Reedley Buddhist Church
​WELCOME!
The Reedley Buddhist Church was established in 1936 with the Rev. Rijun Katsueda becoming the first resident minister. After World War II and the relocation of the Japanese residents, the church was rebuilt in 1952-53 and the Rev. Gibun Kimura became the third minister. In 1961, the Sunday School classrooms, conference room, office, and restrooms were started and completed in 1962. A boyhood statue of Shinran Shonin was donated by Mr. Seichi Hirose of Japan and placed in the U-shaped garden. The entire project was completed and dedicated on April 15, 1967.
Rev. George Shibata, our retired resident minister, began his association with the Reedley Buddhist Church in 1975 and completed 37 years in December, 2011. Rev. Hidehito Sakamoto was appointed as resident minister in March, 2012, until December, 2013. From January, 2014 through July 2015, the church was under the supervision of the Fresno Betsuin. In August, 2015, Reedley had three ministers under a shared system of the seven temples of the Central California District Council of the Buddhist Churches of America: Rev. Kakei Nakagawa, Rev. Alan Sakamoto, and Rev. Matthew Hamasaki. The shared system is coordinated by the Central California Ministers' Association, the CCDC Ministerial Advisory Committee, and the staff of the Fresno Betsuin. In December, 2016, Rev. Alan Sakamoto retired from the BCA. Rev. Matthew Hamasaki left in January, 2018, to become the minister in Sacramento, Rev. Kaz Nakata was assigned to the Central California in August, 2019, and Rev. Mieko Majima was assigned to the Central California in February, 2024. At the present time, Rev. Majima is the supervising minister of the Reedley Buddhist Church.
The church renovated the conference room and added a new kitchen facility in 2004. They added a new wrought iron fence surrounding the property in 2006, updated the hondo in 2007, and completed a storage building next to the small kitchen in 2008. The social hall bathrooms received an update in 2010 and in 2011 the grounds between the hall and the Japanese School building were graded and decomposed granite was added. In October, 2017 the church grounds between the hall the Japanese School building were cemented, and in January, 2018, a solar panel system went into service to minimize the utility costs. During the Covid pandemic, safety measures were taken and an AED was installed in the conference room, touchless features were added to the restrooms, and PPE were added so the members could safely return to church.
The membership is approximately 100 members. The Buddhist Women's Association, the Reedley Dharma School, and the Jr. Young Buddhist Association remain active and support all activities sponsored by the church.
​
The Reedley Buddhist Church welcomes you to join us at any service and encourages new members to join our organization.
​
Upcoming Services & Activities
FEBRUARY SHOTSUKI MEMORIAL & FAMILY DHARMA SERVICE
Sunday, February 9, 2025
10:00 AM
Lunch following service.
REEDLEY BWA MEETING
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Following lunch
​
​
ONLINE SERVICES:
There are services online each Sunday at 10:00 AM provided by the Fresno Bestsuin. Please follow the link: https://mobile.twitter.com/fresno_nishi You can also watch the service afterwards since they are recorded.
Websites for Dharma Talks has been moved to the our LINKS TO WEBSITES page.
The Reedley Buddhist Church Crab Feed & Silent Auction is back!
A limited number of tickets are available and are on a first come, first served basis. Please contact a church board member or Joy Donaldson, Gary Sakata, or Vickie Nishida.
SILENT AUCTION DONORS NEEDED
We are looking for donors to our silent auction! If you own a business or have a new item to donate towards the auction, please let us know at: reedleybc@gmail.com
​
February Calendar
9 February Shotsuki, Nirvana Day, &
Family Dharma Service 10:00 AM
​
Reedley BWA Meeting (following
service & lunch) 12:00 PM
​
20 Reedley BC Board Meeting 7:00 PM
​
28 - March 1 - BCA National Council
Meeting on Zoom all day
The 2025 Reedley Buddhist Church Cabinet and BWA Cabinet
Rev. Majima's Message
February, 2025 Newsletter Article
The Buddha’s Final Teaching: Anuruddha’s Insight and the Nirvana Scroll
February is the month of Nirvana Day, a time to commemorate the Buddha’s passing into Nirvana. This sacred occasion invites us to reflect on the Buddha’s final teachings and their enduring relevance. Depictions of the Buddha’s final moments are beautifully portrayed in the Nirvana Scroll, which prominently features Anuruddha, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples. His role in these scenes symbolizes mindfulness, insight, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
​
Anuruddha in the Nirvana Scrolls
The Nirvana Scroll often depicts the Buddha lying serenely on his deathbead, surrounded by his disciples followers, and even animals, all mourning his imminent passing. Among them, Anuruddha stands out for his calm and composed demeanor. With his deep spiritual insight, Anuruddha perceives the Buddha’s peaceful state of mind and helps guide the grieving disciples by reminding them of the Buddha’s teachings.
