About Enkyoji Buddhist Temple of Rochester
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
How can we cope in a world filled with such trouble and suffering?
How can we cope in a world filled with such trouble and suffering?
This is the central question asked by all those who embark on the path to Enlightenment. Shakyamuni Buddha's core goal was (and is) to help all sentient (thinking) beings relieve suffering and come to realization of the true nature of reality, which is the Buddha Dharma.
It is understandably disconcerting to see our modern world ablaze with military conflicts, socio-political strife, environmental degradation, and economic inequality. But the teachings of the Buddha can effectively help us understand the causes of - and the solutions to - these sufferings and hardships, so that we can likewise work to relieve the sufferings of others. This is the Bodhisattva path revealed by the Buddha in the sutras, culminating in the Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra (the "Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma", or simply "Lotus Sutra").
Our Practice
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
As Nichiren Buddhists, our core practices involve reading and studying Buddhist sutras (particularly the Lotus Sutra), reciting the Lotus Sutra, sitting and/or walking meditation, and especially chanting the Sutra title as mantra "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo".
While a full Nichiren Buddhist service performed by trained priests may be very ornamen
As Nichiren Buddhists, our core practices involve reading and studying Buddhist sutras (particularly the Lotus Sutra), reciting the Lotus Sutra, sitting and/or walking meditation, and especially chanting the Sutra title as mantra "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo".
While a full Nichiren Buddhist service performed by trained priests may be very ornamental, our daily meditation practice is simple enough for a beginner - but continues to provide deep benefits to even the most experienced Bodhisattvas! This meditation practice is known in our tradition as "Shodaigyo" and mixes periods of silent seated meditation (like zazen) with mantra chanting of the Odaimoku: Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.
To begin your journey to realization of your Buddha-nature, check out this detailed outline of how to practice Shodaigyo:
Our Tradition
Our Philosophy
Our Tradition
Enkyoji Buddhist Temple of Rochester is a sangha (Buddhist community) in the Nichiren Shu tradition through the Enkyo-ji Temple lineage. We are located in Rochester, New York (about five hours north-west of NYC and three hours south-east of Toronto).
Nichiren Buddhism is a Japanese school of Buddhism founded almost 800 years ago by the Bu
Enkyoji Buddhist Temple of Rochester is a sangha (Buddhist community) in the Nichiren Shu tradition through the Enkyo-ji Temple lineage. We are located in Rochester, New York (about five hours north-west of NYC and three hours south-east of Toronto).
Nichiren Buddhism is a Japanese school of Buddhism founded almost 800 years ago by the Buddhist priest and teacher Nichiren Shonin.
Nichiren Shonin believed that the highest truth of the Buddha's teachings could be found primarily in the Lotus Sutra, including:
- The one great vehicle (Mahayana) of the Bodhisattva path
- All sentient beings have the potential to become Buddhas
- Ichinen sanzen (that all realms of existence intersect and can be accessed instantly from moment-to-moment)
Because of his reverence for the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Shonin encouraged his followers to recite the sutra and especially chant its title, "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo".
To learn more about Nichiren Shu Buddhism and our Enkyoji Lineage, please check out these pages: