About Bright Dawn
Bright Dawn was founded in 1996 by Rev. Gyomay M. Kubose and his dharma heir, Rev. Koyo S. Kubose. The purpose of the organization was to preserve the legacy of Rev. Gyomay and his approach to Buddhism for everyday life, which we call the Way of Oneness.
Rev. Gyomay summed up his vision for The Way of Oneness in this statement:
I have always dreamed of establishing an American Buddhism — different from Indian, Chinese, or Japanese Buddhism — a uniquely American Buddhism that could be easily understood and practiced by Americans and that would contribute to American life and culture. This Buddhism can be explained in simple, everyday language and practiced in every aspect of our daily life. Yet, it is a unique Buddhist life-way, non-dichotomized and non-dualistic, that will bring about a peaceful, meaningful, creative life, both individually and collectively.
To that end, Bright Dawn has several programs:
- The “heart” of Bright Dawn is our Lay Ministry Program.
This is a program to train Buddhist practitioners to function as clergy. We use the term “lay minister” to distinguish between the traditional monastic structure of leadership in many traditional schools of Buddhism from contemporary ministry, where the leader lives in the everyday world of the layperson. - Bight Dawn’s publishing program, Dharma House.
This has preserved and continues to publish the major works by Revs. Gyomay and Koyo Kubose, as well as related works by authors whose teachings inspired or were inspired by Kubose and Bright Dawn. - The Bright Dawn Center and Sierra Sanctuary in Coarsegold, California.
This is the physical and spiritual home for Bright Dawn. This is where the offices are located, as well as a Buddhist temple for services such as the lay minister inductions and other events. - Online and in-person services and events.
Bright Dawn’s Leadership Council and other Lay Ministers also present online and in person services and events for the Bright Dawn Community.
The Way of Oneness concept and its reality has evolved since Rev. Gyomay first formulated it. Bright Dawn is “American” to the degree that it arose in the US out of the intersection of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism and American culture.