By: Reina Washington
Introduction:
The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, also known as the Seattle Buddhist Church or the Seattle Betsuin, is a Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land) temple located in Seattle, Washington. It is under the mother temple of Nishi Hongwanji, or “Temple of the Primal Vow”, in Japan. Their main mission is “to promote, protect and share the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha” and hope to deepen one’s understanding and connection to the Sangha.
Brief Historical Roots:
The history of Jodo Shinshu in America officially began on November 15, 1901, when Reverend Kakuryo Nishijima, one of the two first missionaries of the Jodo Shinshu faith to be sent to North America, performed the first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, the current temple complex of what was originally known as the Seattle Buddhist Church was founded on October 4, 1942. Unfortunately, there seems to be no mention of the temple’s original founder. A fun historical fact about this location is how it briefly became the US Maritime Commission Office during WW2 from May 3, 1942, to August 4, 1946. Despite the hardships of WW2 regarding Japanese internment and the erasure of their culture, afterward, the temple continued to grow, creating an auditorium (1945), a Day Nursey Program and a Boy Scout Troop (1948), and a Research Department (1949). On March 11, 1954, the mother temple of Nishi Hongwanji in Japan recognized all of these activities and others, which elevated the temple to Betsuin status. When the Betsuin was included as a part of the Chinatown historic district in 1986, its activities and historical impact in the Seattle area were recognized and registered in the National Register of Historic Places. This temple has had a major impact on bringing Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land) Buddhism to the Pacific Northwest and fostering a Japanese Buddhist community.
Affiliations with Jodo Shinshu Buddhism:
The teaching the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple practices is Jodo Shinshu, also known as ‘The True Essence of Pure Land Buddhist Teaching’ in English. It orginates from Japan and it’s founder is Shinran Shonin (1173-1263). Their object of reverence is the Amida Tathagata (Buddha). The temple practices under the school of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, with its head temple being the Ryukoku‐zan Hongwanji (Nishi Hongwanji). The current head minister is Reverend Katsuya Kusnoki. He has taken the Hongwanji-ha Rituals course for leaders, a certificate only him and a former minster of this temple hold within the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA).
Furthermore, the scriptures used here include:
- Sutras: The Three Pure Land Sutras Delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha
- Bussetsu Muryōju Kyō [The Sutra of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life]
- Bussetsu Kammuryōju Kyō [The Sutra of Contemplation of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life]
- Bussetsu Amida Kyō [The Sutra on Amida Buddha]
- Shinran Shonin’s writings
- Shōshin Nembutsuge [Hymn of True Entrusting Heart and the Nembutsu], excerpt from the “Chapter on Practice” of Kyōgyōshinshō
- Jōdo Wasan [Hymns of the Pure Land]
- Kōsō Wasan [Hymns of the Pure Land Masters]
- Shōzōmatsu Wasan [Hymns of the Dharma‐Ages]
- Rennyo Shonin’s Gobunshō Letters
The purpose behind these teachings is to bring people together to revere the teachings of Shinran Shonin and to say the Nembutsu. In doing so, they hope to attain the “entrusting heart” to awaken the compassion of Amida Tathagata. This can be done though reflection and expressing gratitude. These teachings will help one be born in the Pure Land and attain Buddhahood, and then return back to this world to guide people to awakening.
Additionally, the website provides a good amount of information surrounding the teachings of Shinran Shonin and core beliefs of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. There is a whole section dedicated to ‘Buddhist Education’, providing those who are interested in the faith with an introduction to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, service materials, sutras, music, and even a link to a course pathway called the ‘Everyday Buddhist’. These sections provide an easy way to learn more about the faith, with descriptions of such topics as The Three Sutras, The Three-Fold Body of Buddha, Pure Land, The Purpose of Life, and more. Instructing on such topics helps deepen members’ understanding of Buddhism and its practical applications in everyday life.
Relationships with other Western and Asian Buddhist Communities:
The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple is one of the 60+ communities a part of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) with over 12,000 members across the United States. BCA is affiliated with the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha tradition and its head temple is in Kyoto, Japan. The temple seems to keep a close-knit community as it hosts plenty of affiliated organizations. Some of the communities it hosts includes the Young Buddhist Association (YBA) and The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association (SBBWA). These organizations help establish friendships between sangha members through temple activities. It helps create an engaging and inviting environment for those who would like to be more involved in the sangha.
