Spokane temple

In early Spokane, there was more racial and religious diversity than we usually realized. At the end of 19 and the beginning of the 20th century, many Japanese immigrants were attracted to work in the railway and mining industries in eastern Washington. Some people return to Japan after work, but others choose to stay in Spokane to make a living. By 19 10, the population of Japan had exceeded 1000, but by 1935, due to the return of families to Japan and the government's ban on Japanese immigration, the number had dropped to about 383. Paradoxically, the Pearl Harbor incident has aroused concerns about espionage and sabotage, and prompted the Japanese government to set up Japanese immigrant camps on the west coast, and the Japanese population in Spokane has increased again. Spokane outside the evacuation area became a safe haven.

Many Japanese settled near South Perry. Some are Christians, and the Japanese Methodist Church was founded in 1902. However, others believe in traditional Buddhism. 1945, the first worship of Spokane Buddhist Temple was held in Jodo Xinzhou tradition, which is usually called believing in Buddhism in the United States. The service consists of six Buddhists living in rented apartments, led by Pastor Taro, who was sent to Spokane by a Japanese immigrant camp in Hunter, Idaho. A month later, I bought a house in Cowley, S.628 at 1946, and installed a shrine (a gift from the top Buddhist church) and a scroll. Both buildings are from Japan. The statue of Amitabha, also from Japan, was enshrined in a ceremony presided over by Bishop Rifaki of Henry VIII in 1948. By 1950, Spokane Buddhist Temple had more than 300 members, and these ceremonies were held in Japanese. Pastor Taylor's brother William became a pastor on 1952.

With the increasing membership, the South Perry Street Building and Gymnasium were purchased from Liberty Heights Baptist Church on 1965 and dedicated on 1966. Pastor William Taylor left on 1972, and Pastor Yoshiko Nishimura filled the post once a month until Pastor Yukio Hatoyama took over as the resident pastor on June 1973. He left on 1976 and was replaced by Reverend Yoshiki Hayashi Yamada on 1978. 1992, the original temple in Perry Street was set on fire. Although the temple was rescued by firefighters and placed in the current Spokane Buddhist Temple, it was rebuilt on 1994, 10 and 1.

Spokane Buddhist Temple, also known as Spokane Buddhist Temple, is a part of American Buddhist Church. Completely managed by volunteers, no paid staff. English service is only available now. The gym next door is now the location of South Perry Badio Yoga Hall. From 1969 to 20 10, this is the Dojo, which has always been a functional part of temples and communities, a winter farmer's market and a place to hold various temple activities. On July 20 14, the temple celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fire on the Aobao Festival, including the history of the temple. Spokane Buddhist Temple is an active participant in Japan Week, which is a festival in Spokane dedicated to teaching Japanese culture.