Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple

09/04/2026

Our service on Sunday Sept 6 (at 10:30) will be our monthly memorial ("shotsuki") service -- when we pause and remember all of our extended community members who have died in September (of any previous year). Our temple community (and our extended community of Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho) is only possible because of a combination of unique historical circumstances and meaningful relationships between people with different backgrounds, skills, and personalities over the past decades. Our monthly memorials give us a chance to see our own lives in the context of a much bigger community and express our appreciation for the people that made our current lives possible. Visitors welcome! Message us if you would like the Zoom link.
Photo: 1952 gathering to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for our current temple building.

09/01/2026

We are happy to let you know that our sister temple in Portland ("Oregon Buddhist Temple") now has a full time minister, Rev. Vonn Magnin, and they are increasing the number of services, programs, and activities they are offering. We are very excited to have another Jodo Shinshu minister in the NW District. If you are on the West side of the state, please try to participate in one of their services!

Some new changes at OBT this September!

#浄土真宗本願寺派 #ポートランド

09/01/2026

08/29/2026

We hope you can join us for our August 30 service at 10:30 at the temple in Ontario (on online using Zoom).
The last Sunday of each month, we take a moment at the end of the service to honor everyone who has had a birthday in the past month. We skipped July, so for our August 30 service we will celebrate both July and August birthdays. Our ministers will also share some introductions to chanting and practical applications of Buddhism followed by an informal discussion.
Families and visitors are always welcome. Message us if you have any questions or would like to join by Zoom.

08/26/2026

Buddhism emphasizes interconnection of all things. This means "Yes, you are important!... And so are all the communities you are all part of." Let's take care of ourselves while also looking out for each other.

08/24/2026

We've chosen a creative/playful topic for our online Dharma discussion on Tuesday, August 25th (via Zoom 7:30pm Mountain Time). The topic was suggested by Georgette who wrote:

“I love the opening theme from the 1969 film, ‘Paint Your Wagon' about the California Gold Rush. The miners going overland from the settled parts of the US had ‘Prairie schooner’ wagons with large canvas coverings. I suppose some decorated or painted this canvas to distinguish their vehicle. One common slogan was ‘California or Bust’ showing their determination to reach the gold fields no matter the hardships.” A few other examples of slogans were: Other slogans included: "Bound for Origen", "Root little hog or die", “Patience and Perseverance“, and "Never Say Die.”

Inspired by this, we thought it would be fun to think about some slogans for our own lives. So here are a few questions to consider:

1) What phrase or slogan (Buddhist or non-Buddhist) has caught your imagination?

2) What slogan would you paint on your "dharma vehicle"? Or, in other words, "is there a phrase or insight that inspires you when the going gets rough?" What helps keep you connected to the teachings of Wisdom and Compassion on the hard days?

3) Even if you can’t join us on Tuesday night, please share your slogans in the comments!

Message us if you would like the Zoom link to join us. Even if you aren't able to join us, it would be fun if you could share a "slogan" (that you found or that you made up) that inspires you on your life's journey.

P.S. As background Georgette also shares this: “I listened to the film soundtrack many times in the 1970s. I had studied the Gold Rush in school but hearing all the languages used in the opening theme brought home that, yes, ‘The World came to California for gold.’ Watch "Main Title (I'm On My Way)" on YouTube

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupMain Title (I'm On My...

08/21/2026

Consider joining us at the temple (or on Zoom) for our Sunday Service on August 23, 2026 at 10:30. Our lives can be busy and stressful. We may worry or become upset about the conditions of the world. We hope that our Sunday services provide a moment of calm and an opportunity to look at the world from a fresh perspective. Visitors welcome! Families welcome! Message us if you would like the Zoom link.

08/14/2026

We hope you can join us in person or online for our service on Sunday Aug 16 at 10:30 MOUNTAIN Time. We'll be thinking about the Buddhist teachings of change and impermanence and how that applies to our individual lives, our communities, and the development of Buddhism in America. Message us for Zoom link if you'd like to join remotely. Visitors welcome! Families welcome!

08/10/2026

We lead an online Zoom Dharma Discussion Group on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:30pm. These are very informal and include people from around the country and different backgrounds in Buddhism.

If you would like to join us, just message us and we'll send you the link. If you have questions let us know.

Here's the topic for Wednesday August 12:

Dharmakara Bodhisattva is the bodhisattva who through intense practice made 48 Vows and became Amida Buddha. For Tuesday, August 11th, please read this short blog by Rev. Marvin Harada, Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America: https://www.buddhistchurch.org/news/a-wish-that-transcends-worldly-wishes Rev. Harada refers to a sutra that we chant on Tuesdays, the Juseige. We hope that this blog will help you better appreciate our chanting.

Questions for discussion:

1) Rev. Marvin mentions “worldly wishes” in his blog. What are some of your worldly wishes? What do these wishes reflect about you?
2) Rev. Marvin ends the article with these questions: "What kind of wishes are we living with in our life? Are we living with worldly wishes, or have we found a wish that transcends worldly wishes in our life?” How would you answer these questions for yourself?
3) What does it mean to have the example of Dharmakara Bodhisattva making a transcendent wish and working so hard to fulfill it?
5) 4)When you look around the world, can you find examples of goodness in the world, even in the midst of difficulties?
Although we may fail at all of the wishes/vows that we make in this lifetime, is it still helpful to make them?

Even if you can't or don't want to join us, we hope you enjoy the reading and a chance for a bit of reflection on the hot August days....

By Bishop Reverend Marvin Harada | Ministers Blog

08/07/2026

Please join us for our service on Sunday August 9 at 10:30. Our service will provide insight into the imporance of practicing Buddhism in the context of a larger community. Buddhism would not exist without human relationships, collaboration, and friendships.
Visitors welcome. Families welcome. Sevices in English

Photo: Historic photo of an important temple activity that requires a lot of collaboration. What is it?