“All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.”
(“Dhammapada” Chapter 10 verse 30)

We are deeply concerned and heartbroken by the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Jodo Shinshu Buddhism values and strives for peace and tranquility for all sentient beings throughout the world. One of the basic teachings of Buddhism is the interconnectedness of all things. Conflict between the two countries has affected the entire world. Impermanence is another central tenet underlying all Buddhist teachings. It teaches us that everything is constantly changing. It is our hope that the conflict will end soon and peace will be restored.

With palms together in gassho,

Tatsuya Aoki
Bishop, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada