Trip to India Led by BCA’s Bob Matsueda Showed Similarities for Both Practices
Editor’s note: Ricky Schlesinger, the President of the Vista Buddhist Temple, and his wife Judy Nakatomi were among 22 people who traveled to India from Dec. 1-20, 2024, with BCA staff member Bob Matsueda. The Wheel of Dharma is honored to publish Schlesinger’s account of the trip.
Most of us know Bob Matsueda as the Facilities Manager at the Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) in Berkeley. Some of us know Bob as a yoga instructor holding online classes and an annual yoga weekend retreat at the JSC.
Matsueda is one of a few American yoga teachers and yoga therapist who is certified by the Government of India.
So, what do yoga and Buddhism have to do with each other? It turns out, maybe quite a bit.
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice prevalent in Northern India during Shakyamuni Buddha’s time. It’s quite likely yoga was one of the spiritual practices Shakyamuni explored and mastered during his seven-year quest for truth and enlightenment.
It’s interesting to ponder how yoga likely influenced Shakyamuni’s path to enlightenment. Shin Buddhism tends to be Shinran focused. But for Buddhist practices that look a bit more to Shakyamuni, it’s easier to embrace yoga sharing both as a spiritual and cultural perspective with Buddhism.
Today, both yoga and Buddhism are more than a spiritual belief system. They’re a way of life offering followers a path to developing a deeper sense of awareness. Matsueda’s classes demonstrate how yoga is a holistic practice and philosophy that can shape life, beyond the physical asana or poses we are most familiar with.
My wife Judy Nakatomi and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join Matsueda’s three-week group journey to India from Dec. 1-20, 2024, to explore the true meaning of yoga and engage in Southern India’s beautiful and interesting culture.
Full transparency: Judy and I live in Encinitas, California, which some call the yoga capital of America. There are more yoga studios in Encinitas than Starbucks coffee shops. It’s the land of Lululemon and the downward dog; the home of Prana rock climbing apparel influenced by yoga practice.
One of the largest landowners in Encinitas is Paramahansa Yogananda estate, also known as the Self-Realization Fellowship. Our most popular surf break is referred to as Swami’s. Years ago, Judy completed yoga teacher training, but I am not deeply engaged in yoga today. Yet we were intrigued by Matsueda’s adventure.
One of our first stops on the trip was the Gurukul Ashram in Nashik, India. Matsueda extensively trained and studied at this highly respected ashram. The 22 of us were honored guests for a quick three-day immersion. We participated in fire meditation sessions, asana (sitting meditation pose) classes, ayurvedic treatments, ate simple vegetarian meals, and slept in their austere accommodations. We were introduced to the complete yoga. My high point was several lectures in an intimate setting from two founders of Gurukul Ashram; Dr. Dorle, a medical doctor and the Honorable Guruji, and bioengineer.
Their inspiring talks opened our eyes to all aspects of the integrated yoga practice. Like Buddhism, yoga’s intention is to bring peace and healing to an otherwise chaotic life, through plant-based ayurvedic treatment for healing, a physical practice of asana poses and breathing on the mat for wellness and relaxation, and a vegetarian diet for health and nourishment.
Dr. Dorle explained that the human body, evidenced by evolution of our teeth and digestive system, is different than most animals, and therefore, a meat-based diet is not well-suited for people.
As a longer-term Shin Buddhist and novice yoga practitioner, the parallels between yoga and Buddhism were quite striking.
Karma yoga is a selfless giving practice at an ashram which includes volunteerism, cooking, cleaning and tending to the facility. It’s remarkably like Buddhist Dana and toban at our temples. Yoga philosophy believes there is a yoga spirit in all of us waiting to be discovered. It sounds like the Buddha spirit that resides in all sentient beings. They both utilize meditation and chanting. Yoga practitioners reject India’s social caste system and everyone is on the same level. Buddhism embraces a universal, “come as you are” spirit.
Superficially, Buddhism and yoga appear to be different. Both have been overcommercialized to the public and largely misunderstood. But after our experience, they seem synergistic and parallel, share similar values, engage in some common practice, and offer a holistic approach to enriching life in a complex world.
I feel very fortunate to be included on Matsueda’s trip and to experience the true holistic yoga practice while discovering the rich culture of Southern India.
I’m not planning to trade in my Buddhist Sangha for a new Yoga ashram. But now, with an appreciation of the similar roots of both, it does seem beneficial to include elements of yoga into my practice and see the world through a broader lens.
In 2025, Matsueda is leading a group to Northern India to explore the historic path of Shakyamuni Buddha and the trip will include a visit with the Dalai Lama.