New Ministers Hail From US, Europe
- Dennis Akizuki & Jon Kawamoto
- Jul 15
- 11 min read
Kyoshi Certification Retreat Held Outside Japan at JSC for Only the Second Time
For only the second time in Hongwanji-ha history, a Kyoshi Certification Retreat (“Kyoshi Kyoshu”) was held outside of Japan at the BCA’s Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) in Berkeley, California.
The retreat, which was held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8, 2024, was a 10-day intensive program featuring services three times a day, special training in chanting and rituals, lectures on Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu, and dialogue and discussion among the participants and their instructors.
Kyoshi is like receiving teaching certification to teach Jodo Shinshu on behalf of the Nishi Hongwanji. Kyoshi is required to be a resident minister (“jushoku”) in Japan, and it is required to become a Kaikyoshi in the BCA.
BCA ministers Rimban Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki and Rev. Tadao Koyama taught chanting and liturgy.
Two instructors came from Japan to teach the chanting and rituals, Rev. Gentoku Nishioki and Rev. Jun Anezaki, both from the Hongwanji-ha training center, the Nishiyama Betsuin, in Kyoto, Japan.
Instructors included ministers and professors from the BCA and Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS). Because of the JSC and because the BCA has trained and qualified teachers, the Hongwanji-ha has agreed to hold the Kyoshi retreat in the United States instead of in Japan. The BCA is also allowed to tailor the instruction and curriculum for serving as a minister overseas, instead of serving in Japan.
“We hope to continue this program every four years, which will help to create the pipeline to ordain and train future ministers to serve not only in the BCA, but also to serve in Canada, Hawaii and Europe as well,” said BCA Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada.
The BCA would like to thank the following ministers and officials who participated in the Kyoshi retreat: Bishop Rev. Tatsuya Aoki of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada; Rev. Henry Adams; BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi; Rev. Jun Anezaki; Dr. Mark Blum; Rev. Harry Bridge; Rev. Jerome Ducor; BCA Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada; Rev. Jerry Hirano; Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst; and Rimban Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki.
Also: Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara; Rev. Eric Matsumoto; BCA Minister Emeritus and IBS President Emeritus Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto; Rev. Etsuko Mikame; Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji; Rev. Gentoku Nishioki; Rev. Melissa Opel; BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Dennis Shinseki; Rick Stambul; Rev. Tadao Koyama; Rev. Jon Turner; BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Kodo Umezu; and Bishop Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani of the Hompa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii,
Following are brief bios of the Kyoshi participants:
Sterling Davenport
Home Temple: Vista Buddhist Temple
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “My most meaningful moment was working together one night with everyone after all the training was done. All the other candidates had stayed late that night to prepare for the next day's service. Although several teachers were there to watch and help us, all the candidates could walk through and practice the entire service without any help. It was great to work with everyone, support each other and practice something we had just learned a couple of hours earlier.
“I remember asking one of the teachers how it looked when we were done, and they smiled and said it looks excellent! No one told us to stay late that night; we just wanted to work together and practice to ensure everything was perfect for the next day. It was a fantastic opportunity to practice rituals, build relationships and experience Sangha.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: “As someone who's usually asleep by 8 p.m., I remember it being very hard to stay up till 11 (p.m.) every single night for 10 consecutive days. I especially remember the last night we had to practice a new chant and for the life of me, I could not chant my leader line correctly. I knew how to do it; I could do it before we practiced as a group, but I kept getting tongue-tied when we were all practicing together. No matter how many times I tried to do it at the moment, I couldn't get it to come out right. It was frustrating, but I knew I was just exhausted. The funny thing was, after we were done practicing that night, I remember doing it in my bedroom repeatedly without any problems.”
Kyoshi Reflections: “It was a fantastic opportunity I wouldn't give up for anything — a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. I met and got to know so many amazing people. I especially enjoyed hearing everyone's three-minute reflections after every morning service. It was inspiring and reminded me why we were here and training. Although this was our last step, it was a good reminder that we were just getting started and at the starting line of a much longer journey.”
Future Plans: “Right now, I'm working as a part-time minister and hope to eventually work as a full-time minister. However, I enjoy taking every day one step at a time.”
Blake Honda
Home Temple: Buddhist Church of Fowler
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “The most meaningful part of Kyoshi was that I somehow made it through. But through deep reflection, it was because of the support of the instructors and my fellow Kyoshi aspirants.
