RKINA
BUDDHISM FOR TODAY
Peace to our families, communities, countries and to the world.
JUNE 2021
ONLINE SANGHA GATHERING
Every Thursday 6pm-7pm Pacific Time : Tuesday in Japanese 6pm-7pm Pacific Time
Welcome to the Online Sangha Gathering, a Rissho Kosei-kai service. Refresh your mind with a Lotus Sutra recitation, align your thoughts by listening to a Dharma talk, and reflect on the teachings in Hoza or Dharma Circle discussion, where we learn how to incorporate the practice in our daily lives. Everyone is welcomed!
On June 24, we will do Hoza, after reading the founder's reflection.
TRANSATLANTIC SANGHA GATHERING
1st & 3rd Thursday of every month, 8am-9am Pacific Time
Transatlantic Sangha is a gathering bridging continents. Come and join Buddhists from the Americas, Europe, and Africa. The hour consists of a Lotus Sutra recitation and different features such as guest speakers, Dharma Journeys, Q&A, and more! Bring your friends!
TA will be taking a short break, returning on September 2. The next session will be on 9/2, 9/16, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 12/2. Have a terrific summer!
DHARMA DOJO
May 9-June 27, Sunday 3pm-4pm Pacific Time
We are happy to announce the return of the Dharma Dojo Lecture Series with a new session called "Living the Buddhist Text: Our Life is Shaped By Our Mind," with Rev. Dr. Masaki Matsubara, a 16th-generation Zen Priest in the Rinzai lineage. For this special 8 sessions, he will speak on the Dhammapada, the collection of verses from the earliest period of Buddhism, showing us how relevant those words are still today. Everyone is welcomed!
The next and last gathering of this session is June 27.
Upcoming / Registration now open
RKINA101: BASIC BUDDHISM COURSE
Aug. 30-Nov.1, Monday 6pm-7pm Pacific Time (10 week course)
This is a great introductory course, open to anyone interested in learning basic Buddhist concepts. Great for beginners and as a refresher class for veterans! In 10 sessions, we will cover: The Three Treasures, The Law of Causation, The Three Seals of the Dharma, The Four Noble Truths, the Ten Suchnesses, the Twelve Link Chain of Causation, The Eightfold Path, The Six Perfections, Transmigration and Karma, and the Three Thousand Realms in One Mind.
Upcoming / Registration now open
RKINA103: INTRO TO THE LOTUS SUTRA
Sep. 1-Dec.15, Wednesday 6pm-7:30pm Pacific Time (16 week course)
RKINA 103 is an introductory distance learning course into the sublime world of the Lotus Sutra. In 16 weeks, we will study the core concepts found in each chapter of the three sutras that make up the Threefold Lotus Sutra, as interpreted by the writing of Nikkyo Niwano, Founder of Rissho Kosei-kai.
Weekly Quote
"Rather than approaching our practice with the focus of becoming a Buddha or Bodhisattva, the true Bodhisattva practice of thoughtful action becomes natural when we understand true appreciation of life."
Nikkyo Niwano
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Including Founder Niwano's Reflection, President Niwano's Monthly Message, Member's Dharma Journey and explanation of a chapter from the Threefold Lotus Sutra.
ABOUT US
Welcome to Rissho Kosei-Kai! With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, we are a Sangha composed of ordinary people who have faith in the Buddha and strive to enrich their spirituality by applying his teachings in our daily lives. The Buddha's teachings are here before you in the hopes that you will find true happiness by walking the path to buddhahood together. At both the local community level and international level, Sangha members, guided by President Nichiko Niwano, are very active in promoting peace and well-being through altruistic activities and cooperation with other organizations.
Rissho Kosei-Kai International of North America (RKINA) is a regional office and center located in Los Angeles, CA. Like local Dharma Centers, RKINA also offers online services and Buddhism classes. With other local Dharma Centers throughout the Americas and worldwide, our practice is, anywhere you are, "is indeed the place of the way."
WHAT DOES RISSHO KOSEI-KAI MEAN?
'Rissho' means living out the true words of the Dharma in our hearts and minds.
'Kosei' means perfecting ourselves through learning together and encouraging each other.
'Kai' means society or organization - for we cannot exist purposefully in isolation.
Rissho Kosei-kai was founded by Nikkyo Niwano in 1938 with Mrs. Myoko Naganuma and some thirty members.
TEACHING
THE LOTUS STURA AND A SET OF FUNDAMENTAL BUDDHIST TEACHINGS
Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, discovered that the set of fundamental teachings of Buddhism were perfectly incorporated into the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra seamlessly integrates its profound philosophy and high ideals with practical fundamental Buddhist teachings. This is why the Lotus Sutra is the primary scripture in which Rissho Kosei-kai members place their faith.
WHAT IS THE ONE VEHICLE?
The concept of the One Vehicle means that all of the teachings of the Buddha are for the purpose of leading all living beings to Buddhahood. At the same time, the ultimate meaning of the One Vehicle is that the whole universe is permeated by the Dharma, or Life as the source of all things, and that all living beings are sustained by it and together their entirety all things comprise a single living entity.
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The core of Rissho Kosei-kai members' practice is revering buddha nature, that is, paying homage to and revering all living beings.
Through the bodhisattva way, we practice to liberate all human beings and create harmony in society.
BASIC PRACTICES OF THE BODHISATTVA
PRACTICE
1. Daily recitation
2. Studying the Threefold Lotus Sutra
3. Hoza Practice
4. Engagement with the Sangha
5. Sharing the Dharma
CERTIFICATE ONLINE COURSE
Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America distance learning Buddhism classes are open to anyone interested in learning more about a Buddhist practice that combines traditional Buddhist teachings with the everyday application to help a modern and evolving world find peace and happiness.
Currently, four online courses a year are offered that includes weekly assignments, team presentations, discussions, and lectures.
1. Basic Buddhism
2. Kyoten Study
3. Introduction to the Threefold Lotus Sutra
4. Threefold Lotus Sutra
LEARNING
MEMBER'S VOW
We members of Rissho Kosei-kai
Take refuge in the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni
And recognize in Buddhism a true way of liberation,
Under the guidance of our revered founder, Nikkyo Niwano.
In the spirit of lay Buddhists,
We vow to perfect ourselves
Through personal discipline and leading others
And by improving our knowledge and practice of the faith,
And we pledge ourselves to follow the bodhisattva way
To bring peace to our families, communities,
and countries, and to the world.
MORE ABOUT US
DHARMA WORLD
Semiannual Magazine
Spring 2021, Vol.48
RISSHO KOSEI-KAI
HEADQUARTER
in Tokyo, Japan
INTERFAITH
Interreligious dialog & cooperation for peace
RISSHO KOSEI-KAI
EVENTS
Annual Memorial Days,
Special Ceremonies, Events
SANGHA IN MOTION
Archive Newsletter
ONLINE STORE
Books and Merchandise
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Angela,
San Antonio, TX
"I like the welcoming community, regardless of your ethnicity, past spiritual background, or current knowledge. Everyone is welcomed with open arms and compassion."
Paolo,
Orlando, FL
"Rissho Kosei-kai encourages interfaith activities and doesn't look down on other religions."
Linda,
Solvang, CA
"A sangha is more than a physical space. It is the energy and spirit of people who practice together. Online Sangha has embraced technology and brings that spirit to a worldwide family of Buddhist practitioners."
Farelle,
Los Angeles, CA
"We are all on a path and Hoza is like a meeting of fellow travelers you come upon each week to relive your progress, lessons, tribulations, and most importantly, experiences gained."