PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Buddhism and Baskin Robbins
31 Flavors
In our Temple Information Booth at festivals I get a lot of basic questions about
Buddhism. Newcomers ask about a wide range of topics from reincarnation, nirvana,
religious conversion, meditation, and monastic life. I explain there are many different
varieties of Buddhism that all stem from the same sutras, but have different beliefs and
practices. Then I try to explain our Jodo Shinshu view. An easy analogy is the Baskin
Robbins Ice Cream famous tag line about 31 flavors. Baskin Robbins has a wide range
of flavors to appeal to different customers but it is all ice cream; there are five kinds of
chocolate, some flavors have nuts, some have swirls, and if you want plain vanilla, they
have that too.
We know many schools of Buddhism vary in their practice, some are monastic
and some are lay practices, some have different answers about the path to
enlightenment, and life after death, and other life issues. Buddhism, like Baskin Robbins
has 31 flavors (not literally but figuratively).
Many businesses, like Baskin Robbins, adapt their products to the preferences
and trends of their customers. Successful businesses don’t compromise their core
values, but they offer products or services in such a way that new customers are
attracted to them. Their business remains true to their ideals while they satisfy the
market and grow their customer base.
Buddhism in America is growing and attracting new followers. Our world is
stressful; people are looking for answers to a more peaceful and rewarding life. Some
people don’t find their answers in traditional western religions and look elsewhere.
Buddhism can be very appealing in that regard; it offers a different view on how to lead
your life. Meditation centers, contemporary Buddhist centers are springing up in the
United States and attracting many followers. The Buddhist principle of “mindfulness” is
creeping into the American lexicon to the point of becoming commercialized. This isn’t
necessarily good, but it is a sign that people are seeking answers from our school of
thought. Sometimes it is not even identified as Buddhist…but it is.
While this is going on, a simple observation is that Jodo Shinshu temples across
America are not growing, they are shrinking. What is Jodo Shinshu’s response? There
is a growing dialog among BCA leaders; some traditional practitioners and other more
contemporary practitioners about how our temples adapt and grow their Sanghas. How
do core Japanese traditions of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism evolve in an American society?
Of course we should not compromise our core beliefs, and we should continue to honor
the Japanese traditions that established our practice. But shouldn’t we evolve our
practice to be relevant to our community? Many Buddhist seekers want to use
meditation in their practice. Many Buddhist seekers want to discuss how Buddhism
explains our contemporary social problems such as racism, poverty, pollution, and
injustice. This is commonly referred to as Engaged Buddhism.
How does this all relate to Vista Buddhist Temple? We live in a community in
which there might be many new Buddhist seekers, but a limited number of traditional
Japanese American families. We must evolve our Sangha to survive. We must embrace
a broader base of followers who seek answers through Buddhism that are relevant to
their lives.
How do we do this? Today’s VBT Sangha must determine that. It is our
collective wisdom, our collective compassion and our collective energy that will take VBT
to new heights in the future. We are a Sangha and we are strong. I am confident in our
Sangha, I am confident in our community, and I am confident in our future. It is our
challenge, together.
…Ricky