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? 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 beings relieve suffering and come to the realization of the true nature of reality, which is the Buddha Dharma. It is un
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 beings relieve suffering and come to the 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. However, the teachings of the Buddha, as practiced at the Enkyoji Buddhist Temple, 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 Lotus Sutra, also known as the Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, or the 'Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma.'
Our Practice
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
As Nichiren Buddhists at the Enkyoji Buddhist Temple, our core practices involve reading and studying Buddhist sutras, particularly the Lotus Sutra. We engage in reciting the Lotus Sutra, sitting and/or walking meditation, and especially chanting the Sutra title as the mantra 'Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.' While a full Nichiren Buddhist service
As Nichiren Buddhists at the Enkyoji Buddhist Temple, our core practices involve reading and studying Buddhist sutras, particularly the Lotus Sutra. We engage in reciting the Lotus Sutra, sitting and/or walking meditation, and especially chanting the Sutra title as the 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 beginners yet continues to provide deep benefits to even the most experienced Bodhisattvas. This meditation practice is known in our tradition as 'Shodaigyo' and combines periods of silent seated meditation, akin to zazen, with the mantra chanting of the Odaimoku: Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. To begin your journey to realizing 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, following 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, a Japanese school of Buddhism founded nearly 800 years ago by the r
Enkyoji Buddhist Temple of Rochester is a sangha (Buddhist community) in the Nichiren Shu tradition, following 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, a Japanese school of Buddhism founded nearly 800 years ago by the revered priest Nichiren Shonin, emphasizes the teachings of the Buddha Dharma. Nichiren Shonin believed that the highest truth of the Buddha's teachings is primarily found in the Lotus Sutra, which highlights: the one great vehicle (Mahayana) of the Bodhisattva path, the potential of all sentient beings to become Buddhas, and the concept of Ichinen sanzen (that all realms of existence intersect and can be accessed instantly from moment-to-moment). Due to his deep reverence for the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Shonin encouraged his followers to recite the sutra and to chant its title, 'Namu Myoho Renge Kyo'. To learn more about Nichiren Shu Buddhism and our Enkyoji Lineage, please check out these pages: