Saturday's Annual General Meeting

The Toronto Buddhist Church was honoured to have hosted the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada from April 29-May 1, 2011. The weekend event provided many challenges for the delegates to address and resolve. The solutions will allow the organization to proceed with renewed and re-energized vigour in walking the path of the Dharma.

Rev. Grant Ikuta becomes the first Canadian-born Socho or Bishop (Head Minister). He follows his father, Reverend Susumu Kyojo Ikuta who became the Bishop in 1998. Socho Grant Ikuta will also continue to serve his congregation at the Steveston Buddhist Temple in Vancouver.

Newly-elected Bishop, Grant Ikuta (front row, middle)


President, David Ohori and Board of Directors for 2011


Choir for the delegation to Shinran 750th Memorial in Kyoto

Thanks to our hosts for providing a home, away from home in which you could still feel and share in the embrace of Amida. We look forward to meeting our Dharma friends again in Winnipeg next year.

"Women who remain in lay life should realize and never entertain the slightest doubt that those who, without any calculation, deeply rely on Amida Buddha single-mindedly and unwaveringly, entrusting themselves to the Buddha for their emancipation in the after life, will all be saved." -Letters of Rennyo, 5-3


Rennyo Shonin wrote this letter after the death of both wife, Eshinni (above) and daughter, Kakushinni.

Invitation to a Public Lecture 

The Changing Role of Women In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
by Rev. Patricia Kanaya Usuki
Author "Currents of Change:  American Buddhist Women Speak Out on Jodo Shinshu" and of the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Panel Discussion
Rev. Patti Nakai, Buddhist Temple of Chicago & Buddhist  Educational Centre  
Prof. Jeff Wilson, East Asian Studies, University of Waterloo, Author: "Buddhist Guide to New York"

Saturday October 18, 1:00pm  

Toronto Buddhist Church
1011 Sheppard Ave. West
Toronto, ON
         (one block East of Downsview Subway  Station) 

For more information, call 416-534-4302