Carving the Divine TV Podcast

Let's support and watch this world award winning documentary, Carving the Divine!  HERE IS THE LINK: https://igg.me/at/Carving-the-DivineCheck out an endorsement review of Carving the Divine by Art Historian Mark Schumacher"Carving the Divine explores the modern remnants of Japan's ancient carving traditions – largely hidden from public gaze. It captures the hardships and aspirations of the current generation of apprentice-artisans training under the harsh-yet-kind tutelage of a master carver. Heart-warming and intimate, "Carving the Divine" unveils the secret world of master-disciple relationships among sculptors of religious icons. It also shines a spotlight on the time-honored traditions of passing down ancient techniques to a new generation. This film is a godsend for anyone who has worked with a mallet and chisel, but everyone who sees it will be touched by its beauty, benevolence, and blessings of compassion."- Mark Schumacher, Art HistorianWhat is Carving The Divine about?Carving the Divine is a documentary film that offers a rare look into a 1400-year-old Buddhist woodcarving tradition and the practitioners struggling to preserve its legacy in a rapidly changing Japan.Carving the Divine has become the official selection for 30 film festivals, showing in a total of 22 countries, and won awards at 13 festivals worldwide, such as winning the Best Director Award of a Foreign Language Documentary at World Cinema Milan and premiering at the famous Raindance Film Festival in London.Carving the Divine Awards: World Cinema Milan Festival 2019 - Best Director of a Foreign Language Documentary Award Art Quake Kyoto 2019 - Best Feature Length Film Award Helsinki Education Film Festival International - Best Historical Feature Award Australia Independent Film Festival 2019 - Jury Award Arte Non Stop Festival 2019 - Best Screenplay Award Religion Today Film Festival 2019 - In the Spirit of Faith Award and commendation Award Japan Indies Film Festival 2020 - Best Documentary Feature Award Puerto Rico International Film Festival ENFOQUE 2020  - The mention of Honor of Best International Documentary Film New York Interfaith Film & Music Festival  2020  - Best International Documentary award Rhode Island International Film Festival Roving Eye 2021 - Best Documentary First Prize  Rhode Island International Film Festival 2021 -  Flickers International Vision Award: First Prize World Independent Cinema Award (WICA) 2021 - Best Cinematography in a Documentary - Best Director of a Foreign Language Documentary Buddhist Arts and Film Festival 2022 - Best Documentary Award, Boulder ColoradoThe art of Busshi is one of the most significant cultural legacies of Japan.  Yet at this point, this tradition is virtually unknown to the Western World.   These statues have been an integral part of Japanese culture for 1400 years for a reason.  And it will be my great pleasure and privilege that Carving the Divine will be the first experience of these cultural treasures for many people around the world.More information please visit: http://www.carvingthedivine.comhttps://www.facebook.com/CarvingTheDivine/https://www.instagram.com/carvingthedivine/https://twitter.com/CarvingDivineSupport the show

Let's support and watch this world award winning documentary, Carving the Divine!  HERE IS THE LINK: https://igg.me/at/Carving-the-DivineCheck out an endorsement review of Carving the Divine by Martial Artist Teacher, Author, Speaker An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes!"Can a traditional Japanese sacred art form based on generations of selfless apprentices studying with stern masters survive into the 21st Century? Has Japan retained enough reverence for the demanding learning process that takes years of thankless dedication to just begin to develop mastery? I sat breathlessly through “Carving the Divine”, silently cheering on those few committed artists as they approached gaining the exquisite skill of depicting through carved wood the most sublime of Buddhist sacred images. Will they make it? Can they accept the firm and relentless coaching from their masters? Filmmaker Yujiro Seki pulls aside the curtain and shows us nakedly the disciplined world of the busshi, master carvers of Buddhist wonder. An amazingly touching film!"- An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, Teacher, Author, SpeakerWhat is Carving The Divine about?Carving the Divine is a documentary film that offers a rare look into a 1400-year-old Buddhist woodcarving tradition and the practitioners struggling to preserve its legacy in a rapidly changing Japan.Carving the Divine has become the official selection for 30 film festivals, showing in a total of 22 countries, and won awards at 13 festivals worldwide, such as winning the Best Director Award of a Foreign Language Documentary at World Cinema Milan and premiering at the famous Raindance Film Festival in London.Carving the Divine Awards: World Cinema Milan Festival 2019 - Best Director of a Foreign Language Documentary Award Art Quake Kyoto 2019 - Best Feature Length Film Award Helsinki Education Film Festival International - Best Historical Feature Award Australia Independent Film Festival 2019 - Jury Award Arte Non Stop Festival 2019 - Best Screenplay Award Religion Today Film Festival 2019 - In the Spirit of Faith Award and commendation Award Japan Indies Film Festival 2020 - Best Documentary Feature Award Puerto Rico International Film Festival ENFOQUE 2020  - The mention of Honor of Best International Documentary Film New York Interfaith Film & Music Festival  2020  - Best International Documentary award Rhode Island International Film Festival Roving Eye 2021 - Best Documentary First Prize  Rhode Island International Film Festival 2021 -  Flickers International Vision Award: First Prize World Independent Cinema Award (WICA) 2021 - Best Cinematography in a Documentary - Best Director of a Foreign Language Documentary Buddhist Arts and Film Festival 2022 - Best Documentary Award, Boulder ColoradoThe art of Busshi is one of the most significant cultural legacies of Japan.  Yet at this point, this tradition is virtually unknown to the Western World.   These statues have been an integral part of Japanese culture for 1400 years for a reason.  And it will be my great pleasure and privilege that Carving the Divine will be the first experience of these cultural treasures for many people around the world.More information please visit: http://www.carvingthedivine.comhttps://www.facebook.com/CarvingTheDi...https://www.instagram.com/carvingthed...https://twitter.com/CarvingDivineSupport the show