Additionally, it is also affiliated with the Dharma School. It teaches from infancy up to high school, seeking to increase the knowledge of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Moreover, organizations such as Camp Fire and Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts gives an opportunity for the younger generation to learn about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism while participating in fun activities. Seattle Betsuin’s close relationship with these various communities not only allows it to foster its sangha, but also improve the education and interest of Shin Buddhism for all ages to expand their community.
Constituents and Demographics:
The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple provides services and their newsletters in Japanese and English. The exact membership numbers are hard to gauge, however, it seems that the temple has a sizable following. Furthermore, based on the media provided by the temple, it seems that most members are Japanese-American. Moreover, the temple include a wide range of age groups, from infants to seniors.
As stated before, Seattle Betsuin is affiliated with various organizations. These organizations allows for a more diverse and involved sangha. The website has a full section for families, showing how it is a prominent demographic within the temple. One of the organizations listed in the ‘For Families’ section is the Dharma School, which provides a Buddhist school environment for those in K-12. Other programs listed in this section are Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts, Camp Fire, Young Buddhist Association, Taiko Drumming, and Kid Summer Program. There are also special family services that are provided monthly. Its affiliation with these types of organizations and its special catering to families displays how it is a major demographic for the temple.
Practices, Events, and Services:
The Seattle Betsuin provide a service every Sunday at 10 AM in the hondo (main sanctuary). WIthin each service, the Bonshō, the large temple bell across the street from the temple, is rung prior to the start of the service to notify the sangha that the service will begin shortly. Additionally, the Kanshō, the ritual bell that hangs inside the temple, is also run just prior to the beginning of a ritual or service. During these services, the Dharma Talk, or Howa, is delivered by the head minister. Deep listening is an important aspect of Jodo Shinshu practice, during this the sangha reflect upon their lives while learning about the Buddha Nature. The central pratice of nearly every service is the chanting of a sutra. Some of the sutras that are chanted during these service are: Jūseige, Sanbutsuge, and Shōshinge. After these services, there are programs such as the Dharma Exchange and Japanese Howa. The Dharma Exchange is where people can discuss Buddhist conversation with other members over light refreshments and snacks. The Japanese Howa is a Japanese language program which is comprised of a reading, a Dharma talk, and a Japanese language gatha.
Furthermore, the Betsuin provides other services such as funerals, weddings, memorial services, and more. There are also Betsuin programs, such as Japanese Hou-za (gathering to hear the Dharma), English study classes, Japanese spring and fall seminars, Buddhist Book group, Shakyo (copying sutras using Japanese brush calligraphy), and many more.
Finally, the temple hosts and celebrates important Jodo Shinshu holidays/events with special services. Some of the holidays include Hanamatsuri (Sakyamuni Buddha’s birthday), Hoonko (memorial service for Shinran Shonin), Nirvana Day (remembering Sakyamuni Buddha’s death), and Bon Odori (summer festival to honor departed ancestors).
Their Understanding of Buddhism:
The temple seems to view itself as ‘Protestant Buddhism’, stating, “rather than seeing ourself as one who is able to generate compassion we are recipients of boundless compassion”. Although striving for enlightenment is the goal, they recognize that enlightenment can be beyond their capabilities. Overall, they focus on expressing their gratitude towards Amida to deepen their understanding of the Dharma.
How the Temple is Funded:
The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple has a membership program that is recommended to anyone who attends services regularly and/or has children in the Dharma School. There are three categories: Regular Members, Associate Members, and Honorary Members. Regular members are individuals who have one vote at any General Membership meeting and contribute minimum basic dues, which are $200 per member age 30 years or younger, $400 per member ages 31-69 or $800 per couple, and $350 for those 70 and older. Associate members are individuals who are involved with the temple but are not paying dues or are paying $200 dollars or less (children are in this category). Lastly, Honorary members are individuals selected by the Board of Directors as the basis of meritorious and have permanent membership to the temple. Moreover, the temple accepts donations as well.
Sources:
https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/
https://seattlebetsuin.org
https://historylink.tours/stop/betsuin-buddhist-temple/
https://www.facebook.com/SeattleBetsuin/