Relating Buddhism to Everyday Life

Throughout my ministerial career, I have attempted to present Buddhism as it relates to our everyday life. Rather than trying to present an academic or doctrinal teaching in my messages, I have attempted to talk about something in everyday life and relate that life experience to the teachings.  

I can’t take credit for this approach because I learned it from the late Rev. Gyomay Kubose, author of the Buddhist classic, “Everyday Suchness.” The first time I listened to Rev. Kubose speak, I was struck by how relatable his message was and how it was so connected to everyday life. It was what led me to study under him for nine months before I went to Japan to study.  

While in Japan, this approach continued to be the focus for me, although I was often challenged with trying to understand Jodo Shinshu in its doctrinal and academic presentation, which was what I primarily heard in Japan.  

One exception to that was Professor Takamaro Shigaraki, whom I had the great fortune of studying under at Ryukoku University. He was trying to reform our Jodo Shinshu teachings and how it was being presented. He felt that it was not resonating with contemporary people and that if we continued in that vein, our Hongwanji and Jodo Shinshu would decline.  

That was 40 years ago, and sadly, his vision has come true in that our Hongwanji is in a severe decline. They are not just losing members, but temples are closing at a rapid rate.   

Shigaraki Sensei was opposed to using the same rhetoric, the same old way of explaining and expressing Shin Buddhism. He was trying to relate it more to people’s everyday lives, to their everyday challenges and issues, to their sufferings and problems, and to their hopes and aspirations.  

His manner of teaching resonated with many students at Ryukoku University and his seminar class was the largest in Shin Buddhist studies.  Now, many of his former students are trying to change the Hongwanji from within the system. I had some wonderful conversations with some of the former students when I was in Japan in October.  We encouraged each other to do what we can to share the Dharma and the Nembutsu more effectively in this contemporary world.  

One thing that we have to understand is that in order to relate Buddhism to your everyday life, you have to have a certain amount of understanding of Buddhism. That means we do have to make an effort to learn the basics of Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu. And to learn the basics of Buddhism as it relates to our everyday life, not just as an academic study.  

That is why I initiated the Buddhist Education Center at the Orange County Buddhist Church around the year 2000. I knew that just listening to messages on Sundays was not enough, that people had to have a certain level of understanding to be able to relate the teachings to their everyday life.

I have found that this approach has proven to bear fruit and that those who have undergone some study in a Buddhist education program now find that they can relate the teachings to their everyday life and all of its challenges and issues. That, in turn, inspires them to study and listen even deeper.  

Although some say contemporary people are not religious, I would argue that and say all human beings are spiritual or religious at some point of their life. Everyone questions the meaning of their life. Everyone questions how they can live a happier life. Everyone ponders what awaits them when their life ends. That, to me, is why all people are, deep down, spiritual and religious.  

I hope I can continue to share the teachings in a manner that resonates and relates to people’s everyday lives. When we see the teachings in our everyday life, the teachings really come alive for us. The teachings then enter our hearts and minds, even to the marrow of our bones.