Community Activities: The temple hosts its annual Japanese Cultural Bazaar
in June and
Food Festival in October. Both events share the rich
Japanese-American traditions in which the temple and its members share such
pride.
O Bon is observed in August. The colorful Bon Odori (dance festival) is held
in honor of those ancestors who have passed away. Dancers dress in colorful
kimonos and Happi coats and dance to traditional Japanese folk music.
Mochitsuki, the year-end tradition of pounding rice, shaping it into small
pancake-like form, and offering it to the Buddha is held each December.
Ringing of
the Friendship Bell on Shelter Island is sponsored by the temple each
December 31. The bell is struck 108 times to rid oneself of the delusions of the past
year.

Affiliations: The temple is affiliated with the following organizations:

Buddhist Churches of America (BCA)
Inter-Religious Council of San Diego (IRC)
Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL)
Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego (JAHSSD)
Japanese Coordinating Council (JCC)
Japanese Friendship Garden
Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana (JSSDT)
Kiku Gardens Retirement Community
United Pan Asian Communities (UPAC)

Our visitors tell us that the atmosphere at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego is
friendly and inviting, and that they find it peaceful to join us in our worship. I
encourage you to visit the temple as may be convenient, We welcome you at any
of our services or other scheduled events, and at other times as well. (Please call
ahead just to make sure we will be there for other visits. We would hate to miss
you.)

                                                                                                                      Gassho,

                                                                                                              Ralph Honda
                                                                                   Chairman, Temple Operations
Greetings from Ralph Honda, Chairman, Temple Operations
Welcome to the
Buddhist Temple of San Diego
      
      On behalf of the temple Board of Directors, I
wish to extend a gracious hello and thank all
those individuals who have supported
the temple over the years.

      If you are new to the Buddhist Temple of
San Diego, welcome.

      Established in 1926, the temple has been the
inspirational foundation for followers of Jodo
Shinshu Buddhism in this region for
generations.

      Today the temple offers a wide variety of
programs for all ages. We hope you'll be able to
join us at one of our upcoming events soon.
Weekly Services: The temple is open for worship almost every Sunday, 11
months out of the year, from September through July. Services begin at 10 a.m.
The service includes chanting, meditation, Dharma messages, Dharma school for
children infants through high school and adult discussion class. The temple does
have accessibility to view the weekly services from the Sangha Hall (little chapel) for
individuals who find it difficult to negotiate climbing stairs to the Hondo (main chapel).
    Spritual Leadership: The temple and its sangha
    is grateful for the guidance of our resident minister,
    Rev. Yushi Mukojima. Rev. Mukojima conveys
    the Buddhist teachings in both English and
    Japanese. The temple is also grateful for the
    services of two associate ministers, Rev. Jim
    Yanagihara, Retired, and Rev. Akira Hata,
    Retired,  to share the Dharma.
2929 Market Street  San Diego, California  92102  : e-mail: info@btsd.net   Telephone: (619) 239-0896 Fax: (619)239-0897
BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SAN DIEGO
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Buddhist Education Committee (BEC): Under the guidance of our resident
minister, the BEC prepares programs throughout the year. The BEC schedules
lectures, classes,and other events. The lay members of the BEC also assist the
ministerial staff in responding to requests from the community for more information
about Buddhism. Members of the BEC also conduct Buddhist services at the
Marine Corp Recruit Depot twice a month.

Religious Programs: In addition to the weekly services, the temple observes
major services eight times a year. Guest speakers (typically ministers) from other
temples, share the Dharma. Messages are delivered in both English for all
services, and also in Japanese for some. Our
calendar of events will always
identify the guest speakers and the languages used.

Individual Services and Gatherings: Under the direction of Rev. Mukojima, the
temple provides services to individual families for weddings, memorial services,
funerals and other events. Should you have such a need, please call the temple to
make arrangements.

Affiliated Organizations: A wide variety of associations are available to
individuals of various ages. The following groups are very active with the temple
both religiously and socially: the
Buddhist Women's Association (BWA), Adult
Buddhist Association
(ABA), Young Adult Buddhist Association (YABA),
Young Buddhist Association (YBA), Junior Young Buddhist Association
(Jr. YBA) and the
Dharma School.

Dialogue: The temple has joint gatherings each year with the Vista Buddhist
Temple and Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ. The temple, along
with the Pioneer Ocean View UCC and
San Diego Japanese Christian Church
host the annual Memorial Day service at Mount Hope Cemetery.