About
Shinnyo-en is an international spiritual community founded on the time-honored wisdom and compassion embodied in the Buddha’s teachings.
Founded by Masters Shinjo & Tomoji Ito in 1936, the Shinnyo teachings guide lay practitioners to use Buddhist spiritual practices in their daily lives to seek spiritual liberation and awakening through mindful interaction with others.
The Buddhist term shinnyo denotes both the nature of reality and the innate potential in everyone for spiritual awakening; en refers to a borderless garden or space open to all. The teachings, practices, and doctrines of Shinnyo-en are referred to as Shinnyo Buddhism.
Shinnyo-en is a place for all to awaken the inner goodness within ourselves through applying altruistic actions in everyday life. Everyone’s spiritual journey is unique, and Shinnyo-en offers a diverse environment where all can cultivate a deep sense of lasting happiness in their own individual ways.
Master Shinjo Ito often taught that: “One person’s awakening will enlighten countless others.” This articulates the Buddhist principle of interdependence and the underlying altruistic philosophy, central to Shinnyo Buddhism, that true spiritual practice brings joy to oneself and others. Shinjo and Tomoji believed that each of us possesses the potential for spiritual awakening and tirelessly devoted their energies to helping people cultivate that potential.
