Ekoji (恵光寺, Ekō-ji) is a temple of the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha Japanese Buddhist sect in Fairfax Station, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. It is a member of the Buddhist Churches of America,[1] the oldest Buddhist organization in the mainland United States.
| Ekoji Buddhist Temple | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to Ekoji Buddhist Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | 6500 Lakehaven Lane Fairfax Station, Virginia |
| Country | United States |
| Geographic coordinates | 38°46′26″N 77°18′2.6″W / 38.77389°N 77.300722°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Rev. Kenryu Tsuji and Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata |
| Date established | 1981 |
| Website | |
| http://www.ekoji.org | |
Ekoji (literally in Japanese, "Temple of the Gift of Light") was founded in 1981; its initial location was an office condominium building located in Springfield, Virginia, and a larger temple was constructed in Fairfax Station, Virginia, in 1998. The temple was established through the beneficial efforts of the late Rev. Kenryu Tsuji (1919-2004), the former Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America, and the late Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata, a Japanese businessman and devout Jodo Shinshu Buddhist.[2] He also established the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai ("Society for the Promotion of Buddhism") to help spread Buddhism throughout the world.
Reverend Nariaki Hayashi became the full-time resident minister in 2016. However, as of 2022, he has left to be the minister of the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple.
As of 2023, Ekoji has a chapter of the Young Buddhist Association.
The temple serves as the headquarters for the taiko drumming ensemble Nen Daiko.[3][4]
There are several Ekoji Temples in Japan, as well as in Düsseldorf, Germany and Mexico City.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Find a Temple". Buddhist Churches of America. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Spencer, Paul (2018-02-27). "Om Sweet Om". Style Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Nen Daiko". Retrieved 2023-04-11.
- ^ "Buddhist Ekoji - Nen Daiko - Japanese Taiko Drumming". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2023-04-11.