Let's support and watch this world award winning documentary, Carving the Divine!  HERE IS THE LINK: https://igg.me/at/Carving-the-DivineCheck out an endorsement review of Carving the Divine by Rev. Marvin HaradaThe Bishop and Co-Director, Center for Buddhist Education Buddhist Churches of America"Carving the Divine is more than a movie about amazing wood sculptors of Japan. To me, the movie is about the Master-Apprentice, or the Master-Disciple relationship, and how this is still being transmitted in the traditional manner.....stern, but yet ultimately kind, in training the apprentice to be a true artist in both skill and spirit."- Rev. Marvin Harada, The Bishop and Co-Director, Center for Buddhist Education Buddhist Churches of AmericaWhat is Carving The Divine about?Carving the Divine is a documentary film that offers a rare look into a 1400-year-old Buddhist woodcarving tradition and the practitioners struggling to preserve its legacy in a rapidly changing Japan.Carving the Divine has become the official selection for 30 film festivals, showing in a total of 22 countries, and won awards at 13 festivals worldwide, such as winning the Best Director Award of a Foreign Language Documentary at World Cinema Milan and premiering at the famous Raindance Film Festival in London.Carving the Divine Awards: World Cinema Milan Festival 2019 - Best Director of a Foreign Language Documentary Award Art Quake Kyoto 2019 - Best Feature Length Film Award Helsinki Education Film Festival International - Best Historical Feature Award Australia Independent Film Festival 2019 - Jury Award Arte Non Stop Festival 2019 - Best Screenplay Award Religion Today Film Festival 2019 - In the Spirit of Faith Award and commendation Award Japan Indies Film Festival 2020 - Best Documentary Feature Award Puerto Rico International Film Festival ENFOQUE 2020  - The mention of Honor of Best International Documentary Film New York Interfaith Film & Music Festival  2020  - Best International Documentary award Rhode Island International Film Festival Roving Eye 2021 - Best Documentary First Prize  Rhode Island International Film Festival 2021 -  Flickers International Vision Award: First Prize World Independent Cinema Award (WICA) 2021 - Best Cinematography in a Documentary - Best Director of a Foreign Language Documentary Buddhist Arts and Film Festival 2022 - Best Documentary Award, Boulder ColoradoThe art of Busshi is one of the most significant cultural legacies of Japan.  Yet at this point, this tradition is virtually unknown to the Western World.   These statues have been an integral part of Japanese culture for 1400 years for a reason.  And it will be my great pleasure and privilege that Carving the Divine will be the first experience of these cultural treasures for many people around the world.More information please visit: http://www.carvingthedivine.comhttps://www.facebook.com/CarvingTheDivine/https://www.instagram.com/carvingthedivine/https://twitter.com/CarvingDivineSupport the show

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Finally, we will have a special show about Busshi (Japanese Buddhist sculptors).  This time we are going to talk about the history of Busshi!   The art of Busshi, known as Butsuzo, has been one of the highest refined art forms in Japan for 1400 years, but it has been under the radar until now.  Finally, we are ready to bring this art and tradition to the forefront through our documentary Carving the Divine.  However, Carving the Divine does not recount the history of Busshi; rather, it is about the modern-day Busshi.  So, we thought it would be a great idea to do a special show to specifically introduce the history and why the Busshi tradition matters.  * To fully enjoy the visual presentation of the slides, please go to our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/tWld13bY1hc As always, we will take you on a true wild rollercoaster ride.  Get ready! In this show, you will travel through the span of 1400 years.  How crazy is that?  How cool is that?   This is a truly special show because we invited our hero, Art Historian Mark Schumacher, to show and tell the history of Busshi through his visual presentation.  We will not only talk about the history of Busshi but we will also be showing you visually the art of Busshi.   We'll be talking about Tori Busshi, Jocho, Unkei, Kaikei, Enku and so much more!  So you can see the beautiful art of Busshi in your own eyes along with the history lesson!  And that's not all! Mr. Schumacher is gracious enough to let us download the virtual presentation of this episode so that you can study it in your own time and at your own pace!  Please go to https://www.carvingthedivine.com/study-guide and download!  Wow, I'm speechless!  This is the coolest gift ever!  Enjoy! So what are you waiting for?!  Check out our newest Carving the Divine TV episode “The History of Busshi (Japanese Buddhist sculptors)”  Let's go on our incredible journey of 1400 years! Mark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.This is a special episode about categories of Butsuzo (Japanese Buddhist Statuary/Statues/sculptures).  We will have an art historian/scholar Mark Schumacher to discuss the category "Ten-bu (Celestial Beings)."  * To fully enjoy the visual presentation of the slides, please go to our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/vUH3msgBmZ8Mark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.This is a special episode about categories of Butsuzo (Japanese Buddhist Statuary/Statues/sculptures).  We will have an art historian/scholar Mark Schumacher to discuss the category "Myo-o (Wisdom Kings)."  * To fully enjoy the visual presentation of the slides, please go to our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/rctbIuhA0f8Mark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.This is a special episode about categories of Butsuzo (Japanese Buddhist Statuary/Statues/sculptures).  We will have an art historian/scholar Mark Schumacher to discuss the category "Bosatsu (Bodhisattvas)."   * To fully enjoy the visual presentation of the slides, please go to our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/bQYd8LkZSxsMark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.This is a special episode about categories of Butsuzo (Japanese Buddhist Statuary/Statues/sculptures).  We will have an art historian/scholar Mark Schumacher to discuss the category "Nyorai (Buddhas)."  * To fully enjoy the visual presentation of the slides, please go to our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/8b1q1zxLGxMMark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.In this special episode, we will have an art historian/scholar) Mark Schumacher to discuss History/transmission of Buddhism to Japan and Common Characteristics of Deity Classes, including Nyorai (Buddhas) Bosatsu (Bodhisattvas) Nyorai (Wisdom Kings) and Ten (Celestial Beings).  * To fully enjoy this content, please go to our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/M2LPT5yG8fYMark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Years ago, when I first came to the US as an exchange student from Japan, I knew very little about the country.  