Introduction

Founded on December 17, 1899, the Buddhist Church of Sacramento is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple, located in Sacramento, the Capitol City of the State of California. This temple with over 2,000 members is located at 2401 Riverside Boulevard, adjacent to the W-X Freeway (Business 80) near the westbound 10th Street and the eastbound 15th Street offramps. We are the second largest temple of the 60 temple members of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), which is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

The Buddhist Church of Sacramento, often called the Sacramento Betsuin was established in 1899 at 1221 Third Street in Sacramento.  This original hall quickly became to small and necessitated the relocation to 410 "O" Street the following year.  In 1925, a new temple was built on the same location with the addition of a hall/gymnasium in 1937.  Due to the city's Redevelopment Project in 1958, the temple was relocated to the present sight with a new temple building dedicated in 1959.

The Sacramento Betsuin is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America, headquartered in San Francisco, and is one of fifty-five churches located in the continental United States.  As a member of the Jodo Shinshu Sect (lit. Pure Land True Sect) of Buddhism, its mother temple, called Honpa Hongwanji or Nishi Hongwanji, is located in Kyoto, Japan.  Jodo Shinshu Buddhism was founded in Japan by Shinran Shonin about 800 years ago and is the largest sect of Buddhism in Japan.

Our temple's diverse membership has grown to over 1000 families.  A variety of programs (religious, educational, cultural, social and recreational) are offered to all ages from preschool to senior citizens. 

The Resident Ministers are Rinban Bob Oshita and Rev. Kazuaki Nakata.

ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION

Ministers

The Rinban, or senior minister, and an associate minister head the religious services and programs.

Board of Trustees

The administrative and financial affairs of the Betsuin are carried out under the direction of the Board of Trustees, thirty members from the general membership elected on staggered three-year terms.  One representative from each affiliated and sponsored organization, along with a group of Elders acting as advisors, also comprises the Board.

Finances

The Buddhist Church of Sacramento is financially supported through three sources of income.

1. Membership Dues

2. Special Donations

a. Contributions by the membership at each of the three major services.

b. Donations for services conducted:

Funeral Services

Family Memorial Services

Weddings

Others

3. Annual Bazaar

ENDOWMENT FUND

The Endowment Fund was establish to financially secure the future of the church and to fund various educational programs such as lecture series, seminars, and retreats.

Contribution to this fund can be made by the following categories:

Cash

Securities and Stocks

Real Estate

Life or Term Insurance

Charitable Remainder Trust