Dharma Study Class (series #5) on “LIVES OF MYOKONIN”
When: January 28 – March 8, 2010
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Toronto Buddhist Temple (Temple Social Hall) – 1011 Sheppard Ave. W
This is the first of six lectures entitled: “Lives of Myokonin - Wondrously Excellent Persons”.
Jodo Shinshu is called a religion of “hearing.” Through deep hearing one will encounter the Boundless
Light of the Buddha and will thus be able to awaken to the true nature of himself through deeper reflection.
By awakening to the greatness of the Buddha’s benevolence he is able to live a life of deep joy and
appreciation with strength and serenity regardless of what life brings.
In the Jodo Shinshu tradition, there are countless people who lived their lives with unshakable faith
called Myokonin, ‐ ‘wondrously excellent persons.’ In Nembutsu Buddhism – particularly Shin Buddhism
– the term Myokonin is used to describe those who become aware of the workings of Amida Buddha and
devoutly and joyously lead a simple life of the Nembutsu. Myokonin are compared to a white lotuses,
which, through mired in mud, wondrously and exquisitely rise above it. They are ordinary people in all
walks of life who have been awakened to a fervent faith. They are often nameless and illiterate, but they
pass a lifetime in the purity of the nembutsu and, in reverence, are called Myokonin.
As we reflect on the lives of Myokonin past and present, we will explore their clues of how to live our
lives in the very complicated, confusing world we live in today. The lessons should be very easy to follow
because we will explore the life stories of Myokonin with interesting anecdotes and their expressions of
faith captured in the form of poems.
The course will be taught by Rev. Shigenori Makino.
Please join us with your friends!