Hakubun Watanabe’s Lasting Legacy – JSC

Visionary Leader Served as Bishop and IBS President; He Passed Away at 86

BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Hakubun Hirofumi Watanabe is being remembered as a visionary leader with politically astute skills who helped establish the Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) — now the center of Shin Buddhism in America.

He’s also credited in helping to shape the current BCA and Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS). He served both as Bishop of the BCA and President of the IBS from 1996 to 2004. 

During his tenure as BCA Bishop and IBS President, he brought about the English translation of the “Collected Works of Shinran,” or CWS, one of the most important and influential works in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Previously, the CWS had been available in book segments, but not as an entire set.

But the Jodo Shinshu Center stands out among Rev. Watanabe’s many accomplishments. It opened in 2006 following nearly a decade of planning and fundraising efforts.

Rev. Watanabe passed away on Jan. 6 at the age of 86. 

BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Koshin Ogui, who succeeded Rev. Watanabe as Bishop from 2004 to 2012, issued a statement on Rev. Watanabe’s passing and credited him for his role in making the JSC a reality. 

“Rev. Hakubun Watanabe served as the 12th Bishop of BCA from 1996 to 2004,” Rev. Ogui said. “It was Bishop Watanabe that the present Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, California, was initiated in 1997. He worked with then-Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Governor General, Bishop Daijo Toyohara, who served from 1977-2000. 

“Because of Rev. Watanabe's efforts, we were able to receive financial support for this important project,” Rev. Ogui continued. “Rev. Watanabe was very talented in politics, especially in working with the Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan. I also express my sincere appreciation to his wife, Mrs. Kuniko Watanabe, who always quietly supported him. I was honored to succeed Rev. Watanabe as Bishop of the BCA and to take on the challenges of the task that come with being Bishop.”

Rev. Watanabe served as the Kaikyoshi minister for the Seabrook Buddhist Temple from 1968-1971; Salt Lake Buddhist Temple from 1971-1982; and the San Mateo Buddhist Temple from 1982-1996. 

He served as both the BCA Bishop and the IBS President from 1996 to 2004, and as supervisor of the Mexico Hongwanji Sangha from 1996 to 2004. He retired from the BCA in 2004. 

Rev. Watanabe went on to serve as Bishop of the South America Kyodan from 2004 to 2008. 

The Watanabe family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to all who have supported them throughout the years.