What is YBICSE? (2019 Trip Recap)
By Allison Tanaka | She/Her/Hers | Seattle Betsuin Youth Minister’s Assistant
March 26, 2020
YBICSE (Young Buddhist International Cultural Study Exchange) is a Hongwanji-sponsored trip to Japan. Young Buddhists in 9th grade through age 25 are given the opportunity to visit and study historical Jodo Shinshu sites and also homestay with a reverend of a local Jodo Shinshu temple. Participants come together from the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, Canada, South America, and Japan.
To give an overview, the trip began in Kyoto at the Nishi Hongwanji which is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Pure Land Buddhism. We learned the format of a typical Japanese service, sitting seiza on the tatami mats, and attended an audience with the current Go-monshu; some students received their homyo (Buddhist name) here as well. Also in Kyoto, we visited the historical sites most significant to our practice: Shinran Shonin’s birthplace, Mt. Hiei, Otani Mausoleum (where Shinran’s ashes are kept).
We then traveled to Hiroshima and visited the Betsuin which had to be rebuilt after burned by the atomic bomb. We also had the opportunity of visiting the Peace Memorial Museum and Park. This was truly eye-opening, emotional experience; we spoke with a survivor and viewed the relics of this horrible time.
Lastly, YBICSE ended with the homestay program, where we got to live with a Jodo Shinshu reverend at their local temple, learn about Japanese culture, and share understandings of Nembutsu teachings.
Some participants from the BCA that attended the 2019 trip share their experience:
“During the YBICSE homestay, we participated in [a] tea ceremony every morning. The grandmother made green tea while we sat on futons and the grandfather taught us how to properly place the tea cup and what to say before drinking. On the last day, we were taught how to make tea. I'm glad I experienced this traditional Japanese custom.”
-Emi Nakashima, Seattle Betsuin
“The YBICSE program allowed me to understand and see the deep roots Jodo Shinshu Buddhism has in Japanese culture and everyday life. From chanting Shoshinge in the early morning to saying Gassho before meals, these short moments gave me a glimpse of living the Dharma. I am so grateful for everyone who made this experience possible.”
-Vicky Shinkawa, Mt. View Buddhist Temple
“During the homestay with a temple family, I really valued the interaction between us and the experiences we got to share, such as visiting a ninja museum and cooking Japanese meals together. I am very appreciative to have participated in this exchange and to have learned more about different aspects of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.”
-Stacey Kawabata, Mt. View Buddhist Temple
“This was truly an eye opening experience for me. For the first time ever I got to see the perspective of those who live in small towns by living in a farm town in Shiga. While there, we visited the nearby shrines and wildlife and I got to see how my host family incorporates Buddhism into their everyday life.”
-Megan Miyamoto, San Fernando Valley Hongwanji
“The trip displayed life in the major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, but also gave us the simple pleasure of living in a homestay family’s house. I enjoyed the time spent seeing stunning attractions such as the Tokyo Tower, as well as the unique experiences such as onsen that I could not find outside Japan.”
-Brent Sakihara, Southern Alameda County Buddhist Temple
“As a part of the twelve participants of the YBICSE 2019 trip from the Buddhist Churches of America, we got to experience the true lifestyle of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in its origin country for two full weeks of fun, learning, and new sights, scenes, and people… We got to visit the most important places within our school of Buddhism like Shinran’s birthplace, Mt.Hiei, and the Ohtani Masoleum. Being able to see where so many pivotal events took place for Jodo Shinshu Buddhism was a surreal experience. We got to see the town where our founder was born, the mountain where he meditates for years, and the place where his ashes lie.”
-Katie Shue, Pasadena Buddhist Temple
“Although I really enjoyed the entire trip, the most meaningful part of the program for me was my homestay. I found out that we had many similarities and coincidentally Rev. Ota had attended Sacramento State (where I am from) while he was serving in the BCA. In Shiga, we grew very close as we toured their town, went to a children’s serve at their local temple, and shared every traditional Japanese meal with them. I am very grateful for this experience and that I had the chance to meet other Jodo Shinshu Buddhists from around the world.”
-Allison Tanaka, Sacramento Betsuin
The next YBICSE trip will be in the summer of 2021 (occurring every other year). Contact your ministers and temples to find out how you can participate. I highly recommend this program to all young Buddhists who are able to go! It is important that we continue to understand the history of our practice and its connection to Japan so that we may pass it down to the following generations.
Gassho.
