Tendai Buddhism USA

Late Arch-Bishop Ryokan Ara

     Past Temple Advisor & Abbot of
        Tendaisyu Hawaii Betsuin
Arch-Bishop Ryokan Ara was born in Fukushima Prefecture, 1928. He entered the Buddhist priesthood at age 10. Later, he graduated from Taisho University with a doctorate degree in Tendai Buddhism. He has filled various important posts at Sengakuin (Sendai), Shojokouin (Sendai), Daifukuji (Fukushima) He settled the Tendai Mission of Hawaii by himself and was posted as the representative to propagate Tendai-shu overseas. Besides these activities, he established The Art Institute of Hawaii and Japanese Language Institute of Hawaii for introducing Japanese culture to American society. Since introducing his unique way of painting, he has exhibited his paintings of Buddha in San Francisco, Boston, and New York as well as yearly exhbitions in Japan.