Koyasan Buddhist Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koyasan Buddhist Temple |
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Koyasan Temple in 2016
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shingon Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | 342 East 1st Street Los Angeles, California 90012 |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Rev. Shutai Aoyama |
| Completed | 1912 |
| Website | |
| Official Website: http://www.koyasanbetsuin.org/ Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/lakoyasanbetsuin |
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Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin (高野山米国別院, Kōyasan Beikoku Betsuin, "Koyasan United States Branch Temple"), also known as Koyasan Buddhist Temple, is a special Japanese Buddhist temple. It is located in the Little Tokyo area of Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States. The temple was started in 1912. It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in North America. This temple is a branch of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. It serves as the main center for this type of Buddhism in North America.
Contents
History of the Temple
In 1909, a priest named Reverend Shutai Aoyama came to the United States. He wanted to learn about religion in North America. He also wanted to share Shingon Buddhism. In 1912, he opened the first Shingon temple in the U.S. It was in a storefront in Little Tokyo. The temple was first called Koyasan Daishi Kyōkai of Los Angeles. Shingon Buddhism focuses on teachings from Kobo Daishi (Kukai).
In 1935, the temple became Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin. This meant it was the main North American center for Koyasan Buddhism. The temple moved to its current spot on East 1st Street in 1940. However, the bombing of Pearl Harbor changed things for Japanese Americans. Many Japanese Americans, including temple members, were sent to special camps during World War II. The temple in Los Angeles had to close. Its hall and basement were filled with members' belongings.
Over the years, the temple started offering cultural and religious programs. Before Little Tokyo was redeveloped in the 1980s, Koyasan was a main place for Japanese cultural events. In 1987, the temple held a special ceremony called Kechien Kanjo. This service is rarely done outside Japan. Two years later, the temple became the keeper of the Hiroshima Peace Flame. This flame was brought from Japan by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.
Starting in 1999, the temple had a ten-year renovation. This was to update the old building to city standards. The building was also made ready for the monthly Goma fire ritual. In 2012, the temple celebrated its 100th anniversary. A special fire ritual was led by Bishop Ekan Ikeguchi. The temple celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2022.
The Temple Building
The first temple was a storefront in 1912. It was near Elysian Park. In 1920, the temple moved to a bigger building on Central Avenue. A tree was planted there by temple members. This tree is called the Aoyama Tree. It is a very large Moreton Bay Fig tree. It is a famous landmark in Little Tokyo. The Los Angeles City Council gave it historical status in 2008.
The current temple building has a main hall and an annex. The main hall is large, about 60 by 120 feet. It can seat 600 people. It has a grand altar where traditional rituals are performed. The main Buddha in the main hall is Dainichi Nyorai. There are also other important deities there. These include Fudo Myoo, Yakushi Nyorai, Jizo, Kannon, and Kobo Daishi.
The second floor of the annex is a shrine to Kobo Daishi. It is used for religious gatherings and study classes for smaller groups. It can hold 100 people. This area is known as the “Daishi-Do,” or the "Hall of Daishi."
The temple basement is under the main altar. It is used as a meeting room for scouting activities. The temple also has an office, meeting rooms, a reception area, a kitchen, and classrooms. These are used for the temple's daily operations.
Temple Leaders (Bishops)
The temple has had many head bishops since 1912. Reverend Seytsu Takahashi and Reverend Ryosho Sogabe helped create the Koyasan Buddhist Temple we see today. Reverend Seytsu Takahashi worked hard to build a new temple. Reverend Taido Kitagawa helped start the temple's Boy Scout Troop 379. This is one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the United States. Reverend Taisen Miyata was the seventh bishop. He also translated Buddhist texts.
Here is a list of the head bishops:
- Rev. Shutai Aoyama (1909-1921)
- Rev. Hokai Takada (1921-1924)
- Rev. Taido Kitagawa (1924-1933)
- Rev. Seytsu Takahashi (1931-1982)
- Rev. Ryosho Sogabe (1982-1991)
- Rev. Chiko Inouye (1991-1993)
- Rev. Taisen Miyata (1993-2007)
- Rev. Seicho Asahi (2007-2011)
- Rev. Taisen Miyata (acting: 2011–2013)
- Rev. Junkun Imamura (2015–2019)
- Rev. Yuju Matsumoto (2020–present)
Boy Scout Troop 379
The temple is also home to Boy Scout Troop 379. This troop was formed in 1931. It is one of the oldest troops in California. Famous actor and activist George Takei was once a member of this troop.
The troop has had other names, like AL Post 525 and Green Giant. The Commodore Perry Scouts were a marching group. They were supported by the Commodore Perry American Legion Post 525 and the Koyasan Buddhist Temple.
By 1935, the Boy Scout Troop 379 had 164 Eagle Scouts. The marching group won state American Legion Championships in 1955, 1956, 1962, and 1963. Their colors were green, black, and white.
The troop was also in the 1953 movie, Mister Scoutmaster. In the film, the troop helped search for a missing boy. The members of Koyasan Troop 379 played the troop in the movie.
Later, in 1971, the Drum & Bugle Corps changed its name to Third Generation. This was because the members were no longer from the first or second generations of Japanese Americans.
See also
