to express gratitude is to make the
teachings available to those seeking to understand and
learn more about Buddhism. In 2005, the Living Dharma
Centre was created as an organization within the structure
of the Buddhist Churches of Canada. Because our country is
so wide and expansive, rather than to conceptualize the
Living Dharma Centre in a particular location, it was
decided that it would be more appropriate to think of it as
a “virtual” system within Canada. And the best way to do
that is through the Internet using the domain name
livingdharmacentre.ca
The web site was developed so that it would be a voice for
the Buddhist community. Its purpose would be to help
communicate and share ideas on spiritual development. An
aid in propagating the teaching of the Nembutsu (a life of
gratitude). The pages on web site are used to unify service
themes and organize a children’s dharma school curriculum.
They will also aid in the training of future ministers,
organizing of special guest speakers and seminars for
ministers.
Our hope is that livingdharmacentre.ca can be instrumental
in reaching Canadians so that we can share our wish
together. We realize that a modern plant has grown to
include all Canadians in a movement to develop a new
“Canadian” Buddhism. You are invited to join us in this
adventure by visiting livingdharmacentre.ca.
Hopefully, we will be able to feel the gratitude and
appreciation for life just as it unfolds.
Dr. Leslie Kawamura
January 2008