I'm currently focusing on religious studies and diving into the doctrines of my denomination of Buddhism.
What makes Shin Buddhism different from other forms of Buddhism, etc.
Interestingly, the more I learn about my chosen tradition, the more I find I agree with it. The issues that I have with some aspects of Buddhism seem to be addressed in my particular school.
And, to be very clear, it is a feature of Buddhism and especially now in our current day and age that we have access to various schools and traditions and we can find one (or a combination honestly) that fits our needs best.
I stumbled across this 40min episode from an interfaith religious docuseries where a prominent priest in my national organization - The Buddhist Churches of America, Rev Jerry Hirano, was interviewed.
Not only is it a really solid intro to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, but it also dived into its approach to the dharma and how it fits in with other schools and even other religions within the US. He goes into our current and historical approaches to gender and sexuality and other aspects as well.
This was recorded six years ago and even a short mention of the political reality in America was being discussed then. The reverend putting the current events into the context of throwing the Japanese Americans into concentration camps in WWII, then the backlash against Muslims after 9/11, and today the violence within the regime (6 years ago) that has lead to ICE roundups of today is harrowing.
I think I'm starting to settle into my faith and understanding. Starting to embrace it more deeply.
(...not me considering going to seminary and becoming a priest in my old age, lol!... but dang...)
