Perspectives on Buddhism and Social Issues March 14, 2009

Have you ever wondered how Buddhism, addresses modern social concerns such as abortion, same-sex marriage, human rights, international conflict, racism, ecology, poverty, animal rights, death penalty, political leadership, and gun control?

"FINDING GUIDANCE IN THE BUDDHA-DHARMA - Perspectives on Buddhism and Social Issues" will be presented by the BCA Center for Buddhist Education and hosted by the Buddhist Church of Florin on Saturday, March 14, 2009, from 10 am to 3 pm. The program will be preceded by a service at 9:30 am. Guest panelists will include Rev. Dr. Ryo Imamura, Rev. Ken Yamada and Rev. Ron Kobata.

The Buddhist Church of Florin is located at 7235 Pritchard Road, Sacramento (www.florinbuddhist.org). Phone reservation recommended (includes lunch): $20 General; $15 BCA Members; $10 Students/Seniors by March 12th. No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds. Information available online: www.cbe-bca.org or call (510) 809-1460 or email: director@cbe-bca.org.

"Following the historic election and now, the inauguration of President Barack Obama, many in society, including BCA members, are reviewing our personal role and participation in this new era. As we struggle with the rest of our nation and world to address pressing economic, social justice, environmental and global situations, we can turn to the Buddha-Dharma for guidance, as Buddhists before us have, and continue to do. This program will share some of that history and those personal paths. We expect and hope that this will be a continuing discussion." comments Rev. Kodo Umezu, Director of the BCA Center for Buddhist Education.

A ministerial panel will provide a historical overview of Buddhist approaches and actions, drawing particularly on the Pure Land tradition. Rev. Dr. Ryo Imamura (Buddhist Church of Florin, founding member of Buddhist Peace Fellowship) will provide a historical overview of Buddhist engagement in social and humanitarian concerns, beginning with the historical Buddha. Rev. Ken Yamada (Berkeley Higashi Honganji) will talk about how Jodo Shinshu has inspired social activism throughout history. Rev. Ron Kobata (Executive Assistant to Socho Ogui) will comment on contemporary social thinkers who incorporate Buddhist principles, such as Eckart Tolle.

Each minister will also share his personal perspectives on this topic. A panel of lay Buddhist activists, including Andy Noguchi (Florin), and Glenn Kameda (Palo Alto), Georgette Imura (Sacramento) and Lorin Kagehiro (Berkeley) will respond to the presentations, followed by audience participation. The discussion will be moderated by Rev. Kodo Umezu and Julie Yumi Hatta of the BCA Center for Buddhist Education.