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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
July 2025
July 2025
I have previously written about the importance of the secular holiday of Memorial Day to us as Shin Buddhists. PBC held Memorial Day services at the Auburn, Newcastle, and Rocklin cemeteries. Thank you to Reverends Bob and Patti Oshita for conducting the services, and to our Minister’s Assistants Ed Nakamoto and Rich Kawahata for their assistance. And thank you to all who cleaned up the Newcastle Cemetery the day prior. All three services were well attended, and almost 100 people were at Newcastle.
I have previously written about the importance of the secular holiday of Memorial Day to us as Shin Buddhists. PBC held Memorial Day services at the Auburn, Newcastle, and Rocklin cemeteries. Thank you to Reverends Bob and Patti Oshita for conducting the services, and to our Minister’s Assistants Ed Nakamoto and Rich Kawahata for their assistance. And thank you to all who cleaned up the Newcastle Cemetery the day prior. All three services were well attended, and almost 100 people were at Newcastle.
I was struck by the fact that Veteran’s groups were holding services at the three cemeteries, but there were no other groups present. Certainly, there were no other religious organizations represented. PBC also maintains the gravesites for about 75 people, primarily Issei bachelors, whose names have been lost to history. This is our sacred duty to our ancestors.
I was struck by the fact that Veteran’s groups were holding services at the three cemeteries, but there were no other groups present. Certainly, there were no other religious organizations represented. PBC also maintains the gravesites for about 75 people, primarily Issei bachelors, whose names have been lost to history. This is our sacred duty to our ancestors.
As I write this, summer will officially be here next week, which means we will have about six weeks of Obon festivals and Bon Odori, from Reno all the way down south to the orchards of Cortez. Although Obon is a time when we remember loved ones who have passed, it is also known as the Festival of Joy, and the Lantern Festival. Every year I try to attend as many of these festivals as I can in Northern California. Every one is unique and has their own traditions. Although I am partial to PBC, I really look forward to the Enmanji Obon and bazaar in Sebastopol. If you’ve never been to Enmanji, you should treat yourselves.
As I write this, summer will officially be here next week, which means we will have about six weeks of Obon festivals and Bon Odori, from Reno all the way down south to the orchards of Cortez. Although Obon is a time when we remember loved ones who have passed, it is also known as the Festival of Joy, and the Lantern Festival. Every year I try to attend as many of these festivals as I can in Northern California. Every one is unique and has their own traditions. Although I am partial to PBC, I really look forward to the Enmanji Obon and bazaar in Sebastopol. If you’ve never been to Enmanji, you should treat yourselves.
In Gassho,
In Gassho,
David Unruhe, President
David Unruhe, 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
Secretary
Secretary
Allan Yamashiro
Allan Yamashiro
Auditor
Auditor
Dan Tokutomi
Dan Tokutomi
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