I read a book about living in America that stated, “In the US, you have to believe in one thing.  You have to be affiliated with one religion.   If you believe in multiple things or nothing at all, people will not respect you.”  I have no idea if that statement was entirely true or not, but I did feel that the majority of Americans I met at that time saw religion very differently from the way Japanese people saw religion.  It was difficult for me to understand that statement because believing in multiple things or nothing at all is a common practice in Japan.  Well, I do not think there is a right or wrong way to think, but there is a question of whether a Western religion like Christianity and an Eastern religion like Buddhism can co-exist with each other in a single individual.  Yes, today we are talking about religious multiplicity.  In other words, we want to ask the daunting and controversial question, “Can we be a Christian and Buddhist at the same time?”  Yes! We will be joined by an expert on this subject, Dr. Duane Bidwell,  professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care, and Counseling at Claremont School of Theology at Willamette University.  Well he also happens to be a Christian pastor and Theravada Buddhist practitioner at the same time!We will be asking important questions such asWhat is the concept of religious multiplicity?  In the United States, if you do not believe in one religion, is there something wrong with you? What is your Buddhist affiliation?  Please tell us your story.  What is your Christian affiliation?  Please tell us your story.  How can your Buddhist identity and Christian identity work together? Can you show us some examples?  Can we be a Buddhist and Christian at the same time? ​Duane teaches practical theology, spiritual care, and counseling at Claremont School of Theology at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, USA. He is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and practitioner of vipassana (insight meditation) in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. His work has been featured on NPR, CNN, Interfaith Radio, and other media. Since 2014, students have given Duane three teaching and mentoring awards, and he has published several books, including When One Religion Isn't Enough: The Lives of Spiritually Fluid People (Beacon, 2018), which is a Christian Century bestseller and a Library Journal "Best Book 2018." Duane serves on the boards of the Taos Institute and the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies. He is also an advisor to the International Buddhist Chaplains Foundation.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.We live in a complex world with countless causes and effects creating our reality.  But we have a tendency to try to make things black and white. Personally, I think it is because our culture does not encourage critical thinking as much as it ought to.  Racism is one of the issues that people think they have figured out; they say that they are not racists and racism must stop. But do they really understand racism to start with?  Do I really understand racism?  Just because we don't believe we are racist, are we immune to racism? Are we free from it?  Is it other people's problems?  What is unaware racism?  Today, we will be dissecting racism from the ground up.  We have an amazing and highly qualified guest, Rev. Myokei Caine-Barrett from Nichiren Order of North America who is not only a benevolent, compassionate priest but a strong advocate against racism for over 30 years!  She will help us understand racism not only as a simplistic term but in a profound way.  I'm ready for this discussion.  I hope you are too! We will be asking important questions such as:In your own words, what is racism?  And why should we care about it?  What is the brief history of racism in the USA? What has been your own experience of racism?  Why did you choose Buddhism instead of other religious paths?   Is Buddhism diverse in this day and age?  Does racism exist in the Buddhist community?  If so, in what form? What is cultural appropriation and how does it affect our culture?  So, I often hear people saying that in Buddhism, everyone is equal and race is not the issue.  What do you think of this statement?  Is it important to have diversity in the Buddhist community? If so why?  What can we do as individuals to promote equality in both the Buddhist world and society as a whole?Myokei Caine-Barrett currently holds the position of iBishop of the Nichiren Shu Buddhist Order of North America.  She is the first woman and the first American to hold this position.  She is also the first American woman and first person of African American-Japanese descent to be fully ordained, having completed this process in 2007 with  Archbishop Nissho Uchino  in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.   She is the guiding teacher and priest at Myoken-ji Temple in Houston, Texas.  Myokei Shonin currently volunteers with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as clergy to two prison Sanghas for the past 16 years in keeping with the Lotus Sutra teaching of full equality of all beings.  Her writings have been published in a variety of Buddhist magazines and newspapers and is featured in “The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women.” She is currently developing curriculum for (1) the Nichiren Shu tradition and the Lotus Sutra and (2) dealing with the trauma of incarceration and racism.  She also supports weekend trainings for Healing Warrior Hearts, a Texas for Heroes project designed to truly welcome veterans home. She is also a licensed Religious Science practitioner.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this special episode, we will have a Theravada Buddhist monk, Bhante Ananda Path, to explain to us about the basic concept of Theravada Buddhism.  We will ask important questions such as:1.  What is Theravada  Buddhism? What is the core teaching of it?  2.  Do we have to give up our ordinary life to be a Theravada Buddhist?3.  How is Theravada different from Mahayana?  Why is Theravada your choice?4. Do you live in a monastery?5. How can you utilize Buddhist teaching in real life?6. What is the Theravada view of Buddha (Buddhist) statues?Bhikkhu Ananda is a socially engaged Buddhist monk of Nepal who entered the Order of Theravada Buddhism in 1981. He mastered in Oriental and Buddhist Studies. Ananda helped coordinate the “Civic Solidarity for Peace” movement to end a decade of war (1995-2005) between the Maoist Insurgency and the State of Nepal. From 2007 to 2012, as a Member of Constituent Assembly and Legislature Parliament, he secured religious rights and reservations in the new constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. In 2007, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) of Korea named him an “Ambassador for Peace.”Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this special episode, we will have a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism and a professor of Buddist Studies, University of San Diego to discuss Tibetan Buddhism.We will be asking important questions such as:  What is the Tibetan Buddhism?  What's so special about it?  What is Vajrayana? Is it the extension of Mahayana?  What is meant by “tantric tradition”?  Does it require practitioners to have eccentric sex? What is the brief history of Tibetan Buddhism?  What are some of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism?  Who is The Dalai Lama?  What are mudras?  What are mandalas? How are they used in practice?  What is the role of Buddhist sculptures in Tibetan Buddhism?  Karma Lekshe Tsomo is a professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of San Diego, where she teaches Buddhist Thought and Culture, World Religions, Death and Dying, Images of Enlightenment, and other subjects. She is a founder and past president of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women and the founder/director of Jamyang Foundation, an educational initiative that supports study programs for Himalayan nuns in India and Marma girls in Bangladesh. Her publications include Into the Jaws of Yama: Buddhism, Bioethics, and Death; Sisters in Solitude: Two Traditions of Monastic Ethics for Women; and numerous edited works on women in Buddhism. Please visit Karma Kekshe Tsomo's websites for the charitable cause: www.jamyang.orgwww.sakyadhita.orgwww.sakyadhita.org/local/branches/hawaii.htmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  Carving the Divine is starting the one and only Butsuzo (Buddhist statuary) blog in America and beyond.  We call the blog, Butsuzōtion! I am delighted to introduce Sculptor David Bilbrey who is going to be the chief writer of the blog.   He will tell us about what he is going to accomplish in our blog!For more information: https://www.carvingthedivine.com/blog​Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this special episode, we will have a art historian/scholar) Mark Schumacher to discuss about Busshi (Japanese Buddhist sculptor). Mark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this special episode, we will have a art historian/scholar) Mark Schumacher to discuss the concept of Butsuzo (Japanese Buddhist Statuary/Statues/sculptures. Mark Schumacher is an independent researcher who moved to Kamakura (Japan) in 1993 and still lives there today. His website, The A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Religious Statuary, has been online since 1995. It is widely referenced by universities, museums, art historians, Buddhist practitioners, and lay people from around the world. The site's focus is medieval Japanese religious art, primarily Buddhist, but it also catalogs art from Shintō, Shugendō, Taoist, and other traditions. As of August 2018, it contained 400+ deities and thousands of annotated photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, and elsewhere in Japan. The site is searchable. LINK TO A-TO-Z PHOTO DICTIONARY = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/buddhism.shtmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this episode, we will have a quick survey course of Buddhism Post WWII Japan and Beyond (USA).Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this episode, we will have a quick survey course of Buddhism in the Meiji Period.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary.   In this episode, we will have a quick survey course of Buddhism in the Edo Period.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Once again, Buddhism permeates many aspects of Japanese culture both consciously and subconsciously.  Japanese art especially is heavily influenced by Buddhism so it is important to learn something about Buddhism if one seeks to understand Japan on a deeper level (whether you are Buddhist or not).  Today we will explore haiku in relationship with Buddhism.  The poetic language is not my cup of tea so I invited a specialist who can talk about Haiku until the world ends.  He is extremely passionate!  I would like to introduce to you Haiku Master William Seiyo Sheehan!  If you would like to learn something about Haiku, Haiku in relationship with Buddhism, or simply get a hint to inspire your creativity, this episode is especially designed for you!   We will be asking important questions such as: What is haiku? What is the difference between English and Japanese haiku?  What is the brief history of haiku?  How does haiku relate to Buddhism?  What does it mean by opening a haiku eye?  Do you have your personal favorite poet or poets?  Can you show some examples of haiku in the field?  William Seiyo Sheehan is the resident Haiku poet at the Japanese Culture Center and a published poet.  He is also the leader of the Chicago Keikokai of Meifu Shinkage Ryu style of ShurikenJutsu at Japanese Culture Center - 日本文化会館, and lay Buddhist chaplain at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital, dojo Cho 道場長 of Shinbukan and Army combat veteran.  Seiyo Sensei is a religious scholar from Purdue Fort Wayne University, Buddhist Lay Chaplain at the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Hospital, Board member of Midwest Buddhist association, Lay Priest ordained by Bright Dawn, a Jodo Shinshu organization. Sensei is also involved with Midwest Buddhist Temple of Chicago.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Today, we will be talking Chado.  Chado simply translates to the way of tea.  Sometimes it’s referred to as Japanese Tea Ceremony.  But as usual, one word translation is never sufficient to demonstrate this rich culture.  First we will discuss the simple explanation of Chado and connect Chado with Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism.  Then, we will discuss many different influences on Chado over the centuries.  You may be surprised that even Christianity may have influenced Chado!  Yes, by studying more about Chado and Buddhism you will understand Japan more!   We will be asking important questions such as: What is Chado?  What are some of the practices of Chado?  What are the differences between Chanoyu and Chado? Do we always have to wear kimono when we do Chado?  What is the history of Chado?  Who is Senno Rikyu?What is the relationship between Chado and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism?  How does Chado help people to have a deeper understanding of Zen Buddhism?  Does Chado only influence Zen Buddhism?  Can you show us some examples of Chado so that we can visualize the concept that we’ve talked about?  