Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Members of Utah's Buddhist community gathered to celebrate their faith's 100th anniversary in Utah, Saturday.
It's a milestone they are making with celebration and reverence.
The Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America lead the procession, as hundreds gathered to commemorate 100 years in Utah. These Utahns practice Jodo Shinshu, the largest group in Japanese Buddhism, and they total nearly 500 here.
The faith has three temples throughout the state: One in Salt Lake City, another in Honeyville, and Ogden.
In 1912, a Buddhist minister from San Francisco conducted the first memorial service for all deceased Japanese pioneers. They had come to Utah to work on the railroads and in the mines.
More than 11,000 Japanese Americans lived in the Topaz internment camp during World War II. Life was difficult then and afterwards, they say.
"People in this area didn't have an easy time but something spiritual (happened) — guidance that they have received from their tradition," said Reverend Kodo Umezu, Bishop of Buddhist Churches of America.
Reverend Jerry Hirano, minister at the Buddhist Church of Ogden, says that since the 1962, when the first temple was completed, there has been a shift in attendance.
"If you look at our temples, originally they were 99, 100 percent Japanese American," he said. "But that's also changed. It has become much more diverse. So I think that speaks a lot about to how spirituality is important here in Utah."
Members of the Women's Association of the Honeyville Buddhist Temple created a quilt in commemoration of the anniversary; It reflects the past, but also speaks to the future of their faith in Utah.
"The growth and everything and the friendship we formed," said Chiyoko Terashima, a Buddhist. "It has been a happy occasion for everyone."
With deepest reverence, they rededicated themselves to their faith and their communities to lead the way for future generations.
