Takashi Miyaji Curriculum Vitae-June 27, 2021

Takashi Miyaji Core Faculty Member, Institute of 2140 Durant Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704 (253) 640-4224 [email protected]

Education 2019 Doctor of Philosophy, Ryukoku University (Kyoto, Japan) 2013 Master of Buddhist Studies, Ryukoku University 2010 Master of Buddhist Studies, Institute of Buddhist Studies 2006 Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Berkeley

Employment 2020-Present Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, minister 2020-Present Institute of Buddhist Studies, Core Faculty Member 2017-2020 Full-time minister of Tacoma , Tacoma, WA 2013-2020 Hongwanji International Center, translator (Kyoto, Japan)

Ordination and Related Religious Qualifications 2016 Academic ranking of hokyo received from Nishi Hongwanji. 2014 Kyōshi Ordination received in February. 2012 Tokudo Ordination received in May.

Courses Taught Works of Shinran I Works of Shinran II

Publications Peer Reviewed Journal Articles 2015 “An Examination of Shinran’s Notion of Doubt: Particularly in the Scope of the Ōjōyōshū,” Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies, vol. LXIII No. 2: 610-613. This article is in Japanese.

Academic Reviews 2019 Shin , Bodies, and : The Role of the Physical Body in Enlightenment.

Periodicals 2020-Present Articles in both Japanese and English for the monthly newsletter entitled “Golden Chain” distributed to the members of the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church.

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2020 Article entitled “Obon wa Yorokobi to Kansha no Dansu” written in Japanese for the Wheel of . Published in August issue. 2020 Article entitled “A Mother’s Final Message to Her Child-A Lesson in Gassho” written for the Wheel of Dharma. Published in January issue. 2020 Article entitled “’Dana for World Peace’—A Shin Buddhist Response” written for the Wheel of Dharma. Published in April issue. 2018-2020 Articles in both Japanese and English for a monthly newsletter entitled “Myōkyō” distributed to the members of the Tacoma Buddhist Temple. 2018 Article entitled “Learning New Customs” written for the Wheel of Dharma, a monthly newsletter for the Buddhist Churches of America. Published in July issue. 2018 Article entitled “Butsu wo Hometataeru Imi” written in Japanese for the “Wheel of Dharma,” a monthly publication for the Buddhist Churches of America. Published in May issue. 2016 Articles written in a Japanese monthly publication entitled “Shūhō” in which I am being interviewed discussing American Jodo Shinshu. Collaborative project with Ichido Kikukawa. Articles published as follows: • July, 2016: “Amerika ni Manabu, Miyaji Takashi san e no intabū” • August, 2016 “Amerika Jōdo Shinshū ni Manabu, Miyaji Takashi san e no intabū: dōseikon wo megutte” 2015-2017 Short articles written in Japanese explaining English translations of Buddhist terms. Journal title is Kikan Seiten with article series entitled, “Jodo Shinshu Ice Break”: • Fall, 2015 no. 112: “Button Guratitūdo” • Fall, 2015 no. 113: “En-kauntā” • Spring, 2016 no. 114: “Tariki no Setarudo Hāto” • Summer, 2016 no. 115: “Michimichite Igunoransu” • Fall, 2016 no. 116: “‘Bon’ in the USA” • Winter, 2016 no. 117: “Hara no Soko made Raionzu Roā” • Spring, 2017 no. 118: “Welcome to the Hongwanji!” • Summer, 2017 no. 119: “Arinomamani Just As You Are”

Social Media

2021 Co-host of a livestream event for the BCA National Council Meeting, Sunday Program entitled “Immeasurable Encounterings: BCA Past, Present, and Future.” Event held February 28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxOGeCnCM7s&t=1s 2020-Present Creation of the podcast series, “No Doubt: A Shin Buddhist Approach,” looking at social issues through the lens of Shin Buddhist doctrine. Episodes posted periodically. Started in May, 2020. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-doubt-a-shin-buddhist- approach/id1511351502 2020 National Public Radio (NPR) Interview. “Weekend Edition, hosted by Scott Simon.” Interview on “Bodhi Day and Buddhism” aired on December 5.

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https://www.npr.org/2020/12/05/943453999/buddhists-prepare-to-observe-bodhi- day-when-siddhartha-gautama-became-buddha

Translations and Interpreter Assignments 2019 Interpreter for guest lecturer Chikō Naito, professor emeritus from Ryukoku University and kangaku of Nishi Hongwanji school of Buddhism. His lecture was on his most recent book entitled, Shinran no Ōjō Shisō, or Shinran’s Thought on Birth in the Pure Land. 2018-Present Participated in “Shin Buddhism Translation Series” project on the translation of the Pure Land Master Daocho’s Anrakushu, or Passages on the Land of Happiness. Translation forthcoming. 2018 Participated in “Shin Buddhism Translation Series” work entitled, The Pure Land Writings, Volume II Tanluan: Commentary on the Treatise on the Pure Land, Gathas in Praise of Amida Buddha. This book translates the Pure Land Master Tanluan’s major works. 2017 Translated the Monshu Kojun Ohtani’s (Head Priest of Nishi Hongwanji) book entitled Arinomamani, Hitamukini, or Moving Forward Just As You Are: Living in these Uncertain Times. 2016 Translated Ryukoku University’s handbook explaining its history and Statement of Purpose. The work is entitled Ryudai wa Hajimeno Ippo: Ryuoku Daigaku “Kengaku no Seishin”, or Ryu-dai, the First Step: “The Founding Spirit of Ryukoku University. Published on April 8.

