Ekoji Buddhist Temple
Entrance to Ekoji Buddhist Temple
Religion
AffiliationJōdo Shinshū Buddhism
Location
Location6500 Lakehaven Lane
Fairfax Station, Virginia
CountryUnited States
Geographic coordinates38°46′26″N 77°18′2.6″W / 38.77389°N 77.300722°W / 38.77389; -77.300722
Architecture
FounderRev. Kenryu Tsuji and Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata
Date established1981
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,[1] 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.[2] 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.[3][4]

There are several Ekoji Temples in Japan, as well as in Düsseldorf, Germany and Mexico City.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Find a Temple". Buddhist Churches of America. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  2. ↑ Spencer, Paul (2018-02-27). "Om Sweet Om". Style Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  3. ↑ "Nen Daiko". Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. ↑ "Buddhist Ekoji - Nen Daiko - Japanese Taiko Drumming". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
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