Buddhist lessons are all around us; the trick is to identify and embrace them in our everyday life. Our Guest Speakers come from unique backgrounds and are eager to share their deep understanding of how to maintain a Buddhist perspective in everything we do.

Guest Speaker Introduction

Jim Pollard

Let This Be Known

Minister’s Assistant Jim Pollard shares his personal insights on choosing to seek a more fulfilling life through a Buddhist path, and a few non-traditional learnings on traditional Shin Buddhist doctrine.

Rev. Nari Hayashi

Introduce Yourself to Buddhism

Rev. Hayashi re-introduces us to the history of Shakyamuni Buddha, his journey and how his original teachings relate to today’s life in the West.

Reverend Yokoyama

Dogen's Other Power Practice

Yokoyama Sensei begins with a short, guided meditation and then introduces the practice of "just sitting." He talks about the idea of actualizing the Buddha Nature, which resides in all of us, an understanding of non-intention, and teachings on the everyday nature of Zen.

Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

Gratitude For The Efforts of Others

Rev. Kenji shares some of the common Western misunderstandings of Shin Buddhism, and the traditions behind the practice. He explains the everyday benefits of waking up to reality through true understanding. Waking up from "Please" to "Thank You".

Chenxing Han

Be the Refuge

Author Chenxing Han talks about the transformative journey of writing Be the Refuge. As a young Asian immigrant, Chenxing was challenged to find a home in American Buddhism. She critiques and debunks the dichotomy within American Buddhism as either a traditional Asian ritualistic practice or a contemporary White-driven practice centered on meditation.

Rev. Marvin Harada, BCA Bishop

Ichigo Ichie:
Savoring every day like it’s your last.

Rev. Harada explains the Zen Buddhist phrase Ichigo Ichie; which applies for all of us, of any Buddhist tradition and beyond. A powerful lesson about treating every day like it is your first day and maybe your last day. How to live every day with gratitude and reverence.

Jazz, Buddhism, and Creative Flow

Rev. Peter Hata

How pairing Buddhist thought with the concept of jazz music can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Rev. Hata shares how his professional musical career helped him develop a deeper Buddhist practice and commitment to the ministry.

Future Guest Speakers

  • Rev. Gyokei Yokoyama – Master Dogen’s Other Power Practice

  • Rev. Nari Hayashi – Introduce Yourself To Buddhism

  • Jim Pollard – Author of Let This Be Known

  • Gregg Krech — Author and ToDo Institute Founder

  • and many more to come!

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