Director: Rev. Toshio Murakami - bscdir@aol.comBuddhist Study Center (BSC)
1436 University Avenue Honolulu HI, 96822
Phone: (808) 973-6555 Fax: (808) 973-6551
Hours for Office, Library, and Student Lounge:
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Director: Rev. Toshio Murakami - bscdir@aol.com
Assistant to the Director: Mr. Blake Kushi - bscassit@aol.com
Special Lecture Series : Jodo Shinshu Life
Speaker: Dr. Taitetsu Unno of Smith College, Massachusetts
Dates & Time: Jan. 21-22, and 28 - -7:00p - 9:00p
Jan. 29 - - 10:00a - 12:00a
Please register by January 20 - - Registration Fee is $10.00
Please make checks payable to Buddhist Study Center
Special Lecture Series: Buddhist Meditation India to East Asia
Speaker: John McRae of Indiana University, author of "The Northen School & the Formation of Early Ch'an Buddhism.
Dates & Times: Starts on January 11, 2000 Through May, 2000 Tuesdays 6:00p - 8:30p
If you have any questions please call or e-mail the BSC.
The dream of Bishop Kanmo Imamura, who served Hawaii Kyodan from 1967 to 1972 was to create a study center in Honolulu similar to the Institute of Buddhist Studies he had founded in Berkeley. Dr Alfred Bloom of the University of Hawaii Department of Religion knew of Bishop Imamura's vision of a study center near the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus and in 1972 called to tell him of the availability of two properties for sale on University Avenue. Without delay meetings were called and leaders of the Hawaii Betsuin were persuaded to purchase 1424 and 1436 University Avenue, directly adjacent to the UH campus.
On August 18, 1972 the Buddhist Study Center at 1424 University Avenue officially opened its doors to the public. It had three primary goals. First was to provide a student center to encourage and facilitate student interest in Buddhism through fellowship and informal exchange. Second was to provide a study center and library to encourage serious study and research of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Third was to design and effectuate a ministerial training program. Staffed at first by volunteers and furnished with donations from members, the operarions at BSC gradually came to life. In October of 1972 the first issue of METTA, BSC's monthly dharma publication was produced.
As the study center grew, the facilities at the 1424 location became inadequate and the center was relocated to the larger house at 1436 University Avenue. Until the arrival of Director Will Masuda in 1976, the house at 1424 University was temporarily used as a dormitory for several girls attending the university. Initially staffed by co-Directors Rev. Ryo Imamura and Rev. Tatsuo Muneto, the beginnings of BSC coincided with the atmosphere of fresh and renewed interest in Jodo Shinshu in Hawaii. This was the result of the 1973 Kamakura Symposium two months of outstanding Buddhist lectures, panel discussions and a traveling seminar to Oahu and neighbor island temples, co-sponsored by the Unlversity of Hawaii and the Buddhist community.
In 1975 Buddhist Study Center welcomed its first scholar in residence, Dr.Taitetsu Unno of Smith College, Massachusetts. This was the first joint project of Buddhist Study Center and the University of Hawaii Department of Religion who shared Dr. Unno for one semester. In 1985 Dr. Hisao Inagaki was a visiting scholar from Japan, and Numata Professor for one semester at UH. Summer sessions from 1972 on brought in outstanding teachers from Japan, Europe. South America and the US. In 1976 Dr. Unno's close friend and student, Rev. Will Masuda, was brought in from California to serve as Buddhist Study Center's Director. Under his dynamic leadership, a pattern was set for the future. Attendance at weekly study classes and at the annual summer sessions increased dramatically. Many new faces and voices from both inside and outside the Hongwanji community became enthusiastic Shin followers. In 1977 some thirty-plus people took part in a BSC sponsored Study Tour to Japan Both the 1977 and 1981 Study Tours visited Japanesc scholars, ministers and lay teachers. The 1981 tour also included a three-day retreat at Mt. Hiei. In 1979 BSC Press with Ruth Tabrah as editor was established. It has produced 14 Shinshu books in the last 15 years.
From the outset, adult education, cooperative programs with UH Department of Religion, and, more recently, activities as a branch of Ryukoku University have had a substantial outreach into the larger community. Summer Sessions have drawn capacity registrations of students from age 16 to 89. And, as had been the original dream, many UH students made Buddhist Study Center their second home where they spent free hours and cram time, tetsuya, gathered in multi-generational sessions to listen to the dharma and enjoy fellowship. In 1986 the property between the Director's house and BSC was acquired, making possible the plans for this handsome new facility.
For students this will continue to be a place to hang out and have a spiritual campus home. For those new to Shin Buddhism, BSC was and is a warm and and welcoming atmosphere in which to encounter the nembutsu path. The list of those both formally and informally influenced by BSC is long and still growing. Rev. Ron Kobata first came from California for summer sessions at BSC. Soon after the middle house was acquired Rev. Shindo Nishiyama lived at BSC for a year before completing his ministerial studies in Kyoto. Rev. Yukiko Motoyoshi, Rev. Sandra Hiramatsu, Rev. Claire Ichiyama, Rev. Gerald Sakamoto, Rev. Alan Urasaki, Rev. Bruce Nakamura, Rev. Arthur Marutani, Rev. Henry Tanaka, Rev Shigeaki Fujitani all are BSC Veterans. Others active in BSC who have received the basic ministerial ordination of tokudo are Toshikazu and Linda Arai, Ruth Tabrah, Midori Kondo, Jan Youth, Arthur Kaufman, and Sonny Agbayan. Kevin Kuniyuki is currently enrolled in a ministerial program in Kyoto. Reynold Fujikawa is a ministerial candidate at Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley.
As was the case in the old BSC, in this new facility the close relationship with Ryukoku University-s In[ernational Department and University of Hawaii's Department of Religion and Center for Buddhist Studies he new BSC will continue to expand. Publication of METTA and books from BSC Press will draw a worldwide readership. Through these and the close contact of BSC afficionados with Shin sanghas in Europe, Kenya and Australia, the BSC is in touch with Shin Buddhist activities all over the world. The new BSC will bring ongoing program areas here and in neighbor island satellite sessions.
For the future that begins with today's dedication ceremony, BSC is not only a bridge to the bright second-century future of Hawaii Kyodan, it is an east/west link the will help spread the dharma of nembutsu around the world, a link made possible by the generous dana of Lotus, Wisteria and In Memoriam donors from throughout Hawaii Kyodan. To all donors and to those whose gift has been unstinting time and energy, our mahalo nui loa. Your continuing generosity and support is essential to the success of this new Buddhist Study Center
[BSC Dedication Booklet, August 20, 1995]