Canada to Host the 15^th World Buddhist Women's Convention (WBWC)

In 2015, the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada Women's Federation (JSBTCWF) will host the 15^th World Buddhist Women's Convention (WBWC) in CANADA!

Theme: “Embraced by the Oneness of Life”
Slogan: One World Sangha
Dates: Saturday, May 30 & Sunday, May 31, 2015 in Calgary, Canada

Venue:  Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Press Release:  Calgary to Host 2015 World Buddhist Women’s Convention

Website for the WBWC

2013 World Representatives Meeting

Prior to the 15th World Buddhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) in Calgary, a World Buddhist Women’s (WBW) Representative Assembly Meeting will be held on June 1, 2013.  Select international representatives will attend this meeting and have an opportunity to see the beautiful city of Calgary and area as well as tour the venue for the 2015 WBWC which will be held in the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre.

The guests will be staying at the Fairmont Palliser and will be welcome to explore, experience, and enjoy their time in Canada.

Shop & Support Fundraiser for WBWC

A successful fundraiser for the 2015 World Buddhist Women’s Convention was the sale of Shop & Support gift cards where a percentage from each card sold went to the convention.

This activity was a team effort by Temples across Canada which completed at the end of 2012 with over $13,500 raised over a four year period.

Thank you for everyone's support!

2011 World Buddhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) in Kyoto, Japan

There were 22 ladies and 4 men from Canada who attended the World Buddhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) in Kyoto on May 16 & 17, 2011.  There were around 4,000 people in attendance that came from the United States (mainland), Hawaii, Brazil, Canada, and of course, Japan (who made up the majority).

May 16th from 12:00 Noon to 8:00 pm: Spent the day at the Kyoto Pulse Plaza (Kyoto’s Convention Center) for the events day of the WBWC. Various workshops and activities such as kimono wearing, calligraphy writing, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, scented sachet making, magic shows, and a marching band took place between 1-5:00 pm. A very simple boxed bento was provided for dinner followed by entertainment of Odori dancing by an all male dance troupe and performances by the various districts represented. The Canadian delegation sang two songs: “Namu Amida Butsu” and “I Believe” (the theme song from the Vancouver Winter Olympics).

May 17th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm: The Official Day for the WBW Convention. In the morning, there was an opening service followed by keynote addresses by Monshu Ohtani  Koshin and Lady Ohtani Noriko.  After the service, speakers followed and included our own Kaz Kobayashi of the Kamloops Buddhist Temple.

In the afternoon, a report was made on the WBW Delegates’ Meeting held on the 15th and this was followed by the closing ceremonies.  As part of this ceremony, a video presentation done by Fujii Sensei and Toronto was shown to promote the 2015 Convention followed by a brief speech by Grant Ikuta Socho.  The WBW Association Flag was then passed from the Japan Chapter President to the representative for Canada to much waving and cheering.

And so, a very successful 14th WBWC closed with final remarks of appreciation for everyone’s participation and a safe journey home.

There's also a video available online to watch of the 14th WBWC convention; here's the steps:

1) Go to website www.hongwanji.or.jp
2) Go to bottom of page - 2 boxes on right, click on webtv news
3) DOUBLE click on picture "WBWC" then click on gold bar just below with japanese lettering on. Play will start the convention program.

750^th Shinran Shonin Memorial

On May 15, 2011, 46 Canadians, including 5 from the Calgary Buddhist Temple, traveled to the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha (our mother temple) to attend Shinran Shonin’s 750th Memorial.  Nine individuals represented Canada in the Engi (parade) prior to the service. It was a magnificent service to commemorate this auspicious occasion and those in attendance felt honored to be there.

Japan in 2011

The 14^th World Buddhist Women’s Convention was held in Kyoto, Japan in conjunction with the 750^th Memorial for Shinran Shonin.  First deadline for Application is November 10, 2010; Second deadline for Application is February 11, 2011.

The Convention was open to men and women, and brings together members from Japan, United States, Hawaii, Sao Paulo, and Canada. For travel question, please contact our travel agency, Kintetsu International Express (Canada) Inc., toll free at 1-800-463-7723.  There's also a special website that has been created for this trip - www.kiecan.com/toronto/750.

Poster (click here to download a copy of the poster)

Brochure in English for the 750^th Memorial and 14^th World Buddhist Women's Convention

Brochure in Japanese for the 750^th Memorial and 14^th World Buddhist Women's Convention

 

03/05/13