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
September 2026
September 2026
Can you believe it? September is upon us! And you know what that means—Bazaar!
Can you believe it? September is upon us! And you know what that means—Bazaar!
It’s time for all hands on deck as we prepare for an event our community looks forward to every year. But before we get to the Bazaar, let’s take a moment to reflect on a very meaningful August.
It’s time for all hands on deck as we prepare for an event our community looks forward to every year. But before we get to the Bazaar, let’s take a moment to reflect on a very meaningful August.
August began with our Shotsuki/Obon/Hatsubon services and Obon Odori. These services give us an opportunity to honor and remember the loved ones who have passed before us. Despite the heat, we had a wonderful turnout of dancers and spectators. It was beautiful to see everyone dressed in colorful yukatas and kimonos as we gathered together in gratitude and remembrance.
August began with our Shotsuki/Obon/Hatsubon services and Obon Odori. These services give us an opportunity to honor and remember the loved ones who have passed before us. Despite the heat, we had a wonderful turnout of dancers and spectators. It was beautiful to see everyone dressed in colorful yukatas and kimonos as we gathered together in gratitude and remembrance.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Obon activities so special. Thank you to those who helped clean the Newcastle Cemetery and place flowers at the unnamed gravesites, Rev. Matt and Minister’s Assistants Rich Kawahata and Ed Nakamoto for officiating the services at the cemetery, everyone who attended the services at the cemeteries and at the temple, and all of the volunteers who helped with the somen lunch and goodies. Thank you to those who dressed the dancers, decorated the grounds and yagura, served hot dogs and shave ice, and stayed afterward to help with the clean-up.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Obon activities so special. Thank you to those who helped clean the Newcastle Cemetery and place flowers at the unnamed gravesites, Rev. Matt and Minister’s Assistants Rich Kawahata and Ed Nakamoto for officiating the services at the cemetery, everyone who attended the services at the cemeteries and at the temple, and all of the volunteers who helped with the somen lunch and goodies. Thank you to those who dressed the dancers, decorated the grounds and yagura, served hot dogs and shave ice, and stayed afterward to help with the clean-up.
There are so many jobs, both big and small, that go into making these events successful. Everything you do is very much appreciated!
There are so many jobs, both big and small, that go into making these events successful. Everything you do is very much appreciated!
Now, as we head into September, the Bazaar Committee is working hard and is on track for another smooth-running event. Of course, the highlight will be the delicious foods that our community looks forward to tasting every year!
Now, as we head into September, the Bazaar Committee is working hard and is on track for another smooth-running event. Of course, the highlight will be the delicious foods that our community looks forward to tasting every year!
An event of this size takes an enormous number of volunteers. If you haven’t signed up yet and would like to help, please contact anyone on the Bazaar Committee. They’ll be happy to find a shift that works for you.
An event of this size takes an enormous number of volunteers. If you haven’t signed up yet and would like to help, please contact anyone on the Bazaar Committee. They’ll be happy to find a shift that works for you.
And remember, this is our second-to-last Bazaar! Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this historical event and help continue a tradition that has brought our church and community together for so many years. Let’s make this year’s Bazaar another one to remember!
And remember, this is our second-to-last Bazaar! Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this historical event and help continue a tradition that has brought our church and community together for so many years. Let’s make this year’s Bazaar another one to remember!
Looking ahead to October, our friends and neighbors of the Northern California District Council of the Buddhist Churches of America will be hosting a Family Conference on October 10 at the Buddhist Church of Stockton. We would love to show our PBC support by taking a large group of our members to this special event.
Looking ahead to October, our friends and neighbors of the Northern California District Council of the Buddhist Churches of America will be hosting a Family Conference on October 10 at the Buddhist Church of Stockton. We would love to show our PBC support by taking a large group of our members to this special event.
Registration forms are included in this month’s bulletin. If we have enough interest, we will look into renting a van or arranging carpools from PBC so that transportation will be available.
Registration forms are included in this month’s bulletin. If we have enough interest, we will look into renting a van or arranging carpools from PBC so that transportation will be available.
The theme of the conference is “FUN—Friendship, Understanding and Nembutsu.” What a
The theme of the conference is “FUN—Friendship, Understanding and Nembutsu.” What a
wonderful opportunity to connect with old friends, develop new friendships, and spend time with
wonderful opportunity to connect with old friends, develop new friendships, and spend time with
members of Buddhist Churches throughout Northern California.
members of Buddhist Churches throughout Northern California.
I hope you’ll consider joining us at the Family Conference. Bring your friends and family and let’s show our PBC spirit!
I hope you’ll consider joining us at the Family Conference. Bring your friends and family and let’s show our PBC spirit!
But first, let’s get through September and the Bazaar. There’s plenty to do, so let’s roll up our sleeves, lend a hand, and make this second-to-last Bazaar a great one!
But first, let’s get through September and the Bazaar. There’s plenty to do, so let’s roll up our sleeves, lend a hand, and make this second-to-last Bazaar a great one!
Thank you for everything you do for Placer Buddhist Church. I look forward to seeing everyone
Thank you for everything you do for Placer Buddhist Church. I look forward to seeing everyone
throughout the month!
throughout the month!
In Gassho,
In Gassho,
Rene' Yamashiro, President
Rene' Yamashiro, 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