Our mission is to live a life of joy
in the Nembutsu & share the Dharma with others.

 

Our Temple was started in Berkeley one hundred years ago by Issei (first generation) pioneers from Japan. Though today we are still enjoying the ethnic traditions the founders brought with them, we are experiencing the exciting beginnings of broadening our base to include a multi-culturalism that can enhance and deepen our understanding of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

 
 
 

Buddhists Living in Equality
and Non-Discrimination (BLEND)

by Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto

BLEND is how we describe our acceptance and appreciation of our blended lives. It signifies that we can embrace the purity of those lives, and reflects the aspiration and commitment on the part of our temple and ourselves as Buddhists to understand and celebrate the richness, diversity and challenges of our blended lives.

May we all endeavor to think, speak and act in ways that will promote the inclusion of all people in our sangha and throughout our lives.

 
 

Announcements

Visit our Calendar page for more information on each event.

 
 
erol-ahmed-aIYFR0vbADk-unsplash.jpg

Free Chol soo lee film screening

October 12th, 2025, Sunday, 1:00pm, at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. Berkeley CA 9404

Join us for a free documentary screening of "Free Chol Soo Lee" followed by a discussion with Ranko Yamada, who was a catalyst in the movement for Lee's freedom, at the Jodo Shinshu Center on Sunday, October 12th at 1pm. No RSVP required.

More details →

Meditation & discussion

October 15th, 2025, Wednesday, 7:00pm

Join us for an evening of online silent meditation led by our minister, Rev. Kuwahara. Everyone is welcome and no prior experience needed. We will have a short discussion after. All are welcome!

RSVP here →

BBT Dharmanar

October 23rd, 2025, Thursday, 6:30pm

Join us for BBT's monthly online study session. The October session's topic is “Who or What Attains Birth in the Pure Land and Returns?”.  Rev. Kuwahara and Rev. CJ Dunfordwill be presenting.

RSVP here →

 
BBT_Website_Thumb_4.jpg

ABOUT US

Find out about our temple, history and our Minister.

Learn More →

 
BBT_Website_Thumb_6.jpg

 OUR NEWSLETTER (Padma)

You can read our current temple newsletter, The Padma, here.

Read Now →

 
BBT_Website_Thumb_2.jpg

Donate

Learn how to support our temple.

Find Out How →

priscilla-du-preez-PUxvKJ6BqQY-unsplash.jpg

Our Calendar

Learn more about the upcoming events at our temple.
Everyone is welcome to attend.

View Our Calendar →

 
BBT_Website_Thumb_1B.jpg

Dharma messages

A collection of live and archived Dharma Messages
can be found here.

View Now →

 
BBT_Website_Thumb_5.jpg

BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA Bookstore (BCA)

The BCA Bookstore serves the BCA churches/temples and fellowships throughout the nation, educational institutions (particularly the Institute of Buddhist Studies, or IBS), the Center for Buddhist Education, and those interested in Buddhism worldwide.

Visit BCA →

 

Learn more