In Buddhism, the teachings of Buddha, regarded as Universal Truths, are referred to as “Dharma.” Dharma, along with the Buddha and the sangha (community of believers), makes up one of the Three Jewels—the Triratna—which guide Buddhist practices.
At the (Zen) Buddhist Temple of Toledo (BTT), their mission is to provide “teachings, training and support in the disciplines, practices and devotions of Mahayana Buddhism as adapted to
Western contemporary life.”
To this end, their dedicated teachers offer several practice avenues for both beginners and long-time practitioners. Zen practices seek to answer big, real question: Who am I? What is the purpose of all of this? And these questions are core to said mission.
Their Teachers
We spoke with Rev. Winifred Shokai Martin, Board President of BTT, who began her practice as a spiritual seeker:
“Meditation provided a path to opening and working with direct experience with clarity and
trust. I took some more secular classes, but found that, while very helpful in my daily life, it wasn’t really touching the spiritual aspect I was seeking. I then spent some time in the Vipassana tradition, working with deepening meditation and the basic Buddhist worldview. Then I discovered Zen.”
Alongside Martin, Jay Rinsen Weik Roshi, the temple’s Abbot, began his Zen studies as far back as 1987. In 2001, he moved to Toledo and co-founded the Toledo Zen Meditation Group with his wife, Rev. Karen Do’on Weik. Together, their understanding of Buddhist practices deepened, leading to the first airing of “The Drinking Gourd” podcast, the creation of the Drinking Gourd Institute, a 501c3, and the laying of a well-rooted foundation for what the Temple has become today.
The temple’s clergy consists of Martin and four other dedicated Buddhists: Rev. Kaishin, Rev. Anthony Setsho Fontana, Rev. Charles Yugen Stuart, and Rev. Jenna Zuisei Hirschman.
Find out more: BTT Teachers and Team
Their Teachings
Martin joined in the late 2000s, when BTT was still a Zen Center. In 2015, it was formerly
recognized as a temple, and they moved to their current location after Covid.
When asked about the benefits of Buddhist practices, Martin said:
“So many aspects of this path are useful, just from the perspective of living skillful,
compassionate, and wise lives. That is true whether the practice is secular or religious. The core of Buddhism is the alleviation of suffering and who’s going to argue with that. The two wings of Buddhism, wisdom and compassion (starting with self-compassion), are encountered experientially and make a profound impact on how we meet the world.”
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BTT’s sangha is younger demographically than many of its longer-established east and west-coast Zen counterparts. Many visitors are World Religion students, multi-faith groups, people who have meant to further explore Buddhist practices but felt intimidated by the experience, and regular Midwestern folks with lives, jobs, and families. The growing community of around 250 members welcomes newcomers to participate as much or as little as they are comfortable with.
“If you visit on a Sunday, you can expect a pretty lively experience: kids, food, fellowship,
liturgy, teachings, and you can attend our beginning meditation class before service starts.
Sunday is probably not what most people anticipate for a Zen community. It’s very social and active. There are kids running around.”
“Wednesday evening service is adult-only and focused on meditation and teaching. A lot quieter and not so many words.”
At the heart of it all, BTT and its teachers practice wisdom, compassion, and self-realization.
Learn more:
https://www.buddhisttempleoftoledo.org/
Listen to the podcast:
https://thedrinkinggourd.org/
