Hello from Western Canada
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 7:33 am
Hello,
I am Shutoku (my Dharma name)
I am a 47 year old male, music teacher, and follower of Jodo Shinshu for 15 years.
I began my Buddhist life practicing Soto Zen on my own with no teacher available. Later I was very taken by the teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh. It was actually an article by TNH where he encourages readers to find a sangha...even an imperfect Sangha. I knew there was a Shin Temple locally so I went one day, and have never looked back.
I love the people at my temple, who are mostly Japanese Canadians, and all but a handful 70 years of age or older. They are without a doubt the most friendly, kind, humble, and genuine people I have ever known. Unfortunately there are very few younger members, and so the Temples future looks bleak. For the last few years I have served as Secretary, pianist during services, and I am a lay leader. I feel such a debt f gratitude to the teaching and to this Sangha, that no matter how bleak it looks, I will work hard and do my best to try to keep the Temple going. of course impermanence may be inevitable, but still I will try.
Pleased to find a forum with a Pure Land section too!
I am Shutoku (my Dharma name)
I am a 47 year old male, music teacher, and follower of Jodo Shinshu for 15 years.
I began my Buddhist life practicing Soto Zen on my own with no teacher available. Later I was very taken by the teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh. It was actually an article by TNH where he encourages readers to find a sangha...even an imperfect Sangha. I knew there was a Shin Temple locally so I went one day, and have never looked back.
I love the people at my temple, who are mostly Japanese Canadians, and all but a handful 70 years of age or older. They are without a doubt the most friendly, kind, humble, and genuine people I have ever known. Unfortunately there are very few younger members, and so the Temples future looks bleak. For the last few years I have served as Secretary, pianist during services, and I am a lay leader. I feel such a debt f gratitude to the teaching and to this Sangha, that no matter how bleak it looks, I will work hard and do my best to try to keep the Temple going. of course impermanence may be inevitable, but still I will try.
Pleased to find a forum with a Pure Land section too!