A Path Through Red Maples: The Arrival of Tendai Buddhism in Canada

A Path Through Red Maples follows the emergence and growth in Canada of Tendai-shu, a newly-arrived Buddhist tradition in 2010. Rather than a once-removed historical summary, the book uses the talks, articles and presentations that appeared 2005 and 2018 as part of the formative activities of the Red Maple Sangha in Eastern Ontario, north-west of Ottawa. between 2002-2010. Then, it shows how the group transformed into The Red Maple Tendai Sangha (RMTS), through an established relationship with international Tendai and the Tendai Buddhist Institute in the USA.

We focus on several facets of these events in the form of:

- an introduction to Japanese Buddhism;

- a brief Introduction to Tendai-shu;

- works delivered directly to the Red Maple Tendai Sangha;

- presentations to the wider public across Eastern Ontario;

- applications to professional therapeutic practice; and

- reading lists.

The RMTS has always been an active literary community, using live talks, seminars and podcasts to provide a wide range of learning opportunities for its members. What appears here represents about half of what was generated in these years. Part of our teaching approach at RMTS has been to encourage sangha members and friends to share their views as well. Therefore, several of these inclusions are co-authored with other contributors.

Innen Ray Parchelo has studied, taught and practiced Buddhism for more than 40 years and acts as both the Priest to the Red Maple Sangha and Director of Tendai Canada. He began his formal dharma practice in 1974 and has been a member of several Buddhist centres, first taking refuge in 1994. In 2008, he renewed his refuge-vows as a student of Ven. Monshin Paul Naamon, and, in 2010, was ordained a Tendai priest.