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American Buddhist Study Center

by Hoshina Seki

Our passion is to introduce Buddhist Values and Japanese culture. We will have interviews with authors, scholars, ministers, and artists. There will also be discussions and, to liven things up, we will have live performances.

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Episodes

  1. ABSC podcast with Rev Dr Aaron Proffitt

    Enjoy the informal and informative discussion with Rev Dr Aaron Proffitt on his journey from the land of Jack Daniels to being a Professor, writer, Dr and now a Shin Buddhist priest and some of his funny and memorable experiences

  2. Discussion with Bun Yoshikami - author of "Rice Country"

    Please join me in this fascinating journey and story of Bun Yoshikami - the author of "Rice Country - A Social History and A Search for Identity in Americans of Japanese Ancestry"

  3. ABSC Podcast with Prof Ken Horii

    Join us in an engaging discussion with Ken Horii, an artist and professor emeritus of Spatial Dynamics at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence and an advisor to the American Buddhist Study Center

  4. ABSC Podcast with Rev Gary Jaskula

    Hope you enjoy this informal discussion with Rev Gary Jaskula on his journey to Buddhism, the focus on "Come as you are" and some light hearted examples of his experiences

  5. Podcast with Rev Kurt Rye

    Enjoy this exciting discussion with Rev Kurt Rye, resident minister at the New York Buddhist Church. Listen to his journey, learnings and his association with Buddhism and Japanese culture

  6. An interview with Priya Kumari

    Hoshina Seki interviews Priya Kumari, author and publisher of children's books. In this interview, Priya talks about how she started writing children's books and then setting up her own publishing company Eternal Tree Books. Even though her books are for kids 3 to 8, she adds a workbook at the…

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  7. Weekly Wasan - Episode 68 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 115-116

    Hi Dharma-friends! Welcome back for the conclusion of our traversal of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan or Hymns of the Dharma-Ages. , These verses are among Shinran's last public thoughts and are particularly trenchant, even for such a fearless guy as Shinran. In these verses, Shinran looks directly into…

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  8. Weekly Wasan - Episode 67 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) On Jinen Hōni

    Hi Dharma-friends, This episode is a little different than others in the series because it is a prose passage inserted into the collection instead of verses. It is like a little Dharma talk or message from Shinran himself. It is known as "On Jinen Hōni" Jinen Hōni is often rendered into English…

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  9. Weekly Wasan - Episode 66 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 110-114

    Hi Dharma-friends, In this episode we continue with 5 more verses of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan known as "Additional Hymns of Lament on the Term Hotoke." Hotoke commonly means "Buddha." According to the commentary found in The Collected Works of Shinran (CWS), "Probing into the origins of the term,...

  10. Weekly Wasan - Episode 65 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 105-109

    Hi Dharma-friends! Today let's conclude the section entitled "Gutoku's Hymns of Lament and Reflection" by listening to the last five verses. These are poems of a very personal nature by Shinran, reflecting his awareness of himself as someone sharing the deepest weaknesses of his age. This is the...

  11. Weekly Wasan - Episode 64 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 99-104

    Hi Dharma-friends! Today you can hear 6 more verses of "Gutoku's Hymns of Lament and Self-Reflection," part of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan. Shinran wrote these verses toward the end of his life, when he was around 85 years old. They are profound expressions of his own self-reflection. He also calls out...

  12. Weekly Wasan - Episode 63 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 94-98

    Hi Dharma-friends! Welcome back after a brief hiatus! This episode is the start of the next section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan. It is called "Gutoku's Hymns of Lament and Reflection" in sixteen verses. This episode contains the first five of these. These sixteen verses as a whole are a particularly...

  13. Weekly Wasan - Episode 62 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 88-93

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we conclude the section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan called "Hymns in Praise of Prince Shōtoku" with six more verses. As you know, Prince Shōtoku (574-622 CE) promoted Buddhism in Japan throughout his life and was greatly revered because of this. Shinran was...

  14. Weekly Wasan - Episode 61 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 83-87

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we begin the next section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan called "Hymns in Praise of Prince Shōtoku" in eleven verses. This episode covers the first 5 Wasan in this section. Prince Shōtoku (574-622 CE) is fondly remembered in Japan as having established the imperial...

