To be honest the COVID19 pandemic has made me grateful for the vast amount of sermons and services for Jodo Shinshu that have become available. I live nowhere near any temples nor Buddhist Churches, so having access to these TH-cam videos makes me very happy. Namo Amida Butsu. 🖤
This is so amazing. What a creative way to incorporate so many different people in the service. It makes us all feel more connected and not so alone. What a great way to innovate and be creative. Well done!
I too really enjoyed the minsters’ minds talk. I am just learning Jōdo Shinshū after most of my life lived as a Christian. One of the comments intrigued me and I want to ask about it. What do you mean when you say that prayer comes from the ego? I would really like to know more about that. I recognize that Amidha Buddha is not a god who is the Creator of the universe, all powerful, who judges us, and can grant our requests like the god of Christians. But I am interested in this idea of the relationship between prayer and the ego. Thank you for your sharing this service and conversation.
I too really enjoyed the ministers’ minds talk. I am just learning Jōdo Shinshū after living most of my life as a Christian. One of the comments intrigued me and I want to ask about it. What do you mean, Rev. Kusunoki, when you said that prayer comes from the ego? I would really like to know more about that. I recognize that Amidha Buddha is not a god who is the Creator of the universe, all powerful, who judges us, and can grant our requests like the god of Christians. But I am interested in this idea of the relationship between prayer and the ego. Thank you for your sharing this service and conversation.
Hi Karen. I'm Rev. Matt, one of the minister's assistants at the temple. Great question! If we pray for health, wealth, etc., we're usually doing it for ourselves, or the people closest around us, whose well-being we value above others. Furthermore, if we're trying to receive the favor of some deity (gods, spirits, kami, etc.), it's like we're trying to make a deal, one that others don't get. In Buddhism, we call this "calculation." Buddhism teaches us that virtually everything is both impermanent and interconnected. If I'm asking for special treatment, that's "me," my ego, talking. That's why, instead of saying "please," we say "thank you." When we pray we're offering gratitude for those that have come before us, along with our wishes for everyone, equally, to live in peace and serenity.
To be honest the COVID19 pandemic has made me grateful for the vast amount of sermons and services for Jodo Shinshu that have become available. I live nowhere near any temples nor Buddhist Churches, so having access to these TH-cam videos makes me very happy. Namo Amida Butsu. 🖤
So appreciative that we have the service online. Thank you to all who made this possible. Arigatou gozaimasu. Namu amida butsu.
This is so amazing. What a creative way to incorporate so many different people in the service. It makes us all feel more connected and not so alone. What a great way to innovate and be creative. Well done!
I appreciate the minister's conversations and will stay tuned. Thank you sensei.
Great service, and the video was flawless! High quality, smooth transitions, title cards and soundtrack perfectly in sync. Very well done.
Thank you so much for this. I especially loved the “ministers’ minds” segment ❤️🙏
Thank you so much for doing this! Living where there is no close by betsuin (Austin, Texas) getting a chance to watch the service.
Thanks for joining us! Little known fact: one of our minister's assistants is a UT grad. :) 🤘
I really liked the Minister's Talk segment! You should have a version of just answering questions submitted online via a the chat.
I too really enjoyed the minsters’ minds talk. I am just learning Jōdo Shinshū after most of my life lived as a Christian. One of the comments intrigued me and I want to ask about it. What do you mean when you say that prayer comes from the ego? I would really like to know more about that. I recognize that Amidha Buddha is not a god who is the Creator of the universe, all powerful, who judges us, and can grant our requests like the god of Christians. But I am interested in this idea of the relationship between prayer and the ego. Thank you for your sharing this service and conversation.
I too really enjoyed the ministers’ minds talk. I am just learning Jōdo Shinshū after living most of my life as a Christian. One of the comments intrigued me and I want to ask about it. What do you mean, Rev. Kusunoki, when you said that prayer comes from the ego? I would really like to know more about that. I recognize that Amidha Buddha is not a god who is the Creator of the universe, all powerful, who judges us, and can grant our requests like the god of Christians. But I am interested in this idea of the relationship between prayer and the ego. Thank you for your sharing this service and conversation.
Hi Karen. I'm Rev. Matt, one of the minister's assistants at the temple. Great question!
If we pray for health, wealth, etc., we're usually doing it for ourselves, or the people closest around us, whose well-being we value above others. Furthermore, if we're trying to receive the favor of some deity (gods, spirits, kami, etc.), it's like we're trying to make a deal, one that others don't get. In Buddhism, we call this "calculation."
Buddhism teaches us that virtually everything is both impermanent and interconnected. If I'm asking for special treatment, that's "me," my ego, talking. That's why, instead of saying "please," we say "thank you." When we pray we're offering gratitude for those that have come before us, along with our wishes for everyone, equally, to live in peace and serenity.