Podcasts about yujiro seki

“In the Grand Scheme of things, “I” is not important.” Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full-time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, “Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan.”Carving the Divine has become the official selection for 29 film festivals, showing a total of 22 countries, and won awards at 12 festivals worldwide, such as winning the Best Director Award for a Foreign Language Documentary at World Cinema Milan and premiering at the famous Raindance Film Festival in London.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.Along with the version with English subtitles, we have released versions with Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, and Hebrew subtitles to start with. In this episode, Ivonne & Yujiro talked about: What if you are meant to do thisFalling in love with the processThe power of A family legacyRealizing the gifts of the environment you were born inInspiring people not using people just to get money.The power of the Law of Accumulation.The Importance of Curiosity and WonderGetting to Know the Divine in all.Carving the Divine,And so much more. If you want to learn more about Yujiro, you can visit his social media:http://www.carvingthedivine.comhttps://www.youtube.com/c/carvingthedivinehttps://www.instagram.com/carvingthedivine/https://www.facebook.com/CarvingTheDivine/https://twitter.com/CarvingDivinehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yujiroseki/Podcast produced by Brilliant Futures Productions.Sponsored by Delaflor Teachings Int.

The Agents have a fascinating conversation with filmmkaer Yujiro Seki about his documentary "Carving The Divine."  Yujiro tells us about behind-the-scenes  personal directive to make a unique movie. The documentary offers a rare look into a 1400-year-old Buddhist tradition and the practitioners struggling to preserve a legacy in a rapidly changing Japan. Yujiro has made a film that would make Werner Herzog proud in it's ability to contrast the woodcarvers passion for craft up against dominant contemporary culture . Viewers can begin to ask "What is technology? What do I want from my images and objects? Do we value humanity and it's handiwork?    We hope you enjoy this conversation and please follow the address below to watch the documentary...a must see for anyone who enjoys aesthetics, works with their hands or values dedication and fine work. Plus these folks are great and compelling to watch! Watch "Carving The Divine" here: https://www.carvingthedivine.com "Give us adequate images. We, we lack adequate images, our civilization doesn't have adequate images. And I think our civilization is doomed, is gonna die out like dinosaurs if it does not develop an adequate language or adequate images." Werner Herzog

Yujiro Seki is a filmmaker with a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. After obtaining a permanent US residency, he studied full-time in the Cinematography program at the UCLA Extension. Upon graduating, he embarked on the journey of making his first full feature documentary, “Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan.” The film has been selected as an official entry in 30 film festivals across the globe, showcased in 22 countries, and earned 13 awards from various festivals worldwide.In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Yujiro Seki about Yujiro's film and the importance of craftsmanship in Japan.

Yujiro Seki is the director, cinematographer and editor of the upcoming documentary titled “Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan” which explores the ancient practice of wood carving Buddhist statues in Japan called Busshi. Today Yujiro is launching a crowdfunding campaign to fund the release of this film to the general public.  I was able to watch a early viewing of this documentary and was very impressed.  It shows a side of traditional Japanese apprenticeship training that is disappearing even in Japan itself.  I warmly encourage you to join me in donating to this campaign. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/carving-the-divine-documentary-distribution

Yujiro Seki is the documentary filmmaker of the film "Carving the Divine." "Carving the Divine" offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Busshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Vanhartingsveldt is a contributing columnist at Buddhistdoor Global. He works full-time at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. He did his masters in East Asian Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art, and he also works as a lecturer for the Japan Foundation. Michael collaborates on "Carving the Divine TV" with filmmaker Yujiro Seki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies

Michael Vanhartingsveldt is a contributing columnist at Buddhistdoor Global. He works full-time at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. He did his masters in East Asian Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art, and he also works as a lecturer for the Japan Foundation. Michael collaborates on "Carving the Divine TV" with filmmaker Yujiro Seki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Michael Vanhartingsveldt is a contributing columnist at Buddhistdoor Global. He works full-time at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. He did his masters in East Asian Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art, and he also works as a lecturer for the Japan Foundation. Michael collaborates on "Carving the Divine TV" with filmmaker Yujiro Seki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/art

Michael Vanhartingsveldt is a contributing columnist at Buddhistdoor Global. He works full-time at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. He did his masters in East Asian Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art, and he also works as a lecturer for the Japan Foundation. Michael collaborates on "Carving the Divine TV" with filmmaker Yujiro Seki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/japanese-studies

Michael Vanhartingsveldt is a contributing columnist at Buddhistdoor Global. He works full-time at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. He did his masters in East Asian Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art, and he also works as a lecturer for the Japan Foundation. Michael collaborates on "Carving the Divine TV" with filmmaker Yujiro Seki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for filmmaking when he was in high school. Yujiro earned a BA Degree in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. His forthcoming documentary film, "Carving the Divine," offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Būshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving that's at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/japanese-studies

Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for filmmaking when he was in high school. Yujiro earned a BA Degree in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. His forthcoming documentary film, "Carving the Divine," offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Būshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving that's at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/art

Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for filmmaking when he was in high school. Yujiro earned a BA Degree in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. His forthcoming documentary film, "Carving the Divine," offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Būshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving that's at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for filmmaking when he was in high school. Yujiro earned a BA Degree in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. His forthcoming documentary film, "Carving the Divine," offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Busshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving that's at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)

Sensei Morris tells the story of a young novice who saw woodworkers shaping wood and decided to shape his own mind, thus achieving enlightenment. He then interviews filmmaker Yujiro Seki, whose documentary "Carving the Divine" explores the relationship between master wood carvers and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas they create for Japanese temples. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/morris-sullivan/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/morris-sullivan/support

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)

Yujiro Seki is the documentary filmmaker of the film "Carving the Divine." Carving the Divine offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Busshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. For more information, visit: https://www.carvingthedivine.com/

Michael Vanhartingsveldt is a contributing columnist at Buddhistdoor Global. He works full-time at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. He did his masters in East Asian Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art, and he also works as a lecturer for the Japan Foundation. Michael collaborates on "Carving the Divine TV" with filmmaker Yujiro Seki. 

Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Yujiro earned a BA Degree in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. His forthcoming documentary film, "Carving the Divine," offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Būshi – practitioners of a 1400 year lineage of woodcarving that's at the beating heart of Japanese, Mahayana Buddhism. Please visit www.carvingthedivine.com for more information. www.carvingthedivine.com