Spring Ohigan
2025-03-16 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin will be celebrating the Spring Ohigan service.
The service will start at 10:10 am in the Hondo following the Dharma School service at 9:30.

Practical Shin Buddhism in Everyday Life Workshop
2025-03-16 11:30 - 13:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex – Multipurpose Room, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Sangha Support Committee Presents
Practical Shin Buddhism in Everyday Life
given by
Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi
– Shin Buddhism From A Contemporary View
– Shifting From Please to Thank You
– Revealing Benefits For A Joyful Guide to Life
Sunday, March 16, 2025, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Multipurpose Room
Call the Betsuin Office for Reservations: (408) 293-9292
sjbc@sjbetsuin.org

Open Temple Day
2025-04-02 11:00 - 17:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Open Temple Day
The temple is open for the general public to view. There always are docents who are more than willing to answer any questions that you might have.
Completely ok to take photos (and tag on social media with “#sjbetsuin). No food or drinks please. (We do have a small table at the front where you can put items).
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Soul Line Dancing
2025-04-05 10:30 - 13:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
The San Jose Buddhist Women’s Association
Invite you to attend our:
Soul Line Dancing
This is a beginner’s class for anyone wanting to learn “classic & basic” Soul Line Dances.
Soul Line Dancing is line dancing done to classic R&B, jazz, zydeco, & blues music.
Juanita Croft is the Soul Line Dancing instructor at Stanford University & an amazing teacher.
This is our current schedule for 2025:

April 5, 2025 (Saturday)
May 10, 2025 (Saturday, 10:00AM to 11:30AM)
June 8, 2025

from 11:30AM to 1:00PM in the SJBC Gym
(unless specified differently)
Wear comfortable clothing, shoes and bring water.
Donations accepted for the
San Jose Buddhist Women’s Association

Hanamatsuri
2025-04-06 10:00 - 12:30 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Hanamatsuri Service of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Service in the San Jose Buddhist Church Annex.
Performance by the San Jose Buddhist Church Junior Choir and Daihyo Shoko by Organization representatives and all the Dharma School.
The service will be followed by a light luncheon provided by the Dharma School Parent Organization.

Meet & Greet Rev. Henry Adams
2025-04-13 16:00 - 17:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex – Multipurpose Room, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Meet & Greet with Rev. Henry Toryo Adams
This will be an opportunity for the members of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin to meet Rev. Henry Adams.
Rev. Henry Toryo Adams grew up in Buffalo, Minnesota. He discovered his interest in Buddhism during a one-year high school exchange program in Chennai, India. As an undergraduate student at St. Olaf College, he began his study of Buddhist scriptures and first considered pursuing the path to the ministry. After receiving an M.A. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Michigan, he moved to Miyazaki, Japan where he worked for the Miyazaki Prefectural Government. In 2007, Rev. Adams moved to Kyoto, Japan to pursue his ministerial studies at the Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin Buddhist Seminary. Upon graduating from the seminary, he began serving as a Minister in the Buddhist Churches of America in 2010.
Rev. Adams has been serving in his current capacity as the Resident Minister of the San Mateo Buddhist Temple since 2013. Prior to coming to San Mateo, he served the Oxnard Buddhist Temple, the Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara, the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple and the Guadalupe Buddhist Church. He also served as Supervising Minister for the Buddhist Church of San Francisco from September 2020 to May 2023.
From September 2018 to May 2019, he served as a Chaplain Intern at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

Annual Golf Tournament
2025-04-21 08:00 - 17:00 | The Villages Country Club, 5000 CRIBARI LANE, SAN JOSE, CA, United States
REGISTER TODAY

Open Temple Day @Nikkei Matsuri
2025-04-27 12:00 - 17:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Open Temple Day @ Nikkei Matsuri
The main sanctuary of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin will be open during Nikkei Matsuri.
The temple is open for the general public to view. There always are docents who are more than willing to answer any questions that you might have.
Completely ok to take photos (and tag on social media with “#sjbetsuin). No food or drinks please. (We do have a small table at the front where you can put items).
Looking forward to seeing you there!

"Carving the Divine" - SJBCB Community Cinema
2025-05-03 13:00 - 16:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Carving the Divine, winner of 13 international awards and screened at 33 world-wide film festivals, will be shown at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Annex on Saturday, May 3 as a benefit for the Dharma Center. An optional bento lunch will be available before the 1PM show.
The documentary, written, directed, and produced by Yujiro Seki, offers a rare look into a 1400-year-old Buddhist woodcarving tradition and the practitioners struggling to preserve its legacy in a rapidly changing Japan. However, the film delves beyond the crafting of the artform. It presents insight into universal themes while exploring the 1400-year family lineage of Busshi, the art of woodcarving of statues that is at the heart of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism.
Bishop Marvin Harada states, “Carving the Divine is more than a movie about amazing wood sculptors of Japan. To me, the movie is about the Master-Apprentice, or the Master- Disciple relationship.”
The film will relate to all cultural disciplines, such as ikebana, tea, and martial arts (judo, kendo, etc.), as the relationship between master and student are illuminated. The director states that anyone from any culture will enjoy this documentary as the themes are universal, yet personal. Grandmaster Saito’s goal is to leave nothing but great works behind. Follow the journey as he is supported by apprentices and by the entire guild to create breathtaking works of art.
A Q&A session (via Zoom) with Yujiro Seki will follow the documentary film. He spent many years single handedly planning, shooting and editing this feature length film and had the rare opportunity to follow a guild of Buddhist sculptors and was granted rare access into the life and rites of Buddhist priests.

