One century ago, a small group of Japanese Americans formed what proved to be a cornerstone of a community held together by tradition and a willingness and ability to accept the changes 100 years can bring.
The San Mateo Buddhist Temple,
rising above the meandering San Mateo Creek at the northeast side of downtown San Mateo, wasn’t always anchored at 2 S. Claremont St. In 1910, it occupied a storefront at the end of Ellsworth and Baldwin avenues. Before World War II and the Japanese internments, the lot was purchased and remained empty until a multipurpose hall was constructed in one of the few neighborhoods where Japanese Americans settled after the war. The temple was built later along with classrooms.
While membership ebbs and flows, it stands as a community center for the original immigrants, their ancestors and anyone else interested in the Buddhist faith.
“Over 100 years we changed. Some parts we changed, and some parts we kept tradition,” said Steve Okamoto, a church member helping to organize a series of events to commemorate the 100-year anniversary titled “In Gratitude 1910-2010.”
“It’s in gratitude to those who had the foresight to create this,” Okamoto said.
One of the founders of the church, Tetsuo Yamanouchi, came to San Mateo in 1906 and started a Buddhist congregation to create a community foundation, according to his granddaughter Laurie Watanuki. The first church was in the family home at First and Ellsworth avenues. It soon outgrew the home and moved to a nearby building owned by the Wisnom family.
“That was the beginning of the San Mateo Buddhist Church,” Watanuki said. “It was important at that time. The community was very small. My grandfather was one of 10 [Japanese] men in San Mateo at the time.”
Watanuki’s grandmother Yoshiko Yamanouchi was the founder of the Sunday School in addition to the women’s organization and youth group and was involved with the Japanese language school. Teaching youth about their culture, traditions and language were important.
Fast forward to now and that task falls to Susan Bottari, who leads the youth programs. They hold a Dharma School every Sunday and hold get-togethers, seminars and retreats. The culture is different now and young people have more choices than to spend time in church. Soccer, basketball and other activities often hold more appeal, Bottari said.
“A religious program is usually not at the top of the list,” she said. “There are so many choices.”
Still, the youth program is active and there is less emphasis on the social aspect and more on the religion in part because Bottari said the youth are more intellectually savvy.
“What is it about Buddhism that attracts? There are no rules, no constant,” she said.
That remains true. Buddhists don’t pray to a deity and going to service is not as emphasized as in other religions like Christianity. While the church’s membership nears 400, there is some concern about the numbers dwindling as the older generation passes and young people find other interests. It is for that reason why the church brought the Rev. Ryuta Furumoto to the congregation. At 36, he has the youth to relate to the younger generation and to new members. Originally from Japan, Furumoto spent time in Arizona before being recruited to San Mateo. So far he likes it, though he finds that sometimes language can be a barrier.
“Certain traditions in our Buddhist sect can’t be translated,” he said, adding that the messages like living a good life remain simple.
As someone who aims to lead the congregation into the beginning of its next 100 years, he knows there is a large tradition and culture to uphold.
“We talk and we listen,” he said. “Think of others’ happiness … the stories and the lessons are all tied to gratitude.”
The San Mateo Buddhist Temple will be holding a series of special events in conjunction with its 100-year anniversary throughout the year culminating with a Temple Centennial Service/Celebration Oct. 10 at the San Mateo Marriott. For more information about the events or the temple go to www.sanmateobuddhisttemple.org.
By Jon Mays
Source: www.smdailyjournal.com
