The WEHOPE gathering was a five-day meeting of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Kaikyoshi ministers from around the world reflecting on their common mission to freely share the truth of the Buddhadharma in a way that speaks to the immediate concerns of the communities they serve. On April 15 and 16, 2015, a total of 18 ministers shared the Dharma messages which are presented here.* WEHOPE stands for West and East Hongwanji Overseas Propagation Exchange. The two mother temples are in Kyoto, Japan: Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha – Nishi Honganji (West) and Shinshu Otani-ha – Higashi Honganji (East). Wednesday, April 15 Japanese Message ・Rev. Miki Nakura (New York Sangha, Shinshu Otani-ha) 「これ、仏の手だぞ。」(Eng. “This is Buddha’s Hand”) English Messages ・Rev. Shinji Kawagoe (Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “The Way of Looking at Things” ・Rev. Patti Nakai (Buddhist Temple of Chicago, Shinshu Otani-ha) “The Liberation Theology of Shinran Shonin” ・Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki (Buddhist Church of Lodi, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Peace” ・Rev. Marcos Sawada (Hilo Higashi Honganji, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Your Happiness is My Happiness” ・Rev. Kosho Yaki (Aiea Hongwanji, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Arigatou, Gomen Nasai” ・Rev. Ryoko Osa (North America District Office, Shinshu Otani-ha) “To Be Saved” ・Rev. Ronald Kobata (Buddhist Church of San Francisco, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Coming A.L.I.V.E.” ・Rev. Tomoyuki Hasegawa (North America District Office, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Beams of Light Shining Brilliantly from Each Flower” Thursday, April 16 Japanese Message ・Rev. Ryuta Furumoto (Senshin Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) 「浄土真宗を語る」 ・Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi (West Covina Higashi Honganji, Shinshu Otani-ha) 「本願力:願いが私を動かす」 English Messages ・Rev. David Fujimoto (Puna Hongwanji, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “The Dharma Lū’au: Everything the Dharma Has Taught Me” ・Rev. Mauricio Ghigonetto (Nambei Honganji Brasil Betsuin, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Shin Buddhism is Really Buddhism” ・Rev. Diana Thompson (Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Language” ・Rev. Peter Hata (Higashi Honganji Los Angeles Betsuin, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Betsuin Tour Guide” ・Rev. Cristina Sato (Hongwanji Brasilia, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Are You Buddhist?” ・Rev. Ken Yamada (Berkeley Higashi Honganji, Shinshu Otani-ha) “Seeing is Believing” ・Rev. Jerry Hirano (Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) “Is the Dalai Lama Your Boss?”

• published: 30 Apr 2015
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