| 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 / 38.77389; -77.300722 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Rev. Kenryu Tsuji and Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata |
| Date established | 1981 |
| Website | |
| http://www.ekoji.org | |
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, the oldest Buddhist organization in the mainland United States.
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. 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.
There are several Ekoji Temples in Japan, as well as in Düsseldorf, Germany and Mexico City.
See also
References
- "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.
External links
- Ekoji Buddhist Temple, Jodo Shinshu Buddhism (Nishi Hongwanji), Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C.
- Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK): Society for the Promotion of Buddhism
- Ekoji Buddhist Temple on Facebook
- Ekoji Buddhist Temple on Instagram
- Ekoji Buddhist Temple on Twitter
- Nen Daiko
- Buddhist temples in Virginia
- Buildings and structures in Fairfax County, Virginia
- Japanese-American culture in Virginia
- Religious buildings and structures completed in 1998
- Religious organizations established in 1981
- 1981 establishments in Virginia
- Buddhist Churches of America
- 20th-century Buddhist temples
- Shinshū Honganji-ha temples