​
Anuruddha’s presence in the Nirvana Scroll serves not only as a testament to his devotion but also as a reminder of his pivotal role in transmitting the Dharma. His insight into the impermanence of life and his understanding of Nirvana as the continuity of the Dharma emphasize the timeless nature of the Buddha’s teachings.
​
Anuruddha’s Exceptional Insight
Anuruddha was renowned for his extraordinary spiritual vision amon the Buddha’s disciples. As the Buddha approached his final moments, Anuruddha used his exceptional insight to discern the Buddha’s serene state of mind. While others were overcome by grief, Anuruddha maintained his composure, providing strength to the sangha by explaining that the Buddha’s passing was not an end but a transition, affirming the external nature of the Dharma.
​
Lessons from the Buddha’s Last Words
The Buddha’s final words, as recorded in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, offer profound guidance: “All things that arise will eventually pass away. Continue to persevere with unwavering effort.”
This reminder urges us to accept the impermanence of all things and remain steadfast on the path of awakening. Anuruddha’s mindfulness embodies this teaching, showing us how to face life’s uncertainties with equanimity and wisdom.
​
Reflecting on Nirvana Day
Nirvana Day is an opportunity to contemplate the impermanence of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. The figure of Anuruddha is the Nirvana Scroll inspires us to cultivate mindfulness and compassion, recognizing each moment as an opportunity to deepen our understanding and share the Dharma with others.
​
As we observe this sacred day, may the wisdom of the Buddha and the teachings of disciples like Anuruddha guide us in our daily lives. Let us honor their legacy by striving to embody these principles, embracing impermanence with grace and gratitude.
​
Namo Amida Butsu
​
PLEASE REFER TO THE NEWSLETTER TO VIEW THE MESSAGE IN JAPANESE.
The Buddha and the Little Monk
(Message from Rev. Majima for the students.)
(Refer to the February Newsletter to view pictures.)
Long, long ago in India, there was a wonderful teacher named the Buddha. He spent his life teaching people how to live happily and find peace. One day, the Buddha called his disciples together and said, “I will soon leave this world. But before I go, I want to share something very important with you.” The disciples were heartbroken to hear this, but they listened carefully as the Buddha continued. “Everything in this world will change someday.
Everything that is born will eventually come to an end. But instead of being sad about these changes, focus on doing your best with what you can do right now.
​
Among the Buddha’s disciples was a young novice monk, a little boy who was just beginning his training. When he heard that the Buddha was going to leave, he started to cry. “Buddha,” he said, “why do you have to go? There’s still so much I want to learn from you!”
​
The Buddha smiled kindly at the boy and spoke gently. “Even when I am no longers here, my teachings will remain. If you hold these teachings dear and live by them, helping and supporting one another, it will be as if I am always with you.”
​
Hearing these words, the little novice felt his sadness begin to ease. He wiped his tears and made a promise in his heart to never forget the Buddha’s words. From that day on, he worked hard to study the teachings and became a wise monk who shared the Buddha’s message with many people, helping them find happiness and peace just as the Buddha had taught.
​
Namo Amida Butsu
​​
2035 15th Street - P.O. Box 24
Reedley, CA 93654 Phone: (559) 638-2146
Email Church President,
Joy Donaldson
ojoydonaldson@gmail.com
​
Resident Minister:
​Rev. Mieko Majima
rev.mmajima@gmail.com
mmajima@honpahi.org
​
Email Webmaster: reedleybc@gmail.com