Memories of 60-Plus Years of a Buddhist Radio Program in Central California

George Teraoka Delivered Final Broadcast in 2014 on Fresno Station

Editor’s note: A Buddhist radio program by the BCA’s Central California District got its start in the 1950s. For more than 60 years, there were two Japanese language radio programs broadcast throughout Central California. One program was directed by John Kubota and the other was by Masao Araki and Mike Iwatsubo. All three individuals were devout Buddhists and deeply involved with the weekly Buddhist radio broadcasts, which involved brief, five-minute Dharma messages in both Japanese and English from ministers, lay leaders and members.  

Throughout the history of the Central California Buddhist radio broadcasts, there were over 100 ministers and members who prepared and recorded their messages without remuneration. The radio broadcast time was supported by donations from Central California District Sangha members and affiliated organizations. Many BCA Sangha members in the Central Valley grew up listening to these radio programs while getting ready for the services each Sunday. 

George Teraoka, one of the original radio speakers, delivered the last radio Dharma message on Dec. 20, 2014, on KBIF AM. Teraoka passed away at the age of 102 on Dec. 26, 2023, in Fowler, California. 

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Good morning.

I was told that this will be my last radio talk. This notice has struck me in a surprised way of disappointment. Hard to accept the teachings of the Buddha that have frequently reminded us that our life will be full of disappointments if the truth of transient nature of life is ignored.

In the early years immediately after our return from the relocation camps, most of our Buddhist services were still held predominantly in the Japanese language. There were many cries for services in English, but there were only two Nisei English-speaking ministers amongst all of the BCA ministers and they were servicing larger metropolitan temples.  

It was during this era that Dr. Kikuo Taira, Manabu Fukuda and myself were selected to be the English Department of the Fresno Betsuin. We were called the “Samba Garasu” of Central California by the Issei members of that time. 

“Samba Garasu” means “Three Crows” in Japanese. We took turns making Dharma talks and conducting services while visiting the various “Howakai” (branch temples) under the Betsuin system. Aside from the Fresno group, there were: West Fresno, North Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Sanger, Del Rey, Selma, Kingsburg, Fowler and Bowles. Each of the districts maintained an Obutsudan (altar) in a churchlike set-up.

I had the pleasure of participating in the Buddhist radio broadcast program’s English portion of these broadcasts since its inception and can recall many early participants as my English radio speaker colleagues. 

Today, I’d like to honor them in grateful memoriam for their dedicated services over the early years. I apologize if I could be missing some names in making this list since all of them have now made their transition from this earthly life.  

Aside from the English-speaking ministers who served the Central California District, the original radio broadcast speakers’ names that come to mind are: Dr. Kikuo Taira of Fresno, Manabu Fukuda of Del Rey, James Kubota and Mike Iwatsubo of Fresno, Dr. Mas Yamamoto of Clovis, Herb Maruyama of Reedley, Ichiro Okada of Dinuba, and Frank Doi of Kingsburg. All of these individuals were very active in their respective Dharma School programs. It was through these individuals’ dedicated activities that Central California was considered the “hotbed of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in America.”

So, as these radio broadcasts come to its conclusion, another era of our Buddhist history comes to an end.

There is a saying that goes something like, “When one door closes, another door opens. You should seek it.”

Not very long ago, as I was traveling from Fresno on Interstate 5 to attend a conference in the Bay Area, I was listening to the Central Cal Buddhist radio broadcast, but when we got to about an hour’s drive outside of the Bay Area, we lost the radio signal. Radio has limits and we are all aware of it.  So, as this door of radio broadcasts with its limitations comes to a close, I would like to think that a new door and the wide world of cyber space will open up for us. With the versatilities of the internet, listeners from throughout the world can choose when they want to tune in or download a message, certainly magnifying the effectiveness of the reach of these Dharma messages.

The whole universe can now be our audience. The most beautiful part is that the cost will be very minimal. I have become so excited about opening this new door for its unlimited possibilities. I will now be looking for anyone that can be of help in accomplishing this worthwhile task.

Over the years, I have felt very privileged to have been allowed to participate in this project and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the many fine compliments that were extended.

Well folks, it’s time to say goodbye. May the Wisdom and Compassion of the Amida Buddha so shine into your hearts and be the source of your ultimate solace that leads you to complete happiness, the ultimate goal of all mankind. Have a great day.

Namo Amida Butsu.