History of the Buddhist Churches of America

The Salt Lake Buddhist Temple is one of 63 temples within the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), with headquarters located in San Francisco, California. BCA is affiliated with Jodo Shinshu Honganji Ha, also known as Nishi Honganji. The main temple (honzan) is located in Kyoto, Japan. BCA was officially founded on September 1, 1899. BCA was originally known as the American Buddhist Organization. The address and phone number for BCA are 1710 Octavia Street, San Francisco, California 94109, phone number (415) 776-5600, fax (415) 771-6293, E-mail: bcahq@pacbell.net. 

Nishi Honganji is a Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Sect) Temple. Within Buddhism, as with Christianity, there are many sects. Jodo Shinshu is one of the largest sects of Buddhism in Japan, with more than 10,000 temples. In addition to the United States and Japan, there are Nishi Honganji Temples in Canada, Brazil, Korea, Singapore, England, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Taiwan and Africa. The address and phone number for the Honganji International Center are Higashi Nakasuji, Rokujo-sagaru, Gakurin-cho, Shimokyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan 600, phone number (075) 371-5547 fax (075) 371-4070.    

The founder of our sect is Shinran Shonin (1173-1263). Shinran was born May 21, 1173 and died on January 16, 1263. Shinran never intended to found a new sect of Buddhism, yet through his life and writings he profoundly influenced many individuals, who wanted to follow his teachings. Some of the innovative matters in which Shinran interpreted the Buddhist doctrine were1) He spoke of the possibility of enlightenment for the common man, nobility and priests.2) He broke away from the monastic tradition and was the first priest to marry.3) He emphasized the other power of Amida Buddha rather than self power in reaching spiritual peace.

Nishi Honganji has followed a patrilineal line as the head of our sect. The title given to this individual is Gomonshu or Abbot. The current Gomonshu is Kosho Otani. He is the 24^th descendant in a direct line from Shinran Shonin, the founder of our sect of Buddhism.