  15. Weekly Wasan - Episode 60 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns on the Dharma-Ages) 76-82

    Hi Dharma-friends! This episode contains the concluding 7 verses of the section "Hymns on the Offense of Doubting the Primal Vow" Throughout this section, Shinran has been encouraging us to entrust wholeheartedly, without any reservations at all, in the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha to bring all...

  16. Weekly Wasan - Episode 59 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 68-75

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, let's continue with eight more verses in the section entitled "Hymns on the Offense of Doubting the Primal Vow." Shinran's purpose in this entire section is to encourage us to wholeheartedly entrust in Amida's Primal Vow to bring all beings, especially those of...

  17. Weekly Wasan - Episode 58 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 60-67

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we begin the next section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan entitled "Hymns on the Offense of Doubting the Primal Vow." There are 23 verses in this part, and today you can hear the first eight. In this section, Shinran is focusing on "doubt," which is a key feature of…

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  18. Weekly Wasan - Episode 57 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) 56-59

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we conclude the first part of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan, the collection known as "Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma-Ages." Shinran encourages us ordinary beings of this Last Dharma-Age to take refuge in Amida's Great Vow and say the Name and, thereby,...

  19. Weekly Wasan - Episode 56 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 51-55

    Hi Dharma-friends! Today you can listen to five more verses by Shinran in the collection Pure Land Hymns of the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages. Shinran reinforces his understanding of Power-Beyond-Self as Amida's directing of virtue for going forth and return. How fortunate for us to hear...

  20. Weekly Wasan - Episode 55 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 46-50

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we read five more verses of the Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages. Shinran further explains his understanding of how only by completely relying (in Shinjin) on Amida's Vow to Liberate All can beings in this Last Dharma Age realize...

  21. Weekly Wasan - Episode 54 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 41-45

    Hi Dharma-friends, Welcome back to Weekly Wasan! Today, continue listening to the Shōzōmatsu Wasan or Hymns of the Dharma Ages with five more verses. Shinran reflects in this group on the present age - the Last Dharma Age - and its difficulties and challenges. Mired, as we are, in an endless and...

  22. Weekly Wasan - Episode 53 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 36-40

    Hi Dharma-friends! This episode's verses from the Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages are very powerful and are among my favorite expressions of the Dharma by Shinran Shonin. Shinran is telling us not to worry that our own limitations due to distractions and...

  23. Weekly Wasan - Episode 52 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 31-35

    Hi Dharma-friends! Today let's listen to five more verses in the collection "Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages." in today's group, Shinran explains how the Nembutsu teaching is a function of Wisdom. Our own aspiration for Awakening is in itself caused by the compassion...

  24. Weekly Wasan - Episode 51 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 26-30

    Hi Dharma-friends! Today we hear 5 more verses from this collection by Shinran Shonin. A striking image in these verses is Shinran's comparison of those who now follow the Nembutsu path with Maitreya Bodhisattva. Maitreya Bodhisattva is the next fully enlightened Buddha after Śākyamuni who will...

  25. Weekly Wasan - Episode 50 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 21-25

    Hi Dharma-friends! This is our fiftieth episode! Today let's listen to five more wasan verses in the section entitled "Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance and Last Dharma Ages." Shinran really gets into the nitty-gritty of his understanding of the Buddha's teaching for our times. Amida...

  26. Weekly Wasan - Episode 49 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 16-20

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan, we hear 5 more verses. Shinran, in the earlier verses, having described in somewhat bleak terms the difficulties of the situation in which we find ourselves in this latter Dharma Age, now turns to the way open to us: entrust ourselves to...

  27. Weekly Wasan - Episode 48 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 11-15

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we continue the section "Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance and Last Dharma Ages." Shinran is really making the case that he finds himself (and, therefore, we also find ourselves) in the Last Dharma Age - a very difficult time to find Awakening for…

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  28. Weekly Wasan - Episode 47 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma Ages) 6-10wasan

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  29. Weekly Wasan - Episode 46 - Shōzōmatsu Wasan (Hymns of the Dharma-Ages) Introduction & 1-5

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, you can listen to the opening verses of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan collection. These poems are from the end of Shinran's life when he was around 85 years old. There are 116 verses in the collection. The core of the book consists of 56 wasan on the Dharma-Ages, "Pure...

