Orange County Buddhist Church

09/05/2026

OCBC will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 6 for Labor Day weekend, and there will be no Mindfulness Service or Family Service. Let us all recognize the contributions workers make to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country -- interdependence at work. [Japanese American farm workers in Centerville, CA, 1942. Photo by Dorothea Lange.]

07/31/2026

Join us for our Summer Dharma session on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 10am. In-person only, these weekly gatherings from late July through early August include a short service followed by a Dharma talk with opportunity for discussion. Everyone is welcome!

07/16/2026

Come to OCBC this weekend, July 18 & 19, for our Obon Festival, where you can enjoy delicious food (chicken teriyaki, wontons, sushi, shave ice, and much more), let your kids have fun at the game booths, and dance in joyous remembrance of your loved ones. As a special treat, geisha and maiko from Yamagata, Japan will perform Sunday only, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. We also have Taiko performances, a craft boutique, bake sale booth, Buddhist bookstore, white elephant sale, and more. Open to the public, free admission, free shuttle bus from Western High School parking lot.

07/11/2026

Join us for our Obon Special Service on July 11 with guest speaker Rev. Mayuki Nagamine, who will focus on "Receiving the Dharma Through Obon." The word "Obon" comes from the Ullambana Sutra, which tells the story of Maudgalyāyana, a great disciple of Śākyamuni Buddha. After feeling a deep sense of regret and sorrow over his mother's death, Maudgalyayana realized that her devotion to him was based on an unselfish love. With this deep insight into his mother’s life, he danced with joy as his regret and sorrow were transformed into appreciation and gratitude. For Shin Buddhists, Obon is also called Gathering of Joy (Kangi-e) in grateful remembrance of all those who have influenced our lives.

Join us for our in-person, hybrid service in the Hondo with Rev. Ma...

07/04/2026

A friendly reminder that OCBC will not have Family Service or Mindfulness Service on Sunday, July 5, due to the 4th of July holiday weekend. Please enjoy the holiday safely!

06/27/2026

Join us for "What Liberated the Buddha?" at our June 28 service with Minister Assistant Jim Pollard. Shinran examined many scriptures to understand what liberated Śākyamuni, the historical buddha, and concluded that the most convincing answer is contained in the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life. Śākyamuni was liberated by nembutsu, which means “thinking of all the buddhas.” When the disciple Ānanda understood this, he too was liberated, as were Ānanda’s successors including Hōnen and Shinran. Could this also be our path to liberation? In-person and livestreamed service.

Join us for What Liberated the Buddha? at our in-person, hybrid ser...

06/14/2026

Join us for our June 14 hybrid service with Ministers' Assistant Janet Arima. In Buddhism, one of the truths is that nothing in this world is fixed, flawless, or permanent. We all change. We all make mistakes. We all fall short of the standards we place on ourselves. Suffering often begins when we believe we must be “perfect” in order to be worthy of belonging, of love, or peace. Waka T. Brown’s book "Perfect" beautifully reflects this struggle through a child’s eyes.

Join us for our in-person, hybrid service in the Hondo with Ministe...

06/05/2026

Join us for our June 7 Family Service, when MA Janis Hirohama asks why "It's Hard to Be Humble." When we spend our lives striving for success and taking pride in our accomplishments, we might view humility negatively – as a lack of self-esteem and an obstacle to achievement. But in Buddhism, humility is actually the key to a healthy view of ourselves and the world. When we have the strength to let ourselves be humble, we can lead a life of authenticity, resilience, and gratitude. Hybrid service -- in-person and livestreamed.

Minister Assistant Janis Hirohama will be discussing why it's hard ...

05/30/2026

"New karma into old bottles." At our May 30 hybrid Family Service, Rev. Jon Turner will talk about karma, one of the most popular Indian words in the English language. "Karma" is not a Buddhist teaching, but the Buddha, as was his habit, was able to reinterpret its meaning within a new Buddhist context -- as if pouring new w**e into old bottles. Join us in person or by livestream at 10 a.m.

Rev. Jon Turner will be pouring new karma into old bottles. "Karma"...

05/21/2026

OCBC will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Sunday, May 24 and we will not have regular services that day. Our ministers will be making visitations at local cemeteries including Westminster Memorial Park, Fairhaven, and Forest Lawn Cypress on Monday -- please contact our office for locations and times.