The Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) in Berkeley, California, serves as one of the most critical contemporary hubs for Shin Buddhist education, administration, and community life in the United States. Rather than functioning as a local temple, it operates as a national institutional center for the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), the oldest Buddhist organization in the U.S. The Center houses multiple programs, offices, and educational institutions under one roof, most notably the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS), the Center for Buddhist Education (CBE), the Jodo Shinshu International Office (JSIO), and other BCA divisions. Because of this, the JSC is a central meeting place for clergy, scholars, members, students, and visitors, and it plays a crucial role in shaping Shin Buddhism’s future in America.
Origins and Founding of the Jodo Shinshu Center
Unlike many Buddhist communities that begin with the work of a single charismatic teacher, the Jodo Shinshu Center did not emerge from the vision of a single founder. Instead, its establishment was the result of decades of planning and fundraising by the Buddhist Churches of America. The idea for a national center to unify education, ministerial training, and administrative coordination began circulating in the BCA community in the late 20th century. As BCA leaders recognized the need for centralized facilities to support minister education, outreach programs, and national conferences, the concept grew into a long-term organizational goal.
A key figure in the project’s physical realization was Sady Hayashida, the architect who drafted the building plans and created the scale model used in fundraising campaigns across the country. For years, the model traveled from temple to temple and was displayed at BCA National Council meetings, helping generate excitement and support. In this way, the “founder” of the Center is best understood collectively: the BCA membership, leadership, fundraising committees, and community donors who worked over the course of decades to bring the project to life.
Construction was completed, and the Jodo Shinshu Center officially opened in 2006 in Berkeley. The location is situated near the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) and the University of California, Berkeley, enabling strong ties to academic institutions. The founding of the Center marked a transition for BCA from a loosely connected network of temples to a more centralized, academically engaged national organization. In this sense, the “origin story” of the JSC is one of community vision, institutional cooperation, and a commitment to establishing a permanent home for Shin Buddhist education in America.
Affiliation and Tradition
The Jodo Shinshu Center is affiliated with Jōdo Shinshū (Shin Buddhism), a major school of Pure Land Buddhism originating from Japan. Within the Shin tradition, the Center follows the Nishi Hongwanji lineage, headquartered in Kyoto. The JSC serves as the institutional headquarters of the Buddhist Churches of America, the U.S. branch of this lineage.
All programs at the Center ministerial training, lectures, retreats, publications, and administrative work reflect Shin Buddhist teachings, especially the emphasis on Amida Buddha, the nembutsu (Namu Amida Butsu), and the understanding of deep gratitude and humility.
Relationships with Western and Asian Buddhist Communities
Since the JSC houses the national offices of BCA and the Institute of Buddhist Studies, its relationships extend across both Asian and Western Buddhist communities.
Relationships with Japanese institutions
- The Center maintains direct partnerships with Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, which sends bishops, teachers, visiting scholars, and guidance on minister training.
- The Ryukoku University Berkeley Center (RUBeC), located inside the JSC, fosters academic exchange, lectures, and joint research between Japanese scholars and American students.
Relationships with Western Buddhist communities
- The Institute of Buddhist Studies is a member school of the Graduate Theological Union, an interreligious academic consortium. Through this, the JSC interacts with scholars and practitioners from Zen, Tibetan, Theravada, and secular mindfulness communities.
- The Center hosts conferences and symposiums that attract academics and practitioners from across the United States.
- Because Shin Buddhism has a strong Japanese American heritage, the Center often collaborates with Asian American religious organizations in the Bay Area.
Thus, the JSC functions as a bridge between traditional Asian Buddhist institutions and modern American Buddhist practice.
Constituency and Demographics
The Jodo Shinshu Center is an institutional hub rather than a temple, its “members” are diverse and include several overlapping groups:
1. Buddhist Churches of America members
These are primarily Japanese American families whose ancestors have practiced Shin Buddhism since the early 1900s in the U.S. Many BCA members visit the Center for conferences, seminars, and ministerial gatherings rather than weekly services.
2. Institute of Buddhist Studies students
The IBS at the JSC enrolls:
- American graduate students seeking Buddhist Studies degrees
- Students training to become Shin Buddhist ministers
- International students, including many from Japan
IBS typically enrolls 80–120 students annually across its degree and certificate programs.
3. Visitors, scholars, and retreat participants
The Center hosts:
- Public lectures
- Academic symposiums
- Workshops
- Youth leadership programs
- Dharma education events
These draw participants of all races, ages, and religious backgrounds.
