One hundred twenty-three years after its founding, the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) welcomed its first female president, Terri Omori.
In March 2022, Omori officially accepted her role as BCA President and place in history. The compassion and care with which she leads has been prominent even before her involvement in the BCA.
Terri Honda Omori grew up attending the Buddhist Temple of San Diego, learning from her parents, active temple leaders Ben and Mikiye Honda.
While her family initially introduced her to the Buddhist community, she soon began to take on leadership roles in the temple on her own initiative.
Throughout her adolescence, Omori attended Sunday services, participated in Dharma School, played taiko, joined San Diego’s Jr. YBA, and played the organ during services. She even became an assistant Dharma School teacher and helped her mother teach classes.
Omori had always been exposed to the BCA growing up and even traveled to San Francisco to attend the organization’s 75th anniversary celebration in 1974. Her involvement in the BCA would amalgamate into leadership roles as she got older.
Following her marriage to Ford Omori, she joined the Vista Buddhist Temple. Her reputation as an organist followed her to Vista where the resident minister, Rev. Art Takemoto, asked if she could play at services. She agreed, and Omori’s role as organist branched into additional leadership roles within the Shin Buddhist community.
She noticed that only a small handful of children attended the services and that there were no Dharma School classes.
Omori asked the parents if she could teach the children how to play some gathas on the organ after service ended. Her involvement at Vista quickly grew as Terri and Ford Omori started helping out with the Jr. YBA and joined the Vista taiko group.
The Omoris soon had their own children, a daughter, Katie, and a son, Kurtis. Alongside other families, they established a Dharma School at Vista, which became part of the Southern District Dharma School Teachers’ League.
Omori later helped to start a Jr. Taiko group as well as a Jr. YBA for high school students. She became a Dharma School teacher and has continued to do so even after her children graduated from high school.
“When you think of the Vista Buddhist Temple, you think of Ms. Terri,” said Kaitlyn Ma, a member of Vista. “She is incredibly hardworking, supportive, and caring, which is evident in her leadership. She is also a wonderful mentor to us in Jr. YBA, and we know we can always turn to her for guidance and support, both in Buddhism and out.”
Stephanie Yasukochi, Vista’s Dharma School Superintendent added: “Terri is a great listener, and her ability to connect with people helps create a warm, welcoming atmosphere at our temple. Terri was the Superintendent of the Dharma School when my children started attending temple. She soon became the temple President, but continued to be involved with the youth. With her passion and ability to nurture young leaders, Terri has been instrumental in developing our Jr YBA and Shokenji Jr. Taiko groups.
“The early Dharma School students are now young adults and because of their relationships with Terri, whenever she asks for volunteers, they come right over to help,” Yasukochi said. “With thoughtfulness, sincerity and always integrating the Buddhist teachings, Terri leads by example.”
In 2007, Omori took on one of her most notable roles yet as Vista Buddhist Temple President. She was the first female to lead the temple and would continue as President for the next three years. During her tenure, she focused on increasing membership and was incredibly successful.
Omori’s involvement as Vista President led to her involvement in the BCA. It began with her attendance at National Council Meetings and grew into her becoming the Southern District Council chair-elect in 2014 as well as one of the representatives to the National Board. She was elected as a BCA Director, selected as a member of the Social Welfare Committee, served on a BCA ad hoc committee, and even volunteered for the Membership and Propagation Committee as her concern for membership carried on from her time at Vista.
As Omori became more and more involved in the BCA, many members came to her, encouraging her to run for BCA President.
Rick Stambul, the BCA President-elect at the time and a staunch advocate of having more women in BCA leadership roles, contacted Omori regarding the presidency.
While she was honored, she initially rejected the position, worried about taking on such an important role. Her concerns for maintaining the integrity of the BCA led her to reject the nomination as President, as she believed she was not qualified for such a significant role.
Omori’s deep respect for the BCA made her an exceptional candidate, but was also the initial reason she turned down the presidency. However, with the encouragement of her peers and support of her Sangha, Omori eventually agreed to run for Vice President and eventually President.
The BCA community, as well as her husband, have been a major support system for her as she advanced through the BCA and towards the presidency.
Omori touched on her deep appreciation for the Shin Buddhist community and how much she values the care and compassion shown to her by the Sangha. The Sangha is just one of the many aspects Omori respects about the Shin Buddhist community. Her dedication to the Dharma is truly admirable as she hopes to make it accessible to all. Omori continues to find innovative ways to inform and welcome newcomers into our beautiful community of the Jodo Shinshu tradition.
When asked about how she felt about being part of the minority of women in the BCA, Omori humbly said she did not initially consider how her election as BCA President was a historic moment for the BCA and women in Buddhism.
However, she was honored to take on the role and responsibilities that came with it. Omori noted that while she was the first woman BCA President, she was not the first woman to take on a leadership role in the BCA community. There are many women already taking initiative in their temples and communities that are not recognized as often as they should be.
Omori’s role as BCA President, as well as her humility, are certainly deserving of recognition as she takes the time to acknowledge other women despite having accomplished such an amazing feat herself.
Hopefully, Omori’s groundbreaking presidency inspires other Shin Buddhist women to take on more leadership roles and encourages the Shin Buddhist community to give credit to the amazing women currently taking charge in their own communities.
With the direction the BCA is headed in, Terri Omori may be the first, but she will certainly not be the last female BCA President.
Terri Omori’s work in the BCA is commendable, but she doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge others, remarking how the “BCA is made up of dedicated ministers and members. Let us continue to work together with Dharma-centered leadership.”
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