Buddhist Education Committee

Education Series:

This program was started in the Spring, 2004 with Rev. Tetsuo Unno giving the first series of lectures. Initially offered as a 6 week program, the series ran on consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning April 21 and concluding on May 26. A special "pot-luck" discussion session was also added and held on June 2. The title of the series was: "Buddhism: A Simple Introduction, Subjective and Objective Truth."

Education Series Held

Spring 2004 Buddhism: A Simple Introduction, Subjective and Objective Truth Rev. Tetsuo Unno
Fall 2004 Shin Buddhist of Absolute Faith: Their Words as Our Spiritual Guide Rev. Tetsuo Unno
Spring 2005 TBA

Book Club:

The Venice Hongwanji Book Club was first held on October 12, 2003. Facilitated by Rev. Tetsuo Unno, the Club's first reading was Rev. Bunyu Fujimura's book, "Though I Be Crushed." This book was selected because its author, Rev. Fujimura, spent his retirement years helping the members of the Venice Hongwanji deepen their understanding and appreciation of Jodo Shinshu. The book was also selected because of its timely nature following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The book, Though I Be Crushed, details the hardships that the Japanese American community, and especially the Jodo Shinshu community of the United States had to experience with the advent of the US participation in the Second World War.

Book Club Meetings held:

October 2003	"Though I Be Crushed," by Rev. Bunyu Fujimura	Facilitator: Rev. Tetsuo Unno
February 2004	"Nukumori, Warmth," by Rev. Takayuki Ashikaga (translated by Ken Yokogawa)	Facilitator: Rev. Sensho Inouye, Mr. Ken Yokogawa
September 2004	"American Buddhism," by The Venerable Gyomay Kubose	Facilitator: Rev. Sunan Kubose