Inventory of the American Buddhist [newsletter] SPC.2021.015

Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections

Title: "American Buddhist" [newsletter]

Creator: Buddhist Churches of America

Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2021.015

Physical Description: 1 box (21 issues)

Date (inclusive): July 1957-September 1960; October 1961; June 1967

Abstract: This collection contains 21 issues of "The American Buddhist", a six-page monthly publication of the Buddhist Churches of America featuring articles and news on Buddhism. "The American Buddhist" was for English speaking members, while its counterpart, "Horin" was for Japanese speaking members. The purpose of "The American Buddhist" was to provide information regarding events and celebrations; as well as articles that focused on Buddhist traditions and principles. In 1974, the newsletter merged with "Horin" and became a new monthly publication entitled, "Wheel of Dharma".

Language of Material: English .

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

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The Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) was founded in 1899 due to the lack of religious services available for Japanese immigrants who came to the United States in the late 1800s. BCA is affiliated with the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha tradition (also known as Shin Buddhism), whose head temple is in Kyoto, Japan. By the mid 1910s, the Buddhist Mission of North America (BMNA) was established in San Francisco, followed by temples located throughout California, Washington, and Oregon. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, the forced removal of Japanese Americans into incarceration camps greatly effected Buddhist communities and caused many temples to close. During World War II, the BMNA headquarters was temporarily located at Topaz Relocation Center and was officially renamed Buddhist Churches of America in 1944 as a way to show that the organization was moving toward following democratic principles and to avoid attracting racial discrimination during a time of strong anti-Japanese sentiment. After World War II, BCA resumed traditional Jōdo Shinshū activities and was able to establish new temples and expand to other parts of the United States after Japanese Americans left incarceration camps and began rebuilding their lives. As of 2021, BCA includes over 60 temples and fellowships throughout the United States and approximately 12,000 members; and its national headquarters is located in San Francisco, CA.

Sources: "About BCA". Retrieved from: https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/about-bca

"Buddhist Churches of America". Retrieved from: http://www.sfvhbt.org/buddhist-churches-of-america/

"Administrative/Biographical History", Finding Aid for Buddhist Churches of America records. Retrieved from: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8v412d7/

This collection contains 21 issues of "The American Buddhist", a six-page monthly publication of the Buddhist Churches of America featuring articles and news on Buddhism. "The American Buddhist" was for English speaking members, while its counterpart, "Horin" was for Japanese speaking members. The purpose of "The American Buddhist" was to provide information regarding events and celebrations; as well as articles that focused on Buddhist traditions and principles. In 1974, the newsletter merged with "Horin" and became a new monthly publication entitled, "Wheel of Dharma". Issues included in this collection are as follows: Vol. 1, No. 4-5, 8-9; Vol. 2, No. 1, 4, 5 [missing pages 3-4], 8; Vol. 3, No. 1-3, 8 [missing pages 3-4], 10-12; Vol. 4, No. 1, 6 [missing pages 3-4], 8, 9; Vol. 5, No. 10; Vol. 11, No. 6.

For more issues of "The American Buddhist" as well as more information regarding the Buddhist Churches of American please consult Buddhist Churches of America records  located at UCLA Library, Special Collections.