Yakima Is on the Rise, Thanks to BCA Program

Pilot Program’s Goal Is to Boost Membership; Positive Results Seen

Twice a month, Rev. Rosalie May of the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple drives 140 miles to the abundant farming area in the central part of Washington as part of a program BCA leaders hope will not only spread the Dharma, but also develop a roadmap to reverse the long membership decline among temples.

For nearly two years, May has led Sunday services at the Yakima Buddhist Church, one of the smallest temples in the BCA. She holds introduction to Buddhism classes on Saturday nights before the services. 

(Yakima is known historically as the Yakima Buddhist Church, but is officially the Yakima Buddhist Temple.). 

The pilot program is intended not only to help a small temple grow, but also to see if there are strategies that other temples can follow as they struggle to attract more members and also entice existing temple members back after the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions.

Yakima is seeing some positive results, according to temple President Lon Inaba. 

“We are continually seeing new faces at the regular services at the temple as well as on Zoom,” Inaba said in a report to the BCA National Council Meeting in February 2023.  “Our attendance at the services has blossomed from the six to 12 attendees before the project to 10 to 20 since the project has begun.”

The nearly 100-year-old temple is located in the rich agricultural area of Central Washington known for producing a variety of crops such as peaches, cherries, pears and apples. But the church is fighting to stay alive in an area where Asians make up less than 1.5% of the population of about 100,000.

Many people have recently learned about the temple either from the temple website or the Facebook page. The BCA provided technical support to improve the website. Inaba points to the welcoming atmosphere at the temple and the snacks at services, and to having Rev. May available to answer questions, which adds more depth to the explanation of the teachings.

“We look forward to building up our congregation with a Jodo Shinshu temple that is more relevant to the community that we serve,” Inaba said. “Despite our size, we hope to serve as a positive example for others in the community.”

BCA Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada, who proposed the pilot program, said there are three early lessons from Yakima for other temples:

• Build an attractive, effective website and keep it current as a way to reach out to members and interested newcomers. 

• Conduct consistent services with ministerial support.

• Be a warm and welcoming Sangha.

“We hope that their progress and growth continues and we will try to implement those learned practices at other churches and temples in the BCA," Rev. Harada said.

Former BCA President Terri Omori echoed Harada’s observations, citing the experiences of her home temple in Vista, a city of about 100,000 people in Northern San Diego County, and which also does not have a resident minister.

“The most important component to me is providing them on a regular basis with a minister,” Omori said.

Members of the Sangha “want to see a spiritual leader, somebody they can ask questions to,” she said. “They’re looking for spiritual guidance. Lay members can help with that, but it really helps to have a minister or minister assistant who comes to share the Dharma.”

Vista is another example of a temple that has increased membership in recent years. At one point, Vista had 55 members. It now has about 110.

Omori emphasized the importance of offering programs that meet the needs of the Sangha. Vista has an online meditation service on Wednesday evening. Before the pandemic, about six to 10 people attended. After moving to Zoom during the pandemic, attendance has averaged about 20 people.

Vista also has a taiko group and a recovery group. Omori said other temples have started yoga classes and craft activities.

“Every temple finds its own activity or interest that resonates with the community,” Omori said.

There have been other hopeful developments. 

• Before the pandemic, three young members of the San Jose Betsuin organized get-togethers with friends to emphasize that it’s their turn to get involved at the temple. Through the two sessions, more than 40 young people, most in their 20s and 30s, joined the Betsuin.

• BCA has a new individual membership for people who may not live close to a temple. As of 2023, there are 39 individuals and eight families. Each month, Rev. Harada delivers a Dharma message on Zoom to these members.

• The youth membership, which costs $50 for those 30 years old and younger, increased from 86 in 2021 to 175 in 2022.

• Nine temples showed modest membership increases in 2023 compared to 2019, according to the annual BCA report.

Rev. Harada also delivers a monthly Dharma message to a Sangha in Plano, Texas, and either he or another minister will do the same for the Las Vegas Sangha.

Rev. Harada made membership a priority when he became bishop in 2020. Unfortunately, the COVID 19 pandemic hit about the same time. Virtual services became popular, but many temples didn’t have the experience or expertise in streaming technology. BCA responded with workshops on how to stream temple services, website building, how to utilize social media and video content marketing.

BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Dr.  Kenji Akahoshi has been talking about his own strategies for increasing membership with temples in the BCA, Canada and Hawaii, and sharing a “Guide for Attracting New Members.”  

The three-page guide also highlights the importance of websites, a welcoming attitude and creating new interest groups. Rev. Dr. Akahoshi also advises temples to:

• Highlight how Shin Buddhism can help newcomers.

• Explain the teachings in easy-to-understand language.

• Host after-service hospitality with refreshments and chairs.

• Conduct regular study sessions focusing on Shin teachings in everyday life.

• Schedule introductory talks at temple events such as Obon.

Omori said she is encouraged by the pilot program and other initiatives to increase membership. 

“I’m hoping this momentum continues,” Omori said.

Sometimes something unexpected can help keep the momentum going, such as a recent development at some temples.

“What I’ve heard that is the most popular thing that brings people out to temple is pickleball,” Omori said.