Las Vegas Sangha to Become Official Temple

In a clear sign of its intent to grow and expand Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in the United States, the BCA National Board approved a new temple for the first time in more than a decade — in Las Vegas.

Following a full-throated introduction by BCA President Glenn Inanaga and a presentation by Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha (LVBS) members, the National Board endorsed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the BCA and the LVBS on June 6. 

Soon after the MOU was approved, the LVBS leadership began the hard work of informing its members, making presentations at Sunday services,   and assigning six board members to contact Sangha members about questions and concerns. On July 26, after a third presentation to address final concerns, the Sangha approved the agreement.

“We didn’t want to rush our members before voting on such an important proposal,” LVBS President Dennis Tsukagawa said.

“May I congratulate the Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha on its decision and vote to become our next BCA temple,” Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada said. “I have seen with my own eyes how your Sangha is growing, how you annually put on a wonderful Obon and have become a warm and welcoming Sangha that many new people are joining. We look forward to your becoming a temple and how you will be a vehicle to share the Dharma in the Las Vegas area and community.”  

The temple candidacy will go into effect at the February 2027 National Council Meeting, when it is expected to be ratified. The Las Vegas Buddhist Temple will become the 59th BCA member temple and church.

“This is probably the most exciting part of what we do at the National Board because I have to ask you, ‘How many of you at your local temple and church actually think about creating new temples around you?’” Inanaga said. 

“My point is this — and I don’t want this to be lost at all — this is one of the core objectives of the national organization, which is to share the teachings,” he continued. “And I challenge all of us to ask the question, ‘Why are we not thinking about (establishing new temples or sanghas) proactively?’”

Tsukagawa thanked the BCA for all of its support over the years, from ministers like Rev. Harada, who have traveled to Las Vegas for several years to deliver Dharma messages, to the BCA Sangha members’ support of the huge Obon festival, which celebrated its 37th year on Aug. 15. The Obon festival is immensely popular and has consistently attracted a large number of Southern California members.

Tsukagawa said he arrived in Las Vegas nine years ago from the Mountain View Buddhist Temple and was pleased to find the LVBS. He and others have advocated the need to join the BCA as a full-fledged temple. The LVBS is currently in its 41st year.

He said the effort toward temple status took a leap forward when the LVBS Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA) was accepted into the Southern District’s BWA in 2020.

In addition to Tsukagawa, Duane Izumi and his wife, Robyn Izumi, spoke before the National Board in June. The Izumis moved to Las Vegas in 2022 from Hawaii, where they were members of the Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.

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“Growing up, we were always part of the Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple because my dad was a minister there,” Duane Izumi said. “As a newer member, I see the value of being part of a national organization.”

He noted the benefits and resources that a national organization can give to a temple. He likened it to the support and training he received from the state of Hawaii in his former job as an athletic director at a high school in Hawaii. 

Robyn Izumi said she was heartened by the response of LVBS members  who took part in the Kieshiki ceremony on April 12. In all, 26 members received their Homyo, or Japanese Buddhist name.

“That, for me, was very encouraging about our members,” she said. “They want to be involved, they want to be part of something bigger and by doing that ceremony with Bishop Rev. Harada being present and on Zoom, that was really amazing.”

With the signing of the MOU, the LVBS will have the following benefits:

• Inclusion in the BCA directory.

• Inclusion in the Southern District directory.

• Invitation to all BCA and Southern District events.

• LVBS members will receive the Wheel of Dharma, BCA Connect and BCA correspondence.

• Invitation to all BCA National Board and National Council meetings and Southern District meetings as an observer and guest.

“This is one of the first times that this National Board gets to talk about establishing an Eightfold (Path) community in Las Vegas and continue to take part in growing the national organization,” Inanaga said.

Rev. John Mullins, a Minister’s Assistant who often conducts services at the LVBS, hailed the National Board’s decision.

“Las Vegas becoming an official BCA temple is a wonderful milestone that reflects the Sangha’s decades of efforts to establish our presence and share the Buddha-Dharma with others,” Rev. Mullins said. “I am mindful that we are the only gateway to Shinran's teachings in Nevada, and this future temple designation brings both responsibility and opportunity for growth. For those drawn to the lights of Las Vegas, we hope Amida's boundless light will guide their way to us. As we say here, ‘The Buddha’s house always wins!’” 

The last time the BCA approved temple status was in 2015 for the Longmont Buddhist Temple in Longmont, Colorado.