The Japanese American Museum of San Jose and The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Presents a Lecture & Book Signing by the Author of

AMERICAN SUTRA
A story of faith and freedom in the second World War
By Duncan Ryūken Williams (renowned USC professor)

This groundbreaking history tells the little-known story of how, in one of our country’s darkest hours, Japanese Americans fought to defend their faith and preserve religious freedom. The mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II is not only a tale of injustice; it is a moving story of faith. In this path breaking account, Dr Williams reveals how, even as they were stripped of their homes and imprisoned in camps, Japanese-American Buddhists launched one of the most inspiring defenses of religious freedom in our nation’s history, insisting that they could be both Buddhist and American. Dr Williams is Professor of Religion and East Asian Languages & Cultures at USC.

Book Signing and Reception will follow.

Books will be available at the event for $29.95 plus tax. Books may also be preordered from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Powell’s.

Event is free & open to the public but donations are gratefully accepted.

Please call San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin to sign up for the lecture

(408) 293-9292 or text to (408) 482-5849, with your name, number in party and state if you wish to reserve a copy of the book.

For further information, please contact Janice Doi at janicendoi@gmail.com