Eastern Buddhist League Conference Returns Oct. 18-21 at Ekoji

After a five-year break because of the pandemic, the Eastern Buddhist League (EBL) Conference returned Oct. 18-21 at Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax Station, Virginia, with the theme of “Gratitude Is Timeless.”

The EBL is a long-standing tradition bringing together the following temples, sanghas and fellowships: New York Buddhist Church, Seabrook Buddhist Temple, Ekoji Buddhist Temple, Midwest Buddhist Temple, Cleveland Buddhist Temple, Twin Cities Buddhist Sangha, Albany Buddhist Sangha, Toronto Buddhist Church, Buddhist Temple of Chicago and Manitoba Buddhist Temple.

Eighty-six participants joined both in person and virtually.  It was wonderful to be back in the company of the greater EBL Sangha, to meet new Dharma friends and reconnect with those we haven’t seen in so long.

The conference kicked off on Friday evening, Oct. 18, with a round of Bodhi Bingo and an introduction to the participating ministers, Rev. Kurt Rye, Rev. Todd Tsuchiya, Rev. Chiemi Onikura-Bly, Rev. Patti Nakai and BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Ron Miyamura.  It was a casual opportunity to hang out, have fun and get ready for a weekend of Dharma learning.

On Saturday morning, attendees were treated to a delicious breakfast courtesy of the Ekoji kitchen. The Ekoji volunteers worked tirelessly all weekend to keep us nourished and happy.

The opening service followed in the beautiful Ekoji hondo. With four ministers on the Onaijin and a full house of participants, it was a joy to chant the Juseige together and hear a Dharma message from Rev. Miyamura, who discussed the historical highlights of the BCA.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Scott Mitchell, President of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Rev. Tsuchiya and Rev. Miyamura led a discussion about Mitchell’s recent book “The Making of American Buddhism.”

The afternoon session was a presentation about gratitude by BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi, who said that we should all be mindful of what we receive and not so much on what we achieve. In this way, we can lead a life of gratitude, he said.

Sunday began with a butsudan making session. Twenty-two conference participants now have their own home butsudan.  

We then returned to the Hondo for the closing service, done “Ekoji Style.”  It was a great experience for all of us to try some new practices and experience the Dharma in a different way. Rev. Patti Nakai offered a Dharma message summarizing what we learned over the weekend.  

Looking back, the weekend of deep meaning and illuminating learning, in the company of treasured Sangha friends, was a gift to each of us who attended. Stay tuned for information on future EBL conferences.