Spokane Buddhist Temple

06/01/2026

The June 2026 edition of the Spokane Buddhist Temple newsletter is here. Please CLICK HERE to download your copy:
https://tinyurl.com/SBTNewsletterJune2026

Happy reading!
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The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.

05/31/2026

📅 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲:
(June 1st - 7th)
Dharma Talks, Classes & Meditations are in English.
All Are Welcome, Just As You Are. 🙏
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➤ 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬

𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠
**𝗡𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭 & 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟴**
Please join us on Tuesday this week and next week.
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➤ 𝗧𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬

𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 (weekly)
Volunteers meet at the Temple to make approximately 650 sandwiches each week. *All are welcome to volunteer.
- Gassho. (palms together in gratitude)
(please use the lower North door from Perry St)
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➤ 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬

𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬𝗣𝗠 - 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 (weekly)
Meditation gently quiets the mind, allowing us to see our thoughts and emotions with more clearly, soften our reactivity, and meet life with greater steadiness, compassion, and understanding.
(Please use the main front.)

𝟲:𝟬𝟬 - 𝟳:𝟯𝟬𝗣𝗠 - 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 (weekly)
Join us Wednesday evenings at the Spokane Buddhist Temple as monastics from Sravasti Abbey guide us through the Buddha’s teachings using "Open Heart, Clear Mind" by Venerable Thubten Chodron, sharing both wisdom and lived practice.

Each gathering includes thoughtful discussion and concludes with open Q&A , welcoming 15-35 participants each week into a warm and engaging learning environment.

All are welcome.

(please use the lower North door from Perry St)
______________

➤ 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬

𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠
**𝗡𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵**

𝟵:𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (no experience needed)
Meditation gently quiets the mind, allowing us to see our thoughts and emotions with more clearly, soften our reactivity, and meet life with greater steadiness, compassion, and understanding.

𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸
Our weekly Dharma service includes a Buddhist reading, quiet reflection, meditative sutra chanting, and a Dharma Talk exploring how we can learn from the Buddha’s teachings and how they guide our everyday lives.

We conclude with the incense offering of Oshoko as an expression of gratitude, followed by snacks, refreshments, and occasional open discussion.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
📅 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 : SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org/Calendar
*Including additional Online events not listed here..

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌





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The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

All Are Welcome, Just As You Are.

Spokane Buddhist Temple
927 S Perry Street
Spokane, WA 99202

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.

Spokane Buddhist Temple Email Forms

05/27/2026

The Spokane Buddhist Temple supports "Pride In Perry" on 6/27/26. The organizers are looking for more volunteers to help put on this annual event. Contact them at: https://forms.gle/vwQdmb5L832BqrsSA

🏳️‍🌈VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!🏳️‍🌈
South Perry Together is excited to be a returning sponsor of Odyssey’s Pride in Perry. This is one of our neighborhood’s biggest annual events and needs our community support to make it happen. If you have a passion for South Perry and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community alongside our neighbors, consider volunteering your time. Details available from event host Odyssey Youth Movement.

05/20/2026

🌸 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺
“𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿”

Most of us do not enjoy being criticized.

Even when the words are gentle, something inside us can tighten. We may feel misunderstood, embarrassed, defensive, or hurt. Sometimes the criticism feels unfair. Sometimes it is delivered without kindness. And sometimes, perhaps most painfully, there may be some truth in it.

In learning to work with our anger, we’re invited to look more deeply at what happens when we are criticized. The issue is not only what another person says. The deeper question is, what happens inside our own mind when we hear it?

The Buddha taught about the danger of the second arrow. The first arrow is the painful thing that happens. Someone says something that hurts us. We feel the sting.

But then we often shoot ourselves with a second arrow.

We replay the words.

We defend ourselves in our mind.

We imagine what we should have said.

We add a third arrow, a fourth arrow, a fifth arrow, until the original pain becomes much heavier than the first wound.

This is where practice begins.

The ego will naturally try to defend itself. It wants to be seen as good, capable, kind, intelligent, or in control. So when criticism comes, the ego often rushes to protect its image.

But if we can pause, even for a moment, we may be able to see the situation from a deeper place.

Is there something here I can learn from?

Was the criticism partly true?

Is this person pointing toward something I have not been willing to see?

And if the criticism is not true, can I let it pass without turning it into another source of suffering?

This does not mean every criticism is accurate. It does not mean harsh words are helpful. But our reaction can still teach us something.

