Rev. Miyamura shares his Dharma Talk on the last Sunday in 2015. He reflects on some of the events that affected him during this eventful year. 

Rev. Miyamura's Dharma Talk is about Rev. Gyodo Kono the founding minister of the Midwest Buddhist Temple. Each December the temple holds a special memorial service in Rev. Kono's honor. 

Minister's Assistant Roger Suekama speaks at our December monthly Memorial Service. In this holiday season, his Dharma message is about the Buddhist holidays that Shin Buddhist observe.  

Rev. Miyamura shares his Dharma message about the importance of humility in seeking the Buddha's Teaching. 

Minister's Assistant Melissa Maslanka shares her Dharma message about examples of Buddhism and even Sangha (community of Buddhists) that she observers in nature. 

Minister's Assistance Chimie Bly of the Twin Cities Buddhist Association, shares her Dharma message in Japanese about being a Minister's Assistant (she pauses to provide a translation of parts of her talk). 

Minister's Assistant Terry Cichocki speaks at the annual Perpetual Memorial service. In keeping with the theme of the Perpetual Memorial service, her Dharma message is about thinking of our ancestors. 

In his Dharma Talk, Rev. Ron Miyamura turns the tables and "Asks the Sangha", including the Dharma School children, about their knowledge of the Buddha's Teaching. 

Rev. Miyamura's Dharma Talk is about the most fundamental of Buddhist Teaching, the Three Treasures. He also shares some of his observations from his participation in the Parliament of World Religions. 

Professor Sarah Jacoby holds a PhD of Religious Studies, focusing on Buddhism, in Northwestern University's Department of Religious Studies. Her talk is about Buddhism in our current times and culture. 

Rev. Miyamura speaks at the monthly Memorial Service for October. His Dharma message is about the Parliament of World Religions - an organization founded in Chicago that fosters understanding between world religions. 

Rev. Fumiaki Usuki of the Buddhist Temple of West Los Angeles shares two messages during Family Service. First he speaks to the Dharma School class and then he shares his Dharma talk describing how he came to Shin Buddhism. 

Rev. Miyamura delivers his message about Ohigan, the special service held at the time of the Spring and Fall equinox.  

Rev. Miyamura speaks at the September Memorial Service. His message is about the Sangha and the recently concluded Eastern Buddhist League convention. 

Rev. Patti Oshita of the Sacremento Betsuin shares her dharma message as part of the memorial service for Eshinni and Kakushinni, the wife and daughter of Shinran Shoning. 

At the MBT's back entrance is a sign that says "Midwest Buddhist Temple - All are welcome, come as you are!". Rev. Miyamura provides the background of that phrase in the context of Shin Buddhism.

Minister's Assistant Cheryl Ikemiya shares insights on her path to Shin Buddhism and the Nembutsu.

Minister's Assistant Joy Zavala shares her Dharma Talk about happiness and how the simple practice of Dana (the act of giving) leads to the most fulfilling happiness.

Minister's Assistant Cynthia Mee shares her Dharma Talk at Sunday Family Service. Her message is about meaningful concepts she's learned as she became a Buddhist. 

Speaking at our annual Obon service and Hatsubon (first Obon after the passing of a loved one), Rev. Miyamura re-tells the story of the first Obon. 

Rev. Miyamura speaks at the July Monthly Memorial Service. Rev. Miyamura has just returned from Rome where he participated in a conference hosted by the Vatican. He shares some of his thoughts, impressions, and gratitude for this unique opportunity.  

Mike Intocia shares his Dharma Talk about Gratitude in the Buddhist sence. 

Rev. Miyamura is among a group of American clergy invited by the Vatican to participate in a Buddhist-Catholic dialog. During his Dharma Talk Rev. Ron shared some of his thoughts about this special journey.   

Minister's Assistant Jesse Zavala shares a story of Zen Master Sengai to illustrate a Buddhist teaching about our own attitude towards death. 

Rev. Miyamura shares some personal stories about his mother who recently passed away in California.