  30. Weekly Wasan - Episode 45 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Hōnen 113-117 & Concluding Verses 118-119asan

    Hi Dharma friends, This episode concludes Shinran's verses on his own teacher, Master Genkū (Hōnen) of Japan, the seventh master in Shinran's Jōdo Shinshū lineage. In these verses, Shinran reverently recognizes Hōnen as a manifestation of Amida Buddha and describes his passing in terms familiar...

  31. Weekly Wasan - Episode 44 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Hōnen 108-112

    Hi Dharma friends! Today's episode contains five more Wasan verses by Shinran Shonin on Master Genkū (Hōnen), who lived in Japan 1133-1212 CE. Hōnen was Shinran's personal teacher, and in these verses, he reiterates how Hōnen is the embodiment of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas teaching the Pure Land…

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  32. Weekly Wasan - Episode 43 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Hōnen 103-107

    Hi Dharma-friends, We continue with five more Wasan verses by Shinran Shonin on his own teacher Master Hōnen, also known as Master Genkū. Hōnen lived 1133-1212 CE in Japan and was Shinran's personal teacher. Shinran's devotion to Hōnen was profound, even to seeing him as manifestations of...

  33. Weekly Wasan - Episode 42 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Genkū (Hōnen) 98-102

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we begin the section of the Kōsō Wasan on Master Genkū, also known as Master Hōnen. Hōnen (1133-1212 CE) is the seventh master in Shinran's Jōdo Shinshū lineage. Hōnen was Shinran's personal teacher, and Shinran -- although a great master himself and the…

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  34. Weekly Wasan - Episode 41 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Genshin 93-97

    Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we conclude the section of the Kōsō Wasan on Master Genshin, who lived in Japan 942-1017 CE. He is the sixth master in Shinran Shonin's designated Jōdo Shinshū lineage. Master Genshin greatly popularized the Nembutsu teaching in the Japan of his day, and…

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  35. Weekly Wasan - Episode 40 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) - Genshin 88-92

    Hi Dharma-friends! Today we begin Shinran Shonin's Wasan verses on the Sixth Master in the Jōdo Shinshū lineage: Master Genshin. Shinran moves from China to Japan with Genshin. Genshin lived from 942-1017 CE and was a Tendai monk on Mt. Hiei (as were Shinran's own teacher Master Hōnen and Shinran...

  36. Weekly Wasan - Episode 39 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Shan-tao 82-87

    Hi Dharma friends! In this episode, we conclude our traversal of Shinran Shonin's Wasan verses on Master Shan-tao of China (613-681 CE). Shan-tao was so important to Shinran's understanding of the Buddha Dharma. In this group Shinran again affirms that true-entrusting or awakening, which he calls...

  37. Weekly Wasan - Episode 38 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Shan-tao 77-81

    Hi Dharma-friends, In this episode, you can listen to 5 more of Shinran's Wasan verses on Master Shan-tao of China (613-681 C.E.) Building on what he said previously, Shinran further describes the qualities of diamond-like (or doubt-free) Shinjin or true entrusting -- how it alone fulfills...

  38. Weekly Wasan - Episode 37 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Shan-tao 72-76

    Welcome back, Dharma friends! In the episode, you can listen to the next group of 5 Wasan verses based on the writings of Master Shan-tao (613-681 CE). This group contains some wonderful images by Shinran conveying his understanding of the Buddha Dharma through Shan-tao's thought. One is...

  39. Weekly Wasan - Episode 36 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Shan-tao 67-71

    Hi Dharma friends! Today we cover 5 more of Shinran Shonin's Wasan verses on Master Shan-tao (Zendo in Japanese). Shan-tao (613-681 CE) lived in China and is the Fifth of the Seven Masters, making up the Jōdo Shinshū lineage. We learned in the last episode that one of the most basic contributions...

  40. Weekly Wasan - Episode 35 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Shan-tao 62-66

    Hi Dharma friends! Welcome back to the Weekly Wasan podcast. Today we begin Shinran's Wasan verses on Master Shan-tao, who lived in China 613-681 CE. Master Shan-tao (Zendo, jp.), the Fifth Master in the Jōdo Shinshū lineage, was a direct disciple of Master Tao-ch'o the Fourth Master. His…

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  41. Weekly Wasan - Episode 34 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Tao-ch'o 55-61

    Hi Dharma friends! This episode contains all 7 of Shinran's Wasan verses on Master Tao-ch'o, who lived in China 562-645 CE. Master Tao-ch'o is the fourth in Shinran's lineage of Seven Masters. Tao-ch'o, employing T'an-luan's distinction between self-power and other-power, divides the whole of...