“One noteworthy part is that Judy Kono, Rev. Michael Endo and volunteers kept us well-fed at the Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) in Berkeley, California. I was grateful for Judy's deep concern that we were getting the nutrients we needed to keep up with the schedule. Their kindness and act of ‘Mama-san’-ness (acts of parental love) is a wonderful reminder of the compassionate acts of Amida Buddha, reminding me why I am pursuing Kyoshi. I am deeply grateful to be carried through Kyoshi by many wonderful Nembutsu companions.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: “I think the hardest part for me was being tested on ‘Toraiban,’ which is a ritual in observance of Hoonko (Shinran's memorial) or other special services. There are many steps, and it never fails that I mess up.”
Kyoshi Reflections: “As I reflect on Kyoshi, and other than the relief that it is done, I am grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am grateful to all those who were involved in making this happen.
“The staff, volunteers, teachers, donors, and especially Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara, who always checked on us every morning to ensure we were well. Or in my case, making sure that I hadn't escaped.
“Even though I have made it this far, I am humbly reminded that this is just the beginning, which is exciting because I am granted the opportunity to share my joy of Dharma with others and learn from them as well. And all that is required is to continue to learn and help one another ‘Just as we are.’"
Future Plans: ”I hope to complete my master in divinity degree at the Institute of Buddhist Studies by the end of this year. And serve as a full-time minister for the Buddhist Churches of America.”
Michael Jones
Home Temple: San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “During the Kyoshi training, I was given the opportunity to wear (best dressed in) the very formal Shichi-go-gesa (seven panel) robes. These robes are very ornate and very costly. The way in which they are worn is complex and so the minister wearing them requires help from at least one other person to get them on and in place. I had two people dressing me.
“The dressing process took about 30 minutes. We then conducted a service, with me sitting in the officiant position in the Shichi-go-gesa. The robes are very restrictive, which means that reaching for things and placing the service book inside the robes was very difficult. After a while, it becomes very warm.
“It was an honor to be able to wear these robes. I doubt that I will ever wear them again, since it is primarily the Bishop, one of the five Rinban in BCA, or the occasional Resident Minister (Kaikyoshi) who would wear them on rare occasion.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: “After going through Tokudo, it is difficult for me to consider anything in the Kyoshi process difficult. Through the efforts of Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada and Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara, we were able to do our Kyoshi training in the United States at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley. The instruction was in English and did not require us to wait for translations after each segment. The number of things to be memorized was minimal.
“That said, the most difficult thing for me was learning to chant the ‘Godensho.’ We had learned to chant the ‘Gobunsho’ in Tokudo. These are the writings of Rennyo, voiced in a melodic and ritualistic manner. The ‘Godensho’ is Shinran’s biography and the style of chanting them is more complex and nuanced. I enjoy doing both, but it will take me much more practice to get the ‘Godensho’ done correctly.
Kyoshi Reflections: “During the Kyoshi training in Berkeley, we had aspirants from Europe. Although they were occasionally on some of our training sessions throughout the year via Zoom, this was the first time we had met them in person. Unlike the five of us from BCA who had completed our Tokudo at the end of 2023, these Europeans had completed their Tokudo ordination several years earlier. However, they have few opportunities to work in a fully functional Jodo Shinshu temple in their home areas.
“The five of us from the United States were very fortunate to be able to better understand the challenges of spreading the teachings from the perspective of these European pioneers. Having them with us, and having such a small group overall meant that we had a lot of time to focus on the rituals, the instruction and the way that each of us approached our practice.
“We were reminded on several occasions that the completion of our Kyoshi journey was not an ending, arriving at a destination. Rather, it is a beginning, and the conclusion of our Kyoshi journey, marked the beginning of our journey to teach and spread the Dharma.”
Future Plans: “My primary goal is to continue to serve the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin and to help the resident ministers in any way I can. Because of some current circumstances, I have started to work part-time as a paid Assistant Minister at the San Jose Betsuin. I have also applied to the Bishop and the Hongwanji to be assigned to San Jose as a Kaikyoshi-ho minister.”
Igor Makasyuk
Home Temple: Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “There were moments while learning complex rituals when I would get a palpable feeling that we were following the path that thousands of priests have walked, that we were becoming a part of that group. Reading the ‘Godensho’ by Kakunyo Shonin as part of the service was another such moment. Another moment was the concluding service with ‘Shoshinge’ and chanting the wasans that were chanted at Nishi Hongwanji on that day.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: “The sad moment was when I realized that the training was about to be completed and we would not be meeting again, likely, at least not in that group, to study, learn rituals and conduct services together.
“Kadai — tests — were hard. Giving a Dharma message from memory following the Hongwanji ritual was so hard that I barely remember how it went.
“A hard and funny moment was at the last Amida-kyo ritual service. That is a complex three-part ritual that includes circumambulating the Amida Buddha statue while chanting and dropping keha — paper leaves — that we carried in the metal plates, kero. I am the doshi and I lead the chanting from the raiban.
