Betsuin Buddhist Education Department
Invites you to
Rites of Passage
Death and Dying
Seminar
Saturday February 20, 2016
2:00 – 4:30 pm
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Featuring
Buddhist Churches of America Retired Minister Emeritus Reverend Masao Kodani
Click to download filer and registration: 02.20.16 Kodani Seminar Flier v4 FILLABLE-2
Rev. Masao H. Kodani is a Jodo Shinshu Sansei minister retired from the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA). He is a co-founder of Kinnara Taiko - the second taiko group established in the United States and the first Japanese American Buddhist group. The Kinnara Gagaku (Japanese Court Music) developed from this as well. The idea was to enable the performers and audiences an opportunity to enjoy the Buddha-dharma through the experience of music (Horaku).
Born in Glendale, California, Mas Kodani was a young child when he and his family were incarcerated at Poston Relocation Center in Arizona during WWII. After his family’s return to Los Angeles, they lived in a predominantly African American community near the neighborhood of Watts. Although they were Buddhist, his parents sent their children to Evergreen Baptist Church in East L.A. because they thought it would be easier for them to fit in.
After graduating from Centennial High School, Mas attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where he earned his degree in East Asian Studies. While at UC Santa Barbara, he became close to the late Rev. Art Takemoto, then at the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles. Through Rev. Takemoto’s influence, Mas traveled to Japan to study Buddhism at Ryukoku University. He also took the steps for ordination as a minister in the Hongwanji tradition. After his studies were completed, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Senshin Buddhist Temple in South Central Los Angeles, where he was lovingly known to all as Rev. Mas and where he served until his retirement.
In 1986, he, together with Rev. Takemoto and the late Rev. Russell Hamada, published the book, Rites of Passage: Death. The book covers the way Buddhism perceives death and the significance of the rituals in our tradition.
Rev. Mas is known for his unique and energetic presentation. It will be worth your time to come and hear his presentation.
FEB