Hongaku Jodo

Thank you for visiting our web site.
For anyone interested in obtaining information regarding our Sensei and ordination program, it can be obtained by going to the Hongaku Institute for Buddhist Studies link.

PLEASE NOTE that this site replaces the original Hongaku Jodo site on the CyberSoup URL where maintenance problems became insurmountable.

If you have any questions which can not be answered with the information on this web site, please contact us directly.

"Hongaku Jodo" translates as Original Nature Pure Land...our Buddha Nature....our Pure Land. The temporal concept of attainment is the Tendai doctrine of original enlightenment (Hongaku) according to which all beings, because they possess Buddha-nature as their innate reality, are inherently enlightened.

As Pure Land practitioners we therefore acknowledge the T'ien T'ai historic bonds and the lineage tying us to the great Patriarch Chih-i through the founder of the Compassionate Lotus Tradition in the U.S.A., Master Dokyo Chozen, and to its present leader and Haiku Master, Ven. Tasogare Shinju. The Presiding Abbot of Hongkau Jodo Compassionate Lotus is Ven. Taicho.

As Compassionate Lotus Pure Land practitioners, we follow the simple teachings of Master Chozen who saw the potential in all paths for making Dharma available to each person according to expedient means, and turning away no one who wishes to grow in the knowledge of the Dharma. Nor did he see any reason to belittle others for their beliefs. Indeed, he taught that all previous preconceptions of other WAYS should be left behind and the mind thrown open to Dharma, pure and simple, without ourselves accidentally falling into the mind-trap of sectarianism.

Therefore, reaching out to all sentient beings, the Hongaku Jodo Compassionate Lotus sangha is dedicated to Buddha's mission of alleviating suffering by awakening to our Original Nature & by experiencing "oneness" with the Source.

In Pure Land Buddhism, this concept of Source is referred to in Japanese as Oya-sama, the all-inclusive PARENT from which all things arise, THAT which is love and compassion. It is also known as "Thusness" or "Suchness". Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Light (Amitabha) and of Life (Amitayus) is the manifesting aspect(s) of the Living conscious Power, and is the universal form-giver.

To experience our oneness, the ALL, we practice and teach the Pure Land meditation method known as the "Name Recitation" the "Nembutsu", the chanting of the name "Amida, Amitabha, Amitayus", the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. This is a simple and straightforward way of calming the mind and bringing about spiritual awakening. It is a method anyone can use at any time, anyplace.

We affirm what Buddha taught: that there are 84,000 "dharma gates"...many ways to awaken to our Original Nature. These dharma gates are provided to serve the needs of many different people in diverse circumstances. Buddha encouraged each of us to use those expedient means which suit our own capacities, temperaments and needs.

Our Mission:

To awaken to our true nature - our Original Buddha Nature, and to help others who desire to awaken to their true nature.

To serve people in our local communities, in prisons, and the grip of the saha world by sharing the teachings of Pure Land & Compassionate Lotus Buddhism in its universal forms without creating barriers.

To teach others who wish to serve.