Embedded Files
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 2026
January 2026
Dear PBC Members,
Dear PBC Members,
The Placer Buddhist Church has been in the tiny, rural, pastoral town of Penryn for 124 years. When I arrived at church this morning (Sunday, December 14th) for Mochitsuki, there were deer grazing by the creek along the church’s northern border. This was a nice reminder to me about what the Placer Citizens for Neighborhood Rights (PCNR) is fighting for and why Placer Buddhist Church has joined this community organization.
The Placer Buddhist Church has been in the tiny, rural, pastoral town of Penryn for 124 years. When I arrived at church this morning (Sunday, December 14th) for Mochitsuki, there were deer grazing by the creek along the church’s northern border. This was a nice reminder to me about what the Placer Citizens for Neighborhood Rights (PCNR) is fighting for and why Placer Buddhist Church has joined this community organization.
I want to thank all of you for everything you do for the church. PBC is a finely oiled machine and runs very smoothly. It makes my job as President so much easier. There are so many skill sets among you, and everybody steps in and contributes in their own special way. Today’s Mochitsuki is a perfect example of that. Many families and community organizations have stopped making mochi, but we will continue to do it as long as I have something to say about it.
I want to thank all of you for everything you do for the church. PBC is a finely oiled machine and runs very smoothly. It makes my job as President so much easier. There are so many skill sets among you, and everybody steps in and contributes in their own special way. Today’s Mochitsuki is a perfect example of that. Many families and community organizations have stopped making mochi, but we will continue to do it as long as I have something to say about it.
We have a full schedule of events planned for next year, starting with the New Year’s Party on Sunday January 11th. We will continue to have two services a month, with the first service of the month being the Shotsuki service. If we deviate from that schedule, we will let you know. Those of you who have given us your email address will continue to get random updates electronically.
We have a full schedule of events planned for next year, starting with the New Year’s Party on Sunday January 11th. We will continue to have two services a month, with the first service of the month being the Shotsuki service. If we deviate from that schedule, we will let you know. Those of you who have given us your email address will continue to get random updates electronically.
By the time you read this article, the County Board of Supervisors will have met and given the Hope Way Project a thumb’s up or thumb’s down. We will, of course, let you know how the vote goes. In addition to everything you do for our church, many of you have stepped up with time or money to support the fight and we thank you for that too.
By the time you read this article, the County Board of Supervisors will have met and given the Hope Way Project a thumb’s up or thumb’s down. We will, of course, let you know how the vote goes. In addition to everything you do for our church, many of you have stepped up with time or money to support the fight and we thank you for that too.
In Gassho,
In Gassho,
David Unruhe, President
David Unruhe, President
2026 PBC Board Members
2026 PBC Board 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
Secretary
Secretary
Allan Yamashiro
Allan Yamashiro
Auditor
Auditor
Dan Tokutomi
Dan Tokutomi
Page updated
Report abuse