What's New at PBA - December 11, 2025
December 11th, 2025
Reflections to Conclude the Year: Kyoto by moonlight, a short journey with Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani
Last week, for the first time since before COVID-19, I traveled with Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani to Kyoto for the semi-annual gathering of the school leaders of the Ryukoku Sogo Gakuen (RSG), the network of 24 Shin Buddhist schools of which PBA is a member, and the lone representative outside of Japan.
The winter gatherings, which are always held in Kyoto, have an identical format. The RSG board, of which Bishop Umitani is a member, is held in the morning. The full delegation meets in the early afternoon to review the year’s financials, upcoming year’s budget, and to learn about programs. School leaders make announcements about special programs they are launching. There is always a presentation on a topic of emerging interest. One year, we heard a presentation about a hospice program run as a program of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, the Shin Buddhist denomination. And following the formal meetings, we attend a big banquet, which is where the real work seems to get done.
