HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY PRACTICE YOUR FAITH?

Many people admire Buddhist teaching, but wonder how to put Buddhism into practice. The most important way to practice is to put the Buddha’s teachings into action and show kindness and compassion to those around you. In this way, we can improve our karma – the causes of our particular situation in life – and create a more harmonious world around us. The essential idea is to place yourselves in others’ shoes and use our daily experiences as opportunities for mindful self-reflection.

At Shinnyo-en, members are encouraged to engage in the Three Practices: sharing the path with others (otaske), making sincere offerings to others in need (kangi) and giving themselves in selfless service to others (gohoshi). In order to keep this spirit of joy and altruism kindled, members engage in daily meditation and sutra chanting, and come to the temple for prayers and structured Sesshin training. Shinnyo-en also sponsors community events and special services that allow members an opportunity to serve others as volunteers, thereby awakening their own Buddha natures.