How can I study Buddhism while living abroad?

I'm currently living abroad. It's been 15 years since I left Japan. I was an atheist when I was in Japan, but since I started living abroad, I had many opportunities to meet foreigners interested in Buddhism, and while I was answering simple questions, my interest in Buddhism gradually increased, and I began to want to learn various things again. However, even when it comes to Buddhism, there are various denominations, and even overseas, there is Buddhism from other countries such as Tibet. However, for my part, I'm still interested in Japanese Buddhism. Zen (Soto sect) is the most popular in Ireland (Europe), where I currently live, and I often participate in Zen gatherings, but it sounds like it has a different meaning and doesn't really fit me because it's dramatized for foreigners, and even when I hear it as a sermon in English. After all, I would like to learn Buddhism in Japanese. But where should I start when there are no Japanese monks close to me here overseas???
First of all, it's a denomination... I'm very interested in zazen meditation and shakyo, but since the temple my ancestors at my parents' house have taken care of for generations is the Jodo sect, I'm also interested in the Jodo sect. For that reason, I'm also interested in the Obaku sect, which combines these two elements. I also want to learn sutras so I can recite them myself.
I still don't understand the right or left of Buddhism at all, but where should I start for now? For now, I'm studying the meaning by practicing the Heart Sutra on Youtube...
Also, I'd like to know if there are any recommended books for beginners to study Buddhism?
After all, would it be easier to study sutras if you first decided on a denomination?

Thank you for your answers.

3 Zen Responses

There are too many

I don't think your interest is diminished, so please choose from stories about university teachers and high priests with high academic knowledge, and Buddhists who are active in society based on the Buddhist spirit. What I recommend from the above point of view is

http://h-kishi.sakura.ne.jp/index.html

That's it. Since it is based on the content of NHK's religious programs, there is nothing strange in terms of content, and there is plenty of variety, so you can choose whatever you like.

The “Age of Mind” and “Time of Religion” themselves described on the site above can also be seen and heard in North America, so I think it's the same there too. I think it's much better than following letters.

Also, each head temple, whether it's Zen or the Jodo sect, operates an excellent website, so it's good to have a look at such things.

Finally, I would like to introduce the narration of the life of Honen Seito, which I often listen to now. I have a strong connection with Nembutsu, so I would recommend it if Honen, the founder, would also be interested.

http://history.kaisetsuvoice.com/Hounen01.html

appending

He is a member of the Soto sect. There is a European International Missionary Office in Paris. I think this is probably just a few questions, so we may have prepared answers that would be better if you inquire here by email etc.
http://www.sotozen-net.or.jp/propagation/kokusaifukyo/paris

The first thing that comes to mind is to buy a PDF version of the book, search for “Dharma ○○ sect” on YouTube, and import a Dharma CD if possible.
It is said that they don't understand either the right or the left, so it might be a good idea to read an introduction to Buddhism like ↓ once. You can also use it like a dictionary when asked a question.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/図解-ブッダの教え-歴史がおもしろいシリーズ-田上太秀-ebook/dp/B00JAEE8U0/ref=pd_sim_351_1? _encoding=utf8&psc=1&refrid=100achr60p1yhqvzp291

I think it's okay to put off studying the sutras. Rather than that, it is better to cultivate a Buddhist sensibility through puja and books. If you start studying sutras on your own before the Buddhist direction is firmly established within you, you tend to become a big-headed and cranky Buddhist. They may be smart, but they have no mercy.
In that sense, hasunoha is also recommended. The monks of the Jodo sect are also active with enthusiasm. The monks of the Obaku sect... I'm sure I've never seen them before... The population of the Obaku sect is very small, so it's hard to get along with them even within Japan.

Deleted some parts due to character limit and added
The Soto sect has over 100 international missionaries, and there are over 30 temples and dojos in Europe alone. I don't know if these are all of them, but there are also Japanese monks who take turns residing at overseas temples for several years, and they also sometimes go on business trips from Japan at the timing of some kind of milestone or event.
Therefore, I thought it would be great if you could directly consult with the European International Missionary General Office, where that information is gathered (which seems to be).
However, the problem is that there are plenty of bases only on the other side of the English Channel, and they don't listen to stories about Ireland and England... but I also wonder if there is a background I don't know about when you say that the Soto sect is the most popular in Ireland.

Will you become my follower? (lol)

Hello, Hana.

Thank you for living abroad for so long.
I want to study Buddhism.
Perhaps the best thing is to look for a Buddhist group close to where you live.
If you have a favorite Buddhism, you should import that book from Japan. Now that the internet has developed, you can watch many Japanese Buddhist programs on YouTube etc. It's also nice to study there.
However, Buddhism values relationships with teachers. I hope you also find a teacher who can teach you Buddhism.
As I mentioned earlier, now that the internet has developed, internet missionaries have also increased. Even at a small temple like mine, there are several people who have become believers online. There are also believers who enjoy Buddhism while always consulting and teaching by email or phone. Phones that used to be expensive have also become cheaper thanks to internet phones. I'm in Mie Prefecture, but the furthest place I believe is Hokkaido. I'm a half-believer and I'm in Spain (laughs). My temple is a Tendai sect, so I have teachings that allow me to study all forms of Buddhism. If you don't mind, please become my believer (laughs). You'll be my first overseas believer (laughs). And please invite me to your country of residence (laughs).

You can also study Buddhism overseas, so feel free to contact us anytime. Gassho

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