Hompa Hongwanji Temple

A few blocks from City Hall, near First Street and
Central Avenue, Buddhists worship in Hompa
Hongwanji Temple. The imposing stands in the
heart of Los Angeles ` Japanese quarter , and
more than a thousand Japanese Buddhists come
weekly to pray to be of sevice in the brotherhood
of Lord Buddha.
Japanese Buddhists in Los Angeles , represent
generally the better classes of their race, and lar-
gely outnumber Japanese Shintoists , followers
of that early religion of Japan. The Shinto temple,
is by contrast a simple place of worship.
From the busy street into Hompa Hongwanji
Temple the devout step , to sing their gathas , or
hymns, and eat rice cakes while the Buddhist priests
conduct the services . It is a tiny corner of Japan
itself , the temple.

Joseph Seewerker


Buddhism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


A statue of the Buddha in Bodhgaya, India. Bodhgaya is traditionally considered the place of his enlightenment[1]
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Buddhism as traditionally conceived is a path of salvation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality.[2] Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices that are largely based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha (Pali/Sanskrit for "The Awakened One").
Born in what is today Nepal, the Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent and most likely died around 400 BCE in what is now modern India. Adherents recognize the Buddha as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings escape the cycle of suffering and rebirth. The Buddha's teachings provide instructions on how to understand the true nature of phenomena, end suffering, and achieve nirvana.
Buddhists use various methods to liberate themselves and others from the suffering of worldly existence. These include ethical conduct and altruism, devotional practices and ceremonies, the invocation of bodhisattvas, renunciation, meditation, the cultivation of mindfulness and wisdom, study, and physical exercises.
Two major branches of Buddhism are broadly recognized: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Theravada, the oldest surviving, has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia whilst Mahayana, which is found throughout East Asia, includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon, Tibetan Buddhism and Tendai. In some methods of classification, Vajrayana is considered a third branch. Buddhist schools disagree on the historical teachings of the Buddha and on the importance and canonicity of various scriptures. [3] While Buddhism remains most popular within Asia, both branches are now found throughout the world. Various sources put the number of Buddhists in the world between 230 million and 500 million.[4][5][6][7]