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 Annual Report
PBC Annual Report
The 2020 Placer Buddhist Church Annual report is available for review. Use this link to download and review the document.
The 2020 Placer Buddhist Church Annual report is available for review. Use this link to download and review the document.
A President's Reflection
A President's Reflection
August 2021
August 2021
On July 4th, I went to the Placer County Fairgrounds to participate in the Independence Day festivities with thousands of people to view the fireworks extravaganza. From joyful conversations, laughter, and mask-free gatherings, it appears that life seems to have returned to normal. At PBC and across the BCA, we have been conservative in our re-opening plans, but we will soon return to normal activities starting with our in-person Hatsubon services and Obon later in August. If you are unvaccinated, we encourage you to continue masking and socially distance to protect yourself. We look forward to seeing everyone soon as we resume normal activities.
On July 4th, I went to the Placer County Fairgrounds to participate in the Independence Day festivities with thousands of people to view the fireworks extravaganza. From joyful conversations, laughter, and mask-free gatherings, it appears that life seems to have returned to normal. At PBC and across the BCA, we have been conservative in our re-opening plans, but we will soon return to normal activities starting with our in-person Hatsubon services and Obon later in August. If you are unvaccinated, we encourage you to continue masking and socially distance to protect yourself. We look forward to seeing everyone soon as we resume normal activities.
Here are a few things we are planning for August.
Here are a few things we are planning for August.
Hatsubon
Hatsubon
We are pleased to have hosted the Hatsubon families for our first in-person service on Saturday, August 7th. This year, we are honoring 20 Sangha members of our PBC family from July 2019 to July 2021 since we were not able to hold services in 2020. A recorded service can be viewed from a link listed on our website.
We are pleased to have hosted the Hatsubon families for our first in-person service on Saturday, August 7th. This year, we are honoring 20 Sangha members of our PBC family from July 2019 to July 2021 since we were not able to hold services in 2020. A recorded service can be viewed from a link listed on our website.
Obon
Obon
This year, we are pleased to host our 2021 Obon dance festivities on August 28th at 7:00 PM. Please see our news bulletin for a schedule of practices and details.
This year, we are pleased to host our 2021 Obon dance festivities on August 28th at 7:00 PM. Please see our news bulletin for a schedule of practices and details.
Dharma Forward
Dharma Forward
This month, we feature the Buddhist Churches of America’s (BCA) Dharma Forward Campaign. Please take a moment to read the information regarding the campaign included in this month’s news bulletin. Our Sangha has been very generous donating to the PBC. Please consider a donation to the BCA.
This month, we feature the Buddhist Churches of America’s (BCA) Dharma Forward Campaign. Please take a moment to read the information regarding the campaign included in this month’s news bulletin. Our Sangha has been very generous donating to the PBC. Please consider a donation to the BCA.
3198 Boyington Rd.
3198 Boyington Rd.
Work continues on the 3198 Boyington property. With most of the major repairs completed, the next phase of the remodel includes repainting the interior and exterior surfaces, laying a new roof, and replacing the flooring. We are working as quickly as possible so that we can begin leasing property in the fall.
Work continues on the 3198 Boyington property. With most of the major repairs completed, the next phase of the remodel includes repainting the interior and exterior surfaces, laying a new roof, and replacing the flooring. We are working as quickly as possible so that we can begin leasing property in the fall.
Hearing Loop
Hearing Loop
We have heard from many who wear hearing devices that spoken words in our Hondo is difficult to understand. The sound echoing from the walls reaches our ears at different times making it difficult for the hearing devices to amplify the sound clearly. Recently, we consulted with a hearing consultant that specializes in installing hearing loops in buildings. We learned that 90% of hearing device wearers have a device called a T coil installed in the device. With the hearing loop, sound can be transmitted directly from our public address system into the hearing device. This makes the spoken words clearer. The PBC Board will discuss the opportunity and cost of installing this system.
We have heard from many who wear hearing devices that spoken words in our Hondo is difficult to understand. The sound echoing from the walls reaches our ears at different times making it difficult for the hearing devices to amplify the sound clearly. Recently, we consulted with a hearing consultant that specializes in installing hearing loops in buildings. We learned that 90% of hearing device wearers have a device called a T coil installed in the device. With the hearing loop, sound can be transmitted directly from our public address system into the hearing device. This makes the spoken words clearer. The PBC Board will discuss the opportunity and cost of installing this system.
Food Service
Food Service
I would like to thank the Kitchen Transition taskforce for evaluating when and how to begin food services in the kitchen. The taskforce, led by Ed Nakamoto, includes Tomoko Matsuda, Jean Fujitani, Yvonne Yoshikawa, Susan Rumberg, Helene Nakamura, David Unruhe, Arlene Hata, and Allan Yamashiro. Please see the news bulletin on the start of Tomodachi Bento.
I would like to thank the Kitchen Transition taskforce for evaluating when and how to begin food services in the kitchen. The taskforce, led by Ed Nakamoto, includes Tomoko Matsuda, Jean Fujitani, Yvonne Yoshikawa, Susan Rumberg, Helene Nakamura, David Unruhe, Arlene Hata, and Allan Yamashiro. Please see the news bulletin on the start of Tomodachi Bento.
Dance Exercise Class/Taiko
Dance Exercise Class/Taiko
We are excited that Japanese dance exercise group continues to meet two Fridays each month led by Helene Nakamura. These classes have had a strong local following and has attracted participants from Marysville and Sacramento. We are pleased to have the Taiko group resume practices. Tara Gee says that the group is small for now but is expected to grow over time. Kristi Sensei will be back to coach the team.
We are excited that Japanese dance exercise group continues to meet two Fridays each month led by Helene Nakamura. These classes have had a strong local following and has attracted participants from Marysville and Sacramento. We are pleased to have the Taiko group resume practices. Tara Gee says that the group is small for now but is expected to grow over time. Kristi Sensei will be back to coach the team.
We are excited about the start of re-opening of our temple for our Sangha and the community. During the pandemic, PBC has strived to ensure we continue to improve our facilities, ensure that we are financially stable, leverage our technologies to enhance Dharma service, and evaluate when we can reasonably open. If you have ideas or suggestions, I will enjoy hearing from you.
We are excited about the start of re-opening of our temple for our Sangha and the community. During the pandemic, PBC has strived to ensure we continue to improve our facilities, ensure that we are financially stable, leverage our technologies to enhance Dharma service, and evaluate when we can reasonably open. If you have ideas or suggestions, I will enjoy hearing from you.
In Gassho,
In Gassho,
Allan Yamashiro, PBC President
Allan Yamashiro, PBC President
Our Contact Information
Our Contact Information
Placer Buddhist Church
Placer Buddhist Church
3192 Boyington Road
3192 Boyington Road
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 Minister
Supervising Minister
Rev. Matt Hamasaki
Rev. Matt Hamasaki
Minister's Assistants
Minister's Assistants
Rich Kawahata
Rich Kawahata
Michi Mitani
Michi Mitani
Ed Nakamoto
Ed Nakamoto
2021 PBC Officers
2021 PBC Officers
President
President
Allan Yamashiro
Allan Yamashiro
1st Vice President
1st Vice President
David Unruhe
David Unruhe
2nd Vice President
2nd Vice President
Jerry Henry
Jerry Henry
Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary
Claudia Nakata
Claudia Nakata
Treasurer
Treasurer
Howard Itow
Howard Itow
Auditor
Auditor
Ed Nakamoto
Ed Nakamoto