The first Center for Buddhist Education (CBE) Temple Leadership workshop was held on September 7-9 at the Jodo Shinshu Center. Leaders from the Ekoji, Spokane, Parlier, Marysville and Walnut Grove temples spent the weekend learning more about our religion, temple organization, BCA structure and leadership techniques.

Rev. Harry Bridge led the session on Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu and professional facilitators, K.G. Ouye and Pauline Millgram talked to the group about leadership qualities and techniques. Onaijin set-up, Hondo etiquette, the Jodo Shinshu & Hongwanji world, BCA history and the organization were covered by Rev. Kodo Umezu and Brian Nagata. In the evening, an open discussion was held at which time the assembled temple leaders were able to share ideas and concerns of their respective temples with each other.

The CBE has organized the temple leadership seminars so that temples with like needs and concerns can meet together in the day and a half seminar with a variety of informative sessions which the CBE feels will enhance the leadership and organization needs of our BCA temples. In commenting on this weekend leadership session, one participant said: “There were good ideas shared regarding improving our skills in trying to address our membership problems and how to recognize people’s personality types and how to deal with them.”

Another participant stated “the seminar was flawlessly organized and the content was a perfect balance of practical problem solving, discussions, visions and long-term perspectives with an opportunity to hear the Dharma.”

The next CBE Temple Leadership seminar will be held for leaders from mid-size temples with resident ministers and the CBE encourages each temple to send at least two temple leaders or members with leadership potential to attend a CBE Temple Leadership seminar.

The CBE committee would like to thank the members of the Parlier Buddhist Church for their donation of delicious California fruits served throughout the weekend at this seminar.