We round out our conversation about music by focusing on Shin Buddhism, starting with Shinran. It’s clear chanting was an important part of early Shin communities, and many of Shinran’s wasan (poems) have come down to us as songs still sung today. We take a brief detour to talk about Herbie Hancock before getting into contemporary music in the American Shin context. If we expand our view beyond the traditional gathas, we can find all kinds of really interesting music within Shin communities, opportunities for creative and personal expression of the Dharma.

Also in this episode, Scott plugs his current research project which is devoted to American Shin Buddhist music. Check out his website and take part in his research.