Placer Buddhist Church
3192 Boyington Road P.O.Box 349 Penryn, CA. 95663(916) 652-6139office@placerbuddhistchurch.org
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A Dharma Message by Rev. Matt Hamasaki
A Dharma Message by Rev. Matt Hamasaki
December 2025
December 2025
In December we celebrate Bodhi Day, the commemoration of the Buddha gaining insight into the true nature of the world. This is, of course, one of the most important aspects of the Buddha’s life as this led to him teaching what he realized, which was then passed down for millennia until today where we can still appreciate it. Over the centuries, there have been many great teachers who came upon this realization themselves and, in doing so, were able to spread the Buddhist teachings effectively with their incredible intellect and spiritual prowess. However, as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we believe that such an accomplishment is impossible for people in today’s world. So, what does Bodhi Day represent for us?
In December we celebrate Bodhi Day, the commemoration of the Buddha gaining insight into the true nature of the world. This is, of course, one of the most important aspects of the Buddha’s life as this led to him teaching what he realized, which was then passed down for millennia until today where we can still appreciate it. Over the centuries, there have been many great teachers who came upon this realization themselves and, in doing so, were able to spread the Buddhist teachings effectively with their incredible intellect and spiritual prowess. However, as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we believe that such an accomplishment is impossible for people in today’s world. So, what does Bodhi Day represent for us?
When the Buddha set out from the palace as a young prince, he sought to find the end of suffering. He achieved this goal and began his journey to lead others to the same end. Today, there is no shortage of suffering – we encounter it every day. We still have the potential to awaken to the truth that will lessen this suffering but are incapable to finding it ourselves. We must look outside of our self-centered judgment to find the true and real understanding. To do so takes a little bit of a leap of faith.
When the Buddha set out from the palace as a young prince, he sought to find the end of suffering. He achieved this goal and began his journey to lead others to the same end. Today, there is no shortage of suffering – we encounter it every day. We still have the potential to awaken to the truth that will lessen this suffering but are incapable to finding it ourselves. We must look outside of our self-centered judgment to find the true and real understanding. To do so takes a little bit of a leap of faith.
The Buddha himself had some doubts after his complete awakening about whether he would be able to explain what he knew in such a way that others would understand it. At the pleading of some of the deities though, he got up and began to teach. Unsure of who to talk to first, the Buddha went to the five people who followed then abandoned him when he left the ascetic lifestyle. Seeing him, they hardened their hearts, colluding to ignore him for his previous actions. But, by directing loving- kindness to them, he was able to soften their resolve so that they would listen to what he had to say. And thus began the spread of Buddhism.
The Buddha himself had some doubts after his complete awakening about whether he would be able to explain what he knew in such a way that others would understand it. At the pleading of some of the deities though, he got up and began to teach. Unsure of who to talk to first, the Buddha went to the five people who followed then abandoned him when he left the ascetic lifestyle. Seeing him, they hardened their hearts, colluding to ignore him for his previous actions. But, by directing loving- kindness to them, he was able to soften their resolve so that they would listen to what he had to say. And thus began the spread of Buddhism.
Although we may not be able to come to the same spiritual realization that the five first disciples of the Buddha did, we can soften the hard walls of egotistical thoughts that surround our hearts. In order to do so, we must be open to hearing the call of Amida Buddha, telling us to see our true selves and to let go of how tightly we cling to our foolish desires – rather to trust in the wish of the Buddha: to see the end of suffering for all beings.
Although we may not be able to come to the same spiritual realization that the five first disciples of the Buddha did, we can soften the hard walls of egotistical thoughts that surround our hearts. In order to do so, we must be open to hearing the call of Amida Buddha, telling us to see our true selves and to let go of how tightly we cling to our foolish desires – rather to trust in the wish of the Buddha: to see the end of suffering for all beings.
Gassho,
Gassho,
Rev. Matt
Rev. Matt
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 half way 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 half way between San Francisco and Reno, Nevada.
The Church was founded in 1902 in the small foothills 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 approximately 1963. The church is well known in the community for the annual food bazaar which is always held on the 4th weekend of September. The annual food bazaar started in 1964, just after the church moved to the new location.
The Church was founded in 1902 in the small foothills 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 approximately 1963. The church is well known in the community for the annual food bazaar which is always held on the 4th weekend of September. The annual food bazaar started in 1964, just after the church moved to the new location.
The church supports many organizations such as the Placer Buddhist Women’s Association (PBWA), Sierra Bonsai Club, Dharma School, and Placer Ume Taiko Group. The church also holds various classes during the week including Buddhist Study Classes, Tai Chi, Obon dancing and exercise classes. See the church calendar for class times.
The church supports many organizations such as the Placer Buddhist Women’s Association (PBWA), Sierra Bonsai Club, Dharma School, and Placer Ume Taiko Group. The church also holds various classes during the week including Buddhist Study Classes, Tai Chi, Obon dancing and exercise classes. See the church calendar for class times.
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