Pasadena Buddhist Temple (Jodo Shinshu)

Crystal Quintero, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; Pasadena Buddhist Temple (Meetup)

Obon: between Japanese and US culture

The Pasadena Buddhist Temple belongs to the Japanese Jodo Shinshu tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, part of the national Buddhist Churches of America, headquartered in San Francisco, California.

This temple was established in 1948, incorporated in 1956. It and its classrooms were completed in 1958. The annex (Sakai Hall), which is used by the PJAA Bruins organization for basketball practice, was constructed in 1962.

Obon is Japan's Halloween/Day of the Dead

It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008 and welcomes all to come and learn about the [later Mahayana version of the] Buddha Dharma.

Rev. Gibbs became the resident minister on January 1, 2017, but the temple will continue to be grateful for the presence of Rev. Tetsuo Unno, who will continue to officiate services as he has for over 40 years. Guest ministers will also be invited to temple Sunday services.

Family services are held each Sunday. Service begins at 10:00 am and is followed by a separate English-speaking Discussion Group and a Japanese-language Dharma talk by Rev. Unno when he is available. Dharma School meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month following Sunday service. Sangha Teens and Jr. YBA also meet monthly. More

• Pasadena Buddhist Temple
• 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103
• Phone: (626) 798-4781
• LGBTQ Seminar: June 17th, Gardena
• Obon (July 22-23) service on July 16th

Japan worldwide (japanese-city.com)

Buddhist temples reach out: Obon Festival

Buddhist temples reach out with Obon Festival
Eleanor Yang Su (SignOnSanDiego.com, July 26, 2009)

VISTA, California — Members of the Vista Buddhist Temple rolled out the welcome mat at their annual Obon Festival yesterday with musical and dance performances, mush-room tastings, and a discus-sion on Buddhist teachings. The event, which continues today, is an annual celebration of ancestors and loved ones who have died. And that was very much on the minds of many, especially during the traditional Bon Odori dance. The temple's aging membership has dwindled to about 80 people in the past decade, and organizers are using events like the festival and new classes to reach out to spiritual seekers. More>>

PHOTOS: 1, 2: Vista Buddhist Temple, 150 Cedar Road, San Diego, dance and Taiko drum performances, food, beverage booths, and shopping (townnews.com; nctimes.com); 3: Gardena, CA Obon festival (epicanthus.net)

2009 OBON (August 1) SCHEDULE

• Aug. 1-2—Gardena Buddhist Temple Obon Odori, 1517 W. 166th St., Gardena, CA 90247; (310) 327-9400; 3-10 p.m. Sat./2-9 p.m. Sun.
• Aug. 1—Buddhist Temple of San Diego Obon Odori, 2929 Market St., San Diego, CA 92102; (619) 239-0896: 5-9 p.m.
• Aug. 1—Oregon Buddhist Temple “Obonfest 2009,” 3720 SE 34th Ave., Portland, OR 97202; (503) 234-9456: 4-9 p.m.
• Aug. 1—San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple Obon Odori, 6996 Ontario Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405; (805)-595-2625: 1-9 p.m.
• Aug. 1—Hawaii Waialua Hongwanji Temple Obon, 67-313 Kealohanui St., Waialua, HI 96791; (808) 637-4395: from 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 1-2—Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Obon Odori, 2751 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303; (650)856-0123: 5-11 p.m. Sat./noon-10 p.m. Sun. More>>