Note: The original publication of this article was supported by a grant from the Membership and Outreach Committee of the Buddhist Churches of America and is also available at www.americanbuddhist.org

Many BCA temples face the problem of declining membership or stagnant growth. This situation is quite puzzling in light of the great interest in Buddhism in this country, perhaps stimulated by figures such as the Dalai Lama. What we must understand is that a solid Buddhist Education program at our temples/churches is crucial for any kind of outreach. New people will come to our temples because of their curiosity and interest in Buddhism. We must be able to articulate what Buddhism is. We must make it easy for individuals to learn the fundamentals about Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu so that they can become Buddhists and members of our temples. We must offer study classes so that our own existing and long-time members can deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Dharma. Unless we ourselves have a deeper understanding, we will not be able to express or articulate it to others. Therefore, a Buddhist Education program is essential for the growth of our temples.

Establishing a Buddhist Education Program
About five years ago, the Orange County Buddhist Church established a Buddhist Education Center, which is an educational program within the temple/church. This program consists of classes in a college format, meeting in three sessions—fall, winter, and spring—each session lasting eight weeks long. Each session, classes of a variety of topics are offered. The following are just some of the classes that have been offered:

Introduction to Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu, Part 1
Introduction to Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu, Part 2
Zen and Shin Buddhism
Lectures on the Larger Sutra
Lectures on the Shoshinge
Shin Buddhism as seen in Western Literature
A Study of Shin Myokonin
Readings in Shin Buddhist Literature
Fundamentals of Mahayana Buddhism
Buddhist Views of Life and Death
Buddhist Calligraphy
Buddhism and Music
Buddhism in the Internment Camps

What is important for outreach is that in every session “Introduction to Buddhism” is offered. At each class, we welcome new people to our temple and to Buddhism. Class information is put in the local papers, along with services and times, and the temple Website is a great source for publicizing the education program. Posters and brochures are also used to publicize the classes. On some occasions, 50 students were enrolled in the “Introduction to Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu” class. We have found that it is easier for the newcomer to take a class on Buddhism than it is to actually start attending a service. They tend to think that to attend a service one must be a Buddhist first. Of course this is not true, but that is a common thought among beginners. By taking an introduction class, one can then feel comfortable about attending a service and consider becoming a Buddhist.

Operation and Cost of the Program
Instructors for the classes are Orange County resident ministers, Southern District Ministers, ministers from other temples, retired ministers, and even some laypeople and local college professors. A Buddhist Education committee administers and operates the program. A nominal tuition is charged for each class. Tuition ranges from $40 to $50 per course, depending on the class. This tuition covers the expenses of the program, which entail honorarium for speakers, sometimes hotel and travel costs, and donations back to the temple for use of the facilities. The program has been operating in the black and is of no financial burden to the temple.

Benefits of the Program
The benefits of the Buddhist Education Program are very clear. It has contributed to growth of our Sangha, in that many new people have come to the temple to take classes and have eventually become dues-paying members. The deepened religious understanding and appreciation of the Dharma by our members is a benefit that is most important. The focus of the temple becomes the Dharma, and not politics, social activities, cultural activities, or other things. Donations even increase because of the deepened understanding of the Dharma. Ministerial aspirants begin to emerge from the Sangha. Ministers are most happy and fulfilled in their work because of the interest in the Dharma by the members. Members support the ministers and have greater appreciation and respect for their work in sharing the Dharma. Another part of the program is publication of Buddhist materials. Our first publication Coffinman, by Shinmon Aoki, is now available at major bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Noble and contributes to the outreach and propagation of Shin Buddhism.

In my mind, a solid Buddhist Education program is the solution of every problem that faces our temples and the BCA. Decreasing memberships, lack of ministers, financial shortages, conflicts between ministers and members, are all solved through establishing a Buddhist Education Program.

Next Article:
Expanding Shin Buddhism in the United States, by Hoshin Seki

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