External Awards, Grants, and Fellowships 2019 Member of Jodo Shinshu International Office (JSIO), committee of the Quarterly Journal. First edition forthcoming. 2012-present Member of “Shin Buddhism Translation Series,” a translation group sponsored by Nishi Hongwanji. 2011-2016 Recipient of Numata Scholarship.

Presentations, Papers, and Speaking Engagements Invited talks (Academic) 2020 Lecture on “Amida Nyorai no Negai to De’au—Shakai Mondai ni Taisuru Shinshūteki Apurōchi,” or “Encountering Amida’s Great Aspiration: A Shin Buddhist Approach to Current Social Issues,” given in Japanese for the Research Center for World Buddhist Cultures at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan. Conducted via Zoom on October 28. 2020 Lecture on the Larger , “Ōgonge” sponsored by Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Church on December 16, via Zoom. 2019 Lecture on “Shin ” given at the Institute of Buddhist Studies from November 1-3. 2019 Lecture on “Shin Buddhist Ethics” given at Seattle Buddhist Study Center on October 23. 2019 Guest lecturer at University of Washington, Tacoma campus on the issue of “Shin Buddhist Ethics” on April 9. 2019 Lecturer for BCA Minister’s Assistant Seminary training Program from April 4-5.

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2019 Lecturer for BCA Minister’s Assistant Seminary training Program from September 2-4. 2015 Paper presentation entitled, “Ring of Fire: The Cyclical Process between Sentient Being and Amida Buddha,” given at the Bi-Annual meeting of the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies, Musashino University, Tokyo. August 9. 2014 Paper presentation entitled, “Shinran ni Okeru ‘Gi’ no Kenkyu: Tokuni Ōjōyōshū tono Hikaku wo Chushin toshite, An Examination of Shinran’s Notion of Doubt: Particularly in the Scope of the Ōjōyōshū.” Annual meeting of the Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies, Musashino University, Tokyo. August 31. Paper presented in Japanese.

Invited talks (Religious) 2021 Lecture for those who are in the process of preparing for Kyoshi ordination. Took place on June 12. 2021 Lecture on Buddhism for college students in an event called “Buddhism Beyond ,” hosted by the West LA Buddhist Temple. Event took place on May 8. 2021 Guest speaker at Steveston Buddhist Temple (Vancouver, Canada) for Ho’onko special service, observing the memorial of Shinran Shonin. Lecture entitled “Encountering Amida’s Great Aspiration: A Shin Buddhist Approach to Current Social Issues.” January 16-17 via Zoom. 2020-Present Minister serving at Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church from August 1. Weekly Dharma messages and lectures provided. Japanese messages once a month. 2021 Lecture on Shin Buddhist Ethics for the Southern District Minister’s Association, summer fuken (continuing education seminar) on June 1, via Zoom. 2020 Lecture on “Shin Buddhist Ethics” for the Center for Buddhist Education, Correspondence Course, Europe on August 24, via Zoom. 2020 Lecture entitled, “Hearing Amida Buddha’s Calling Voice” given for the Hawai’i District Hongwanji Council on December 19, via Zoom. 2020 West, East HOPE seminar lecturer. Talk entitled “Only the Nembutsu is True and Real” and given on December 8, via Zoom. 2019 Lecture for Southern District Minister’s fuken, or continuing education program, on June 1. Lecture title was “A Research on Shin Buddhist Ethics.” 2019 Lecture on “Shin Buddhist Ethics” given for the Northwest District Conference in Tukwila, WA on February 16. 2017-2020 Minister serving at Tacoma Buddhist Temple. Weekly Dharma messages and lectures. 2014 Guest Speaker for Tsukiji Hongwanji located in Tokyo, Japan for English service (July).

Panels, Roundtables, and Seminars 2020 Presenter and Panelist for the IBS seminar entitled, “Prayers for the World.” My presentation title was “How Shinjin Can Help Us Live in the 21st Century.” This workshop was for the Northwest District Conference in conjunction with the

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Buddhist Churches of America National Council Meeting that took place on February 20. 2020 Organizing committee member and speaker for “Dana for World Peace,” 2020 Buddhist Churches of America Minsters’ Association & National Council Meetings &73rd Annual Northwest District Buddhist Convention from February 18-23rd in Seattle, WA. 2020 Joint lecture on “Buddhism, Christianity, and the Environment: An Inter- Religious Dialogue” given at University of Washington, Tacoma campus on January 16. 2018 Joint seminar and discussion with Dr. Marit Trelstad, professor at Pacific Lutheran University. Seminar entitled “Radical Reformers: Martin Luther and Shinran Shonin” on June 16.

Workshops 2019 Lecture given to Dharma School teachers on November 10.

External Organization and Service

2019 Leading of “Opening Prayer” for the State Legislature of Washington state in Olympia, WA on February 20.

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