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I C i L T S. ] C R I T I Q IT E by Betty Bruechert T h e in r o a d s of non-Christian relig ions in this country — and the tolerance shown their teachings by so- called “ Christian” groups — make the work of the soul-winner here and the missionary abroad difficult indeed. Much interest was expressed in the previous article on this subject and we herewith quote a fine summation of the subject from the Oct. 26, 1962 issue of Time —courtesy T im e: copy right Time, Inc., 1962. BUDDHISM IN AMERICA “While the Vatican Council in Rome is celebrating the eventual uni ty of all Ghristians, here in New York we are celebrating the essential unity of all men’s religions,” Unitarian minister Donald Harrington told his congregation at Manhattan’s Com munity Church last week. As Har rington completed his sermon, a prayer gong sounded, and a red-robed priest began to chant the ancient Shishinrai: “ ‘We reverently pay homage to the Eternal Buddha. “ ‘We reverently pay homage to the Eternal Dharma. “ ‘We reverently pay homage to the Eternal Sangha. “ The twelve Adorations were chant ed and the Eight Paths of Righteous ness explained. Sharing the platform were priests and scholars who had come from Japan to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Buddhism in the United States. “Although last week’s service was the first to be held in a Christian church, U.S. Buddhism owes part of its current health to some shrewd borrowing from U.S. Christianity. To hold their largely Japanese-American membership — which yearly becomes more American and less Japanese — most congregations are turning from Japanese to English in their services, call themselves churches rather than temples to avoid identification with the occult. Services are held on Sun day, although all days are holy to Buddhists. The Buddhist Church of Seattle sponsors a Boy Scout troop, a day nursery, a Sunday school and a drum and bugle corps. “ A few years ago, West Coast beat niks and other intellectually unem ployed seized upon Buddhism with
T A L B O T T HE O L OG I C A L S EM I N A R Y
MISSIONS Gives a basic introduction to home and foreign missions and provides constant challenge, through numerous missionary chapels and faculty emphasis, to carry the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. EVANGELISM Believes the successful pastor must be a soul winner, challenges him to this task, supplies him with the tools requisite to winning souls for Christ, and instructs him in their use in the local church and in evangelistic campaigns.
PASTORATE
Provides the student with the content of his message, the manner of delivery of his sermon, successful methods of pastoral work, opportunities for practical experience, and an active place ment service after graduation.
TEACHING
hays a firm foundation for theological, graduate study for students desiring education ax their life work, and equips its graduates to be successful Bible teachers in the local church and upon the mission field.
For further information, catalogue, bulletin, and other data, write to . . . . DEAN, TALBOT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 13800 BIOLA AVE., LA MIRADA, CALIF. B IO LA F AM I L Y C O N F E R E N C E S Mt. Hermon, August 9-15 The Firs, August 16-23
enment can be reached through faith in Amida Buddha, the Enlightened One of Infinite Life and Light. Of approximately 100,000 U.S. Buddhists, probably 80,000 are Shinshu. The sect operates 56 churches, concen trated on the West Coast but in cluding a modernistic New York temple dedicated by the touring group.”
all the enthusiasm some earlier ori entalists had shown for mah-jongg. Their brief flings were mainly with the Zen sect, which concentrates on self-examination and is the most in tellectual of the major Buddhist sects. But most Buddhists in the U.S., like Buddhists in Japan, belong to the Jodo Shinshu sect, which teaches that the Buddhist goal of cosmic enlight-
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A PRIL, 1964
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