Kenryu Takashi Tsuji (1919-2004) was a Japanese Canadian and Japanese American Buddhist leader.

Kenryu Takashi Tsuji
TitleReverend, Bishop
Personal
Born(1919-03-14)March 14, 1919
DiedFebruary 26, 2004(2004-02-26) (aged 84)
ReligionJōdo Shinshū Buddhism
SpouseSakaye Tsuji [1]
EducationUniversity of British Columbia, Ryukoku University

Tsuji was born in Mission City, British Columbia, graduated from the University of British Columbia, and studied Buddhism at Ryukoku University. He received his ordination in 1941.[2] In 1942, during World War II, Tsuji was sent to a Canadian internment camp in Slocan, British Columbia. In 1958, he moved to California and became a US Citizen around 1965.[3]

Tsuji was a Shin Buddhist Minister and the first Canadian-born Buddhist Minister.[4] In 1946 Reverend Tsuji, and others, held the first Obon service in Canada. In 1947 they founded what became the Toronto Buddhist Church. In the following years he founded a number of temples in Canada, such as the Hamilton Buddhist Church and the Montreal Buddhist Church, and the US, including Ekoji Buddhist Temple. From 1968 to 1981 Kenryu Tsuji served as the first North American born, first nisei Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America and also served as President of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. He also had a black belt in judo. Reverend Tsuji was the first Buddhist to be president of the United States affiliate of the World Conference on Religion and Peace from 1983 to 1989. In 1993 he was a guest at the White House Interfaith Breakfast with President Bill Clinton.[3][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Works

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  • Heart of the Buddha-Dharma. Numata Center. 2003. ISBN 9781886439221.
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References

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  1. ^ Akizuki, Dennis (February 2024). "Sakaye Tsuji's Contributions, Influence are Considerable" (PDF). Wheel of Dharma. Buddhist Churches of America. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  2. ^ Heart of the Buddha-Dharma. Numata Center. 2003. ISBN 9781886439221.
  3. ^ a b Sullivan, Patricia (2004-03-10). "Kenryu T. Tsuji Dies at 84". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  4. ^ "Canada's Japanese Canadian Timeline" (PDF). Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  5. ^ BCA Centennial History Project Committee (1998). Buddhist Churches of America : A Legacy of the First 100 Years. Buddhist Churches of America. p. 1. OCLC 49513205.
  6. ^ "Heart of the Buddha-Dharma". BDK America. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. ^ Lattin, Don (2004-03-04). "Buddhist bishop Kenryu Tsuji". SFGATE. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  8. ^ "Ekoji History". Ekoji Buddhist Temple. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  9. ^ Watada, Terry (2020-01-21). "Long-time Gone: Toronto's J-Town - Part 2". Discover Nikkei. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  10. ^ "Profiles of Mahayana Buddhists". Buddha Dharma Education Association. Retrieved 2023-05-13.