One of the core practices in Buddhism is Dana – Giving or Generosity. I would like to humbly ask and encourage all the Jodo Shinshu Temples and their members to contribute to the wildfire relief, if you can.

The Hawaii Bishop's office has created several ways to support Maui fire relief. JSBTC is currently reviewing with the Canada Revenue Agency Charitable Directorate the best approach for Canadian charities to donate funds.

1. Online at “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief”

2. GoFundMe

3. Cheque and cash donations can be sent directly to Hawaii Kyodan Headquarters. Please make cheques payable to: HHMH and in the memo line designate “Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief” to ensure proper credit.

Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1727 Pali Highway
Honolulu, HI 96813 USA

* All donations collected will go to support Lahaina Hongwanji and Maui relief efforts.

ハワイ・マウイ島での火災で、ラハイナ本願寺が全焼しました。開教使住宅も焼け落ち、廣中先生とそのご家
族、メンバーの方も避難生活をしています。援助が必要です。皆さまのご支援をお願い申し上げます。
(主にクレジットカード利用での義援金支援となります。分からない方はご所属開教使へご相談ください。)

In gassho,
Tatsuya Aoki
Bishop, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada
青木龍也

Recently, there were two incidents in the news which I found difficult to accept. They made me reflect on the value of religion. The first was the recent discovery of the remains of 215 young residential school students at the Kamloops Indian Residential School site. There are additional sites that have been found. The other tragic news was the loss of four members of a Muslim family killed in a “pre-meditated” vehicle attack in London, Ontario.
 
We have offered moments of silence at our services in the month of June. I was asked how I, as a Buddhist, reflect on these sad incidents in the mirror of the Dharma. When I think of Buddhism and share its teaching with others, it reminds me of this old parable contained in “The Gatha of the Seven Ancient Buddhas”.
 
In the old days, in China, a wise old Zen Master lived high up in a tall pine tree. People of the time called him the ‘Bird’s Nest Monk.’ When Minister Po Chu-yi was commander of Ch’ien T'ang district, he made a special trip into the mountains to visit him. Po said, “It’s very dangerous where you’re sitting, Zen Master.” The Master said, “My danger may be very great, Minister, but yours is even greater!” Po said, “I am the commander of Ch’ien T’ang. What dangers can there be?” The Master said, “When fuel and fire are joined, consciousness and identity do not survive, how can you not be in danger?”
 
Po further asked, “What is the overall meaning of the Buddhist teaching?” The Master said, “Do not commit any evil; practice the many virtues.” Po said, “Even a three year old child could say that!” The Master said, “Though a three year old child can say it, an eighty year old man cannot carry it out.” Po then bowed and departed.

I often tell people that Buddha-Dharma is not a difficult teaching to understand, but sometimes Buddha-Dharma is difficult to accept or practice. In Jodo Shinshu, this is why we need to continue to listen to the teaching while being embraced by Amida’s compassion and
wisdom.

With palms together and Namo Amida Butsu,
 
Tatsuya Aoki
Bishop, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada
青木龍也

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the increase in hate crimes and incidents against Asian-Canadians, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Island communities has risen significantly because of ‘reports’ that the virus originated in Asia. This is intimately connected to systemic, historic, and state-sanctioned discrimination against Asians in national and international relations. We support and stand in solidarity with the Asian communities in Canada. As a Buddhist organization, we need to be part of the solution. “The Golden Chain”, a simple, but　popular Shin Buddhist reading at Dharma services, goes as follows:

“The Golden Chain” is written in a simple style explaining the ethical teaching of Buddhism, especially to our children. It encourages and nurtures kindness and love for all beings. It is our hope that children become aware of their inner strength to protect the lives of other people and animals. This short saying inspires not only children, but adults, to pursue the goodness of human life, through the teachings of the interdependence of all things and all living things. It reminds us of the responsibility of helping one another regardless of ethnicity or colour of our skin.
 
With palms together and Namo Amida Butsu,
 
Tatsuya Aoki
Bishop, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada
青木龍也

The recent tragic deaths of George Floyd, Raychard Brooks, and Chantel Moore has sparked a conversation around the world. It has brought the topic of racism to the forefront. I believe there is a great need to focus our attention and efforts on the pervasive and ongoing violence inflicted on people of colour in our society.

In this present life, even though we live on the same planet, we live in different worlds. The colour of our skin, and where we live - each of us is sheltered in our own world. We set up our own “selves.” We take advantage of others when it benefits us. However, if the relationship with others becomes inconvenient, we withdraw again into our own world of “self” where we can avoid or reject others.

Until we can rid ourselves of the attachment to our small ‘selves’, we will live in a divided world. The Amida Sutra says that when we encounter the mind of Amida Buddha and are born in his Pure Land, for the first time we can “meet together in the same world” (kue issho). When we encounter Amida Buddha’s mind, or when we have heard Amida Buddha’s calling, our birth together on the same lotus flower will be realized.

In response to tragedy, grief, and anger, our collective aspiration within the Buddhist traditions is to become truly inclusive and live harmoniously. Buddhist teachings and practices have been explicitly devoted to liberation. May these teachings and practices free our hearts from greed, prejudice, and hate and serve an essential role in societal healing, and in the awakening of all.

Namo Amida Butsu

Tatsuya Aoki
Office of the Bishop
Jodo Shinsu Buddhist Temples of Canada
青木龍也