Can Chado be a form of meditation? Omar Francis is a licensed instructor in The Urasenke Tradition of Chadō, commonly known as the Japanese Tea Ceremony. First introduced to Chadō at the University of Illinois (USA) in 1992, he was later admitted into the Midorikai program for a year of intensive training at the Urasenke headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. Since then, he has continued his studies as a member of the Chicago Association of Urasenke, taking part in many educational and cultural activities. Francis Sensei is currently teaching at the Japanese Culture Center (japaneseculturecenter.com) in Chicago, IL. http://www.urasenke.or.jp/     Urasenke Konnichianhttps://urasenkenorthamerica.org/     Chado Relay (also on facebook)urasenkechicago.org Urasenke ChicagoSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.As we deepen the understanding of Japanese Buddhism, we realize Buddhism permeates many aspects of the Japanese culture.  There is a reflection of Buddhism in the Japanese language, art, mannerisms, and so on.  So, if we wish to have a better understanding of Japanese culture and its people, learning something about Buddhism is a good idea.  Today, we have an incredible guest.  I mean really incredible…  We are going to have a Japanese calligrapher, Shodo Master, William Read.  He will talk about the relationship between Shodo (simply translated Japanese calligraphy) and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism.  We will be asking important questions such as:So what is Shodo? What is the difference between Shuji and Shodo?  How’s the relationship between Shodo and Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism? How does Shodo help the students of Zen have a deeper understanding of Koan? Can you show us some examples of Shodo so that we can visualize the concept that we’ve talked about? Can we do Shodo as a form of meditation?What is the relationship between Shodo practice and Budo practice?William Reed is from the USA, but is a long-time resident of Japan. Currently a professor at Yamanashi Gakuin University, in the International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA), where he teaches Calligraphy and Kanji Culture, as well as other courses related to Samurai Code and Culture, and is Co-Director of Japan Studies. As a Calligrapher, he holds the highest possible rank, a 10th-dan in Shodo and is Vice-Chairman of the Nihon Kyoiku Shodo Renmei, and is also a Certified Graphology Adviser from the Japan Graphologist Association. He has won numerous awards in International Competitions, and regularly participates in Exhibitions in Ginza Tokyo, and did a full private exhibition in the lobby of the Yamanashi Chuo Bank Headquarters. He has done live performances of Calligraphy on Stages, Historic Sites, for Martial Arts Magazines and Dojos, Sunto Shrines, and Zen Temples. He has published a book on Shodo in English, as well as two papers on Shodo for the Japan Creativity Society.As a Martial Artist, he holds an 8th-dan in Aikido from the Aikido Yuishinkai. He has been Awarded the OSS Taisho, the Highest Award from the Scottish Samurai Awards, for contributions to education about Japanese Culture. He has written a bestseller in Japanese on World Class Speaking.A regular television commentator for Yamanashi Broadcasting, he also has appeared numerous times on NHK World Journeys in Japan, and in documentaries as a navigator on traditional Japanese history and culture. He has appeared twice on TEDx Stages in Japan (TEDxKG) and Norway (TEDxTrondheim).Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.We've heard the word Zen everywhere in American society.  Americans use the word “Zen” a million times more than Japanese, so by this point the word is overused and oversaturated and we don't really even know what it means anymore.  As a matter of fact, it is extremely difficult to define Zen because it’s an ultimately embodied practice: in other words, without actually “practicing” it, you will not even begin to understand the benefit of Zen.  You cannot just theorize and intellectualize Zen!  However, to do the show Zen in Carving the Divine TV, we will do our best to give you an idea of what you are getting into.  Yes! We brought the best of the best.  We have the legendary Soto Zen priest Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel today!  We will discuss Zen for the people who have little or no experience in Zen.   But, rest assured!  We will start from the basics and then we will go in deep so that even those of you with experience will greatly benefit from the teachings of one the best Zen practitioners in the world! We will be asking important questions such as:What does Zen mean to you? How is the Zen different/unique from other sects of Buddhism? What kind of expectation do people have when they come to Zen practice? What is the difference between therapy and dharma? Is it wrong to look for spirituality in Zen? What does “Zen is good for nothing” mean? What are the benefits of Zen? When do we see the benefit of Zen? What is the difference between shikantaza and zazen? "Zen and Meditation" - with Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel #carvingthedivineWhat is the right posture of zazen? What the purpose of staring at the wall while sitting?  What is the story behind “the white wall”?How many hours do you expect to meditate if you are a beginner and how many hours do you meditate?How could zen help to overcome difficult circumstances/situations such as discrimination (racism/sexism/homophobia)? How can we do simple Zen meditation at home?  Or can we do it? Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, an ordained Zen Buddhist priest, is the author of The Deepest Peace: Contemplations From A Season of Stillness; Sanctuary: A Meditation on Home, Homelessness, and Belonging; and The Way of Tenderness: Awakening Through Race, Sexuality, and Gender. More at zenju.orgSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this special episode, we will have a Soto Zen priest, Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton to discuss the basic concept of Soto Zen Buddhism. We will ask some important questions, such as:1. What is your personal definition of Zen?2. What is the Soto school? What is unique about it?3. What is zazen (sitting meditation)? How does it benefit people? Through zazen, do we achieve enlightenment?4. What is the brief history Soto zen?5. Who is Dogen?6. What is koan for Soto?7. What is genjokoan?8. What has been your own experience with butsuzo (Buddhist statuary)?  