05/17/09 - Does Art Imitate Life or Life Imitate Art? - Does Buddhism recognize any distinction between the two? Join us as we explore Buddhism's perspective on the creative process. We will focus on poetry as well as shodo (Japanese) calligraphy, an example of which if featured on our nembutsu scroll. Also, we will pause to recognize and celebrate Gotan-e, Shinran Shonin's (founder of Shin Buddhism) birthday. Presented by Pamela Mulready

04/26/09 - Attitudes of Gratitude: How To Give And Receive Joy Every Day Of Your Life - Gratitude for small things enriches us beyond measure. It helps us focus on the positive in our lives and what we focus on multiplies and a regular practice of gratitude can help make us happier. From various short vignettes by M.J. Ryan which are correlated with basic Shin teachings. Presented by Juliane Dean

3/08/09 - Is There a God in Buddhism? - Learn about what Shin Buddhism says about ultimate reality and the Western idea of God. Is there a God who watches all, judges and saves? What is the purpose of Shin practice? Who is Amida Buddha? Based on a reading, Is there a God? The Buddhist Answer, written by Taitetsu Unno. Presented by G.R. Lewis

2/22/09 - Mappo: Are These The Times In Which We Live? - A talk and discussion on the Latter Days of the Dharma, one of the three ages of buddhism, in which practice becomes difficult due to self-centeredness, distractions, confusion and inter-personal conflict. Is there a solution? Pure Land Buddhist say yes; it's the nembutsu! Presented by Jeff Zyjeski

2/08/09 - Our Limitations Within Boundlessness - What are the limits of human understanding? This discussion explores the inconceivable reality that exist behind our human experience. Sources include: Zen master Dogen, Goethe and Isaac Newton to help illustrate the true meaning of shinjin, which Dr. Haneda calls "...the most important human experience taught in Shin Buddhism. A reading titled The Tip of the Iceberg from the book Dharma Breeze written by the famous Shin teacher Nobuo Haneda. Presented by Joe Hoydilla

2/1/09 - The First Step in Entering the Path - How can I learn about Buddhism? An insightful look into the essential nature of the Buddhist path and how to live a life of a true seeker with one’s entire being. An essay written by the famous Shin teacher Haya Akegarasu. Presented by G.R. Lewis

1/25/09 - Ecology, Sexuality, Divorce, Abortion and Warfare - Explore the realms of applied Buddhist ethics. What is the approach that Buddhist takes to these topics? Excerpt readings from Buddhist Ethics by Damian Keown and Ocean by Kenneth Tanaka. Presented by Robert Orsi

12/14/08 - Following Sound into Silence - Learn how in our lives of chaos and distraction the practice of chanting, both alone and with others, can quiet and stabilize our mind, expand our heart, elevate our emotion, and reduce our self-centeredness. From the book Chanting Your Way Beyond Ego into Bliss by Kailash. Presented by Juliane Dean