Albany Sangha Elevated to Independent Status by BCA

In a landmark decision, the BCA officially recognized the Albany Buddhist Sangha (ABS) in New York as an independent Sangha and supporters quickly hailed it as a sign that Shin Buddhism can grow in the United 

States — especially away from its traditional West Coast base.

“We want to start encouraging the growth of flourishing Sanghas all across the country,” BCA President Glenn Inanaga said at the National Council Meeting on June 6 before the National Board voted to adopt the memorandum of understanding (MOU). The meeting was held in-house at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, California.

“Albany is asking for recognition,” Inanaga said. “They’re not asking for a handout or support. This is an amazing, inspiring story about what’s happening in upstate New York and I would love for us to be able to recreate this conversation in other parts of the country.” 

New York Buddhist Church (NYBC) President David Brady spoke in support of the ABS in his presentation at the National Board Meeting. 

“For me, personally, they represent something that’s very encouraging,” Brady said. “It shows that Jodo Shinshu Buddhism can continue to grow when we’re willing to meet people where they are to build community and share the Dharma with sincerity.”

The significance of the BCA approving official independent Sangha status means the ABS will now be officially listed in the BCA Directory and has access to the BCA’s resources. It can eventually petition for BCA temple status like the Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha (LVBS). Previously, the last time the BCA recognized an independent Sangha was the LVBS in 1985.

The Albany Buddhist Sangha was founded in 2017 as an outreach ministry of the NYBC serving New York’s Capital District, the metropolitan area surrounding Albany, the capital of New York.

“We originally began as a Dharma School,” said ABS leader Rev. Dr. Aaron Proffitt, a practitioner of Shin Buddhism for 20 years and an Associate Professor of Japanese Studies in the East Asian Studies Department at the University at Albany (SUNY). Rev. Dr. Proffitt, who is a Minister’s Assistant, received his Tokudo ordination in Kyoto, Japan, in 2025.

“A friend and I wanted to share the Dharma with our children, believing it is far too valuable a resource for kids today to simply be ‘something that Dad does.’ We wanted to create a social space where they could explore the Dharma in community,” he said.

They reached out to the NYBC “because even though it is 2½ hours away, I know that Shin is great for families.”

Rev. Earl Ikeda, the Resident Minister at the time, advised them to contact Minister’s Assistant Rev. Gary Jaskula, who had just moved to upstate New York.

Rev. Jaskula “was close enough to Albany to help us get things started and has been our Sangha’s rock ever since,” Rev. Dr. Proffitt said. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the ABS was forced to go online and conduct Zoom services for 18 months. Every month, Dharma School gatherings continued to be held at a local community garden — even in the winter, with hot chocolate and donuts. 

“We just kept going, kept meeting every week, and once the shutdown was over, we started renting spaces in town again and have continued to grow since then,” Rev. Dr. Proffitt said. 

He said his wife has taken over the Dharma School coordinating duties and has designed the curriculum with other families. 

“BCA resources online have been invaluable for planning and implementation,” he said. “A few of the Dharma School teachers are thinking of attending the (Federation of Dharma School Teachers’ League) national conference next year.”

The ABS currently holds weekly services in Albany, supports an active Dharma School, serves 12 to 15 regular participants and children and is led by Rev. Jaskula and Rev. Dr. Proffitt. It is financially self-supporting, maintains a positive operating balance and is exploring incorporation to strengthen its organizational structure. 

ABS members have regularly made the long trip from Albany to New York on major Buddhist holiday services like Hanamatsuri and Bodhi Day — sometimes traveling by train or by bus — bringing with them a palpable jolt of energy to the NYBC, Brady said.

Rev. Dr. Proffitt noted one of the highlights for the children — potluck time.

“Beyond the food, it’s about connection,” he said. “We have the kids help set out the meals so they can engage in the tangible Buddhist practice of sharing with others. I recall a minister at the Denver temple telling me years ago that if you think it’s just about the meditation cushion and not the potluck, you’ve missed the point.”

The ABS has also established a public presence in Albany through community outreach, interfaith engagement, mindfulness programs and annual participation in the Capital Pride Parade and Festival in Albany, according to Brady.

Rev. Dr. Proffitt was elated by the BCA’s approval.

“Receiving official recognition is humbling and I am delighted that our efforts to share the Dharma have been successful,” Rev. Dr. Proffitt said. “It is my sincere wish that our journey may inspire others living far from a temple to start something in their own communities; friends and families gathering to share the Dharma is truly all it takes to begin. It has been a labor of love to watch our Sangha grow and I am excited for our future.”

Rev. Jaskula also was excited about the BCA’s decision.

“The Albany Buddhist Sangha is ready to step out and take a bow,” he said. “We started in 2017 under the auspices of the New York Buddhist Church and deliberately kept our heads down as we organized and grew the organization. There were times, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,  when we weren’t sure how it would pan out. However, the Albany Sangha is made up of such wonderfully energetic, articulate and enthusiastic people (adults and children) that we are not only surviving, but also thriving.

“Working with them and with Rev. Aaron has been one of the most fulfilling things in my life and I am very grateful to have been part of it,” Rev. Jaskula continued. “It really aspires to be a Sangha run from the bottom up rather than from the top down. I think there is a great future in store for BCA and Shin Buddhism.”

Brady, Rev. Dr. Proffitt and Rev. Jaskula all thanked the New York Buddhist Church, BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Ikeda and NYBC Resident Minister Rev. Kurt Rye for their support and Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada for his guidance.