Summary of "Reverend Yuki Sugahara | In Good Faith E95"
Interview with Reverend Yuki Sugahara on In Good Faith
In this episode of In Good Faith, host Stephen Capp Perry interviews Reverend Yuki Sugahara, a Buddhist priest at the Oregon Buddhist Temple in Portland, Oregon. Reverend Sugahara shares insights into his personal background, Japanese Buddhism, and the Jodo Shinshu tradition he follows.
Background and Tradition
Reverend Sugahara comes from a long line of Buddhist ministers in Japan, with his family serving as priests for over 380 years. Although he initially studied political science in the U.S., the passing of his mother led him to embrace the family tradition and become a minister.
Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
This tradition emphasizes daily living as the core practice, rather than formal sitting meditation like Zen Buddhism. Key aspects include:
- Mindfulness of Amida Buddha’s working—Amida being the Buddha of infinite light and life who vowed to save all beings.
- Cultivating gratitude and awareness of Amida’s compassion and wisdom in everyday life.
Historical Context
Jodo Shinshu Buddhism arrived in the United States around 1898 with Japanese immigrants. Initially, these communities held home gatherings before establishing temples and ministers.
Practice and Teachings
Reverend Sugahara explains the concept of the “three poisons”:
- Greed
- Anger
- Stupidity/Ignorance
Buddhist teachings serve as a mental “brake” to counterbalance these impulses through balance, rethinking, acceptance, kindness, and endurance. He shares how this framework helps him personally manage desires, such as his own greed for musical instruments.
Chanting and Language
- The temple’s chanting, including the “Sambujo,” is performed in Japanese using Chinese characters but pronounced in Japanese style.
- The congregation is roughly half Japanese or Japanese American and half non-Japanese.
- English is commonly used for communication within the community.
Concept of Divinity
Unlike some religious traditions that pray to a divine being, Jodo Shinshu views Amida Buddha not as a god but as a teacher whose compassionate working is always present. Practitioners focus on realizing this presence rather than praying for intervention.
Parenting and Faith
Becoming a father deepened Reverend Sugahara’s appreciation for his own parents’ sacrifices and reinforced his understanding of love, kindness, and compassion as lived experiences.
Symbolism of Incense
Incense at the temple serves multiple purposes:
- Purifying the environment
- Preparing the mind for listening to the Dharma
- Honoring the Buddha
Interfaith Perspective
Reverend Sugahara embraces religious diversity, likening different faiths and beliefs to colorful lotus flowers that coexist harmoniously. He encourages respect and compassion among differing viewpoints.
Personal Growth
Over the years, Reverend Sugahara has learned to apply the “brake” of Buddhist teachings to slow down his more aggressive tendencies and live with greater mindfulness and humility.
Message to Americans
He hopes people understand that Buddhism is not solely about meditation but about mindful daily living and appreciating the ongoing presence of Buddha’s wisdom.
“The non-discriminative wisdom of Amida Buddha teaches equality and compassion beyond distinctions, encouraging reliance on this wisdom in a world of discriminative thinking.”
Presenters/Contributors
- Reverend Yuki Sugahara, Priest, Oregon Buddhist Temple
- Stephen Capp Perry, Host, In Good Faith
Category
News and Commentary
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