Minister's Blog
“A Lesson from Okei-san”
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
July 2021
In 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Wakamatsu colony, the first settlement of Japanese people in America, about 45 miles from Sacramento. Although the knowledge of this historic site is increasing, many people (myself included) were not aware of the existence of this group of people until recently.
“Understanding How We Interact With the World”
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
June 2021
One of the interesting things that I learned in my high school physics class that I still remember today for some reason, is that in physics, there is no such thing as “cold.”
What we understand as “heat” is the kinetic energy being given off by any particular thing. Things that we think are “cold” have much less kinetic energy and therefore lack “heat.” An example of this would be if you put ice cubes in a warm drink, the “cold” in the ice doesn’t transfer, making the drink cold; rather the “heat” in the drink transfers to the ice cubes to warm them up.
“None of Us Are Safe Until All of Us Are Safe”
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
April 2021
I recognize that at a majority ethnically Japanese American church, I do not need to speak about why it is wrong to hate Asian Americans. However, I do feel that because of the recent media spotlight on violence against Asian Americans, it is vital for me to address it.
We Need to Wake Up and Do the Right Thing
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
November 2020
This article appeared in the November 2020 edition of Wheel of Dharma, published by Buddhist Churches of America.
See PDF.
Thoughts about Black Lives Matter
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
May 3, 2020
Today, I feel it’s necessary to speak on the movement of Black
Lives Matter and why it is important as Buddhists to stand with
and support them.
Heart of the Teaching (HOTT) Takes
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
Starting a new series which is geared towards a more in-depth understanding of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism through an analysis of the Passages on the Pure Land Way.
Click to view:
Listening to Show True Compassion
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
I was fortunate enough to be invited to be the keynote speaker for the Northwest Convention put on by the Northwest District in the Buddhist Churches of America chaired by the White River Temple. It was at the Doubletree in Tukwila, which is right by the Seattle-Tacoma airport. I have many friends in the Pacific Northwest and was able to see them along with my convention duties.
A Wish That Transcends Worldly Wishes
Bishop Reverend Marvin Harada, Former Interim Rinban
In our services, we frequently chant the Juseige. You might have been a Buddhist your whole life and it’s never been explained what it is that we are chanting. I would like to introduce the first line of the Juseige, “GA GON CHO SE GAN,” which should sound quite familiar to most of you.