How does Soto feel about butsuzo?Taigen Dan Leighton is a Soto Zen priest and Dharma successor in the lineage of San Francisco Zen Center, and also an authorized teacher in the Japanese Soto School. He is now Teacher of the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate temple in Chicago. Taigen trained extensively in Japan as well as in California, living in Kyoto for two years. He is an author, scholar, and translator, who teaches online at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, from where he has a Ph.D. Taigen is the author of Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression, providing background for many of the Buddhist images. His other books include Visions of Awakening Space and Time and Zen Questions: Zazen, Dogen, and the Spirit of Creative Inquiry. He is co-translator of a number of Zen texts including Dogen’s Extensive Record and Cultivating the Empty Field. Taigen now works to develop accessible practice and training programs in Chicago area through Ancient Dragon Zen Gate. See: [www,.ancientdragon.org].Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  Today, we will have Rev. Meido Moore Roshi, the abbot of Korinji (Rinzai Zen training monastery to discuss the basic concept of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. We will ask important questions such as:1. What is your personal definition on Zen?2. What is Rinzai school? What is unique about it?3. What is exactly Koan practice (sudden awakening)?4. Who is the Rinzai founder Eisai?5. How does Rinzai Zen use Buddhist sculpture in practice?Meido Moore Roshi is the abbot of Korinji (www.korinji.org), a Rinzai Zen training monastery near Madison, Wisconsin. He is an 86th-generation Zen dharma heir, and a 48th-generation holder of the Rinzai lineage transmitted to the West by Omori Sogen Roshi, perhaps the most famous Rinzai Zen master of the 20th century.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Zen Buddhism.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.I've heard from many of you how much you enjoyed the interview with Nichiren Shu priest Rev. Kanjin Cederman:https://youtu.be/9F5LXLc9nfI. I am grateful that he provided us with a really nice overview of Nichiren Shu in a short period of time.  Today, we will delve a little bit deeper into one of the most important practices of Nichiren Shu, Odaimoku.  We have invited one of the most important accomplished Nichiren Shu priests, Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick.  We are going to talk about The Four Aims (Siddhantas) and how Nichiren Shu practitioners utilize odaimoku to achieve each of the aims.   It sounds like a big idea, doesn’t it?  But, don’t worry - we’re going to break it down!  Whether you are a Nichiren Shu practitioner, a different kind of Buddhist or non-Buddhist, learning about all aims (siddhantas) can really help us reorient and reexamine how we approach our lives. We will be asking important questions such as:Who is Nichiren? What is Odaimoku?What are the four siddantas/the four aims? How can we utilize Odaimoku to achieve these four aims? Ryuei Michael McCormick has been practicing Nichiren Buddhism since he was introduced to the chanting of the “Sacred Title” (Odaimoku) of the Lotus Sutra when he was in high school over thirty years ago. In the spring of 2001, he completed Shingyo Dojo at Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu and was fully ordained as a Nichiren Shu priest. He is currently serving as minister to the San Francisco Bay Area Nichiren Sangha. He is the author of: Lotus in a Sea of Flames, Lotus Seeds: The Essence of Nichiren Shu Buddhism, Lotus World: An Illustrated Guide to the Gohonzon, and Open Your Eyes: A Nichiren Buddhist View of Awakening. These books, other writings, and information about his Sangha can all be found at https://www.nichirenbayarea.org.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this special episode, we have a rare opportunity to dive into the heart of Nichiren Shu. Nichiren Buddhism has many variations and because of its diversity, it can be a difficult tradition to understand. Out of all the variations, we are talking about Nichren Shu today as we believe it’s the best way to open up a discussion for this amazingly profound tradition. We have a seriously incredible Nichiren Shu practitioner who will take us up on this challenge. Please let me introduce you to Kanjin Lederman Shonin! Together, let’s learn Nichiren Shu, one of the most important Buddhist sects of Japan! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Nichiren Buddhism. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  I’m excited to announce that we have another practitioner’s episode of Shin Buddhism.  We have the honor of welcoming a bishop of Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), the Rev. Marvin Harada, onto the show!  Just in case you missed the first practitioner episode of Shin Buddhism (True Pure land/Jodo Shin Shu) episode with Rev. Kenji Akahoshi, please check it out before you watch the episode with Rev. Harada.  To have your own a-ha moment in this episode, you might need a little bit of background information about Shin Buddhism.  Please refer to our previous episode,  Practitioner’s Episode 8 - "What is Shin (Jodo Shinshu/True Pure land) Buddhism?" With Rev. Kenji Akahoshi.  Also here is the link to the episode with Rev. Akahoshi on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QiXoVaxDCDE. So today Rev. Harada will address "Practical Buddhism and Truth Level Buddhism," and as a subtopic how Buddhism helps us to resolve the matter of life and death.  Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?  Many of us start learning Buddhism to improve the quality of our lives.   In other words, many of us are more interested in how Buddhism helps us in our daily lives in a practical sense rather than thinking about seriously achieving enlightenment and stuff.  But to truly experience Buddhism and get the benefit of Buddhism we need to go beyond “Practical Buddhism” and reach “Truth Level Buddhism.”  How can we achieve that?  Well, Rev. Harada will give us the taste of that in the Shin Buddhist way!  You never know, you might even get a hint of how to overcome fear of death itself!Rev. Marvin Harada was born and raised in Eastern Oregon on a family farm.  He attended the Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple in his youth.  He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Religious Studies.  Following that, he attended and graduated from the Institute of Buddhist Studies, and then went on to Japan and studied for five years, for two years at Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin, and three years at Ryukoku University, completing a Masters Degree.  He was assigned to the Orange County Buddhist Church in 1986 and served there until April of this year when he became the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary.  In this special episode, we will have a Q&A session with Rev. Kenji Akahoshi from Buddhist Churches of America (known as Shin Buddhism or Judo Shinshu) The Q&A session explores the basic concept of Shin Buddhism and inform the viewers how it differs from other sects of Buddhism. We will ask important questions such as:1. What is Shin Buddhism? How is it different from other sects of Buddhism?2. What is the brief history of Shin Buddhism?3. What is Amida Buddha? How does it differ from Historical Buddha?  