Background Information

In reflecting upon our Tenth Year Anniversary in the Spring of 2006, we decided to add a new organizational name. Although we retained our legal name of the Rev. Gyomay M. Kubose Dharma Legacy, we adopted a DBA (Doing Business As) name of BRIGHT DAWN: Institute for American Buddhism .

At the time of our incorporation in 1996, we chose our organizational name in honor of the appropriate person whose approach we wanted to carry on. Ten years later, we felt the need for the organization's "public" name to emphasize Rev. Gyomay Kubose's pioneering work in Americanizing Buddhism. The name BRIGHT DAWN has a fresh, expanding quality. In addition, it is especially fitting since Bright Dawn is the translation or meaning of "Gyomay" which is Rev. Kubose's Dharma Name. The phrase, Institute for American Buddhism , clearly puts the focus on Rev. Gyomay Kubose's vision as expressed in his seminal statement made over 30 years ago,

I have always dreamed of establishing an American Buddhism-different from Indian, Chinese, or Japanese Buddhism-a uniquely American Buddhism that could be easily understood and practiced by Americans and that would contribute to American life and culture. This Buddhism can be explained in simple, everyday language and practiced in every aspect of our daily life. Yet, it is a uniquely Buddhist life-way-non-dichotomized and non-dualistic-that will bring about a peaceful, meaningful, creative life, both individually and collectively.

Our newly named Bright Dawn Institute continues the emphasis on the Way of Oneness. Although oneness, as non-duality, is a core teaching in Buddhism, there are a variety of ways it can be presented. The manner of presentation is important for clarity and impact. The nature of our presentation can be seen in books such as Rev. Gyomay Kubose's Everyday Suchness and The Center Within ; and in his son, Rev. Koyo Kubose's recent book Bright Dawn . Rev. Koyo is working on another book, with a tentative title of "Way of Oneness." This book will systematize and organize his father's teachings for those looking for a little more structured guidance with their everyday spirituality.

As we move forward in actualizing Rev. Gyomay Kubose's vision/dream, we also have established a Lay Dharma Teacher and Lay Minister Program. On May 28, 2006, Zenyo Richard Brandon became the Bright Dawn Institute's first Lay Minister. The induction ceremony took place at the Bright Dawn Home Spread Retreat Center in Plymouth , Wisconsin . Three more Lay Ministers were inducted in 2006. Cynthia Brooke on June 17th and Asayo Horibe on August 19th, following the Hearland Sangha services at Lake Street Church in Evanston . James Morford's induction was on October 1st at the Bright Dawn Home Spread in Wisconsin , following the Heartland Sangha Fall Retreat.

NEW LAY PROGRAM

The Program involves a three-stage process. First, is the Ti Sarana or Three Treasures Confirmation in which an individual makes a formal declaration of one's intent to follow the Buddhist Path. The second stage is certification as a Lay Dharma Teacher, which involves a period (typically one year) of formal study and training in the preparation and giving of Dharma talks. The third stage is induction as a Lay Minister, which involves another period (usually one year) of further training in propagating our Way of Oneness approach.

Two points help describe our Lay Program. The first is that our purpose is not to provide religious training to prepare a person to function as a minister in the traditional sense of a profession or occupation. This is the meaning of "lay." A Lay Dharma Teacher or Lay Minister does not function within the context of being employed by a congregation or temple, as is the case for traditional clergy. Both cases, that of a lay ministry and that of traditional clergy, have their pro's and con's and it is not suggested that one approach is better than the other. Our Lay Program simply offers a viable and important option that we feel can make a significant contribution and can provide a valuable service.

Our focus is on everyday spirituality, rather than activities at a formal place of worship. Our focus on individual spirituality in everyday activities should not be considered to conflict or compete with an individual's existing religious tradition and the way it functions. We want to add something, not take anything away. We consider our approach to complement and enhance any traditional practices that an individual may be following. In fact, we see no need for there to be any promotion of exclusivity. A person could be a student or teacher in several traditions or approaches, perhaps integrating different aspects for optimal benefit.

Of course, our approach can stand on its own for those persons who have no need to integrate it with any existing practices. In such cases, there is nothing wrong with individual spirituality expanding to form a Sangha with like-minded persons. In any case, it is not necessary to be judgmental and criticize other approaches in order to justify what one is doing. We want to be as supportive, open, and inclusive as possible with regard to the "how" of making the teachings available. We recognize that what is "best" varies with time, place, and person.

A related second point about our Lay Program is that it explicitly endorses the concept of lay spiritual teachers. This differs from the usual situation of a sharp separation between lay and clergy, where the clergy delivers the teachings and conducts the religious rituals, and the congregation receives the teachings and is led in the rituals. Instead of this kind of sharply defined dichotomy between lay and clergy, our Lay Program proposes that lay persons be encouraged to provide religious teachings and practices rather than just be passive consumers or receivers.

Such encouragement can undoubtedly enhance an individual's spiritual growth. It is quoted, "If you really want to learn something, teach it." This is true because in order to teach and communicate something clearly to others, one's understanding has to be much deeper and more comprehensive than when one is just the consumer of said teachings..

All ministers, when reflecting on their spiritual paths, will agree that a deep understanding of the teachings occurred through their ministry, rather than during their earlier years of studying. Although such prior study and training may have laid a necessary foundation, the building of a beautiful temple of understanding, so to speak, took place when, as ministers, they had to express and share the teachings with others.

Our Lay Dharma Teacher and Lay Minster Program involves serving others, and at the same time, is a most effective means to deepen one's own spirituality. The two go hand in hand. Anyone who is serious about his or her spiritual path, is encouraged to become a Lay Dharma Teacher and Lay Minister. The motivation to do this is important because it changes one's attitude toward the teachings. When one takes an active role of responsibility, the teachings are deeply internalized, often in creative ways that make the teachings uniquely one's own.

Interested persons can request information about our Lay Program by contacting us:

BRIGHT DAWN
Institute for American Buddhism
8334 Harding Avenue
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 847-677-8211
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