Reedley Buddhist Church









ONLINE SERVICES:
There are services online provided by the Fresno Bestsuin. Please follow their YouTube Channel link:
https://www.youtube.com/@centralcalifornianishihong1929/videos
Websites for Dharma Talks has been moved to the our LINKS TO WEBSITES page.

​WELCOME!
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 resident minister in March, 2012, until December, 2013. From January, 2014 through July 2015, the church was under the supervision of the Fresno Betsuin. In August, 2015, Reedley had three ministers under a shared system of the seven temples of the Central California District Council of the Buddhist Churches of America: Rev. Kakei Nakagawa, Rev. Alan Sakamoto, and Rev. Matthew Hamasaki. The shared system is coordinated by the Central California Ministers' Association, the CCDC Ministerial Advisory Committee, and the staff of the Fresno Betsuin. In December, 2016, Rev. Alan Sakamoto retired from the BCA. Rev. Matthew Hamasaki left in January, 2018, to become the minister in Sacramento, Rev. Kaz Nakata was assigned to the Central California in August, 2019, and Rev. Mieko Majima was assigned to the Central California in February, 2024. At the present time, Rev. Majima is the resident minister of the Reedley Buddhist Church.
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. In October, 2017 the church grounds between the hall the Japanese School building were cemented, and in January, 2018, a solar panel system went into service to minimize the utility costs. During the Covid pandemic, safety measures were taken and an AED was installed in the conference room, touchless features were added to the restrooms, and PPE were added so the members could safely return to church.
The membership is approximately 100 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.
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The Reedley Buddhist Church welcomes you to join us at any service and encourages new members to join our organization.
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Upcoming Services & Activities
Eshinni/Kakushinni, BWA Members Memorial Service &
Family Dharma Service
Sunday, October 5, 2025
10:00 AM
Lunch will be served following the service.
October Shotsuki Memorial Service & Family Dharma Service
Sunday, October 19, 2025
10:00 AM
Lunch will be served by the Dharma School.
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The 71st Annual Reedley Buddhist Church Food Bazaar
Sunday, Nov. 2
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Presales are now open! Download the order form by
clicking the flyer or click here.
ALL MEMBERS: The Reedley BWA is requesting all members to consider donating baked goods for the Pastries booth at the bazaar. Please label your items and bring to church on Saturday or Sunday morning.
The Reedley Dharma School is asking for items to be sold at the Country Store. Homemade snacks, canned goods, jellies, jams, pickled items, arts & crafts items, etc. would be gladly accepted. Please bring your items to the church on Saturday or Sunday morning. The proceeds help send the Dharma School students to Camp Dharma at Camp Keola in the summer.


Please save the date for the Reedley Buddhist Church
90th Anniversary
Registration and information will be sent out in the January newsletter. We hope friends and families will be able to come and help celebrate this wonderful event.
October Calendar
5 Eshinni-Ko, Kakushinni-Ko, & BWA
Members Memorial Service & Family Dharma Service 10:00 am
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5 90th Anniversary Photoshoot in Hall All day
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11 FBWA Representatives’ Meeting on Zoom All day
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19 October Shotsuki Memorial & Family
Dharma Service 10:00 am
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25 Church Yard Clean Up 8:00 am
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26 90th Anniversary Meeting 6:00 pm
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26 RBC Board Meeting 7:00 pm

The 2025 Reedley Buddhist Church Cabinet and BWA Cabinet
Rev. Majima's Message
October, 2025 Newsletter Article
Rev. Majima's Messsage for Students
October Message
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The Rabbit in the Moon
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When you look up at the night sky in October, the moon shines so bright and round. Have you ever looked carefully and thought, “What do I see in the moon?” Some people say they can see the shape of a rabbit.
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A long time ago in India, people told a story about the rabbit in the moon. Later, the story traveled through China to Japan, and many children still hear it today.
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One day, an old traveler came into the forest. He was very tired and hungry. Three animals lived in that forest—a monkey, a fox, and a rabbit. When they saw the traveler, they felt sorry for him and wanted to help.
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The monkey ran to the trees and brought some sweet fruit. The fox searched and found some food to give him. But the rabbit could not find anything to share. He thought and thought, but there was no food anywhere.
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Finally, the rabbit said, “I am sorry. I have nothing else to give. Please eat me.” The traveler was actually a god in disguise. He was so touched by the kindness of the animals—especially the rabbit—that he placed the rabbit’s image in the moon. From that time on, people everywhere could look up and remember the rabbit’s compassion.
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So, the next time you see the bright autumn moon, try to find the rabbit. When you do, remember the monkey, the fox, and especially the rabbit. They remind us that kindness and compassion shine in many ways—just like the moon, and just like the boundless heart of Amida Buddha.
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Namo Amida Butsu
Chrysanthemums and Impermanence
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This October, Hongwanji in Kyoto will hold the annual Hongwanji Chrysanthemum Exhibition from Monday, October 14 through Saturday, November 23. Within the temple grounds, you will see magnificent chrysanthemums carefully cultivated by enthusiasts from all over Japan. The peak season is late October. If you have the chance to visit Kyoto around that time, I encourage you to see these flowers. Their beauty is truly moving.
Chrysanthemums originated in ancient China, where they were cherished as the “flower of long life.” When they were introduced to Japan, they came to symbolize purity and nobility, and eventually were adopted as the crest of the Imperial Household. This is the Chrysanthemum Crest. Even today, it is printed on Japanese passports, making the chrysanthemum a flower that represents the nation itself.
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The crest of Hongwanji, however, is the wisteria crest (sagefuji). Yet in autumn, the temple is adorned with chrysanthemums, which are later offered at the National Memorial Service for All Members. They appear in white, yellow, and many other colors, and each flower carries feelings of gratitude to the Buddha, expressed through remembrance of those who have gone before us.
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Chrysanthemums have also spread to many parts of the world. In India, they are mainly grown in the northern regions as a winter flower, while marigolds—flowers that resemble chrysanthemums and thrive in heat and dry climates—are more often used for offerings. Bright garlands of marigolds are seen in temples, home altars, and also at funerals and memorials. In Europe, especially in Catholic countries, chrysanthemums are regarded as “flowers of remembrance” and are placed on graves during the days of prayer for the dead in November. In Latin cultures as well, during the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), families and friends honor their loved ones with colorful flowers, including chrysanthemums. Just as chrysanthemums are offered in Japan and marigolds in India, both flowers are cherished as expressions of reverence for the sacred.
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Buddhism teaches us the truth of impermanence. Even the chrysanthemum, blooming in full splendor, is no exception. Yet the teaching of impermanence is not meant to leave us in sorrow. Rather, it shows us that because a flower’s life is limited, its fragrance and beauty stand out all the more, and we feel its preciousness deeply.
In the same way, the lives of those who have passed away shine in our hearts precisely because they lived their limited lives fully. As we remember them, we also become aware that we ourselves are being sustained here and now, and we renew our gratitude.
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Amida Buddha embraces each fleeting life just as itis and leads us to the Land of Bliss. As we gaze upon the chrysanthemums of autumn, may we reflect on impermanence and receive once again the boundless compassion of Amida Buddha.
Namo Amida Butsu.

SEE THE 2025 CAMP KEOLA VIDEO
(Created by Chris Mukai)


Future Activities and Dates
See you on July 10-12, 2026!

​November 2, 2025 Reedley Food Bazaar - 3:00 - 6:00 PM
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March 14, 2026 Reedley Crab Feed & Silent Auction
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April 25, 2026 Reedley Buddhist Church 90th Anniversary
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July 10 - 12, 2026 Camp Dharma at Camp Keola
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Reedley Buddhist Church
Dharma Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to the 2025 Reedley Buddhist Church Dharma Scholarship recipient, Jackson Hashimoto. He is pictured here with RBC President, Joy Donaldson and Rev. Mieko Majima. Best wishes on your future endeavors Jackson!
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2035 15th Street - P.O. Box 24
Reedley, CA 93654 Phone: (559) 638-2146
Email Church President:
Joy Donaldson
ojoydonaldson@gmail.com
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Resident Minister:
​Rev. Mieko Majima
rev.mmajima@gmail.com
mmajima@honpahi.org
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Email Webmaster: reedleybc@gmail.com