Jōdo Shinshū: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:35, 14 May 2007

Revision as of 00:38, 14 May 2007

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== Jodo Shinshu outside Japan ==

During the [[19th century]], Japanese immigrants began arriving in Hawai'i, the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Many immigrants to North America came from regions in which Jodo Shinshu was predominant, and maintained their religious identity in their new country. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i, the [[Buddhist Churches of America]], and the Buddhist Churches of Canada are several of the oldest Buddhist organizations outside of Asia. Jodo Shinshu continues to remain relatively unknown outside the ethnic community because of the history of [[internment]] during [[World War II]], which caused many Shin temples to discouragefocus on rebuilding the Japanese-American Shin ''sangha'' rather than encourage outreach programs to non-Japanese. However, now there are active Jodo Shinshu sanghas in the [[UK]], [[Europe]], [[Australia]], and [[Africa]], and members of diverse ethnicities.

The practice of Jodo Shinshu ritual and liturgy may be very different outside of Japan, as many temples, like ones in Hawai'i and the U.S., now use English as the primary language for Dharma talks, and there are attempts to create an English-language chanting liturgy. In the United States, Jodo Shinshu temples have also served as refuges from [[racial discrimination]], and as places to learn about and celebrate Japanese language and culture, in addition to Buddhism.