Our Church
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
The Placer Buddhist Church strives to nurture compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, peace, tolerance, inclusiveness, and spiritual exploration by providing a place where everyone is welcome. Our mission is to continually learn and live the Buddhist Teachings to reduce suffering and support our lives and the lives around us. We offer an open door to sharing these teachings, as well as friendship and community.
The Placer Buddhist Church strives to nurture compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, peace, tolerance, inclusiveness, and spiritual exploration by providing a place where everyone is welcome. Our mission is to continually learn and live the Buddhist Teachings to reduce suffering and support our lives and the lives around us. We offer an open door to sharing these teachings, as well as friendship and community.
New PBC Office Hours
New PBC Office Hours
Every Thursday from 9:00am - 1:00pm
Every Thursday from 9:00am - 1:00pm
If you sign up make sure you tell them you're from Placer Buddhist Church.
If you sign up make sure you tell them you're from Placer Buddhist Church.
PBC Annual Report's
PBC Annual Report's
The Placer Buddhist Church Annual reports are available for review. Use the links below to download and review the document.
The Placer Buddhist Church Annual reports are available for review. Use the links below to download and review the document.
A President's Reflection
A President's Reflection
May 2024
May 2024
Dear Members of the Placer Buddhist Church Community,
Dear Members of the Placer Buddhist Church Community,
As we welcome the month of May, I reflect on the teachings of impermanence, which holds a significant place in our Buddhist beliefs. As time passes quickly (and faster as I age), I think about this one and only life that I have, and what I can do to make it the most meaningful and fulfilling.
As we welcome the month of May, I reflect on the teachings of impermanence, which holds a significant place in our Buddhist beliefs. As time passes quickly (and faster as I age), I think about this one and only life that I have, and what I can do to make it the most meaningful and fulfilling.
Recently, I have found myself grappling with the reality of impermanence and its impact on my life. The aging process, coupled with the passing of loved ones, is a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence. Attending a celebration of life for a cousin and seeing the diminishing size of our family reminds me that life is short. I should have spent more time learning my family history from my parents and grandparents. Our busy lives leave little time to do this. Hindsight is 20-20. Now that many family elders are no longer physically or mentally present to share their stories and wisdom, I feel a deep sense of nostalgia and regret.
Recently, I have found myself grappling with the reality of impermanence and its impact on my life. The aging process, coupled with the passing of loved ones, is a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence. Attending a celebration of life for a cousin and seeing the diminishing size of our family reminds me that life is short. I should have spent more time learning my family history from my parents and grandparents. Our busy lives leave little time to do this. Hindsight is 20-20. Now that many family elders are no longer physically or mentally present to share their stories and wisdom, I feel a deep sense of nostalgia and regret.
For me, Buddhism highlights the importance of embracing the present moment and connecting with loved ones to create lasting memories and connections. I have come to appreciate the Buddhist teachings that remind me to make conscious decisions towards leading a full and meaningful life. Buddhism is a self-help guide that helps us navigate life’s uncertainties and reminds us that our actions determine both the amount of suffering and joy we will encounter.
For me, Buddhism highlights the importance of embracing the present moment and connecting with loved ones to create lasting memories and connections. I have come to appreciate the Buddhist teachings that remind me to make conscious decisions towards leading a full and meaningful life. Buddhism is a self-help guide that helps us navigate life’s uncertainties and reminds us that our actions determine both the amount of suffering and joy we will encounter.
We, as a Sangha, are fortunate to have the Placer Buddhist Church as a gathering place to explore the teachings of Shin Buddhism, with Reverends Yuki Sugahara and Matt Hamasaki to guide us.
We, as a Sangha, are fortunate to have the Placer Buddhist Church as a gathering place to explore the teachings of Shin Buddhism, with Reverends Yuki Sugahara and Matt Hamasaki to guide us.
I invite you to join us for our services in May, where we have the honor of hosting BCA Bishop, Reverend Marvin Harada, as our guest speaker for our Gotan-e service on May 5th. This special occasion commemorates the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Additionally, we have our Monthly Memorial/Dharma service on May 19th.
