Bukkyo University, located in Kyoto, Japan was established in 1868. In 1992, it created an extension in Los Angeles whose academic mission has been to introduce the spiritual and philosophical tenets of Buddhism to the North American continent. Bukkyo University is founded on the "Nembutsu" teachings of Honen. Therefore, one of its main themes is the articulation of Nembutsu as the agent for the salvation of sentient beings; this is Nembutsu as the Way to Enlightenment. In an effort to stimulate interest in the study of Pure Land Buddhism and introduce its philosophy, Bukkyo University Los Angeles Extension hosted its First International Symposium three years ago in November 1996, entitled, "A Comprehensive Review of the Pure Land Buddhism of Honen". Thanks to the remarkable success of that symposium, Bukkyo University sponsored the Second International Symposium on November 13, 1999, entitled, "Footsteps to Enlightenment: Zen, Nembutsu & the Dharma." It is hoped that through these symposia, we will gain insight into how traditional Buddhism can relate to other religions and continue to develop in the 21st century.

CONTENTS:

Zen and Nembutsu in Relation to the Three-fold Discipline

Zenno Ishigami (Taisho University)

Response by Carl Bielefeldt (Stanford University)

Zen: the Way to Deliverance from Ignorance

Eshin Nishimura (Hanazono University)

Response by Dale Wright (Occidental College)

Honen's Perspective on Nembutsu

Koji Takahashi (Bukkyo University)

Response by James Fredericks (Loyola Marymount University)

The American View of the Way to Enlightenment

Glenn T. Webb (Pepperdine University)

Response by Joshin Washimi (Jodo Shu Research Institute)

Response by Seitetsu Moriyama (Bukkyo University)

My Quest for Enlightenment

Koshiro Tamaki (Tokyo University)

Summarization

Mokusen Miyuki (CSU ― Northridge)

Copyright(c) by 1996-2001 Jodo Shu Research Institute