Minister's Assistant Cynthia Mee speaks about the Naijin and the meaning of the many artifacts found on the Naijin. Also, in this season of family holidays, her message includes thoughts about Shinran Shonin's family. 

Ellen Dunleavy speaks of Karma as she shares her story of her journey to Shin Buddhism and to the Midwest Buddhist Temple.

Rev. Kurt Rye of the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Washington DC gives two Dharma Talks, one to the Dharma School class, on this occasion of Go-tan-e; the birth of Shinran Shonin. In his second talk Rev. Rye recounts the story of Shinran's life as a monk leading to his teachings of Buddhism. 

Rev. Miyamura speaks to the Shanga at the May Monthly Memorial service. His talk is about interconnectedness - how "thankfulness" completes the act of receiving a gift.

Rev. Miyamura begins his Dharma Talk with some words about the recent earthquake in Nepal. His Dharma message is about insights he gained by reading "Buddhism of the Heart" by Professor Jeff Wilson. 

Minister's Assistant Susan Gilkey provides an introduction to Zen Shin meditation services. As part of her talk she conducts a brief Zen Shin service to illustrate the sounds and methods practiced during a typical service.  

On the occasion of Hanamatsuri Rev. Ron Miyamura gives two Dharma talks (first to the Dharma School class and then to the Sangha) about the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. 

For his Dharma Talk Rev. Miyamura answers questions from Dharma School students as well as others in attendance at Family Service. 

Isabelle Bernard is a Ministers Assistant from the New York Buddhist Church. She recently completed her Buddhist training in Japan. Her talk is about the Buddhist meaning of Ohigan or "other shore". 

Ministers Assistant Dan Peterson provides the Dharma Talk at Family Service. His message is about applying Buddhist lessons to the many thoughts and judgements we each have in everyday life. 

Jeremy Nicholls, Outreach Worker for Conerstone Community Outreach (CCO), addressed the Sangha to provide an insight to the work of his organization. CCO operates a Homeless Shelter in Uptown which houses between 400 and 500 individuals each night. CCO has also partnered with New Life for Old Bags (MBT's Buddhist Womens organication participates in NLOB) to provide sleeping mats to individuals as a part of their aid. 

Ministers Assistant Sandra Adams speaks at the March Monthly Memorial Service. Her message is about gaining a better understand of Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching through the many writings of Shinran Shonin.

Rev. Ron Miyamura speaks of how ego is the obstacle to understanding and accepting the change around us. He speaks of Shinran Shonin's experience of overcoming his ego to attain enlightenment.

Ministers Assistant Roger Suekama speaks about his life-long journey to realizing the significance of Buddhism in his life.

Rev. Miyamura speaks about Nirvana Day which, in Buddhist tradition, is the day commemorating the death of the historical Shakamuni Buddha. In his Dharma Talk, Rev. Miyamura shares one of the stories of the Buddha's final days and the teaching he conveyed even in his death. 

Rev. Miyamura speaks at the combined February Family Service and Monthly Memorial Service. His message is about Oshoko (offering of incense) and the expression of Gassho (placing palms together and reciting the Nembutsu).

Rev. Miyamura speaks at the Family Service and the temple's annual Shinnen-Enkai, or new year celebration. In his message he provides more examples of Zen Chi Shiki, "good Dharma friend", who have provided him with lessons of Buddhism. 

Guest minister, Rev. Patti Nakai speaks at the annual Hoonko Service (Shinran's Memorial). The first part of her talk is addressed to the Dharma School children in attendance. Then, on this occasion of Hoonko, Rev. Nakai talks about Shinran Shonin's life, concentrating on his later years when he created many of his writings which are still studied today. 

Rev. Miyamura speaks of how the historical Buddha passed on his wisdom of enlightenment. As a doctor prescribes treatment unique to a patient, the Buddha (called by some the "good doctor"), delivered his teaching in a way that was unique and meaningful to each individual. 

Rev Miyamura speaks at Family Service and the January Monthly Memorial Service. His message is about Zen Chi Shiki or "a good dharma friend" who by their actions or words communicates teachings of the Buddha.