Went to a Rissho Kosei Kai service today.
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 4:03 am
Went to a Rissho Kosei Kai service today.
The idea to check it out was something I'd been meaning to do for a while.
What made me get off my butt to finally go was some language-related frustration over something else I've been studying and realizing "hey, I've already made some headway in Japanese, let's go check out their Buddhism".
It was pretty fun.
Not really sure what my expectations were going in, there were some pleasant surprises.
In case anybody's interested...
They did mention Nichiren as part of their history.
They have posters up with the following standard Buddhist topics:
[*]Three Seals of the Law
[*]Four Noble Truths
[*]Six Perfections
[*]Eightfold Path
[*]Ten Suchnesses
[*]Law of Twelve Causes
Read from the Lotus Sutra, chanted some Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, little bit of meditation, sang some songs, and had a Dharma talk.
Very interesting blend of Western (Protestant?) influences and Japanese Buddhist ritual & tradition.
They did mention Ekayana, "New" Buddhism, an explanation of their unique malas, and their world view.
There had to be a good 40+ people there, the place was packed.
Having chairs was a bit of a welcome change.
Reminded me of going to Japanese classes in a Japanese community center in Fort Worth - similar vibe for some reason.
I had to jet before the Hoza (group circle), feel kind of bad about that.
Not sure if/when I'll go back, I still need to digest the experience.
Been spending so much study time in the Nikayas, the Prajnaparamitas, Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka treatises, and Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment; it was interesting to switch up gears and go with the Lotus sutra.
I'm still pretty unfamiliar with the Lotus sutra and that's what's going to take a long time to digest.
I will say that I probably learned more about the Lotus sutra today than I've learned about it anywhere else.
The idea to check it out was something I'd been meaning to do for a while.
What made me get off my butt to finally go was some language-related frustration over something else I've been studying and realizing "hey, I've already made some headway in Japanese, let's go check out their Buddhism".
It was pretty fun.
Not really sure what my expectations were going in, there were some pleasant surprises.
In case anybody's interested...
They did mention Nichiren as part of their history.
They have posters up with the following standard Buddhist topics:
[*]Three Seals of the Law
[*]Four Noble Truths
[*]Six Perfections
[*]Eightfold Path
[*]Ten Suchnesses
[*]Law of Twelve Causes
Read from the Lotus Sutra, chanted some Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, little bit of meditation, sang some songs, and had a Dharma talk.
Very interesting blend of Western (Protestant?) influences and Japanese Buddhist ritual & tradition.
They did mention Ekayana, "New" Buddhism, an explanation of their unique malas, and their world view.
There had to be a good 40+ people there, the place was packed.
Having chairs was a bit of a welcome change.
Reminded me of going to Japanese classes in a Japanese community center in Fort Worth - similar vibe for some reason.
I had to jet before the Hoza (group circle), feel kind of bad about that.
Not sure if/when I'll go back, I still need to digest the experience.
Been spending so much study time in the Nikayas, the Prajnaparamitas, Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka treatises, and Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment; it was interesting to switch up gears and go with the Lotus sutra.
I'm still pretty unfamiliar with the Lotus sutra and that's what's going to take a long time to digest.
I will say that I probably learned more about the Lotus sutra today than I've learned about it anywhere else.