4. Is Shin Buddhism like Christianity and Amida Buddha is like Jesus Christ?5. What is nenbutsu? How about namu amida butsu?Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi is the resident minister of the Buddhist Temple of San Diego which is part of the Buddhist Churches of America, one of the largest and oldest Buddhist organizations in America. He has a Master’s degree in transpersonal psychology, which enhances his ability to convey Shin Buddhism in a modern, experiential context. He leads annual retreats on Shin Buddhism and has conducted teenage Buddhist Vision Quests. In an earlier career as a dentist, he spent 3 years in Japan as a captain in the US Air Force.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Buddhism).Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this Practitioner’s Episode, We have a special interview episode with Jodo Shu priest, Rev. Taijun Kasahara from Rinkaian temple. Yes, we have an English-speaking Japanese priest to share with us the important teachings of Jodo Shu! See you in the show! We will ask important questions such as:What is Jodo Shu? What is the core teaching of Jodo Shu?What is the brief history about Jodo Shu?Who is Rev. Honen? Why did he leave Tendai Buddhism/Mt. Hiei? What is a degenerated age (Mappo)? What is Amida Nyroai (Amida Buddha)? Does Jodo Shu only venerate Amida Nyorai? What is Amida’s original vow? What is Jiriki and Tariki? Why is Tariki important? What is Nembutsu? What does “Namu Amida Butsu mean? What exactly is the Pure Land? Where is it? What are some of the differences between Jodo Shu and Jodo Shin Shu? Taijun Kasahara was born in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from Keio University, he worked in the accounting department of Nippon Express (a logistics company) for eight years. Then he quit that job and became an official priest of Jodo Shu after learning and training at Bukkyo University in Kyoto. In 2005 he opened a new temple, Rinkaian, in Tama City in Tokyo. As the chief priest of the temple, he has been serving the believers and other people in the area, and also spreading the teachings of Jodo Shu through the Internet.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Jodo Shu (Pure Land Buddhism). Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Tendai Buddhism. In this episode, we will have a quick survey course of the Kamakura schools of Buddhism. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Since we had the last interview on Shugendo, we have received numerous requests for another episode of Shugendo. People are especially interested in seeing actual practices of Shugendo and the deep teaching behind it. So, we have decided to conduct another interview of Shugendo. We will even go deeper this time! We have a rare opportunity to talk to a legendary Japanese Shugendo master Rev. Shokai Koshikidake. We will have an incredible interview but this episode will be more than just an interview! Rev. Koshikidake is generous enough to share the photos and videos of practices that go with the interview. So I promise this will be one hell of an episode! You want to discover the secret of the wisdom tradition of Japan? You want to discover the secret of deep teaching of Shugendo? Yes, you are in the right place! We will blow your mind so come and see! We will be asking important questions such as:What is Shugendo? What are some of the practices of Shugendo? What is mountain practice? In other words, what do you do in the mountains? What is the purpose of going to the mountain? What is the purpose of Shugendo? In Shugendo, what is Goma? Is Shugen Goma different from Shingon/Tendai Goma? How do Shugen practitioners use Butsuzo in their practice? Shokai Koshikidake was born in Hokkaido, Japan. He left his parents’ home for Yamagata to inherit his family temple when he was 10 years old. He learned the basic ritual of Shugendo from his grandparents, studied mountain training in Three Mountains of Dewa, and became an ordained Tendai priest. He opened the mountain training field at Mt. Koshikidake and revived the old ritual from hereditary documents. He accomplished all these reconstruction works while working for a TV station. Now he teaches Japanese and Western practitioners and develops training fields in the world.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this special episode, we will have a Shugendo Practitioner, An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, to discuss the basic concept of Shugendo.We will ask important questions such as:1. What is Shugendo? How did An-Shu get involved?2. What is a brief history of Shugendo (if we can address that in what is shugendo we don’t need to address this question)?3. Is Shugendo Buddhism?4. What is the difference between Shugenja and Yamabushi?5. How do you practice Shugen?6. Do you do this mountain practice in America?7. What is Yamabuchi training in the mountain?8. What is Gyoja Daibosatsu ho?9. What is Shugen view of Buddhist sculptures?Stephen K. Hayes has spent his entire adult life in pursuit of perfection through the Asian martial arts and spiritual traditions. In 1983, he began his study of Shugendo with Japanese teachers. He was ordained as a teacher of the esoteric Buddhist tradition in 1991. He regularly served in the 1990s as personal protection escort and security advisor for the Dalai Lama of Tibet. He has studied the Sakya Tibetan practice of Vajrakilaya since 1996, visiting monasteries in Tibet, India, and Nepal to find lessons. He received the Shugendo title Dai Sendatsu “Great Path Leader” in 2014. He is the author of 23 books which translate the timeless knowledge of the East into pragmatic lessons for contemporary Western life. He spends much of the year traveling the world as a teacher, translating his background in martial and meditation arts into practical lessons for handling the pressures and uncertainties of life.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will conduct a belief general survey course of Shugendo. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when viewers finally watch Carving the Divine they will get the maximum value of the documentary. Today, we will be talking about Tendai Buddhism with a special guest Rev. Monshin Paul B. N. Naamon. That’s right! We have another practitioner’s episode! Tendai Buddhism is one of the earliest Buddhism sects in Japan that went beyond the Buddhism of novelty and aristocracy. Out of Tendai, many subsequent sects of Japanese Buddhism emerged! Yes, without doubt, it’s one of the important Buddhist sects in Japan… Even today! We will be asking important questions such as: What is Tendai Buddhism? What is the brief history of Tendai Buddhism? Why is Tendai Buddhism called syncretic Buddhism?Who is Rev. Saicho (Dengyo Daishi)? What is the difference between Shingon and Tendai? What is lotus sutra and why is it important? What is the most important Buddhist deity in Tendai Buddhism?What is the Tendai view of Butsuzo (Buddhist statuary)? Reverend Monshin Paul B. N. Naamon is the Jushoku (Abbot) of Jiunzan Tendai-ji, of Tendai Buddhist Institute, a Tendai Buddhist temple, teaching, retreat, and meditation center, located in the Berkshire foothills in upstate New York. It is also the Tendai-shu New York Betsuin (Branch temple of Enryakuji), the Head Temple of Tendai Buddhism in North America. He was an interdisciplinary professor, in Buddhism, East Asian studies, and biomedical anthropology at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, in Great Barrington, MA. He retired from college teaching in 2016. He is the author of professional papers and articles in human biology, anthropology, Buddhism and Japanese culture, in Japan and the U.S. http://www.tendai.org/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and of course Buddhist sculptures/sculptors (bustuzo/busshi) so that when viewers finally watch the documentary Carving the Divine - Buddhist sculptors of Japan, they will get the maximum value of the documentary.Many people have told me that they enjoyed our first interview video about Shigon Buddhism with Rev. Ryuzen Hayashi (https://youtu.be/i3lJeC85THs) and want to learn more about the topic. Because of its esoteric nature, it can be difficult to find easy-to-understand information about this subject. So for our viewers, we have decided to do another practitioner’s episode of Shingon Buddhism. Shingon Buddhism utilizes many rituals and artwork in their practice; it can sound a little bit confusing if you have never had any experience. But, these aspects are exactly what make Shingon Buddhism fascinating! Today, we have invited Rev. Kosho Finch from Henjyoji Shingon Buddhist Temple from Portland, Oregon. We are going to dissect the roles, rituals and artwork in Shigon Buddhism one step at a time! We will be asking important questions such as:What exactly are the esoteric practices (Mikkyo)? What are Shingon rituals? What is the purpose of the rituals? What is Goma ritual (Fire ritual)? What is Saito Goma? What is the purpose of artwork in Shingon Buddhism? What are mandalas? What are Taizokai and Kongokai mandala? What is the role of Butsuzo (Buddhist statuary) in the Shigon rituals and other situations? Rev. Kosho George Finch is a Shingon Buddhist priest at Henjyoji Shingon Buddhist temple in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Rev. Finch attended Michigan State University where he studied International Relations and East Asian Languages, and later Willamette University College of Law. Rev. Finch began his Shingon training at Northern California Koyasan Temple. He received tokudo, novice ordination in 2000, and final ordination in 2006. He has served as an assistant minister with various Shingon temples in America and became head minister of Henjyoji Shingon Buddhist Temple since 2019.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this special episode, we will have a Shingon Buddhist priest, Rev. Ryuzen Hayashi at the Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin temple in Los Angeles to discuss the basic concept of Shingon Buddhism.We will ask important questions such as:1. What is Shingon Buddhism? What is the core teaching of Shingon Buddhism?2. How is Shingon Buddhism related to Tibetan Buddhism? 3. Who is Kukai?4. What is Koyasan?5. What is Dainichi Nyorai (Sanskrit: Mahāvairocana Buddha) ?6. What is Okyo (Sutra)? What is Dainichi Kyo?7. What is Goma Ritual?8. What is Fudo Myoo?9. Why is Shingon Buddhism is called esoteric Buddhism? What is so esoteric about it?10. Why does Shingon have different kinds of Buddhist statues?Rev. Ryuzen Hayashi is a Shingon Buddhist priest at the Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin temple in Los Angeles. Born in Kyusyu, Japan, he graduated from Shu-chi-in University, the oldest university in Japan. In Koyasan, Japan, Rev. Hayashi studied to become a Shingon esoteric Buddhist priest. Rev. Hayashi joined the Los Angeles Koyasan in 2012, the temple’s centennial anniversary.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will briefly discuss the difference between Shingon and Tendai Buddhism.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Tendai Buddhism.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will have a brief introductory course in Shingon Buddhism.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will talk about one of the earliest Japanese Buddhism, Nanto Rokushu.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will conduct a brief survey course on Japanese Buddhism history.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will discuss the legendary Japanese prince, Shotoku Taishi who contributed early Japanese Buddhism and more!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will talk about the origin of Japanese Buddhism. That's right this is all about how Buddhism started in Japan!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. Today, we have the honor and privilege of welcoming Negi/ Senior Shinto Priest of Tsubaki America Shrine, Rev. Lawrence Koichi Barrish to talk about the basic foundation of Shinto idea and tradition. To gain a deeper understanding of Japanese Buddhism, it is indispensable to get to know Shinto. Besides that, Shinto is an amazing Japanese spiritual tradition which by itself is worth your time to learn about! Please come and join our discussion about Shinto. I assure you that it will open up your mind and teach you something very different yet inspiring! We will be asking important questions such as: What is the belief history of Shinto? Is there any particular founder? What is the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism? What is Shinbutsu-shūgō? What is Kami? What are the examples of Kami? Is Buddha Kami? How can we venerate/worship Kami? How are Shinto activities in the US? Is it becoming more popular? Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, we will talk about Shinto, the indigenous spiritual tradition of Japan before diving into Japanese Buddhism because it's important!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)

Hosted by filmmaker Yujiro Seki, Carving the Divine TV Podcast is a series of Q&A sessions with Buddhist scholars and practitioners. These Q&A sessions explore the basic concepts of Buddhism and the history of Buddhism so that when listeners finally watch the documentary film "Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan" they will get the maximum value of the documentary. In this episode, Prof. Bolland will discuss the concept of idolatry in both the Western and Eastern world. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/carvingthedivine)