Welcome to
our Shin Buddhist Spirituality web site. This site offers a glimpse into the world
of Shin spirituality through the words of the Buddhist Faith Fellowship (BFF) friends who were all participants in the
courses, seminars and workshops of the New England Institute of Buddhist Studies (NEIBS) since the year 2006. NEIBS
helps facilitate and deepen students’ and teachers’ religious awareness, knowledge and practice.
This site covers a number of topics from practice,
religious insights, historical perspectives and opinion from a non-academic and personal viewpoint. The format is generally
simple, personal and direct that truly cuts into the core of Shin Buddhist religious life. Shin Buddhist Spirituality will help you explore the essence of the Shin religion as practice in North America from the words
and experiences of ordinary people who continue to deepen their awareness, faith and purpose of life within the embrace of
Boundless Compassion.
We are grateful to the following BFF friends for
giving us permission to publish excerpts of their NEIBS homework that exemplify Shin Buddhist spirituality in 21st century
North America. Thanks to: John Brooks, Lorein Cipriano, Linda Clark, Robin Kilgour, Janine Janaki, Yvette Law, G.R. Lewis,
Diane Lux, Robert Orsi, Margaret Petersson, Jerry Sawyer, Harry Simonsen, Gina Vezzola, Tammy Vuksinic, Bob Walczewski , John
Waligorski and Jeff Zyjeski
Index of Topics
NEITHER MONK OR LAYPERSON
BUDDHIST REVIVAL
TRUE FAITH
SCIENCE AND FAITH
FAITH, JOY AND GRATITUDE
MAPPO: OUR DECADENT AGE
POISON OF OUR WISDOM
AMIDA IS MY LIFE
EXPERIENCING SHIN
NATURALNESS
OTHER POWER
AFTERLIFE
NIRVANA SUTRA
REQUIREMENTS OF SHIN
ATTAINMENT WITHOUT A GURU
NEMBUTSU
TANNISHO COMMENTARIES
SHIN IN 25 WORDS
NUGGETS OF WISDOM
"Shin can be reality integrated into everyday life. There is no distinction
between clergy and laity, everyone can attain Buddhahood, and marriage is approved. The training place for the practice of
Buddhism is considered everyday and secular life."
-- Harry Simonsen
from the Discovering Shin Buddhism Course