I invite you to join us for our services in May, where we have the honor of hosting BCA Bishop, Reverend Marvin Harada, as our guest speaker for our Gotan-e service on May 5th. This special occasion commemorates the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Additionally, we have our Monthly Memorial/Dharma service on May 19th.
Don't miss our social coffee klatch, hosted by the Placer Buddhist Women's Association, where we come together for camaraderie and refreshments before and after service.
Don't miss our social coffee klatch, hosted by the Placer Buddhist Women's Association, where we come together for camaraderie and refreshments before and after service.
May this month be a time of introspection, connection, and spiritual growth as we embrace the teachings of impermanence with open hearts and compassionate minds.
May this month be a time of introspection, connection, and spiritual growth as we embrace the teachings of impermanence with open hearts and compassionate minds.
In Gassho,
In Gassho,
Rene' Yamashiro, PBC President
Rene' Yamashiro, PBC President
Our Contact Information
Our Contact Information
Placer Buddhist Church
Placer Buddhist Church
3192 Boyington Road
3192 Boyington Road
P.O.Box 349 <-- New Mailing Address
P.O.Box 349 <-- New Mailing Address
Penryn, CA. 95663
Penryn, CA. 95663
(916) 652-6139
(916) 652-6139
Our Church
Our Church
The Placer Buddhist Church is located at 3192 Boyington Road in Penryn California, County of Placer. It is located at the scenic base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains just off Interstate 80. It is approximately halfway between San Francisco and Reno, Nevada.
The Placer Buddhist Church is located at 3192 Boyington Road in Penryn California, County of Placer. It is located at the scenic base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains just off Interstate 80. It is approximately halfway between San Francisco and Reno, Nevada.
The Church was founded in 1902 in the small foothill town of Penryn. The original church was near the center of town approximately 3 miles from its current location. The church moved to its current location in 1963. The church is well known in the community for annual food bazaar which is typically held on the 4th weekend of September. The annual food bazaar began in 1964, just after the church moved to its new location.
The Church was founded in 1902 in the small foothill town of Penryn. The original church was near the center of town approximately 3 miles from its current location. The church moved to its current location in 1963. The church is well known in the community for annual food bazaar which is typically held on the 4th weekend of September. The annual food bazaar began in 1964, just after the church moved to its new location.
The church supports organizations such as the Placer Buddhist Women’s Association (PBWA), Young Buddhist Association (YBA), Sierra Bonsai Club, Dharma School, and Placer Ume Taiko Groups. The church also holds various classes during the week including calligraphy, flower arranging, Tai Chi, Obon dancing and exercise classes. See the church calendar for class times.
The church supports organizations such as the Placer Buddhist Women’s Association (PBWA), Young Buddhist Association (YBA), Sierra Bonsai Club, Dharma School, and Placer Ume Taiko Groups. The church also holds various classes during the week including calligraphy, flower arranging, Tai Chi, Obon dancing and exercise classes. See the church calendar for class times.
Dharma services and group activities have been limited during the Covid-19 pandemic and will reopen when safe to publicly meet.
Dharma services and group activities have been limited during the Covid-19 pandemic and will reopen when safe to publicly meet.
Supervising Ministers
Supervising Ministers
Rev. Matt Hamasaki
Rev. Matt Hamasaki
Rev. Yuki Sugahara
Rev. Yuki Sugahara
Minister's Assistants
Minister's Assistants
Rich Kawahata
Rich Kawahata
Michi Mitani
Michi Mitani
Ed Nakamoto
Ed Nakamoto
2023 PBC Officers
2023 PBC Officers
President
President
René Yamashiro
René Yamashiro
1st Vice President
1st Vice President
Tom Aust
Tom Aust
2nd Vice President
2nd Vice President
Frank Perrott
Frank Perrott
Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary
Linda Dickerson
Linda Dickerson
Claudia Nakata
Claudia Nakata
Treasurer
Treasurer
Kent Kawamoto
Kent Kawamoto
Auditor
Auditor
Karen Takayama
Karen Takayama
