We in BCA Must Ask Ourselves: How Can We Grow?

In April, I attended the Federation of Dharma School Teachers’ League (FDSTL) annual conference at the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple.

Noticing that I was one of the few non-Japanese and Japanese Americans there, another attendee asked me what kept me coming back to my temple, the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temples. 

Although I cannot recall exactly how I replied, this question has rattled around in my head ever since. At the conference, we Dharma School teachers discussed how to grow our classes. 

This was a microcosm of a larger problem plaguing the BCA: declining membership. So then, we in the BCA must ask ourselves: How can we grow? I myself have some ideas. 

The future of the BCA depends on its ability to balance its spiritual roots with the changing demographics of America. At a crossroads, the BCA must decide whether it will remain primarily a cultural institution or evolve into a welcoming Buddhist community that aspires to see every ethnicity in its pews. 

This is not a question of abandoning the BCA’s heritage. On the contrary, the BCA must stay rooted if it wants to grow. People want to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves, and tradition plays a key role in this. The BCA should build upon its Japanese foundation, not move away from it. That said, the BCA must highlight its Buddhist heritage over everything else; doing otherwise imperils the continuation of Buddhism in America. The growth of our religion can only come from embracing diversity. 

Central to this is radical openness. Temples must be visibly present in our communities, not hidden or insular. Our doors should be wide open to anyone seeking spiritual connection, regardless of background. Buddhism in America already benefits from a generally positive public perception. 

Moreover, we benefit from a history of pro-LGBTQ+ activism. I cannot list all the times that someone has told me, “I don’t practice any religion, but if I did, I would practice Buddhism.” 

The BCA should actively capitalize on this goodwill. This means participating in local community events, helping those in need and speaking out against injustice. 

This also means meeting people where they’re at, both figuratively and literally. For example, meditation is popular nowadays. Although our sect doesn’t emphasize this practice, temples could attract new members by hosting regular meditation sessions. Some temples already do this, and from my experience, those meditation groups are a source of growth. 

Another option is more outreach. Whether it be through social media or tabling in public, the BCA needs to let the outside world know that we want you. This also means going into previously unreached areas. 

For example, except for Ekoji, the South has no temples. This represents a huge lacuna in the BCA’s outlook. To address this, we should promote the establishment of small, community-based Sanghas. This starts with people meeting regularly at someone’s home. Often, this already happens without the BCA’s support. 

After all, many people are interested in Japanese Buddhism; maybe they heard the Nembutsu in an anime or visited Nishi Honganji on vacation. Either way, when these groups appear, the BCA should offer recognition and support. They don’t need to be perfectly orthodox, at least initially. As they develop, I imagine them becoming more and more in line with Jodo Shinshu doctrine. 

However, as things stand now, the BCA is retreating westward. A fellow temple member once told me, “The BCA has no eyes beyond the Rockies.” But to be frank, I’m not sure if the BCA even has eyes beyond the Sierra Nevada. 

As someone who attended an East Coast temple for years, I can attest to the frustration that many there feel. To be fair, this neglect is somewhat understandable. The West Coast is the only area experiencing growth. 

However, to what extent is this a self-fulfilling prophecy? All over America, people are lost and in need of spiritual orientation. We can help them if only we expand our outlook. To boot, the fastest-growing religious group in America is the so-called “nones” (i.e., those who don’t identify with any religion). The BCA should target these people. We can show them that religion doesn’t have to be polluted with judgment or discrimination. 

The growth of Buddhism often occurs through social relationships; people come to our temples because someone they know invited them. If they feel welcomed and form meaningful bonds, they stay. 

Therefore, temples should foster an environment that is not only spiritually enriching, but also joyful and socially engaging. Laughter, friendship and shared experiences are not distractions from religious life; they are essential to it. 

Positive, happy memories are what keep people returning and building long-term commitment. I know this from experience. While I attended Ekoji Buddhist Temple, I co-founded a young adult Buddhist organization. This organization grew and attracted new people to Ekoji due to the camaraderie of its members. It introduced itself as a social club; then it used Buddhism as the glue that kept people together. To this day, Ekoji’s majority convert congregation benefits from this approach. 

As a side note, I would also suggest starting a catechesis course for converts. A common problem I see among new converts is a lack of knowledge regarding our sect. A catechesis course would solve this problem, building a firm base of Jodo Shinshu Buddhists. 

Moreover, we should strongly encourage those wanting a Homyo or Japanese Buddhist name to complete this course. Too often, people receive Homyos in our temples and never reenter them. The fee to take this course would give people buy-in and support the BCA financially. 

Another important factor in attracting converts is the need to make Buddhism beautiful. In recent years, many young people have been drawn to religious traditions that emphasize aesthetic richness and a sacred atmosphere, such as Catholicism. 

This is not superficial; beauty has the power to evoke awe, reverence and — most important — a sense of transcendence. Buddhism has a profound artistic heritage, encompassing intricate temples, statues and paintings. 

The BCA should embrace and highlight this tradition. In an age dominated by minimalist and utilitarian design, many people long for spaces that feel sacred and set apart from our ordinary lives. 

When someone enters a Buddhist temple, it should feel like stepping out of oneself and one’s era into another world. Beauty can be a powerful gateway to faith, drawing people in and helping them connect to the spiritual life so many people lack. 

When I traveled to Kyoto in October 2025, I visited many Buddhist temples. These temples installed in me a sense of deep reverence that I will never forget. As soon as I returned to America, I ached to visit them again. I still miss sitting shoeless on tatami mats, reciting the Nembutsu before a golden Amida statue. We need ornate, ancient beauty. 

Another critical area for growth is family support. As the birthrate of the United States declines, every family becomes even more important to the continuity of our religious community. The BCA must support families, especially in terms of material support. This includes emergency funds for medical bills, diaper banks, grocery assistance and child care services. 

Raising a child takes a village; add to that today’s increasing costs, and the BCA must step up. Doing so will not only ingratiate families with Buddhism; it will also enable them to grow. After all, this is the most direct way to increase membership. Thus, the BCA should champion families and back this up via meaningful support. 

Nevertheless, big Buddhist families mean nothing if the next generation doesn’t remain Buddhist. What’s more, one of the greatest challenges facing Buddhism is its low retention rate. 

In fact, one in five children born into a Buddhist family will leave Buddhism, according to Pew Research. This means we have the worst retention rate of the four major world religions. 

If children grow up without a strong, meaningful connection to Buddhist teachings and community life, they are unlikely to remain active as adults. 

Temples must, therefore, make a concerted effort to instill the importance of Buddhism in our youth, not through obligation, but through inspiration, knowledge and joy. Indeed, just as important as the sound of babies crying in our temples is the sound of children laughing. 

Temple attendance shouldn’t feel like a chore; it should feel like an opportunity to connect with friends. That’s how we attract the youth. Besides, Buddhism has so much to offer; our faith is more than worth preserving. 

In conclusion, the growth of a religion comes down to three factors: conversion, families and retention. I understand many temples will find implementing some of the policies proposed in this article unworkable due to financial reasons. 

That said, the only way to build financial capacity is to grow. Besides, not all of these proposals require money. This is not an all-or-nothing approach. 

By welcoming all people, nurturing strong family and community bonds, and creating spaces that inspire and uplift our children, the BCA can transform itself into a thriving and enduring presence in American religious life. Rather than fading into irrelevance, it can become a beacon of joy, compassion, and spiritual richness for generations to come.