Welcome Committee Helps Put Newcomers at Ease
Greeters are on hand every Sunday to ensure that newcomers feel welcome. They
hand out informational materials to new visitors, and have first-time visitors
sign the guest book. After the service, a lay minister's assistant is usually
available to give a brief orientation to the Temple for those who want more
information.
To follow the Buddhist path is to find an individual path that recognizes that
person’s interdependence with others. People will only walk a particular path if
it is accessible, inviting, and one that an individual has chosen for
him/herself. In order for a path to be meaningful in the ultimate sense, it has
to be open to all who seek it. It becomes, therefore, the responsibility of
those individuals who are already walking along the Buddhist path (the Welcome
Committee and our Sangha) to keep the door open for all people to experience it
for themselves.
The Service Format
After the Service Programs
Dharma Exchange:
The Betsuin Dharma Exchange is an informal gathering held after the Sunday English Service for those in attendance. During the Dharma Exchange, people gather to ask questions, share their insights, and share each other's company over light refreshments (usually donuts!), coffee or tea, and Buddhist conversation.
Japanese Howa/Program:
The Betsuin also offers a Japanese Howa (see definitions on this page) or Japanese language program for those who prefer Japanese. The Japanese Howa, usually held at least two times a month, is a Dharma message given in the Japanese language. On those Sundays when a Japanese Howa is not scheduled, the Betsuin will prepare a Japanese program where those in attendance may view documentary films, films, or listen to audio recordings of lectures on Buddhism (Jodo Shinsu) in Japanese.
Some Definitions
Kansho In the Jodo Shinsu Tradition the Kansho is often referred to as the Gyoji-sho or "ritual bell" because it is rung just prior to the beginning of the ritual. This bell is the sound that lets the priests know to enter the naijin or "inner altar" area.
Bonsho The Bonsho is the large temple bell. It is suspended inside the shoro constructed specifically to house the bell. The Japanese character "bon" is used to express purity. Because the Bonsho is used for Buddhist Services it is given this honorific title. The Seattle Betsuin uses the Bonsho in a very unique style. Although the Bonsho is traditionally only rung prior to the service to let the "assembly" know that the service will begin, the Bonsho at the Betsuin is also rung after the beginning of the service and is used as a focal point during our "Bonsho Meditation". Listening to the Bonsho may remind us of the words found in the beginning of the Heike Mono-gatari: "The voice of the bell at the Jetavana grove resounds with (the teaching of) all conditioned things are impermanent..."
Sanbutsuka (lit. "song in praise of the Buddha) The Sanbutsuka, often miscalled Gatha, are songs sung in praise of the virtues of the Buddha. The Sunday ritual service itself is also conducted in praise of the Buddha's virtues: the virtues of a Buddha help reveal to us the path that allows us to transcend the world of birth, old age, sickness, and death.
Gatha Gathas are the teachings of the a Buddha (or commentaries) written in verse form and because of that is often mistaken as a song.
Three Treasures The Three Treasures of Buddhism are the Buddha (an enlightened person), the Dharma (the body of truth a Buddha becomes enlightened to), and the Sangha (the community that tries to live its life based on the Buddha's teaching).
Howa (lit. Dharma Talk) A message given based on one's interpretation, experiences abut a scriptural passage. This word is contrasted to Sekkyo (lit. Explanation of Teaching) or sermon, and Kanwa (lit. Feeling Talk) which is talk not about any particular scriptural passage.