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Shin Buddhist clergy may marry, eat meat, drink oppressed simply because of who they are. Jodo Shinshu
alcohol, grow their hair, and wear secular clothing. has developed a comparatively exceptional record in
Thus aspects of our lifestyle are similar to the laypeople this regard. Shin Buddhist ministers in the United States
whom we serve. At the same time, we undergo and were the first Buddhist clergy in history to perform
continue intensive religious training, lead services, same-sex marriages, 50 years ago. Various Jodo Shinshu
teach the Dharma, counsel laypeople, run temples, and temples in Japan perform both same-sex marriages and
carry out a wide range of activities that make us similar same-sex burials. The official doctrinal experts of the
to celibate monastics. The distinction between clergy largest branch of Jodo Shinshu affirmed the rights of
and laypeople in Jodo Shinshu, therefore, is not one of trans people 25 years ago. In North America and Hawaii
vows: it is one of personal commitment. We believe this our temples regularly march in Pride parades, hold
has particular benefits as it allows us to understand seminars on LGBTQ+ inclusion, and conduct LGBTQ+
the lives of laypeople—who are the focus of our form oriented religious services. Our clergy include gay,
of Buddhism—and prevents the creation of a hierarchy lesbian, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, and other queer
in Buddhism, with clergy valued higher than laypeople. ministers (as well as straight ones, of course!). We have
Actually, we are all similar foolish beings equally rallied, voted, and pressured legislatures to increase
embraced by the buddha, regardless of ordination rights for LGBTQ+ people in all aspects of society. This
status. That said, there is beauty and value in precepts- arises from our recognition of the universal embrace of
based monastic traditions. We are fortunate that many Amida Buddha, and our lay-oriented Buddhism which
paths are still available for people to engage with the deemphasizes matters of purity or policing sexual
Dharma. behaviours.

In the book Living Nembutsu you wrote that Shin You also wrote that gratitude and compassion are
Buddhism can address problems in contemporary key aspects of Shinran’s teachings. How can we
society. Can you share some of these problems that express them when faced with discrimination,
Shin Buddhism can provide the solutions? injustice, and wrong doings by others in our world?

The core of Jodo Shinshu is the universal embrace This is a very deep question. Gratitude is central in Jodo
of Great Compassion, the acceptance of all people Shinshu, because our primary practice is to deepen our
and living things by Amida Buddha into solidarity in awareness of how we are benefitted and to express our
the Pure Land of Bliss, without any discrimination thankfulness. This firstly means becoming mindful of
or exceptions. This contrasts even with other great Amida Buddha’s compassionate embrace, and saying
buddhas, whose pure lands tend to have exclusionary the nembutsu with a heart of gratitude. Additionally,
aspects or expect you to reach a certain level of merit or the pattern holds true for all the ways we are benefitted
insight prior to admittance. This universal affirmation by others: a nearly infinite list, given the truth of
and brotherhood is the bedrock of all aspects of Shin interdependent co-origination, but especially directed
Buddhism. It therefore provides us with a foundational towards those people and systems that enable our living
attitude of nondiscrimination, care for all others, and and liberation from suffering.
ceaseless work to alleviate others’ suffering which can
be our guide as we navigate this suffering world. Our world is deeply imperfect, due to the natural
material conditions of life in samsara and the effects
There are many possible examples, but for the sake of of the three poisons in our lives and society. Inevitably,
space I will choose just one: LGBTQ+ people and their we will encounter discrimination, injustice, and wrong
needs. In nearly all societies, including Buddhist ones, doings. When that happens, we have a range of possible
LGBTQ+ people have been discriminated against and reactions (sometimes constrained by the specific