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.
PBC Office Hours
PBC Office Hours
Every Thursday from 9:00am - 1:00pm
Every Thursday from 9:00am - 1:00pm
A President's Reflection
A President's Reflection
January 2025
January 2025
Hi Everyone,
Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Snake!
Happy New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Snake!
As we step into the New Year, the Placer Buddhist Church (PBC) embraces a time of renewal and gratitude. The Year of the Snake brings with it a sense of transformation, wisdom, and focus—qualities that resonate deeply with our mission to nurture compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, and peace. As we continue on this journey together, we’re excited to share new leadership and opportunities for growth with our beloved Sangha.
As we step into the New Year, the Placer Buddhist Church (PBC) embraces a time of renewal and gratitude. The Year of the Snake brings with it a sense of transformation, wisdom, and focus—qualities that resonate deeply with our mission to nurture compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, and peace. As we continue on this journey together, we’re excited to share new leadership and opportunities for growth with our beloved Sangha.
We are thrilled to introduce five new Board members who will guide our community for the next three-year term: Rich Kawahata, Terrie Masuda, Nob Nimura, Dan Tokutomi, and David Unruhe. Please extend your warmest welcome and gratitude to these dedicated individuals who have stepped up to serve and support the Sangha.
We are thrilled to introduce five new Board members who will guide our community for the next three-year term: Rich Kawahata, Terrie Masuda, Nob Nimura, Dan Tokutomi, and David Unruhe. Please extend your warmest welcome and gratitude to these dedicated individuals who have stepped up to serve and support the Sangha.
Your 2025 Executive Board will be led by:
Your 2025 Executive Board will be led by:
• - President: David Unruhe
• - President: David Unruhe
• - Vice President: Ed Nakamoto
• - Vice President: Ed Nakamoto
• - Treasurer: Kent Kawamoto
• - Treasurer: Kent Kawamoto
• - Secretary: To be announced soon
• - Secretary: To be announced soon
We also wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Board members who have served tirelessly for the past three years: Tom Aust, Darin Hirota, Vernon Nodohara, and Karen Takayama. Their dedication and contributions have helped shape the direction and success of our Sangha, and we are truly grateful.
We also wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Board members who have served tirelessly for the past three years: Tom Aust, Darin Hirota, Vernon Nodohara, and Karen Takayama. Their dedication and contributions have helped shape the direction and success of our Sangha, and we are truly grateful.
The full 2025 Board of Directors includes: Allan Yamashiro, Arlene Hata, Claudia Nakata, Dan Tokutomi, David Unruhe, Ed Nakamoto, Frank Perrott, Fred “Kiki” Yonemoto, Jeremy Stephens, Kent Kawamoto, Linda Dickerson, Nob Nimura, Rich Kawahata, Terrie Masuda, and Tony Tokuno. We are confident that their collective wisdom and dedication will help PBC continue to flourish and serve its mission.
The full 2025 Board of Directors includes: Allan Yamashiro, Arlene Hata, Claudia Nakata, Dan Tokutomi, David Unruhe, Ed Nakamoto, Frank Perrott, Fred “Kiki” Yonemoto, Jeremy Stephens, Kent Kawamoto, Linda Dickerson, Nob Nimura, Rich Kawahata, Terrie Masuda, and Tony Tokuno. We are confident that their collective wisdom and dedication will help PBC continue to flourish and serve its mission.
We begin 2025 with energy and purpose, and we invite all Sangha members to join us for important upcoming events:
We begin 2025 with energy and purpose, and we invite all Sangha members to join us for important upcoming events:
• New Year’s Service: Installation of New Board Members and New Year’s Party. Join us on January 12, for our New Year’s Service, the installation ceremony of our new Board members, and our General Meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, reflect on the year ahead, and celebrate our shared journey.
• New Year’s Service: Installation of New Board Members and New Year’s Party. Join us on January 12, for our New Year’s Service, the installation ceremony of our new Board members, and our General Meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, reflect on the year ahead, and celebrate our shared journey.
• Annual Pet Memorial Service: On January 26, we honor our cherished pets who have passed on. This meaningful service recognizes that our pets are family, and their love and companionship are remembered with gratitude and compassion.
• Annual Pet Memorial Service: On January 26, we honor our cherished pets who have passed on. This meaningful service recognizes that our pets are family, and their love and companionship are remembered with gratitude and compassion.
We are deeply fortunate to have the guidance of Revs. Matt Hamasaki and Yuki Sugahara, who will continue to conduct our services. We are truly grateful for their ongoing support and sharing the Buddhist teachings.
We are deeply fortunate to have the guidance of Revs. Matt Hamasaki and Yuki Sugahara, who will continue to conduct our services. We are truly grateful for their ongoing support and sharing the Buddhist teachings.
Thank you for being part of our Sangha. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and spiritual growth.
Thank you for being part of our Sangha. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and spiritual growth.
In Gassho,
In Gassho,
Rene' Yamashiro, Past President
Rene' Yamashiro, Past President
2024 Keiro Kai Members
2024 Keiro Kai Members
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.
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
2025 PBC Officers
2025 PBC Officers
President
President
David Unruhe
David Unruhe
Vice President
Vice President
Ed Nakamoto
Ed Nakamoto
Treasurer
Treasurer
Kent Kawamoto
Kent Kawamoto
Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary
To be announced soon
To be announced soon
Auditor
Auditor
Karen Takayama
Karen Takayama
