Dharma School
Welcome to the Toronto Buddhist Church – Dharma School Page!
The objective of the Toronto Buddhist Church Dharma School is to promote the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and demonstrate the many influences it holds on a student’s daily life.
Dharma School Service & Classes
Teacher Profiles
Dana Scholarship
Dharma School Service:
When: Sunday mornings (10.30 AM – 11.00 AM)
Where: Service takes place in the Hondo, except for monthly memorial Shotsuki service days where it takes place on the second floor mezzanine area.
What is taught?
Ministers provide fun and memorable Dharma talks geared towards a younger audience, yet with a strong underlying message which always relates back to the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Families are encouraged to attend the services together.
Dharma School Class:
When: Sunday mornings (11.00 AM – 12.00 PM)
Where: Bottom floor of the Temple
What ages are taught?
Classes are provided for all age ranges, from toddlers (pre-kindergarten) through high school students.
What is taught?
Lessons are typically very interactive in nature, as students learn about the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism through various games and activities (E.g. cooking or arts and crafts). Students can expect to learn about the life of Amida Buddha and Shinran Shonin, as well as several of the key teachings such as the 6 Paramitas and the Noble Eightfold Path.
Mottos & Symbols:
Golden Chain
I am a link in Amida Buddha’s golden chain of love that stretches around the world. In gratitude may I keep my link bright and strong.
I will try to be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than myself.
I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts to say pure and beautiful words, and to do pure and beautiful deeds.
May every link in Amida Buddha’s golden chain of love be bright and strong and may we all attain perfect peace.
Ojuzu/Onenju
An ojuzu/onenju is a collection of beads, with (2) marker beads and a parent (or “Buddha Bead”), strung together with a special tassle string used during gassho. An ojuzu/onenju is to always be treated with the greatest deal of respect as it encircles ones’ hands together during gassho, symbolizing oneness. The ojuzu/onenju should always be held in ones’ left hand or on ones’ left wrist.
Teacher Profiles
Content coming soon.
Dana Scholarship
Students of the Dharma School have the opportunity to apply towards the Dana Scholarship for higher education. This scholarship is awarded annually to the top applicant(s) who meet the following criteria:
- Have attained academic success
- Have provided a letter of recommendation
- Active member of the temple
- Provided a written piece as to why they are the best candidate to receive the award.
If you wish to apply for the Dana Scholarship, please contact the Toronto Buddhist Church – Dana Scholarship Committee.
Past Recipients:
2009 Kelly Mark, Ryan Motomura
2008 Douglas Motomura, Charna Matsushige
2007 Eric Mark, Amy Okada, Julie Takasaki
2006 Derek Yoshida, Matthew Wakisaka, Mika Yoshikawa
2005 Sachi Goto, Gillian Shimizu
2004 Mieko Nagao, David Takasaki
2003 Brian Yoshida, Caitlin Wakisaka, Geoffrey Takasaki, Lisa Matsuyama
2002 Clayton Madokoro
2001 —
2000 Kiyomi Motomura
1999 Aja Shimizu, Jane Shiraishi
1998 Alyna Wyatt, Timothy Madokoro
1997 June Shiraishi, Edward Kishibe
1996 Karen Nekoda, Cindy Nishimura, Pauline Fujita
1995 Margaret Kishibe, Kimiko Nakabayashi
1994 —
1993 —
1992 Cindy Aoki, Jennifer Bando, San Fujikawa, Thomas Kishibe
1991 —
1990 Bud Fujikawa, Diane Hayashi, Sherry Nishimura, Susan Takahashi
1989 Richard Hayashi, Michelle Kushida, Sandra Nishikawa
1988 Zoltan Hawryluk, Leslie Tajiri
1987 Paul Aoki, Douglas Nekoda
1986 Tracey Asano, Kimberly Kushida, Naomi Lisa Suyama
1985 Richard Matsumoto, Milinda Sato
1984 Lorne Hawryluk, Edward Kitaura, Gary Nagasuye
1983 Caroline Nobuto, Paul Tsuji, Linda Wakabayashi
1982 Karuna Sato, Kiyoshi Sumiya, Mark Suyama
1981 Aaron Aoki, Sandra Azuma, Stephen Crichton, Eleanor Goto, Susan Kitazaki, Raymond Nishimura
1980 Larry Suyama, Stan Tahara, Mark Yonekura, Glenn Yoshida
1979 Lynn Furukawa, Cathy Kagawa
1978 Linda Hori, Terumi Izukawa, Julie Suyama, Naomi Tsuji
1977 Rick Nishimura, Jeff Shimizu
1976 Dennis Izukawa, Randy Nagao
1975 Ron Fukushima, Don Kawasaki, John Nishikawa
1974 John Ebata, Ken Yoshida
1973 —
1972 Danny Nakamura, Carolyn Nishikawa, Alan Tanaka
1971 Laurie Kondo, Gordon Yoshida, Akira Yoshikawa
1970 Linda Koyanagi, Terry Watada
1969 Paula Tsuruoka, Karen Yamamoto
1968 Susan Ebisuzaki, Howie Yoshida
1967 Elizabeth Ishida, John Maemura, Ross Yoshida