“The second part where we walk around Amida Buddha starts with me getting off the raiban. The egakari who directs the service brings out the kero, I squat and pick it up, everything goes fine. Then I need to start the second part of the sutra by chanting the line and dropping off one leaf. I go under the Amida-kyo book for the keha, but it is not there. The egakari brought out the kero for me but there was not one leaf in it.”
Kyoshi Reflections: “I feel very grateful for being accepted into this tradition now as a priest. We had excellent Nishi Hongwanji licensed teachers and countless wonderful ministers who joined in person and on Zoom from all parts of the country, as well as from Canada and Hawaii. They cared to take time out of their schedules to share with us what they have learned over lifetimes of ministry. That experience is priceless and will stay with me.
“I am very grateful to the JSC staff. Although they are called ‘staff,’ they treated us like family. That is another memory that I am keeping from both Tokudo and Kyoshi sessions. The more I learn, the clearer it becomes how little I know. This training was another reminder that the ministry, as life itself, is a continuous learning process.”
Future Plans: “The plan is to continue serving as a Minister’s Assistant at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple, help conduct services, give Dharma talks, write to the temple Sangha guide, and help the temple and BCA as needed. Also, I plan to complete my Master of Divinity degree and to continue studying.”
Devon Matsumoto
Home Temple: Mountain View Buddhist Temple
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “My most meaningful Kyoshi moment was being able to listen to the impromptu Dharma reflections from my fellow Kyoshi candidates. It was nice to hear a heartfelt unscripted Dharma message.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: :My hardest Kyoshi moment was everything. From the chanting rituals, Dharma talk, lectures and posture, I felt like I was always stumbling trying to keep up.”
Kyoshi Reflections: “Kyoshi was very meaningful for me, especially that it was held at the JSC. I feel deeply tied to that space. I participated in the Ochigo procession when the JSC first opened and throughout high school attended Youth Advocacy Committee (YAC) summits there where we would play hide and seek or sneak into rooms we maybe weren’t supposed to be in. It is crazy to think that this building, where I was given space to be a mischievous teen, is now a space I can think back on as one where I received my Kyoshi certification. It truly reminds me of all that I have benefited from to be where I am today.”
Future Plans: “I plan to move to Japan and attend Chubutsu, and upon my return, pursue Kaikyoshi.”
Jan-Marc Nottelmann
Home Temple: EKO temple, Dusseldorf (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai)
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “It was those moments when I felt the personality of a teacher like Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada. Every teacher demonstrated to me in his or her way a mode of being a Shin Buddhist priest.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: “Two or three days after the course had started, I felt physically exhausted, but nevertheless, we tried hard to review our lessons until late at night. My younger fellow students helped me a lot with their enthusiasm.”
Kyoshi Reflections: “To be a Shin Buddhist priest is a job for the people. You must love people, if you want to be a good Shin Buddhist priest. This is not my own reflection, but it is kind of the essence.”
Future Plans: “I want to continue to teach Shin Buddhism here in the EKO House, and I want to explain Buddhism easily so that people can understand it.”
David Quirke-Thornton
Home Temple: Jodo Shinshu United Kingdom (UK)
Most Meaningful Kyoshi Moment: “Being in fellowship with the other Kyoshi aspirants and doing all the services with them. The number of us undertaking Kyoshi was perfect and meant that there was a role for everyone each time we did service. The harmony of the chanting was very powerful and moving. It was a deeply spiritual experience and very meaningful for me. Thank you.”
Hardest Kyoshi Moment: “None, thankfully, due to the incredible support and preparation of our teachers in advance of the Kyoshi session. Taking place in the United States at the Jodo Shinshu Center was also very helpful and familiar to us all. I am very grateful that Hongwanji-ha allowed this second U.S. Kyoshi session and that they sent such excellent teachers and assessors.”
Kyoshi Reflections: “I hoped to deepen my knowledge and improve my skills to be the best priest I can be in sharing Jodo Shinshu here in the UK and Europe. The Kyoshi session was everything I hoped for and more. It was intense and the days were long and full, but every moment was beneficial. I really enjoyed the experience and also deeply appreciate the care and support of all who made it possible.”
Future Plans: We will open a small temple and begin in-person services to complement the online activity of Jodo Shinshu UK. It's very exciting! Our aspiration is to have a larger temple in London someday as there is growing interest in Jodo Shinshu here and we wish to secure a home for our Sangha.
“We're also busy preparing to host the 21st European Shin Buddhist Conference in Oxford in September. There has been incredible interest and this will be the largest conference ever held in Europe. We're looking forward to seeing some friends from the United States who are also attending the conference — our cousins from across the pond. The future for Jodo Shinshu looks very bright here. We will work hard to share Shinran Shonin's teachings in the UK and across Europe.”
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