O'kagesama-de (All thanks are due to you...) with Reverend Jean Paul Contreras deGuzman

Rev. Dr. Jean-Paul Contreras deGuzman talks about how he came to
Jodo Shinshu Pureland Buddhist practice coming from a Catholic
family and after moving forward from a traditional path as an
academic. He and Dana Takagi have an enlivened discussion about
the importance and power of cultural gatherings like Mochi-tsuki
for sangha and the wider community, and the role of pop culture
references in Rev JP's talks in the San Fernando Valley.


REV. DR. JP DEGUZMAN (he/him) is minister’s assistant at
the 103-year-old San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
and received tokudo ordination at Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan
in 2023. He teaches history and Ethnic Studies at Windward School
and UCLA where he earned the University Distinguished Teaching
Award.

His publications include:

Lions Roar: "The Pure Land is in the West"
Everyday Buddhist: "The Dharma of a Turkey Sandwich"
Wheel of Dharma: "Mindful Action in Mindless TImes: A Buddhist
Response to Injustice"
Young Buddhist Editorial: "Gratitude For My Mom"

Explore his website to learn more about his academic publications
as well.


Your Host
REVEREND DANA TAKAGI (she/her) is a
retired professor of Sociology and zen priest, practicing zen
since 1998. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian
American history at UC Santa Cruz, and she is a past president of
the Association for Asian American Studies.