These two talks were postponed from last Fall. Note locations at UA Memorial Student Union, Presidio Room, 1303 E. University Blvd. in Tucson.

(1) Center for Buddhist Studies | Tucson AZ | Facebook

“Tea Ceremony Demonstration by Sakura Tea Circle in 2023 East Asian Culture and Language Festival – https://mailchi.mp/…/poetic-melody-from-hangzhou-15203513

February 8, 11 am- 2pm, at UA Mall (near Old Main) The Center for Buddhist Studies invites Sakura Tea Circle to perform a live demonstration of a tea ceremony at 12:00. Free Japanese mochi is served. Apart from the demonstration, we will have a Tea Making DIY activity (only 5 spots available) during 12:30-1:00 pm. Welcome to join us!

Sakura Tea Circle Members: Arlene Watkins (MC), Lia Chen (Host), Sachiko Suzuki (Assistant). Performance (Temae): Urasenke school, Ryurei Temae 裏千家、立礼点前#japaneseteaceremony#matcha#tea#eastasiancultureMatcha.comSakura Tea CircleDepartment of East Asian Studies at the University of ArizonaUArizona Center for East Asian Studies”

(4) Center for Buddhist Studies | Tucson AZ | Facebook

“Immerse yourself in a journey through time with the otherworldly tones of the Japanese Flute, the shakuhachi. Our musical guides Emily King, James Tong, Paul Amiel and a special guest from Japan, will transport you with four different historical playing styles using one of the most incredibly powerful icons of Japanese music, the shakuhachi.”

Date & Time:

2/9

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM

OR

7:15 PM – 8:00 PM

Tickets: General Admission: $27 – Children 3-15: $10

Advanced ticket reservation is required. This is a limited admission event.Purchase Tickets

A VOICE FROM THE HEART 一葉心聲

A SPECIAL CONCERT CELEBRATING MASTER YINYUAN LONGQI 隱元隆琦 (1592-1673)
February 4 (Sat), 2023, 6 PM (Arizona)

The University of Arizona Center for Buddhist Studies

“This special concert highlights Yinyuan’s poetic talent and deep spirituality. It is jointly produced by The Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Arizona, the Chinese Wanfu Temple, Ven. Kanho Yakushiji, MUGEN Creations, and Manpukuji in Uji, Japan.

Musician Spotlight:

Kanho Yakushiji serves as deputy director of Kaizenji temple in Imabari, a city in Japan’s Ehime Prefecture. Japan has a strong tradition of danka, or the father-to-son succession of a temple, but Yakushiji initially rebelled against this expectation and instead became a musician. He eventually trained in the Rinzai tradition at Kenninji temple in Kyoto, Japan, and is now the sixteenth generation of his family to care for Kaizenji.      

Though he initially thought about music and Buddhism as separate entities, Yakushiji now views music as an expression of Zen practice. His two identities—a Zen monk and an artist—are no longer separate. He released his fifth album, The Prayer, in September of 2019, and just before the pandemic began, he started a music video project whereby he chants in historic Japanese temples to introduce listeners around the world to Zen and chanting.

(source: httpsce:://tricycle.org/article/kanho-yakushiji/, by Koshin Paley Ellison)

About Concert:

Three hundred fifty years ago, the Chinese Zen Master Yinyuan Longqi 隱元隆琦 (1592-1673, Ingen Ryūki in Japanese) passed away at Manpukuji 萬福寺, in Japan. He migrated from China in 1654 after being the abbot of the Chinese Wanfu Temple in Fuqing 福清. In 1661, he founded the Japanese Ōbaku 黃檗 school. In North America, the Center for Buddhist Studies, College of Humanities at the University of Arizona has organized a series of commemorative events to present and explore his extraordinary life and achievements.”

Program:

1. A Leaf from the West 一葉西來 (in Chinese)

Lyric: Yinyuan Longqi; Music: Yakushiji Kanho; English Translation: Bill Porter (Red Pine), James Baskind, Jiang Wu

2. The Heart Sutra 般若心経 いろは歌 (in Japanese)

3. Disaster Preventing Dharani 消災呪 (in Japanese)

4. Gatha Praising the Buddha 世尊偈 (in Chinese)

5. Gazing at Mount Fuji from the Nakayama Ridge 中山嶺望富士山 (in Chinese)

Lyric: Yinyuan Longqi; Music: Yakushiji Kanho; English Translation: Bill Porter, James Baskind, Jiang Wu

6. The Heart Sutra 般若心経 (Ōbaku Chanting Style 黄檗宗 ver. in Ming-dynasty Chinese)

7. Hand 手 (in Japanese)

Lyric and music: Yakushiji Kanho

8. The Great Compassion Dharani 大悲呪 (in Japanese)

Viewing Platform:
Center for Buddhist Studies Youtube Channel, Facebook, Zoom

Feb. 2, 2023 at Fox Tucson Theater, 17 W. Congress St. at 7:30 p.m.

“Since 1973, San Jose Taiko has captivated global audiences and critics alike with the powerful sounds of the taiko, or Japanese drum. Inspired by traditional Japanese stylings and techniques, company performers express the beauty of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko, creating a vibrant, contemporary art form as they strive to connect people through cultural understanding, creative expression, and a collective rhythmic heartbeat. Performances are high-energy fun for all ages that gets hearts pounding and expands cultural understanding in an unforgettable way. Experience San Jose Taiko’s rich repertoire in a 90-minute concert set with creative staging and lighting design.

San Jose Taiko has become a world-class ensemble, performing extensively both nationally and internationally, reaching more than 75,000 audience members each year. By studying with masters of other traditions and cultures, San Jose Taiko has broadened and embellished this historical art form into a distinct performance style that blends the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with the beat of world rhythms, including African, Brazilian, Filipino, Latin and Jazz and is often described as “dancing with drums.” Known for synchronized choreography, eclectic musicality, and joyful spirit, San Jose Taiko performances and instruction are sought throughout the world by taiko fans and practitioners alike.”

“San Jose Taiko is a talented and passionate group. The drums were like both thunder and kisses—amazing, moving and theatric and full of passion.”

Tickets $25 to $42.50:
San Jose Taiko – Purchase Tickets (foxtucson.com)