Greetings from the Temple President

Welcome to the Buddhist Temple of Salinas' website.  I hope this website is helpful to temple members and anyone interested in our temple and its activities.  We also have information for those people who are curious about the type of Buddhism that we practice. In 2024, we celebrated our 100th year in Salinas, and our history is available on the website.

We practice a form of Buddhism called Pure Land Buddhism, more specifically Shin Buddhism, which originated in Japan in the 1200s. Our practice is firmly rooted in the original teachings of Gautama Buddha, which were transmitted to Japan through China. We are part of a network of temples in the US, known as the Buddhist Churches of America, which comprises over 60 temples. There is also a separate network of temples in Hawaii, Canada, and South America.  Our head temple is located in Kyoto, Japan, called Nishi Hongwanji. Our sect is the largest in Japan and has the most extensive global reach of any Buddhist sect in the world.

We have links to sites that provide detailed information on our practice, its rich history, and the benefits it offers.  There are also links to our recorded services on our own YouTube channel.  Please also check out our Facebook page for the latest sermons, upcoming activities, and topics of interest related to Buddhism. Additional links to sermons at other temples and resources on Shin Buddhism are available on our national headquarters website.

We are now open for services on most Sundays, starting from 10 AM. Please check our calendar for details of our schedule. Wearing a mask during our service is optional. Once a month, after our memorial “Shotsuki” service days, we serve tea and sweets, providing an excellent opportunity to get to know us better and meet new people. The services are open to the public.

Updated October 3, 2025

Tom Yamashita

President, Buddhist Temple of Salinas

Banner Photo by Patricia Arrance on Unsplash