Shinran Shonin wrote:

“Although my eyes, blinded by passions,

Do not see the brilliant light which embraces me,

The Great Compassion never tires,

Always casting its light upon me.”

Shin Buddhism arrived in Canada in the late 1800s with Japanese immigrants who settled mainly in coastal British Columbia. Because of the relocation of Japanese Canadians in WW2 to internment camps and subsequent relocation to central Canada. Jodo Shinshu Temples can be be found in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and the B.C. Interior as well as on the West Coast.

The story is very similar in the United Sates, although perhaps Japanese Americans were treated a little less harshly than the Japanese Canadians were.

The main practice of Shin Buddhism is the chanting of the Nembutsu, Namo Amida Butsu. The source and nature of the Nembutsu is Amida Buddha. The Nembutsu is the living embodiment of Amida Buddha. There is an image of Amida Buddha above in the header and of the Nembutsu to the left.

What does Namo-Amida-Butsu mean? It is the Japanese version of the original Sanskrit term Namo Amitabha Buddhaya, which means “I take refuge (entrust) in the Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Light.” (Amida Buddha)

Our belief in universal compassion and liberation is not based on hope, our faith is based on shinjin, the experience of awakening. This gift of awakening assures us that although life is a bumpy ride, the universe is fundamentally good and that our death will be an entrance into yet another journey called the Pure Land. (Nirvana).

Our religious experience is a spiritual illumination that is not blind, fearful, guilt-ridden nor judgmental because the living Buddha does not judge, condemn or have anger, but freely liberates all beings without exception.

We invite you to visit a Jodo Shinshu Temple in North America.

In Gassho,

Terry Beresford.