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Welcome to Unhindered Light.
帰命尽十方無碍光如来 Ki-myo Jin-jip-po Mu-ge-ko Nyo-rai (I Surrender to the Tathagata of Unhindered Light Filling the Ten Quarters) Unhindered Light (mu-ge-ko 無碍光) refers to the limitless wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha. Unlike our limited human knowledge and good intentions, the Buddha's wisdom and compassion are completely non-discriminating and, hence, cannot be obstructed by our lack of perfection, or by our evil actions. When we truly awaken to see ourselves as we are—beings with limited understanding and self-centered minds—we are made able to rely on the true reality of Amida, the Compassionate Mind of the Buddha, manifested for us as the Nembutsu. We are then able to feel ourselves—just as we are—embraced by this transcendant compassion and wisdom. This
website is designed as an adjunct to the
DHARMA LIGHT PROJECT
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin's program of Adult Education. Everyone is Welcome!
 Winter/Spring 2010 Courses:
"Meditation: Quiet Sitting" Come as you are to experience quiet sitting, chanting and dialogue. The practice of meditation has long been a part of the Buddhist way of life. While its use varies amongst the various traditions, all agree that taking time out of our busy schedules for the practice of quiet sitting helps us to restore calm and perspective in our lives. Meditation can help us gain mindful awareness of life's essentials, bringing us back to our breathing, to what is central in ourselves. For some, this centering can be of great help on the path of life and can make Buddhist teachings easier to grasp. Instructor: Alan Goto When: Beginning February 17, 2010 -- Every Wednesday evening at 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Location: Hawaii Betsuin Lounge (1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu). For more information call: 536-7044. Cost: No charge or registration is required. "ABC's of Buddhism: An Introduction to
Buddhist Teachings for Everyone" In today's stressful and uncertain world, many people look to Buddhism for a way to understand and cope with life's many problems. The 2,500 year old teachings of the Buddha have much to say to us amidst the confusion and anxiety of the modern world. “ABC's of Buddhism” is for anyone curious about Buddhism; what it is and what we can learn from it. The class will cover the essential teachings of the Buddha, identifying the problem and nature of being a human being, and the Way that leads us from a life of self-centeredness and fear to one of compassion, peace, acceptance and appreciation. This class assumes no background knowledge but all levels are welcome; in Buddhism we are always “beginners”! This is a discussion driven course, so please bring your questions and reflections! Required texts: The Teachings of Buddha, published by “Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai”. This book will be available at the first class at no charge. Other readings will be distributed in the form of handouts. Instructor: Rev. Richard Tennes When: Four Monday evenings -- February 22, March 1, 15, 22, 2010 (no class March 8) from 7:00-9:00 PM. Location: Hawaii Betsuin Lounge (1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu). For more information call: 536-7044. Cost: No charge but registration is required. For class outline and reading list see below. "The Compassionate Way of
Shin Buddhism: Introduction to the Pure Land teachings of Shinran Shonin" This introductory class will explore the basics of the Shin Buddhist (Jodo Shinshu) teaching, through exploring the life and spiritual experience of Shinran Shonin. We will discover his expression of the truth he encountered through his poems (wasan) and other writings, as well as through the experiences of other followers of the Pure Land Way. Basic Buddhist teachings will be explained, but the main emphasis and theme of this class will be the experience of “Innermost Aspiration” and Oneness in everyday life. Class will be very discussion oriented. Required Texts: 1. Buddha of Infinite Light: The Teachings of Shin Buddhism, the Japanese Way of Wisdom and Compassion, by Daisetz T. Suzuki. Available at the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Bookstore (522-9209) for $10 or from Amazon (NOTE: it is recommended that participants obtain this book before the first class session and read pages 21 through 28). 2. The Collected Works of Shinran (2 vols). Available at the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Bookstore (522-9209) for the student discounted price of $30, or participants may use online version here. When: Six Monday evenings -- April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 2010 (no class April 26) from 7:00-9:00 PM. Location: Hawaii Betsuin Lounge (1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu). For more information call: 536-7044. Cost: $35.00 per person. Registration is required. Class is limited to 20 participants so please register soon. For class outline and reading list see below.
For more information call: 536-7044 or write:
 A selection of valuable web recources can be
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Class Outlines and Suggested Readings:
"ABC's of Buddhism: An Introduction to Buddhist Teachings for Everyone" February 22. What is Buddhism? What is Buddha? Life and Teaching of (Śākyamuni) Buddha: The problem of suffering and its cure: Four Noble Truths/Eightfold Path Three Poisons Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) (Readings: The Teaching of Buddha, pp. 2-26, 74-80. Handout 1) March 1. Going Deeper: Who am I? The Buddha's teaching of Ego, Oneness and Impermanence (Buddha’s Essential Teachings) The Four Seals of the Dharma Causation Dependent Origination Middle Way What is Buddha? (Part 2) Three Buddha Bodies Buddha Nature (Readings: The Teaching of Buddha, pp. 28-54, 80-88, 140-148. Handout 2) March 15. Broadening the Way: Schools of Buddhism Hinayana/Mahayana Mahayana: The Great Vehicle Bodhisattva Path Emptiness and Consciousness Only Pure Land Japanese Buddhism Theravada: The Way of the Elders (Readings: The Teaching of Buddha, pp. 510-528, 90-112. Handout 3) March 22. Buddhist Practices Theravada: Insight Meditation (vipassana) Lovingkindness Meditation (metta bhavanna) Mahayana: Zen Meditation (zazen & koan) Pure Land (visualization & nembutsu recitation) Conclusion: Engaged Buddhism: Buddhism as a guide to living in the world and what it has to say about society, war, the environment, government etc. (Readings: Handout 4) See Course Materials section to download handouts.  "The Compassionate Way of Shin Buddhism: Introduction to the Pure Land teachings of Shinran Shonin" April 5. Who is Amida and what is the Pure Land? The Pure Land story, Shinran Shōnin and his unique interpretation of Buddhism (readings: Buddha of Infinite Light, pp. 21-28). April 12. Primal Vow (Innermost Aspiration) and Amida’s Name (Namo Amida Butsu); becoming Enlightened just as I am (readings: Buddha of Infinite Light, pp. 29-42). April 19. The Entrusting Mind; Oneness beyond conception; embraced "just as I am - never to be abandoned" The Foolish Person; overcoming self-delusion (readings: Buddha of Infinite Light, pp. 43-67). May 3. Readings from Shinran’s Wasan and Letters (readings: The Collected Works of Shinran, pp. TBA). May 10. The Good Friend; Myokonin poems by Saichi and other Shin followers (readings: Buddha of Infinite Light, pp. 69-84 and Handout). May 17. Where do we go from here? A quick look at Shinran’s writings in the Tannishō and Kyōgyōshinshō (readings: The Collected Works of Shinran, pp. TBA). See Course Materials section to download handouts. Questions or comments? Write to Rev. Tennes at
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