After Service Chat with Rev. Henry Adams
2025-05-04 11:00 - 12:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex – Multipurpose Room, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Chat with Rev. Henry Toryo Adams
After the Sunday service where he will be the guest speaker, come and meet Rev. Henry Adams who is currently the minister for the San Mateo Buddhist Church as well as the head of the BCA Ministerial Association. This will be in the Annex Multipurpose Room after the Adult Service at 10:10 am.
Rev. Henry Toryo Adams grew up in Buffalo, Minnesota. He discovered his interest in Buddhism during a one-year high school exchange program in Chennai, India. As an undergraduate student at St. Olaf College, he began his study of Buddhist scriptures and first considered pursuing the path to the ministry. After receiving an M.A. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Michigan, he moved to Miyazaki, Japan where he worked for the Miyazaki Prefectural Government. In 2007, Rev. Adams moved to Kyoto, Japan to pursue his ministerial studies at the Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin Buddhist Seminary. Upon graduating from the seminary, he began serving as a Minister in the Buddhist Churches of America in 2010.
Rev. Adams has been serving in his current capacity as the Resident Minister of the San Mateo Buddhist Temple since 2013. Prior to coming to San Mateo, he served the Oxnard Buddhist Temple, the Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara, the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple and the Guadalupe Buddhist Church. He also served as Supervising Minister for the Buddhist Church of San Francisco from September 2020 to May 2023.
From September 2018 to May 2019, he served as a Chaplain Intern at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

Practical Shin Buddhism in Everyday Life
2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-05-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-05-21 19:00 - 20:30 | San Jose Buddhist Church – Office – Board Room, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, 95131, United States
Have you thought about how Jodo Shinshu may help address the difficulties of our present life? Then look no further! Rev.Dr. Kenji Akahoshi will talk about how Jodo Shinshu can help in this series of seminars about how to apply Jodo Shinshu into our lives.
Dates & Times: May 7, 14, 21 2025 at 7:00 pm
Locations: In-person: San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Board Room (2nd Fl of Office building)
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89364107475?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 893 6410 7475
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Topics:
May 7 Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
May 14 Introspection: Finding Our True Self
May 21 The Clarity of Being Awake

Gotan-E Service/Infant Presentation/Kieshiki Service
2025-05-18 10:00 - 11:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Gotan-E Service/Infant Presentation/Kieshiki Ceremony
You are all welcomed to attend the Gotan-E service celebrating the birthday of our founder, Shinran Shonin.
If you would like to commemorate the birth of your infant, or if you would like to obtain a buddhist name and participate in the Kieshiki Ceremony, then please contact the Betsuin Office at sjbc@sjbetsuin.org.

Memorial Day Service - Gilroy
2025-05-25 11:00 | Gavilan Cemetery, 900 1st St, Gilroy, CA, 95020, United States
Memorial Day Service at the Gavilan Cemetery in Gilroy, CA

Boy Scout Troop 611 Goodwill Drive
2025-05-31 09:00 - 14:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church – Fourth Street Lot, 624 N. 4th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Goodwill Drive
Hosted by Boy Scout Troop 611
Date: Saturday, May 31st, 2025 9 am – 2 pm
Location: San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Education Building Parking Lot, N 4th Street Entrance, 624 N. 4th St, San Jose, CA
Steps:

Gather your stuff
Check it over
Brain to our Drive!

Items Needed:

Household Goods: kitchenware, small appliances, bedding, furniture, home decor, books, and toys.
Clothing & Accessories: clothing & accessories for men, women and children, including formal wear, everyday clothing, shoes, handbags and jewelry.
Electronics: computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, televisions and audio equipment.

Non-acceptable items:

Hazardous materials or liquids, flammable items, trash, weapons, food

Items will be donated to the Goodwill of Silicon Valley.

Baccalaureate Service
2025-06-01 10:00 - 11:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Baccalaureate Service
Please join us in celebrating the graduation of our high school and community college students.
In addition, the winners of the various Betsuin scholarships will be announced.
The service will be followed by a reception for the graduates and their families organized by the Jr YBA.

ABA Rummage Sale
2025-08-02 09:00 - 14:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Time: 9 am – 2 pm
Location: San Jose Buddhist Church Annex
632 North 5th St., San Jose, CA 95112
Donation Drop-Off Dates:
July 31 (thu) & August 1 (fri) 9 am – 7 pm

No early drop-offs will be accepted
No pick-up arrangements available
No books, used water bottles
No large furniture, TVs, appliances, or computers parts.

Ten Feet Concert
2025-08-09 19:00 - 22:00 | CA

First Day of Japanese Language School
2025-09-06 09:00 - 12:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church – Education Building, 639 N 5th St,, San Jose, CA, 95112
Beginning to Intermediate Classes
For Students 1st through 12h Grade and Adults
Schedule: From September 6th, 2025 to May 9, 2026, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: sjbetsuin.org/programs/japanese-language-school

2025-2026 priority registration ended on August 1st, 2025

Contact: email: jls@sjbetsuin.org – phone: 408-293-9292 (payment/tuition inquiries only)

First Day of Dharma School
2025-09-07 09:30 - 10:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
First Day of Dharma School!
Please register if your student would like to attend. Per liability reasons, we require all students to be registered. There is no fee.
However, we require parents to volunteer for activities such as crosswalk and snack duties throughout the year. The number of activities required varies on any given year.
Please contact the Betsuin office: sjbc@sjbetsuin.org for information.

Organization Day/Open House
2025-09-07 09:30 - 23:30 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
All the various organizations of the Betsuin will have tables set up in the Annex.
Come and join one of the various clubs and organizations of the Betsuin!

Fall Ohigan
2025-09-14 08:00 - 17:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Service to celebrate the Fall Ohigan (autumnal equinox).
Guest speaker: Rev. Melissa Opel, San Francisco Buddhist Church

Reiko Iwanaga's NEA Fellowship Award Ceremony
2025-09-17 14:30 - 17:00 | CA
Our own Reiko Iwanaga will be honored with the 2025 The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowships on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 2:30 pm US/Pacific at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
It will be live webcast at this website: https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage

Soul Line Dancing Class
2025-09-21 11:30 - 13:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Be sure to join us for our Soul Line Dancing class this Sunday, Sept. 21st from 11:30am – 1:00pm. It’s our first class after our summer break. So, we need to get up and dance the day away!!! You don’t need to know how to dance. Every class is a beginner class and we go over each dance step. Our dance instructor (Juanita Croft) is an excellent teacher and she’ll get you moving and dancing to the music.

This class is for anyone who wants to get some fun exercise. You don’t have to be a BWA member to attend this class. It’s open to everyone!

So, plan on joining us and bring your friends!!!

Troop 611 E-Waste Collection
2025-10-04 09:00 - 15:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church – Fourth Street Lot, 624 N. 4th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Boy Scout Troop 611 E-waste Event
This is a FREE event in on October 4, 2025 from 9 am to 3 pm at the 4th Street parking lot. (Enter from the 4th Street).

All Wire and Cabling
Desktop PCs/Laptops/PDA, Servers
DLP/CRT/Plasma/LCD/LED Monitors, Televisions
Printers, Mice, Keyboards & Accessories
Copy & Fax Machines
Audio & Video Players
Cell Phones & Accessories
Electrical household appliances
NO metals, microwaves, large appliances or large office equipment

For more details, please review the flyer.

Pet Memorial Service
2025-10-05 09:30 - 10:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
A service to memorialize our pets that have passed in the past year.
Please contact the Office (See our “Contact” link above) for further information for putting a photo of your pet up in the altar.

Soul Line Dancing Class
2025-10-05 11:30 - 13:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Annex, 632 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
The San Jose Buddhist Women’s Association
Invite you to attend our:
Soul Line Dancing
This is a beginner’s class for anyone wanting to learn
“classic & basic” Soul Line Dances.
Soul Line Dancing is line dancing done to
classic R&B, jazz, zydeco, & blues music.
Juanita Croft is the Soul Line Dancing instructor at
Stanford University & an amazing teacher.

BCA Founding Day/Bishop's Memorial Service
2025-10-12 10:00 - 11:00 | San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. 5th St, San Jose, CA, 95112, United States
Service to commemorate the founding of the Buddhist Churches of America and to remember all the bishops who have led the organization for over 100 years.

Coast District Nembutsu Family Conference
2025-10-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Buddhist Temple of Salinas, 4 California St, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
Coast District Nembutsu Family Conference
Set your dates for the 2025 CD Nembutsu Family Conference at the Salinas Buddhist Temple!
The theme is “Fun with Namo Amiuda Butsu” and will feature Rev. Harry Bridge (English) and Rev. Hibiki Murakami (Japanese).
The opening service will be at 10:30 am and the closing service at 2:30 pm. Carpooling is suggested as parking is somewhat limited.
Buddhist Temple of Salinas
14 California St
Salinas, CA 93901

Flyer
Registration Form

For any questions, please contact:

Gary Hongo: garyhongo711@gmail.com, (916) 508-1751
Joan Henretta: joan_henretta@yahoo.com, (805) 878-9498
