Berkeley Buddhist Temple

The Eighties
In September of 1981, when Reverend Ishiura was reassigned to Florin Temple, Reverend Yoshihide Matsubayashi briefly served the temple. He was in turn transferred to Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church and Reverend Haruyoshi Kusada, former Director of IBS, replaced him in the spring of 1983. Under his guidance the temple had moved along with the increasing concern for broader religious understanding and propagation, and joining other BCA temples in the BCA's Campaign for Buddhism.

Reverend Kusada's expertise in ritual and chanting continued the temple's ties to the IBS through his teaching of classes. In 1988, the temple also acquired the Fulton Street apartment for much needed parking. In September of 1989, the Fujinkai celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its founding.

The year 1991 marked the retirement of Reverend Kusada after more than eight years of service as our resident minister. He will long be remembered as being a strong role model for laymen and ministers alike.

The Nineties
Following Reverend Kusada's retirement, Reverend Hozan Hardiman became the resident minister. The nineties was a time of transition, with the inevitable loss of the Issei and Nisei (first and second generation Japanese/Japanese Americans) members. The Temple has been able to maintain a growing and active membership through the efforts of the Sansei's (third generation) and Post-War baby boomers and non-Japanese American members.

The kitchen in the 'old temple' was remodeled in 1996.

The following projects were completed in 1999.
* The social hall was remodeled on the inside. All asbestos was removed from the ceiling. A new dropped-ceiling was installed. New window coverings were purchased.
* The social hall was sealed and painted on the inside and outside.
* Seismic retrofitting was installed in the social hall and Hondo.
* A fence and wheelchair ramp were constructed at the front entrance.

The Turn of the Century
In June of 2001, the Gomonshu Koshin Ohtani visited the Berkeley Buddhist Temple.

The Temple celebrated its 90th Anniversary in the year 2001. To prepare for the celebration, major renovations were performed on the Hondo. These included reupholstering the pews, installing a new floor and windows, remodeling the foyer and Nokodukso (sp?) closet, and painting the building exterior. Also a new carpet and door were installed in the library.

In February of 2002, Rev. Hardiman was transferred to Hawaii. To prepare for the new minister, the minister's residence was refurbished during the remainder of 2002 and 2003. Also the wooden fence in the rear of the property was replaced with a concrete block wall.

In 2003, the BCA purchased the adjoining property at Fulton and Durant Streets. Construction of the World Jodo Shinshu Center and Institute of Buddhist Studies was begun in May of 2005.

In 2004, the Berkeley Buddhist Women's Association (BBWA) celebrated its 90th anniversary. The courtyard was resurfaced.

After two years without a resident minister, the Temple welcomed Reverend David Matsumoto as its resident minister in January of 2005. Reverend Matsumoto is also the Director of the Center for Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies of the Institute of Buddhist Studies.

In 2005, the roofs of the Temple and Social Hall were replaced. The linoleum flooring in the social hall was also replaced. The linoleum floors in the upstairs classrooms and hallway were covered with new linoleum.