Keep worldly affairs out of the temple

 As you may probably know, in many Buddhist temples around the world, Jodo Shinshu or not, members organize parties with music, alcohol, and dancing. Some say it relaxes people and brings them together. I say it is a smart trick of internal maras (one's own blind passions and ignorance) and/or external maras or various evil spirits to make people forget the Dharma in the exact place where they have the chance to deepen its meaning, a subtle way of distracting them from the teaching and keeping them focused on their worldly passions and preoccupations.

Don't get me wrong, I do not forbid members to go to parties, drink, socialize or dance. They have all the time for entertainment but the temple is not a social club, not a bar, and not a disco. It is also not a karate, yoga, or ikebana club, not a bazaar and not a platform for various worldly ideologies, as some use it nowadays. The temple is and must remain a place for Dharma. Here we come for a different purpose than our usually daily life - to listen to the Amida Dharma, become aware of the delusional nature of samsara, of death and impermanence, and of the need to aspire for the liberation in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha. 

No matter how distracted we are in our daily life, we must not allow ourselves to be distracted in the place where we hear the Dharma. Here we must be focused on asking questions and solving our doubts, reading and contemplating the Dharmic truths, saying Nembutsu and keeping a Dharmic atmosphere where others are encouraged and supported to do the same.

If a sangha does not remain an exclusive place for Dharma, and I mean a 100% place for Dharma, it will sooner or later become a cause for the spiritual downfall of its members.

We must be very careful indeed with what we do at the temple. Worldly music and entertainment strengthen our worldly passions and may give rise to improper behavior among members. Soon, people will come to the temple for fun and worldly enjoyments, like going to a disco club. Fights or rivalry may also occur which destroys Dharma friendship, the only friendship that matters in a sangha.

Keeping the temple free of any worldly entertainments is the best way to check the dedication of members or aspirants. Having nothing else to do than Dharma listening and Dharma practice, only those truly interested in the Dharma will remain.

Question: What do you think about the idea of having a bar in the temple? I heard some Japanese priests are doing this to attract people. Other temples organize parties or cultural events for the same reason.

Answer: I saw a lot of people praising that bullshit with Japanese Buddhist priests transforming temples into bars or having a bar on the temple grounds to attract people. Also, other Jodo Shinshu temples around the world organize bazaars, and even parties with alcohol for members and visitors. I find this to be disgusting. Such things will never happen at Amidaji. The temple should be a gate to the Pure Land, a place for listening deeply to Amida Dharma, and NOT for promoting our blind passions and worldly amusements.

Are you aware of the greatest matter of the afterlife? Are you sure that you will be born in the Pure Land when you die? Do you really entrust yourself to Amida Buddha? Answering these questions is the true reason for your coming to the temple. And the temple should be organized around answering these questions. Listening to Amida Dharma with a bottle in your mouth and an intoxicated mind will not help you understand it. The fact that we are saved as we are by Amida Buddha does not mean we should use the temples to get drunk.

Anything which is not strictly related with listening to Amida Dharma and receive faith has no place at Amidaji temple. Here there are no cultural activities, no ikebana, no tea ceremonies, no bazaars, no items from the political and social agenda of various groups, no nothing, but the Dharma. It is religion pure and simple. Worshiping, listening, hearing, receiving faith, solving the greatest matter of the afterlife, securing birth in the Pure Land. These are the goals and means of Amidaji. Anyone, no matter who they are in their private life, are welcomed if their reason for coming is to listen the Amida Dharma and be born in the Pure Land. Those who have other reasons or goals should simply stay home.
Namo Amida Bu