The following is a list of recent additions to our web. Whenever we publish a paper, write a specification, submit a status report, or add anything else to our web, we'll put a notice here.
18 Feb 2006: Registration forms posted at Downloads: Registration and Agenda/Schedule
Welcome to the official site for the 2006 Ekoji EBL Retreat and the 2007 Ekoji EBL Convention!
Today, new members are joining the temples while the older generation is becoming less prominent. The newer members, as well as the changing social times, are bringing new ideas and practices to the temples – some of which older members welcome, and others that cause concern. Temples – or individuals – may be discussing these changes at the individual temple-level, but no attempt has been made to date to discuss these transformations amongst the larger Sangha community.
The 2006 retreat is our attempt to start this broader conversation. Possible discussion questions include:
- What temple rituals have gradually disappeared from temple etiquette and services? Are they missed? Are they necessary? Are there other ways at looking at these rituals?
- Is there a role for meditation in Jodo Shinshu, and if so, what is that role?
- What role can lay leaders play in services – indeed, what role are they already playing?
- In the traditional Japanese American Buddhist temples, there were fujinkais (women’s organizations), Young Buddhist Associations, keirokai (senior citizens’ groups), etc. Are there new sub-groups today? What role can and do sub-groups play?
- How are temples instituting Buddhist education – both for children and adults?
- How are, and how should, temples perform outreach efforts?
- What are the effects of multi-faith families on temple life and temple participation?
- And finally, is there a sense of community among the East Coast temples? Is that sense of a broader community needed at the Sangha-level, in addition to the administrative level? If it is needed, are EBL conferences sufficiently meeting that need?
Through these discussions, we hope Sangha members come to realize that their temple is not an island unto itself, but rather that East Coast Sanghas share a multitude of experiences and concerns. From this realization, we hope to rejuvenate the idea of community among the East Coast temples. Historically, EBL conferences have provided attendees opportunities for social interaction and to hear the Dharma through sermons and panel discussions, but have offered limited opportunities for substantive group conversations. This was not always the case. As recent as twenty years ago, EBL conferences were used as a means to check the pulse of the temples – not only to build the East Coast Buddhist network, but also to give Sangha members the chance to discuss and address concerns facing the various temples. Join us as we begin a new discussion!
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