History
A little over 100 years ago, in carving out a new life in a new land, the pioneer Japanese immigrants, the Issei, established our temples as places to hear the teaching of the Nembutsu, to hold the rites of passage in life and as safe havens to gather. They overcame countless hardships in the process, adjust- ing to a new language and new customs, the Depression and prejudice. They struggled to not only establish their families but to ensure that those families, their children and grandchildren would have a safe place where they could gather and feel pride in their heritage by building our Hondo or Buddha Hall.
Over 50 years ago, after returning from the relocation camps, our parents and grandparents built the Annex. The facility provided for the growing Sangha to gather and be with one another and the rest of the community, to have dances, large services and funerals, and sporting events. Today, the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin continues to serve as a gathering place to share the Buddha-dharma.
It is now up to us to continue to ensure that our children and grandchildren will have the same opportunities to encounter the Dharma together in safe and beautiful facilities. Click for more detailed history.
Mission Statement
Be a community of peace, happiness and understanding by sharing and practicing Buddhist teachings.
Vision Statement
We are striving to create an inclusive environment of unconditional acceptance, respect and gratitude where we honor the past, appreciate the present, build for the future, and learn to engage in a life of compassionate action.
Our Ministers
Rinban 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. Mikame joined the ministerial staff of the San Jose Betsuin in August, 2019. She is originally from Oda, Shimane, Japan and has served in several temples in Chiba, Japan. She has an expertise in Buddhist liturgy and is interested in music and education. She is a popular speaker at temples in the US due to her refreshing insights as well as her clear explanation of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
Rev. Jones joined the ministerial staff of the San Jose Betsuin in February, 2025 as an Assistant Minister. Previously, he had served as a Minister Assistant. Being a long time member of over 30 years, he has served as Board President. Michael is also a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) in Berkeley, CA and was on the BCA Endowment Foundation Board of Directors. His education includes an MBA, BA in Music, certificate in Shin Buddhist Studies from the IBS. He received his Kyoshi ordination in 2024.
Our Minister Assistants
Dennis Akizuki is a life-long member of the Betsuin and has been on the Board for over 20 years. He was the Board President from 2018-19. He has been the “Voice of the San Jose Obon” for over 20 years. He is particularly interested in making the Dharma easier to understand. Professionally, he retired as the the breaking news editor for the Bay Area News Groups at The Mercury News in 2022. Dennis is a graduate from UC Berkeley.
Board of Directors
