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ABOUT US: The Reedley Buddhist Church was established in 1936 with the Rev. Rijun Katsueda becoming the first resident minister. After World War II and the relocation of the Japanese residents, the church was rebuilt in 1952-53 and the Rev. Gibun Kimura became the third minister. In 1961, the Sunday School classrooms, conference room, office, and restrooms were started and completed in 1962. A boyhood statue of Shinran Shonin was donated by Mr. Seichi Hirose of Japan and placed in the U-shaped garden. The entire project was completed and dedicated on April 15, 1967. Rev. George Shibata, our retired resident minister, began his association with the Reedley Buddhist Church in 1975 and completed 37 years in December, 2011. Rev. Hidehito Sakamoto was appointed as the new minister in March, 2012. The church renovated the conference room and added a new kitchen facility in 2004. They added a new wrought iron fence surrounding the property in 2006, updated the hondo in 2007, and completed a storage building next to the small kitchen in 2008. The social hall bathrooms received an update in 2010 and in 2011 the grounds between the hall and the Japanese School building were graded and decomposed granite was added. The membership continues to hold steady with approximately 175 members. The Buddhist Women's Association, the Reedley Dharma School, and the Jr. Young Buddhist Association remain active and support all activities sponsored by the church.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This is our new website! We have only added pictures and documents from January, 2012 thru today. Unfortunately, it would have been too large of a task and very time consuming! It should navigate the same as the old website. If you come across a problem, please let us know.
THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone for your help with the 8th Annual Crab Feed and Silent Auction! It was a success once again! We could not have done it without the help of members, the attendance of friends and family, and the generous donations from individuals and businesses from the local area, as well as businesses throughout the state. We are looking forward to the 10th Annual Crab Feed & Silent Auction set for March 9, 2013!
2012 CAMP DHARMA AT CAMP KEOLA REGISTRATION
The 2012 Camp Dharma at Camp Keola cover letter and registration form is available to download and print. Just click the the links! We really want to keep this tradition alive, so please make every effort to come! There will be new activities for the adults that attend as well as the traditional fun for the kids! (Price break for early bird registration!)
The Reedley Buddhist Church Funeral Procedure Handbook is now available on this website. Click the Funeral Handbook button or click here.
Pictures from the Rev. Shibata Reitrement Golf Tournament.
New! Pictures taken by Mr. Glenn Nakamichi of Nakamichi Photography of Rev. Shibata's Retirement Party can be found on the following link. If you would like to order pictures from Nakamichi Photography, you can click the picture you want, select the size, and click "add to cart". You can pay through Pay Pal. The party was a huge and memorable event. Congratulations Rev. Shibata on a well earned retirement! 
Rev. & Mrs. George Shibata Members of Rev. Shibata's Family
Pictures from the annual Dharma School Grandparents' Tea Rev. & Mrs. Shibata with all the Dharma School students! Grandparents Tea & Service
Reedley Buddhist Church 75th Anniversary
 Photo by Glenn Nakamichi Photography
This page was last modified on Monday, May 07, 2012 11:33:51 PM | |
Reedley, CA
Updated Saturday, May 19, 2012 7:35 AM
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Reedley Buddhist Church 2035 15th Street P.O. Box 24 Reedley, CA 93654 (559) 638 - 2146
Rev. Hidehito Sakamoto reedleybc@verizon.netWebmaster webmaster@reedleybc.org
Click on map to view an interactive map. Driving Directions
 Click on map to view an interactive map.
This page was last modified on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 12:33:51 AM Welcome Message from Rev. Sakamoto Rev. Hidehito Sakamoto (as printed in the May, 2012 Newsletter) Hi! How is everyone? Are you fine? I am leading a happy life being supported by everyone's kind hearts. Thank you so much. I appreciate you!
Since this is spring, it is the season of a new start. Some people have hope in their hearts while others feel unrest. I guess this is our life, which has both hope and unrest. Me too! I began to feel unrest about the ministry after Rev. George Shibata and his wife, Yasuko left Reedley. I have relied on them so much for my mental well-being, because I am human. Now, I am by myself, without their help and advice.
I may have told you this before, but I would like to share it with you again. In this life, we humans will part with our beloved ones, sooner or later. That is the Dharma and the truth of this life. On Rev. Shibata and Mrs. Shibata's leaving, I really feel the impermanence of our life. I feel so sad now.
When Master Shinran was sent to the prison in Echigo province, and Master Honen to the one in Tosa province, Shinran was 34 years old and Honen was 74 years old. They realized that this was their last parting in this world. They cried and recited this classical Japanese poem like this:
"Knowing of the truth, meeting someone signifies the beginning of a parting, I did not think it yesterday or today." – Shinran
"Though we part and our ways are separated so far, the last goal is on the same pedestal of the Lotus Flower."
– Honen
Master Shinran grieved and accepted life’s impermanence seriously. On the other hand, Master Honen understood. We may part in this world, but the last place which we arrive, is on the same pedestal of the Lotus Flower. Let's meet together in the pure land! What an encouraging and hopeful thought Honen's poem is! Rev. and Mrs. Shibata left Reedley, but we are all walking on the same Nembutsu path. We will arrive at the same goal; the Pure Land. Everyone, let's live our lives with all our strength! Let's connect our lives! There in the Pure Land, we can meet again and lead a tranquil life with everyone forever!
Namo Amida Butsu,
Rev. Hidehito Sakamoto
The new 2012 TOBAN SCHEDULE has been posted. Please click here to open a PDF document to print.
See the "Dana List" button to the left. This is a wish list for the church with items that members and friends of the Reedley Buddhist Church are welcome to donate. Also, see a list of donors for items donated.
Check out the master calendar for 2012. Scheduled and tentatively scheduled activities, meetings, and services will be list for the entire year. (only January, 2012) See under Monthly Newsletter button or click here.
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