Criticism can reveal where pride is tender, where insecurity is hidden, and where anger is waiting for permission to speak.

May we learn to pause before reaching for the next arrow.

May we receive what helps us grow, and gently release what does not.

Namo Amida Butsu. 🙏
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𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟵:𝟯𝟬, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠.

Visitors, Families & Kids are ALWAYS welcome.

The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.
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📅 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿:
See all Temple Classes, Meditations, and Events at
SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org/Calendar
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𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
927 S Perry St (in the Perry District)
Spokane, WA 99202
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05/12/2026

🌸 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (mujō 無常)
"𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆"

One of the deepest sources of suffering is not simply our pain itself...
but the belief that the pain we feel will last forever.

When anxiety comes,
we quietly fear it may never leave.

When grief arrives,
it can feel as though life will never again open its hands to joy.

When conflict enters our relationships,
the heart begins telling stories about permanence:
“This is how things will always be.”
“This is who I will always be.”
“This is how my life will remain.”

But the Buddha’s teaching of impermanence gently interrupts that illusion.

Everything arising in this life does so through causes and conditions.

Thoughts change.
Feelings change.
Relationships change.
Bodies change.
Circumstances change.

Even the version of “you” reading these words is already different than the one who woke this morning.

Impermanence is not only the reason we lose what we love.
It is also the reason healing is possible.

If life were fixed, nothing wounded could ever mend.
No sorrow could soften.
No anger could fade.
No person could grow beyond the conditions of yesterday.

And so perhaps peace begins not when life becomes stable,
but when we stop demanding that it stay the same.

The difficulty before you right now is real. But it's not permanent.
And neither are the thoughts convincing you that this moment is the final shape of your life.

When we are carrying something heavy for a long time, it can begin to feel as though the weight has become part of who we are.

So may this reflection remind you that even the hardest moments of life are not fixed, and that you don't have to carry the full weight of your suffering alone.

Namo Amida Butsu. 🙏
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𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟵:𝟯𝟬, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠.

Visitors, Families & Kids are ALWAYS welcome.

The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.
__

📅 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿:
See all Temple Classes, Meditations, and Events at
SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org/Calendar
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𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
927 S Perry St (in the Perry District)
Spokane, WA 99202
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05/11/2026

📅 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲:
(May 11th-17th)
Dharma Talks, Classes & Meditations are in English.
All Are Welcome, Just As You Are. 🙏
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➤ 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 (weekly)
Volunteers meet at the Temple to make approximately 650 sandwiches each week. *All are welcome to volunteer.
- Gassho. (palms together in gratitude)
(please use the lower North door from Perry St)
______________

➤ 𝗧𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 (weekly)
Volunteers meet at the Temple to make approximately 650 sandwiches each week. *All are welcome to volunteer.
- Gassho. (palms together in gratitude)
(please use the lower North door from Perry St)
______________

➤ 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬𝗣𝗠 - 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 (weekly)
Meditation gently quiets the mind, allowing us to see our thoughts and emotions with more clearly, soften our reactivity, and meet life with greater steadiness, compassion, and understanding.
(Door open at 11:50AM. Please use the main front.)

𝟲:𝟬𝟬 - 𝟳:𝟯𝟬𝗣𝗠 - 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 (weekly)
Join us Wednesday evenings at the Spokane Buddhist Temple as monastics from Sravasti Abbey guide us through the Buddha’s teachings using "Open Heart, Clear Mind" by Venerable Thubten Chodron, sharing both wisdom and lived practice.

Each gathering includes thoughtful discussion and concludes with open Q&A , welcoming 15-35 participants each week into a warm and engaging learning environment.

All arew welcome.

(please use the lower North door from Perry St)
______________

➤ 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
All are welcome to join in chanting the “Shoshin Nembutsu ge” as an expression of gratitude for Amida Buddha and the Seven Pure Land Masters.

𝟵:𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (no experience needed)
Meditation gently quiets the mind, allowing us to see our thoughts and emotions with more clearly, soften our reactivity, and meet life with greater steadiness, compassion, and understanding.

𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸
Our weekly Dharma service includes a Buddhist reading, quiet reflection, meditative sutra chanting, and a Dharma Talk exploring how we can learn from the Buddha’s teachings and how they guide our everyday lives.

We conclude with the incense offering of Oshoko as an expression of gratitude, followed by snacks, refreshments, and occasional open discussion.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
📅 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 : SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org/Calendar

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌





__

The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

All Are Welcome, Just As You Are.

