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
March 2021
March 2021
It is hard to believe that it has been a little over a year since the start of the disastrous Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, I often ponder when activities will normalize and what would reengaging the Sangha look like. In the short term, the Garden Group has continued to meet monthly to maintain and beautify our landscape. This work includes trimming and shaping our trees and shrubs; planting flowers and ground cover; fertilizing, weeding, and maintaining the pond and koi. We also see the Exercise Group resuming practice outdoors in February. In the longer term, the PBC Board began conversations about scheduling some of our social and fundraising activities. Planning has already started for our annual PBC Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 1st. Shortly, we will discuss plans for Obon and the Food Bazaar, understanding that there are still unknown factors at this time.
It is hard to believe that it has been a little over a year since the start of the disastrous Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, I often ponder when activities will normalize and what would reengaging the Sangha look like. In the short term, the Garden Group has continued to meet monthly to maintain and beautify our landscape. This work includes trimming and shaping our trees and shrubs; planting flowers and ground cover; fertilizing, weeding, and maintaining the pond and koi. We also see the Exercise Group resuming practice outdoors in February. In the longer term, the PBC Board began conversations about scheduling some of our social and fundraising activities. Planning has already started for our annual PBC Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 1st. Shortly, we will discuss plans for Obon and the Food Bazaar, understanding that there are still unknown factors at this time.
During the past year, PBC has learned to adapt to this new environment with the use of virtual communication methods. For example, most of us have heard or used a technology called Zoom to see and speak with one another. The Board has found this means a convenient way to conduct business virtually. This saves our members time in driving to the temple for meetings in sometimes inclement weather, for long driving distances, or in the dark. Going forward, I can see the value in practicing a combination of virtual and in person gatherings. For this reason, an Information Technology Taskforce was recently assembled to evaluate opportunities to improve the efficiency and convenience of our services. The taskforce is currently focused on improving credit card processing systems and enhancing safety through improved camera surveillance. I thank George Uyeki, David Oseto, Brian Nakamoto, Claudia Nakata, and Howard Itow for their assistance in the taskforce.
During the past year, PBC has learned to adapt to this new environment with the use of virtual communication methods. For example, most of us have heard or used a technology called Zoom to see and speak with one another. The Board has found this means a convenient way to conduct business virtually. This saves our members time in driving to the temple for meetings in sometimes inclement weather, for long driving distances, or in the dark. Going forward, I can see the value in practicing a combination of virtual and in person gatherings. For this reason, an Information Technology Taskforce was recently assembled to evaluate opportunities to improve the efficiency and convenience of our services. The taskforce is currently focused on improving credit card processing systems and enhancing safety through improved camera surveillance. I thank George Uyeki, David Oseto, Brian Nakamoto, Claudia Nakata, and Howard Itow for their assistance in the taskforce.
Currently, there are two active ministers serving the Northern District -- Reverends Matt Hamasaki and Candice Shibata. Rev. Matt serves Sacramento, Florin, and Placer and Rev. Candice serves Stockton, Lodi, and Walnut Grove. Rev. Tim Castle supports Marysville. I understand that there are over 10 candidates from the Institute of Buddhist Studies, both minister assistants and ministers, waiting for ordination in Japan, but travel restrictions have prevented their travel to Japan. We are hopeful a larger ministerial service staff will support our temples in the future. In the meantime, we will look at ways to deploy virtual technologies to bring ministers to our temple when their physical presence is not possible.
Currently, there are two active ministers serving the Northern District -- Reverends Matt Hamasaki and Candice Shibata. Rev. Matt serves Sacramento, Florin, and Placer and Rev. Candice serves Stockton, Lodi, and Walnut Grove. Rev. Tim Castle supports Marysville. I understand that there are over 10 candidates from the Institute of Buddhist Studies, both minister assistants and ministers, waiting for ordination in Japan, but travel restrictions have prevented their travel to Japan. We are hopeful a larger ministerial service staff will support our temples in the future. In the meantime, we will look at ways to deploy virtual technologies to bring ministers to our temple when their physical presence is not possible.
Lastly, I hope everyone continues to stay healthy! I encourage all of you to get vaccinated when it becomes available. If you have difficulty in finding an appointment or means for traveling to a vaccination site, please let me know so that we might help. Also, if you have any suggestions for future President’s Reflections, I would enjoy hearing from you.
Lastly, I hope everyone continues to stay healthy! I encourage all of you to get vaccinated when it becomes available. If you have difficulty in finding an appointment or means for traveling to a vaccination site, please let me know so that we might help. Also, if you have any suggestions for future President’s Reflections, I would 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