  42. Weekly Wasan - Episode 33 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) T'an-luan 50-54

    Hi Dharma-friends! With this episode, we conclude our traversal of Shinran's 34 Wasan verses on Master T'an-luan, who lived in China 476-562 CE. Master T'an-luan is the great teacher of Other Power or Power Beyond Self, which is a core feature of Shinran's understanding of Buddhism. In today's...

  43. Weekly Wasan - Episode 32 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) T'an-luan 45-49

    Hi Dharma friends! Today's episode covers 5 more verses written by Shinran Shonin based on the writings of Master T'an-luan, who lived in China (476-542 CE). As you know already, Shinran relies on Master T'an-luan for the teachings on Other Power. In today's Wasan verses, we learn that only the...

  44. Weekly Wasan - Episode 31 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) T'an-luan 39-44

    Hi Dharma friends, We're continuing with Shinran Shonin's verses on Master T'an-luan of China (476-542 CE). Today we encounter the marvelous image of ice and water - how the ice of our blind passions melts into the water of virtues through the power of Amida's Vow and ultimately flows into the...

  45. Weekly Wasan - Episode 30 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) T'an-luan 33-38

    Hi Dharma friends! In this episode, Shinran delves into the nitty-gritty of Master T'an-luan's teaching. We hear about the important concept of Amida's "directing of virtue," which we are told has two aspects: that of going forth and that of return. T'an-luan is the master upon whom Shinran…

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  46. Weekly Wasan - Episode 29 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) T'an-luan 27-32

    Hi Dharma friends, Welcome back to our reading of Shinran Shonin's verses on Master T'an-luan, the third master in the Jōdo Shinshū lineage. T'an-luan, who lived 476-542 CE in China, is the one who best explained the teaching of Other Power, a key concept in Shinran's understanding of Buddhism....

  47. Weekly Wasan - Episode 28 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) T'an-luan 21-26

    Hi Dharma friends! Today we begin the series of Wasan verses written by Shinran Shonin on Master T'an-luan, who lived in China 476-542 CE. Shinran wrote 34 verses based on T'an-luan's writings, regarding him as the clarifier and teacher of Other Power, a very important part of the Jōdo Shinshū...

  48. Weekly Wasan - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) - Vasubandhu 16-20

    Hi Dharma Friends, This week we cover the five remaining Wasan verses by Shinran on Bodhisattva Vasubandhu. The teachings of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu on "the mind that is single" is central to Shinran's understanding of Buddhism. That is why Shinran regarded Vasubandhu as the second of the seven...

  49. Weekly Wasan - Episode 26 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Vasubandhu 11-15

    Hi Dharma Friends! Welcome back to our traversal of the Kōsō Wasan by Shinran Shonin. Today's verses are based on the writings of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu, who lived in India from around 320-400 C.E. Shinran particularly wishes us to pay attention to Vasubandhu's understanding of "the mind that is...

  50. Weekly Wasan - Episode 25 - Kōsō Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land Masters) Nāgārjuna 6-10

    Hi Dharma Friends! Today, please listen to the second group of Master Shinran's verses based on the writings of Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna. Nāgārjuna taught that there were two paths to reach Enlightenment: the Difficult Path (the Great Path of the Sages or the way of Self-Power, for deeply…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Our passion is to introduce Buddhist Values and Japanese culture. We will have interviews with authors, scholars, ministers, and artists. There will also be discussions and, to liven things up, we will have live performances.

HOSTED BY

Hoshina Seki

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does American Buddhist Study Center have?

American Buddhist Study Center currently has 75 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is American Buddhist Study Center about?

Our passion is to introduce Buddhist Values and Japanese culture. We will have interviews with authors, scholars, ministers, and artists. There will also be discussions and, to liven things up, we will have live performances.

How often does American Buddhist Study Center release new episodes?

American Buddhist Study Center has 75 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to American Buddhist Study Center?

You can listen to American Buddhist Study Center on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts American Buddhist Study Center?

American Buddhist Study Center is created and hosted by Hoshina Seki.
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