Manitoba Buddhist Temple

The tradition taught at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple is Jodo Shinshu, the “true essence of the Pure Land way,” often called Shin Buddhism in English.

The teaching of Jodo Shinshu shares with all people a way to mindfully realize the true reality of human existence and to live a fulfilled life, grounded on something more profound and essential than mere happiness or unhappiness, with the guidance of Amida Buddha.

The founder Shinran Shonin, who lived in the 12th century Japan, revealed this teaching for the sake of all human beings in suffering. The teaching resonated with many people regardless of social status.

In its almost 800-year history, Jodo Shinshu has become the most widespread form of Buddhism in Japan. This tradition came to Hawaii and North America in the late 19th century and was sustained initially by Japanese immigrant families. It has grown to include more than 100 temples in the Canada and and the United States. The congregation is also changing and has become more racially diverse.

Jodo Shinshu temples in Canada are affiliated with the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada.

Teach­ing
Jodo Shin­shu (The True Essence of Pure Land Bud­dhist Teaching)

Founder
Shin­ran Shonin

Date of birth
May 21, 1173

Date of death
Jan­u­ary 16, 1263

Name of School
Jodo Shin­shu Hongwanji-ha

Head Tem­ple
Ryukoku-zan Hong­wanji (Nishi Hongwanji, Kyoto, Japan)

Object of Rev­er­ence
Amida Tatha­gata (Namo Amida Butsu)

Scrip­tures
The Three Pure Land Sutras deliv­ered by Shakya­muni Buddha
• Bus­setsu Mury­oju Kyo [The Sutra of the Bud­dha of Immea­sur­able Life]
• Bus­setsu Kam­mury­oju Kyo [The Sutra of Con­tem­pla­tion of the Bud­dha of Immea­sur­able Life]
• Bus­setsu Amida Kyo [The Sutra on Amida Buddha]

Shin­ran Shonin’s writ­ings
• Shoshin Nem­but­suge [Hymn of True Entrust­ing Heart and the Nem­butsu], excerpt from the “Chap­ter on Prac­tice” ofKyo­gyoshin­sho
• Jodo Wasan [Hymns of the Pure Land]
• Koso Wasan [Hymns of the Pure Land Mas­ters]
• Shozomatsu Wasan [Hymns of the Dharma-Ages]

Ren­nyo Shonin’s Gob­un­sho Let­ters
Teach­ing: Attain­ing the “entrust­ing heart”—awakening to the com­pas­sion of Amida Tatha­gata (Bud­dha) through the work­ing of the Pri­mal Vow—we shall walk the path of life recit­ing Amida’s Name (Nem­butsu).  At the end of life, we will be born in the Pure Land and attain Bud­dha­hood, return­ing at once to this delu­sional world to guide peo­ple to awakening.

Way of Life
Guided by the teach­ing of Shin­ran Shonin, we shall lis­ten to the com­pas­sion­ate call­ing of Amida Tatha­gata and recite the Nem­butsu.  While always reflect­ing on our­selves, amidst our feel­ings of regret and joy, we shall live express­ing our grat­i­tude with­out depend­ing on peti­tionary prayer and superstition.

Pur­pose
The Hong­wanji is a com­mu­nity of peo­ple joined together in rever­ing the teach­ing of Shin­ran Shonin and say­ing the Nem­butsu.  We seek to share with oth­ers the wis­dom and com­pas­sion of Amida Tatha­gata.  By doing so, we shall work toward the real­iza­tion of a soci­ety in which every­one is able to live a life of spir­i­tual fulfillment.