This guide is to familiarize you with the various aspects of our
temple, including our weekly Sunday services.
History
The Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple has served the
Buddhist community since the turn of the 20th Century. In 1904,
Rev. Junjyo Izumida established the first Japanese Buddhist temple
in Los Angeles, located at 229 1/2 East Fourth Street. The temple
was relocated several times, to San Julian Street in Little Tokyo
(1907), to Savannah Street (1911), and in 1926, the temple was
moved to 118 North Mott Street in the Boyle Heights area of East
Los Angeles, where it remained for the next fifty years. The present
temple built in 1976 marked the return of the Higashi Honganji
to its roots in Little Tokyo.
Community
Service
Though the primary function of the temple has been to fulfill
the religious needs of the community, the temple has also served
as a center for a variety of other activities as well. It was,
for instance, the home of the first judo-kendo dojo in Los Angeles,
in addition to having served as an orphanage, a Japanese language
school, and as a facility for a variety of cultural classes. Today,
the Higashi Honganji houses the Lumbini Child Development Center,
a fully accredited pre-school and kindergarten with a full capacity
75 children in its care.
Architecture
Built in 1976, the temple’s architecture includes a traditional
roof with over 30,000 tiles imported from Japan, lanterns which
adorn the ceiling of the main chapel, and a magnificent statue
of Amida Buddha on the altar. The temple reveals itself as a magnificent
repository of Buddhist art and architecture. Then beautiful Japanese
garden was landscaped and continues to be maintained by temple
members.
Temple
Organizations
The Dharma
School is for children from pre-school age through the 5th grade. The
children learn about their religion and culture through stories,
discussions, skits, arts-and-crafts projects, and special trips
throughout the year. Many of the students are also active members
of Lumbini Children’s Choir.
The Sangha
Teens is a group for Junior High School youth, expanding upon the foundations
learned in Dharma School. In addition, they also interact with
similar groups from other temples in the area.
The Junior YBA (Young Buddhist Association) is composed primarily of High School
students. In addition to religious, social and service activities
within the temple, the group also participates in regular activities
of the Southern District, a league of over ten temples in the
Southern California region.
The Senior
YBA is college and young adult extension of Jr. YBA. Their focus is
more educational, being involved in monthly gatherings and various
seminars. Members also participate in events sponsored by the
Western Young Buddhist League, a federation of chapters spread
throughout the West Coast.
The YABA (Young Adult Buddhist Association) is an organization for over-30
group. They not only gather to deepen their understanding of the
teachings, but also focus on giving service to the temple.
The ABA (Adult Buddhist Association) is a core group of the temple. They
sponsor monthly religious gatherings and meetings to discuss how
they may serve the temple.
The Fujinkai (Women’s Group) provides for the needs of the Temple Sangha.
Traditionally, this has been accomplished through providing refreshments
and lunches after services, visiting retirement homes, and so
forth. In addition, they are active participants in retreats and
other educational programs.
The Los
Angeles Otani Gakuen,
the temple’s choral group, practices weekly. Approximately
25 men and women comprise the organization, performing regularly
at various events throughout the year. The group is one of the
few Buddhist Temple choirs in the United States, singing in both
English and Japanese.
Taiko is a drumming art form gaining popularity throughout the world. Several taiko drumming groups are based at the temple. The internationally recognized TAIKOPROJECT, founded in 2000, is an ensemble of America's premiere, emerging taiko drummers dedicated to preserving and disseminating American taiko drumming through educational activities and public performances. The extended family of the TAIKOPROJECT includes Bombu Taiko and Kitsune Taiko, both founded in 2002.
The Fujima Kansei Odori Kai is the temple's traditional dance group. Odori is one the traditional forms of Japanese dance that originated during the Edo period of Japan and has remained an integral part of Japanese culture & tradition. Odori is performed throughout the year at various functions, such as during the Obon festival to honor the spirits of our ancestors. To learn more about odori or to participate in it, please contact the temple and inquire within.
Newsletters
The Way is our temple newsletter which is distributed monthly.
The first issue was published in 1947, soon after the end of World
War II. It has served as an important vehicle in the introduction
of Shin Buddhism through ministers’ monthly messages. It
also serves as the main source of information regarding upcoming
activities of the temple.
Our
Altar
Amida Buddha (A) - The Buddha enshrined as the central figure
in our altar is Amida Buddha, who symbolizes the wisdom and compassion
inherent in the enlightenment of the Sakyamuni Buddha.
Shinran Shonin (B) Rennyo Shonin (C) - The image
of Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), the founder of the Jodo Shinshu
tradition, hangs to the right of Amida Buddha. To the left is
the image of Rennyo Shonin (1415-1499), the 8th Abbot of the Honganji
Temple, remembered for his invaluable contributions in the history
of our tradition.
On the far right, there hangs a scroll with the characters, Namu
Amida Butsu, (I Take Refuge in Amida Buddha), the phrase members
are encouraged to recite that serves as a spiritual mirror for
our awakening.
To the right of the scroll is a statue of a bodhisattva, one who
has entered the path of Buddhism and is diligently pursuing the
goal of enlightenment.
In the area to the far left hang two scrolls. One depicts an image
of Prince Shotoku (574-621), recognized to be the father of Japanese
Buddhism. The scroll beside it depicts the Seven Patriarchs of
our Honganji tradition, the seven masters in history that our
founder, Shinran Shonin considered to be essential in his understanding
of the Buddhadharma. They are Nagarjuna (c. 150-250) and Vasubandhu
(c. 320-400) of India, T’an Luan (476-542), Tao-ch’o
(562-645), and Shan-tao (613-681) of China, Genshin (942-1017)
and Honen (1133-1212) of Japan.
Incense (D) - There are several urns in the altar used
to burn incense. Incense diffuses a sweet fragrance, transcending
its shape and color. The burning of incense symbolizes the transcending
of selfishness or ego to become one with others. It represents
a symbolic cleansing of mind and body to prepare oneself to receive
the Dharma.
Flowers (E) - Flowers adorn the altar. They are appreciated
not only for their beauty, but as a symbol of impermanence...
they are beautiful in the morning, but fade in the heat of the
day. They remind us of the continuous change within and around
us.
Candlelight (F) - The lights burning in the altar symbolize
wisdom, the light through which we understand truth. For Buddhists,
wisdom is realized only through experience. Other lamps that adorn
the altar also symbolize the illumination that the Dharma brings
to our lives.
Obuppan (G) - In addition to the flowers, there is also
an offering of food in the altar. Rice, being the staple of the
Japanese diet, is the traditional offering called obuppan. On
other occasions, fruit and other foods may supplement the obuppan.
This custom symbolizes our appreciation for the food we receive,
and serves as a reminder that we should share what we have with
others.
Services
We invite you to join us at our weekly services,
conducted in both English and Japanese, for all ages, providing
an opportunity to further an understanding of Jodo-Shinshu Buddhism.
Services are held every Sunday from 10:00 AM (except for a one-month
break in August). Please refer to the calendar section or call/e-mail for more detailed information.