Spokane Buddhist Temple
927 S Perry Street
Spokane, WA 99202

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.

05/05/2026

𝗦𝗨𝗞𝗜𝗬𝗔𝗞𝗜 𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 - 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟮-𝟰𝗣𝗠
Our neighbors at Highland Park Methodist Church are having their Spring fundraiser this Saturday. Please support our neighbors with a tasty meal.

611 S Garfield St
MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/muq22JT6EQVfDUt77

04/29/2026

🪷 “𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗗𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗠” | 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝗿𝗱

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲…
𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲?

Most of us have spent our lives trying to fix ourselves.
Trying to be better, calmer, more in control.

But what if the deeper truth is this…
that the very effort to “fix” ourselves is part of the struggle?

And what if there were a path that doesn’t begin with self-improvement…
but with being fully received, just as we are, bonnō and all?

That’s the heart of **Jōdo Shinshū**, a tradition shaped by Shinran over 800 years ago.
A path that gently turns us away from relying on our own calculating mind, what we call *hakarai*,
and opens us to something far more profound, *Tariki*, Other Power, the working of boundless compassion.

➤ 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗗𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗠
📅 Sunday, May 3rd | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

In this one-hour session, we’ll explore:

- Why Shinran taught that awakening doesn’t come from perfecting ourselves

- What it means to live in a world where compassion is already reaching toward us

- And how the simple saying of *Nembutsu*, “Namo Amida Butsu,” becomes not a practice to achieve something…
but a response of gratitude for what is already being given

This is not about becoming “more spiritual.”

It’s about discovering that even in our confusion, our doubt, our ordinary lives…
we are never outside the embrace of wisdom and compassion.

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𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁:

You don’t need to fix yourself first.
You don’t need to quiet your mind perfectly.
You don’t need to become anything other than what you already are.

Because in Shin Buddhism, the starting point isn’t self-effort…
it’s being carried.

And sometimes, realizing that…
is what finally allows the weight we’ve been holding to soften.

You’re welcome to come early and join our 10:30 AM Dharma Service. Many people find something meaningful there, even if they can’t quite explain why.

👉 What’s one question about life, suffering, or meaning you’ve never had a place to ask?

Share it below, we’d truly be honored to explore it with you.
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📍Spokane Buddhist Temple
927 S Perry Street
Spokane, WA 99202

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.
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04/22/2026

📅 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬 & 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 & 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵
𝗔 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗹 🌸

We are deeply grateful to welcome Reverend Melissa Opel back home to the Spokane Buddhist Temple for a full weekend of practice, learning, and connection.

Rev. Opel now serves as the Resident Minister of the San Francisco Buddhist Church, but many of us know her as someone whose journey in the Dharma began right here with our Sangha. Her warmth, sincerity, and lived experience continue to touch all who encounter her teachings.
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🪷𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 | 𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 - 𝟭:𝟬𝟬𝗣𝗠
𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 - Build a Meaningful Home Chanting Practice:
Deepening Our Nembutsu Path

Whether you are new to chanting or have been practicing for years, this workshop offers a meaningful opportunity to bring the Nembutsu more fully into your daily life.

Together, we will:
• Explore how to create a sustainable home practice
• Discover helpful chanting resources
• Reflect on how Jodo Shinshu practice lives differently in the U.S. and Japan

All are welcome, no experience needed.

🪷 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵
• 𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 - Shoshinge Chanting (led by Rev. Opel)
• 𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬𝗔𝗠 - Dharma Service & Diuscussion

🍜 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄
Maxwell will be preparing a Yakisoba lunch, and we invite everyone to bring their favorite dessert to share as we gather in community before our open discussion.
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🙏 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗹
Rev. Opel’s path to Buddhism reflects both courage and deep reflection. After stepping away from the faith of her upbringing and navigating significant life experiences, including coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community, she found her way to the Dharma here in Spokane.

She received Tokudo ordination in 2019, Kyoshi certification in 2022, and has completed her studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Her journey continues to inspire many of us walking this path together.

This will be a beautiful weekend of connection, gratitude, and deep listening. Whether you come for one event or all, we hope you will join us.

All are welcome, just as you are.
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The Spokane Buddhist Temple welcomes everyone, regardless of background or identity, creating a space where all feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

All Are Welcome, Just As You Are.

📍Spokane Buddhist Temple
927 S Perry Street
Spokane, WA 99202

Serving our Spokane Community since 1945.
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