About Ryusho

Nichiren Shu Buddhist priest. My home temple is Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Temple, in Charlotte, NC. You may visit the temple’s web page by going to http://www.myosho-ji.org. I founded this temple in August 2007 and the temple was officially recognized as a Nichiren Shu temple by the Nichiren Order of North America and by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Bureau in October 2008. Members and supporters of Myosho-ji live all over the East Coast of the United States. We also serve the occasional needs of members living in various parts of the world via our online video stream as well as this blog.

I work as a Staff Chaplain at Carolinas Medical Center – Mercy Hospital, and University Hospital in Charlotte, NC. My interest in working with persons who are ill began in the early 80’s at the beginning of the AIDS/SIDA epidemic. At first it was several close friends who were dying and had been abandoned by friends and society. Later I would be told about or introduced to others dying and asked if I could help. Several years ago an opportunity presented itself for me to begin to receive some formal training in providing spiritual care to the sick and dying. It has been a rewarding experience. In 2014 I submitted my paperwork after completing 3 years of training and appeared before a national certification committee. The committee recommended and approved me as  a Board Certified Chaplain, BCC. 

Several times a year I make visits to Buddhist inmates incarcerated in Federal Prison. I’ve also supported another Nichiren Shu priest in their work with inmates in Texas There is an ongoing and great need to provide spiritual direction and support to these individuals.

I have received training in Healing Touch an energy based healing practice. It has been a rewarding experience training in this professionally recognized healing modality. Currently I have completed Level II as a Healing Touch Student.

I am a member of the North Carolina Chaplains Association, and the Association of Professional Chaplains.

I continue to do volunteer work with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network caring for individuals who are HIV+ or who have AIDS/SIDA.

In my spare time my favorite activities are reading and walking my dog. I also play flute in the Charlotte Pride Band, a great bunch of folks who welcome musicians of all ability levels. The mission of the Pride Band is to promote the value and respect of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in the Charlotte metropolitan area through quality musical performances.

As time permits I support and participate in the interfaith activities of various organizations and churches in the Charlotte area who are working to promote equality and respect for LGBTQ individuals. Lately I have been doing some work with Time Out Youth providing instruction in how to meditate as well as facilitating a couple of workshop sessions on Nonviolent Communication.

This blog is for the purpose of sharing writings by me as well as spotlighting temple activities. It is my hope that you may find what is shared here to be of some small use. If you don’t find something useful then just ignore it. The writings here are not the be-all-end-all to Buddhism.

Take what works for you and use it in your life. Together we walk the path towards enlightenment.

With Gassho,
Ryusho, Shonin

Docho Graduation at Seichoji Chiba Japan