Koyasan Buddhist Temple
Encyclopedia
, also known as Koyasan Buddhist Temple, is a temple located in Los Angeles
, California
in Little Tokyo
. Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest existing Buddhist temples in the North American region, and possibly the first Vajrayana Buddhist temple established in America before the emergence of Tibetan Buddhism
in the West. The temple belongs to the Koyasan Shingon
Buddhism
sect, and is the North and South American regional headquarters for this sect.
, who was sent by the Koyasan headquarters to establish a global link in Shingon Buddhism in America. Initially facing personal hardship in establishing a temple in his inaugural arrival, he founded the temple in 1912 with the assistance of Nisei temple members and Japanese immigrants, and established a location in 1913 near Elysian Park.
The founder is the namesake for the Aoyama Tree, a notable landmark in Little Tokyo, which was planted by Koyasan Temple members in 1920 near Central Avenue, the temple's second location (now the site of the Japanese American National Museum
). It was given historical status by the Los Angeles City Council
in 2008.
The current building, located on East 1st Street was built in 1940; one year after its establishment, the new temple was closed while its members were relocated in the various internment camps. During the time period of World War II
, the temple was mostly used for storage space for internees. The temple was re-opened in 1946; from which that point on, the temple had to rebuild its congregational base after families and residents of Little Tokyo were scattered outside Los Angeles. The temple celebrates its centennial in November of 2012.
The temple has had eight head bishops since its inception in 1912, the most notable being Reverend Seytsu Takahashi, who pioneered in founding the temple building as it stands today; he later became the vice-abbot of Kongobu-ji
in Mount Koya
. The recent bishop was Reverend Seicho Asahi, who served from 2007 until he resigned in 2011. Former bishop Taisen Miyata has taken his place, and student monks have been assisting the temple services since.
Troop 379, formed in 1931, one of the oldest troops in existence in California.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo may refer to:* Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California* Little Tokyo, Vancouver* Little Tokyo, U.S.A., a 1942 American film* Another term for a Japantown* Shigeri Akabane , Japanese professional wrestler...
. Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest existing Buddhist temples in the North American region, and possibly the first Vajrayana Buddhist temple established in America before the emergence of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
in the West. The temple belongs to the Koyasan Shingon
Shingon Buddhism
is one of the mainstream major schools of Japanese Buddhism and one of the few surviving Esoteric Buddhist lineages that started in the 3rd to 4th century CE that originally spread from India to China through traveling monks such as Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra...
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
sect, and is the North and South American regional headquarters for this sect.
History
The temple was founded by the Reverend Shutai Aoyama, a native of Toyama PrefectureToyama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....
, who was sent by the Koyasan headquarters to establish a global link in Shingon Buddhism in America. Initially facing personal hardship in establishing a temple in his inaugural arrival, he founded the temple in 1912 with the assistance of Nisei temple members and Japanese immigrants, and established a location in 1913 near Elysian Park.
The founder is the namesake for the Aoyama Tree, a notable landmark in Little Tokyo, which was planted by Koyasan Temple members in 1920 near Central Avenue, the temple's second location (now the site of the Japanese American National Museum
Japanese American National Museum
The opened its doors in 1992. The idea for the museum was originally thought up by Bruce Kaji with help from other notable Japanese American people at the time. The museum is located in the Little Tokyo an area near downtown Los Angeles, California. It is devoted to preserving the history and...
). It was given historical status by the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
in 2008.
The current building, located on East 1st Street was built in 1940; one year after its establishment, the new temple was closed while its members were relocated in the various internment camps. During the time period of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the temple was mostly used for storage space for internees. The temple was re-opened in 1946; from which that point on, the temple had to rebuild its congregational base after families and residents of Little Tokyo were scattered outside Los Angeles. The temple celebrates its centennial in November of 2012.
The temple has had eight head bishops since its inception in 1912, the most notable being Reverend Seytsu Takahashi, who pioneered in founding the temple building as it stands today; he later became the vice-abbot of Kongobu-ji
Kongobu-ji
Kongōbuji is the ecclesiastic head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, located on , Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Its name means Temple of the Diamond Mountain...
in Mount Koya
Mount Koya
is the name of mountains in Wakayama Prefecture to the south of Osaka. Also, Kōya-san is a modifying word for Kongōbuji . There is no one mountain officially called Kōya-san in Japan....
. The recent bishop was Reverend Seicho Asahi, who served from 2007 until he resigned in 2011. Former bishop Taisen Miyata has taken his place, and student monks have been assisting the temple services since.
Boy Scout Troop 379
The temple is also home to Boy ScoutBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
Troop 379, formed in 1931, one of the oldest troops in existence in California.