4. BCA staff and clergy
The Center also functions as the workplace for:
- The Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America
- Clergy trainers
- Administrative staff
- Education coordinators
- Researchers and archivists
Although the JSC does not maintain its own temple congregation, the Center’s annual user base is easily in the thousands.
Practices and Forms of Engagement
Unlike a local temple, the JSC does not hold weekly Sunday services. Instead, its practices are centered on:
Minister Training
Student ministers participate in:
- Buddhist doctrinal study
- Pastoral care training
- Chanting and liturgy workshops
- Study of ritual etiquette
- Internships in local temples
Educational Programs
The Center for Buddhist Education hosts:
- Retreats
- Dharma study weekends
- Workshops on Shin teachings
- Young-adult leadership programs
- Clergy continuing education seminars
Academic Study
The IBS offers:
- Master of Divinity (MDiv) degrees
- Buddhist Studies MA degrees
- Certificate programs
- Public academic lectures
Community Gatherings
The Center hosts:
- Conferences
- Board meetings
- Jodo Shinshu-related memorials and anniversaries
- National Council sessions
The dominant practices at the JSC revolve around learning, leadership development, chanting, discussion, scholarship, and training, rather than typical temple rituals.
Events: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Annual
Daily
- IBS classes and library research
- Administrative work for BCA
- Clergy training sessions
- Use of meeting rooms by BCA committees
Weekly
- Graduate classes at IBS
- Study groups
- Language, chanting, or liturgy practice sessions
- CBE workshops (vary by season)
Monthly
- Public lectures
- IBS academic colloquia
- Ministerial development seminars
- Interfaith or GTU community events
Yearly
The Center’s major annual events include:
- BCA National Council Meeting (the largest gathering of ministers and delegates)
- Minister ordination ceremonies
- IBS Graduation
- Special lecture series hosted by IBS or CBE
- Joint programs with Ryukoku University
- Workshops for Buddhist education teachers
- Young Buddhist retreat programs
These events make the Center a year-round hub of activity.
How the Jodo Shinshu Center Is Funded
Funding for the Center comes from several interconnected sources:
1. Buddhist Churches of America contributions
Temple districts across the U.S. allocate funds toward national programs housed at the JSC.
2. Tuition and academic fees
The Institute of Buddhist Studies generates revenue from:
- Graduate tuition
- Certificate programs
- Research grants
3. Donations
Donations come from:
- Individual BCA members
- Alumni of IBS
- Supporters of Shin Buddhism
- Benefactors from temple communities nationwide
Much of the original construction and ongoing maintenance is funded by these donations.
4. Facility rentals and conferences
Because the Center has conference rooms, classrooms, and lodging, it occasionally raises funds through hosted events.
5. Grants
Some academic programs at IBS receive external research grants or funding partnerships.
The Center does not depend on a local congregation for weekly offerings, which sets it apart from ordinary temples.
How Members Understand Buddhism and Their Role in Its Spread in America
People who participate in the Jodo Shinshu Center tend to see themselves as part of a tradition that is both historical and evolving.
A sense of stewardship
Many long-time BCA members feel responsible for preserving Japanese American Shin Buddhist heritage while helping it adapt to new generations.
A focus on education
Because the JSC is centered on education, many participants see learning, dialogue, and study as essential to spreading Buddhism responsibly.
Emphasis on inclusivity
Members often emphasize that Shin Buddhism is:
- Non-monastic
- Accessible to laypeople
- Open to people of all backgrounds
This contributes to a sense that the JSC plays a role in making Buddhism more inclusive and approachable in America.
Commitment to continuity
Students, faculty, and clergy view the Center as a place that ensures that Shin teachings continue into the next century through trained ministers, academic credibility, and institutional stability. In short, people connected to the JSC understand themselves as carrying Shin Buddhism into the future of American religious life through education, reflection, and community building.
Sources
Buddhist Churches of America. About the BCA. Buddhist Churches of America, www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/about. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
Buddhist Churches of America. Jodo Shinshu Center. Buddhist Churches of America, www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/jodo-shinshu-center. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
Buddhist Churches of America. “JSC Model Finds a Permanent Home at the Jodo Shinshu Center.” Buddhist Churches of America, 2022, www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/post/jsc-model-finds-a-permanent-home-at-the-jsc. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
Institute of Buddhist Studies. About IBS. Institute of Buddhist Studies, www.shin-ibs.edu/about. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.