Our History

1984

[Dec 1984] Organizational meeting held at home of George and Chiyo Goto, with Bishop Seigen Yamaoka and BCA president Jim Komura present as advisors. 20 other attended.

[Dec 1984-Feb 1985] Monthly services held at home of Bill and Janet Sakahara. Room and board provided by Fred & Hana Fukumoto.

1986-1989

[27 Feb 1986] Memorial tribute conducted for the late astronaut, Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka, a fellow Shin Buddhist.

[29 Aug 1987] First joint service with San Diego AVA members at the Heritage Square.

[15 Oct 1987] Seattle Fujinkai members (11) were guests at our service.

[19 Aug 1988] Second joint meeting with San Diego ABA members.

[Dec 1988] First service held at new rental location at Heritage Square Clubhouse.

[12 Aug 1989] To subsidize the Sangha treasury and following Rev. Arthur Takemoto’s suggestion, a very successful first Obon Festival and raffle was held in the Gold Room of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Southern District temples and churches were invited. Food bazaars, cultural demonstrations and raffle drawings.

1996-1999

[Aug 1996-Aug 2015] Obon Festivals held at Cimarron Memorial High School.

[Feb 1997] Co-hosted WABL Conference at California Hotel and Casino. Rosie Kakuuchi, Sadie Kasamoto, June Maruyama, Myrtle Noguchi, Roy Suzuki, Wayne Tanaka received Bishop’s Awards.

2005-2010

[15 Jan 2005] 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino.

[20 Feb 2005] Rev. Ron Kobata chosen to serve as Supervising Minister.

[27 Aug 2005] Donation approved for the Los Angeles Betsuin’s 100th Year Celebration.

[19 Feb 2006] Donation approved to campaign “BCA-The 21st Century.”

[7 Apr 2007] Approved establishment of first website for Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha.

[Jan 2008] Monthly services changed to 2nd Sunday at 10:00AM at JACL Activity Center.

1985

[13 Feb 1985] Stockton Buddhist Temple donates beautiful obutsudan at yearly BCA Council Meeting held in Sacramento, CA. LV Sangha members present to accept and transport obutsudan to home of Fred & Hana Fukumoto, where monthly Sangha services held until December 1988. Bill Sakahara elected first president.

[6 Mar 1985] Buddhist Churches of America officially admitted Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha as a recognized fellowship organization within BCA.

[26 Apr 1985] Coinciding with Hanamatsuri, Nyubutsushiki (altar dedication ceremony) held. Bishop Yamaoka and Rev. Hirata officiated. Wayne Tanaka and Bill Sakahara built hanamido (Flower Shrine) still used today.

[4 Jul 1985] Received grant from BCA. First fundraiser held selling raffle tickets for a TV. Drawing held at Bill Sakahara’s home.

[18 Jul 1985] First Obon service conducted by Rev. Akio Miyaji.

[19 Dec 1985] Adoption of first By-Laws; election of officers for 1986; approved yearly dues of $14 per family. Objectives outlined: Continue regular scheduled monthly services, such as Hanamatsuri and Obon; provide services such as weddings, funerals, memorials, and possible Dharma school.

1990-1995

[Aug 1990-Aug 1995] Annual Obon Festivals held at Zelzah Shriners’ Temple.

[Feb 1991] Co-hosted Western Adult Buddhist League Conference (WABL) at California Hotel and Casino.

[Jul 1992] Happi coats with Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha logo available.

[6 Feb 1993] Co-hosted WABL Conference held at California Hotel and Casino. Fred and Hana Fukumoto received Bishop’s Award.

[Apr 1995] Refurbished and re-varnished obutsudan.

[17 Nov 1995] 10th Anniversary celebration held at San Remo Hotel.

2000-2004

[11 Feb 2000] Co-hosted WABL Conference at California Hotel and Casino.

[16 Jun 2000] Choir group (12) from Pearl City Hongwanji Mission were guests. Choir entertained us with many songs. Their minister assisted Rev. Ben Mayeda in conducting service.

[20 Jan 2002] Dr. Ken Inada conducted first class on “Introductory Course in Buddhism,” followed by lectures on development of Zen and Daoism. Lectures were opened to public.

[3 Feb 2002] Co-hosted WABL Conference at California Hotel and Casino. Tom Hanagami and Mits Kodama received Bishop’s Award.

[May 2002] Successful First Annual Buddhist Sangha Golf Tournament held, initiated by Paul Sakamoto.

[16 Feb 2003] Monthly service time changed to Sundays 2:00PM.

[Feb 2003] Donation approved for the restoration and preservation of the Hongwanji Founder’s Hall structure in Kyoto.

[16 May 2004] Monthly service time changed to Sundays 10:00AM.

2011-2025

[Oct 2020] The Las Veghas Buddhist Sangha BWA accepted into the Southern District BWA.

[Nov 2020] The Las Veghas Buddhist Sangha BWA accepted into the Federation of BWA.

[24 Jun 2023] Celebrated the 34th Annual Obon Festival at Clark County High School, the first in-person festival since the pandemic shutdown.

[Aug 2023] Donation approved for the Maui Food Bank in response to the Maui Firestorm Relief.

[8 Oct 2023] BWA presentation of Eshinni-ko/Kakushinni-ko raised funds with bento sales for Maui Food Bank for donation to Maui Firestorm Relief.

[Oct 2023] Website updated from lasvegasbuddhist.org to lvbs.org.