Spoiler Alert: All of the Oldest Buddhist Temples Are in California
Let’s be real: We could all use a break right now from everything going on in the world. One of the Buddhist tenets I love is the idea of impermanence; that this too shall pass. Spending time worrying about all the things is essentially a waste of time and a hiccup on your path to nirvana. The best way forward? Mindfulness and meditation—and if you ask me, the best place to embrace the two M’s is in a Buddhist temple.
But since we can’t all hop on a plane and jet over to any of the Asian Buddhist countries with gorgeous temples, why not start here in the United States? Below are the oldest Buddhist temples in North America. Stop in to find a little peace of mind, body and soul—it certainly doesn’t hurt that they’re all in sunny California.
Buddhist Church of San Francisco
The oldest Buddhist congregation in the country finds guidance at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco. The sangha, or Buddhist community, was founded in 1898 by a group of issei—Japanese for first-generation—Buddhist immigrants. It not only was the first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple but also was the flagship Buddhist Churches of America temple. Two ministers arrived in 1899, and a temple first appeared in 1910 at the current location. In 1935, the congregation built a stupa to hold relics given to them by the Royal Court of Thailand, and it also installed the temple altar.
This congregation has been through a lot. It first endured the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco. Then the World War II internment of most of the Nikkei—Japanese emigrants and their descendants— membership. And then, the forced relocation of San Francisco’s Japantown residents. And through it all, they persisted.
Find Your Zen: Regular services with chanting and singing are held at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Or, join the Mindfulness Meditation on Zoom every Tuesday evening. Looking for more active Zen? Join the gatha choir, take Japanese classes, learn traditional Japanese drumming or spend time on the full-size basketball court.
San Mateo Buddhist Temple
This branch of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco held its inaugural ceremony in 1910. However, the congregation didn’t have an official building until 1952—but not for lack of trying. From the founding of this temple until 1939, services were held at congregants’ homes and in rental halls. In 1940, the San Mateo Buddhist Temple congregation bought land to build an actual temple.
And then World War II started in 1941. All construction stopped, and the majority of the congregation was relocated into internment camps. Construction on the temple wouldn’t be complete until 11 years later. A few years after that, the group added on a chapel, classrooms and a kitchen.
Find Your Zen: From dharma discussions to kansho bell ringing, all are welcome to learn, chant and enjoy community at San Mateo Buddhist Temple. On Friday evenings, anyone can join the congregation for hula classes. Taiko drumming lessons take place on Thursdays. And, special events happen throughout the year that have a calming air, like Japanese calligraphy lessons and sessions of two different styles of chanting.
Berkeley Buddhist Temple
In 1911, 73 Berkeley, California, residents held the very first service of the Berkeley Buddhist Temple in the local Odd Fellows Hotel. At this point, it was just men in the congregation. Women joined the group three years later, and an official minister was appointed in 1918.
As with other Buddhist groups in North America, the initial services were held in congregants’ houses. In 1921, the Berkeley Buddhist Temple finally purchased a permanent property—the same spot the temple sits at today. Buddhist University of California students moved into a new dormitory next door, which was run by the temple, in 1939.
The temple endured a rough patch during World War II, along with every other Asian-majority congregation. The temple actually shut down from 1942 to 1946. Once it reopened, membership blossomed, leading to the construction of a new temple on the same site in 1955; the original temple was moved to the back of the property. This new temple was designed to be beautiful in its simplicity, just like Buddhism itself.
Find Your Zen: Taking a three-pronged approach to calmness and clarity, the temple blends quiet meditation, chanting, and study and discussion. This way, they complete their mission of embracing Buddhism with their full selves by involving body, voice and mind. Join the community’s gagaku group as it performs Japanese orchestral music—using mostly bamboo instruments—that dates back to the 4th century. Taiko drumming sessions and monthly study groups are also available. Tea drinkers can enjoy a tea social with the congregation following the regular Sunday morning service.
