Buddhist Women's Association (BWA or Fujinkai)

History of the Salt Lake BWA by Yukie Okubo

In 1916 a few women who wished to be of service got together and called themselves "Mother's Group" or Fujinkai.

Injured mine workers were hospitalized at the old St. Marks Hospital on 2nd West. Women visited them with food etc. Very young women arriving from Japan as picture brides needed motherly love getting adjusted to married life in their new life in this strange land.

They supported the men who were Board Members of the temple. Women served them tea at their meetings. They prepared special delicious food for all special occasions for the congregation. They not only donated their time, but also all the ingredients. They took pride and voluntarily kept the temple clean.

In 1965 for the 50th anniversary of the Fujinkai, now known as Buddhist Women's Association (BWA), they collected funds amongst themselves, a sufficient amount to purchase the beautiful shrine. It was quite a sacrifice to have accumulated the sum within about 2 years. The new temple was dedicated in March 1962.

In 1976 BWA chartered a bus to attend the 76th anniversary National
BCA FBWA Conference in San Jose. There were several English and
Japanese speakers. Each spoke for 20 minutes. I remember one speaker who said, "Fujinkai should be more than just good cooks." These were our Issei predecessors.

In the 1950's the Sonenkai or YABA was organized for men and women who were too old to be in the YBA. These Nisei were a very hard working fun loving group. After the dedication of the new temple they held fund raising turkey and ham dinners to pay off the debt. These Nisei women were reluctant to join the Issei in BWA. Only a few had joined before 1971.

In 1971 Salt Lake needed to host the National FBWA convention. Prior to that date the Issei needed to have the Nisei women join so they could take care of that convention. That is when the Nisei women joined the BWA.

I think we are at a juncture; we desperately need to have the next generation of women join BWA, to ensure the perpetuation of this BWA, for which our predecessors sacrificed so much. They wanted to establish this temple and BWA, for future generations to have a place to come to listen to the Dharma. They knew in their hearts that Jodo Shin Shu enabled them to survive all odds. They lived a life filled with joy and gratitude in spite of years of the most difficult circumstances. Those of us who were children know and wonder in amazement.

We would like very much for all the younger women who are temple members, and those not yet members to join our temple and join BWA before our special annual ESHIN NI KO service in June. Feel free to come any Sunday at 10 AM to check us out.

We currently have monthly meetings for all members to discuss upcoming monthly activity. We are in charge of making sushi and O-hagi for O-Bon and Bazaar, Annual visitation of shut-ins. Brenda Koga got us involved in community Service with Chilli Affair and dDonation of warm clothing to The Road Home homeless shelter.

Yo Uno, our current President, conducts the meetings very effectively so that all reports are distributed by good helpers. The agenda is
covered within an hour, including a little time for any comments.